fish – Texans Travel Life

November 12, 2018December 10, 2018

Brazos Bend State Park

I have been mulling over how I would share our visit to Brazos Bend State Park since we visited in August 2018. Honestly, when we first arrived, I wasn’t feelin’ it. I was completely over sitting in the car; the older gentleman that was registering his RV took exactly forever; I felt on the verge of literal starvation; the entrance to the park featured an alligator, which gave me a deplorable sinking feeling; and quite frankly after visiting 44 state parks over the course of just a few months, I wondered if this one located roughly in the middle of Nowhere, TX, could offer anything worth the drive. This was the lovely frame of mind I was in when the older gentleman {finally} finished checking in and it was our turn. I have no doubt that the two Park Staffers wondered what my deal was when I less-than-half-heartedly asked for suggestions on what to see and do during our stay only to shoot down their suggestions one-by-one because, like I said, I wasn’t feelin’ it. I remember a lot of talk about alligators “here” and “there” (as spots were pointed out on the Park Map); there was some mention of birds around dusk (yawn – We’d already visited 3 bona fide birding centers, man! You can’t top that here!); yada-yada. Oh yeah, I was a delight.

As the Manling and I headed to our little tiny house (aka a screened shelter) to unpack, inflate, and introvert before we gave thought to what we felt like doing, my inner-toddler began whimpering for home, her bed, and some much needed solitude. After unloading our gear (basically our air mattresses, a camping toilet, and two portable mini-fans), The Manling (in the prime of his life) fell asleep with the sun still high in the sky. Not in the prime of my life, I can manage a quick nap maybe once a year, and today was to be my day. I fell asleep, too. Apparently, we were both road weary.

Isn’t our tiny home-away-from-home absolutely adorable with that little porch?! LOVE it!

Just because I’d be interested to see inside the tiny house, here ya go. This is right before our accidental naps, mere minutes into our introverting.

About forty-five minutes later, I jerked awake and thought, “We’d better do something about my imminent starvation.” I remembered one of the Park Staff saying something that sounded like “J-Cafe” and it being roughly 30 minutes away, but worth the drive for the “best food around.” I Yelped it, woke The Manling, and we headed toward our dinner with fingers crossed. Thirty minutes later, sitting unassumingly beside a two lane country road in Needville, TX, we pulled into the parking lot of “The Jay Cafe.” Within a minute, we found ourselves seated at the best seat in the house with our server attending to our every need.

Don’t beat around the bush. Order the chicken fried steak dinner. And treat yourself to a slice of their chocolate sheet cake because life is short. Live a little.

Our table was next to the only picture window in the room and overlooked a sweet little garden area. Peaceful, just like the doctor ordered.

An hour later, we were fat and happy from tried-and-true Texas favorites and we headed back to BBSP. This time, as we passed by the alligator sign, I felt cheerier and ready for an adventure. We headed for Hale Lake for some fishing and photography, both of which ended up being rewarding!

The Manling didn’t catch anything he’d consider worth mentioning, but I was impressed that he kept catching little guys off this really tall pier. That’s gotta take skill.

While The Manling fished, I walked part of the Hale Lake Loop Trail. Until I came across this sign. And like The Man says, they choose the wording on warnings for a reason, so I guess at some point in the past an alligator was…molested?

Next, we decided to drive around to explore the park, which eventually led us to Elm Lake. We decided to park and walk around this beautiful area on foot, which is how we stumbled across the wildlife viewing area on the water – and the first of two truly unforgettable encounters with nature we experienced firsthand at BBSP.

This needs to be attached to my house – the covered porch AND the view.

We saw lots of alligator trails through the water. No alligators though.

While we were enjoying the setting sun through the trees, the calm serenity of the lake, the shade of the wildlife viewing area, and the few birds enjoying this lush paradise, we were startled out of our moment of peace by quite a racket overhead as hundreds (if not thousands!) of birds entered BBSP to roost for the evening. SERIOUSLY. Hundreds (or possibly thousands!) of birds flew just over our heads, continuing past our perch on the wildlife viewing deck in search of their own for the night. Never has either of us seen such an awesome spectacle! “This must be what the Park Staff was talking about when they mentioned the birds,” I commented to The Manling with due awe infusing my words. Dear reader, put this on the top of your To-Do list for Brazos Bend State Park. Trust me.

Next we drove to 40 Acre Lake with just enough sunset left for The Manling to fish a little before we called it a night. I don’t remember if he caught anything off of the pier. What I do remember is this:

These are sobering signs. Especially at dusk. We, however, didn’t cross any alligators. Thankfully.

Fast-forward past showers in some of the most incredible State Park bathrooms you’ve ever used.

Past this guy enjoying our tiny house’s porch as much as we did…

We almost walked into this guy (about the size of my palm) while we were unloading the car). He was still there when we left the following day.

Past a great night’s sleep (once we got used to the bright lights our neighbor was using. He had hung white sheets around his porch and had bright lights atop tripods to attract bugs so that he could photograph them, which I guess was kind of cool. At least he was quiet. And in the end, better his porch than ours. Have all the bugs, neighbor. They’re yours.).

We awakened just as the sky began turning from the black of night to the gray of pre-dawn when our phone’s alarms simultaneously pulled us from sound sleep. After the obligatory stretches and yawns, we pulled on shoes, nodded our Good morning’s, and drove the car back to 40 Acre Lake to catch the sun’s rise from the Observation Tower. By the time we arrived, there was enough light to justify walking the 40 Acre Lake Trail (a loop around the lake), the Observation Tower being located on the other side of the lake from the parking lot. This early morning hike was the second of those two truly extraordinary wildlife encounters, for The Manling and I saw dozens of alligators in the water on either side of that trail by the time we finished the loop! And lest this doesn’t fill you with some kind of emotional response, let me share that there is nothing between you and the alligators. Nada. The trail is raised a few feet above the water, so that is something. But these are not the safe encounters you are used to in a zoo setting where safety precautions abound. Here is your safety precaution at BBSP –

Back to our sunrise walk. The Manling and I were making our way to the halfway point of the loop so that we could climb the Observation Tower, him all fearless and me all jumpy, when S P L A S H !

“What was that?!” whispered I.

“That was probably just a bird, Mom,” said he.

Yes, he really did reply that the huge splash! we’d just heard was probably a bird. I was all, “How big a bird do you think that was???” Seriously?? A bird?! Then we saw this swimming our way –

The Manling said oh-so-nonchalantly, “It was probably that alligator getting into the water.” And let me tell you, friend, we didn’t see it until it had gotten into the water from the trail we were on. Sobering. Like those signs posted every 50 feet or so. It just got real all up in here.

We continued on the trail, more vigilant than ever, both of the trail and the water. By the time we made it to the Observation Tower, we had already seen almost 10 alligators in the water, most so inanimate that the one who spotted it had to point it out to the other.

Our reward for getting up so early and braving a sunrise hike around a lake known to contain alligators was this view.

We saw plenty of fishing birds on the other side of the Observation Tower.

After this early morning “hike” surrounded by dozens of alligators (big. small. everything in-between.), The Manling and and I returned to our tiny house to load up the Tiny Toyota Tardis (because the Yaris is bigger on the inside), sweep out our digs, and bid Brazos Bend State Park a very reluctant Goodbye. As we were exiting the park, we had one last interaction with one of the local ‘gators who came out to bid us adieu.

