tent – Texans Travel Life

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.

We included Davis Mountains State Park on our trip to West Texas in July 2018 for the glorious fact that the nighttime temps during the summer months dip into the lower 60’s and the daytime highs are only in the 90’s, which is completely hospitable weather for tent camping in Texas during the summer!

This spot reminded me of Bonanza for some reason.

A scenic overlook en route to the McDonald Observatory a few miles away from DMSP.

Heading into the Davis Mountains on the quaint, two-lane SH-17 is nothing short of giddy bliss, dear reader. Mile upon mile of twisty, turny roads through mountain passes as you gently ascend and descend, climbing steadily higher toward more hospitable temps and ever-increasing scenic views that comprise the lovely – nay, awesome! – beauty that is the Davis Mountains. If one can form an emotional attachment to a location akin to love at first sight, then The Manling and I had that in spades as we drove through the Davis Mountains to the State Park that would be our home for the next 24 glorious hours.

We entered the HQ completely enraptured! I think I caught a glimpse of big red hearts in The Manling’s eyes as he registered us with the Park Staff and we secured a primo campsite right next to the creek (site 81 – secluded, shaded, mountain views, mere feet from the {dry} creek bed). Summer love happens fast, my friends, and we were head over heels before we’d even left the HQ.

After pitching our tents – and allow me to detour here to boast that Mama pitched her very own tent. For the first time. In her life. And set up her own cot. So, I was feeling pretty high on life as we sat on our camping chairs in the cool shade of our awesome camp site, sipping our refreshing H2O in full view of my colossal achievements and feasting on the gorgeous Davis Mountains scenery –

The Maning and I kicked back to discuss the array of wildlife that called the Davis Mountains home, during which I attempted to act all cool about the possibility of seeing snakes, mountain lions, and javalina.

– for a while before heading up the Scenic Drive in the Tiny Toyota Tardis (because the Yaris is bigger on the inside) to enjoy the various overlooks. We were eager to explore and gain a bird’s eye view of this majestic place we got to {temporarily} call home. By the time we were at the last overlook (where Scenic Drive dead ends at the park’s boundary), we heard the faint, but very distinct sound of a bugle playing a familiar tune. Intrigued, we decided to explore the tiny town that we saw at the foot of the peak. After all, we seldom have down time on our Texans Travel road trips to explore past the boundaries of the State Parks and on this particular trip, we did!

We explored much of Fort Davis on foot while we geocached the laid back, drive-through town, stopping at one place in particular –

This thrift store off the main road in town benefitted the same rescue agency that brought homeless dogs to the state park for a weekly hike.

– because another draw for us to DMSP was their “Hike with a Homeless Dog” the following morning. Dog lovers that we are, this activity listed on the park’s event page was irresistible to us.

Another stop we made was to this place, reputed among the locals as having the best salad bar, burgers, floats, and the like in the area.

Yes, we ate in a drugstore. And loved every minute of it!

Tummies nicely satisfied, we sat outside on the bench a spell to take in the irresistible charm of this precious small town, an idyllic setting for the next great American novel, before heading back home in time to catch the sun set in the bewitching Davis Mountains. (Ahhhh, that has such a nice ring to it, home in the Davis Mountains.)

On our first exploration of the peaks within the park, we discovered some rock sculptures lovingly left for our enjoyment by previous visitors. We are intrigued by these 3D art installations because on our trips to Llano, Texas, the month before, we discovered dozens and dozens of these in the city park. No explanations. Just the sculptures all over the place.

The two little beauties that greeted us on the first of many trips up to the first Scenic Overlook.

When we returned to the first Scenic Overlook a few hours later, prepped for a spectacular sunset, we discovered that something had demolished the sculptures in a “Leave No Trace” thoroughness that was a tad on the disheartening side. With nothing but time on our hands until the Big Show, we decided to make one of our own. I collected rocks of all sizes and shapes while The Manling got to work on our sculpture. Our labor of love provided interest to fellow park-goers as they trekked to the overlook to join us for sunset, some stopping to take photos of our masterpiece. It was all very gratifying. Before we knew it, it was time for the Big Show.

The sunset was so spectacular that we decided to catch it’s debut the next morning from a different spot, one perched atop the cool CCC structure that is designated on the Park Map as the middle overlook on Scenic Drive.

The Tiny Toyota Tardis enjoyed the view, too.

Afterward, we {reluctantly} broke camp – props to this Mom who broke down her own tent and cot for the first time, in the history of ever – ate a simple breakfast of trail bars with caffeinated peach tea, and then headed over to the Interpretive Center for the pièce de résistance – our much anticipated Hike with a Homeless Dog, a cooperative event offered at DMSP with Grand Companions in Fort Davis, a no-kill animal shelter all about giving dogs who are down on their luck second chances.

While we liked the hike with the pooches immensely, we loved the interaction with DMSP Interpreter, Ty, and the lovely intern, Erica. Not only did they share a wealth of information on an area that had already quickly captured our hearts, they shared some of themselves as I inadvertently grilled them on the life choices that led to their career decisions to work within the Texas State Parks. (You’re welcome, Manling.)

These two. We loved getting to know you, Ty and Erica. (FYI, they let us know they are not a couple.)

Why We ABSOLUTELY Love Davis Mountains State Park

Mountains. So stinkin’ pretty!! I loved every square inch that I saw. This place may be in my retirement future. Fingers crossed.
Hospitable Temps. Y’all, they are so cute in the Davis Mountains with their heat advisories because it’s in the 90’s. The 90’s! On our way home, we saw several signs that read 112 and 113. Just sayin’. And in the lower 60’s at night. The Davis Mountains make tent camping a possibility in Texas during the summer!
Hiking. Trails up and down and all around the mountain peaks. Plus, the park will throw in some homeless dogs for you to share the experience with! I call that #winning.
Camping. Did I mention the hospitable temps? The Manling and I actually got COLD during the night. In Texas. During July. This is a phenomenon not to be missed. Get yourself there asap.
Staff. Ty and Erica were a wealth of information on careers in the Texas State Park, which I think would suit The Manling to a T. Additionally, Ty happens to be the guy that started the Ambassador Program geared toward connecting The Manling’s age demographic to parks all around the great state of Texas. Love!
Sunrise/Sunset. These are not-to-be-missed moments in DMSP. Get yourself up to the peaks for both. You won’t miss the sleep once the Big Shows start. I promise.

Must Do’s

Camp. In addition to getting down into the 60’s overnight, we had a few unforgettable critters visit our campsite during the night – a fox hung around The Manling’s tent; we had quite a few skunks walking around our campsite during the night (which sounded like they walked on 2 feet, interestingly enough!); flashlights flashed their lights all night long (which I later learned belonged to campers hoping for a glimpse of a king snake because they come out at night).
Sunrise/Sunset. This is mandatory. No excuses.
Fort Davis Drugstore. Get the salad bar. Grab a burger. Top it off with a shake. This place is precious.
Park Activity. Check out the Events Page like we did and join the Park Staff on an unforgettable adventure!

We’d love to hear about your experiences at Davis Mountains State Park! Please share your thoughts on this love-at-first-sight 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.