The One in Which We Researched

We left out for Sea Rim State Park Friday evening and made it into the park long after dark (yes, it's only 2 hrs from home, but ... traffic, Houston traffic).  I called the park office to make sure we had the gate code, but I should have asked a little about the drive in - we were following the GPS, and at one point we turned right directly into the Valero refinery.  No, we didn't make a wrong turn, yes, the public road goes under the pipes and beside all the equipment.  It made both RDB and I pause. Welcome to camping on the Gulf Coast of Texas.

Coming in after dark meant we had to ward off an insane amount of bugs - it reminded us of one of our very first coastal camping trips: The Battle of San Mosquito. Thankfully, I learned from that one and had Repel brand deet wipes easily accessible in the basement of our camper.  RBD and I wiped our arms and hats and pants legs down with those and were left mostly alone... 

Our camper on the right, the Gulf of Mexico on the left.

The lady at the front desk warned us that the closest gas station and grocery store would be 20 miles away, and she was right - this park is wonderfully secluded. It's also surprisingly small; only twelve camping sites (plus, for those brave enough, unlimited beach camping). We stocked up on a few staples, but still ended up driving into town Saturday and had lunch at the Neches River Wheelhouse before driving up to Village Creek State Park to get a video for our Park-n-Drive series. 

Both Sea Rim and Village Creek are smaller parks in the state park system.  Not sure that we'll be able to take the current 5th wheel over to Village Creek, though I could see myself coming back over and car camping there someday.

For this weekend, though, we were really enjoying hanging out and relaxing in the view of our site.  Just across the marshes on the horizon is the Gulf of Mexico and the sound of the waves all afternoon along with the breeze coming off the shore was enough to make you never want to leave!

Saturday night, relaxing, drinking a few beers, watching all the various bird life, I looked up from the book I was reading to see a flock of cranes flying overhead.  Pink cranes.  PINK?!  Wait, flamingoes!? 

Not my picture (I wasn't fast enough between having my head in a book and not having my phone in my hands), but I did a quick Google search of 'pink south Texas crane' and found that they were most likely Roseate Spoonbills.  Add that to the red-winged black birds that have been pecking around our site all day and this place has just become my favorite for sake of the birds!  I could stay here all week!

Until the rain comes, that is. 

Not a hurricane approaching (we wouldn't be that adventurous) but a thunderstorm bad enough, with winds strong enough (+30 mph gusts), that we were both a little nervous and researching at what speed winds will knock over a stationary camper.  (100mph, in case you're wondering).  We stayed in for the night and watched our favorite movie - seemed fitting, as he faced the fear of a windstorm, too - and eventually made our way to bed (after watching all the beach tent campers pack up and head out amidst the torrential downpour, bless them!). 

It was a rough night's sleep (#postHARVEYanxiety) but a beautiful day when we woke Sunday morning.

I fixed Bloody Marias (hubby says I'm a good bartender) as Rich continued conversations with a friend on Facebook (decent internet at this site, surprisingly).  After a crockpot soup lunch, we went for a walk on the beach.  Diesel, still not a huge fan of the water and waves, was at least willing to play a little bit and dig in the sand when we encouraged him.

I was impressed with number of intact shells on the beach - but then, with it being as far out in the sticks as it is, there's not really anyone beach combing early in the mornings.

All too soon, as it usually is, we were packing up to make the trip back home. We really liked this site - secluded, beachfront without the sand at your doorstep, and lots of bird to watch.  I sure hope we come back.

We were in site #12 at Sea Rim State Park, 50a and water, perhaps the BEST view of the Gulf and very close access to the walkway over to the beach. No camp host here, but the front gate is attended till 6:30pm and we were left completely to ourselves - no disruption from any other other campers that were in and out of the park this weekend. 

For more camping photos, go here.