Camper | Water Dog Site

2024 West To East Coast Camping Trip Leg-1: Milpitas To Rideau Canal

In the middle of August 2024 we started out on our trip to go to a boat canal trip on a Leboat rental boat on the Rideau canal in eastern coast of Canada with our Nordic Tug friends Vince and Pam in mid September. We then will go down south from there to Florida to visit friends.

Here is a Google MY Maps of Leg-1 of our route from Milpitas CA to Smith Falls Ontario where we start the Rideau Canal boat rental.

Milpitas, CA

Campground Rye Patch State Recreation Area

National Forest Campground Thomas Canyon Campground, Spring Creek, NV

Harvest Host Diamond P GrassRoots Bison, 5801 S Old Hwy 91, McCammon, ID 83250

National Forest Dispersed Camping US-26, Irwin, ID 83428, USA

National Forest Dispersed Camping sites Ashton-Flagg Ranch Rd, Moran, WY 83013, USA

Buffalo Bill State Park – Lake Shore Campground, North Fork Highway, Cody, WY

National Forest Open Camping Forest Rd 403, Buffalo, WY 82834

Devils Tower National Monument

Spearfish City Campground, SD

NOTE: Google My Maps only allows A to J locations in directions soyou have to start a new directions tab which restarts lettering at A when you reach J. Therefor lettering restarts at B below.

10619 Spearfish Canyon Lodge at Roughlock Falls Rd, Lead, SD 57754, USA

13201 US-16A, Custer, SD 57730, USA

24785 Brave Bull Rd, Belvidere, SD 57521, USA

25497 485th Ave, Garretson, SD 57030, USA

N Shore Scenic Dr, Two Harbors, MN 55616, USA

114 SW W 8th Ave, Grand Marais, MN 55604, USA

1550 King Rd, Thunder Bay, ON P7K 1L7, Canada

30 Pinewood Dr, Wawa, ON P0S 1K0, Canada

Trans-Canada Hwy, Batchawana Bay, ON P0S 1A0, Canada

Milpitas CA to Rye Patch State Recreation Area Nevada 8/20/2024

Our first day out we made about 360 miles in about 6 hours, to Rye Patch State Recreation Area. Patty did a good job picking the State campground where we got a site right next to the river on the outflow of the dam which was 15′ or so above the water which makes for a nice view. Did have a huge invasion of gnats, that some how got in to the camper in huge numbers, but where not biting so where just annoying more than anything

Patty and Holly Rye Patch State Recreation Area

Alex and Holly Rye Patch State Recreation Area

Rye Patch State Recreation Area To Thomas Canyon Campground 8/21-23

Our next stop was Thomas Canyon Campground in Spring Creek, NV which is about 200 miles NE of Rye Patch. This is a National Forest campground and this one did not disappoint with great views and many hiking trails.

We stayed two nights so we would have time to take a long hike the second day.

Easy drive to get there but there where many slow downs due to one of the two lanes being closed for construction in 4-5 areas. We arrived at the camp ground around 2:00 and pretty easily found a camp site but many where reserved. You have to read the camp site signs closely because the multiple date ranges reserved have peoples names above them and some of them have “open” instead of a name which we missed to start. The camp ground is at around 7,000 ft so nice and cool at night but a little warm in the camper during the day since in the sun. This was great though for the solar panels where we got 100% charged every day from the panels.

Patty and Holly Thomas Canyon Campground

The next day we drove the camper down to the end of the Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway which continues past the campground. We then hiked the Lamoille Creek Trail at the end of the parking lot up two miles to Lamoille Lake. This is a beautiful hike with great views of the Ruby Mountains along the trail. We took the main trail, which was more shaded, up which is two miles and returned via the Stock Trail on the way back which is 1 1/2 miles.

Alex And Holly’s Tail At Start Of Lamoille Creek Trail

Thomas Canyon Campground To Diamond P Grass Roots Bison Ranch 8/23-24

We headed back out and East on 80 for our next stop at the Diamond P Grass Roots Bison Ranch, 5801 S Old Hwy 91, McCammon, ID. This is a harvest Host Member site where the owners let you stay free if you purchase some of the goods they produce. We usually stay at these places for our over night stops when possible. Folks where real nice and we picked up some bison ground meat and some steaks for $40. Burgers where excellent and plan to try the steaks soon.

We had some severe south winds kick up from the south for the next couple days. Was nice when we where heading North with a 30 mph pushing from the south got great gas mileage at over 12 mpg. Our route would head us North, then NE the East and back too North. Going NE, or even worse East, we really got pushed from the side and made driving very tiring.

