What we’re about
Welcome to the group! Houston is HUGE and only getting bigger. So for newcomers it is a daunting task to do anything. For locals...well they tend to stay in their local community and not venture out much. This group will explore familiar haunts along with periodically checking out some new areas of interest. We're always looking for new Assistant Organizers with new/fresh ideas. If you are willing to host events, please email me with your ideas. I would love to hear from you!
Should you need help finding a home, I would love your help you. Just message me and I'll get back with you promptly.
All the best,
Nermine, Realtor®
ThisPrettyHouse@yahoo.com
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Greece: Best of the Best, Mainland & IslandsAthens, Athina
May 19th – May 30th 2024
Our friends at PhotoFly Travel Club (http://www.photoflytravel.com/) have invited us on an amazing adventure to Greece!
E-mail us at joinus@photoflytravel.com for the daily itinerary!
Sign up at: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/greece-small-group-tours/
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- 11 Night/12 Day adventure
- Breakfast every day
- 2 Lunches & 4 Dinners included
- Welcome & Farewell Dinner included
- Privately guided
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Athens: A Taste of the Gods (2 nights)
- Explore Athens: Highlights including Constitution square, Monastiraki and flea market area, national library, Memorial to the Unknown Soldier, Herod Atticus street, the Panathenaic Stadium (first modern Olympic games in 1896), Hadrian’s Arch, Temple of Zeus, & of course, the Acropolis & Parthenon with the Acropolis new museum.
- Scenic Drive along the “Riviera of Attica” Coastal Road
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Central & Northern Greece: Where the Real Gems are Found… (3 nights)
Mystical Delphi: Amazing photography and breathtaking scenery from the slopes of Mount Parnassus await.
- Meteora: A real photography highlight on our Greece small group adventure, this region is famous for its beautiful monasteries standing between earth and sky atop huge pinnacle rocks.
- Monodendri Villlage: The small town of slate-roofed houses has a handful of great tavernas and some amazing churches including the triple-bell Church of Agios Athanasios and the 17th-century Church of Agios Minas.
- Vikos Gorge: Formerly regarded by the Guinness Book of World Records as the deepest canyon in the world at almost 3,000 ft, this geological wonder has incredible hikes with views for the Gods!
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The Greek Isles: Zakythnos & Corfu (6 nights)
- 3 nights Zakythnos & 3 nights Corfu
- A variety of the best beaches, hikes, culture, & architecture Greece has to offer
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Zakythnos: “The Ionian’s Flower of The East”
- Shipwrecks, Caves, & Epic Beaches: An incredible day of exploration along Zakynthos’ dramatic west coast!
- Sea Turtles, the Keri Caves, & Charming Villages
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Corfu: The Grand Lady of the Ionian Islands
- Corfu Town: An UNESCO World Heritage Site, this historic center’s colonial British and Venetian buildings with neoclassical influences will dazzle us and our cameras.
- Paleokastritsa Village: Arguably the most beautiful village on the entire island, Paleokastritsa offers a plethora of local taverns overlooking the blue bay and six idyllic beaches dotting the coastline surrounded by olive tree forests unchanged for millennia!
- Kanoni Town: A must stop due to the most famous and photographed spots on the island: The church of Panagia Vlacherna & Mouse Island.
- Sidari: Live music, Greek dancing, & one of the best beaches on Corfu sum up this small town gem.
- Corfu Photography Adventure: Impressive caves, breathtaking cliff views, isolated Byzantine monasteries, & stone-made villages are just some of the highlights we’ll explore and photograph
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- All taxes, tours, & entrance fees included as per itinerary
- All transfers and ground transportation included
- Roommate pairing to save money! Avoid the single supplement!
- International airfare is not included but we will assist all guests with finding the best flights upon request! (Flying into and out of Athens International Airport (ATH) )
- Email us to see the daily itinerary for our Greece small group tours at joinus@photoflytravel.com
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Join Us!
*For our solo travelers I will pair you up with someone of the same sex unless single occupancy is requested.
Price: $3,295.00
Single Supplement: $725.00Deposit: $600.00
Go here to sign up: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/greece-small-group-tours/
- $$ Texas Colorado River: Columbus Loop | Stream Geomorphology Guided Kayak TourBeason's Crossing Park, Columbus, TX
$199 per adult | 5 hours stream geomorphology guided kayak field trip on Texas Colorado River around historical town of Columbus, TX | Small group size: minimum 4 | Includes geologic field trip lecture with geology professor, sharing historical facts, use of high-end touring kayaking equipment, certified instruction and pictures.