Cute. Seems like a missed opportunity, tho. Just a little.

Until next time, Brazos Bend State Park. We most assuredly will be back. Guaranteed.

Why We Love Brazos Bend State Park

Facilities. Having used the facilities in over 56 Texas State Parks, I feel I am becoming a subject matter expert on the subject. Trust me when I say Brazos Bend State Park has some of the nicest I’ve had the pleasure to use!
Alligators. Go on an alligator hike. The Park Staff can tell you where they’ve been spotted recently. Mind the signage. (Be safe, not sorry.) And have an awesome firsthand experience like we did. (P.S. Don’t molest the alligators. And hold on to your dogs. Just sayin’.)
Birds. IDK if this is a year-round occurrence, but during late summer the birds flock there by the hundreds (nay, thousands!) to roost for the night. It is a spectacle not to be missed. It was awesome!
Tiny Houses. You’ve simply got to live tiny while you’re there. The little tiny house ‘hood is adorable! Private. Quiet. And you can bring your fans to keep you cool.
Trails. Thirty-seven miles of trails to explore and enjoy! It’s quiet. Peaceful. Beautifully lush.
Sunrise/Sunset. Both are incredible! We recommend the Wildlife Viewing Area for sunset and the Observation Tower for sunrise. Or vice versa.

Must Do’s

Observation Tower. You truly cannot get a firm grip on the terrain of BBSP without seeing it from this bird’s eye view. Totally worth the mini-hike to climb this tower. Incredible 360 degree views of beautiful.
Fish. I believe The Manling caught somewhere every place he dropped a line. Nothing terribly large, but big enough to feel on your line. And anytime you can catch something, it’s better than not.
Stay. Camp. RV. Shelter. Cabin with amenities. Whatever your preference, BBSP has you covered. (Get it?)
Explore the Trails. There are lots of them through some of the most lush parts of Texas. It’s beautiful, serene, and filled with wildlife. Hike ’em. Bike ’em. You can even ride ’em (on your horse). Go make a memory!

We’d love to hear about your experiences at Brazos Bend State Park! Please share your experiences at this phenomenal {if a little fearful} wildlife retreat in the comments.

*In all natural areas, you are a guest. Educate yourself on what lives in the areas before your visits, always talk to the Park Rangers upon arrival and take precautions so that your experiences end as positively as ours.

November 8, 2018December 4, 2018

Galveston Island State Park

Galveston Island State Park is a park we’ve returned to again and again. No two visits are the same.

There was the year that Galveston had the fiercest storm they’d had in years and we erected our palatial three-room tent in the deluge only to have the wind snap our poles and render our fancy digs dumpster fodder. The one in which we were awake half the night praying begging prayers for the good Lord to deliver us from literally being blown into the bay. The camp out when we learned that the most beautiful sunsets are after the most trying storms. The one during which we carpe diem’d every moment, rain or shine, and discovered that I hate raccoons with an unnatural fervency. We geocached. We rode horses on the beach. We fished and caught a crab and a sting ray. We were bullied out of the bathrooms by hundreds of tiny crabs. And that is the one we look back on with the fondest memories!

Then there was the one we abhor. Nothing went right in the most unpleasant of ways. The mosquitos were on us like it was their paying jobs to give us the West Nile virus. The tent camping loop, we discovered, had no electricity. That mattered because it was the end of summer, 100 degrees at night, and we had zero means to plug in our oscillating fans – must-haves for summer camping in Texas. Our neighbors arrived late (after 10pm) and proceeded to erect their tent and party like it was 1999 until 3 or 4am – and the only thing between our ears and their partying was a flap of canvas. The year The Man and The Manling decided sunscreen was of the devil and fishing in the ocean without it (or a shirt) for a few hours would be no big deal (it was). The trip when we all secretly wished to pack up and go home and eventually one of us ventured to put out a feeler to the idea at which ALL of us heaved deep sighs of relief and got to packing.

And then there was this year, when The Manling and I were the late arrivals, erecting our two tiny tents by the headlights of the Tiny Toyota Tardis (because the Yaris is bigger on the inside). This time, however, we were in a smaller, but electric site (RV loop) so we were able to have tiny fans to keep us cool. To God be the glory!

Note: white extension cords to our tents. So much better with the air moving! Bonus note: white noise to drown out the nocturnal critter sounds.

We set our alarms to wake up at the crack of dawn so that we could watch the sun rise over the water, a new thing for us at GISP and one which we highly recommend anywhere you are camping. There is seriously not a better way to start your day.

The crack of dawn came too early for one of us. (Love this pic taken from inside my tent of The Manling inside his.)

Two gates between our camp site and the beach, which The Manling lethargically unlocked and opened for us using the code supplied for late arrivals.

I won’t lie to you. Facing that narrow path in the wee, still-mostly-dark hours was a bit daunting…because snakes.

But then I looked to the east and knew this would be one sunrise worth facing my fears.

As we continued to wake, The Manling took to the solitude of the surf, hoping to land “the big one,” and I took to the solitude of the shower because I’m a girl that likes to feel clean even if all I will do is sweat the rest of the day. It’s a quirk I don’t mind having.

Freshly showered in GISP’s excellent cedar restrooms (seriously, these things are luxurious!), I spent the rest of the day watching The Manling enjoy his favorite past time while surrendering to the peaceful serenity of beach life. (We attempted to geocache at one point, but the spot the app led us to was too overgrown for my personal comfort. And we talked about hiking to the Observation Tower, but eventually decided to save that adventure for another trip. It was a hundred degrees, after all, so why exert yourself when the beach beckons?)

I love watching him cast the net and he loves not paying for bait fish. Win-win!

I don’t think I ever noticed how chock full of wildlife the beach is!

This little guy stalked The Manling the entire time he fished in this spot on the Bayside, hoping for a free meal.

Why We Love Galveston Island State Park

Facilities. Galveston Island State Park had the first truly nice restrooms we’d ever experienced within a State Park. And years later, they are still amazing. This means a lot to skittish visitors like myself, especially when staying overnight and having to use the showers to wash off the stink from fishing and hundred degree days. Well done, GISP!
Fishing. The fishing is really good from the Bayside shores, from kayaks, or standing in the Gulf of Mexico…you will feel like an expert angler at GISP, especially if you use fresh shrimp.
Camping. We have camped beachside and bayside (both loops). There’s just not a bad place to hang your hat at GISP. (Word to the wise, if you’re camping during the summer, bring a fan and use the RV loop or beachside so that you’ll have electricity. Trust me.)
Sunrise/Sunset. Worth every minute of lost sleep, GISP appears to have cornered the market on the most brilliantly colored sunrises and sunsets available to man. Enjoy them!

Must Do’s

Stay. They have new-ish cabins on the Bayside; RV loop with hookups and a tent loop with no hook ups on the Bayside; and electric/water sites on the Beachside for RV or tents. There is something for everyone and every budget, so what are you waiting for?
Fish. The Manling prefers the peaceful tranquility of the Bayside, but beach fishing at GISP has also been good to him. Use shrimp or bait fish.
Explore. That Observation Tower looks like a Must Do for us on our next visit. The geocaching is pretty great on either side of the park and is a great way to explore a new area. Rent or take your own kayak for some excellent Bayside exploration via paddling trails. There are almost 5 miles of trails on land, too. Or stroll down the beach in either direction.

