Davis Mountains State Park and Fort Davis Historical Site

As I stated in my last post we stayed two day at Balmorhea State Park so we could do some exploring in the area.  Davis Mountains State Park and Ft. Davis was only a few miles away so we made plans to visit there on our second day.  Well when we woke up the the second day we had a shock in that it had snowed during the night.  There at Balmorhea the snow was not really much but it was enough to excite these southern Houstonians who never see it. lol. 

The day was nice but was cold so we dressed for the cold and started up the road into the mountains.  It was really a nice drive and the views were great.  There is a lot of ranches around so you would see turn offs to the ranches with the big entryways but just miles and miles of empty land.  You could see cattle every once in a while but I think most were hiding due to the snow.  There was one spot where Fred said look as there were two coyotes that were running along the side of the road into the field.  As we got closer to where they were at we saw something laying in the ditch and noticed it was a dead calf, before I could get my camera the coyotes took off so I did not get the picture.  Felt sorry for the mom and that baby calf, but the circle of life goes on no matter.  The higher up we got the deeper the snow.

Drive up the Davis Mountains VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

When we got to the park the sun had come out and the snow was starting to melt fast.  They has an Indian Lodge and Restaurant within the park for guest.  The Lodge is really nice and we had breakfast at the restaurant.  Again some great camping areas with tent and RV hookups (water and electric; dump site available).  Loads of hiking up into the mountains and then you have the skyline drive you can take up to the top, (was closed this morning due to the snow) that I would love to drive up one day.  We took a short hike up one of the trails and then went over to the interpretation visitor area to met the volunteer coordinator.  They have a great building for programs and have a really neat viewing area for birds.  Long story short, looks like we will be volunteering in the Davis Mountains in 2016!!! 

Inside the State Park VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

From there we drove back to town and went to Ft. Davis National Historic Site.  This is one of the most preserved old west fort that I have seen in a long time.  You can really see how the fort was occupied and feel the presents of those that occupied it many years ago.  The weather was turning on us again as the wind started to pick up and it was getting cold up in the mountains, so we did a fast tour.  I do look forward to going back again when we can really take time to explore.  Many of the building have been resorted and they are still working on restoring others. 

Ft. Davis played a major role in the defense of west Texas and was a major fort from 1857 to 19891.  The troops protected the travelers on the San Antonio-El Paso Road of those days against Comanches and Apaches Indians and bandits that hid in the mountains.

Ft. Davis National Historic Site VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

We are looking forward to 2016 when we will get the chance to explore the area more as there is a lot to see around this part of Texas. For now it is onward and forward to Arizona . .  .

Balmorhea State Park, Toyahvale, TX

Our next stop was again at a state park – Balmorhea State Park.  This park is just off I-10 but is far enough away that you never hear any road noise.  You can see the trucks and traffic in a distant but you do not hear anything from the road.

The drive between Sonora and the park was as unique as the park itself.  Again the rolling hills and semi-mountains off in the distance is something you just don’t see living in Houston.  There was this one mountain that caught Fred’s eye as it looked like a pyramid  off in the distant.  Then I was fascinated with the number of windmills that were everywhere.  I know there have been numerous  people starting to use them for power but I had never seen them grouped for miles.

The park sits about 10 miles off I-10 and is worth the drive.  We stayed here for two nights and saw many RVs come just for the night.  It is a great place for an overnight but is really worth you taking the time to spend a few days.  The park was built by the CCC in the 1930 and has a hotel area, tent area, and water and electric sites with covered picnic areas.  There is a dump station there but no sewer hookups are available.  The day area is really nice with picnic tables and BBQ pits, but during the summer months you have to get there early to get a site is what I am told as everyone is there to swim on the weekends. 

Camping-Picnic Area VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

The park is unique as it has the largest man-made natural swimming pool I have ever seen.  The swimming area that cover 1.75 acres where the water is at 72-76 degrees year round .  It is fed by an artesian spring called San Solomon Springs which comes from underground from the Davis Mountains.  The pictures does not do the place justice as it is really a cool place.  The water is crystal clear, you can see the fish swimming and depths run from 3 feet to 20 feet. 

Swimming Area VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Take to time to stop here on your next trip on I-10 for a overnight and you will end up staying a couple of days.  Really worth the stay and Davis Mountains State Park and Fort Davis are really close by.  Our second day we went there to explore; will cover that in the next chapter!

