A Crossover: Cars and Courthouses

Hi, y'all.

I gotta be honest, it's hard to pick back up and write on the blog because camping and Diesel were so intertwined...  I'm grateful that we have these blog pages because it's a living memorial of our camping campion; we started camping the same month he was born, he joined us just a short 2 months later, and he camped with us all the way up till Memorial Day this year.  I know the next time we camp, and every time we camp from here here on out, it will be, well... different.  To say "we miss our Diesel" is probably the understatement of the decade for us right now.

So, a slight shift from the normal camping topic - a crossover "episode," if you will.  And perhaps a new addition/distraction going forward, seeing that the blog _is_ about being "on wheels" after all.

My I introduce our newest adventure: our 2021 Mazda MX5 RF.  We bought it earlier this summer and  named her JOY. 

We've been ENJOYN this convertible over the summer months, and have already gone on a cross country 11-day trip to Denver, Colorado (the above picture was on the drive up to Pike's Peak); the past two weekends after Diesel's death, we've found ourselves jumping in the car and running away from an empty, quiet house.

This weekend was WAY too wet, even though we typically start our camping season back up on Labor Day, so we made a last minute decision to take the Miata out, and thanks to a post from the Lone Star Miata Club, we had a mission: The TX Miata Courthouse Challenge that's proceeding the 2022 Texas Miata Roundup that we're going to in October (we've got reservations to camp that weekend and are working the registration table, so we're pretty excited about meeting new friends in the Miata club.)

Y'all already know I have a thing for courthouses, so this one was a no brainer!

We're planning to get the 10 stops needed for the challenge over two different trips: this weekend, we're getting the western and southern stops, and since we already had a trip to Dallas planned to visit family and we'll get the northern ones that weekend. 

These will likely just be picture posts but I'll tag back to any camping trips where we've visited the courthouses, too, since we're not spending a ton of time exploring, just trying to get all 10 stops before the deadline of October 1st.

So, thanks for sticking with me as I shift gears (see what I did there?).

xoxo, SJB

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Stop #1: Coryell County Courthouse - Gatesville

Stop #2: Caldwell County Courthouse - Lockhart

We stayed at Lockhart State Park a few times, and visited the courthouse in Really Good Barbeque, Really Bad Gas, and a Game of "I Spy!"

Stop #3: Bexar County Courthouse - San Antonio

We've camped around San Antonio a few times, but surprisingly, haven't 'snagged' the Bexar Co Courthouse till now.  Nearby Palmetto State Park will put you one giant pecan away from Guadalupe Co Courthouse, if you're feeling a little nutty.

Stop #4: Fayette County Courthouse - La Grange

We've stayed in La Grange waaay back in the pop-up days: Rain, Rain at La Grange, but didn't get a chance to visit the courthouse.

Stop #5: Victoria County Courthouse - Victoria

We've camped near Victoria at Goliad State Park a few times over the past decade with a memorable Christmas trip to the fully decorated courthouse just last year. 

Stop #6: Wharton County Courthouse - Wharton

More than 700 miles in three days to catch six of the ten courthouses we need for the challenge.  This was a good weekend!

Old Favorites

 Somewhere in the past serval months the remnants of the All Campers Welcome Club mentioned a trip to Stephen F Austin State Park this weekend; so, I booked us a site for several nights, and then didn't think much of it.  I tried to keep my work calendar light on Friday so that maybe, maybe we could get out to that side of town before traffic, but it never seems to work that way (add to that the insane amount of continuing education I need to complete by March and I'm one busy boss lady. By the time I was done with work, RDB and I decided to have an early dinner at Torchy's and then drive the hour out to the park afterwards.

Yep. Continuing Ed.  Making sense of things beyond insurance licensing.

I put a roll-call post on Facebook to the friends who were in the ACWC and got a ping from JSP  - she and DP were int he park, along with Mr Airstream, both just a few sites down from us.  We set up camp and then walked over to spend some time chatting with our dear friends; neither of us were sure how we knew that the other was going to be in the park this weekend, but were so glad that we could hang out and catch up.  A few other former members of the club were coming in for lunch on Saturday, so we made a point to drop by again and hang out.

We slept in Saturday morning, all snuggly and warm.  It was a beautiful day Friday, but the weather turned cold pretty quickly overnight.  Needless to say Diesel is still one of the most spoiled dogs we know - sleeping on a heated dog bed, with his fancy fleece lined jacket, and then getting to curl up on the bed with us every morning (and to be honest? That morning snuggle buys us an extra hour or tow before having to take him out for a walk, so it's worth it for us, too.)

Saturday morning, we went into town and had a late breakfast at Tony's Restaurant. We'd been before, on a camping trip to SFA as well, but I realized that I hadn't written them a review.  Definitely worth coming back and having it again!

