Well still no photos due to lack of internet. I need to try out the camera on this iPad. Don't make me explain. It's just way easier to use this with its cellular data service when sitting in town.
Anyway, it's another beautiful day here in Rockport. Uppers 60's, sunny, light breeze. Terry and I went to a bird watching seminar last night, and this morning I went with the group of birders looking for woods birds in the park. As an activity, it's a little slow for me personally, but it was still very interesting. We saw at least two dozen species, and the highlights for me were very close sightings of:
Red shouldered hawk
Black crested titmouse (only found in Texas and south of the border)
Crested caracaras (sp?)
Buff bellied hummingbird
Brown thrasher
The others were your more run of the mill warblers, doves, sparrows, cardinals, etc.
Tomorrow we have to sit down and try to figure where we are heading from here on Sunday. It's possible we might extend our stay here a few more days.
I'll try out this gizmo's camera and post some photos of the area.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Monday, January 28, 2013
Rockport
We have begun the "destination" part of our trip, with our arrival in Rockport. We are staying at Goose Island state park. There is no cell service out there, so I'm typing this while sitting in town. Weather wise it is another beautiful day. 70's, partly sunny, and a nice breeze.
I'll write more when I can get some photos to post.
I'll write more when I can get some photos to post.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Free camping
I'm looking like a slacker, not making any new posts. But Google, who owns this website, is having some sort of problem that is affecting my page. Anyway, I'm trying to make this post.
We wanted to do a couple of things in the Houston area, and on the RV.net forum I saw a recommendation for a county park that offered several full-hookup (all utilities) sites for 8 RVs, for FREE. It is Spring Creek Park, located in Tomball, which is a far northwest suburb (or exurb) of Houston. I figured why not, let's see what that could be like. Well, it's very nice. It is a true park. Tennis courts, pavilions, joggers, skateboarders, dog walkers, all those things you would see in a large park. It is set on the edge of this small suburb. There are park employees on the grounds during open hours, and they lock the gates at 10 PM.
The RV sites are great. Nice level concrete pads, all the water, electricity, and sewer you could want. Nice tall pine trees for shade, picnic table, BBQ pit, just like a state park or RV resort. Here's a photo taken from a tent camping area across one of the park roads from us:
We have had the best weather you could hope for. As I like to say, sometimes you beat the system, and sometimes it beats you. So far we are on the plus side of that one. Tomorrow we head down to a more vacation type of area, a state park on the Gulf coast near Rockport.
Alright, time for me to press Publish and see if this thing works tonight!
We wanted to do a couple of things in the Houston area, and on the RV.net forum I saw a recommendation for a county park that offered several full-hookup (all utilities) sites for 8 RVs, for FREE. It is Spring Creek Park, located in Tomball, which is a far northwest suburb (or exurb) of Houston. I figured why not, let's see what that could be like. Well, it's very nice. It is a true park. Tennis courts, pavilions, joggers, skateboarders, dog walkers, all those things you would see in a large park. It is set on the edge of this small suburb. There are park employees on the grounds during open hours, and they lock the gates at 10 PM.
The RV sites are great. Nice level concrete pads, all the water, electricity, and sewer you could want. Nice tall pine trees for shade, picnic table, BBQ pit, just like a state park or RV resort. Here's a photo taken from a tent camping area across one of the park roads from us:
We have had the best weather you could hope for. As I like to say, sometimes you beat the system, and sometimes it beats you. So far we are on the plus side of that one. Tomorrow we head down to a more vacation type of area, a state park on the Gulf coast near Rockport.
Alright, time for me to press Publish and see if this thing works tonight!
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Livingston, Texas
We are on our third day here at Lake Livingston State Park just on the edge of Livingston, TX. The weather has been perfect, high 60s to low 70s and sunny. The park itself is a bit down on its luck. Due to the prolonged drought, they have lost about 10% of their pine trees. There are dead trees laying all over the place. The campground is about 10% occupied, which made me think the park is no longer popular. But I talked to a local, he says it is packed on weekends and all summer. They do offer free wifi, which surprises me.
While in western Louisiana, and driving across to Livingston, we were in the Piney Woods. It looks a lot like many parts of the deep South. In fact, that's a good way to look at it, this area is southern, not southwestern. You don't hardly see guys wearing cowboy boots and hats here as you do farther west. The town of Livingston is 5300 people, but feels much bigger because it is the county seat and shopping town for a good sized area. The industry looks to be A) logging, and B) some small ranching. It's not a resort area. Just a working class rural area with a big lake next door. We went out to visit the world headquarters of the Escapees, an organization for RVers in general and full time RVers in particular. We also poked around a couple of pawn shops, something neither of us had ever done. Everything seemed overpriced. Maybe that's to leave room to haggle? But they had a lot of movies on sale for two bucks apiece. So that, and sitting in the 72 degree sunshine or around the campfire, is what we have been doing for excitement.
Oh well, that's a wrap from the Piney Woods. Tomorrow we make a short journey over to the north suburbs of Houston, where we will be staying in an interesting park. Then after that we begin hitting the "snowbird" destination spots.
While in western Louisiana, and driving across to Livingston, we were in the Piney Woods. It looks a lot like many parts of the deep South. In fact, that's a good way to look at it, this area is southern, not southwestern. You don't hardly see guys wearing cowboy boots and hats here as you do farther west. The town of Livingston is 5300 people, but feels much bigger because it is the county seat and shopping town for a good sized area. The industry looks to be A) logging, and B) some small ranching. It's not a resort area. Just a working class rural area with a big lake next door. We went out to visit the world headquarters of the Escapees, an organization for RVers in general and full time RVers in particular. We also poked around a couple of pawn shops, something neither of us had ever done. Everything seemed overpriced. Maybe that's to leave room to haggle? But they had a lot of movies on sale for two bucks apiece. So that, and sitting in the 72 degree sunshine or around the campfire, is what we have been doing for excitement.
