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Texas State Parks Recovering

31 05 2015

With torrential storms across Texas, by Memorial Day weekend over 50% of the Texas State Parks are reporting some amount of damage related to flooding. Over half of those parks are completely shut-down. During the early 2015 season we were at three of the parks that are reporting closures or some amount of damage.

At Bastrop State Park east of Austin, damage was severe as the earthen dam of Bastrop Lake failed and sent acres of water flowing through Copperas Creek. We were parked just along Copperas Creek on the 20th of April.

At Cedar Hill State Park just south of Dallas, not only has flooding been a problem, but there have been numerous tornadoes sighted near the park. The swimming and day-use areas have been inundated by over 13 feet of water. We camped at Cedar Hill on April 23rd.

Goliad State Park near Victoria, TX has seen rising levels of the San Antonio River, and currently have two of the tent-only campgrounds closed due to flooding. There are also several trails under water. We camped at Goliad on April 18th.

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Tags: bastrop, cedar hill, goliad, texas state parks
Categories : Summer Camping 2015

South Llano State Park

16 03 2014

South Llano River State Park, TX

After a 4 hour long, wind-fighting drive across I-10, we’re parked at South Llano River State Park, just on the western edge of the Texas Hill Country. This is one of our favorite Texas State Parks. The campgrounds are spacious and set among beautiful old oaks with grassy meadows and woods stretching out beyond the central area for acres. Most of the 60 or so sites offer electric and water, many are configured for wheelchair access with concrete pads and sidewalks, and many also have covered picnic tables. The South Llano River flows through western edige of the park where it is popular with rafters and tube-floaters. But, the weather is a bit chilly for tube-floaters today, as we awaken to temps in the low 30’s. It didn’t get cold enough to freeze our water hose, but must have been very close!

After our previous stay in 2011, we knew this would be a tough spot for cellular coverage. But, even with the cell phone booster, we’re not able to get faster than 2G speeds on our Verizon broadband modem. And our T-Mobile phones won’t allow us to teather when we’re roaming on this AT&T network. Unfortunately, it’s a work day and we both have deadlines and projects that need our attention. We’ll enjoy some coffee as the sun comes up over the campground and then get on the road early. We’re headed west toward Kerrville. More from there later…

: South Llano River State Park, TX

: South Llano River State Park, TX

: South Llano River State Park, TX

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Tags: junction texas, south llano river state park, texas state parks
Categories : Texas Roadtrip 2014

Balmorhea State Park

15 03 2014

Balmorhea State Park, TX

In an unplanned stop, we’re parked at Balmorhea State Park, about 60 miles WEST of our original destination in Ft. Stockton. After spending last night in the parking lot next to I-10 in El Paso, we’re in need of some quiet, roomy, state park camping. Fortunately we arrive to find that due to a an early departure, Balmorhea has just 2 sites left. These are normally tent-only sites, but have been pressed into service as water-only RV sites during Spring Break. But, these sites are roomy, provide a small patio slab, a picnic table and shelter. They also have a fire pit and a separate BBQ grill. Our site #16 backs up to the open space south of the park with the Davis mountains in the background.

We stayed at Balmorhea about 4 years ago with the truck camper and ended up departing early due to lack of internet connectivity. Today we’ll try out our new Wilson Cell Phone Signal Booster. Consisting of an external antenna that’s mounted on the top of the rear ladder and an inside powered cradle, the booster is claimed to increase cell signal up to 25 times. When we first arrive at Balmorhea, the Verizon broadband is showing mediocre 2G services. After mounting the antenna and slipping the broadband modem into the cradle, we’re up to 4 bars of 3G service. At least in this particular environment, the booster does its job.

Tomorrow we’re planning to head into the Texas Hill Country with our next stop at one of our favorite campgrounds, South Llano River State Park. Move from outside Junction, TX tomorrow…