We’d love to hear about your experiences at Galveston Island State Park! Please share your experiences at this beachy retreat of a State Park in the comments.

*In all natural areas, you are a guest. Educate yourself on what lives in the areas before your visits, always talk to the Park Rangers upon arrival and take precautions so that your experiences end as positively as ours.

November 5, 2018November 30, 2018

Huntsville State Park

The Man is a native Texan. He was born and raised in Houston. He relocated to Dallas in 1994. We have traveled I-45 between these two massive cities more times than I can count over the past twenty-five years, visiting and revisiting the people and places that shaped The Man’s past and forged his future. Embarrassingly, I don’t recall even once noticing that there was a State Park along the way, much less one as extraordinary as Huntsville State Park.

Being a native of Alabama the Beautiful, I adored the beautiful drive to and through the park’s colossal pine trees. That’s my happy place right there.

The Manling and I visited HSP in August 2018, unsure what to expect from a park that hadn’t managed to catch our attention over the course of two decades. What we discovered was an awesome park deep in the thick, towering pine trees of the Sam Houston National Forest. With a plethora of activities to choose and only six hours to spend, we quickly prioritized our line-up and began enjoying a leisurely summer afternoon around Lake Raven.

Knowing that The Manling’s primary love language is fishing, we headed for fishing spot numero uno – a pretty pier located between picturesque camping spots 154 and 157. While The Manling began reeling in fish after fish after fish, I spent some quality time with my iPhone attempting to capture the beauty of the place digitally.

Next, we explored the rest of the park from the inside of the Tiny Toyota Tardis (because the Yaris is bigger on the inside), surprised to see so many tent campers enjoying the park deep in the throes of the hottest month of the year. August in Texas, dear reader, is akin to swimming in the lava pools of Mordor in Mount Doom. It’s hot as Hades. Did I mention the humidity? South Texas is famous for its heat AND its unbearable humidity. My mother-in-law, a native Houstonian, once told me that you have to have gills to breathe in Houston. It’s a thing. Look it up. And yet, there were families who had chosen to forsake the blessed comfort of air conditioning in order to make memories tent camping at HSP. I could drop the mic right there because that, amigo, says A LOT about the awesomeness of Huntsville State Park.

While exploring HSP from our sweet {air conditioned} seats in the Tiny Toyota Tardis (because the Yaris is bigger on the inside), we discovered another fishing pier in the Coloneh Camping Area (between spots 78 and 82) and decided to pull over and drop a line in the water. Well, The Manling dropped a line. I grabbed my iPhone and continued my search for the perfect picture that would speak more than a thousand words to us both.

Here it is:

In the effort of full disclosure, I did not take that photo myself. Marsha did. Marsha was one of the many campers in the park that day, completely living la vida loca by camping in August with her hubs and three grandkiddos. Huntsville State Park, you see, is home to some of these bad boys and Marsha aimed to hook us with “front row seats” to see them up close, but not so up close that our own personal safety was at stake (a philosophy her dear husband did not share – story to follow, keep reading).

The Manling and I hunkered down on the pier, him with his rod and me with my iPhone, while we waited for one or more of the local ‘gators to make an appearance. Marsha gladly shared her experience (and the above photo) from the night before along with all the information she knew about alligators, including this little tidbit – the lines through the growth in the water hugging the shoreline and the pier were tracks made by the alligators as they entered and exited the water.

The Manling, Marsha’s husband, and two out of their three grandsons fished from the pier, catching hand-sized little fellas left and right. Marsha and I chatted. Time passed.

Marsha’s Man announced to the pier that he saw a ‘gator across the lake. Skeptical, The Manling and I shaded our eyes with our hands, squinted against the late afternoon glare off of the water, and slowly scanned the area that he indicated. We saw nothing. After surveying the area several times, I ventured to mention that I saw nothing, to which he responded, “That thing that looks like a log right there,” pointing exactly where I should look. Sure enough, we saw what looked like driftwood floating adjacent to the shoreline. Still somewhat skeptical that it was a bona fide alligator, The Manling and I took up “log watching” like it was an income-generating venture. And guess what. It WAS a bona fide alligator! (We were clued into this when a fish jumped out of the water and the “log” course-corrected to follow it. For about ten minutes.)

Assured by Marsha’s hubs that the thing would feed on the fish they were catching under the pier around 6pm, we not-so-patiently watched the clock, waiting for him to make his way across the lake to us so we could get a good look at him. By 6:30pm, he had disappeared altogether. Feeling slightly disappointed, we bid our new friends good-bye and headed to one last spot, a place that Marsha’s husband assured us he’d seen a 10-12 footer earlier in the day. After driving around for about fifteen minutes, unable to find the spot he had referenced, I unexpectedly got a text from Marsha that said the alligator had shown up! The Manling and I pointed the Tiny Toyota Tardis (because the Yaris is bigger on the inside) back toward the pier and were rewarded with these up-close encounters with a 5-6 footer –

After the excitement wore off (for the alligator, not us), Marsha’s Man hopped on a scooter and escorted us to the place he’d seen the 10-12 footer earlier in the day. Stopped on the side of the road, Marsha’s Man crossed the road and ventured into the dense brush under the towering pine trees. Alone. Wearing flip flops.

After searching a few minutes, he found what he had been looking for… sitting utterly motionless in the water looking at him, only his head visible. And it was a ginormous head. Can you see it?

After several failed attempts to lure The Manling into the brush to get a closer look (This came out of my mouth: “That’s going to be a hard ‘no’ because I love him. And your family loves you, too, so I think it would probably be best for you to come back out here with us.”), he finally joined us back on the road. In his excitement, he commenced trying to convince us that approaching the alligator’s home – for we assume it was indeed it’s home since there was a camera box in the brush pointing at it – wouldn’t be too unsafe. He eventually understood the meaning of our “no’s” in all of its varying forms, bid us farewell, and we parted ways – him back to the pier, us back to I-45…and the safety of our own home.

Why We Love Huntsville State Park

Fishing. In our experience, it should be called “catching” at HSP. Go old school with worms.
Camping. Like I said, there were tent campers. In August. In 100+ degree weather. That speaks volumes.
Alligators. This could easily become classified as an obsession. Until this year, I had only seen alligators in the zoo or on the screen. It is insane to know they are around and that they aren’t out to get me. You know, like the snakes. Or the alligator on Lake Placid.
Towering Pines. Being a native of Alabama the Beautiful, ya girl loves her towering pines. This places is tall tree heaven. Bonus: Lots of shade, which lowers the oppressive summer temps.

Must-Do’s

Alligator Watch. Seriously! Go to the fishing pier. Take binoculars. Be patient. Better yet, ask Park Staff on your way in where the best place to spot an alligator is and follow their advice. (NOTE: The alligators are not tame. They are 100% wild. Keep your distance. Don’t be stupid.)
Fish. The fishing piers were perfect for catching hand-sized fish. We didn’t drop a line anywhere else, but I’m sure the Park Staff could give you good tips. Just ask them when you check into the park.
Camp. Beautiful, roomy camping spots. RV spots. Not your jam? How about a shelter with a/c? HSP has you covered, whatever your preference for camping.
Hike. Because of the allure of the alligators, we ran out of time to be able to hike. I imagine the trails would be gorgeous winding through such beautiful trees. Let me know if you have first-hand experience. I’d love to hear from you.

We’d love to hear about your experiences at Huntsville State Park! Please share your thoughts on this no-longer-overlooked state park in the comments.