We headed out NE on US-80 again then took a right on US-26 which took us SE down to National Forest Dispersed Camping located right past the Riverside Park Campground. This was a one night stay but was right on the Snake River with no one else camping close by and was very nice.

Patty and Holly at National Forest Dispersed Camping Snake River

For this trip we purchased the new StarLink Mini dish. It has been working great attached to the roof of the camper at the rear passenger corner. When we pulled in at this site was thinking StarLink may not work since trees where shading the camper but it worked great. See pic below looking straight up the corner of camper where dish is and dish reported no blockages.

StarLink View Of Sky

Riverside Park Campground NFS Dispersed Camping To Ashton-Flagg Ranch Rd, Moran, WY NFS Dispersed Camping 8/24-25

We headed South on US-26 and took a left on US-89 heading North up towards Yellowstone National Park. We wanted a place for an over night stay before heading in to the park so along the way Patty found this dispersed camping spot. This one was different than most dispersed camping in that the NFS has set up six spots with 2-4 camping sites ate each site with vault toilets. We went past site-1 and looked at sites 2-6 but they where all full. We got lucky and found an empty spot back at site-1 which was OK but not spectacular.

Ashton-Flagg Ranch Rd Camp Site

Ashton-Flagg Ranch Rd To Buffalo Bill State Park Campground 8/25-26

Ashton was an over night spot to stay close to Yellowstone so we could take most of the day visiting geysers and viewing the Yellowstone canyon before our next camping spot at Buffalo Bill campground.

We headed out Ashton-Flagg Ranch Rd/Grassy Lake Rd toward Grassy Lake Rd turned left onto US-191 N/US-287 and headed up to Yellow Stone.

Patty And Alex Yellow Stone Canyon Over Look

After visiting the hot geysers and the canyon we turned right onto US-20 to go above lake Yellowstone and head east to Buffalo Bill State Park Campground.

This is a nice State Park right with camp sites right on the reservoir which Holly took a nice swim in. We got in a bit late from our Yellowstone visit and got up early and left the next morning so was a short visit here.

Holly Looking Longingly at Reservoir Buffalo Bill State Park

Buffalo Bill State Park Campground To Forest Rd 403, Buffalo, WY 8/26-27

In the morning we got an early start to try to make some miles east and ended up only going 168 miles down US-14 E/US-16 E/US-20 E when we started to see some nice forest roads. We noticed Forest Rd 403 on the right side of road that headed up to a nice grassy ridge, so we went up it about half a mile and camped on the ridge over looking a nice big grassy area. We did notice a trailer on the way in but nobody was around to be seen so a perfect isolated spot for an overnight stay. did get very windy at night while sleeping enough so that we pulled the passenger side slide out in to keep the awning on it from getting ripped.

Alex at Camper Open Camping National **Forest Rd 403, Buffalo, WY**

Forest Rd 403 To Devils Tower National Monument Campground 8/27-28

The next day we headed out toward Devils Tower Campground but hit some grass fire areas on I90-E along the way that was very smokey and hard to see for driving. The grass fires where still smoldering on each side of the road for 10 mile or so. The smoke lasted about 1/2 hour before we broke out to clean air again.

When we got to Devils Tower Campground we found a great site with a nice view of the Devils Tower at our camp spot. We first went and looked at the prairie dogs next to the campground and that was all the prairie dogs I need to see for the rest of the trip! There not very exciting…..

Fat Prairie Dog at Devils Tower From Camp Site

Devils Tower Campground To Spearfish City Campground 8/28-30

Out of Devils Tower we went onto WY-110 W, right onto WY-24W then took I-90 E toward City of Spearfish Entering South Dakota. Spearfish is a nice town that seems to cater to the motorcycle crowd like most towns up in the Black Hills. Spearfish City Campground is really nice and I would highly recommend it for a couple day’s stay to explore the area. Lightly wooded with nice grass on the widely spaced sites. We found a great spot in the first come first serve area, no electric, with no body close to us beside a babbling brook that was super cool. This was on Thursday afternoon and little did we know that the place was going to get packed with all the cyclists doing the Dakota Five-O off road bike race. The race is staged and start/ends at the camp ground so everybody packed in with there tents around us. While we went out in truck had a guy pitch his tent five feet from our picnic table and stake out 50′ on the other side for all his buddies coming over the next few day’s. Talked to the guy, Josh, about his motives but we parted friendly. All in all the bikers where a good crowd so all turned out just fine in the end.

Spearfish City Campground, Babbling Brook Next To Picnic Table

We took the camper off of the truck a really nice hike on Bath Tub trail. Had to cross the stream 10-12 times to get up to the bath tub which was not allways that easy rock hopping each time. would be easier to just wear water shoes and get your feet wet.

