A typical Texas summer is a steady stream of sizzling hot days, punctuated by astronomical air-conditioning bills.
But the summer also brings longer, sun-lit evenings that yield more time for leisure and family fun. It is this side of the season that conjures memories of wonderful summers. But filling the free time with the right activities can make the difference between a slow, boring summer and the kind you look back on nostalgically.
One of the season’s challenges is sifting through an abundance of recreation options. To help you zero in on some ideas, we asked 10 neighborhood families to tell us about their favorite summer activities, ranging from simple daily pleasures, to exciting and splurge-worthy excursions.
An Off-Beat, Everyday Pleasure
The Cemetery of Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home seems an unlikely place for a family outing. But Jo Aiton, a grandmother of 10, says her grandchildren love going there – to feed the fish. Within the cemetery’s park-like grounds, Aiton discovered a huge, man-made fish pond, teeming with carp. She brings a chunk of stale bread for the kids to toss into the pond.
A funeral home employee says feeding their fish is a tradition that has been carried on for generations. So feel free to wander around the pond anytime.
- Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home is located at 7405 Northwest Highway.
Fabulous Picnics
Tim and Marianne Howells refined picnicking to an art form while traveling throughout Europe.
“I found that we fell in love with so many places because we ate there; more of our senses were involved in experiencing places where we picnicked,” Marianne says.
The Howells apply this philosophy locally with evening picnics with their 26-year-old son Adam.
Some of their favorite settings include the Arboretum, Dallas Symphony concerts, Shakespeare in the Park, and on Marianne’s brother’s boat at Lake Ray Hubbard.
The Howell’s picnic fare is generally simple, but delicious – a crusty loaf of bread, ripe tomatoes, pate, cheese and a rotisserie chicken. All the food is available at local grocery stores, so there’s no need to cook.
“The great thing about picnicking is you can bring your own wine,” Marianne says. “In a restaurant, the selection is limited, and the prices are more expensive than they should be. You can get a great bottle of wine at Seigel’s for $12.”
- A perfect picnic event: Shakespeare in the Park runs June 14-July 3 at Samuell Grand Park, 5808 East Grand at Tenison. Shows are Tuesday through Sunday at 8:30 p.m., gates open at 7:30 p.m. The shows are free. This year’s performances are “The Taming of the Shrew” and “King Lear.” For information, call 497-1526.
A Ride on the Tarantula Train
In these modern days, trains are more a source of entertainment than a means of transportation. Which is why Ydalia and Joe Martinez pile the kids in the car and drive to Fort Worth for a ride on a 100 year-old, steamer train – the Tarantula.
The Martinez children – Dominic, 7, Alexandra, 5, and Michael, 3 – love everything from watching the train arrive at the depot to hearing the whistle blow. The highlight, of course, is the ride.
On its 30-minute, narrated trip, the train crosses the Trinity River and passes through Fort Worth’s historic working district. The Tarantula departs across the street from a Brahm’s Ice Cream store and stops for 30 minutes in the Stockyards, where there are plenty of restaurants and places to browse.
- The Tarantula Train departs from 2318 Eighth Ave. in Fort Worth daily at 12:15 p.m., 2 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. During the summer, there is a 7 p.m. train on Fridays and Saturdays. Adults are $10, seniors $8 and children $5.50. Under 3 are free. For information, call 817-654-0898.
Island Vacations, North Texas-Style
You don’t have to drive far to get to the Holland family’s island get-away. It’s just 70 miles north of Dallas.
“There is a string of five or six islands in Lake Texoma, ranging in size from 50 yards to a quarter-mile long,” Rick Holland says.
The islands are just a couple of miles from Loe’s Highport Marina, where the Hollands dock their boat. From other marinas, the islands are a 30- to 45-minute ski-boat ride.
“The islands have the nicest, sandy beaches,” Ruth Holland says. “We take the boat to an island, put up a tarp and set ourselves up for the day. You can build sand castles, build a fire, roast marshmallows, even pitch a tent and spend the night.”
The islands are accessible only by boat. But a driver’s license and a major credit card can get you a rented boat.
Ruth says families often pitch in and rent a large houseboat with a slide, which provides great entertainment for their children Lindsay, 10, and Brent, 12.
- Lake Texoma is 70 miles north of Dallas off U.S. 75. Nautica Boat Club at Grandpappy Point Marina rents sail boats, party boats and ski boats. For information, call 1-800-969-9622. Willow Springs rents houseboats that sleep up to 14. Call 405-924-6240 for information.
The Ballpark in Arlington
It’s not easy to plan an outing that appeals to every family member – especially when it’s a family of seven, with kids ranging in age from nine to 20. But the Manglesdorfs manage to please everyone when they head to Arlington for a Texas Rangers baseball game.
It’s a family tradition that began 20 years ago when Lou Ann and T.V. Manglesdorf were expecting their first child.
These days, the Manglesdorfs look forward to Rangers games more than ever. The opening of The Ballpark in Arlington is certainly one facet of their anticipation, but most importantly, they’re eager to reunite all of their busy family members, including two who’ve been away at college.