Sonora Cavern–next stop

Our next stop was to be South Llano River State Park, but with a review of the weather we decided we would keep moving forward.  The trip was really neat and we really enjoy seeing the country side.  The ups and downs of the hill country was tough on our gas mileage but with the prices of gas going down right now we were really happy.  We were paying anywhere from $1.74/gallon to $1.99/gallon.  Just loved the cliff sides along the road and then being able to see for miles and miles down the road.  Also the one thing that was amazing to us was that the speed limit was at 80.  I did not think there was any places left where the speed limit was that high.

The Landscape VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

We stop at Sonora Cavern for just one night and got there at just the right time to catch the last tour of the cavern that night.  The road up to the cavern was scary for us as it was really the first time that we had really “climbed” in the coach and a hard turn at the top of the hill on a two lane road.  The coach did great though and she made it up.

 

The cavern was really neat and it was a great tour.  This is not very far of the interstate so if you are going by you should take the time to stop as it is really worth the time.

Sonora Cavern VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

The campground there is really nice with electric and water only.  There is no dump as with the cavern they do not have a system to handle it.  The site is just off I-10 and is a great overnight park as it is very quiet with lots of wildlife around.  When we walked out of the cavern it was dusk; the sunset was really beautiful.  The peacocks were starting to roost and it was really neat.  Deer were coming to the feeder for their night feed and we could hear the coyotes off in the distance – what a neat way to end the day.

Sunset VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

When we got up the next morning I checked the weather and things were getting rough so I had to rethink our trip.  We had planned to head to Carlsbad Cavern for a few days and to spend New Year’s there.  The weather was showing a cold front moving in fast and they were talking about 4-6 inches of snow so we decided to go ahead and just keep heading west rather than heading northwest.  We were just not ready to drive in the snow and mountains both at this time.

McKinney Falls State Park

Well the time has come and we are now leaving Houston for our year long journey.  Plans including traveling through about 10 –15 states.  Time will only tell if we get to them all though.  As we travel through Texas we plan on staying at state parks as much as possible as we hope to see every state park in Texas.

Our first stop was at McKinney Falls State Park just outside of Austin.  It is hard to believe that such a beautiful park sits just inside the city limits of Austin.  With it being winter time Onion Creek that feeds the fall was not as full and the area was not green and lush but it was still a really nice park. 

 

 

The RV camping area is really nice with lots for room with water and electric.  There is lots of day use area in the park for picnicking and hiking as well as great area for tent camping.  We were able to put up a large fence in area for the dogs so they really enjoyed staying here. 

 There is a lot of hiking trails all over the park and some of the trails will take you by ruins of the settlers that use to live in the area as well as some Indian ruins.  We hike to the Upper and Lower Falls, even though the water levels were low, both falls were still flowing and it was quite a site.

Upper Falls

Lower Falls

 

 

 

 

Onion Creek is where the water comes from for the fall, but this time of the year the water is low.  It was very interesting to see the formation of the limestone of the bottom of the creek and within the falls area since there was not much water in the creek. 

Limestone formations VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

We even had some fun with Fred trying to catch some water at the Lower Falls.  He did not get to wet though. 

 

 

Christmas day was spent with my cousin Chuck McKinney.  Neither one of us had spent Christmas with cousin and extended family in years so it was nice having something different.  His wife’s mother, 93 years old, came and spent the day with us also.  She was very alert and active for a lady of her age.  Chuck’s daughter from Arkansas and grandson also came in, so it was really a fun filled day with some great food.

Christmas Day VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Chuck is also an over the road truck driver and this past Veteran’s Day he has his truck painted and then all of the family members that served in the military names and service dates were painted on it.  He was one of the feature trucks in the Veteran’s Parade in Springfield, Missouri.  We got some pictures with Fred at the truck.

Veteran’s Truck VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

 

Now onward and forward to the next park . . . . .

December 2014

We stated December off in Nacogdoches/Lufkin so we took time to see some of things around there.  There is a place call Millard Historical Village that we went and spend an afternoon at.  This place has a lot of history that ties back to Houston in that Albert Thomas’ wife is the one that established the village.  It is historical homes from in and around the Nacogdoches area that she preserved and had moved to create the village.  It was interesting in that there is an old school house and the rules that had to be followed by teachers during the 20’s and rules for the students were so needed in today’s world.  The homes are all from the old Victorian Era and so are the furnishings.  We enjoyed the walk through the village and spending time talking to the manager.  Again history at its best.