Spearfish Bath Tub Hike Holly, Alex and Patty

The next day we went and visited Deadwood. We watched the excellent HBO series Deadwood years ago so just had to go for a visit. Pretty much just a tourist town now but there is an open bar every 20′ or so along the main drag, makes it easy to drop in for a drink many times along the fairly short 1/4 mile walk as you go along.

Deadwood Day Side Trip From Spearfish Camp Ground

Spearfish City Campground To Spearfish Canyon Lodge, SD 8/30-9/31

We went just a few miles south to stay overnight in Spearfish Canyon Lodge which is located next too Roughlock Falls. The falls are close by and easy to walk too from the lodge. Lodge had laundry room so we could do laundry and take an easy day off from camping.

Spearfish Canyon Lodge To Grace Coolidge Campground Custer, SD 9/31-10/1

2021 Camper California To Florida

Starting in early November we loaded up the Host camper to take a couple month trip back to Point Clear to have my Dad’s funeral and celebration of life on November 13th. We will then go on over to Florida in the Tamp Bay area then Stuart to visit friends and family.

Map Point B: November 2 nd 2021, Kern River Campground

Our first over night stop was at Kern River Campground in Bakersfield Ca. This a small camp ground with sites next to the river where the dog’s can swim and you can hear the river at night when sleeping so it is our go to place to stop the first night out from home when traveling south.

Terra got to have a nice swim in the river when we got there.

Some info from Kern River Campground:

28 landscaped acres, dry camping only
Two sections: 25 campsites each; maximum of 8 people per site
Picnic tables and fire rings
Restrooms and showers

Map Point C: November 3 rd 2021, Davis Camp Campground

Davis Camp is a Mohave County park where you can dry camp right on the banks of the Colorado River. There are also full service RV sites above the river over looking the dry camping sites below.

We usually take a dry site so we can sit next to the river and watch the water go by and the dog’s can swim.

View From Camp Site, Holly and Terra Swimming

A great hike to take is the Colorado River Heritage Trail which you can take from the camp ground. We started from camp ground and headed north along the river to cross the Davis Dam then headed south on the other side of river trail on the Laughlin Side (commonly known as the blue bridge trail). You then cross the bridge at the Casino at the south end to return to the camp ground. This route is around 4-5 miles. The loop has parks, restrooms, kayak launch, fishing nodes and tons of information about the area and Davis Dam on placards posted along the route.

Map Point D: November 4 th 2021, Sierra Blanca Brewery Moriarty, NM

Our next overnight stop was booked via the Harvest Host membership at a brewery where you park out at the west end of parking lot. Lot is dusty and nothing special but the brewey has really good craft beer’s and we sat out back in the beer garden bar and enjoyed talking to the locals. We returned for dinner when a food truck shows up and you order from the truck in the side lot east of beer garden.

The warehouse brewery is a 12,000 square foot operation with a one and a half acre beer garden out back. with a covered bar and seating area, horseshoe pits, bocce ball, tetherball, a pond, barbeque grills, bandstand and a hop covered gazebo where you can swing away the afternoon!

Alex Enjoying An Alien Pale Ale, Very Good Stuff!

Map Point E: November 5 th 2021, Elk City Lake Park, Elk City OK

Our next over night stop was at the city park outside Elk City. Nice park with lots of open space and hicking trails. Had a nice quiet nite and took a short hike in the morning on the trails going along the lake and frisby golf course.

Amenities:

750 Acre Park with 250 Acre Lake (regularly stocked with fish)
Picnic Pavilions
Outdoor Grills
Kiddie Playground
2 Boat Ramps with Docks (1 Fishing Dock)
Campgrounds **
5 RV Parking Slots with water & electric hook-ups **

Map Point F: November 6-7 th 2021, Arrow Head Lake Area

Once we turned off highway 69 we drove down the side of the lake for a ways where we drove through the first camp ground called Turkey Flat which was about 1/2 full. We then drove further down to see what we could find on the water and the next campground was completly empty and right on the lake. We ended up staying for two nights. On the second day we walked south on the road about a mile or so to the boat ramp and then walked back down on the beach since water was low. The dog’s really enjoyed the lake side walk back.

Map Point G: November 8th 2021, Rocky Point Army Corp Of Engineers Camp Ground

We really enjoy staying at Army Corp Of Engineers(ACOE) Camp Grounds which are placed in land areas around ACOE projects. The Wright Patman Lake dam, dam which forms the lake or locks like the Florida locks on the Okeechobee canal.

