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- Beautiful Benelux - Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg Trip!Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
Our friends at Photofly Travel Club ( https://www.photoflytravel.com/ ) have planned an extraordinary to Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg (Benelux).
June 5 - June 16, 2025
Go here to sign up: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/belgium-luxembourg-netherlands-group-tour/
- 11 Nights/12 Days
- Luxembourg (2 N) | Belgium (5 N) | Netherlands (4 N)
- Charming boutique hotels
- Breakfast daily
- 2 Dinners
- Privately guided adventures
Luxembourg (2 Nights)
- City Walking Tour
- Pont Adolphe: Capture stunning views and photos over the Petrusse Ravine
- Place d'Armes: Lively public square located in the heart of the city’s old town
- Mullerthal Trail Hike: Often referred to as "Little Switzerland" of Luxembourg, this guided scenic hike winds through lush forests, dramatic rock formations, and picturesque valleys
- Vianden Castle & Chairlift: This stunning, hilltop fortress dates back to the Romanesque and Gothic periods
Belgium (5 Nights)
Experience Dinant!
- Discover Dinant: Privately guided walking tour
- Collegiate Church of Notre Dame:
- Dinant Citadel: Discover the historic fortress perched high above the town with stunning panoramic views
- Cruise the river Meuse: A scenic and relaxing way to experience the beauty of the Meuse River and its stunning surroundings
Experience Brussels!
- City Walking Tour
- Grand Place: The central square of Brussels, renowned for its stunning architecture and historical significance, featuring ornate guild halls and the impressive Town Hall
- Atomium: Designed to resemble an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times symbolizing scientific progress and innovation, this iconic structure is a delight to photograph
- Manneken Pis: This famous bronze statue depicts a small boy urinating into a fountain, and has become a beloved symbol of the city’s irreverent sense of humor.
- Chocolate Museum & Private Chocolate Making Class: Dive into the gourmet world of cocoa and chocolate.
Experience Ghent!
- Day Trip to Ghent: Guided tour throughout the highlights of this storied city with a rich history, stunning architecture, and lively cultural scene.
- St. Bavo’s Cathedral
- Gravensteen Castle: The "Castle of the Counts," as its known, stands as a remarkable testament to Ghent's medieval past
- Ghent Canal Cruise: Enjoy a serene and picturesque way to explore the city's stunning medieval architecture
Experience Bruges!
- City Walking Tour
- Market Square & The Belfry
- Burg Square: This charming square features the striking Gothic-style Town Hall, built in the 14th century, and the Basilica of the Holy Blood, which houses a revered relic that draws visitors from near and far.
- Church of Our Lady: Explore this architectural gem that showcases a stunning blend of Gothic and Romanesque styles.
- Cruise the canals of Bruge: Encounter the city's enchanting waterways, with its medieval bridges and fairy-tale architecture framing every turn.
- Menin Gate Memorial: Witness this solemn tribute to the thousands of soldiers who went missing in action during World War I
- WWI Battlefields: Embark on a sobering journey through the scarred landscape where some of the fiercest fighting of the Great War took place.
Netherlands (4 Nights)
Experience Rotterdam!
- Cube Houses: See and photograph this iconic architecture, a striking example of urban ingenuity.
- Experience Rotterdam: Free time to explore the city’s bold architectural innovation, bustling food stalls, & vibrant art scene-
- Museum Quarter Art Depot: See and photograph this groundbreaking facility from the outside and housing an impressive collection of over 150,000 works
- Optional: Iconic Dutch windmills & the country's oldest city: Take a waterbus to capture the iconic windmills of Kinderdijk against the backdrop of canals and green fields.
Experience The Hague!
- The Hague City Highlights: Guided driving tour of the city's most notable locations
- Peace Palace: An architectural masterpiece and symbol of international justice
- Scheveningen Beach: Explore The Hague’s lively seaside escape
- The Madurodam, a country in miniature: Discover this unique park showcasing the Netherlands' most iconic landmarks
Experience Amsterdam!
Optional fast-pass entry to...- Van Gogh Museum OR Rijksmuseum
- Guided walking tour
- Dam Square & Royal Palace
- The Floating Flower Market
- Ann Frank House
Join Us!
For our solo travelers I will pair you up with someone of the same sex unless single occupancy is requested.
