One of the many things to See and Do in Graham, Texas - feed "Big Boy" a Longhorn at the Wildcatter Ranch.

Things to See and Do in Graham, Texas

The first place I take a visitor from out of town is to the Graham Downtown Square.

 Possum Kingdom Lake is popular with the locals. It’s a great place to hang out and relax with the kids.

If you come to Graham, get your picture taken at the Courthouse Arch.

Graham is my one stop stop for cowboy boots and hats at Welch’s Western Wear.

Cowboy style dining in Graham, Texas

When you visit Graham, Texas, come with a cowboy-sized appetite. The chicken fried steak, homemade biscuits, gravy and fresh pie are fantastic at the Dinner Bell Cafe.

When I’m feeling cash-strapped, I go to Mi Familia Mexican restaurant. Whataburger is the spot for late night dining.

For a huge splurge, I go to Wildcatter Steakhouse.  If you have to pick one things off the menu to order at Wildcatter Steakhouse, get the ribeye steak.

The most random thing about Graham is the Wild Game Dinner put on by the Graham Rotary Club.

Photos ops in Graham include the Cattle Raisers Monument.

The best vantage points are taken by walking to the top of Stand Pipe Mountain.

Horseback Riding in Graham, Texas

Nancy Brown goes horseback riding at the Wildcatter Ranch along the Brazos River in Graham, Texas

In Graham, an active day outdoors involves hiking, fishing and horseback riding.

My favorite walking route is the Downtown History Tour.

Graham’s best museum is the Old Post Office Museum.

For a night of dancing, go to the Senior Citizens Center.

To find out what’s going on at night or on weekends, read the Graham Leader.

In the spring you should attend Possum Kingdom Relays.

In the summer you should go to the Fireworks at Hell’s Gate.

In the fall you should take in a high school football game.

In the winter you should go to the Wildcatter Ranch for New Years Eve.

Visit “Our Neck of the Woods” on Fourth Street and you’ll be in the historic Young County Jail Building. The Marlo Brothers escaped from this jail.

One of the many things to See and Do in Graham, Texas - stop and admire the Texas Paintbrush wildflowers.

For a great breakfast treat or espresso, go to the United.

Just outside of Graham, you can visit Possum Kingdom Lake. Have lunch at Bass Hollow.

The best way to see Graham is to walk around the square.

If you have kids, you’ll want to feed the ducks at Fireman’s Park.

What are your favorite things to do in Graham, Texas?

Thanks to Graham, Texas locals Anne Skipper and Jason McAlister for assistance with this post.

Nancy Brown wearing Steger Mitts and Arctic Mukluks for a travel gear review in Fairbanks, Alaska

Iditarod sled dogs wear lightweight boots to protect their paws over 1,049 miles of Alaska’s wilderness. I wear Steger Arctic Mukluk snow boots while I watch the Iditarod sled dogs run in Alaska’s Last Great Race.

As this was my first time to Anchorage, Alaska in the winter, I didn’t own proper snow boots or mitts. In fact, packing for a winter trip to Alaska required more planning than I had anticipated.

Thanks to my tweet on Twitter, a micro-blogging platform, I was able to learn what type of boots and mitts were needed for a winter trip to Alaska. Fairbanks, Alaska resident Nancy DeWitt suggested I try a pair of Steger Mukluks.

Steger Mukluks are perfect for standing around in the cold while watching dog races or viewing ice sculptures. Plus, you can go from -40 to a restaurant in them and your feet won’t get hot. They don’t slip on ice, either. I practically live in mine all winter. Well worth the money,” adds DeWitt.

 

Steger Mukluk Snow Boots

Steger Arctic Mukluk Trave Gear Review

I had no idea what Mukluks were until my Arctic Mukluks arrived compliments of Patti Steger, owner of Steger Mukluks.

