Grapevine, Texas – Gaylord Texan – ICE!

NIKON D300, Nikon 12-24

When we visited the Gaylord Texan a few weeks back…one of the reasons for our visit was to see “ICE”.  ICE is a wonderful holiday exhibit made completely of ICE!   Above you can see a photo of the Grinch and some Who’s enjoying a holiday feast!    It was great to see!   Check the website for times and costs.  Coats are given to you as the temperature is kept below freezing to keep the ice solid.   For the kids (and brave adults) they have a cool ice slide to enjoy!  Its about 10-15 long and adds to the fun!

I set up my tripod for this shot and took my photos quickly!  When using your camera in cold weather…batteries can drain fast!  Luckily it was just a few shots…I had to wait for the traffic to pass by to grab this shot!    Not sure if that turkey is served hot??  After you finish the ICE tour…you return your jackets and can grab a snack and some hot chocolate to warm up!   It was enjoyable and something different to experience!

Here is some info from the their site: With two million pounds of hand-carved ice, Gaylord Texan brings to life the Dr. Seuss holiday classic — How The Grinch Stole Christmas! In a series of colorful scenes straight out of the original storybook pages, the spectacular ICE! attraction brilliantly showcases how the “Whoville-hating” Grinch with a heart two sizes too small learns the true meaning of Christmas.  The unique attraction is created by 40 master artisans from Harbin, China, who magically transform 5,000 blocks of ice into the city of Who-ville. From the Grinch’s frozen mountaintop lair and 20-foot high slides to a variety of family photo opportunities and the picturesque Who-ville including feasting Who’s and Max the dog, the enchanting attraction is sure to make more hearts than just the Grinch’s grow three times in size.

Hope the Grinch doesn’t show up for the holidays near you!

Grapevine, Texas – Gaylord Texan Hotel (HDR)

NIKON D300, Nikon 105. Fisheye, HDR in Photomatix

Here is my weekly holiday shot from the Gaylord Texan Hotel in Grapevine, Texas!   It was quiet on this side of the hotel and I found it a perfect time to shoot!  The fisheye lens just about got it all in!  The atrium is called the San Antonio Riverwalk.  Not a bad replica!  In San Antonio, along with the Alamo, you can find a wonderful riverwalk with nice restaurants lining the waterway!   This made me feel like I was there!  In a few weeks we will go down and visit san Antonio.  During the holidays the Riverwalk is famous for holiday lights and the area is supposed to be beautiful!  Will post pics as it get near Christmas!   Hope your holiday shopping is going well!!

Grapevine, TX – Gaylord Texan Hotel (HDR)

NIKON D300, Nikon 12-24, HDR in Photomatix

Happy Holiday season!  I’ll post an XMas photo from the Gaylord each week until Christmas.  Here is another view of the Lone Star Atrium.  The tree in the center rotates non stop…a long exposure give the fluid motion look!   I really enjoy all the lights hanging from the ceiling.  Imagine all the work to hang those lights!!  Kudos to the workers at the hotel!    I plan to visit again next year for the holidays.  It must be a special year…it might snow here in Austin, Texas tomorrow!!  Now that would be a sight to see!!  My camera will be charged and ready to go!

Grapevine, Texas – Gaylord Texan Hotel (HDR)

NIKON D300, Nikon 10.5 Fisheye, HDR in Photomatix

It is now holiday season..time to enjoy holiday music, lights and shopping!  Just this week we went up north and visited the Gaylord Texan Hotel in Grapevine, TX.  It is about 20 minutes west of Dallas.  A wonderful hotel to stay at and visit during the holidays!   They have this large beautiful atrium all done up in X-Mas lights…an amazing sight to see!   The fisheye captures to grand scale of this fun place!  We had fun and took lots of pictures!  You will see more shots from here during the month of December on my blog.

The whole hotel was decorated.  There are 3 atriums to visit and explore:  Lone Star Atrium (pictured above), Hill Country Atrium and the Riverwalk Atrium (after the San Antonio Riverwalk). A small river runs through all sections of the hotel and restaurants and shopping are located throughout!  Basically an all-in-one hotel.    It was fairly inexpensive…$159/nite (may be more for weekends)…so check pricing for other dates.  It was a photographers paradise!  In the AM we saw a few professional photogrpahers taking family portraits.  We were there for the same reason!  To take an X-Mas portrait of our little one!   So the place is surely photographer friendly!

There are also a few spots to take portraits already set up by the hotel.  Santa is also there!  So we had a picture taken with him.  I asked him not to give me coal this year.  LOL  A fun great time!  I didn’t even tell you about the main attraction…ICE!  Ice sculptures of the Grinch and much more!  I’ll post a pic from ICE next week and give you more details.   If you are near Dallas for the holidays….I’d visit the Gaylord Texan for the holidays!   Enjoy!