Tag: road tripping the USA

Austin’s NEW Paradise – Renaissance of Austin!

Trey Chapman Uncategorized
A woman in front of a large sign with an electric guitar.


Howdy Travel Fans – Welcome to the Renaissance of Austin!

If you’re like us and you travel a lot, sometimes when you reach your destination you get a very pleasant surprise. That’s what we got when we rolled into the NEWLY RENOVATED Renaissance of Austin, located in North Austin, Texas. We were just blown away from the front door to the outdoor entertainment paradise.

The hotel went through a BIG and COMPLETE restoration, modernizing the guest rooms and suites. All of the accommodations are simply stunning, colorful and vibrant, featuring stylish décor, local artwork, and thoughtful amenities. Everything is TEXAS chic, and represents Texas music, fun and an active life style. From the hanging guitars to the cattle and livestock artwork, it’s TEXAS BEAUTIFUL, but also extremely inviting and very comfortable to enjoy a long weekend.

https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/aussh-renaissance-austin-hotel/rooms/

Let’s talk about all of the incredible outdoor entertainment areas. They have four different patio areas on different levels, complete with fire pits, lounging areas, swinging chairs, games… all shaded with trees and landscape. A great feature was the mist machines in the trees, keeping you cool when you’re not enjoying the NEW pool area.  Speaking of which, they have two pools. Yes, two pools! One is located inside with a hot tub and the new pool is outside, offering a sundeck, hot tub and plenty of lounging areas to enjoy the outdoor life. They’ve added a fantastic music system to enjoy some good tunes with fresh craft cocktails so you can chill and get lost in time. When you spend time outside it’s like your miles away from the big city, even though it’s right there. The outdoor area is made for relaxation and good times, which allow you to recharge and enjoy life and that’s exactly what we did!

When you get hungry you can enjoy some fresh poolside snacks, or some chef-driven chow from the KNOTTY DECK & BAR. Lunch, brunch, dinner, and snacks are all very delicious and the offerings always served #HF&D hot, fresh and delicious. The fresh craft cocktails are prepared using only the freshest and finest ingredients to create some creative and tasty cocktails. All the food we tried was great, and the service was first class.

If you’re traveling to the Austin area, I would HIGHLY recommend booking a room and staying at the NEW RENAISSANCE of AUSTIN. You’re going to fall in love with this amazing property. They’re a NEW, officially APPROVED, Trey’s Chow Down Travel destination for all travelers to enjoy.

Click link below for photos, rooms, information and reservations

https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/aussh-renaissance-austin-hotel/overview/

Thanks, and please follow our social media platforms as we travel the USA in search of creative chefs, tasty eats, savory sweet treats, and unique travel destinations everyone can enjoy.

Trey & Jana

A couple of people standing in front of an atrium.

A Texas Dreamy Ranch Resort Destination

Trey Chapman Travel Experiences
A woman standing in front of a building with trees.


AFFORDABLE, fun and activities for everyone! 

Two women standing in front of a fire pit.
Cozy Outdoor Back Side Of Casita.

Tell your family, your friends, and heck tell your mama too. TREY’S CHOW DOWN TRAVEL DESTINATIONS has you covered AGAIN for a NEW wonderful stay-cation idea!

Grab your bags, your family, and your friends and head west to Graham, Texas. The new Oak Ranch Resort offers 3 private casitas and a bigger SUBTERRANEAN HOUSE for larger parties. This ranch is absolutely incredible. You will have the time of your life – we sure did!

Oak Ranch Resort is located in North Central Texas, fifteen minutes from Graham, Texas. Privately located on 57 acres, this secluded setting in the Eastern Cross Timbers and bottom lands of the Brazos River is home to wildlife, bird watching, fishing, star-gazing or just relaxing.

It’s new, it’s private, it’s cozy, it’s fun, it’s quiet, and it has everything you could want for a nice staycation. It offers a heated pool for those chilly country nights, or relax in the hot tub after a day of playing too hard. Each casita also offers a private hot tub. How can you go wrong with that? Oak Ranch Resort is just pure awesomeness.

Please view our video for the three private CASTIAS and LA CASA TIERRA it’s truly amazing.