Oh well, that's a wrap from the Piney Woods. Tomorrow we make a short journey over to the north suburbs of Houston, where we will be staying in an interesting park. Then after that we begin hitting the "snowbird" destination spots.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Solitude
We had a beautiful day yesterday. Sunny, calm, and 70 degrees. The morning was spent sleeping in a little, then getting the trailer organized, shopping list made, those kinds of things. We enjoyed the afternoon reading outside next to a small campfire, and generally puttering around.
There weren't many campers here over the weekend, but by the afternoon they were almost all gone home. This is the view out the window on this misty Monday morning:
We hear hunters shooting outside the park nearby every once in a while. Don't know if they are after deer or ducks. Every morning just before dawn we hear owls. I'm no expert but from prior experience I think they are screech owls.
PS, that is a camera phone photo. The phone can move a photo to this blog with far fewer steps than if I use my camera. So I'll try to use it more often. The photos are not as vivid, but I will see how it goes.
There weren't many campers here over the weekend, but by the afternoon they were almost all gone home. This is the view out the window on this misty Monday morning:
We hear hunters shooting outside the park nearby every once in a while. Don't know if they are after deer or ducks. Every morning just before dawn we hear owls. I'm no expert but from prior experience I think they are screech owls.
PS, that is a camera phone photo. The phone can move a photo to this blog with far fewer steps than if I use my camera. So I'll try to use it more often. The photos are not as vivid, but I will see how it goes.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
South Toledo Bend State Park
Yesterday we arrived here at South Toledo Bend state park in western Louisiana. We have never camped in LA before, so now we get to fill in another state on our camping map.
http://www.crt.state.la.us/parks/istb.aspx
The third full day of driving on these trips is when our nerves start to get frayed and the dog starts showing signs of discomfort. So if at all possible, we like to put our feet up for at least a day of rest after 3 days. And that day is today, Sunday, here on the shore of the Toledo Bend Reservoir .
It is sunny with a forecast high in the mid-60s, no wind, just a beautiful (spring?) day here. We are beginning to decompress. However, since we don't have a fishing boat, there isn't anything to do here except sit. There does not seem to be any significant town anywhere to go for a ride, stop at a store, etc. If this isn't the middle of nowhere, it can't be far away.
And a shot looking up the hill at our campsite (the lake is beyond, back down the slope), and then a shot of a "raft" of ducks with a fisherman in the background. As always, you can click on the photo to enlarge.
http://www.crt.state.la.us/parks/istb.aspx
The third full day of driving on these trips is when our nerves start to get frayed and the dog starts showing signs of discomfort. So if at all possible, we like to put our feet up for at least a day of rest after 3 days. And that day is today, Sunday, here on the shore of the Toledo Bend Reservoir .
It is sunny with a forecast high in the mid-60s, no wind, just a beautiful (spring?) day here. We are beginning to decompress. However, since we don't have a fishing boat, there isn't anything to do here except sit. There does not seem to be any significant town anywhere to go for a ride, stop at a store, etc. If this isn't the middle of nowhere, it can't be far away.
Here's a photo of the two old ladies in my life doing what they like best:
And a shot looking up the hill at our campsite (the lake is beyond, back down the slope), and then a shot of a "raft" of ducks with a fisherman in the background. As always, you can click on the photo to enlarge.
Friday, January 18, 2013
Arkadelphia AR
Tonight we are in Arkadelphia, AR. It's supposed to get down to 32F tonight, so not too bad. We actually have running hot and cold water in the trailer. We're living now!
The southernmost fifty miles of I57 in IL today was just thick with speed traps. Fortunately in our rig speeding is not an issue. We set the cruise on 62 mph (100 kph for you Canadians), and just roll along. We get 10-11 mpg at that speed and it is stress free.
The truck only has a 26 gallon tank, and the low fuel light comes on after only 20-21 gallons are gone. I've learned how to judge the mpg by the odometer vs. the gauge, so sometimes I tend to push the envelope. This afternoon I thought maybe I went too far, but we made it. And, shoving every last drop into the tank that woud fit, I only got 23 gallons. Heck, we had another 30 miles before we would have been hitch hiking. :)
Tomorrow, on to South Toledo Bend state park in Louisiana. Temperatures are looking good.
The southernmost fifty miles of I57 in IL today was just thick with speed traps. Fortunately in our rig speeding is not an issue. We set the cruise on 62 mph (100 kph for you Canadians), and just roll along. We get 10-11 mpg at that speed and it is stress free.
The truck only has a 26 gallon tank, and the low fuel light comes on after only 20-21 gallons are gone. I've learned how to judge the mpg by the odometer vs. the gauge, so sometimes I tend to push the envelope. This afternoon I thought maybe I went too far, but we made it. And, shoving every last drop into the tank that woud fit, I only got 23 gallons. Heck, we had another 30 miles before we would have been hitch hiking. :)
Tomorrow, on to South Toledo Bend state park in Louisiana. Temperatures are looking good.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
On the road again
We got a late start today. Five miles from home I realized I forgot my wallet. Yes, we turned around for it. The drive was fine, though.
We are parked in the Marion RV Park in Marion IL. Supposed to be 20F tonight. That's a pain in a trailer. But the forecast did not look any better farther south. Cable tv, wifi, and tv dinners tonight. Tomorrow we set out for the middle of Arkansas.
We are parked in the Marion RV Park in Marion IL. Supposed to be 20F tonight. That's a pain in a trailer. But the forecast did not look any better farther south. Cable tv, wifi, and tv dinners tonight. Tomorrow we set out for the middle of Arkansas.
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