(http://www.millardscrossing.org/ )

Millard Village VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

We then made our way back to Houston so we could be with our kids and grandkids for Christmas.  We went to Trader’s Village Market and RV Resort for the first two weeks.  We found the park to be really nice and was quite considering where it was located.  It also gave us a chance to try to sell the rest of things we had in storage.  After paying storage fees for over a year and not needing or missing any of the items its was time to get rid of them.  We were really surprised as we did well at the flea market and was able to go down to a 5x5 storage shed.  If you need a place to stay on the northwest area of Houston near Cypress we would recommend Trader’s Village and an extra bonus if you are there during the weekend you can get into the flea market and shop your heart’s desire.

Of course we had fun times with our grandkids.  We always have to have lunch with Kylie and Clayton at their school each time we are in town and this year we were invited to their school Christmas parties.  We also have Kylie’s cheer competitions, so we stayed busy. 

Grandkids Time VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Kylie turned 7 years old this year so we also had her birthday party.  She is such a little social butterfly and got so many presents.  It is fun watching her grow up.  She is the youngest of our grandkids and we just don’t know where the time has gone.

Kylie’s Birthday Party VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Marlin and Judy Cook who we park hosted with at Bentsen State Park last winter was working their way down to the valley again this year so they stopped in for a visit.  We had moved over the Spring Creek again for our free week in December and they joined us there.  It was great to be with them again but was sorry that Judy had to fly back to Maine for a family problem.  We got to “babysit” Marlin though and had a great time taking him with us to church for Christmas program and then we all went to locate sport bar to watch the Texans game.  Marlin had to watch the Patriots though – lol

Marlin & Judy Visit VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

 

Trying to get all our kids and grandkids together for Christmas is getting harder each year. I have to thank Lisa (daughter-in-law) for doing such a wonderful job and getting things planned.  With some of the grandkids being in their twenties and having a son that is a firefighter it is not always easy to get schedules together.  This year we had family Christmas early on the 21st as schedules just were everywhere.  Andy fried the turkey and we all brought the sides.  The young kids exchange names and then we have a white elephant with all the older group.  As always it is fun and so wonderful to see all the kids.  Thanks again Andy and Lisa for such a wonderful job!!

Family Christmas VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

With Christmas over with our family it time has come now for us to set out on the road for the next year and on to our new adventures.  We said all our goodbyes for the year and headed back to the coach to head out.  First stop – McKinney Falls State Park in Austin and Christmas Day with my cousin that lives in the area.

Thanksgiving 2014

 

Fred and I left Lake Fairfield and headed for the Lufkin area.  We were staying at a COE park near Huntington called Hank’s Creek.  The drive there was really neat and I drove most of the way.  Up and down hills and around curves.  I felt we were on a roller coaster most of the time but it was great and I really enjoyed getting a chance to drive the coach.  Of course all the fall color made it a neat drive also. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hank’s Creek was a really nice place.  Very clean with water and electric only, but the sites were roomy and had great views of Lake Rayburn.  The cell phone and WiFi service was not that great and was spotty, but the park was wonderful and quiet. 

Hank’s Creek VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

This was our first year in the coach for Thanksgiving.  Last year we were with family in Mississippi so we really did not have Thanksgiving in our coach.  This year was just Fred and I; so I just planned Cornish Game Hens, but with all the other fixings.  It was fun cooking everything in the coach and I think I used all my cooking items, but not the stove or the oven in the coach.  I cooked the hens and dressing in the NuWave Oven and they turned out just right, used the crock pots, my electric skillet and the induction burner for everything else.  Timing was fun but all got done and we had a great Thanksgiving outside in the woods and enjoyed every minute of it. Oh and as you will see Fred worked real hard helping in finding that right football game to watch – lol.   Making memories is what all this is about.

Thanksgiving VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

After Thanksgiving we went into Huntington where Fred got a chance to visit with his cousin and uncle that he had not seen in a long time.  It was a great visit and interesting listening to stories and their memories of the years past. 

and the beats goes on . . . .