*In all natural areas, you are a guest. Educate yourself on what lives in the areas before your visits, always talk to the Park Rangers upon arrival and take precautions so that your experiences end as positively as ours.

November 1, 2018November 27, 2018

Sheldon Lake State Park

My selfie game is is dire need of attention. Is there a support group? A class? My chin and I need training.

Our visit to Sheldon Lake State Park was sandwiched between two others on a day in which we had been up-and-at-’em since before daybreak. We were tired. We had never heard of Sheldon Lake State Park. We could not envision what awaited us from the description on the official website. It was hot & humid. To be brutally honest, we just wanted to get this one officially checked off our list before moving on to the next park on the day’s packed agenda. There’s the truth. When you’re attempting to visit all 99 Texas State Parks in 12 months, that’s just how you roll sometimes.

We arrived midday in August 2018. Ours was the only car in the parking lot. We got out, looked around for signs of life and found exactly none. We headed to the Pond Center simply because it was the first building we saw. It turned out to be a type of courtyard-ish area with exactly no people. We began reading the educational signage, searching for a clue as to how to explore this state park when around the corner Park Interpreter Jacob appeared. Seeming as surprised to see us as we were to see him, he paused before asking, “Can I help you with something?” in a surprised, but friendly manner. We {somewhat} awkwardly explained that we weren’t quite sure what SLSP was, how to experience it, or what we were suppose to do. Our new friend (whom we later found out used his lunch break to help us!) brightened as he began to share all that SLSP had to offer, a brief history, and (per our request) the top three must-do activities during our visit. This place was clearly his passion and his enthusiasm for it was delightfully contagious.

Filled with knowledge of SLSP and a loose plan, The Manling geared up back at the Tiny Toyota Tardis (because the Yaris is bigger on the inside) and headed toward one of the two ponds available for catch and release fishing. The one fishing deck was closed because of an incident involving a recent park visitor fishing from said deck, the fish said visitor had landed on said deck, and an alligator that may or may not have insisted on first rights to the aforementioned fish caught on said deck.

Fishing from the raised shoreline, The Manling landed little guy after little guy while I chatted with Robert under the shade of a tree. Robert is a local whose hobby happens to be wildlife photography and SLSP happens to be his favorite locale to hone his skills. While I listened to all the details about the recent incident from the previous weekend from Robert (a firsthand witness), The Manling nonchalantly informed us that the ‘gator that had been eyeing him from across the pond was stealthily approaching. After parking himself in the lily pads about ten feet from shore, the alligator sat and waited for an easy meal like the one my new friend, Robert, had been describing minutes before the alligator joined us.

Wildlife photographer, Robert, hoping to catch one of his favorite shots – an alligator walking on land.

Before long, The Manling felt the familiar tug on his line, which quickly caught the attention of the alligator, which prompted Robert to “excitedly suggest” to The Manling to quickly yank his catch onto the land before he caught something more than he bargained for, which The Manling did, which drew the alligator up short at the water’s edge nearest to where we were standing on the elevated shoreline. Hearts skipping beats and blood coursing just that much faster through our veins, The Manling quickly set to work unhooking his catch while – let this soak in – the resident reptile watched, actually hissing at him from the water’s edge. Let me add that I don’t know much about alligators, but judging from this particular one, once they get an idea in their head (especially involving food), they aren’t easily dissuaded. Long story short, this particular local couldn’t quit The Manling, so The Manling had to quit fishing.

Jesse’s stalker – a little too close for comfort – while he unhooked his latest catch.

Considering they are suppose to be faster on land than you’d think, this guy was too close for my comfort, too!

While The Manling fished in only two of the park’s ponds, there are actually a total of 28 ponds at SLSP. If you’ve ever been to a fishing hatchery like the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens, TX, you will have a better understanding of what I mean by pond. SLSP has 28 of these man-made ponds, 26 of which they have allowed to grow wild (or what they call “naturalized” on the website). And by wild, I mean WILD. As in alligators live in them. And birds (over 300 species!). And snakes. And who knows what else. With the exception of the two fishing ponds, the others are actually not discernible as manmade or ponds at all – nor do they appear explorable.

Fishing pond #1, with The Manling enjoying doing his thing

If you look at the map of the park, you will see the two rows of ponds, all orderly and planned and perfectly spaced. In real life, it looks the polar opposite of that – but in a beautifully natural way. The best way to experience them is on the Pond Trail Loop, which passes all 28 ponds, via a soft-surface wide trail complete with canopied tree branches that provide the perfect amount of shade for hot summer days. From this trail, the ponds look like Secret Gardens to the side of the path almost entirely enclosed by vegetation save a break in the greenery about the size of a Hobbit door through which you can see the pond “rooms” in all their splendor. It’s like nothing we’ve ever experienced before or since! Each pond “room” seems to have its own identity, its own theme. No two are quite the same. It’s breath-taking and beautiful…and {admittedly} a wee bit scary now that we knew that the park is home to over 100 alligators, the longest of which was some 13 feet in length, according to Park Interpreter Jacob!

The über hospitable Pond Loop Trail is picture perfect.

One of the 26 pond “rooms,” as I called them.

And another…each one different and unique

Just after beginning the Pond Loop Trail, The Manling was thoughtful enough to point out a long, black snake in the vegetation that took me exactly forever to see because it blended with the thick vines on the ground a little too easily for my preference. Fresh off our first real encounter with an alligator, the adrenaline was already pumping, so suffice it to say I was a sheer delight to The Manling every time the breeze rustled the leaves or his voice startled me in the otherwise quiet solitude of the path.

I spy with my little eye – something that slithers and creeps me out like a boss.

When our trail forked at the end, we took a right on the Swamp Rabbit Trail en route to our destination – the John Jacob Observation Tower – which had caught our attention earlier as we entered the park. Once we reached the observation tower, The Manling and I put my adrenaline to good use by climbing to the top of the metal observation tower. Which was super high. And yours truly happens to be dreadfully fearful of heights. Yeah, so there’s that. Oh! And did I mention it was windy because all day we had attempted to outrun a pretty massive summer thunderstorm and it was starting to catch up to us? There was that, too. Legs shaking, heart beating out of my chest, we explored the top of the observation tower and enjoyed ourselves heartily until we figured wisdom would tell us to get off the super tall metal structure with the thunderstorm so close at hand.

Looks harmless enough from a distance. But once you get to the first platform, it’s scarier than a roller coaster up there!

Had to get a pano of that view! That view was worth the cost in stress on my body – both from the height and knowledge that we were standing on a giant, metal lightening rod with that storm quickly approaching.

Can you see the San Jacinto Monument in the distance? We could!

We made haste back down the tower and began the trail back to the Tiny Toyota Tardis (because the Yaris is bigger on the inside). Shortly after we reentered the canopied Pond Loop Trail, the wind picked up even more, large drops began pelting us through the trees, and we agreed that now was a good time to pick up trail running as a hobby. When we had almost reached the two fishing ponds near our car, we were stopped short by…drum roll, please…that huge black snake! It decided to cross from the foliage between the loop and into the foliage around the pond room we were passing. Right as we were passing it!!! All the times I had hiked with much fear and trembling only to discover that the fear itself was the scariest part of the hike. And here. Now. At the alligator asylum, I had my first close encounter with my nemesis. I’m pretty sure I screamed. And I’m certain my scream scared The Manling. And I know that if anyone else had been present, I would have cause to be embarrassed by the spontaneous dance I proceeded to perform for the approximately one hundred alligators I’m sure I scared right alongside The Manling. Let’s not dwell.

