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.

Lost Dutchman State Park: Hiking & Horses

Here we were...the last day of the year. Rain was to come in and we had decided to bag our last night of camping. So we got the tent taken down and headed out for our last hike of the year.

Yesterday we had blue skies. Today it was chilly. Especially after I had to abandon my warm camp coat...

Capturing our photo for a virtual geocache!

We had just passed some horses on the trail. Of course that meant that I had to carefully walk around the fresh horse manure...but the trail was steep and rocky. Anyhow, I lost my footing and took a spill. Fortunately, my hand did not get cut on the rocks, thanks to the very warm, moist and soft manure that my hand was resting in... 💩

Loved how you can see the various pottery styles by region.

Headed for the Pueblo Grande Museum in Phoenix, which was a perfect stop for a rainy afternoon. Had a hard time finding a place to stay that would allow dogs; ended up in Goodyear, Arizona where we had an early New Year's Eve and in-room pizza delivery—Rosati's Chicago style!

Tip: Finding a pet-friendly hotel in the Phoenix area was a chore. We didn't want to pay a $50 fee...ended up at the Hampton Inn in Goodyear. Nice and quiet; had a laundry room (only $1/load). The only thing that was a little odd about this hotel was that there was an "Antiquities Museum" which was a room devoted solely to the Bible. There were various historical documents that were for sale.

Lost Dutchman State Park: Know Before You Go

Our camping trip was coming to a close...we were scheduled to stay at the Lost Dutchman State Park in Apache Junction, Arizona for two nights before heading northward to stay with friends and family on our way home.

We pulled into our site only to find the most dreaded sound possible: A VERY OLD GENERATOR. Sigh. T graciously asked the "neighbors" to abide by camp rules (limited generator hours), and they did. But now we had a decision to make. Stay here two nights as planned knowing that we were upwind from a very old and smelly generator in the rain or stick it out for a night and then head out. We opted for the best of all worlds: Stay a night, get in the hiking we wanted each day and then head out.

Trekking and Geocaching

We made the best of the generator situation by having dinner out during the evening generator window from 5-7pm. Whoop! No dishes tonight! Burgers are scrumptious at Dirtwater Springs in Apache Junction.

Wild Boar or Javalina?

TIP: If you want to avoid the generator situation, give the park a call to find out the best camping area. There are many, many campsites and they will most likely have some great advice.

Seminole to Deming: Let the Storms Begin

Greetings from Deming, NM where we are lounging at the Holiday Inn Express, doing our laundry and eating hot soup.

We had been planning to stay at on Airbnb in Las Cruces on December 29th, however we received a message from our host regarding the snow storm and her concerns that we wouldn't be able to make it up the mountain road to her place (it's not plowed). After much discussion, we decided to instead find a hotel in Deming, NM.

Watching the weather reports, we were a little concerned, but figured that if we timed it right, we would be ok. Our 485 mile driving adventure started off following a storm (freezing rain, some snow) that left at least four sets of cars dented up on the side of the road. Temps got as low as 27 and as high as 40. That doesn't include wind chill. Brrr. We had perfect, if not cold, driving conditions.

Frozen Trailer
Lows for the day ranged from 27-the mid 30s.

One Happy Dog

TIP: The Holiday Inn Express in Deming, NM is one dog-friendly place and there is no pet fee. 

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!