Cedar Hill State Park

22 04 2015

Cedar Hill State ParkGood Morning from Cedar Hill, TX.  We’re parked in site #121 of the very large urban Cedar Hill State Park. About 30 minutes from downtown Dallas, this park is an oasis of heavily wooded rolling hills around the large Joe Pool Lake.    With over 300 sites, this place is a maze of roads around the hills and through the trees.  Many of the pads aren’t level, but most sites offer lots of room with wide pads, shade and large grassy areas with a grill, picnic table and bird feeder post.

With nearly all of the metroplex’s TV transmitters on a nearby hill, we are able to lock in 60 over-the-air TV channels.  But, even with this seemingly great airspace, the Verizon and T-Mobile signals for internet access are hit-and-miss at best – maybe there are too many things flying through the air here!  Only about 5 minutes south of interstate 20 and right off of highway 67, we’re only a few miles from what appears to be every major food and retail franchise in Texas.

Uncle Julio's Fine Mexican FoodLast night we met longtime friends at one of our favorite Oak Lawn restaurants, Uncle Julio’s.  If you’ve never been to Julio’s, you’re missing what we consider a true Tex-Mex treat.  The warm, thin and perfectly salted tortilla chips with Uncle Julio’s unmatched salsa can easily fill you up long before dinner arrives.  With melt-in-your-mouth house made flour tortillas, there’s is no place like this for sizzling fajitas, awesome Tex-Mex classics and their famous swirl margaritas.  We thoroughly enjoy our night out at Uncle Julio’s and even more the company of good friends.

Tomorrow we’re headed toward the Texas panhandle, with an overnight stop in Wichita Falls before arriving at Palo Duro Canyon State Park.  More from there…

Joe Pool Swim Beach
Cedar Hill State Park, Joe Pool Lake
Joe Pool Marina
Cedar Hill State Park, Joe Pool Lake

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Tyler State Park

21 04 2015

Tyler State Park, Site #77About 100 miles east of Dallas, and just north of I-20 at Tyler, we’re in site #77 at Tyler State Park.  This is  a full hookup, pull through site in the Big Pine area.  This huge state park is built around a beautiful lake and provides nearly 150 sites for tenting, groups and RVs in a park-like setting.  The prime RV sites here are those in the Lakeview area, many backup right to water’s edge.  But, this will be a relatively quick overnight – just long enough to have a wonderfully enjoyable dinner with friends from Dallas.  Tomorrow we have a short trip over to Cedar Hill State Park, just southwest of Dallas.  More from there…

Tyler State Park, Lakeview Area
Tyler State Park, Lakeview Area
Tyler State Park, Lakeview Area
Tyler State Park, Lakeview Area
Tyler State Park, Lakeview Area
Tyler State Park, Lakeview Area
Tyler State Park, Big Pine Area
Tyler State Park, Big Pine Area

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Bastrop State Park

20 04 2015

Bastrop State Park, Site #75

In a relative short travel day, we’ve continued nearly due north about 100 miles to Bastrop State Park located just 30 miles east of Austin, TX. In what feels like a fairly urban park, they offer a golf course, swimming pool (not yet open for the season) cabin rentals, group barracks, tent camping areas as well as full and partial hookup, back-in and pull-through RV spots.

The RV spots are located in two areas, Piney Hill has 25 mostly pull-through sites along a ridge overlooking other parts of the park. Unfortunately the Bastrop County complex fire of 2011, the most destructive wildfire in Texas history, took out most of the trees in this area.  We’re parked in site #75 in the Copperas Creek area which was less affected by the fire.  Situated alongside highway 71 which supplies some highway noise, this undoubtedly assisted by providing some firebreak for this area.  However, the charred remains of the tall pine trees are everywhere you look outside of this area.   Copperas Creek provides about 25 back-in sites, some with full hookups, some with water and electric.  There’s a new (probably since the 2011 fire) bathroom and shower house in the middle of the sites.  Tomorrow in a change from our original plan to go to Dallas, we’re going to detour slightly east to Tyler State Park to meet some longtime friends that are camping there.

