Camping Sites | Water Dog Site

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

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.

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.

Tampa and Largo/Indian Rocks

Friday December 29^th

Packing up and leaving the house at Stuart on our way to Tampa to visit Dan and Jenny for their New Years party which also happens to be their Wedding anniversary also. Lia has started working at a Vegan restaurant and provided use some great Vegan meals, yummy! We need to learn to use raw cashews soaked in water and pureed for cream sauces like Lia.

We had a great camp site with electric in front of the detached garage at their tampa house.

Thursday Jan 4^th

Left Tamp to drive over to Largo/Indian Rocks Beach to stay at our next camp ground next to Gary and Marsha’s house where we had electricity by plugging in to their house via extension cord. Dallas the 12 year old yellow lab rules the roost at this place from her tempurpedic dog throne!

Alex And Gary Try Jerry’s Siesta Key Rum

Next day went to take a walk at Walsingham County Park, the county here has done a great job in providing many very nice parks scattered across the county.

On the way back across the street stopped at the Florida Botanical Gardens where in the same park they have the Heritage Village where 20 or so historical houses and stores etc have been moved and put on display. The store was staffed with period correct dressed gentlemen whom described how the country store worked back in the day. Staff needed 6 cents per day pay!

Next day went to one of our favorite dog beaches North Clear Water Beach with Gary, Patty and Dallas.

Gary and Dallas, North Clear Water Beach

Alabama To Indian Pass Camp Ground Then Apalachicola

Friday December 8th

Left dads around 9:45 AM, rainy and cold due to cold front. May snow in Alabama! Did snow in Atlanta per Frances Picture. Headed east on 98. Stopped in Fort Walton Beach at a Taco shack (james knew of it) and had fish tacos and tempeh tacos: very good. Drove on and stopped to get some liquor then along peninsula to the Forgotton coast of FL. Not much water driving but some. Went through Pt Saint Joe, checked out a couple potential overnight spots: one an “rv site” in a row of beach houses. We called number but after five and got emergency service who hung up on us. Looked at Presnell’s RV park and Marina: ok, on waterfront but mostly parking lot.
Went on to Indian Pass campground, very nice: small sites except we stayed on “tent island” site 5 so it was big. No electric. In middle of tent island is site that is not advertised but is RV site. If we go back should request that.

Saturday December 9^th: Got up to clearing skies and sun peeking out. By 10 am or so beautiful clear! Went for nice beach walk. Dogs off leash, had fun. This area has boat ramp and also ferry to a large island which is a national wildlife refuge: St Vincent Island

Drove back to 98 towards Apalachicola. Looked at the free site at Battery Park but ended up at Gibson Inn in town. They gave us dog friendly room and we walked about town and then went out for dinner.

Apalachicola is a very cool layed back town.

Went to local recommended hole in the wall restaurant at 6:20 and they were closed LOL so ended up at tap room which was ok.

Went to Bowery Station bar in afternoon and chatted with couple who had moved from the keys (which became too crowded for them)

Natural Falls State Park to Hot Springs National Park Ending At Chicot Lake State Park

Wednesday November 15^th

Left Natural Falls state park and heading for Queen Wilhelmena state park in SE Arkansas. Backtracked 7 miles or so on 412 alternate (412 was pay turnipike) to scenic Hwy10 south. It followed the Illinois river. We stopped at the Peavine Hollow river access point which had camping and was where we presumed rafts are launched and picked up by river operators. Played a bit with dogs and some swimming then on south.

Stopped to stretch legs at a gas station near Tahlequah and alex got a BBQ sandwich which was good. On south on 82 by Tenkiller lake to Vian. Then on 64 to Salisaw where we got fuel and then headed south on 59 to 270 through the Ouachita National Forest. Nasty weather. A rain front had hit us at natural falls and we were following it so very foggy with drizzle…supposed to be scenic but not much view. Tried to takd HWY 1 in Ok/88 in ARK but so nasty we aborted and backtracked 4 miles to 270. Took 270 east into Ark then up to Queen Wilhelmina State park.