Remember this – What began as a pit stop on a long day of state parking ended up being a place of excitement, adventure, beauty, and refuge. And one we cannot wait to repeat.

Why We Love Sheldon Lake State Park

Alligators. So many parks down south boast alligators. We saw a couple from a distance at Sea Rim State Park, but they were timid and silently slid under the surface of the water when they saw us. The ‘gators at SLSP aren’t so shy!
Fishing. Like shooting fish in a barrel, you have to try to NOT catch fish in the two fishing ponds. Great place to take beginners and experienced anglers alike. Bonus: The alligators want to wrestle you for your catches. Beware.
Observation Tower. Even afraid of heights, if there is an observation tower, The Manling and I take advantage. These are mandatory.
Canopied Hikes. Starry-eyed emoji. Heart-eyed emoji. Come on, what’s not to love about a wide trail with trees canopied overhead. LOVE.
Wildlife. First true encounter with an alligator. There was action. Hissing. Following. Obsession. That. rocked. And then there is the matter of a SNAKE finally (and literally!) crossing our path!
The Locals. Meet the locals. Talk to people. We all have stories to share. You never know when you’ll hit the jackpot like we did meeting Park Interpreter Jacob and Wildlife Photographer Robert.

Must-Do’s

Fish. Bring your own gear like The Manling, or borrow their loaner gear. Just keep a sharp eye out for the reptilian residents who may not take kindly to your poaching in their ‘hood.
Explore. Lots of trails to explore, both on land and in Sheldon Lake.
Talk. Chat up the staff, other visitors, and most especially the locals. They have the inside scoop on what’s what and can elevate your experience to sublime.

We’d love to hear about your experiences at Sheldon Lake State Park. Please leave your comments on this wild place of adventure below.

*In all natural areas, you are a guest. Educate yourself on what lives in the areas before your visits, always talk to the Park Rangers upon arrival and take precautions so that your experiences end as positively as ours.

October 18, 2018September 19, 2018

Lake Livingston State Park

My birds eye view atop the observation tower was stunning at sunrise, but I would imagine it would be spectacular as the sun set across the water on the other end of the day.

As a kid, I loved watching The Parent Trap. The whole idea of going to camp for the entire summer seemed like Heaven on Earth. The myriad of activities available to all the campers at Miss Inch’s Summer Camp for Girls always looked so fun! And the camp itself looked like the most picture-perfect place on Earth to my young eyes.

Separately, The Manling and I conquered our fears of height to gain a higher perspective of the beautiful lake and the spectacular surrounding areas.

As a teenager, I was all about Dirty Dancing – but not because of Patrick Swayze. Kellerman’s Resort held the irresistible draw to my teenaged self that Miss Inch’s Summer Camp for Girls did to the younger me. It was a magical place that offered good, clean fun for it’s guests like the talent show where the accordion players among us finally got their fifteen minutes of fame. There were log cabins (like the one Baby’s family rented) and beautiful lakes in the background and a variety of activities designed to bring people together in wholesome ways. (I would argue that the resort played a pivotal role in the movie, for the idyllic setting captured my attention more than any of the main characters.)

My amazing view as the sun greeted the day.

As an adult, I discovered Lake Livingston State Park during the Summer of 2018, a place that was like stepping back into the absolutely best parts of yesteryear. I don’t think it’s an overstatement to say that LLSP has somehow captured all of the greatest moments of childhood and nestled them under towering East Texas trees, and then tossed in an absolutely perfect campy vibe that leaves you wistful for bygone days.

My fondest childhood memories apparently live on at LLSP, most especially at the screened shelters area. Little House on the Prairie, anyone? Those adorable wooden shelters on the shores of Lake Livingston State Park made me want to exchange the luxury & convenience of city life for the quaint simplicity beckoning from within those tiny houses right then and there. (Honestly, I texted The Man while I was walking around that area to inform him that I believed I could live my best life RIGHT. THERE. And I meant it.)

See what I mean?!?! My heart aches to call that place home.

Or this one. I’m not picky. I could live my best life in either of these one room shelters. I promise.

While I was off fantasizing about living my best life in one of those Tiny Houses, The Manling was – drum roll please – fishing. And for all you anglers out there, the fishing is good at Lake Livingston State Park, even from the shoreline.

A sampling of the little guys that called the area around the boat launch home.

I even landed a wee little fella when I took a break from my nostalgia to live in the moment with The Manling.

What else is there to do at Lake Livingston State Park if you’re not into reliving yesteryear or fishing? Rent a canoe and spend some time on the lake. Geocache. Go hiking – there’s about 5 miles of trail. Mountain bike. Go on a nature hunt for birds, or rabbits, or armadillos, or flying squirrels…even alligators! The point is, there is something for everyone at LLSP. What are you waiting for?

Why We Love Lake Livingston State Park

Nostalgia. If your best childhood memories could be packaged into a State Park, that State Park would be Lake Livingston.
Water. This is an irresistible draw during the summer heat in Texas. LLSP offers affordable canoe and kayak rentals. They loan good ole fashioned cane fishing poles. And you can swim in the lake, to boot!
Shelters. Scroll back up to those pictures. They speak for themselves, but I gushed over them anyway. #bestlifeever
Forest. We love trees. Tall ones. The kind that offer real shade. The kind under which the temperature is noticeably lower. We want to look at them. We want to walk in their shade. We want to see the impossibly blue sky peeping through their towering, green limbs. If you do, too, LLSP is your utopia.

Must Do’s

Sunset. Go to the tip-top of the Observation Tower about an hour before sunset and just enjoy the show over Lake Livingston.
Stay. Reader, you can request specific campsites and shelters, which is unusual within the State Park system because the norm is “first come, first served.” Take advantage of that awesomeness and rent shelter #7 or #3. Trust me.
Hike. While we didn’t hike on our visit (the shoreline fishing was too good!), reading about the nite hike to Frog Pond is calling my name! And rumor has it that the most popular trail (the Pineywoods Boardwalk Trail) happens to be the means to get to Frog Pond, so you totally score a twofer with this hike. Don’t forget a flashlight.
Make Memories. In my opinion, this isn’t the place to be alone. Grab those you love and go make some memories at LLSP. The place is rich with opportunities!

We’d love to hear about your experiences at Lake Livingston State Park! Please leave your comments on this State Park that is nothing short of a delicious slice of yesteryear below.

*In all natural areas, you are a guest. Educate yourself on what lives in the areas before your visits, always talk to the Park Rangers upon arrival and take precautions so that your experiences end as positively as ours.

October 15, 2018September 19, 2018

Martin Dies Jr. State Park

By the time we visited our 37th Texas State Park, we kind of figured we knew what we’d signed up for, and what to expect. We knew the drill. After visiting 36 State Parks, we had developed a kind of rhythm to it.

And then we visited Martin Dies Jr. State Park.

Let me start by gushing over how utterly gasp-worthy the drive to the HQ was when we visited in 2018. We’re talking towering trees lining the road, creating the most inviting and sporadically shaded drive that was akin to that scene in Keira Knightley’s version of Pride & Prejudice when she was visiting the Lake District with her Aunt & Uncle, riding along the English landscape, face upturned to the canopied trees, eyes closed, enjoying the bright bursts of sunshine through her closed lids that was punctuated now and again by the overhanging limbs. It was exactly that kind of beautiful drive that greeted us upon entry into the park that late summer day in mid-August.

