Going for Gold at Goliad

The 2014 Winter Olympics are drawing to a close. I can't say that I spent much time watching (it's not really felt all that winter-y here in south Texas) - but I can certainly appreciate all the hard work that goes into being an Olympic competitor and how those who are bringing home medals today will be treated as heros in their own right.

Our camping trip to Goliad State Park this weekend had a few heroes for sure.

In the Event of Hospitality, the Gold Medal goes to Scott, the Park Host! (Insert wild cheering here)  RDB and I made a late start of the trip out Friday evening, and with the three hour drive ahead of us, knew that we'd be cutting it close to the 10 o'clock gate closing.  I hadn't realized this till after 5 pm, of course, so any calls to the park went to voice mail.  We arrived in front of the locked park gate at 10:10, and Scott just happened to have his eyes turned in that direction.  I could not thank him enough for walking down the long driveway int the pitch black night to let us in!! 

In the Category of Music, the Gold Medal is awarded to the chapel bells at Presidio La Bahia.  Not only did they chime the hours through out the weekend, they also played musical selections at noon and five.  The first one we had the chance to heard was noon on Saturday when they chimed out Ava Maria.  RDB and I attended the funeral of my Papa this past week - he was quite the avid camper himself.  One of his great-grand-daughters, Donna, sang Ava Maria in his honor.  It was touching to hear it again this weekend as we enjoyed one of his favorite pastimes.  (On a lighter note, the Silver Medal in this category would have go to the gentlemen playing banjo Sunday morning on the other side of the campground.)

Papa camped in 49 states, we're trying to hit all 109 of the TX State Parks.

Continuing the medal counts, the Ants take home the Gold in Really Amazing Trails - really, these were amazing.  RDB, Diesel and I were out walking the River Trail (which would be disqualified from this event because it was not clearly marked) and on our way back we noticed an ant 'run' in the ground.  They were working their way back and forth across the road as well - and these guys were impressive!

The Gold Medal winner in the Food competition was presented to Rice-cooker Cinnamon Banana Pecan Quinoa. (We're still working with this athlete to see if we can learn it's training secrets - in other words, food post coming soon This Just In! Click here to go to the recipe!)  RDB and I set the rice-cooker up before we went out on our geocaching adventure so that the quinoa would be ready when we got back. I tell you what, not to brag on my own creation, but man, this one is good!!  

Silver Medal in Food went to the Hanging Tree Restaurant, in downtown Goliad.  RDB had the 50/50 burger (half bacon, half prime rib) and it was outstanding.  I had the chicken dumplings and they were peppery-good.  The yeast dough bread they serve as an appetizer was awesome!  Don't let the name of the place turn you off either, it's named such because it sits across from the courthouse where the actual hanging tree is.

The final and most anticipated Gold medal announcement is in the Race for Adventure. It was a close race with two great contenders - one steeped in rich tradition and firmly planted in history, the other a new-comer to the sport with great future potential.  After much deliberation, the judges have declared.... a TIE!

Just one-quarter mile south of the State Park lies the Presidio La Bahia - known as Fort Defiance during the Texas Revolution. It was in the chapel at this location where the first Texas Declaration of Independence was signed, well before the Battle of the Alamo.  In fact, as the war for independence continued, there would be a greater loss of life at Fort Defiance than there had been at the Alamo.  Thus, the cries "Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad!" became the battle cries at San Jacinto where Texas finally won its freedom from the dictatorship of Mexico's Santa Anna.

RDB and I had the chance Saturday afternoon to tour the  museum on site, then spend time walking the ground inside the fort.  Two contingents of re-en-actors were there, practicing for an upcoming event in April.  We had the opportunity to stay and watch the lowering of the flag at the end of the afternoon.

Sunday morning RDB and I started our newest adventure: Geocaching.  You can read more about it in this post.  By the end of the morning, we had six finds there in Goliad, and grabbed another one here in Houston once we got home.  Yep, we're hooked!

We were in Site #10, in the full hook-ups loop.  Again, a really big thanks to Scott for watching out for us Friday night and making sure we didn't spend the evening in the Wal-Mart parking lot.  Goliad SP does have a noticeable amount of road noise as Highway 59 runs directly through it.  Other than that, it is a lovely place to spend the weekend, play around, and garner a new appreciation for the heroes of Texas' past that fought for our freedom from tyranny, for the land we've come to love, and for the ability to enjoy adventures in camping.

