TX Gulf Coast Bound & Quest Accomplished

 October 19-22, 2021

                                                       

We found ourselves pulling out of Cheyenne Mountain State Park about 8:45am, 177 miles later we were pulling into Capulin RV Park. 

We had a quest to accomplish while in Capulin NM. Over the years we have tried, unsuccessfully, 3 prior times to drive up Capulin Volcano. In 2010 we tried to go but a March snowstorm put an end to that try. 

March 2010

In 2011 we tried again but some group was gathering at the volcano and it was shut to the public. In 2019 we tried once again, but the road had washed out just a few days before. We did some hiking while there but knew we’d be back to try again to drive to the top of the volcano.

The day before we left we checked the National Park website to see if there were any closures, all looked good for our visit. After getting the house unhooked we headed to the national monument. There is a section of the road which is one lane, don’t know if this is still leftover from the washout a few years ago. Dave took the hike around the top, I have done this many years ago so opted out this year, with the wind blowing, my vertigo and just not feeling up to it-the super cold is still affecting me a bit.

The next day we once again were up and on the road, Lubbock TX was our next destination. Our uneventful 303-mile ride found us at Lubbock RV Park on the north side of Lubbock. Nice park, easy on and off of the interstate, open sky for easy satellite dish reception, and a nice dinner out at Triple J Chophouse and Brew Co. While Dave didn’t like many of the beers he tried, one was the worst beer he ever had, our dinner was delicious.

Another day of driving found us in Kerrville TX, 348 miles and we were at Buckhorn Lake Resort, a very nice park right off the interstate. Fuel and a Walmart nearby, all we needed for that evening.

Up very early in the morning, but not early enough to miss some of the crazy San Antonio traffic. 261 miles found us pulling into Gulf Waters Beachfront Resort, our piece of paradise. We’re here until we head towards Carrollton TX where we’ll once again be selling Christmas trees for Trow Tree Farm.

Until then we’ll be working on our lot, doing some landscaping after last February’s deep freeze. Thankfully our oleanders have made it so it won’t be as much work as it could have been. 

Oleanders looking good

Only Pygmy Date palm in the resort to survive

Of course, we weren’t here but a couple of hours and Dave was headed to the beach, the fish were calling.

Until next time...

Staying Ahead Of The Cold and Snow

October 21-29, 2019

We were up and out early, after getting ice off the slides before we brought them in. We made it over Raton Pass before the weather changed and 177 miles later we arrived in Capulin NM well before the cold front got there. Capulin RV Park & Camp is the only game in town and served the purpose of an overnight stop just fine.

We had arrived early enough to go check out Capulin Volcano National Monument, this would be our 3^rd try to visit this park. Why I didn’t check their website I don’t know, if I had we would have gone a little further south. A month ago they had some torrential rains that washed out the road to the top of the volcano. With plenty of time on our hands, we decided to do a hike in the park. The Bocca Trial provided us with some nice views of the surrounding landscape.

Old homestead ruins

The next morning we got up and headed even further south to Oasis RV Resort in Amarillo TX, a windy 197 mile ride trying to keep ahead of the cold weather.

Where else to go for dinner when in Amarillo

The next morning we got up and high tailed it out of Amarillo, there was snow in the forecast for there. By looking at the reservation system for TX state parks I determined there were no reservations, the day before our arrival. By noon we were on our site, 24, at Caprock Canyon State Park. Our 106 mile ride went smoothly then the rains came, the cold came and the snow came.

The next day we had to move to site 17, by the time we moved the snow was gone, the temps were coming up and the sun was out.

Caprock Canyon State Park is a place we’d like to check out when the weather is a little nicer. The Texas State Bison Herd calls Caprock Canyon home, we saw the herd as we drove into the campground upon arrival. There are prairie dog colonies here near the trail head we hiked from.

We enjoyed a few nights at Caprock, got some hiking in, found a geocache and enjoyed the peace and quiet. Our satellite Dish TV worked fine, Verizon signal wasn’t that great but one of us could get onto our hot spot at time.

Geocache-check

Our next overnight stop was at Fredericksburg RV Park, 370 miles of TX highways and 7 hours later we were parked for the night.

By the time Dave was ready for his second cup of coffee the next morning, we were on our way to the Gulf Coast. 250 miles later and we were pulling into our lot at Gulf Waters Beachfront RV Resort in Port Aransas TX. We’ll be here for 17 nights before we head out and explore some of the Texas State Parks and COE campgrounds before heading west to AZ. Time for Dave to get some fishing done and to keep our fingers crossed the shrimp boat goes out while we’re here, and no snow in the forecast. 

Until next time…