Solid fog and nasty. We checked out lodge (Ok not too grand and maybe no bar). We would have gotten one of their dog friendly rooms but they were booked. Checked out campground but decided to leave (later found out this was bad decision as alex was mad the rest of the day cause we left). Headed east on 270 thorough Mena then HWY 88 towards Hot Springs (61 miles). Rejoined with 270 at Pencil Bluff. Pulled off to check out a few spots ie Shirley creek but no camping. Were resigned to hotel or Treasure Isle RV park but then saw NF campground Charlton! Pulled in there and spent the night. Nice creek and even a waterfall (man made). Nice empty camp though. Half the campsites were closed near the water and this is due to potential flooding! They had signs all over park saying this is high water mark and it was about up to my neck. It was nice. Had weak cell service.

Thursday November 16^th

Left around 9am. Drove to Hot Springs National Park and checked it out. Developed in late 1800 and preserved by US government before National parks were a thing. Went to”bath house Row” and checked out the visitor center which was in one called the Fordyce Bath House named after the colonel who built it. Nice museum and old architecture.

Fordyce Bath House Medieval Looking Instruments

Then left there around 11am and drove to Chicot Lake State Park which is in very southeast Arkansas. East on 270 to Pine bluff then SE on 65 towards Lake Village. Before lake village headed east to the big 22 mile long 1 mile wide oxbow lake (natural from Mississippi river). Small state park. Had nice lake front spot with cypress. We were in site number 114. Marina where you can rent fishing boat or kayaks. Took a short walk to nature trail then early to bed (fish taco dinner). Still pretty lame due to knee injury but can do easy walks.

Guymon (OK) to Natural Falls State Park (OK)

Monday November 13^th

Late start as we did internet and had breakfast in hotel. Left Guymon continued east on 412. Ended up at Lake McMurty Park/recreation area. Has east and west side areas. I researched at OK state park site and determined best sites were on West side so we went there. Hwy 412 east to I-35 south, jigged over to Hwy 77 then Bronco road (E0580 road) to the lake. We had site number 5. Nice view of lake, Utilities and free wi fi. Had campground all to ourselves. (site 4 at lake McMurtry west). There are trails but we did not walk any due to me being Gimpy from knee sprain.

Tuesday Nov 14^th

Woke up and slow start. Left around 10:30 or so. About 200 miles to drive. Headed out from Lake McMurtry east to get to highway 177 south to highway 51 east. Stopped in Stillwater for fuel. 51 runs into 412 at Tulsa so there we transferred to 412 east. Then for lunch at Flo’s burgers in Catoosa. Continued on 412 East, past Flint to our stop at Natural Falls State Park Camp Ground.

Had site 21 which was nice as was on a bluff. PJS took her first walk wihtout crutches. Had picked up a brace at Walmart. We walked Dripping springs trail. Saw the natural falls, walked to bottom then along creek over bridge and back up…may have been too much. Iced leg and Ibuprofen for dessert after dinner of broccoli and soup. Alex had broccoli and left over pizza.

El Morro National Monument

Thursday, November 9th

Left Larry and Leslies, I 17 south to Camp Verde (left around 10am). Headed east on 260 through a bunch of little towns. Then cut north on 61 over little Colorado river and continued east. Hwy renamed 53 when in New Mexico. Was going to go to blue water state park but decided to go to El Morro National monument. Small campground, almost full. We were authorized by rangers to stay handicap site which I kind of am still handicapped. Dinner was bruschetta and green beans. Early bed. COLD.

Friday November 10^th

Woke up at the national monument. Banana breakfast then off to the monument. I did the ½ mile walk to the pool at the base of the rock and we saw the inscription rock. Did it all on crutches. Armpits got sore. Then headed east on 53 to I-40. Exited off this on Coors rd and went north to stop at Triple AAA office. Joined via the app and picked up maps. Discovered no more campgrounds in guides, bought two woodalls which are worthless so a bummer. Back on to I-25 north, through Sante Fe then took High Scenic HWY to Taos which meant…285 to 503 to 76 and then a tiny bit on 75 then north on 518. Getting late so we stopped in Carson National forest and pulled off Picuris road to camp

From Website a scenic loop: Please allow some extra time to enjoy this unique scenic byway and its tiny villages along the way. Route: From Taos Plaza, Hwy. 68 south to Ranchos de Taos; Hwy. 518 east; Hwy. 75 west to Peñasco; Hwy. 76 south to Trampas, Truchas, Cordova and Chimayó; Hwy. 68 south to Santa Fe; Hwy. 68 north to Española and Taos.