Back in the Swing of Things

It's been a whirlwind of a few weeks since we last camped! I've started a new job at work leading a team of Virtual Education Consultants who provide online workshops for our workplace clients; lots of incredible talent there, and LOTS of learning for me as a new people manager.  Texas froze over for a week - literally. We managed to come out with only the sprinkler system damaged, and didn't lose power; though I'm a bit worried about what the electric bill will look like once it comes in. 

Our camper was down at Ron Hoover for water leak repairs, and thankfully they took the time to winterize it (though they missed the inline water filter, which in turn froze and burst, but they took full ownership and repaired it before turning the camper back over for this trip.) I'm telling you, they're doing one hell of a good job at keeping our business! (Though we are getting a little tired of having to drag the camper down there after every trip, it seems.  But, that's just par for the course, I think, when it comes to owning a new camper.)

Yet - here we are! Back in the camper again, back to 75* days, and back to a nearby favorite: Lake Livingston State Park. We left out Friday evening after work and made it to the campground before sunset (yeah! longer days!).  We had booked side by side sites so that R(m)B(r) could join us, but they needed to stay home and tend to a few repairs themselves. 

Saturday we slept in, enjoyed a few Bloody Marys (the coffee pot, unfortunately, had broken. RIP Cuisinart), and cooked lunch in the camper.  It's so nice to be "off the clock" and "out of the office" even though I can check my email via an app on my phone (proud to say, at 2pm on Sunday, I still haven't checked my email!).  Camping is all about unplugging, and starting the weekend off with a few delicious drinks definitely helped set the tone.

RDB and I took a little trip over to Gookey's Old Town Emporium  - we've passed it every time we come to Lake Livingston, but this is the first time we went back to check them out. Cute little antique and odds-and-ends store, with a candy counter that would make you think you woke up in Willy Wonka's factory store. 

We enjoyed a few scoops of ice cream outside as an afternoon treat before heading over the the Wal-Mart to restock a few items (and buy a new coffee pot).

I spent the better part of the afternoon out in the hammock, reading.  (Besides not checking email, that was the one objective I had for this weekend!) Diesel cracked me up - he had 25' of lead to wander throughout our campsite, but he wanted to be right up against me the vast majority of the time.  Goofball.

We topped off the night watching our favorite movie ($10 if you can remember which one that is) before calling it a night.

Sunday morning, we hung out in the camper - enjoying the new coffee pot, fixing a late breakfast/brunch, and eventually made our way over to the Polk County Courthouse.  Interesting fact: this structure is the 5th county courthouse for Polk County... makes you wonder what the heck is going on around there!

We grabbed a quick geocache there by the courthouse, too. Nothing fancy; nothing left behind.  Jumped back in the truck and drove back over to the campsite to start packing up to go home.

It was a good, relaxing weekend - as I sit here on the couch back at home.  Tali is purring on RDB's lap beside me, Diesel is snoring on his bed at our feet. We all have full bellies from dinner and I can truly say: I am a happy camper. (Oh, and the replacement coffee pot? Works just fine!)

We were in site #98 at Lake Livingston State Park.  It's in the new Pin Oak area - nicely level, big concrete pads, clean bathhouse within maybe 100'.  We'd definitely stay here again, even though the internet was weak (to say the least: we couldn't even get local channels on the TV!) 

We've been here several times before: Birthday, Bentely, and Bliss,  A Thousand Reasons Not To, and A Relaxing Weekend at the Lake.

For more camping pics, go here. 

"Don't you threaten me with a good time." ;-)

RDB's birthday weekend and it's Labor Day with a Monday off, so I took Friday as vacation and we headed out to Lake Somerville State Park, Nails Creek Unit to make a long weekend of it.  Being in finance has it's benefits -market holidays- and having friends in finance is awesome, too. Those same holidays meant that R(m)B(r) could join us!  (Notice the added (r)? They had an addition to the family since the last time we were all camping!) Just us adults for this trip though, as R kept saying: "Don't you threaten me with a good time!"

Nails Creek is set up to be an equestrian park, but with the flooding that took place back in 2015 they've shut down access for horses.  The pens are still a part of the sites though, and though we didn't use them didn't mean they weren't getting used....

That little guy had zero fear of RDB and I (Diesel was napping in the camper, so, thankfully, they didn't have any interaction.) 

Dinner the first night was "whatever you can find" since we got out of town before we had a chance to get any grocery shopping done.  Thanks to the ingenuity of a previous Facebook post by my friend CS up in New York, we made Pop-Tart PB&Js.  That's roughin' it, I know.

RDB and I have both been getting over a bit of a summer cold this week, so we really didn't have much by way of activities planned for the weekend.  Lots of hanging around the campsite, some studying for me, and enjoying what were perhaps the most beautiful sunsets we've had the chance to enjoy while out in nature.  It's been great to have the Kawasaki so that we can zip over to the better viewing points to enjoy those huge Texas skies.