Duration: 4-5 hours
Paddling Time: 3-4 hours
Paddling Distance: 7 miles
Requires 30 minutes shuttleTHIS TOUR CAN BE RE-SCHEDULED AT A DATE CONVINIENT TO YOU.
PRIVATE EVENT, PREPAID REGISTRATION REQUIRED.
WE TAKE APPOINTMENTS.TOUR SIGNIFICANCE: On this stretch of the Texas Colorado River, we will see a mix of gently-sloping to steep sandy banks, flat flood plains, and tree-lined ridges with mature trees. We will take a couple of stops on gravel bars to look at riverbanks morphology, channel shape and dimensions, analyze bedrock and geomorphologic features associated with stream and floods.
More than 850 miles long, the Texas Colorado River is the longest river to start and end in the same state and is the lifeblood of our state’s economy, our environment, our industry, our agriculture, and especially our lives as Texans.
In addition to kayaking and geology, we will discuss Texas history. Our river float will end at a place where the Texas Army under the leadership of General Sam Houston and the Mexican Army under the leadership of General Santa Ana crossed the Colorado River before their clash at San Jacinto.
This eco-tour is ideal for families with kids and for beginner paddlers that want to take their skills up a notch and experience a grander setting.
Awesome trip for those that enjoy history, geology, nature, serenity and adventures.
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Outstanding geology & history learning opportunity. Experienced trip leader. Awesome destination.
Equipment: We use professional grade kayaks designed for touring. They have sit-inside cockpit seat, with long and narrow hull. We do not use sit-on-top kayaks.
Requirements: Good balance skills and reasonable fitness level is advisable. Our sit-inside cockpit touring kayaks can accommodate paddlers only up to 250 lbs. or less. Best for outdoor enthusiasts without motion or sea sickness, comfortable with vigorous exercise. No previous paddling or swimming experience required - instruction provided!
Itinerary tailored to guests' desire, fitness level, group dynamics, weather conditions, etc.
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Sign up early!!
A RSVP “Yes” on Meetup merely states your interest.
Seats fill up quickly - the tour is cross posted on several platforms.***TO SIGN UP & CONFIRM LOGISTICS CALL 832-686-3231 ***
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GEAR PROVIDED WITH REGISTRATION:
Single seat OR tandem touring kayak
Lightweight paddle
Adjustable life jacket
Small size dry bag for car keys, wallet, phone
Group first aid kit, safety and recue kit (bilge pump, paddle float, tow rope, lights, VHF radio, etc)= = =
WHAT TO BRING/HOW TO DRESS:
Bring 2 water bottles and pack a snack to take with you in the kayak. Bring with you a towel and a set of dry clothing to change at the end for a comfortable ride home.
Dress only with synthetic clothing. Wear outdoor, fast drying, non-cotton/synthetic clothing like hiking pants and shirts. Long sleeve shirts and long pants prevent sunburn and insect bites.
Bring water shoes/closed toed sandals; old sneakers work great. No crocs, no flip-flops, no rain boots. Wear paddling gloves or cycling/ workout gloves to prevent blisters and sunburn on hands.
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UNDECIDED? Check out our photo album:
2019-2023 Texas Colorado River Columbus Loop
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CREDENTIALS: This tour is organized by Constantin Platon, an experienced outdoor educator, geology professor, and happy camper with 25+ years of experience, and the following certifications:
ACA Trip Leader & Eskimo Roll Endorsements
ACA Level-3 Coastal/Sea Kayak Instructor
ACA Level-3 River/Whitewater Kayak Instructor
ACA Level-2 River Canoe Instructor (Solo & Tandem)
Sierra International Wilderness First Aid
NOLS Wilderness First Aid= = =
PLEASE REPLY WITH YOUR PHONE NUMBER!
I am excited to share with you from my expertise, and I look forward to paddling together!
Constantin
[Call/Text: 832-686-3231]LET'S GET SOCIAL!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1022107514968636
Do you have in mind a Different Drill, Date or Destination?
We also run team building events, birthday parties, church functions, historical and geological field trips and eco tours; overnight camping excursions down the river and weekend long adventures at sea along the Gulf Coast; and advanced paddling skills courses.
Born to Paddle!