Shiner, TX – en route to Bastrop
Bastrop State Park, Site #75
Bastrop State Park, Site #75
Bastrop State Park, Copperas Creek
Bastrop State Park, Copperas Creek
Bastrop State Park, Copperas Creek
Bastrop State Park, Copperas Creek
Bastrop State Park, Copperas Creek
Bastrop State Park, Piney Hill
Bastrop State Park, Copperas Creek
Bastrop State Park, Piney Hill
Bastrop State Park, Piney Hill
Bastrop State Park, Piney Hill

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Goliad State Park, on the San Antonio River

19 04 2015
Goliad State Park

Goliad State Park

After departing Harlingen on Saturday, we made the 3 hour drive north to Goliad State Park near Victoria, TX.  Most of the trip was routine, however after turning north at Refugio we unknowingly turned into the path of a thunderstorm that was just getting to the severe stage.  Traveling right on the edge of the storm, we experienced heavy rain and lightening cracking around us.  With nowhere to pull off the road and escape the storm, we were very glad to reach the entrance to the state park.

We’re parked in site #16, a pull through site on the inside of the main campground loop.  There are 20 sites here in the Karankawa Camping Area and another 20 sites in an “overflow” area called Jacales.  Jacales Camping Area is really just a big parking lot with utilities along the sides and down the middle.  We were here at Goliad last year and spent time at the Visitors Center and Mission Espiritu Santo.  This year we’ll make a quick overnight stop and be back on our way north to Bastrop State Park tomorrow.  There’s enough to see and do around Goliad including the small town itself, Fannin’s Memorial and the Fannin Battleground, we really should spend a few days here.

Goliad State Park
Goliad State Park
Goliad State Park

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Leaving the Texas Gulf Coast

18 04 2015
Farewell to South Padre Island

Farewell to South Padre Island

After 2 weeks on South Padre Island, we’ve just spent 3 days in Harlingen cleaning, resupplying and running last-minute errands before we begin the trip North.  The 2 weeks on South Padre were spent enjoying life in the “slower” lane and some of the venues we visited last year including Palm Street Pier listening to the music of Chuck and Earl.  We also found a new breakfast venue, Café on the Beach at the Palms Resort , a small outdoor café on the gulf side of the island.

The weather on the island was a bit stormier than normal with several late evening or overnight thunderstorms blowing through the area.  We watched as several of the last Winter Texans packed up and departed.  Many of the prime spots were quickly reoccupied by summer residents.  Some of these are locals from around the valley, Brownsville, Harlingen, McAllen.  They spend weekends on the island while commuting back home to work during the week.

Our planned return routing takes us north through Dallas and then across to the Texas panhandle to Palo Duro Canyon.  Today we’re headed about 3 hours north to Goliad State Park , nearly due north of Harlingen and situated along a u-shaped bend in the San Antonio River.  With thunderstorms, hail and even some tornadoes beginning to pop-up during the last week around northern Texas and Oklahoma, we’ll have an ever vigilant eye toward the skies.  More from Goliad tomorrow…


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Historic Warships Tour, Brownsville

10 04 2015
Brownsville Shrimp Fleet

Brownsville Shrimp Fleet

Yesterday we sailed from the southern tip of South Padre Island all the way to the inner turning basin of the Brownsville ship channel with Breakaway Cruises.  The 13 mile deep-water channel provides access for cargo in and out of northern Mexican cities as well as US cities along the Rio Grande valley.  It also provides a safe harbor for what was once the nation’s largest shrimp fleet.  The channel is also the final segment for famous US Navy ships that are to be salvaged.  Earlier this year the Kitty Hawk class supercarrier USS Constellation was towed 16,000 miles from Bremerton, Washington, around the cape of South America and into Brownsville for dismantling and scrapping.  Along with the ex-USS Constellation, we saw the remaining hull of the USS Forrestal, and several other Navy ships, huge oil platforms and cargo ships loading and unloading.  This 4 hour tour includes a Shrimp Boil luncheon, including tasty shrimp, sausage, corn and potatoes.  There is also complimentary beer and sodas or bottled water.  All for about $35/person, an interesting way to spend an afternoon on South Padre.