“I think our children enjoyed sitting in the cheap seats in the outfield more than any others,” T.V. says. With his big family, T.V. says buying the inexpensive seats enables them to see more games.
“It can be done on a nickel and dime.” Metaphorically speaking, of course.
- Ticket range from $4 to $20. For every adult ticket you buy in the Grandstand Reserve section, which is priced at $6, or in the bleachers, which is $4, you get a child’s ticket for half-price. For more information call 817-273-5100.
An Indoor Playground
The Discovery Zone serves multiple needs for the Davis family. It’s a place to socialize; a place to beat the heat; a place to burn off some of two-year-old Conner’s excess energy; and a place that provides an entertaining workout for their physically challenged daughter, Courtney.
“Our activities are somewhat limited because our five-year-old has cerebral palsy,” Allison Davis says.
“Discovery Zone is a good place for her because the Mini-zone is an area that matches her abilities. She gets challenged but at the same time she can accomplish everything and just has a great time.”
The Mini Zone is an area designed for children shorter than 48 inches. It includes tunnel mazes, riding toys, slides that empty into a sea of plastic balls, a mountain of climbing clocks, and a huge waterbed for jumping.
- The Discovery Zone is located at North Central Expressway and Park in Caruth Plaza. Admission is $5.99 per child, parents free with child’s admission. For information, call 739-4386.
A Secret Swimming Spot
Randy Brooks reluctantly shared the location of his family’s favorite swimming pool. But since it’s just between neighbors, he divulged the secret: The pool is behind Forest Hills at the Eagle’s Lodge.
That’s right, the Fraternal Order of Eagles.
“Just ring the bell, and they’ll let you in,” Randy says. Admission is $2.50 per person and free for kids under 5.
It’s that simple. No secret handshakes. No funny hats. No membership required. And most importantly, Randy say there’s never a crowd.
“I don’t have to worry about big teenagers jumping and splashing all over my girls (Libby, 5 and Christie, 3),” he says.
Check it out, but don’t tell your friends or you’ll spoil it for Randy, his wife Marty and the girls.
- The Eagle’s Lodge is located at 8500 Arturo and is open daily from noon – 10 p.m. For information, call 327-9563.
Camp-Sites and a Resort, All in One
Some people think you give up too much in creature comforts when camping. But they’ve never gone camping with the Rainers.
“We go to Lake Murray State Park near Ardmore, Okla.,” Myrna Rainer says. She and husband Mark take sons Paul, 6, and Carl, 9, to the lake every summer.
The park offers everything from lakeside campsites to a resort with lodging, a restaurant, golf course, swimming pool, playground, horseback riding and miniature golf. The activities are available to campers as well as lodge guests.
“A neat thing to do with the kids,” Mark says, “is drive over to Tucker Tower, a lighthouse on the lake that’s been converted into a natural history museum. It’s got fossils and old dinosaur bones. You can crawl up to the tower and see a gorgeous view of the lake and the countryside.”
- For information about Lake Murray State Park, call 405-223-4044. Campsites start at $6. For Lake Murray Resort, call 405-223-6600. Lodging facilities start at $50. Lake Murray is located 70 miles north of Dallas and three miles east of I-35 outside Ardmore, Okla.
Simple One-On-One Outings
Lori and Harold Gold realize that parents need time alone with each child just as much as they need time together as a family. So Harold and two-year-old Rachel have a Saturday morning ritual.
“We always go to the Original Pancake House on Northwest Highway at Midway,” Harold says.
After eating their fill of pancakes, Harold and Rachel head to Lakeside Park in Highland Park to feed the ducks.
“If it’s too hot or raining, we go to NorthPark Mall,” Harold says. “There are two or three fountains with ducks and turtles. And usually, there’s a pianist. Rachel likes to listen to him play.”
On Wednesday mornings, Lori takes Rachel to “toddler time” at the Audelia Branch Library. The session includes storytelling, music, singing, dancing and a craft activity, all appropriate for 1 ½- to 3-year-olds.
- Original Pancake House, 4343 W. Northwest Highway, 351-2012. Audelia Branch Library, 10045 Audelia Rd., 670-1350. Toddler time is Mondays and Wednesdays, 10-10:30 a.m., followed by Pre-school time for 3-5 year-olds from 10:45-11:15 a.m.
From Rollerblading to River-Sliding
As a single parent of three, Deborah Rutledge says family activities are her number one priority.
“With the wide age range (of my kids), it’s hard to find something everyone likes,” Deborah says.
Evening exercise fits the bill.
Macy, 15, and Preston, 12, rollerblade through Lakewood while Alexandra, 9, and Deborah power-walk beside them.
They also camp at Dinosaur Valley State Park twice a year. “It can even be a day trip,” Deborah says.
Although the Dinosaur tracks and dinosaur replicas are a celebrated attraction, the family’s favorite park activity is ‘shooting’ down the Paluxy River.
“There are special areas in the river where the water makes a ‘shoot’. You lay down, and the water just moves you along, and you slide through the ‘shoot’ for about 15 to 20 feet,” Deborah says.
- To reach Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glen Rose, take FM 205/Park Road 59 from Highway 67, go four miles north to Park Road 59, one mile to headquarters. For information, call 817-897-4588.