R(m)B(r) were on their way over Friday night after dropping the kids off with family.  RDB and I were able to get out and get the shopping we needed done.  Unfortunately, along the way to the HEB in Brenham we managed to pick up a rock chip.... well, more like a boulder-chunk - it was larger than RBD's credit card!

It was SO NEAT to see R(m)B(r) show up with the pop-up we used to camp in!  I love that we're in the new toy hauler (and that set up is sooo much easier) but we had lots of really great memories in that pop-up!  They even taught us a new trick on the way to put out the awning that we had never figured out.  We spent a few hours playing Mexican train dominoes in the camper before we called it a night. 

Saturday afternoon we jumped in the truck and took a drive over to Round Top for a birthday treat at Royer's Pie Haven (we would have gone back to Blue Bell, but unfortunately, they're not open on the weekends.  Bummer!)  

It was a great choice though, since it was right back to the same little old-timey town square that R(m)B(r) had visited on their last no-kids vacation.  The pies, by the way - were OUTSTANDING!

So outstanding, that you could just drink it up with a straw.... well, at least R thought so! 

"Don't you threaten me with a good time!"

We spent a little while walking around and enjoying the cute shops (some with waaaay overpriced but pretty pieces) and each picked up a bottle of delicious bloody Mary mix to enjoy back at the camper.  The trip to find a liquor store was a bit of a misadventure, but when you're with friends, it's fun regardless!

Saturday night we fired up the grills - RDB and I had a HUGE steak to cook, and R(m)B(r) had a beautiful piece of salmon in a marinade so tasty that  I should have written down the recipe!  It was dark-thirty by the time the grilling was done.  Darkness doesn't change taste, though - and that was a really enjoyable meal!

Sunday morning I had my nose so deep in the books that I hadn't realized it had been raining.  R(m)B(r) shot us a text saying they were packing up with the short break in the radar and heading on home (a day early).  I couldn't blame them - there was a storm approaching in the Gulf and it's just so much easier to pack up the pop-up when you're not in the middle of a downpour.  So, we followed suite and packed up ourselves.

There are so many things that can keep you from camping - I need to study, we don't feel well, there's a storm coming, it might rain, we damaged our truck - but if you keep wasting time thinking about and focusing on all the things that could go wrong you miss out on all the amazing things that can go right - hanging out with dear friends, lots of laughter, traveling to cute little places, great food, and GLORIOUS sunsets.....

We camped at Lake Somerville State Park, Nails Creek Unit, sites #36 (us) and #34 (R(m)B(r)).  Nice, large - both had pens for horses which increased the distance between each site, and we were at the head of the trail that led to the bathhouse.  The above sunset pictures were from the boat ramp, which was the best spot to watch the sky turn such brilliant shades of pink and purple and blue.  Just be aware of slithery 'friends' up that way since it's close to the water. 

For just a few more camping photos, go here. 

Camping Cache - Blanco, TX

In honor of R(m)B's first cache, we dropped off a trackable!

RDB and I have really enjoyed out Caching adventures, and had the chance to introduce R(m)B to the sport during our trip to Blanco State Park.  There are a number of them, all within walking distance, inside the park - and it was a blast to get to find them this time with friends!

 Found:

TxGCC13 Blanco

Spring Break 14

Birds & Bath

Cool Cache Ever!! "Birds & Bath" It was a log in a log behind a log!

Quaint and Quaff

The weekend at Blanco State Park was both quaint and quaffed!

quaint

: having an old-fashioned or unusual quality or appearance that is usually attractive or          appealing

quaff

: to drink a large amount of (something) quickly

We were excited to join R(m)B at the park Friday night since it was the first time we'd get to go camping with them since they bought our pop-up this past Spring. But, had I known that RDB and I wouldn't get out of Houston before 6pm on Friday I might have picked a campground that was closer than 40 miles west of Austin. It was a haul - yet the sunset made it oh-so worth it!

We got up Saturday morning slow and lazy. R(m)B were doing pretty much the same.  After a pot's worth of fresh coffee we decided to let someone else do the cooking and went into town to have breakfast at the Chess Club Cafe.  It's just 1.3 miles south of the park entrance, between the Sonic and the Dollar General, in an old remodeled home - it's the picture perfect definition of quaint.  We were all SO GLAD we went, as the reviews on Yelp didn't do it nearly enough justice!

Breakfast Tacos and Blueberry Belgium Waffles

Yes, that is a two-inch-tall Mason jar full of warm maple syrup.  And, yes, I nearly stole it, the thing was so cute! But that wasn't the only reason why we went back for breakfast on Sunday, too.  I mean, the food, all the food was just amazing!  If  When you go, you have to get something that has a slice of the homemade bread - RDB and I shared French toast Sunday morning, and it was amazing! I know I keep using that word: Amazing, but it truly was - some of the best tastes and least expensive home-cooked meals we've had in a long time (our bill both days was right at $20 and RDB and I had 3 entrees and a glass of OJ). Max, our waiter, even remembered our drink orders on Sunday - he did an incredible job and was just the powdered sugar on the pancakes!!  It was worth the drive to Blanco just to have our breakfasts here!

