2024-10- 21 Potter's Creek COE TX

On my way to an upcoming rally, I decided to spend a few days at a Corps of Engineers park, Potter's Creek, which is located on Canyon Lake northwest of San Antonio TX. It's a nice park that stays pretty busy all year round. There is no day use which makes it nice as there will only be campers onsite. Check-in time is 3:00PM and not one minute sooner so keep that it in mind if you want to camp here. There is a gate which closes at 10:00PM in the summer and 9:00PM the rest of the year. You can always get out but not back in after the gate closes. 

I had a very nice shady site. About 1/3 of the 124 sites are shady but some people being out in the open so their satellites work. One of the loops was closed for the season.

Each site has a paved driveway with electric and water hookups. There is also a covered picnic table, a grill, and a fire pit. We are under a long term drought here so only propane grills can be used.

I had a nice open view behind and beside me.

One area of the loop I was in has 3 group sites with 3 sites in each group.

Sadly the lake is down 25 feet right now which is the lowest it has been since the dam was built. This means that the boat ramp is closed as are most of the ramps around the large lake.

Looking across the dry inlet to one of the other loops.

This bridge and float are normally floating on the lake surface. We need a lot of rain

It is very common to see deer in the park. The next two pictures were actually taken in a neighborhood next to the park.

I grew up in Minnesota so the small size of deer in Texas came as a huge surprise to me, especially when everything in Texas is usually bigger, lol.

Back in the park for more deer.

This was a surprise to see this fox in the site across the road from me. The site was empty at the time.

My husband showed up on his motorcycle one afternoon and painted this pumpkin for me.

Harley was outside enjoying the day with me. 

 It was a great weekend. There were lots of campers, many in tents. The weather was perfect so I didn't need A/C or heat at all.

2024-9-27 TRR Rally at Lake Buchanan RV Resort

I made the long trek from Inks Lake State Park to Lake Buchanan RV Resort about noon on Monday. It was about an 8 mile trip, lol. We had several Texas Ramblin' Roses annual meetings here when this resort used to be called Big Chief RV Resort.

It was really nice to find that they have been able to eradicate for the most part the horrible goathead burs that were like hard sharp spiky horrors that made you want to leave your poor pets home. The sites are mostly pull throughs and pretty level but the one I was in should have been reserved for someone without a drivers side slide as the oleander bushes made me park over to the passenger side of the site and made stepping off my step an uphill inconvenience especially for Harley..

The hill country scenery was beautiful.

They have a small but very nice pool and hot tub.

The sunsets were spectacular.

There were 3 other Phoenix Cruisers there for the rally along with other motorhomes, trailers, 5th wheels, and truck campers.

Another beautiful sunset over Lake Buchanan.

Our rallies have lots of different things to do. These ladies were enjoying a Tex Mex meal

The Left, Right, Center game was in play here.

Five of our group toured the Texas Longhorn Cavern State Park nearby. 52 steps down and 52 steps up are a challenge.

Quite a few of us did the Vanishing Texas River Cruise. The lake is down 16 feet due to drought but that is up from 30 feet down a few weeks ago. It made for a steep decent to the boat dock.

The water was beautiful, sunny with a slight breeze.

The scenery is beautiful but with the lake so far down we were unable to go up the river. My first trip years ago, we went up the rive and saw eagles.

The boat had an enclosed lower deck.

And an open deck where most of us opted to ride.

Mexican Train is another popular game at rallies.

This was an interesting game somewhat like Simon Says but you had to touch body parts or grab the cup between you and your partner.

It was lively!

There were 4 winners who each got a trophy cup with a candy bar.

It was a fun rally but I missed you Elaine. No more cruises when rallies are scheduled!

 

2024-9-22 Inks Lake State Park

 I left a little early and spent a weekend at Inks Lake State Park on my way to a rsally.

It was beautiful and flowers were blooming throughout the park.

I arrived on Friday after reserving my site about 5 months ago. Inks Lake is one of the most popular state parks in Texas. It's a very nice park but, another reason is that it may be the only lake in texas that doesn't fluctuate in water level during droughts. The Colorado River is dammed up at both ends of the lake so water levels can be controlled.

Harley had a nice soft bed next to my chair but he likes to assert his independence.

The park store with kayaks, canoes, and paddle boats was very busy over the weekend.

There are two fishing piers in the park at opposite ends.

The swimming beach provided a great sunset view after the swimmers left.

There were a number of Reserved sites that didn't hold occupants. I don't know whether this was the park rangers doing or people who were too selfish to cancel when they were unable to come. Either way is a shame since so many would love to get a site here. Empty spots were not an issue in my circle. And I have to say I was really surprised to see the huge number of tents throughout the park. While there were a couple of scout groups, there were many families with several tents to a site. All was quiet and serene all weekend.

It was a real surprise to step out of my RV at 10AM on Sunday to see the whole area empty except for one other RV and me. I never heard them pack up, nice neighbors all.

One thought I had while here was this. The areas with water and electricity at each site were very popular with tenters. You can't blame them for wanting power for a fan, electric cooler, or frying pan. One area of the park is equally beautiful with many waterfront sites but only a water connection at each site. It would seem to be a big benefit for campers if just 110 electric was added to each site. That is what tenters use, not the 30 or 50 amp plugs. Instead I noted the big new Visitors Entrance Checkin station with fancy paved routes around it that has been built but not yet opened. Just seems like more useful sites would benefit campers a lot more than a new Checkin center and cost less money as well.