Traveling with the Longdogs

2022-05-19 Magnolia Ridge (COE) Park

We got one more hike in on Wednesday morning. We all started out together but then Carolyn and Sheryl went on to do a longer hike while Irene and I chose a shorter one since we have a few more challenges. Most of the trails were shady which was really nice since it was warm.

We found two more Corps of Engineer (COE) parks on the map so we decided we also wanted to check them out as the ones we have already seen were very nice.

There was a camphost on site actually there were several and they each had a covered site with full hookups.

Once again the sites were very nice with lots of shade trees and the parks were well kept up.

There were tenters and RVs but there were many open sites. People of the Houston area, you don't know what you are missing so close to you and so available.

There was a swampy area and more of a lake area within the park. Carolyn caught these two big turtles sunning.

A nice boat ramp and dock available......also fish cleaning station nearby.

A couple campers were taking advantage of the good roads for riding their trikes.

Nice big level back in sites with a few pull throughs available.

Picnic tables with covers available.

We also saw this park on the map.

It turned out to just be a nice day use park with a view of the dam.

Sheryl cooked on our last night.

She fixed Shrimp in Butter and Garlic sauce with noodles.

and a caesar salad.

We had another beautiful sunset to finish off the off the day.

When Harley and I got up the next morning, all the other ladies were already headed out on their return trip to Louisiana. They all live in different towns. Carolyn had to get back in time to go to a class reunion that night. Harley and I took our time as we were heading to Bastrop State Park next and couldn't check in until afternoon.

2022-05-19 Sandy Creek (COE) Park

On the way back to the state park, we took the opportunity to check out al Corps of Engineer (COE) Park....Sandy Creek Park. There were about 77 sites in a couple of different loops. It was really nice and nearly empty.

Lots of sites near the water available. There were some tent sites but lots of RV sites with water and electric...level with lots of pine trees for shade. A nice dump station and nice bathrooms. Onsite camp hosts.

Nice boat ramp with a dock next to it.

I fixed staghetti and meatballs for everyone and there some sides available as well. Mary has an induction burner and Carolyn has an electric stove to cook outside which makes it nice when you have a group with everyone contributing.

Mary had to leave earlier than planned so we had real meatballs although we were prepared to go with marinara sauce and vegetarian meatballs.

We all had such a relaxing time.

Once again dinner turned out great.

Harley was busy checking out the campsite. He is absolutely a great traveler and RV companion. Mary has Mia, Irene has Midnight (plus two cats which we never saw), and Sheryl has Josie. All of them are experienced RVing copilots.

2022-05-18 More Martin Dies Jr State Park and Jasper TX

Another day we drove around the park some more and saw wildlife. Carolyn took a photo of this when I stopped and said "look down, wildlife".........

while I was actually stopping the car and pointing this out right below her door.

A while later, we saw more deer in the campground. Unlike the state parks near San Antonio, both Livingston and Martin Dies State parks less than 2 hours from Houston were virtually empty during the weekdays!

Texas State Parks usually have shelters rather than cabins for rent although Martin Dies also had cabins for rent as well.

While the shelters do have electric, they are just screened in with slats on the most visible sides. Therre is a picnic table but no beds and no A/C although water is available nearby.

We visited one of the areas where there were both canoes and kayaks for rent.

And there were a couple of trailheads there as well.

We took the bridge out to the island.

Lots of very interesting cypress trees in this area although the campgrounds were mostly very tall pine.

This park had lots of signage to tell you about the area.

The Island trail beckoned at least for a short while.

Another bridge on the trail.

Several buses pulled from what we initially thought was a college but it turned out to be a group of high school students that were on a day trip.

We also made a run into Jasper TX, the closest town to the park as we needed a few grocery items.

We also planned to tour the museum but it was closed.

Carolyn didn't miss a chance to take photos of the courthouse across the street.

2022-05-18 Martin Dies Jr State Park, Texas

There are two separate areas at Martin Dies. Carolyn, Mary, Irene, and Sheryl followed their GPS directions to the Hen House area while I had set my GPS for the Walnut Ridge area which is where my reservation said we were. The two areas are separate by the highway. The actual check in area is on the Hen House side but nothing tells you that in advance.

It actually worked out well because I went directly to my site and got set up before they arrived.

I was out of the way so they could take turns pulling into the little loop we had to ourselves. While they had to each wait to unhook, I hopped in my car and drove over to the park store to check in.

We all have nice RVs but Sheryl has the most unique because hers is a retro look one which attracts a lot of attention.

Some kind person left us a load of firewood in Carolyn's site which we made our group get-together site. We never used the wood as it was quite warm so we passed it on to the next camper.