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.

Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site

It's funny how in the west parks are way off the beaten path, but in Texas, you are within view of the highway. We pulled off I90 and were pleasantly surprised by this gem of a park, Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site.

The next day, we had to divide and conquer when it came to the Fate Bell Shelter Tour...no dogs allowed. After a fortifying breakfast, I took the first tour, came back and then we took about a five mile hike before T took the second tour.

Hearty Breakfast: Eggs, Bacon, Hashbrowns and Pancakes.

Sculpture was about 15' tall and in the Pecos style.

Fate Bell Shelter from above.

Fate Bell Shelter from Below
Rain water basin.

Ranger Talk about the Pecos-style pictographs, which are only found in a small area of Texas within about 50 miles of the Pecos River.

After the tour, we took a hike along the Canyon Rim Trail and then cut over to the Rio Grande Trail.

Canyon Rim Trail Hike

Surprised by the view - water in Seminole Canyon!

Heading back on the Rio Grande Trail.

Saw two of these intriguing footprints during our 5 mile hike. Hmmm...

TIP: If you go, make a reservation and be sure to specific what you want in your campsite. They assign you to a spot based on your needs. We had spot #28, which looked away from the rest of the campers. Water was across the street.

Historic Goliad

Greetings from my new fav place to eat, the Empressario in historic Goliad. Belated Christmas meal of amazing pulled pork smothered in in homemade salsa verde and topped with melted cheese over fries.

T loved her burger!

Spent the day taking in the historic sites, doing a little geocaching, and getting Shasta to a groomer...a dog on a road trip that needs a bath is not a good travel companion. She returned beautiful and adorned with a Christmas bow.

Weather: warm rain with thunderstorms predicted tonight!

Mission Espiritu Santo

Presidio La Bahía

Chapel @ the Presidio

Candle for Dad 

Caching @ Peck Cemetery
(One of many Texas cemetery caches.)

Christmas in Texas!

Greetings from Mustang Island State Park and Padre Island National Seashore!

After a quick hike around the park, we took a side trip to the Gulf Coast today. High around 75 degrees. We weren't expecting to drive over 200 miles, but that's what happened. Had a great time exploring the coast.

French toast with cream cheese and lemon curd.

Port Aransas Ferry (free)

Christmas @ the Beach

Next time we camp on the beach!

Government Shut Down = Dog on the Trail
(We picked up the poop!)

TIP: If you head down to Port Aransas, be sure to pick up a beach pass. Park on the beach and even camp for free! Just make sure that it isn't hurricane season!

Christmas Eve @ Goliad State Park & Historic Site

Greetings from Goliad, Texas. Pulled into the park around 4:25pm. Set up camp, had dinner and enjoyed a balmy evening. We were at one of several small campgrounds in the park. Tonight, three other campsites were occupied, two of which were from Ontario, Canada.

Part of the reason for coming down to Goliad was to see the mission's light display. So after dinner, we set up our own candelaria and then headed to the mission to check out the lights.

Today, the weather hit high of about 73 degrees; tonight's low is predicted to be 60 degrees. And this is why we are here!

Alpine to Goliad: Wild Game and Fast Highways

The one thing about winter camping: you don't have a lot of daylight...We were up early from our Airbnb, packing the car in the dark. As darkness turned to dawn, we were ready to hit the road. We had planned to stay on I-90 much of the way as it is a much more scenic route than Interstate 10. However, as we drove east, the sun was blinding and with all of the game that we saw along the road, we decided that it might be safer to head up to Interstate 10 earlier than planned. Arrived at Goliad State Park and Historic Site around 4:25pm.

Greetings from Ft Stockton, TX where everything is big...even the custom made roadrunner outfit.
Around 9am on 12/24/18; 40 something degrees.

On the Road Again: Catalina to Alpine, TX

Greetings from Alpine, TX. Rolled in about 5:15pm on 12/23.

Winter camping in cold climates was something we wanted to avoid. So, stopping in New Mexico was not on our list this trip. Instead, we opted for an incredibly long day, driving from Catalina State Park in Arizona to Alpine, Texas where we stayed in an Airbnb for a warm night.

The Texas Way: FAST

Local Park for a Walk with the Dog
Alpine, Texas @ 6:04pm, high 50s

Much of our drive was non-descript. But there were two standouts: the freeways and overpasses of El Paso and the beautiful hill country we encountered just as we entered the Alpine area. On our next trip, we will take some time to explore Alpine and the beautiful murals around downtown.

Next up: Goliad, TX. Looking for mid 70s with a chance of a thunderstorm on Wednesday. 

TIPS: If you are driving with a trailer, try to plan your drive through El Paso on a weekend or other low traffic time. There are many, many on ramps and people are in a hurry. Find your lane and stay your course. If you are headed east, there is a rest area just after you leave the urban area.

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