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.

2024-8-31 The Road Home

I didn't do a post on our travel to get to Ruidoso but we stayed one night at Goodfellow AFB Famcamp and in Brownfield at Coleman Park which belongs to the city and has electric sites with a place to get water. They have added a bunch of new sites which is nice but the telephone poles they used to separate the sites meant I had to unhook my car because I couldn't turn sharp enough to get in the site. Overall it's a great deal.

On the way home, we decided to try another free park. Yoakum County Park is at the golf Course, You just pull alongside a pipe fence and hookup. There are two separate RV hookups on each of 3 poles. You may need a long enough cord as you and your neighbor will be tail to front. Trailers should pull forward so person behind you can reach.

You will be parked right next to a lovely shaded park with grills and tables.

There is even a pond with ducks and geese. It was so nice and quiet. We were told that Saturdays there is usually some kind of party/gathering at the building right there so Saturday nights might not be best for a visit.

We made one more stop at Goodfellow Famcamp. We got the last two water/electric sites when I called the week before (totally forgot it was Labor Day weekend). It rained hard a couple of times between our last overnight and San Angelo and again after we arrived. But, we got a lovely rainbow out of it.

And then the trip ended and I was home. Great trip, no problems, I love traveling.  Serendipity is in storage for two weeks then off again.

2024-8-28 Valley of Fires BLM and Capitan NM

 Our last field trip while in Ruidoso was to the Valley of Fires Recreation Area (BLM Land) and Capitan. Valley of Fires NM is sometimes confused with a state park with the same name in Nevada I believe. There is a nice campground here that I stayed in on a trip several years ago. They have water and electric hookups as well as a tenting area. And there are restrooms and showers. It's interesting because you are traveling across flat land when this volcanic rift appears.

You can see the volcanic lava here.

There is a nice walking trail next to the campground but you need to stay on the path because the volcanic rock is very sharp.

Our next stop was the Smokey Bear Historical Park in Capitan.

Smokey was found clinging to a tree in the midst of a forest fire. He was rescued and turned over to a vet who took care of his burned paws and nursed him back to health. Of course, he didn't really look much his alter ego. He was flown to the Washington D.C. Zoo where he lived until his natural death. He had a female mate but they never had any cubs. There is a movie at the museum along with a lot of memorabilia and things relating to the campaign against forest fires. 

There is a nice little park with the museum with different types of landscapes native to New Mexico.

When Smokey passed away, he was flown back to Capitan and secretly buried during the night due to fear of vandalism. A ceremony honoring him was later held here.

This is the Smokey Bear place but also honors fallen firefighters with a memorial.

Kids around the world know who Smokey Bear is.

It's an interesting visit especially for kids. We had lunch at Oso restaurant which was very busy with locals and visitors.