About Galveston County, TX

The 56^th Annual Houston International Boat, Sport and Travel Show is going on through Jan. 15 at Reliant Center. This year’s show features more than 1,000 power boats, luxury cruisers, fishing boats and personal watercraft. The show also features a great selection of campers and travel trailers for the camping enthusiast.

There are lots of exhibits at the Houston Boat Show, including outfitters from as far away as Alaska and Costa Rica, fishing guides, gear, marine electronics, fashions, jewelry, hot tubs, artwork, food and much more!

Even the kids can find fun things to do at the Boat Show. There’s a Fish-o-Rama where kids of all ages can catch live fish, and something really cool called Bubble Runners. Bubble Runners are giant plastic bubbles that kids get inside and then they roll around in the bubble in a big pool. It looks like a lot of fun!

Better wear your walking shoes when you go to the boat show, because the event covers 16 acres of boats, campers and exhibits. I love looking at the boats and campers, but this year the coolest thing I saw there was a beautifully restored Volkswagen Bus from the '60's. I went on my first date with my husband in his ’65 VW bus, so this one brought back some great memories!

The Boat Show hours are 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 1 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10 for adults and $4 for children under 12. Admission and parking are half price on Wednesday (11^th) and Friday (13^th).

See you at the Houston Boat Show!

If you like fishing, hunting, camping, ATV’s, and outdoor adventure sports, then there’s a wonderful destination close to Friendswood and Pearland that you will really enjoy! Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World is close by – in Pearland at the intersection of State Highway 288 and Beltway 8.

Bass Pro Shops is an outdoor sportsman’s paradise! The store is HUGE, and there is so much to see, you can spend the whole day there. The store is part museum, part art gallery, part antique store, part aquarium, part education center, part conservation center, and part entertainment center. You can even enjoy lunch or dinner at their on-site restaurant, Islamorada Fish Company Restaurant. It’s always good!

The store is a tribute to the Texas landscape and its people. With more than 3,500 artifacts, antiques, pictures, mounts and memorabilia, the store is a living museum of Texas hunting, fishing and other outdoor sports legacies.

There are state record wildlife mounts displayed in natural settings amidst huge boulders on top of the 18,000 gallon Bass Pro Shops and Texas Parks and Wildlife Educational aquarium. There is an indoor waterfall and a 5,500 gallon touch pool where fishing seminars are often held. There is even a laser shooting arcade with over 50 animated targets is for kids of all ages.

Some of the things you can find at Bass Pro Shops include fishing equipment for all kinds of fishing, electronics, boats, camping equipment, ATV’s, home and cabin goods, archery supplies, men’s clothing, women’s clothing, shoes and boots, gifts, and hobbies.

There’s something for everyone at Bass Pro Shops in Pearland!

See You There!

This post is part of a series of blogs I am doing to highlight activities for men near Friendswood and Pearland. If you missed the others, here they are:

• It’s that time of year – time to find a gym in Friendswood!
• Timber Creek Golf Club in Friendswood is a top-notch golf course!
• Guys can go HOG WILD at the Harley dealerships near Friendswood and Pearland!

Victory Lakes

Victory Lakes is an exclusive master-planned neighborhood in League City located on FM 646 just off I-45 South. With easy access to restaurants, schools, shopping and entertainment you will never have to venture too far away from home. Victory Lakes is just minutes away from Kemah Boardwalk, NASA, and Clear Lake.

Residents of Victory Lakes enjoy lakes, walking trails, gorgeous landscapes, and swimming pool, playground and tennis courts. You will feel safe calling Victory Lakes your home with the easy access to police and fire protection.

Victory Lakes was carefully designed with many homes on cul-de-sac lots as well as waterfront homes. With easy access to I-45 you will never have a 15-20 drive once off the freeway however the community was planned so as though you are not close to the freeway.

Students will not have a long walk to school with the brand new Ralph Parr Elementary, and conveniently located Victory Lakes Intermediate School just a short walk away. Victory Lakes is part of the highly acclaimed Clear Creek ISD.

Builders in Victory Lakes take pride in their work and in making homes fit your needs and dreams. Builders with-in Victory Lakes include:

Check out some of the wonderful homes for sale in Victory Lakes. In fact, one of beautiful listings is a home built by Trendmakers Homes located in lovely Victory Lakes. Take a look! You may fall in love!

Welcome home to this gorgeous 5 bedroom, 3 bathroom, 3 car garage home located in lovely Victory Lakes. The formal dining room features chair rail and easy access to the kitchen. The kitchen has granite countertops, gas cook top, pantry with spice rack, and breakfast area. The family room is large with a fireplace and two story ceilings. Retreat to the master bedroom where you will find a sitting area, high ceilings and a luxurious master bath. Relax in the master bath featuring dual vanities, granite countertops, separate shower/whirlpool tub and a huge walk-in closet. Tile floors in extended entry, hallway, utility room, kitchen, breakfast room and baths. The downstairs features two bedrooms and upstairs you will find three large guest bedrooms. The game room upstairs is the perfect place for a pool table or for a play area. There are built-ins as well as a hidden storage room. There is also a computer nook which is a great place for a hobby area or study spot. The backyard features a covered patio and pretty green grass. The garage has a workbench area and lots of space for all the cars. Sprinkler system, French drain and gutters. Call for an appointment today!

I have started a series of posts highlighting things to do around Friendswood that appeal to men (as well as women). At this time of year, men and women alike are setting weight-loss goals, and joining fitness centers to help shave off some inches and drop a few pounds.

Friendswood has several fitness and workout studios, but the biggest one is 24-Hour Fitness, located at 130 W. Parkwood Avenue (FM 528), right in the heart of town.

The Friendswood 24-Hour Fitness Center offers the following amenities:

• Cardio Equipment
• Free Weights
• Full-Sized Basketball Court
• Group Exercise
• Indoor Lap Pool
• Kid’s Club
• Personal Training
• Pro Shop
• Sauna
• Steam Room
• Whirlpool

There is always a flurry of activity at 24-Hour Fitness, with people coming and going at all hours of the day. For workout enthusiasts, it’s a fantastic (and very large) gym!

If you are more into a smaller facility, a good alternative is Anytime Fitness, located at 108 W. Edgewood Drive (FM 2351), near Tuesday Morning.

Anytime Fitness is accessible 24-hours a day with your security access key, and is staffed Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It features cardio and strength equipment.

These are just two of the gyms in the Friendswood area. Stay tuned for more posts on things to do around Friendswood that appeal to men (and women)!

If you missed the earlier posts, here they are:

Guys can go HOG WILD at the Harley dealerships near Friendswood and Pearland!

Timber Creek Golf Club in Friendswood is a top­ notch golf course!

League City is a quaint City with lots of unique shops and a beautiful park area where many brides have had their wedding photos taken. In the summer time, you can always find something going on at the League Park!

The population for League City is approximately 45,000 and is located in Galveston County,

For 2011, The Average Days on the Market Are:

• January 89 Days

• February 98 Days

• March 126 Days

• April 99 Days

• May 92 Days

• June 86 Days

• July 83 Days

• Ausust 84 Days

• Sept. 74 Days

• October 86 Days

The Average Days on the Market for League City were approximately 3-4 months for 2011, which is very good in this market.

League City has brand new homes and some beautiful older homes in the area. One of the reasons this area is so popular is location. It is near to I45 which takes you North into the Houston Area or South to the Galveston area. Another reason why League City is so attractive to buyers is that it is a family, friendly community.

Looking for a new home? Check out League City!

This information is from the Houston Association of Realtors