About the same number of bums you will find on the Horseshoe on the Guadalupe any given summer Saturday. We spent 5 days in the Redwoods last summer, next time I find a decent priced plane ticket and fits the schedule, would head back out there from IAH. If time is limited, go to Jebediah State Park/Howland Hill Road, this area has a high concentration of big trees - Grove of the Titans/Stout Grove. The Smith River is awesome to spend a day swimming, kayaking, hanging out. We stayed at the Hiouchi Motel, no frills old school roadside motel for the location and right across the street from Redwood River Rides, an outfitter. SeaQuake Brewing was good eats as well. If taking kids, another good spot was renting a room/cabin at Redwood River Resort, this place was straight out of an 80's summer camp movie with its own bar/local craft beers. Good jumping off point for parts south in Humboldt SP, we enjoyed Greg-French-Bell Grove, Founders Grove and Rockefeller Loop. If you want hiking info, check out redwoodhikes.com, I ordered the hard copy maps but you can use the website, all the hiking info you should need. Great family trip, away from big crowds and perfect weather to beat the Texas heat all summer long.

Hippie, laidback pot smokers - not like LA or SF or Austin pot smokers.

I traveled there with a 9 year old and nothing raised any eyebrows on him and I didn't think it was any worse than Colorado in terms of pot smoking.

Much of the tourist infrastructure is way outdated and the economy of the area is depressed. But the natural beauty is phenomenal.

Pictures don't do it justice, but...






I would go back anytime.