Headed home from South Padre

12 05 2024

After 3 weeks on SPI, we’ve once again crossed the Queen Isabella causeway bound for Harlingen.  We’ll spend 3 days in Harlingen cleaning and resupplying for our trip home. We’re planning a fairly rapid departure from South Texas, it’s gotten way, way too hot and humid!  We’ll spend 3 nights on the road across Texas and then 2 nights in New Mexico before arriving back to Colorado

Site #23, Isla Blanca RV Park, SPI

Our first night out is at favorite state park, Lake Casa Blanca in Laredo.  Normally we stay on the “100” loop, this year we’ve opted for a new location at site 303.  This is a long (over 100’) pull through on the far north end of the campground.  Providing 30/50 amp power and water this is a very private site and was perfectly level allowing us to stay connected to the truck.

Lake Casa Blanca, Site 303

Another 3 hours or so takes us to Del Rio at the Sleeping Lady RV park where we spent one night last year.  This is a well maintained park, gravel roads and concrete pads on pull through sites provide full hookups and even a bit of shade from the small trees.  As we arrive, the temperature tops out at 109 in Del Rio, and about 60% humidity, and we’re anxious to hit the road the next morning.

Sleeping Lady RV Park, Del Rio, TX

Continuing west from Del Rio, we leave the Rio Grande valley at Sanderson and turn north to connect with I-10 at Ft. Stockton.  We’ve stayed in Ft. Stockton many time but today decide to continue to Balmorhea State Park, home of San Solomon Springs which creates the largest spring-fed swimming pool in the world.  The campground at Balmorhea has been closed for refurbishment for years, and we’re anxious to check things out.  The pool is closed for cleaning this week meaning the normal throngs of people won’t be able to access the park.  We’re among only about 10 others in the RV new campground and have a very quiet evening.

Balmorhea State Park, Toyahvale, TX

San Solomon Springs at Balmorhea State Park

Our 4th day on the road takes us out of Texas, and into eastern New Mexico near Carlsbad.  We continue to Roswell for a quick overnight at Town & Country RV Park. The original plan was to spend one more night on the road in Santa Fe. But, we get an early start and decided to make the 6 hour run all the way home.

Spanish Peaks, Huerfano, County, CO

It’s been a great trip.  115 nights at 25 different parks and resorts for a total of about 4300 miles.  Our next trip is already completely planned, we’re headed to the Pacific Northwest through Oregon to Washington where we’ll spend the 4th of July holiday with family in Sequim, WA.  More from the road to Oregon…


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Categories : Spring Road Trip 2024

Across New Mexico and West Texas

24 03 2021

From Sierra Vista, AZ we’re parked in site #19 at the KOA in Las Cruces. This is a favorite KOA for us, and we enjoy these premium back-in sites with views across Las Cruces and to the Organ Mountains beyond.

Las Cruces KOA

Organ Mountains Sunrise

From Las Cruces, we spent 1 night in Van Horn, TX and then on to Alpine, TX at the Lost Alaskan RV Park.  The continuing West Texas drought, probably coupled with the unprecedented cold weather this year has left this area dry, brown and dusty.  The only green are the pine trees in the Lost Alaskan park, and many of those are looking stressed.  Saturday evening we treated ourselves to dinner at Reata.  A favorite from living in the DFW Metroplex, the Reata Alpine is a little more casual, but with same delicious menus. On Monday we sequestered inside, with wind gusts to over 40 MPH, the dust turned the skies brown and left a fine covering everywhere.

Reata Alpine

From Alpine we’ll spend 1 night in Del Rio at the Broke Mill RV Park, and then move to the KOA in San Antonio.  More from SAT…


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Categories : Spring Road Trip 2021

On to Fort Davis

7 05 2019

Garner State Park site #326

After departing South Padre we spent 3 nights at Tropic Winds RV Resort in Harlingen before departing the Rio Grande Valley.  Our first night was at familiar Lake Casa Blanca State Park in Laredo.  From there we continuing north through Uvalde to Garner State Park where we plan to spend 2 nights.  This is our first visit to Garner.  Located in the far SW corner of the Texas Hill Country, the park is a beautiful oasis along the Rio Frio.  With nearly 400 RV sites, about 40 screened shelters and about 20 cabins, this is a huge state park and the busiest in the Texas system.  Blog posts mention waits of over 2 hours to check-in for a pre-reserved campsite in prime season – even on this Sunday afternoon, the “take-a-number” and wait took nearly 20 minutes.

Indications from the T-Mobile coverage map showed “fair” 4G service here.  And, several blog posts mentioned a usable park WiFi system.  However after checking in to site #326 in the Live Oak area, the promised T-Mobile covered never materialized.  And, the parks WiFi was only partially available at the Visitor Center and the Reception/Check-In office.  After driving back toward Concan to retrieve email and send a few text messages, we decided that we’d need to depart 1 day early on Monday morning.  Surprisingly, the park was happy to refund the 2nd night that we’d pre-paid and by 9:30AM we were on our way toward Del Rio.

Garner State Park Rio Frio

Garner State Park Fall Colors

If in Del Rio, most likely we can be found at the Broke Mill RV Park.  A favorite of ours, this is always a great stop when departing the dry-camping in Big Bend National Park, or in this case, a northward park with a WiFi system that we know works great.  There are new owners at Broke Mill, and after additional investment in the WiFi network, have discontinued the support of the cable TV system and instead expect guests to stream their favorite TV.  A big change from most parks that warn you against streaming!  Congrats Stacy and Kim, the improvements all around look great.  We’ll see you next year!

