2021-04-13 On to Hords Creek Lake Corps of Engineer Park

Thhe Pink FlaminGoes Flocking was officially over when our hostess Sharon left Monday morning. Tuesday morning was our morning to head out but Carolyn, Mary Jane, and I were not quite ready to head home. We had reservations at Hords Creek Lake, a Corps of Engineer Park. None of us had ever been there but I heard several other RVers mention that they stayed there and really liked it. It was only a couple of hours away so we didn't have to head out early.

Located approximately 8 miles west of Coleman, Hords Creek Lake is located on a little lake. The lake is surrounded by beautiful oak trees and offers swimming, fishing, etc. There is a park on each side of the lake, each providing roughly 60 campsites, all standard with water and electricity.

We had reservations in the Lakeside Park, sites 17,18, and 19. We all had a nice lake view although the water was pretty low while we were there. 

We took a ride around our park to check things out.  There are a number of group sites with hookups for RVs as well as a building with A/C and picnic tables. Th.ey range from $90 to $260 per night and accomodate from 4 to 14 RVs in addition to the building

                             

There are also screen shelters with electric for tenters ranging from $26 to $30 per night. And shelters with windows and A/C for about $30 per night.

Although the lake was low, boat ramps still worked. There is also a kayak launching site but the water may have been too low for use right now.

Most of the sites, even those not right on the lakeshore actually had a lakeview. Sites with 30amp electric and water are $26/night while full hookup sites with 50amp are $30/night. Full hookup sites are not along the lake. 

The normal swimming area was pretty much out of the water but it was way too cold for swimming.

We also saw bluebonnets as well as other wildflowers.

I think this may have been the largest group shelter, even a fireplace.

We stopped as they were cleaning it and the cleaner let Carolyn look inside and take pictures.

This is the dam at the end of the lake. The Day Use area and other campground is across the dam.

 

2021-04-12 Holly Hop and the Depot District

As you will be able to tell in the photos, the weather has changed in Lubbock. The wind is up and the temps are definitely down. Sharon had to leave for New Mexico this morning but did not head out really early due to the winds. She was not traveling in her big Class A Hope that we are all familiar with (and she has no plans to get rid of Hope...safely stored in California) but in a new to her and her boyfriend Class C that is a pretty good size as well. It has a nice layout and they plan to use it to travel between their winter home in Deming and summer home in Ohio. She is still getting used to it and a few interior cosmetic changes are in the future. (As an added side note, she had problems with two low profile tires which had to be replaced about a hundred miles from home. It was a very long drawn out process (no, the tires were not old or deteriorated) and the boyfriend drove out to meet her and spend the night until things could be rectified.)

After the wind died down a bit, Sharon headed out and we decided to check out a popular old fashioned ice cream shoppe. The GPS routed us around a bit so we got to see some more of the city.

We were not the only ones at the shoppe but it was not crowded. They also had lunch choices but we had already decided on ice cream for lunch.

The decorations were very authentic and interesting.

You may have noticed through all these blog posts that Texas businesses are generally open but we are still masked up inside and practicing social distancing contrary to some comments I have seen on the Internet about our state.

A fun stop and the ice cream was great.

Next, we decided to tour the Depot District and look for all the murals that were supposedly there. we had a map of sorts from a tourist guide. It was very challenging to say the least. If we didn't have Carolyn the indefatiguable photographer, we probably would have thrown in the towel. 

We enjoyed the murals but streets were not where they were supposed to be or had been renamed. 

It became a game we weren't willing to lose.

One street had actually been turned into a parking lot which is why we couldn't find it until we caught a glimpse of the mural in the distance.

Hidden at the end of a parking lot.

Carolyn fixed us a great dinner in her Ninja Air Fryer.

Vegetables....

And pork steak.

As I said, the weather has turned chilly so we ate inside Carolyn's RV.

 

2021-04-11 Lubbock Lake Landmark

 Our next sightseeing expedition took us to Lubbock Lake........which is not a lake at all but a National Historic Landmark with historical and archeological exhibits.

We parked at the top of the hill and had a lot to see before we even went down the walkway to the builing.

The statues were so detailed and magnificent. Hard to believe that these mammoths were not the direct ancestors of modern elephants.

Yes, bison NOT buffalo!

There was a very long circular pathway leading from one dig site to another. Carolyn and Sharon started to check out part of it but it was very hot and very windy and not a lot to see so they came back pretty quickly.

We all headed inside to the museum displays which were a combination of paintings, poster displays, and actual scenes with models and costumes.

This was actually a lake in the distant past which attracted animals and hunters.

This is an amazing site but what is more amazing is that it was discovered by two teenage boys who turned in their find to authorities.

Paintings depicted early hunting life.

The Singer family opened a store in this area in 1881 far from all their neighbors.

After we viewed everything inside, we headed back outside and found several more statues.

Can you imagine an armadillo 3 feet tall, 6 feet long, and weighing 500 pounds?

And 12 foot tall bears?

Marlene had to head home on Sunday so I think I got the following photos on the wrong day but they still reflect what we did. Marlene fixed a fantastic dinner for all of us in her crockpot.

Sausage, green beans, and potatoes make a great combination. 

This was Marlene's first trip with her new to her truck camper. She had a great chance to learn all about her systems and test them out. She did online research to find out the sizes of her fresh, gray, and black tanks after we thought the numbers she originally had were too small. She was thrilled to find out they were much larger. When she left for home, she was even happier with her purchase than before she came. She still has her large 5th wheel......her escape apartment should she ever need it but the truck camper will work great as a getaway pod and allow her to enjoy her hobbies and decide to stay overnight whenever the mood strikes her.

Another great day with the sisters.