Right outside the park, is the San Felipe De Austin State Historical Site. It wasn't complete the last time we were here, so we made it a point to drop in this weekend and I'm so glad we did! It was a windy and cold afternoon, so we practically had the entire museum (both inside and out) to ourselves.

It's interactive and excellently done and absolutely worth the $10 admission (there's a discount if you have a State Park Pass).  Not only does it walk thru the history of the town of San Felipe, but they've also taken time to find several historical families in the local area and trace them back to the time period of Texas' Independence. 

I was drawn to the printing press and loved that you were actually encouraged to touch the plates there in the display. As I tap-tap-tap away on my laptop (while watching Super Bowl XXVI) I can't help but think how blessed I am as an author to be able to enjoy the technology of today, and not have to place every single letter of every single word into a plate and press that onto individual pages.  Oh, and that when I mistype, I can simply hit the backspace and the error goes away, versus having to start all over again.  (Not to mention how much I appreciate the red squiggly line of spell check!)

Another impress advancement in technology was the large electronic touch-sensitive mural.  We rounded the corner and at first, it just looked like a back-lit panel, but as you stood there for a moment, you'd notice small movements: the swishing of an animal's tail, flames licking the hog on a spit, the rippling of waves in the water.  But it wasn't just these small movements that made this mural so interesting.... each of those white circles throughout were 'touchable' - giving you the ability to bring up even more visual artifacts and pictures.

It. Was. SO. COOL!  This museum had some many different ways to engage with the history of the very land we were standing upon. After the Battle of the Alamo, and the massacre at Goliad, the Mexican army was relentlessly pursuing the newly independent Texan army eastward, the citizens of San Felipe knew that their town was in sites of the advancing army.

"The enemy has demanded a surrender...
I have answered the demand with a cannon shot."

Pulling into the parking lot of the historical site, RDB and I just had a conversation about how rugged and strong the settlers would have had to have been to come to 'wilds' of Texas and now here they were, running for their lives in front of an advancing army and having to make the impossibly difficult decision of burning their homes and shops to keep the raw materials out of the hands of the enemy. 

There was another section outside - a reenactment village with printshop and blacksmith, school, and other buildings - but with the cold and wind, RDB and I opted out of that part of the exhibit and went back over the park.  JSP and our friends had gathered together, and J/D came in for lunch as well. It was really great to get to chat with them all.

The evening continued to get more windy, and more cold, so we all went our separate ways. Diesel was glad for us to be back at the camper.

One pic from my lap....

...and another from RDB's....

...and one when he finally settled down to sleep.  Again.

Sunday morning JSP and DP came over to check out our new digs.  We talked for a while as they loved on Diesel (who can resist, right?) and then we packed up to head home.  It was a great, albeit short, trip and we're already anxiously excited about the next time we bring the camper out .... as we're taking the "castle" to the Magic Kingdom for my 40th birthday!

We were in site #3 at Stephen F Austin State Park: very level both side to side and front to back, with 30a and full hook-ups.  This park is exceptionally particular about their check-in rules: no one, and I mean, no one, is allowed to check in before 2pm.  I received two emails (one at time of booking, and another the week we were to arrive) along with a phone call the day of our first reservation, giving specific instructions about not arriving early unless we anted to wait at the headquarters until check-in.  sure enough, as RDB and I were leaving the park just a few minutes after 2pm, we had to pass several campers on their way in.  So, we'd highly recommend, if you're leaving out in the afternoon - be sure to leave before everyone else is making their way in at 2pm or wait till 2:30 so everyone else can get settled - the park roads are not really trimmed well enough for two campers to pass without someone brushing the tree limbs. 

We've stayed here several times before: Numerous Naps, The Greatest Gifts, Halloween Weekend and the Bridge is Out

For (not many more) camping photos, go here.

For a video drive thru of the park, go here.

2021 Camping Trips

NEW YEAR'S TRIP (#CrossCountryChristmas):

• December 31st - January 2nd: Falls Lake Recreation Area, Durham, NC - Rolling Hills (30a/W) Site A025 (New Year’s) NC Fam
• January 2nd - 4th: Dreher Lake, near Columbia, SC - Islanders Camp Circle (30a/W) Site #61
• January 4th - 6th: Lake Pines RV park, near Columbus, GA - (F)
• January 6th - 8th: Meaher State Park, near Mobile, AL - Improved Campground (F) Site #21
• January 8th: Lake Fausse Point State Park, near Lafayette, LA - (F) Site C1009

February 26th - 28th: Lake Livingston State Park, Pin Oak Site #98 (F) 

March 19th - 21st: Huntsville State Park, Raven Hill Site #7 (F)

EASTER TRIP (#ShortHopNorth):

• April 3rd - 5th: Dallas/Arlington KOA, TX (F) with DFW Fam (Easter)
• April 5th -8th: Lake Murray State Park, Oklahoma, Elephant Rock ER055 (50a/W) 
• April 8th-11th: Hords Creek Lake, Lakeside Loop T007 (50a/W) with D&V

