Spring 2009 is just a few days away and already Texans are itching to get out and explore the great Lone Star State. Sure, the economy is tight and there is always a need to spend wisely in tough times. But getting away and renewing the spirit requires an investment of both time and dollars if you're going to continue the uphill battle of the budget. You can't work effectively if your mind and heart aren't in the game! So we have chosen carefully a few spring getaway destinations and activities (A Trio of Perfect Getaway Destinations for Spring) that we think will be easy on your budget and still provide that rare and exciting adventure that you deserve. Enjoy! ASSUALTING THE ROCK! Get your bad boy hiking shoes on and get ready to tackle the secod largest granite rock in the nation! Enchanted Rock State Natural Area just east of Fredericksburg offers the perfect chance to get out in the early spring weather and enjoy the geologically-rich Llano Escarpment uplift, a rare formation that populates the landscapes with boulders, canyons, streams, hills and valleys, with plenty of nature all around and some of the best and most rugged trekking country in Central Texas. The rock provides a day or weekend of activities as you explore it and the surrounding park lands. And the climb - even to the top - is fairly easy to make even for casual hikers. Before long the wild Texas wildflowers will be gracing the landscape all across Central Texas and there's never a bad time to visit the Rock. The exception might be crowded weekends, so hit this essential spring destination in the middle of the week if possible, and early in the day to avoid the crowds. Highly recommended! MORE TROPICAL SUNSETS! Spring just wouldn't be spring without a road trip to the coast, and there are plenty of great coastal destinations in Texas where you can land for a week or a weekend and catch some salt air and warm rays of sunshine as the winds gently caresses your skin in March and April. In spite of South Padre Island's popularity in March (thanks to college spring break), the lower Texas coast still has a lot to offer family travelers. It's also a great romantic region for couples looking to escape this spring season. Our recommendation is to try Port Isabel, an up and coming traverler's destination with a lot of offerings, including the beaches of South Padre right in their own backyard. Marvel at the abundant wildlife of the Bahia Grande, fish in the blue waters of the lower Laguna Madre, take in the museums and restaurants of Port Isabel and disvover the rich heritage of the lower Texas coast. Great restaurants, cool museums, warm weather and tropical sunsets await - in Port Isabel! MORE SLEEPING WITH GHOSTS! Far West Texas is a world unto its own, and a road trip out West means a high adventure at every turn. If the winter has you jumpy for a real adventure, try the big country of the Big Bend, but start in Marathon where you can spend a night or two at the historic and fabled Gage Hotel. There's a lot of history to be had in Marathon, and you'll be surrounded by it in this unique lodge in the middle of nowhere. But take heart, there's plenty to do besides watch for the ghosts of the old hotel - now turned West Texas boutique with its offering of comfort and nostalgia. You can opt to try down the road aways to catch a glimpse of the Marfa Lights, or take a trip into the Big Bend for adventure on the edge! Spring is a perfect time for West Texas trekking. What are you waiting for? MORE