The epic nature of that first introduction to MDJSP doesn’t really translate onto the screen. You’ll have to just trust me.

Maps in hand, we decided to do a scenic drive through of the park, get our bearings, and figure out where The Manling wanted to drop his first line in the water. We drove through what looked like a community of Little Houses on the Prairie. We passed countless camp sites, every one looking like it would be the best. We crossed over the quaintest bridge where we noticed a pontoon-type pier near the rental canoes. We saw open lake. We saw little inlets that looked freshly plucked out of Jurassic World. We saw and heard birds. We looked for ‘gators. We hiked part of the Island Trail. We saw the Observation Pier. Pretty much, we explored all the nooks and crannies MDJSP has to offer and came away with this: East Texas takes state parking to a whole different level!

The Manling doing a little fishing on the pontoon-style pier.

I couldn’t help being reminded of Parent Trap when I saw these. Love!

An example of the stellar camp sites available at MDJSP.

Campsite view of the lake under the shade of the towering trees. Bliss.

Part of the beautiful Island Trail, a great example of the lazy paths through the tall trees, never out of view of the water.

Cue the theme to Little House on the Prairie, please.

The Manling feeling right at home. I think Lake Life is in his future.

Love, love, love when the waters are covered like that. I don’t know what it is, but I do know that you can spot “alligator tracks” in them. Thumbs up!

Seriously the best reflection pictures are available late afternoon just about anywhere in the park that the sun can shine through the trees.

The Manling’s Mom totally appreciates the “sea wall” from which he got to fish. She’s not over fond of him being in the water when alligators call it home.

I can feel the tension in my muscles relaxing just looking at photos like this. This is one of my happy places, I think.

I want to point out that we get a lot of comments on our adventures when some mishap occurred, or we underprepared and suffered the consequences, or my imagination got the best of me, or we pushed the limits of awesome to achieve greatness. This is such a recurrent theme that I almost want to apologize for not having such a tale to tell from our time at Martin Dies Jr. State Park. But just almost.

I’m not going to apologize or make excuses because, truth be told, I needed this park, in this way, at this time. I needed to relax. I needed to allow the beauty and calm of the sights and sounds of nature to press the RESET button on my life. I needed a hiatus from the habitual business of life, and just Be. And that is exactly what MDJSP offered me. Respite. Peace. Breathing space. An intermission. A good ol’ fashioned time out.

Thank you, Martin Dies Jr. State Park. You were exactly what I didn’t know I needed.

Why We Love Martin Dies Jr. State Park

Log Cabin Village. Big fans of the Little House series, we adored the little log cabins available to overnight guests. They even have them with a/c. Simply irresistible.
Fishing. So many miles of shoreline. So many piers. So many places to fish.
Exploring. The trails absolutely rock. They have soft ground trails with towering trees overhead and a wealth of wildlife living in them. Try your hand a geocaching! In our opinion, it’s the BEST way to explore! Or grab your mountain bike for an afternoon on the trails.
Water. Two rivers converge where MDJSP is situated. Take to the water, especially if your visit happens during the six months of summer we seem to have here in Texas.
Alligators. Never saw one on our visit, but I gotta tell you, it’s exciting to look. Just the possibility of seeing one is an attraction in our book.
Camp Sites. Truly, The Manling and I kept spotting “the best campsite” around every corner. They are all magnificent and spacious, especially the ones that back up to the water.
Loaners. You can rent canoes, kayaks, and bikes. They even have a volleyball if the mood strikes that you can borrow for free at the HQ. I love that you don’t have to haul all of your own equipment. They’ve got you covered.

Must Do’s

Fish. There are a number of fishing piers and various places along the vast shorelines to drop a line.
Hike. So many easy trails on soft surfaces. Your dogs shouldn’t be barkin’ after exploring these.
Relax. Seriously, I felt so much lighter while we were at MDJSP. So peaceful. So beautiful. Such respite.
Stay. Whether in a cabin, a shelter, or a camp site, I honestly don’t think you could go wrong planning an overnighter at MDJSP. Picture perfect paradise.

We’d love to hear about your experiences at Martin Dies Jr. State Park! Please leave your comments on this picture perfect, peaceful, life reset below.

*In all natural areas, you are a guest. Educate yourself on what lives in the areas before your visits, always talk to the Park Rangers upon arrival and take precautions so that your experiences end as positively as ours.

October 11, 2018August 17, 2018

Village Creek State Park

God bless Park Staffer Kathy Smith. She has got to have the toughest job in the Texas State Park System at the time of this post. Why? Because her park was pretty much destroyed by Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and by the time of our visit in August 2018, it was still largely unusable. As in, the only areas open were the RV camping loop, the nature center, and the HQ.

Trails? Closed.

Picnic area? Closed.

Campsites? Closed.

Youth Group Camping? Closed.

Bike Trail? Closed.

Bridge to most of the park? Closed.

Canoe launch? Closed.

Village Creek? Closed.

No fishing. No tent camping. No exploring. No geocaching. No swimming. No playground. Just, no. All no.

And yet, Kathy was cheerful, super friendly, and eternally optimistic that the Texas Department of Transportation would soon have the bridge repaired so that the majority of the park could once again be accessible for repairs from the dreaded effects of Hurricane Harvey in 2017. {Fingers crossed for Spring 2019.}

So while I sadly cannot share first-hand experiences at Village Creek State Park, I can share with you what I learned from Kathy on the day of our visit while she was taking us on a walking tour of her park via the Park Map and that is this:

A creek flows one way all of the time (except for droughts, obviously); sloughs connect to larger bodies of water (like creeks) and their directional flow depends on the level of water in the larger body of water.

We talked about this because I noticed that Village Creek on the map looked like a river with a bunch of creeks running off of it, but Kathy was kind enough to explain to me the difference so that I left smarter than when I came. Village Creek is, well, a creek with a bunch of sloughs running off of it. Therein lay the problem when Hurricane Harvey hit last year, swelling Village Creek and consequently affecting her many sloughs that fed off of her.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Village Creek State Park. May you soon be able to open your gates wide to receive visitors within your boundaries once again. We look forward to making memories exploring your creek, sloughs, and trails sometime in 2019.

Why We Love Village Creek State Park

Park Staffer Kathy Smith. She was awesome! Only she could keep us riveted and engaged over a map. If you’re reading this Texas Parks and Wildlife, give that woman a raise. She’s your greatest asset!

Must Do’s

Revisit. Fingers crossed that she will be repaired and reopened by Spring 2019 so that we can actually experience her creeks and sloughs and trails in person. The map tour was good, but we look forward to the real deal.

We’d love to hear about your experiences at Village Creek State Park! Please flood our comments with a slough of your firsthand experiences at Kathy’s beloved State Park. (Too soon?)

*In all natural areas, you are a guest. Educate yourself on what lives in the areas before your visits, always talk to the Park Rangers upon arrival and take precautions so that your experiences end as positively as ours.

