After reading great reports on RV Park Reviews, we decided to stop at our first state park campground. No internet, only 30 amp electrical, and poor cell phone reception didn't deter us, not one bit... Stephen F. Austin State Park turned out to be our favorite campsite of the whole trip (so far)!
Originally we planned to spend two nights here, but we enjoyed this beautiful place so much, our stay was extended to three nights. Stephen F. Austin (the Father of Texas) State Park is in San Felipe, about 45 miles west of Houston. It felt like we were in the middle of nowhere... so quiet and peaceful. Plus, there is a golf course right next door and John the golfer was ready to get the sticks out and dust them off! The weather was a bit windy on day one, but just stunning on days two and three. I kept thinking it felt like April and had to keep reminding myself it was January!
Each site was huge and included a picnic table and a fire pit. We brought out our camp chairs and you may notice the black spot on the picnic table -it's Jinx the RV cat having a bit of a lounge.
Here's Suz, taking Jinx out for a walk in the thicket. Yeah, it's hard to see Jinx in this shot - but he was on the leash and loving every moment of his exploration.
Our motor home, under the Live Oak trees.
The front end of the motor home, plus our little car. Each site was a circular pull through. So easy and convenient! We had water, electricity, and sewer hookups. No cable TV, no internet, and we didn't mind!
The park was full of wildlife - we loved watching the Cardinals... so did Jinx! There were also rabbits, deer, 2 feral cats who went everywhere together, lots of birds of all types, and coyotes. At night those coyotes would howl like you wouldn't believe. It made me think of that OLD song that goes... "oh bury me not.... on the lone prairie.... where the coyotes howl.... and the wind blows free...." The last night I think the coyotes had a large get-together in our camp. They were so loud they woke us at 1 am. Kinda scary. Anyway, here's a gorgeous Cardinal. We don't have Cardinals back home in WA, so I was mesmerized by them!
Here's a certain RV cat, enjoying the sunshine and the wildlife too.
On Wednesday morning, John went golfing at the next door course. His was the only car in the parking lot. EVERYBODY in Texas drives a pickup. That is not an exaggeration! Apparently they were all Fords, Chevys, and a couple of Toyotas thrown in. The Fords were the majority, though.
For two nights running, we bundled up and sat by the fire, this night with a glass of wine in hand. It had been a LONG time since we'd had a campfire and we both enjoyed it thoroughly.
Here's John, saying "cheers" as I snap the photo... He's a bit of a pyromaniac ya know. :)
After three days in paradise, we loaded up, hooked up, and headed east again on Thursday morning. Right into the coldest weather south Texas has seen in ages. Our driver was heard saying, "Should I turn this thing around and head home"? Find out if we did, next time!
Just a short note from John:
Susan and I are having a great time visiting places we have only read about or have seen perhaps on TV or in the news or in documentaries. For us to be able to do this and not worry about our home in Bellingham, we owe a great debt of gratitude to our friends in the "High Cliff Hood". Thank you all, for the mail gathering, plant watering, and house security and operation, without your help our adventure would be far less enjoyable. Looking forward to a big get together when we get home.
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