GOLDEN ROCK CASITA 

https://airbnb.com/h/golden-rock-casita 

ROCKY RIDGE CASITA 

https://airbnb.com/h/rocky-ridge-casita  

SILVER MOON CASITA  

https://airbnb.com/h/silver-moon-casita

LA CASA TIERRA 

https://airbnb.com/h/lacasatierra 

Graham, Texas is a city in north-central Texas. It is the county seat and largest city of Young County. The downtown area offers fantastic shopping, dining and relaxation experiences. The downtown square is one mile in circumference, Graham’s downtown square is the largest in the entire country.

We loved Oak Ranch Resort and I guarantee you will too! Check out the website and book it today. You’re gonna be thanking OL’ TREY, I can promise you this!!

They’re an officially APPROVED Trey’s Chow Down Travel Destination for fun and relaxing times in Texas.

Follow us trey and Jana as we road trip the USA in search of creative chefs, tasty eats, savory sweet treats and unique travel destinations that everyone will love.

Trey & Jana

 

Best Pies in the South & Top 10 in the USÅ

Trey Chapman Chow
A man holding a plate of food in front of a building.


Fresh Pie Royalty at Charlotte’s Eats & Sweets Keo, Arkansas  

A man holding a box in front of stacks of boxes.
Stacks of fresh pies daily.

When we heard that the best PIES in the South were just a short ride to Arkansas, you know what had to do. We dropped the hammer and headed out for some of the BEST PIES in the USA.

CHARLOTTE’S EATS AND SWEETS has been awarded BEST PIES in the south by Southern Living, Best Pies Arkansas, Food Network, and a host of other media outlets. I was so impressed with what I read in my research that I couldn’t wait to make the trip to meet them and try their fresh pie deliciousness.

Often hailed as the best coconut pie in the South, this main attraction still brings crowds to this tiny shop on Main Street. It’s easy to find and located just east of northern Little Rock. Pie and cake lovers will line up an hour before the doors open at 11 AM, and you better be ready because it’s hard and fast. Smart diners know to reserve their slices early because they’re in high demand. It’s simply a bonus that the SANDWICHES are very delicious too!

I couldn’t believe the number of pies they still make fresh from scratch every day. Their staff is so nice and helpful, and they have that sweet southern attitude and big smiles. The atmosphere is all Southern old-school decor and makes you feel right at home as soon as you walk through the door.

THE PIES ARE ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE! Honestly, I’ve never tasted pies and cakes so flavorful. Each bite I took was better than the last. They were so good I couldn’t help but make noises; folks kinda looked at me funny, but I paid them no mind. I was smacking, moaning, and licking my lips because I’ve never had pies that delicious before. There is just something about Charlotte’s Sweets. If I had to guess, it’s all the love they put into the process.

WINNER TREY’S BEST PIES I’VE HAD IN THE USA.  

If you’re looking for something new or just want to try some of the BEST PIES, CAKES, AND SWEETS you’ve ever had, I would highly recommend you take a ride over to chow down. I can’t explain the deliciousness except the say this: I would drive 1,000 miles to enjoy the delicious eats and sweets anytime!

They’re a new officially APPROVED Trey’s Chow Down Delicious Destination for all food lovers to enjoy.

A group of people standing on the side of a road.

Unique Blue Skies Retro Resort Texas Hill Country

Trey Chapman Travel Experiences
A blue and white bus parked in front of a building.


Trey’s Chow Down TRAVEL heard about this incredibly cozy Palm Springs-style resort that’s a throwback to the retro classics. Located in the Hill Country, it’s an overnight retro dream close to Fredericksburg, Texas that we absolutely LOVED!

The Blue Skies Retro Resort is located approximately 3 hours from DFW and 1.5 hours from San Antonio and Austin. They’re nestled between the Texas Wine Trail and Enchanted Rock on TX Hwy 16, where the possibilities for fun, relaxation and adventure are endless.

The fully refurbished retro trailers are cozy, colorful, fun and clean. Each trailer offers WI-Fi, a small refrigerator, retro record player, a couch, kitchenette, and small bathroom. They also have an outdoor entertainment area with a fireplace (wood is included!) and a pool. It’s all you need for a quick, affordable get away.