October 8, 2018September 17, 2018

Sea Rim State Park

The Manling and I pointed the Tiny Toyota Tardis (because the Yaris is bigger on the inside) toward the Gulf of Mexico in the wee hours of an August 2018 morning, excited for a one-day getaway to a new-to-us, beachy destination in the southeast corner of the Great State of Texas. We arrived about an hour after Sea Rim State Park opened, profusely excited over two things – the probability of seeing alligators and the possibility of catching sharks. The Park Staff that we met in the HQ was an encouragement to us regarding the attainability of our goals and even shared a personal video that she had taken the day before of one of the local ‘gators crossing the road from the beach to the marsh side of the park. This one gesture served to fan the embers of our hopes and dreams, bursting them into a full-fledged fire on the spot. Next, she gave us tips on what other ocean anglers had used to catch sharks at SRSP and directed us to the nearest bait shop, unfortunately located ten miles east. Back into the Tiny Toyota Tardis we went, headed east toward a grocery store we “couldn’t miss” in Sabine Pass to buy both shrimp and mullet, the tasty treats that would {hopefully} land The Manling his first shark.

Bait acquired, we headed back to Sea Rim. We stopped by the Marsh Unit on the off chance that an alligator might be visible before we continued to the beach side of the park. We parked the car near the rental cabin and began looking, looking, looking.

Was that…?

Yes, lying completely still and silently observing us observing her near the kayak launch was a roughly 6 foot beauty! Apparently shy, she noiselessly disappeared under the surface of the water as we slowly approached, making the far away photo below the only evidence of our encounter.

Can you spy with your little eye our new friend?

With goal #1 accomplished before lunch, we headed to the gulf side of the park with a proverbial spring in our step to work on goal #2. We passed the HQ and steered the Tiny Toyota Tardis onto the beach – yeah, onto the beach – because at SRSP, the sand is so “packed” that you can actually drive onto it, even in a tiny, lightweight 2-door stick shift! From that moment forward, the world (or at least this beautiful, beachy portion of it) was our oyster!

SRSP boasts five miles of gulf front property and we, my friends, were the sole occupants. See?

Once we set up shop for the day, The Manling got down to the very serious business of trying to land himself a shark. He fished for five straight hours while I read, relaxed, and simply enjoying the bliss of this shared moment in time at this special place.

Shortly after lunch, we headed to the Gambusia Nature Trail, an easy twenty minute trail through the marshes atop a genuine boardwalk. As in, the entire trail is a boardwalk through the marshes and since rumor had it that some of the alligators enjoyed sunning themselves around midday, we thought we’d take a peek. I was admittedly a wee bit cautious as we entered the boardwalk trail because of the au naturale condition that greeted us.

I persevered, however, around that curve to the right, through the super tall growth that I was afraid concealed some hungry ‘gators, and all the way to the first glimpses of water under our path. In other words, about 150 feet. Then I looked down into the water to the left just in time to see a snake swim out from under the boardwalk about four feet in front of me, at which point I decided to make a hasty exit.

Feeling exasperated by my phobia, I began to think of a way to conquer my fear and this trail. It was then that I spotted my new best friend, Marie, enjoying a picnic lunch with her husband and sweet granddaughter. Before giving it any thought, I walked straight over to them and asked if they were, by any chance, planning to walk the boardwalk trail after their picnic. Reader, I visibly exhaled when she answered that they were and agreed to let us tag along – a little Colorado Bend State Park déjà vu for the win!

Totally stoked, I left Marie and family to finish their picnic in peace. I walked back to the Toyota to inform The Manling of the good news, at which he may have rolled his eyes in exasperation. But, he let it lie and just rolled with it. This wasn’t his first time at the rodeo.

Long story short, Marie and her daughter had a fabulous time walking, skipping, and basically just enjoying the sights and sounds of the birds, the fish, and a couple of times, me. I was on Mr. Marie like white on rice. The poor man practically wore me like a knapsack as we strolled casually around the 3/4 mile boardwalk, which in places seemed a little too on the rickety side for my preference. Nary an alligator did we see, sunning itself or otherwise. I did look up from my frozen view of Mr. Marie’s shoes a couple of times and was treated to some breathtakingly beautiful scenery.

Photo Credit: Marie, who shared this photo she took of her blessed husband and The Manling dutifully flanking me like we were the British on patrol during the Revolution.

Since the rest of the trails were all paddling trails (and we didn’t ask the Tiny Toyota Tardis to shoulder the burden of carrying the kayak, which would definitely be a picture-worthy sight), all that was left on the agenda was to live in the moment on the beautiful bit of beach we had claimed while The Manling continued his quest for goal #2.

While The Manling landed one fish after another, in the end a shark was not counted among them. I did a very little bit of exploring on my own (mainly the Dune Boardwalk), and spent the rest of our time at Sea Rim State Park savoring the memories I was making with The Manling from the comfort of my camping chair.

As all good things must, our magnificent day at SRSP came to a close- just as a summer storm crested the northern horizon behind us.

That’s a big storm brewing behind the Tiny Toyota Tardis!

On our way out of the park, we stopped by the Marsh Unit one more time on the off chance that we might see another alligator, which proved the perfect way to end our time at Sea Rim State Park on a very high note.

Can you see that big, beautiful head in the water?

Why We Love Sea Rim State Park

Water. Texas summers should always, 100% of the time, equal water. It’s hot as Hades here. Water makes it bearable. The steady breeze off the waters of the Gulf aren’t too bad, either.
Fishing. The fishing was excellent and even though The Manling didn’t land his first shark, he had a stellar day doing what he loved. It’s always more fun catching when you go fishing.
Alligators. I have a morbidly curious fascination with the alligators in Texas, especially in the State Parks. And we saw TWO this day! Score!
Uncrowded. The location (which is remote) is the only sense that I can make of the place being so unpopulated. But hey, that’s our jam! We loved feeling like this was our private piece of paradise for the day!

Must Do’s

Fish. Grab some mullet and shrimp before heading to the park. That grocery store in Sabine Pass 10 miles to the east can hook you up. Then park your keister on the beach for the day, reeling ’em in til your heart is content.
Relax. The park is situated in a pretty remote place, which seemed to be the only reason it was uncrowded on our visit. You can do some serious de-stressing on that underpopulated stretch of Gulf coast. You’re welcome.
Nature. Enjoy the sea birds. I literally watched their shenanigans for hours. Go on an alligator hunt – just keep your distance and don’t be a fool. Those things are completely wild. Exercise caution.

We’d love to hear about your experiences at Sea Rim State Park! Please share your experiences at this uncrowded piece of paradise in the comments.

*In all natural areas, you are a guest. Educate yourself on what lives in the areas before your visits, always talk to the Park Rangers upon arrival and take precautions so that your experiences end as positively as ours.

October 1, 2018August 23, 2018

Lake Colorado City State Park

We first met Mater when we visited Lake Colorado City State Park about four years ago, chillin’ in the field across from the park entrance. We waved a friendly “hello” as we headed home after a few hours at the park, glad that he’d come to see us off that uneventful day. Uneventful in the truest sense because our first visit to this self-proclaimed desert oasis was kind of a dud. Not only was the park desolate in an eerily creepy kind of way, the park was in the deep, dark part of a severe drought at the time and what was left in it’s wake looked to our eyes like the aftermath of an apocalyptic event. Mangled docks looked like a shockwave had rendered them completely unusable and almost unidentifiable had they not been standing so tall on parched ground that was, in former days, the lake.