Rocky Point Campground offers 124 campsites, all with water and electricity. 15 of the sites have sewer hook ups, and 8 of the sites have 50-amp electric service.

Wright Patman Lake

Clear Springs Campground	Piney Point Campground
Rocky Point Campground	Malden Lake Campground
Northshore Day Use	Jackson Creek Park
Thomas Lake Park	Oak Park
Spillway Park	Malden Lake Day Use
Elliott Bluff	Sportsman’s Cove

Map Point H: November 8 th 2021, Harvest Host Farm

2020 East To West Coast Return Camping Trip

We left Deckle Beach Florida on Feb 16 to start out trip back to California. The Covid-19 epidemic was just starting so were happy to get out of Alabama and Florida but werent sure how the trip would go through the central US so we ended up doing some long day’s at the end to get back to California.

The My Maps track below shows the first half of the trip back with the locations we stopped at on the way.

Our itenarary for first half of trip back:

A. Largo/Dekle Beach Feb
B. Fairhope, AL, USA
C. Moundville, AL
D. T.O. Fuller State Park
E. Pedestal Rocks & Kings Bluff Trailhead
F. Richland Creek Recreation Area
G. Jasper
H. Erbie Group Campground
I. Wolf Pen Recreation Area
J. Joplin, MO, USA

The second half of trip is shown below where we did somme longs days driving from point F on map, Arches National Park to home.

A. Joplin, MO, USA
B. Lake Afton
C. Lake Scott State Park
D. Lake Pueblo State Park
E. Montrose
F. Arches National Park Visitor Center
G. Cave Lake State Park
H. Lahontan State Park
I. Milpitas, CA

Fairhope, AL, USA Feb 17-24

Me And My Dad At His and My Moms Tombstones

Moundville, AL Feb 25-26

T.O. Fuller State Park , Memphis TN Feb 26

We stayed one night at T.O. Fuller State Park which is in an urban setting near the sewer plant. Nothing special but would be a good spot to stay to take a day to go over and see Elvis’s Graceland which is nearby.

Pedestal Rocks & Kings Bluff Trailhead, AK Feb 28

Richland Creek Recreation Area, AK Feb 27

This camp has a small mountain stream with waterfalls, rocks, and bluffs right next to the campground. There is access to the Richland Creek Wilderness Area. 11 family camping units. Because of very rough roads, visitors are not encouraged to take camping trailers to Richland Creek.

Trail Start Behind Campground Richland Creek Hike

Jasper AK Feb 27

Scenic and quaint are two words that well describe the town of Jasper, AR. Located in Newton County, the small town is surrounded by natural beauty of where the nation’s first national river, the Buffalo, begins to flow. More than one third of the county is owned by some government entity (National Park Service, U.S.D.A. Forest Service, State of Arkansas and county government).

Erbie Group Campground Feb 27-28

Camping Site Parking Lot Erbie Group Campground

Wolf Pen Recreation Area Feb 29

Joplin, MO March 1 st

Stayed at Laquinta Inn

Stop At Wichita then Lake Afton County Park March 2^nd

This model of the America³ was donated to the Kansas Museum of History by Koch in 1995. Owned by Wichita native William Koch, the America³ (“America Cubed”) won the prestigious America’s Cup competition on May 16, 1992. This is a model of the winning boat.

March 3 and 4^th Historic Lake Scott State Park

Lake Pueblo State Park March 5^th and 6^th Lake Pueblo State Park, Arkansas

Montrose March 7^th, Montrose Holiday In Express

Arches National Park Visitor Center March 8^thand 9^th, Arches National Park, Moab, Granstaff Campground

Cave Lake State Park March 10^th Cave Lake State Park

Lahontan State Park 3/11/2020 Lahontan Recreation area

Milpitas, CA

Whistler (After cruise from Sucia Island To Laconner Marina)

Monday July 9th to Friday 20th 2018

Trip Distance 30 nm

Sucia Island To Laconner Marina (Top left to bottom right)

We got out of Sucia Island Fossil Bay Around 9 am for the trip to Laconner Marina where we are docking Water Dog for 10 day’s while we drive over to Whistler to visit our friends at Whistler Ski resort where we had two rental houses. Real nice clear day yet again for the cruise over.

Mount Baker visible on the way from Sucia Island To Laconner Marina

Directly across from the dock where we are keeping Water Dog log booms are being loaded up from land via front end loader to water waiting for a tug to come along and pull them over for processing at some local processing plant.

Our good boating friends Vince and Pam on Tugzilla loaned us their truck to head up to Whistler. It was sprinkling that morning but still a beautiful drive up the coast of Howe sound.