 

 

ACCOMMODATIONS 

Offering five Shasta trailers with private yards along with additional private bathrooms with vanities and outdoor showers, a pool and a covered pavilion for you to enjoy!

Each trailer offers:

  • Keyless entry
  • Full bed featuring a Casper® mattress
  • Luxury linens and pillows
  • Keurig single cup coffee
  • Fridge
  • Microwave
  • Sink
  • AC/Heat
  • TV
  • Bluetooth radios and record player with records
  • Private yards
  • *19ft trailers have an additional twin bed in the back that also offers extra seating

 

The sunsets and sunrises are impeccable and the skies are a bright blue, so no need to even wander off the property as it provides a unique resort experience all on its own.

If you’re looking for an affordable and fun getaway, I would HIGHLY recommend a trip to BLUE SKIES RETRO RESORT. You will thank me later for the fun and relaxing time you will enjoy.

Disclaimer: I can’t be held responsible if you have TOO MUCH FUN!

A collage of different colored trailers parked in front of a building.

Please follow our social media channels as we discover creative chefs, tasty eats, savory sweet treats and unique travel destinations around the USA!

Trey ( Chow Down ) Chapman

 

 

Addictive Bark-O-lious Texas Style BBQ in California

Trey Chapman Chow
A tray of food that includes meat, corn and potatoes.


A tray of food with meat, corn and potatoes.
Succulent Pull Pork, Meaty Burnt Ends, Flavorful Sausage and Sides.

Howdy, BBQ Lovers!

If you’re a barbecue lover like me, then no city, state, or country is out of reach – especially when it’s a barbecue joint that’s slinging succulent Texas-style, award-winning, and Bark-O-Licious barbecue.

As we continue on our MEETS, EATS & SWEETS Tour 2022, we headed to the small community of San Juan Capistrano, California. This is an extremely cozy and beautiful town located in Orange County, California, along the Orange Coast. San Juan Capistrano was founded by the Spanish in 1776 when St. Junípero Serra established Mission San Juan Capistrano. It’s a beautiful place with friendly folks and now offers some of the BEST BARBECUE in the state of California.

A rusted tanker trailer with white wheels.
One of Four Big Beautiful Pits.

I could smell the aromas lofting in the air a block away, and my mouth started watering as we approached. When we pulled up, we saw the beautiful surroundings with the palm trees and landscape dancing with the wind. What an amazing atmosphere to enjoy some delicious barbecue.

Heritage Barbecue is a Texas-style barbecue joint offering a rotating menu of home-made sides, succulent smoked brisket, beef ribs, and pulled pork. They also offer juicy, flavor-loaded tri-tip, smoked chicken, turkey, K.C-style burnt-ends, and a variety of other proteins, even house-prepared sausages.

They have the ordering process down to a science. It’s easy and organized, and the line moves like a finely tuned Swiss watch. We ordered and then enjoyed the fresh air in the unique and cozy outdoor atmosphere. They have four massive barbecue pits on display that are constantly billowing smoke in the California sun while you sit and enjoy your barbecue. The pits are beautiful, offering a variety of colorful patinas that happen naturally in the barbecue smoking process.

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VooDoo Doughnuts Unique, Colorful & Delicious!

Trey Chapman Chow
A collage of different types of donuts


Good day, Doughnut Lovers!

They told me: “The magic is in the hole!”  

As we continue our Road Trippin’ the USA: MEETS, EATS and SWEETS 2022 Tour, I’ve located another unique hand-crafted doughnut experience that is savory, sweet and sure to please your sweet tooth cravings.

Today we’re in Houston, TX at the world-famous Voodoo Doughnut. They have other Texas locations in the cities of Cypress and Austin, as well as a total of 12 other locations in six different states as they continue growing in the USA.

Locations👉 https://www.voodoodoughnut.com/locations/ 

The Story goes: Voodoo Doughnut is the brainchild of old friends and entertainment-minded Portlanders Kenneth “Cat Daddy†Pogson and Tres Shannon. In 2000, they decided to embark on a shared entrepreneurial venture – something that combined quality hospitality with their daring do-it-yourself brand of show business.

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