For more camping photos, go here.

Park (P)review: Goliad State Park - Goliad, TX

Park (P)review

We haven't camped here yet, but I've driven around and checked it out!

Photo: tpwd.com

Goliad State Park

361-645-3405

*Such a sweet, quiet and historic park (on a week day afternoon)

*Mature hardwoods, scrubby brush throughout

*Several different hings to see, historic sites, monuments, and artifacts

*Electric and Water Sites;

     Karankawa - Group sites 11 & 13, 7 & 9 - lots of shade and room to spread out, odd numbered sites from 3-13 would be great for solo camping

     Jacales: (think RV parking lot - only a little better) This area would be great for a large camping group or club. Sites 42-44 and 33-35 had good afternoon shade. All of this loop have covered picnic tables and access to a number of very large smokers (not just grills, but group sized smokers!)

We Stayed here Feb '14: Going for Gold at Goliad

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!)

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

Modern Day Treasure Hunting

RDB and I started a new adventure this past weekend at Goliad State Park: Geocaching.

It's a modern day treasure hunt - using GPS technology we can find little treasure boxes that other geocachers have left behind.  There are more than 2.5 million caches worldwide (we were happy with the 7 we found this weekend). Check out the official Geocaching website for more details - and to start playing!

TPWD sponsors Geocaching in the State Parks, where they have hidden ammo boxes in 90 of our State Parks, and I knew that Goliad was a participating park.  So, after downloading the Geocaching.com's app to RDB's phone Sunday morning, we went off on our first geo-caching adventure!

***SPOILER ALERT: If you're a geocacher and don't want the surprise of these finds to be spoiled, stop reading now! I'm posting details and photos of our finds!***

The Geo-caching App is really stellar and super easy to use - simply hit the "Find Caches Near Me" button and it will load 20 of the nearest caches to your location.  Read the description in the cache, determine what size it is (they go from ammo box large to key chain small).  The TPWD caches are all in ammo boxes - which helps us newbies to the sport.

The compass in the App will show you if you're walking in the right direction, and will also tell you how many miles/feet you have left to get to your cache.  Once you're within about 16ft (that's the accuracy of the iPhone) you have to start using your treasure hunting skills. I'll be honest - RDB is *much* better at this than me! 

Even though RDB tends to find them before I do, I still get pretty excited! There's a  sense of accomplishment when you realize you've found it.  The TPWD ammo box was hidden under a number of sticks - I had walked past it about 4 times as I tried to search out in the undergrowth for the cache.  

After this first one (which we walked to while breakfast was cooking - love my rice cooker!) we were hooked!  Goliad SP's check out isn't until 2pm, so we knew we had a bit more time than usual to play around Sunday morning.  A quick check of the Geocaching App showed several more caches in a very near radius.  We jumped in the truck and took off.

The first few were in a series that took us back near Fort Defiance and the outlying cemeteries.  It was amazing to see tombstones as old as 1916!  Discovering the nearby surroundings is one of the main attractions for Geocachers - you can have someone you've never met introduce you to some pretty cool stuff by hiding a cache where they want  you to go.

We were able to get 6 while camping this weekend.  The last one of the day was a bit tricky (Once again it was in a cemetery.  And once again, it was RDB who found it!)  Some of the caches - like the TPWD one - have loot, or swag, inside that you can trade for.  Fun stuff like collectors cards and bracelets, coins and stickers.  We left our blog card in that one.  Other caches are so small they only contain the log paper to sign to show that you've found it (the App also lets you log online that you've found the cache).  The last cache of the day was about the width of a soda bottle cap and about 6 inches long.  It had one of the neatest swag items I think we'll ever see...

"You've found Jack Squat.  Nothing Nada Nil Zip Zero Zilch."  Now that's my kinda humor! ;-)

RDB and I are both very excited about this new aspect to our camping trips - we love the thought of having destinations to explore around the camp grounds we stay at - as well as another reason to get out and walk around when the weather is beautiful (which it certainly was this weekend).

So, if you see a couple crazy people walking around a cemetery or the woods, looking like they're lost with a phone in their hands - know that they're not lost: they're just playing a hi-tech game of hide-and-seek.

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)

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

___________________________________________________

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!