We met my best friend’s (39 years and counting) family and had two houses near downtown Whistler. Jenny’s mom has been hosting family legacy trips for the past 6 years and I have been invited to most which has been very special.

We met in 1980, she was my resident assistant at UF Honors dorm.

Our first day in Whistler we visited Nairn Falls for a walk along the river to the falls. The rivers are amazingly powerful! We say many but could not let the dogs in off leash as they easily could be swept away in the fast and strong current.

Another cool walk and place to visit is the Whistler Train Wreck. In the 50’s a train derailed. A few train cars where pulled off the track a ways up in the woods and have been painted with some real nice graffiti. Locals also made some bicycle jumps since Whistler is a mountain biker’s mecca.

The hike starts in a parking lot in Function Junction and you walk along the river rapids and the rail road tracks for a couple kilometers.

Patty and Alex Train Wreck Hike, Cheakamus river falls.

Train Wreck Hike, the glacier fed river is such a beautiful teal color.

Whomever painted the graffiti on the 5-6 box cars did a great job.

Our next visit was too Brandywine falls where you take a short 200m walk to the over look past the falls.

We took a hike on the way back from the falls to the bungee jump bridge area where you can bungee jump for $140. Alex and Leah wanted to do it but not me!

We saw some people at the bottom of the falls and I (patty) had read about a path down to the bottom of the falls. At the 2nd furthest overlook Alex noticed a path going off past the fence which we suspected was the way down I had read about. On our last day Alex, myself, Leah and her friend Sheila came back sans dogs for an off trail excursion to the bottom. Had a nice snack on some wild blueberrys on the way back on trail.

Shiela, Leah and Patty On Brandywine Trail

The Whistler visit was very fun. Family dinners, hikes, waterfalls, exploring town and some excursions. We did bear watching, climbed to the top of a ski jump and did a tree walk in the high cedars. Ben biked twice. Crashed on day one but still had fun. This was the first year Alex joined us for the entire trip and the dogs were along so a great time was had by all.

Teenager wake up crew. Not really doing a good job but Ben’s head is up

Happy Anniversary Alex and Patty, 21 years! Sandra (right front) married us 21 years ago July 12, 1997.

Alex and Ben made pizza (from a box)…notice the eating theme

Bear watching on the ski slopes. They plant clover to stabilize the slopes and when it blooms the bears graze it as would cattle. The berries will be out in August. Interestingly the concentration of bears is higher on the mountain due to better availability of food.

We were lucky to see 12 bears in the early evening drive on the mountain slopes.

Hikes and waterfalls!

Alex, Leah, Sheila and Patty made it to the top!

A little atypical hike…up the ski jump at the Olympic Park. Quite the walk up the stairs then an easy stroll down the mountain on the access road.

We all rode the gondola up to the top of Whistlter mountain. Took the peak to peak Gondola and explored a bit on Blacomb then back to Whistler. Sandra and Ed hung out at the Round House grill (amazing view) and some of us took an open chair lift to the very top and then walked down through the melting snow.

Red snow is actually a cryo loving algae.

Dog fun too!

Terra approved Whistler…classic roll in the grass!

On the ride back to LaConner we stopped on the road for a short visit to Shannon Falls.

Big Bend National Park

Thursday February 15^th

Off to Big Bend National Park.

Big Bend is a beautiful place with great hiking but dogs are only allowed where cars can drive so no hiking with them unless you are on a paved or dirt road.

Stopped at panther Junction to get camping permit for the primitive road camp sites but all was full and we would need to stay over night outside the park! Presidents day weekend ugh…

Primitive camping in Big Bend is first come first serve where you get a two week window for 12$ where the ranger at Panther Junction will tell you what sites are available on what day’s and you can pick the night and locations you want.

We did pay and get assigned Gravel pit 3 for one night then 2 nights at Paint gap 2 (dispersed campgrounds, dry camping).

Since nothing available the night we arrived so they send people like us to Stillwell ranch or Terlingua which is just outside of NW park entrance. We ended up at Terlingua Resort in parking lot type place for the night.

The people running it where real nice and there are some nice walks out back of the park and dogs did get to run a bit.

To burn some time for the afternoon we drove over from the camp ground to the Terlingua Ghost Town which contained a store, bar/theater, an art gallery and coffe shop and some old adobe ruins.

Very interesting place to stop with a certain desert counter culture vibe to it.

In front of the art gallery is a molten metal slag heap of gears etc melted together from an oil well fire.