After I had sprayed my Steger Mukluk snow boots to make them water repellent, I wore them around the house to break them in. The Steger Arctic Mukluks are very lightweight and comfortable to wear all day long. Fortunately for me, Steger Arctic Mukluks come in wide sizes for my wide feet.

Mukluks are a common site in Alaska. In fact,  the mukluk snow boot plays an important part in the Iditarod Sled Dog Race. Each Iditarod Sled Dog Musher writes his name on a slip of paper and drops it in the ceremonial mukluk. As the musher names are drawn from the ceremonial mukluk, the musher announces the order he has drawn and his bib number for the Iditarod Sled Dog Race.

Ceremonial Mukluk, Steger Arctic Mukluk Travel Gear Review

It wasn’t until I arrived in Anchorage, Alaska at the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race that I realized I was not alone in my preference for Steger Mukluk snow boots. I also spotted the snow boots in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Made in Ely, Minessota and retailing for $179.95 (with the decorative ribbon on top) Steger Arctic Mukluks were the perfect lightweight snow boot for my Alaska adventure.

IF YOU GO:

Steger Mukluks (218) 365-3322

33 East Sheridan St. Ely, MN 55731

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Sled Dog Ride in Fairbanks, Alaska

Posted by Nancy D. Brown

Nancy Brown wearing Apocalypse Design's Alpine Parka for a Travel Apparel Review

When the box arrived from Fairbanks, Alaska-based Apocalypse Design, the red, puffy alpine parka almost stood on its own. I was so excited for my upcoming winter trip to Anchorage and Fairbanks, Alaska, that I immediately changed into the fleece pants and snow bibs that Apocalypse Design had sent for me to review.

I was Alaska-bound for the 2010 Iditarod Sled Dog Race that was to begin in Anchorage on March 6. While I was very happy to have the proper outdoor apparel for my Alaska winter vacation, the Apocalypse Design Alpine Parka was clearly over kill for the relatively mild Anchorage, Alaska temperatures.

I was, however, very happy to be outfitted in Steger Mukluks as I tramped around in the Alaska snow.

Alpine Parka Mandatory Apparel in Fairbanks, Alaska

It wasn’t until I landed in Fairbanks, Alaska to view the ice sculptures in 20 degree below zero temperatures (with the wind chill factor) at the World Ice Art Championships that I became appreciative of my Apocalypse Design Alpine Parka. Yet it was midnight on top of a hill, as I was viewing the Northern Lights at the Chena Hot Springs Resort that I realized my love affair with Apocalypse Design’s Alpine Parka.

The outer shell of the Apocalypse Design Alpine Parka is made of Avalite, a waterproof and breathable fabric. The full hood on the Apocalypse Design Alpine Parka was a life saver in Fairbanks, as was the fleece lined chin guard and fleece lined, deep pockets. I didn’t appreciate Apocalypse Design’s attention to detail until the cold set in.

How To Dress For an Alaska Winter Vacation

Nancy D. Brown in Girdwood, Alaska with Apocalypse Design Alpine Parka for a Travel Apparel ReviewI pitied the poorly dressed tourists who were sitting in their cotton jeans and inadequate boots trying to warm themselves at the portable heaters in the Chena Hot Springs yurts.

While I was outside taking in the Aurora Borealis and watching shooting stars, warm and toasty in my Apocalypse Design Alpine Parka, ($412) fleece pants ($99), snow bibs ($330) and Steger Mukluks and Steger mitts, I reminded myself how important it is to dress appropriately for an Alaska winter vacation.

As Karen Lundquist, Vice President of Marketing, Fairbanks Convention and Visitors Bureau puts it, “there’s no such thing as bad weather, it’s bad gear.”

Thanks to Apocalypse Design for loaning me the alpine parka, snow bibs and fleece pants for review during my winter vacation to Alaska. The quality and design of your travel apparel were very much appreciated.

IF YOU GO:

Apocalypse Design (907) 451-7555

201 Minnie Street, Fairbanks, Alaska 99701

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How to pack for Alaska winter vacation