The Chess Club Cafe has been in Blanco for 4 years, and the sign out front says it all: "Don't be a pawn, eat like a King." 

To bide the time between trips to the Chess Club Cafe, we enjoyed a fair amount of what Blanco State Park had to offer - the water, the trees, and some really great friendship.

R(m)B arrived at the park before we did, and saved us a spot next to them.  Thankfully, even with all the rain South Texas has gotten this week, it wasn't too muddy this weekend.  Blanco SP has really sturdy covers on each site over the picnic tables - and we loved the shade and the protection from the sprinkles that popped up Saturday afternoon.

The nice thing about the rain is that is gave us all a chance to nap as well as cooling everything off without making it too muggy.  I had a chance to enjoy the hammock in a not-so-traditional way.... who says you have to have two perfectly-spaced trees to make it work? (Thanks for the photo, RDB - glad you couldn't hear me snoring from way back there!)

Later Saturday afternoon, RDB and I went for a walk, crossing over the damn built by the Civilian Conservation Corps back in 1933-34.  We both pondered how much of an impact it would have had on the local town to have had this project created for them.  We were thankful for the opportunity to still enjoy the stone damn and waterfalls today, nearly 80 years later.

The evening brought about cooler temps and an improvised beer garden.  R can't lay claim to being a Beer Cicerone, but he sure does have a love of craft beer and enjoys introducing others to the flavors and fun of various styles of beer.  He brought everything we needed to enjoy a beer tasting and helped to get us started on our journey beyond BMC. He even had an app that walked thru explanations of each of the beers we were trying and provided us with tasting notes about what we were experiencing. Out of the nine beers we tasted in our flight, RDB enjoyed Buffalo Bayou's Summer's Wit - a light, citrusy Belgium Witbier that would be perfect for a hot summer's night, and I really fell in love with Oskar Blue's Ten Fiddy - a darker stout beer which had a strong coffee aftertaste and 10.6% alcohol in just one can!  It was great fun to share in R's passion about beers. 

Sunday morning, more slow waking, more coffee, more Chess Club Cafe.  (I'm telling you, no lie, I'd go back again tomorrow before work if it weren't four and a half hours away).  We had told (m) about our ventures into Geocaching, and she asked several times throughout the weekend if we could go "treasure hunting."  As usual, RDB and I liked to save that event for Sunday morning before we pack up to leave, and we loved being able to introduce R(m)B to the adventure this weekend.  You can read more about it in this post.

We really had so much fun this weekend.  Great campground, great food, great friends, great beers - we were quaffing it as quickly as we could, since we had only a short weekend to drink it all in.  That being said, we're already looking forward to our net trip with R(m)B in October to Lockhart SP.  

Hmmm, October..... Oktoberfest? 

Proof that (m) was looking both ways before she ran across the street! 

We were in sites 4 and 5 at Blanco State park. Both were very level, beautifully shaded, and had concrete pads and shade covers for the picnic tables.  This was the first campground I've heard of that had codes for the bath house showers - perhaps because we were right on the edge of the city of Blanco (four blocks from the county Courthouse) they were necessary.  We're thinking we may come back for a long weekend (like Thanksgiving).  You know me - I always say that!

For more camping photos, go here. 

Camp-o de Mayo

Kites, Kids, Critters in the Country, with Candy while Camping!  Happy Cinco De Mayo! (say that three times fast after a few margaritas!)  We were invited out to Two Tank Ranch in Huntsville this weekend - it's R(m)B's family property - with The 5J's.  Six adults, four kids and four dogs on 80 acres, with two pop-ups, a cabin, and a few ponds.  It was a lot of fun!

This was such a treat - to get to hang out at family property, where the dogs and kids could all run free, make as much noise as they want, and we could really spread out with out having to worry about interfering with someone else's camping experience (or check out by non on Sunday!).  Having the cabin was also awesome - as we didn't have to depend entirely on camp stoves and firewood - ok, propane - to do all the cooking. Aaaand, it gave us a retreat inside without bumping elbows. 

But the weather was so wonderful (a little chilly at night) but such a treat for the weekend days.

 

We flew kites...

 Did some fishing...



He might be old and deaf,
but he's sure not dumb!

 

Enjoyed a Pinanta Pinyatah Piñata ...

 

Took a Siesta.....

Did some exploring.... scared a few cows....

And all in all, we had the absolute best weekend.  It's always been fun camping with this crew, but this weekend by far, took the cake! We can't wait to come out to Two Tank Ranch again!!

 

The 5 J's

 

R(m)B

 

 

 

RDB & Me

 

For (just a few more) camping photos, go here.