Art Gallery Oil Well Blow Out Fire Slag Art

Friday February 16^th we did driving tour. Left Terlingue and went back into park. Immediate SW took Old Maverick dirt road after entering park down to St Elena Canyon (made by Rio Grande, 1500 foot cliffs).

The road was well graded and any car could travel it.

On the way we stopped at a marker for Luna’s Jacal where Gilberto Luna lived, pretty amazing he lived to 108. Very primitive and makes you think of the huge disparity of all the things we think we need verses what you actually require.

At Santa Elena Canyon Trail Took 1.6 mile hike into canyon (no dogs).

The trail starts on the US side of the Rio Grand, with Mexico on the far side, and winds up the canyon wall to the right.

Santa Elena Canyon Trail View Back To Trail Head

We then drove on the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive and saw Mule Ear and had lunch at an overlook.

Lunch At Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive Overlook

Then went back out to the main drag Hwy 118 past Panther Junction to SE edge of park near Rio Grande Village and took walk to Boquillas Canyon which was another short hike.

You will find Mexican wire art and walking sticks left by Mexican’s for sale in little piles on the trail where you can purchase by leaving money in can next to items. Park Service does not want you to buy of course.

Boquillas Canyon Trail Mexican Guy’s Across Rio Grande

Then drove to our Gravel Pit 3 camp down river road then gravel pit road. Ended up being pretty nice as we could walk down to river. DOOnt let the Gravel Pit name put you off, would say this was a lot nicer than what we saw at Pain Gap. Dogs had a swim, saw a Mexican horse but no illegal immigrants ?. Had Calm night (No fire) but I heard someone in middle of night drive up which scared me a bit…just someone camping I guess.

Saturday Feburary 17^th: Drove to Chisos Basin from Gravel Pit and had a long range view from road of mountains the basin is in.

Chisos Basin In Background from Road On Drive Up From Gravel Pit

When you get to the high point of Chisoc Basin Road you get a view down in to the basin where the camp ground is. The entry to camp ground is on the right once you descend in to the basin.

Chisos Basin Camp Ground from Above On entry Road

We were lucky and the camp hosts gave us a site that some had reserved and had not shown up and found a campsite as we got there around 12pm. This is a very pretty camp ground with pretty good privacy for how crowded it is. Also a great place to take guest hikes from since multiple trail heads are within walking distance.

Then hiked to the Window trail that start right in camp ground.

Illegal hike in afternoon with dogs from campground to lodge and Alex had a drink.

Lots of small rental units around the lodge for rent with many nationalities from around the world taking advantage of them.

Then went to check out our Paint Gap camp which had a nice view of the outside of the basin but was a dust pit with no cell service. Decided to drive on to Lajitas and stayed in Lajitas Golf Resort campground. It was ok…just had soup and went to bed.

Seminole Canyon State park

Tuesday February 13^th

Headed south towards Big Bend with plans to stay at Seminole Canyon State park for two nights. Arrived around 2-3 pm. Opted for electric site with pretty good cell service at the sites at the end of camp ground past first set of sites.

Some neighbors in Cougar 5^th wheel from Netherlands and Canada. They spend six months traveling and six months in Netherlands.

We chilled that afternoon and planned (and did) stay two nights.

Wednesday February 14^th we took nice rim hike (about 7.5 miles) with dogs. It went to rim and overlook on Pecos river canyon joining Seminole Canyon then out to border/ Rio Grande where the Pecos river dumps into the Rio Grande.

The trail starts at the lower camp ground at point A on map on the Rio Grande Trail, click on map below to enlarge. We then took a left at point C on Canyon Rim Trail. Keeping left at point B takes you to the Panther Cave Overlook where you can see the Glyph’s across the river if you have binoc’s or a zoom. We then completed the loop around the bend on the Mexico border back to point D on the Rio Grande Trail.

Canyons are deep with steep walls. Not a border crossing area hear. At end of trail there are petroglyphs across the way, only can get there by boat but we could just see large panther tail. The Glyphs are across the river and using the camera zoom was able to get a decent idea what they look like.

Petroglyphs Over Look Sign, Glyphs Across Canyon

Petroglyphs Over Look Glyphs Across River

Picture of left side of Glyphs, if you click on picture and zoom in you can see fan shapes on bottom of 4th and 5th figures to the left of panther on over look sign.

Got back and chilled then cooked dinner and left next day. Rio grand slow here as down stream is large Amistad national reservoir.

Natchez Mississippi to Garner State Park Texas

Sunday Feb 11^thTo Feb 12 th

We left Natchez early Sunday morning to go to Garner State Park for some hiking on some trails we had read about taking small back roads as usual.

