Travel – Crosswinds – – NEWLY BUILT HOMES IN KYLE, TX

If you plan on hitting the road for the fall holiday season – or taking to the skies – and taking your furry friend with you, planning ahead is an absolute must.

Here are a few travel tips to keep in mind when traveling with your pets.

Plan a Packing List

Planning out a packing list before any trip isn’t just a good habit for humans, but it applies to pets as well. Set aside a separate bag for all your pet’s essentials so that everything is packed together.

Food/water bowl
Lesh
Treats
Toys

If your pet is going to be in a crate for the majority of your trip, be sure to include their favorite blanket or even an old t-shirt that smells like you for some extra comfort.

Traveling Safety

You wouldn’t dare think of taking your children on a car trip without making sure everyone is wearing their seatbelt, and your pet should be no different. There is a range of dog seat belts and harnesses on the market to fit just about every size of pooch. These can make all the difference in keeping your pet safe and comfortable during the trip.

Even when traveling with a pet carrier, you should still take precautions to keep it secure so it doesn’t slide around in the car. This can easily be done by slipping the seat belt through the handle or around the carrier itself.

Prep Your Car

Not every pet is exactly enthusiastic about going on a trip. In fact, traveling either by car or plane can often be incredibly stressful for pets. If your pet has a tendency to get car sick or have accidents when stressed, be sure to lay down plenty of towels in your car before pulling out of the driveway. (This will also help keep pet hair off the seats.)

While we’re on the subject of travel prep, if you know your pet gets stressed easily, it may be worth speaking with your vet about medication that can help your pet relax on the ride.

Don’t Forget Important Documents

When traveling with pets, applying the Boy Scout motto of “always be prepared” is never a bad idea. Be sure to bring along either paper copies or a copy on your phone of any important information regarding your pets, such as vaccinations or medication prescriptions. This will make getting your pet the proper care it needs that much easier in case of an emergency.

Plan Ahead

It’s not only smart to plan for the pet essentials that you’ll need to bring with you, but doing some research in regard to other aspects of the trip is a good idea, too.

Many airlines have specific travel guidelines for pets, so check before booking.
Some hotels only allow certain breeds, and others are strictly no pets allowed.
Make a note of the closest veterinary hospital near you in case of emergency.

Of course, one of the best parts of traveling – with or without a pet – is coming back to a home you love. Reach out to the Crosswinds team to learn more about our available inventory of homes.

Canyon Lake is known as “the jewel” of Texas Hill Country and it truly is a gem with all that it offers, including some of the best water recreation activities in the area and a whole lot more.

If you’ve never visited Canyon Lake, you owe it to yourself to schedule a day trip this summer (or even a long weekend) and check out all there is to do.

Hit the Water

Developed as a reservoir back in the 1960s and fed by the Guadalupe River, Canyon Lake is one of the largest lakes in the area, spanning 8,000 surface acres of water and 80 miles of shoreline. All that shoreline means that there are plenty of ways to beat the heat and have some fun on the water.

The lake has several designated swimming beaches that are open to the public from 9 AM to 7 PM during the summer. Another summer highlight that beats any waterpark lazy river is renting an inner tube and floating down the Guadalupe River. Local outfitter TubeHaus will provide your inner tube as well as shuttle you back to your car at the end of your float.

Enjoying a relaxing day in a boat on the water is one of the best ways to see the lake with both boat and jet ski rentals available at Canyon Lake Marina. After you dock, be sure to check out the marina’s Baja BBQ Shack for its all-you-can-eat catfish on Fridays and a truly stunning sunset.

Now, if you’re the more adventurous type and want something a little more daring, then strap on your fins because Canyon Lake is one of the best places in the area to scuba dive. While you probably won’t find pirate treasure, you will see a side of the lake many never experience.

Hiking, Golfing, and so Much More

While the water itself is enough to draw thousands of visitors each summer, Canyon Lake offers a range of activities to be enjoyed throughout the year.

Nature enthusiasts will want to check out Canyon Lake Gorge, a rather recent “geological wonder” that was created only 20 years ago when 34 inches of rain fell on the Guadalupe River and carved out the gorge. The result is a series of beautiful rock formations that have attracted both professional and novice geologists eager to study the uncovered layers of limestone.

Other parks around Canyon Lake that are popular with both hikers and birding hobbyists include Overlook Park and Comal Park.

Canyon Lake is also a popular destination for golfers, with Lakeside Golf Club offering an 18-hole course and pro shop. If the history of the prehistoric kind is more your speed, then be sure to check out The Heritage Museum of Texas Hill Country. The museum features dinosaur fossils and footprints discovered right here in Texas!

With so much to offer and less than an hour’s drive from Kyle, a day trip to Canyon Lake is a great summer highlight. If you’re interested in finding a home in Kyle, reach out to learn more about available homes at Crosswinds.

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