Memo’s Restaurant, Del Rio, TX

Dinner on Monday evening is at Memo’s Mexican Restaurant (thanks Kim for this great recommendation). This hidden gem in old town Del Rio along San Felipe Creek offers great value, fine food and a fascinating history.  We’d highly recommend it!  We’re planning to spend 2 nights in Del Rio and then move over to Ft. Davis.  More from the Davis Mountains of West Texas…

Memo’s Restaurant, Del Rio, TX


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Categories : Spring Road Trip 2019

Broke Mill RV Park, Del Rio

31 03 2017

Broke Mill RV, Site #10

We’ve just departed Del Rio after spending 3 nights at Broke Mill RV park.  A favorite of ours, this is a perfect place to land after several days off-the-grid in Big Bend.  The internet is some of the best we’ve found and the 50+ channels of cable TV will allow everyone to catch up on world events.   Plus the other facilities are top-notch where you can do laundry for $1.25/load, workout in the well-appointed gym or enjoy luxuriously long showers in the bath house.  But, with chilly nights, the very inviting pool is still a bit cool.

As we noted last year, the sites are lush grass, some nearly completely private with tall foliage.  We’re in an end site #10, which has an extended lawn area and nice shrubs all around.  The only downside to this park is the traffic noise from highway 90.  Fairly easy to drown out with A/C or a fan, it may unfortunately get worse as the loop road around Del Rio becomes more heavily trafficked.   Sites that might offer a bit of noise protection are #35 & #36.  But, for value, quality and location, you can’t beat Broke Mill.

We’re off to Laredo, to another favorite campground, Casa Blanca International State Park.  More from there…


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Categories : Spring Road Trip 2017

Hidden Valley RV Park, Del Rio, TX

22 04 2016
Hidden Valley RV Park

Hidden Valley RV Park – site #65

Consulting rvparkreviews.com (one of our most used travel websites) we find there are two RV parks in Del Rio with Excellent ratings, Broke Mill RV Park where we’ve stayed several times and Hidden Valley RV Park.  Hoping for a bit quieter setting than we had at Broke Mill about 30 days ago, we opt for Hidden Valley.  Located on the south side of Del Rio, initial impressions from blog posters is that this place may be difficult to find.  We’ve talked with the owner and have explicit directions to the park.  Arriving via highway 277 to what eventually becomes Margarita Ave, we exit just before the overpass at Ogden Street.  (if you miss this exit, just take the next left on Gibbs Street – then another left on Veterans Blvd to intersect E Garfield)

Hidden Valley RV Park

Hidden Valley RV Park

At the stop sign, we’re waived on by someone in a small blue car parked on the side of the road.  After making the left on Ogden, the same car is pulled over in front of us – it’s Janet Casey, owner of Hidden Valley.  She says she was just out running errands, but we suspect she was waiting to escort us into the park.  Directions from here are easy, continue west on Ogden, bear left on Gibson, turn left on Main Street then bear right on Bolner Lane.  The park is literally at the end of Bolner Lane.  Once south of Main St. our 13+ foot clearance requirement took a bit of tree limb avoidance swerving – Del Rio need to do some tree trimming!

Hidden Valley RV Park

Hidden Valley RV Park

The RV sites are set in what appears more like a city park or orchard than an RV Park.  We’re used to very limited vegetation and dry conditions in this part of Texas.  Hidden Valley is green, lush and shady.  In fact, after backing into very deep site #65, we find it almost too dark with shade – but comfortable in the 85+ degrees of muggy heat.  Facilities are limited here, a small wash room and social room is the only public area available.  If you are in need of bath house type facilities, you won’t find them here.  Sites include 50/30/20 amp new power pedestals, new high pressure water taps, a conveniently located dump port and about 100 channels of cable TV.

Our departure this morning took one around-the block maneuver to find the way out of town – we somehow managed to miss Pecan Street (parallel to Main Street which is one-way south).  Little did we know it’s actually signed as Hudson Dr.  To avoid the hassle, reverse your course along Bolner, jog slightly right at Nicholson, then immediately left on Pecan/Hudson.  Pecan will take you back to your right turn on Garfield.  From Garfield you can continue north via 297/Veterans Blvd or east via 90 (on Gibbs)

Over-all ratings of this park is very good.  Is it worth the extra city driving?  Maybe not for just a single night, but definitely for a multi-day stay.  From here we’re headed to Ft. Davis, TX.  More from there…


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Categories : Texas Roadtrip 2016

Broke Mill RV Park, Del Rio, TX

22 03 2016
Broke Mill RV Park, Del Rio, TX

Broke Mill RV Park, Del Rio, TX

We’re back along the Rio Grande, about 340 miles up river from our eventually goal, South Padre Island.  After the peacefulness of the Davis Mountains, we’re back to a more urban park for resupply, some minor fix-it items and of course the inevitable task of doing laundry. We’re at Broke Mill RV Park, just outside of Del Rio, the facilities are top-notch, making even the laundry task fairly easy and inexpensive. We’re parked in site #10, a nice end-of-row location with extra space right outside our door.

Since we were first here in 2013, this relatively new park has gained nice landscaping, an impressive tall bamboo “fence”, while being very well maintained.  The WiFi, which in 2013 was adequate, is even better now – with good strong signals and bandwidth that easily supports video streaming.  We’ve also scheduled an RV wash to finally clean the dust we’ve been carrying along since Yuma.  Great facilities, accommodating, friendly staff, nice sites, great WiFi and over 100 cable channels of TV make Broke Mill RV Park a fantastic value at $32.50/night.

Broke Mill RV, Del Rio, TX

Broke Mill RV Park, Del Rio, TX


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Categories : Texas Roadtrip 2016