Route: HWY 21 SW, then 12, then 32west, then 3424 South, then 306w, then 281north, then 473W, then 27 through Comfort, TX. Then 39 scenic route SW to 83 south then 1050 to the state park.

On the way over to Garner Patty found the highly rated Picket House Restaurant which is in an old house and serves boarding house style fixed menu. The walls are covered with antique circus posters and would recommend a stop there.

Fried chicken, chicken and dumplings, biscuits/corn bread was very good and very unique.

Once done with lunch we ran in to a very cool small town Comfort Texas: stopped for coffee at Highs Coffe shop, had a bunch of old buildings made of limestone. Went in antique mall and found an ice cream scoop to give to Richard.

On Highway 39 we were along the Guadalupe river, very cool but not much river access as mostly youth camps and residences. Saw one public boat ranch

On HWY 39 and 83 we saw a bunch of big ranches with very tall fences. I guessed and then later confirmed these were game hunting ranches with exotic ungulates as well as dear and pigs.

This is the hill country of Texas and is dry but beautiful.

Arrived at Garner: had site 143 in river crossing camp which had nice river view.

This place is great on the off season while we are here but during the summer seems very popular with the crowds. Has putt putt course and boat rental and tube rental and shuttles so likely in hot Texas summer its very crowded.

Walked Blynn river trail that evening very clear fairly rapid flowing river, The river is the Rio Frio which means cold river.

Dogs got wet fun!

Dogs at Garner State Park Blyn River Behind Camp Site

Had Taco Soup from Alice for dinner ?

It seems during season the Texas two step is popular at the “Dancing The Nights Away” at the “Garners Historic Pavilion”.

Monday February 12^th

Woke up early and took near 5 mile hike on park trails Blyn River to Bridges trail to Foshee trail up to Old Baldy then down. Great hike with awesome views. Dogs swam at beginning as we started on the Blynn River trail.

Got back from hike and had chile. Hope to have fire tonight…we did eventually, burned half our wood.

New Orleans To Natchez

Friday February 9^th,

Left around 10am. Stopped at Macon’s house as he wanted to see the rig. Drove a bit on I-10 through Baton Rouge then scenic HWY 61 to Natchez. Stayed at Natchez tourist visitor center parking lot with electric for free for two nights!

Really nice town and we discovered that Natchez Mardi Gras was the next night so decided to stay another night to see it.Basically the parking lot with 15A outlets at each space.

A lot of road noise and a parking slots not level. Got fairly level by putting right front wheel up on curb by pulling up then backing tire back up in ramp built in curb, worked pretty well.

A suggested river side hike is a loop up on the upper side walk along top of the Natchez river walk and return by the nature path down below by the river. You can go through the middle of the tourist center and through the Centers pavilion down the side of the road and then take a left in to Rosalie fort.

Rosalie mansion is next to the Fort where you get a great view in front of mansion of the river.

Then proceed to the right along fence on river then you will find a break in fence in too river front park at the top trail with railing you follow past the Casino below until you reach the far end where stairs descend to the nature trail below.

You then can follow nature trail on lower path all the way back to town of Natchez Under The Hill where Jerry Lee Lewis played and follow road back up to the Visitor center.

We actually cut through by walking down the rail road tracks and then scrambled up the hill to the back of the center where a gate was located with a chair sitting there for some ones viewing pleasure.

The next morning we took a long walk around town doing mansion walking tour and did go inside Rosalie Mansion for a tour.

For lunch we dined on BBQ at The Pig Out Inn along with the local police force. Highly recommended and a very popular place with the locals.

Then walked the dogs and watched them line up floats and bands for Natchez Mardi Gras parade! We took dogs back and then went back downtown to watch parade. Was fun to see, not as many of floats as New Orleans but nice to share in celebration.

New Orleans

February 5^th, Monday through Friday February 9^th

New Orleans

Left Fair Hope AL fairly early ie 9:30am ish. Plan to get to Anne and Herschel’s house and they had afternoon appointment so wanted to get there by noon. Just took I-10 to be fastest. Arrived around 12 at their house on Camp Street in the Garden district. Herchel has his 2011 King of Rex Crue flag flying out front.

Had a visit from Graden District Security guy where Parking restrictions and even more so because its Mardigras so we had to trim bushes in the back alley and the pulled up against their back alley access fence.

Good thing they had this. If we go again with ANYTHING bigger should stay at Macon’s or local state park. We planned to stay one or two days but ended up staying 3 nights.

Monday we walked around neighborhood/garden district with dogs. Had Po Boy’s for lunch (oyster for alex, beef for me…good!). Then red beans and rice for dinner very Louisianian! Had king cake for desert and also many pettifores during the stay.