Imagine our surprise when we saw Mater again during our revisit mid-July 2018, sitting in the same spot across from the entrance to the park, reminiscent of the good ole days when hard working folks sat a spell on the porch, sipping sweet tea, enjoying the gentle breeze of the summer evening after a long day of sweaty labor on their land. Love.

Kinder Frau, The Manling, and me – circa 2014

But there ends any similarity between our first visit and our second.

On our second trip to LCCSP, what we happily discovered was a park slowly, but surely, recovering from the devastating effects of years of drought. The fishing piers that were formerly disfigured and damaged by the drought were replaced with sturdy, robust piers that hosted a small, but continual rotation of anglers eager to drop a line in the water, which now delightedly covered the ground under them once again.

Where the park was desolate years before, we now encountered a handful of families both in the RV camping area and using the lakefront, air conditioned shelters, all of which look like newly build tiny homes complete with shaded front porches.

On our first visit, the lake was deserted, unused. On our more recent visit, we crossed paths with a family setting up a canopy in preparation for a day in the sun and surf once again available at Lake Colorado City State Park.

On our first visit, our imaginations were stirred for hours, imagining various scenarios that could have caused the undisclosed apocalyptic event. On our revisit, our minds were engaged geocaching. The park has a couple of great finds, by the way. And this is a great way to explore the park on foot for singles, couples, or the whole family.

While we restricted our explorations to the main roads on our first visit, this second time around Park Ranger Sky encouraged us to discover the roughly 1.5 mile (round trip) of bike trail they have been working to clear.

This park that was once fodder to spark conversation and creativity, is slowly becoming one that we can imagine will again hosts hoards of West Texans seeking to escape the heat in the cool waters of Lake Colorado City, on the cusp of becoming a desert oasis once more.

Why We Love Lake Colorado City State Park

Mater. I know he’s not technically a part of the park, but he has been a part of our park experience both visits and we love him. Make sure to wave a friendly “hello” to him when you see him.
Water. It’s hard to not hit a home run during the Texas summer heat when water is part of the equation. Thankfully, LCCSP is making a comeback in that department.
Fishing. Boat docks and fishing piers in the early morning and evening are the best times to drop a line.
Geocaching. There are one or two in some pretty ferrel areas, but there is one that is hidden in a truly spectacular location. Let the treasure hunting begin!
Trails. The trails were still under construction while we were there, but they are already taking shape and I think they will be pretty awesome either on foot or by bike in the near future.
A/C Shelters. I’m a sucker for tiny homes and these cute little shelters with a/c look like a newly built community of them, all lakeside. Bonus!

Must Do’s

Geocache. Hands-down, I think this is the absolute best way to get up close and personal with a new area. State Parks included.
Fish. The Manling wasn’t able to catch much on our visit, but we were there during the middle of the day. He will definitely try again the next time we are at LCCSP. You can count on it.
Swim. The water is making a comeback. A family was enjoying their floats on the water when we were there. Dip a toe in.
Stay. Tiny homes. RV’s. Even tent camping (in a more hospitable time of year). LCCSP can accommodate all budgets and preferences.
Explore. The trails look like they will be nice, wide, level trails for mountain biking…or exploring on foot. I’m especially psyched to try the one that runs adjacent to the lake. That promises to have some pretty great views.

August 30, 2018July 30, 2018

Balmorhea State Park

Balmorhea State Park was one of the bucket list locales on our Tour of Texas Waterholes we did several summers ago with The Manling and Kinder Frau. During the planning stages of our trips, BSP showed up on list after list as this big deal in Texas. Like, you’ve not arrived until you’ve experienced Balmorhea in person. It is, after all, the WORLD’S LARGEST SPRING-FED SWIMMING POOL and it just so happens to call Texas home. So obviously, being the good Texans we are, we pointed the Tiny Toyota Tardis (because the Yaris is bigger on the inside) toward West Texas to see what all the fuss was about.

But first, we spent the front half of the day sand boarding at Monahans Sandhills State Park, making sure we were primed and pumped to experience the desert oasis that is Balmorhea SP. Once we were completely sandy, abominably hot, and desperately seeking some sand-free refreshment of the H2O variety, we began the exciting 1.5 hour drive to BSP.

Exciting, you may ask?

Yes, exciting!

The north-to-south road that we traveled the bulk of our trip on looked like the set of an old-fashioned movie akin to The Grapes of Wrath. Lots of dust was blowing in winds that were constantly causing us to course correct the Tiny Toyota Tardis. Lots of skeletal structures peppered the landscape after something had clearly blown the rest of the building materials away. We seldom passed another car. We saw another living soul exactly never. And in the west, the vast expanse of sky was growing the largest storm you could imagine – heading toward us. With no where to seek refuge, we continued driving south, sometimes at a snail’s pace, as we helplessly watched that storm slowly sweep toward us, overtake us, and finally – thankfully! – leave our tiny two-door Toyota in it’s dust. Never have we driven in more frightening and unexpected weather than we did that day.

By the time we reached the entrance to BSP, the rain had stopped even though the clouds lingered. We had no idea if the park remained open during inclement weather, but we entered the HQ with our fingers crossed and our prayers prayed that what we’d just driven through would not have been in vain.

It wasn’t! To the contrary, the storms that we had driven through caused an understandable mass exodus from Balmorhea State Park, and now? Now the park was ours to explore and enjoy in almost complete solitude!! (With a cap on the allowable number of visitors per day, it is a big deal that we got in, much less that we practically had the place to ourselves.)

I love that Kinder Frau is practically on top of The Man. I’m laughing so hard I’m crying. Swimming with the fish can be a Man thing. We’re good with that.

We headed straight for the cool of the pool and enjoyed a few unforgettable hours of swimming, cannonballing, and snorkeling the deep end (a 20 footer!) to get a closer look at the pool’s finned inhabitants (no fishing or noodling allowed).

No noodling? No fishing? No problem! He’ll snorkel.

I’m super glad we had that unforgettable experience in yesteryear because when The Manling and I returned mid-July 2018, our experience was not quite the adventure we remembered. As in, we were there for a whole ten minutes which included a bio break, our signage selfie…

…and registering the car in the HQ with the Park Staffer who regretted to inform us that everything except the picnic area was closed. Every. Single. Thing. See?

Turn that frown upside down, fellow Texas Travelers. They will be open and renovated and repaired and ready to help you create your own memories to share very soon!

Why We Love Balmorhea State Park

Water. Come on. It’s the WORLD’S LARGEST spring-fed swimming pool. WORLD’S LARGEST. That’s worth checking out. You can swim, scuba dive, or snorkel. (The fact that the constant temp of the pool is in the mid-70’s during the summertime in Texas is bonus gold.)
CCC Buildings. Truly, your mind wanders and wonders if you’ve somehow stepped back into history and are living in your own West Texas version of Dirty Dancing focused on swimming with the locals instead of sneaking out to forbidden dances with them.

Must Do’s

Swim. WORLD’S LARGEST spring-fed swimming pool. Why do I have to keep telling you this? Check this one off your bucket list. It’s a definite Must Do!
Stay. Camp. Motel-type lodging. With the Davis Mountains as your backdrop, this is one sweet place to park yourself overnight, or over an extended weekend.

We’d love to hear about your experiences at Balmorhea State Park! Please share your thoughts on this wet & retro State Park in the comments.

*In all natural areas, you are a guest. Educate yourself on what lives in the areas before your visits, always talk to the Park Rangers upon arrival and take precautions so that your experiences end as positively as ours.