Reflections on a Winter Camping Trip

Would we do it again?

That is always the question about any trip.

Winter camping? Yes. Having a flexible timetable is key because there could be situations where you need to make adjustments for winter driving conditions.

Texas in the winter? Yes. The weather can be unpredictable, but also very warm. According to the Canadians we met, Texas has the nicest weather with fewer people than some of the other warm states. We are looking forward to exploring the Big Bend National Park and someday camping on the beach down in the Gulf.

Pets on the trip? On this particular trip, we opted to take our dog. Doing this meant that we chose not to go to any national parks and that in some cases our hiking would be limited. Future forward, we'd probably leave the dog behind.

Biggest Surprises

Landscape: Hill Country in Texas. Just beautiful.

Daylight. We hadn't thought about daylight and it was dark between 5-6pm depending upon where we were. All of our camping has been in the summer and much of that in Idaho, Montana and Canada where the days are long and the nights are short. I think we got more rest on this trip that any trip we have ever been on as most nights we were in bed by 8:00 or 8:30pm.

Best Scenery: Yep, you guessed it. The drive from Ventura up the coast to Carpenteria, California. Having grown up in the area, you really don't know how beautiful it is until you leave and come back.

Favorite Camping: Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site. Wide open space, good hiking, and unexpected beauty.

Hwy 101 north of Ventura, CA: View of the Channel Islands, including Santa Cruz Island.

Enjoying the Oak View sunshine on our way back up to Oregon.

The last few days of our trip took us from Goodyear, Arizona to Eugene, Oregon.

Tip: There are so many people flocking to Arizona that camping reservations would be a good thing. However, Texas was a different story. Not making reservations provides flexibility and would be a plus.

Want to know more? You can read all about our 2018 South to Texas Winter Camping Adventure.

Anza-Borrego: Side Trip, Hike & Bathrooms

I have to say, the absolute highlight of my day was the surprise that I found in what I had erroneously assumed were pit toilets. We had taken a side trip over to Borrego Springs to check out the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Visitor Center and then headed up to the Palm Canyon trailhead, where we found these...

Pit Toilet?

Open Air

Yes, they flush!

After this amazing discovery, we headed up the canyon for a short hike on a perfect winter day.

Mountain Goats

Watching the Mountain Goats

Canyon

Palm Oasis

TIP: If you go, bring good shoes and plenty of water. Even on a winter day, the direct sun can get pretty hot.

Agua Caliente: Coyotes and the Full Moon

Oh how the coyotes did howl! We were here for three nights and had almost a complete full moon. So much so, that we certainly weren't going to let our dog out of the trailer alone...we've heard that coyotes will work as a team to lure other animals to their untimely demise. We loved this county park for the solitude, the hot springs (there were three different pools) and the people who were there (other people wanting solitude).

Campsite on the outer edge of camp.

Hotdogs

Moonlight Canyon Trail Loop

Exposed part of the loop.

Solstice sunrise. 12/21/18 @ Agua Caliente County Park / Anza-Borrego State Park in CA

County Park Tips

• If you go, note that there are hookups. Depending on what your needs are or how sensitive you are to sound, you may or may not want to be near them. There was a constant dull hum coming from the electrical boxes in some areas. 
• If you go during a potential 'busy' season (between Christmas/New Year's) you may want to get reservations. Or avoid those times. 
• Get gas before you leave Temecula. Enough said.

2018 South to Texas Winter Camping Adventure

The following posts outline our three week winter camping trip, including where we stayed, hikes we took, and other adventures along the way.

Happy trails!

• 2018 Winter Adventure: Heading South
• Agua Caliente: Coyotes and the Full Moon
• Anza-Borrego: Side Trip, Hike & Bathrooms
• Cadillac Camping @ Catalina State Park
• Hiking @ Catalina State Park
• On the Road Again: Catalina to Alpine, TX
• Alpine to Goliad: Wild Game and Fast Highways
• Christmas Eve @ Goliad State Park & Historic Site
• Christmas in Texas!
• Historic Goliad
• Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site
• Seminole to Deming: Let the Storms Begin
• Lost Dutchman State Park: Know Before You Go
• Lost Dutchman State Park: Hiking & Horses
• Reflections on a Winter Camping Trip