Three Top Travel Destinations in Texas for 2019

As a territory sales manager for Dyson, Martin (Marty) G. Carrascosa coordinates activities at seven store locations, including in Pearland, Texas. Previously, Martin G. Carrascosa served as the vice president of an oil and gas company for 10 years. Outside of his professional endeavors, Marty G. Carrascosa likes to travel, including visiting sights across Texas.

Within the travel industry, all eyes are on Texas, now that Lonely Planet featured the city of Houston on its list of "10 Best Value Places to Visit in 2019." While Houston has free museums, colorful outdoor artworks, and affordable dining, several other Texas cities and regions should vie for your attention in 2019.

1. South Padre Island: Located just off the southern tip of Texas in the Gulf of Mexico, South Padre Island is earning a reputation as a family-friendly vacation stop. The island offers big beaches, hotels with lots of character, and dozens of outdoor activities, from dolphin watching to kiteboarding.

2. Dinosaur Valley State Park: Located two hours from Dallas, Dinosaur Valley State Park lets you walk in the footsteps of dinosaurs. Another great option for family travel, it features fossilized dinosaur tracks, camping, and hiking.

3. Corpus Christi: This coastal city not only has beautiful beaches, but several of Texas's most prized sights, including the USS Lexington, the South Texas Botanical Gardens, and the Texas State Aquarium.

Tips for Beginning Woodworkers

With more than 15 years of experience working in the oil/gas and field services industry, Martin (Marty) G. Carrascosa currently works in territory sales, managing seven stores for Dyson’s Central Zone in Houston, Texas. When not at work, Pearland, Texas, resident Martin G. Carrascosa enjoys woodworking.

Here are several tips for those starting out in woodworking.

* Establish a simple space. Beginners don’t need a fancy setup, but they should have a dedicated area that they can get dirty. They can even have a temporary setup outside with sawhorses and a table.

* Invest in quality tools. Most craft projects require specific tools, and woodworking is no different. Beginners should determine what they want to build, figure out what tools they need, and purchase tools that perform the tasks effectively and efficiently.

* Learn different types of joints. Basic woodworking joints include the butt joint, completed by screwing or nailing one end of wood to the end of another. The miter joint has angles cut at 45 degrees and is attached with screws or nails. To use the end lap joint, woodworkers cut halfway through each piece of wood and then knock out the wood, attaching with screws or nails.