Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Hidden Treasures in Texas






Texas is an area yet to be explored by Frugal Family Travelers.  However, at the request of some of our loyal followers we did some investigating and made some great discoveries worthy of your attention.   This information will be useful for all the  Frugal Family Travelers out there debating on which direction to head this summer for a family vacation. 

A special thanks is extended to all of our readers who shared there knowledge of the resources you will find below.   If you read our blog often you know that we are particularly a fan of travel that takes us "off the beaten path".  The links below certain fit the bill.  Enjoy discovering Texas!

Tubing:


14 Tiny Towns that are Worth the Visit:


Great Swimming Holes:




Great Article:


Disclaimer:
All content provided on Frugal Family Travelers blog is for informational purposes only. The owners of this blog make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site.  The owners of Frugal Family Travelers blog do not share personal information with third-parties and are not responsible for the republishing of the content found on this blog on other Web sites or media without permission.  As with all travel, operating days, times, costs, etc., should be verified prior to departure.


Sunday, February 8, 2015

Natchitoches Itinerary Day 3......Fort St. Jean Baptiste

 


Our Frugal Family Travelers are taking our readers on a vacation adventure to the Natchitoches, LA area.  Day 1 of our itinerary featured the adventures to be had with your family at Hodges Gardens State Park.  If you missed "Day 1" and want to catch up, "click here".  Day 2 of our itinerary featured our exciting white water adventure on the Kisatchie Bayou in the Kisatchie National Forest.   "Click here" to view this itinerary.

Day 3:
Kids + History = Boring......not for our Frugal Family Travelers and not for your crew either, IF 
you find immersive experiences for them.  Living history can be engaging and fun for both children and adults, if it is interactive!  For this reason we enjoyed our visit to Fort St. Jean Baptiste.  Upon arrival, we viewed the exhibit in the lobby and then a brief film which outlined the history of the Fort.   After this, a short walk was taken to the entrance of the fort, where we were greeted by a man in period costume who gave us an artillery demonstration. From there, we proceeded into the fort, where we made all sorts of discoveries.   Our Frugal Family Travelers particularly enjoyed making sparks with flint to see how fires were started long ago. This is something children can read about in a textbook but truly becomes a real part of them when experienced! From the pictures and video you can see the awesome experience we shared as a family, all while keeping more dollars in the bank!   I won't review all of the historical information about the fort but if you want to read about it before your visit you can always do so on the website.  The Louisiana State Parks system not only features great parks for recreation but numerous historic sites like the one we discovered in Natchitoches, as well.  When planning a trip, I encourage you to examine the state parks and historic sites in the areas you plan to visit!

Tips:
*Pack water sunscreen and insect repellent! 
* Again, consider a purchasing a state park pass.  Click here for details.

Note:  
Be sure and check out the letterboxes in this area! To learn more about letterboxing, click here to read our blog about it!  Coming soon..........Park Hopping is not just for those in Disney World!!!

Directions 

Click on video to see a highlight from our day!

Viewing the Film


Our journey to the fort begins!

The artillery demonstration work us up for sure!


Exploring!


Feed us please!



(Be sure to click on all highlighted text within the blog for additional information regarding activities, including websites, special instructions and travel directions!)

Disclaimer:
All content provided on Frugal Family Travelers blog is for informational purposes only. The owners of this blog make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site.  The owners of Frugal Family Travelers blog do not share personal information with third-parties and are not responsible for the republishing of the content found on this blog on other Web sites or media without permission.  As with all travel, operating days, times, costs, etc., should be verified prior to departure







Free Family Event: Wild Things!


If you are looking for a great free festival event for the whole family then mark October 14th on your calendar and visit "Wild Things"!!  Sponsored and hosted each year by the  Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, "Wild Things" features canoeing, art exhibits, scavenger hunts, wildlife challenge course, tours, music and SO much more!   This is a day our Frugal Family Travelers look forward to every year!

When: Saturday, October 14th, 2017, 10:00-2:00 pm 






Slidell Parade Schedules and Parade Routes



(tradition route of Slidell parades)

Krewe of Poseidon

Saturday, Jan. 27 at 6pm in Slidell


Krewe of Slidellians

Sunday, Jan. 28 at 1pm in Slidell


Mystic Krewe of Perseus

Sunday, Jan. 28 in Slidell (follows Slidellians


Mystic Krewe of Titans

Saturday, Feb. 3 at 6:30pm in Slidell


Krewe of Dionysus

Sunday, Feb. 4 at 1pm in Slidell


Krewe of Selene

Friday, Feb. 9 at 6:30pm in Slidell


Note: Mona Lisa and MoonPie will be March 10th this year!  


2019 Pioneer Christmas at Mile Branch Settlement



This holiday, step back in time to experience an old fashioned Christmas like something out of a book or movie by paying a visit to the Mile Branch Settlement's Pioneer Christmas in Franklinton, LA. For those who have not heard of the Mile Branch Settlement, it is a pioneer village, created using historic cabins relocated from places all over Washington Parish.  The first cabin was moved to the site in 1976.  Now over 20 historic structures are present, which serve the purpose of preserving the history/culture of the 1800's and early 1900's as well as the cabins themselves.   Each year, at Christmas, the village is transformed into what one would see and experience at a typical "pioneer" Christmas.   The village comes alive with arts, crafts, decorations, music, food, and folks dressed in period costumes. There is even a visit from Santa himself.   The Pioneer Christmas is only open for two days on Saturday, December 1st and Sunday, December 2nd.  Our Frugal Family Travelers have visited Mile Branch Settlement's Pioneer Christmas in past years and are looking forward to this yet again!   Mark your calendar, you won't want to miss this neat opportunity!

NCost:   Free 

Activity Schedule:  

Hours of Operation:  Saturday, December 7th-8th - 10-5 pm
  
Directions:


Disclaimer:
All content provided on Frugal Family Travelers blog is for informational purposes only. The owners of this blog make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site.  The owners of Frugal Family Travelers blog do not share personal information with third-parties and are not responsible for the republishing of the content found on this blog on other Web sites or media without permission.  As with all travel, operating days, times, costs, etc., should be verified prior to departure.

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