Ship Channel, from Isla Blanca
Ship Channel, from Isla Blanca
Brownsville Shrimp Fleet
Port of Brownsville
Port of Brownsville
Port of Brownsville, USS Constellation
Wake Runners
Swing Gate Bridge on Intercoastal Waterway

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Island Time, South Padre Island, TX

1 04 2015
South Padre Island, Isla Blanca Park

South Padre Island, Isla Blanca Park

We’re back on “Island Time”.  After spending 3 nights at Tropic Winds RV Park in Harlingen, we’ve made the short drive to the gulf coast, crossed over the Queen Isabella Causeway and are parked at the Isla Blanca park for the next 2 weeks.  This is our 3rd visit to SPI, always in sites C321 & C363 that overlook the Brownsville Ship Channel and fishing area. We’ve arrived just ahead of the big crowds that are expected for Semana Santa or Holy Week ending on Easter Sunday.

As luck would have it, good  friends Wendy and Mark are also here on the island for one more night before beginning their trip back home to Winnipeg, Canada.  We join them at the KOA Kampground for a few beers and great conversation as well as an introduction to their “puppy” Roper – the newest addition to their family.  It’s been two years since we first met in Lajitas, TX and it’s great to catch up with them again.  Safe Travels Mark & Wendy!

We’ll lay low during the big Easter weekend, and then venture out as the crowds leave.  We want to get back to the Palm Street Pier Bar & Grill, the Padre Island Brewing Company and Isabel’s Café for some home cooked Mexican breakfast.  And, we’re always on the lookout for new, fun places.  More from SPI as our 2 weeks progress…

South Padre Island, Isla Blanca Park
South Padre Island
South Padre Island

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Los Ebanos Ferry

29 03 2015

WP_20150329_009cThe main reason we’re in Mission is to check out the Los Ebanos Ferry.  This is the last hand pulled ferry operating on the Rio Grande between Mexico and the US.  Located about 20 minutes west of Mission, the tiny town of Los Ebanos was named after the famous Texas Ebony tree that was used to anchor the US side of the ferry cables.  The plaque next to the tree reads:

Apparently this is an ancient ford.  First recorded usage was by Spanish explorers and colonists under Jose de Escandon in 1740s on the Rio Grande.  A salt trail led from here to El Sal Del Rey (40 MI. NE) The ford was used by Mexican War troops, 1846; by Texas Rangers chasing cattle rustlers, 1874; by smugglers in many eras.  Especially during the American Prohibition years, 1920s and the 30s.  The ferry and inspection station were established in 1950.  Named for the Ebony Trees here, this is known as the only government licensed hand pulled ferry on any boundary of the United States (1974)

After crossing into Mexico in Big Bend National Park via row boat, we thought it appropriate to check out this similarly unique crossing.  The ferry is about the size of a large houseboat and can handle up to 3 vehicles at a time.  On the US side is a huge new immigration center that leads to a dirt road that descends to the river’s edge.  The driving ramps were just being raised as we walked down the road.  The thick cable that stretches across the river is pulled by 4 or 5 men as the ferry makes it way slowly across the river to a similer landing spot and road on the Mexican side.  Without any apparent facilities nearby, we opt not to cross, and instead only document our visit with photos.

This afternoon we’ll pack up and make the short trip to Harlingen where we’ll resupply before heading out to South Padre Island for the Easter holiday.  More from there…

Los Ebanos Ferry Cable
Los Ebanos Ferry, Los Ebanos, TX
Los Ebanos Ferry, Los Ebanos, TX
Los Ebanos Ferry, Los Ebanos, TX
Los Ebanos Ferry, Los Ebanos, TX

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Mission, Bentsen Palms Village RV Resort