The oak trees are amazing on the streets here.

Tuesday Cathryn picked us up at the house and we picked up lunch then went to Macon’s house. Cool place on the Batture referred to by Jefferson Parish as “camps” — atop pilings over the water and at its edge. (Macon has one of 13 remaining houses on outside curve of MI on wrong side of levee). Then back to the house around 3pm.

After that we went to the Fly/Avengers park on the outside edge (riverfront) of Audubon park. Played with dogs and walked around the park. Got back around 4pm and hung with Anne and Herschel.

That night we went to Mardi Gras parade on St Charles street/uptown (just 4 blocks from their house). It was rainy and cold so no pictures but we did see the Druids parade and got some booty from the throws. We wanted to see the Nyx a female Krew but they got held up and we had waited and been in cold rain for awhile so we aborted.

Wednesday we went to the WWII Museum which was cool. Anne had bought some Salmon and alex cooked this for dinner. Highly recommend a visit to the museum.

Northward in Florida

Left Jenny’s Friday January 19th. Heading to Deland to spend some time with another great friend Danny. Stopped in Orlando and had lunch with nephew James and we had Pho at Pho 88. Twas good. Onward to Deland to see Dan Smith a friend of many many years. Another great campsite in a great friend’s front yard 🙂

We hung out a bit and toured his house, had some cocktails then went to downtown Deland and had a very nice Italian dinner. Danny took us to a local brewery (alas we were the oldest there in this college town) and had a brew.

Saturday we ventured out after a nice home cooked breakfast. Went to check out Blue Springs state park where tons of manatees are but 1/2 hour line of cars to get in so we aborted. We ended up taking hike in Black Bear Wilderness which in part was along St John’s river. 7.7 mile walk. Very nice since it was cool and not buggy. Saw one Alligator, many birds and one Armadillo. We started at like 3:30pm and sunset at 5:30pm so we had to walk fast! It was a very nice walk

After the walk we checked out the near by marina and found a pool bar comedy club: Otter’s on the river which was the Boat Tree Marina (actually we were in Sanford). Then Saturday night cooked Chili and tried cornbread (tried Gary’s method… it tasted ok but not great).

January 21 st: We left Danny’s on the way to meet Mom in Ocala for her eye appointment at the Retina Center. We got up very early and went to Blue Springs State Park to beat the crowd and see Manatees. Mission accomplished it was very cool and 389 counted that morning. Saw a tiny baby and lots of others. One smaller one, likely a youngster was playing in the spring. He’d swim across and get pushed up and then would do it again.

Had a nice couple days with Mom and Calvin in Ocala. Did not do much as Mom was fighting a cold. Said good-bye to Mom and Cal Tuesday and went to Juniper Springs State Park. Spent the night and it was nice.

Big sites, private because not many people there.We got there early afternoon so took a walk on the Florida Trail and a connecting forest road with the dogs. Then went to the spring and had a swim all by our selves.

Walked the nature trail along Juniper Run and then had an easy supper and to bed early. Heading to Gainesville tomorrow.

January 24th and 25th we spent in Gainesville. Got there near noon and met Jane at Blue Highway for lunch. Actually first met at Tioga parking lot and walked the neighborhood with the dogs then had lunch. After lunch she took us on a campus tour: WOW things have changed! We stopped at her hubby’s Todd’s office and lab for a quick visit. She had to go do kid things and we hung out at Forest Park while we waited to meet Bob and Anne for dinner. Anne brought home a lovely Vietnamese dinner for us and we had dinner at the house. Met a friend of Bob’s after dinner as we sat around his pool under very cool heat lamps (it was cold). Camped out in Bob’s yard. Had lunch with Dennis the next day, walked near Hogtown creek (Loblolly trail) and then Dinner with Jane.

So the plan was to head west after this Gainesville visit but Alex found a house in Largo so we headed back down to Largo to look at a house. It filled our ideal requirements: on the water, deep water dock, near dog beach and neighborhood park. The house had good bones but needed lots of work and was way over priced so not the house for us.

However, on the up side, we got to spend more time with Tampa bay area friends. Spent Friday night with Gary and Marcia then Saturday we were planning on going to their Dekle beach house. Saturday we went to visit Jenny for a few hours and took a great hike in Hillsborough River State park with all four dogs (Solstice, Sierra, Terra and Holly) and Dan, Jenny, Leah, Alex and myself. It was nice hike. Sadly said good-bye to bestie Jenny and family for real 4pm ish and drove to Dekle beach house to meet Marcia and Dallas dog.