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.

Hiking @ Catalina State Park

Nothing like jumpstarting a day of hiking with a good breakfast! One of my favorite things to do while camping is to make a great breakfast. This morning, we had French toast with cream cheese and lemon curd.

Someone looks happy!

After luring her up with an early morning breakfast, we headed for the Romero Ruins Interpretive Trail and grabbed a few Geocaches along the way.

Early morning hike to the Romero Ruins Interpretive Trail.

Aha! An ammo can cache.

Better read up on the park trivia to get to this cache.

Arduino inside!

Once back from the hike, we headed up to the Canyon Loop Trail, but found everyone else was headed there as well - and I mean hoards of people and hoards of dogs. So instead, we took the Romero Canyon Trail and headed up to the very small pools. We saw a total of seven people and one dog over the next few hours.

Big, huh?

Napping on the trail.

TIP: If you take your dog on the trails, use a short leash. There are many opportunities for your pet to step on cacti.

Cadillac Camping @ Catalina State Park

At one time, this state park must have been outside of town...but not now. Tucson has made its way up to the boundary of the park, which has some pros and cons. Mostly, though, the park is a all on the plus side.

I called this experience Cadillac Camping because everyone had their fancy rigs, all decked out for the holidays, on nice asphalt slabs with complete hook ups. For us, it meant no dust or sand in our little popup and running water on demand.

Warm afternoon with great views.

Holiday Lights

Candelaria on the 2018 Winter Solstice

TIP: If you go, make reservations. This is a popular place to stay!

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.

Heading South

With our new and improved schedule, we decided what better thing to do than to take a winter camping trip. So we hitched up the trailer, packed up our gear and headed south!

After two long days of driving, interspersed with stays with friends and family, we were off to our first spot, Agua Caliente County Park located within the Anza-Borrego State Park.

Knowing that it would be a long drive and that we'd want to stretch our legs, I had looked for interesting things to see along the way. And here we are, checking out the sculptures at Ricardo Breceda's outdoor gallery. Completely fascinating. If you are heading out Highway 79, be sure to stop and check it out (NOTE: it is RIGHT on the highway, you do not need to take a dirt road to get there!).

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