April 16th - 18th: Caddo Lake, Woodpecker Hollow Site #19 (F) with Sis & TJ, Dad & Bunny

May 13th: Leander KOA, TX (F)

May 14th - 17th: Abilene State Park - Brushy Trail Site #59 (50a/W) with D&V

September 3rd - 6th: Lake Livingston State Park, Pin Oak Site #99 (F) (Labor Day)

September 17th: San Antonio/Alamo KOA Holiday (F)

September 18th - 20th: South Llano River State Park, Electric Area Site #10 (30a/W)

October 15th - 17th: Brazos Bend State Park, Burr Oak Loop Site #110 (50a/w) 

October 22nd - 24th: Sea Rim State Park, Piping Plover Site #12 (50a/W)

THANKSGIVING TRIP: (#TurkeyTrip21)

• November 24th - 28th: Possum Kingdom SP, Spanish Oaks, Site 10 with Big Bro D&A (Thanksgiving)
• November 28th: Copper Breaks State Park, Comanche Camp Area, Site #11 (50a/W)
• November 29th: Caprock Canyons State Park and Trailway, Honey Flat Camping Loop, Site #17 (30a/W)
• November 30 - December 2nd: Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Juniper Loop, Site #105 (50a/W)
• December 2nd: Abilene KOA Journey (F)
• December 3rd - 5th: Cedar Hill State Park, Site #112 (F) with Mom & G, DFW Fam, Sis & TJ, Big Bro D&A

December 17th - 20th: Texas State Railroad, Site #12 (F) with KD & The Vowels (The Polar Express)

December 23rd - 26th: Goliad State Park,  Karankawa Site #9 (F) (Christmas)

December 30th - Jan 2nd: Purtis Creek State Park, North Camping Area Site #10 (30a/W) (New Year's)

Park n' Drive: Goliad Sate Park

 Know before you go - a park drive thru video.

Goliad State Park

We were in the Karankawa loop, Site #9, Full hooks up.

We've been here twice before:

Going for Gold at Goliad 

The Weary World Rejoices

The Weary World Rejoices

We made it in to Goliad State Park just as the last rays of dusk slipped below the horizon in the west on Thursday night.  The cute little park would be our home for the Christmas weekend - with several other campers already in place, decorated with lights and projections to ward off the dark night ahead.  I was tempted to say "dark and cold night ahead" but let's be real here - its south Texas in December and were currently experiencing the warmest Christmas week on record.

84* for Christmas y'all.  Ugh.  Forget passing out hot chocolate after your candle-light caroling, you're going to want fudge popsicles. 

Christmas Eve morning we all snuggled in bed for a while - and by "we all" I mean "all."  If you didn't know already that Diesel is the most spoiled pooch on the planet, then you obviously haven't been reading my blog.  In fact, he's just about as old as the blog is - turning 10 in February; it's hit us hard lately to realize he's in his golden years now.  We sure love this puppy. 

I mean, how can you not love that sweet face?  We left our little critter at the camper and made our way over to the Texas Zoo in Victoria for the afternoon.  It was a small zoo, with an appropriately small entrance fee, and we enjoyed wandering around the different enclosures.  We must have timed it just right, though, because it sure felt like it was nap time that the local zoo, what with all the animals snoozing around us. 

I mean, even the peacock jumped off of his perch and walked over to the rest of the flock, who were resting in the shade.

There were a few creatures that were awake and roaming - the fox and raccoons, and the jaguars. 

The ring tail lemur inside the main building kinda looked at me like: what did you expect? It _is_ the holidays after-all?  Everyone is taking a break!

We left the zoo and drove over to De Leon Plaza in downtown, directly across from the Victoria County Courthouse.   Both the plaza and the courthouse were beautifully decorated for the upcoming holiday, and being Christmas Eve, we practically had the center of town all to ourselves. 

We got back to the camper and received the royal sniff-down.  Lots of random animal smells and Diesel was all about checking us out when we came back home. 

Joining the theme from the zoo, RDB and Diesel both zonked out for an afternoon nap of their own, and I a (very short) drive into town.   Goliad is the county seat of Goliad County, and y'all know I have a thing for courthouses.  The town square was all dolled up like a Hallmark Christmas movie. RDB and I came back over to get a few night shots, too, and once again had the town to ourselves.

Back at the campsite in the late afternoon, we enjoyed listening to Christmas music and had lox for an early dinner. Then watched a Christmas special about celebrations all around the world.  I've been pen-paling with Grandma G since the pandemic started, and learned this past year that we have Scandinavian roots. Looking up the traditions from Sweden, I realized there were some we already did, like celebrating on Christmas Eve rather than on Christmas day. I partook in Advent this year, and kept decorations to a minimum (not just for sake of rediscovering heritage, but because I've just been, well, not in the spirit this year; work has taken its toll on me.)  It's been nice, actually, to keep things simple and focus on the light.  (Though, I am still trying to find a julbock.) 

