State: Texas
Where we stayed: Dellanera RV Park Since our main goal for Houston was to see the Johnson Space Center, I tried to find us a place to stay on the eastern side of town. After my hard time finding a place to stay in Austin during the MLK weekend, I decided to call in advance to Houston to make sure we'd have a spot. The last thing I wanted was to be aimlessly driving the rv and tow car (or riding shotgun) around a huge city during weekend traffic. I was suprised to find that all the places I called were already filled for the weekend. Bah! So instead of staying near the Johnson Space Center, I booked us a spot thirty minutes south on Galveston Island. We pulled into the outkirts of Houston on Saturday afternoon and elected to take Route 6 to Galveston. Route 6 is like a road or expressway. I have to say it was almost as bad as driving down PCH in Santa Monica on a summer weekend. Everyone was out running errands and going to BBQs. It took us forever but we finally made it to our rv park on the beach right as the sun was setting. It's been awhile since we've seen the beach. I have to say that waking up and feeling the slightly humid air and hearing the waves was awfully nice. Matt and I grabbed our coffees and sat outside to enjoy the breakfast view. Unlike in the Pacific where the waves can be blue/green and crash one at a time, these Gulf of Mexico waves were brownish (from the river water/silt that comes down and mixes in with the ocean water). And because of the shallow water, the waves come tumbling in all over the place. Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig Museum
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State: Texas
Where we stayed: Dellanera RV Park Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas Houston, do you read me? We did two separate day trips up to Houston from our base in Galveston. It was about a 30 minute drive to the Johnson Space Center. We got there at opening time on a Monday and had the place to ourselves... no horrifically long lines like people described in the reviews. Photo taken from camera resting on the hood of our car. That is an actual 747 with space shuttle sitting on top. Remember when a similar set up flew over Los Angeles? State: Texas
Big Bend National Park Where we stayed: Rio Grande Village Campground Hike: Boquillas Canyon Trail (1.4 miles roundtrip) This was a pretty easy hike for the whole family could do. Though not the official river crossing area, there were Mexican guys on the other side who would come across and offer to give you a ride in the boat and on a burro into the Mexican village. Along the hiking trails in the park, you may come across decorated walking sticks and other handmade wares illegally "for sale." Take a stick (or wire scupture) and leave $5 in coffee can. The guy below in the boat was coming across the river to check on his sales. State: Texas
Where we stayed: Rio Grande Village Campground Big Bend National Park Hike: Hot Springs Canyon Trail (total: 6 miles, very little shade) This was one of those hike where the kids actually earned their candy/ice cream at the end. It was three miles across mountains and desert to get to a hot spring on the Rio Grande. And then we had to turn around and hike the 3 miles back. They were suprised to see a baby stroller at the hot springs, and even more surprised when the mom pushing the stroller said that she drove in and just walked a 1/4 mile to get to the springs. Booo haaaa haaa haaa! State: Texas
Big Bend National Park Where we stayed: Rio Grande Village (National Park campground) not to be confused with the Rio Grande Village RV Campground We ditched our little dirt patch campground in Terlingua to explore the eastern side of the park. On our way over stopped at the Panther Junction Visitor Center (because we just can't drive by a visitor center without stopping to check out their gift shop and displays). We discovered my car that was being towed had a flat tire. Thank goodness for vistor center stops! Super driver/mechaninc/dad threw on the spare (with some help from a certain 3 year old) and I drove the car back to Terlingua where there was one mechanic shop who said he could look at my tire (luckily it was only 30 miles away and not 60 or 90 like the next closest towns). Thank goodness for Terlingua Auto (aka Outpost Auto Service). While I chatted with the owner Archie about everything from water conservation, to Vietnam (you can check him out here on the National Geographic show Badlands, TX), the guys in the shop worked to patch up my tire. In the end, the tire couldn't be saved, but they were able to scrounge up a gently used Goodyear for me in the back. $35 and I was back on the road. State: Texas
Where we stayed; BJ's RV Park in Terlingua Chisos Mountains Window View Trail (super short .3 miles) I forgot my big camera, so had to bust out the iphone cam. State: Texas
Big Bend National Park Where we stayed: BJ's Rver Park in Terligua We did some morning homeschooling and then hopped in the car to check out Big Bend National Park. It's the park way down in Texas that you have to make a deliberate effort to get to...there's no way you'd accidentally end up here. We made a quick stop at the Castalon Vistor Center to find out the hiking. While I was talking with the ranger, Jack picked up a book in the gift shop and started reading. He'd pick up that same book at all the Big Bend visitor centers and almost finished it by the time we were done with Big Bend. State: Texas
Where we stayed: BJ's RV Park We plopped down in the dirt rv park for a few days. They had a trailer set up as a game room and had two cozy bathrooms. Nothing fancy, but it had plenty of nice hot water and a room you could steam up really good. This was the most expensive I've paid for laundry too ($2.50 a load to wash and $2.50 to dry). Water is pretty scarce in these parts since they've been having a drought too. A lot of locals are pretty smart and store up rainwater to use throughout the year. Right down the street is the Terlingua Ghost Town. I wish we had spent a little more time exploring this bit, but we did have dinner at the old Starlight Theater. This was a fun find. The restaurant was in a former theater and had lots of history and character, with art for sale up on the walls and good food to boot. I had a club sandwich... with bacon of course and a fried egg in it. A great addition! |
aboutI'll be sharing our travel plans, some reviews, cooking ideas (because I know you are all jealous of my easy-bake oven), and ... oh who am I kidding?! I'll be lucky to get our photos posted! categories
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February 2016
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