28 03 2015
Bentsen Palm Village, Circle Pull-Throughs

Bentsen Palm Village, Circle Pull-Throughs

We’ve arrived back in far south Texas at the Rio Grande River – just a few miles north at Bentsen Palms Village RV Resort. This is one of the nicest RV parks we’ve stayed in. Reportedly designed after Disney World’s Fort Wilderness, the park has 4 large circles of pull-through sites and an outer border of back-in sites. The 4 circles contain about 20 sites each with a unique park amenity in the center ranging from a club house to palapa covered pool tables creating social “neighborhoods”.  All 250 sites are huge compared to other urban parks.  We’re parked at site #235, about half way along the eastern edge.  Out our back window is the community Organic Garden to the left and a Dog Agility Area to the right.  All sites provide cement or asphalt pads, full services including 60 channel cable TV and a very nice patio area.  Nearly every site has a palm tree at the front and some type of hedge next to the patio to improve the privacy.   Ours has a few small bushes including a blooming rose that’s been well cared for.  Along the western edge of the park are “super sites”, even larger than the site we’re at and each include a small casita.  With both an rental or purchase option, some owners have customized these casitas as an addition bedroom, a huge outdoor kitchen and BBQ area or left them unfinished for storage of bikes and golf carts.

Bentsen Palms Village is just south of Mission next to the World Birding Center and Bentsen Rio Grande State Park.  Complimentary passes to both recreation areas are available.  There are also bicycles and kayaks available to borrow.  The complimentary WiFi worked well.  For $40/night, this is a very nice resort in a quiet location close to the amenities of Mission and McAllen, TX

Bentsen Palm Village, Circle Pull-Throughs
Bentsen Palm Village, Circle Pull-Throughs
Bentsen Palm Village, Circle, Casita Site
Bentsen Palm Village, Circle, Casita Site
Bentsen Palm Village, Circle Pull-Throughs
Bentsen Palm Village, eastern edge sites
Bentsen Palm Village, Rockwood 8289WS
Bentsen Palm Village, eastern edge sites
Bentsen Palm Village, Circle Pull-Throughs

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San Antonio Missions

27 03 2015
San Jose Mission, San Antonio

San Jose Mission, San Antonio

After departing Kerrville, we make the relatively short trip to Travelers World, a conveniently located RV resort just south of downtown San Antonio.  We’re back at Travelers World to explore more of the historic San Antonio River Missions and to spend some time downtown at the Riverwalk.  Last time here, we rode the updated river trail, but didn’t stop to explore any of the old Missions or go all the way into town.  This RV Park is an urban park and somewhat noisier than other more remote parks.  Although it backs to a beautiful golf course and river trail area, there is still some traffic noise from nearby Roosevelt Ave.  They also seem to have a real bias toward long term travelers. As a “2 or 3 nighter”, we’re once again relegated to the shortest, tightest spots in the park.  And, with nearly 10 sites empty, they also seem to have a propensity to put everyone side-by-side.  But, at least on this trip, the convenient location outweighs a bit of noise and tight sites. Plus, these are full hook-up sites including about 60 channels of cable – so very luxurious compared to sites we’ve been in over the last couple of weeks.

With a cold front threatening wet and windy conditions on Thursday, we work most of the day using the park’s complimentary Tengo Internet network.  Tengo has been installed at several of the RV Parks we’ve stayed at, and in general offer unimpressive results.  But, this time the WiFi works great with bandwidth transfers running along at around 6-8MB. By 2pm with the weather improving, we decide to go check out Mission San Jose along with the National Park Service Visitor Center for the San Antonio Missions.  We’re just in time to watch an informative video about past life in the missions and then join a guided tour of the old mission.  There are 4 other Missions that were originally built, or moved to the San Antonio area including the famous Alamo.  The Spanish used these Missions to entice the native Texan Indians out of their small, difficult to defend communities and into the relative safety of the missions.  In exchange they gave up their “pagan” religious practices in favor of Catholicism and their native languages and customs to become “Spanish”.

On Friday, after deciding to spend one more night in San Antonio, we join Dave and Mary for lunch and a relaxing, fun afternoon on the riverwalk.  We’ll pack up in the morning and make the 4 hour trip south into the Rio Grande Valley.

San Jose Mission, San Antonio
San Jose Mission, San Antonio
San Jose Mission, San Antonio
San Antonio Riverwalk

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