Thinking of seeking the light, one of the main reasons I booked us at Goliad State Park for this weekend was their History in Lights event running thru the month of December.  Nearly 90 years ago, the Civilian Conservation Corp had rebuilt the mission that is located on the park grounds and over the holiday season the park uses displays with light and shadows to tell the story of the park and surrounding area.  With the sun setting in  the distance on Christmas Eve it was better than - more magical even - than I could have imagined.

Not a single filter or edit on any of those photos.  And it wasn't until I was uploading them here that I realized that second to last one - the one of the full mission from a distance away - actual has a faint 22* halo over it.  The blues and purples of the sunset behind the whitewashed walls of the mission... were truly magical.

Of course, we played around a little with the colored lights we purchased from Amazon, a tripod, and RDB's iPhone 13 Pro Max - it really takes stellar night shots. 

After walking back over to our camper, we settled down for the night, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. 

We set an alarm for (way too early) Christmas morning so that we could watch the live stream of the James Webb Space Telescope launch - a once in a lifetime opportunity to see this billion dollar piece of equipment sent over a million miles into deep space. What a gift! 

 

Right at the top of the launch window opening, the rocket achieved nominal trajectory and the birth of the next phase in space exploration had come. I am truly in awe of the power and ingenuity of human innovation, and that we can participate in this (literally from our bed!) from all across the world!  To add to the experience? There's a website up that tracks: Where is Webb? (as I type this, the telescope is 119,160 miles from Earth... and counting!)

After that early morning wake up call, we lazily lounged around the camper till lunch; I made a charcuterie board with some of the miscellaneous tasty tidbits we had in the fridge. Pretty proud with how this one turned out!  And no, Diesel, you can't have any!

We spent Christmas day mostly at the campsite, watching movies on NetFlix.  One of my favorites (The Christmas Chronicles with Kurt Russel as Santa), a few new ones that were interesting takes on the origin story of Santa Claus (A Boy Called Christmas, Klaus), a classic (White Christmas), and a typical "Hallmark" love story (A Castle for Christmas). RDB just jogged my memory that a few of those we actually watched at home this past week, but I'm bundling them in here anyway!

Christmas dinner was smoked steaks and some of our favorite side dishes: butternut squash with sage, roasted asparagus, and mashed cauliflower (yes, went went to H-E-B on Christmas Eve; yes, it was as crazy as you'd think it would be!) along with a bottle of cabernet from Rodney Strong.  We enjoyed a few glasses of eggnog (spiked, of course) to finish off the Christmas meal...  it was a perfect kind of laid back day!

Sunday we woke and enjoyed coffee and tea on the couch, deciding on how we wanted the day to play out. Wind speeds definitely play into it when we travel, and so we had our eyes on that.  That, and really? Neither of us really wanted the weekend to end!  So, we drove back in to Victoria to have lunch. 

The Pumphouse Riverside Restaurant and Bar was such a cool little local place to try out for Sunday brunch. Food was good and the view of the Guadalupe River from the patio was perfect; the service was lacking, but I'd give it another try at another time (would love to try their lunch menu).

On our way back over to the campground we stopped in to the newly renovated Visitor's Center set up in the Custodian's Cottage and had a chance to look around and understand a bit of the history of the CCC who, in essence, used the building of this cottage as a practice for the Mission de Espiritu they were charged with rebuilding.  The shell alcove over the window along with the log-hewn staircase were practice runs for the shell above the main door of the chapel and the staircase that led up to the bell tower.  

The camp host/docent at the Custodian's Cottage even invited us into the area reserved for their office while on staff - that being the dining room and kitchen of the surprisingly well laid out home.  I was so impressed with the incredible attention to detail that the CCC showed, even in the smallest things, like the clover carved into the top of the nailhead in the pantry door in the kitchen.  

I picked up a pressed tin heart from the park store to remind me of what a lovely time this weekend was.  Truly, a perfect Christmas that this weary heart needed. 

We were at Goliad State Park, Karankawa loop, Site #9.  It's a pull-thru loop of sites, but we made the decision to back in to this one, as the big tree to the right and the posts to keep you from running over the connections to the left were going to be a tight fit.  Though the reservation system online says this is a 50' site, it was plenty long for our rig and truck (we usually look for 60' sites).  Plenty of space between and behind the sites in this loop and so much to do at the park that we really didn't have a chance to do it all! (I'm already looking at booking another trip down here in the late spring next year!) 

We've been here once before: Going for Gold at Goliad

For more camping photos, go here.

And for a drive thru of the campground, go here (coming soon!)