Price: $4,395
Single Supplement: $895Deposit: $600
Go here to sign up: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/belgium-luxembourg-netherlands-group-tour/ - $$ Whitewater School | Essentials of River Kayaking, San Marcos, TXCity Park, San Marcos, TX
SWIFT OR SMOOTH, MOVING WATER IS FASCINATING!
TWO-FUN FILLED RIVER DAYS WITH CAMPING/MOTEL OPTION
$399 per person tuition includes instruction and all kayaking gear.
$299 for kids ages 12 or under; (minimum age 8 y old).
Family and teenagers friendly.Whether by yourself or with the whole family, white water river kayaking is a wonderful way to explore and enjoy the water! Open the door to explore the awesome Texas's rivers including San Marcos, Guadalupe River, Texas Colorado River, Brazos River, Buffalo Bayou and other bonnier, rain dependent rivers and creeks!
Gain the skills and confidence to safely enjoy River Kayaking!
Catch the Eddy - Enroll Now!!
Essentials of River Kayaking Skills Development Course for creek boats, playboats, and whitewater kayaks with skirts. Involves - optional - practicing wet exits and attempting to perform combat rolling.
This course is designed as a 2-day program emphasizing safety, enjoyment, and skill acquisition for controlling and maneuvering a whitewater kayak in river conditions up to Class II-rapids.
This class is for beginners who have never paddled before a whitewater kayak in moving water/whitewater conditions, or for intermediate skills kayakers who need a paddling refresher skills class because they last paddled a long time ago, fewer than 10 times, or have experience paddling only in calm water conditions.
In this river/whitewater kayaking class paddlers can master kayaking on the moving waters. There will be dry-land discussions followed by river paddling each day. We are teaching proper techniques for launching, landing, paddle strokes, and kayak maneuvers on the go.
No previous experience required! No equipment necessary! We bring all the gear needed for the successful completion of this course.
CLASS OUTCOME:
This is a super fun hand-on class. By the end of this class, you will be more skillful, confident, and safer paddler and have increased specific knowledge and appreciation for whitewater/river kayaking. We help plant the seeds for a lifelong hobby, environmental consciousness, and an active lifestyle.
CURRICULUM:
Unseen danger/reading the river and your concerns | Introduction to basic equipment | Launching and landing from a bank | Introduction to how body, boat and blade work together | Basic body mechanics and efficiency of stroke | Forward and reverse paddling | Sweep strokes | Draw strokes | Turning on the move | Communication & Leadership |
CLASS TEACHING STYLE: all hands-on deck, "challenged by choice" philosophy.
Duration: 2 days (9am to 5pm first day, 9am to 1pm second day).
Paddling Time: 3 - 5 hours each day.
Paddling Distance: 4 – 5 miles.Tent camping & meals sharing, or motel option exists.
San Marcos River near San Marcos, TXREGISTRATION: Minimum 4 students are needed to run this class, and capacity is limited to 5:1 student to instructor ratio. This is a rain or shine event. A waiver must be signed. This class requires a moderate fitness level and the capacity to bend (body flexibility/touch your toes test). Our whitewater kayaks can accommodate paddlers up to 250 lbs. and 40-inch hip/pants size.
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NOT SURE IF THIS IS THE RIGHT CLASS FOR YOU?
Check our photos to get an idea...Essentials of River Kayaking, San Marcos, TX
CREDENTIALS: This course is taught Constantin Platon, an experienced outdoor educator, geology professor, and happy camper with 25+ years of experience, and the following current certifications:
ACA Level-3 Coastal/Sea Kayak Instructor
ACA Level-3 River/Whitewater Kayak Instructor
ACA Level-3 River/Lake Canoe Instructor (Solo & Tandem)
ACA Trip Leader & Eskimo Roll Endorsements
NOLS and Sierra International Wilderness First AidAdditional information (class syllabus) will be emailed once you enroll.
TO REGISSTER, PLEASE REPLY WITH YOUR PHONE NUMBER!
We must have a phone call before the actual class to go over logistics, payment, your goals and expectations, and to answer all your questions.
I am excited to share with you from my expertise, and I look forward to paddling together!
Constantin
Call/Text: 832-686-3231Do you have in mind a different drill, date, or destination?
Want to hire us for a corporate team building, birthday party or family engagement, or a Scouting event? Let’s get in touch!
Born to Paddle!
