[tretcheenia]

September 19 is talk like a pirate day Ms Shannon who is a beauty, must be cleraning the bilg from her computer as she hasn't joined in !

More important who is going camping?

Ahoy all and advise us where's yee's going!

We plan to be at Tawakani SP in November again for the Edgewood Festival, always a fun time

(Edgewood is right up the road from the park)

Welcome - Edgewood Texas Heritage Festival

Haven't worked out October yet but I know around here the scouts will be out then.

[Longwow]

Arrrrr! How'd you know about the stinkin' bilge rats? I try to keep them smartly out of sight!

[Soassesaisp]

Me and me crew of misfits and trouble makers are going to South Llano to plunder and....ok, I can't talk pirate any more. November my den will go to Garner. Possibly backpack with a troop early December at Enchanted.

I've been craving a trip. It's been to long.

[freddyujnf]

ARRGGGGG! Swab th' decks! Hoist that flag! (And the part I like best) Get out the rum!!

Trips we have planned in the near future: Oct. 2 -- McKinney Falls (want to go to a cat show in Austin), Halloween Weekend -- Brazos Bend, weekend before T'giving -- Boykin Springs Lake in Angelina National Forest.

[VitaliyMurnov]

Well it's not quite October, but I'm heading out to Copper Breaks State Park for a long weekend. I read about the Vintage Vernon Ghost Tour & Folk Festival going on Saturday and it sounded interesting enough to use as an excuse to get out of the city for a while. Might even make a day trip up to Caprock Canyons State Park to check out the new Visitors Center and do a little hiking. Or maybe just sit around for hours and look at the horizon. It all sounds good to me about now.

[QbCp7LaZ]

We have camped at both parks. Copper B is nice, but take the drive to Caprock, get there early enough to enjoy a high from the North Prong trail head. The nicest surprise is when you drive thru the main camp area and descend off the cliff into the canyon. Super pretty.

[Plonnikas]

In Oct. I'm planning on Enchanted Rock, Hill Country Natural Area and Garner. In Nov. Lost Maples.

[RonPeeredob]

We have several trips planned...notably: Davis Mountain SP, Padre Island NS, and Eisenhower SP.

[wowwieholmes]

I've camped at Caprock a couple of times in the South Prong Area, even been to Fern Cave (quite an accomplishment, as anyone who has made that trek will tell you). I probably would have spent the weekend there instead of Copper Breaks, but one of the things I had on the agenda was to see my great-aunt in Vernon. Just wanted to head up there and check out the new Visitors Center. It's nice...but...a million bucks??? I think they should have put a little of that money towards some more showers.

They've had a bunch of rain at Copper Breaks and it looks GREAT! The swimming area actually has water in it and the boat ramp is operational. I've been there several times over the past five or so years and this is the first time I have ever seen either area functional. If I had one wish for the park it would simply be for more people to discover it.

[VodsNittats]

We are headed to Lake Whitney the first weekend in November.

[fectsnanteemy]

Don't know if you have been to Lake Whitney SP or not but eariler this year they had closed a number of RV sites for renovation, the web page does not say anything so maybe they finished. But the other sites have little to no barriers between you and you neighbor. One picture is below of water electric sites. There are some full sites that are a little better



the full sites

[snova]

Troop198, thanks for looking out for me. No, we have never been there but we are staying in the screened shelters on this trip. So hopefully this will be a non-issue.

Thanks again.

[Cyncceply]

Lots of Screen shelters at Lake Whitney so if they are still working on the rv area no problem for you its up front.

an example at Whitney


Also if your not to busy and you have a parks pass you should visit Meridian SP nearby. It is a smaller park, but if you like screen shelters they have some right next to the lake We like Meridan much better. I have a trip report on this site somewhere from this summer. Some Meridan shelters below

[allmyflights]

We will be at Cooper Lake state park this weekend (10/15-10/16) if your there stop and visit

[ovenco]

Lord willing and the creek don't rise, we're going to Beaver's Bend SP in OK for Thanksgiving. Hope this beautiful weather holds! I can't wait....Only 3 more weeks!!!

[VoriEremiagem]

I'll be headed down to Enchanted Rock November 15-17th. Also plan on driving down to Lost Maples/Garner to check out the foliage, with a side trip to the Kerr WMA for a drive-thru. The Park Ranger at Lost Maples said that should be exactly around peak time so I can't wait. Just wish I had more than a couple of days free to spend down there.

[LoohornePharp]

Its so slow now that winter is here so how about some reports on all the trips you have taken since this post ? (some of you did post reports )

[Liaptoono]

Its so slow now that winter is here so how about some reports on all the trips you have taken since this post ? (some of you did post reports )

I'm a bit slow on the draw right now. It's peak season at UPS so we're doing a month's worth of work each week. I'd say there is no way that Lost Maples peak time was when they predicted. It seems that most of the trees had lost most of their leaves by that time. This didn't take away from any enjoyment, though.

I started off leaving D/FW Monday morning and about 2.5 hours later arrived in De Leon to check out the Terrill Antique Car Museum. This place is really neat! There are eleven cars from 1901-1941 and they are all in excellent shape! The host is Hiram Smith, Jr. (hope I remember that correctly), a lifelong De Leon resident who was very nice and hospitable. The museum wasn't even open on Monday but I had talked to him on the phone the week before and told me it would be no problem meeting me when I would be rolling through town.

After leaving De Leon, I beat a fast path to Llano to eat at Cooper's. I had brisket, pork loin, pork ribs, chicken, sausage, and lots of leftovers. It was incredible, as usual. Reluctantly peeled myself off the bench after that and headed to Enchanted Rock, set up camp, took a shower, and then relaxed by the campfire. There were only a few other sites occupied so it was very peaceful and quiet. Two deer laid down on the ground about ten yards away from me and the fire and rested a couple of hours, not even moving when I would shine my flashlight in their eyes and say hello again and again.

Tuesday I got up early to hike the Summit Trail and was on top by 7:45 a.m. Hiked back down to clean up a bit and head to Fredericksburg. On the way, I drove the Willow City Loop, which is always enjoyable, even when I get my charged by a bull. I had read several good reviews for the Rather Sweet Bakery & Cafe in Fredericksburg so I stopped there for lunch. I had the "Mediterranean Melt – Roasted tomatoes, artichoke hearts, kalamata olives and havarti cheese on foccacia, served with fresh fruit or chips and salsa – $8.95". It was wonderful, and not just because I was starving by this time. Bought some desserts to go and got back on the road.

I drove down TX-16 through Kerrville to Medina, then took RR 337 to Vanderpool, Leakey, back to Vanderpool, then headed up to Lost Maples. For those of you who haven't been to this part of Texas, you'd never believe that you're on the same Highway 16 that rolls flat and straight through Llano. It's one of the most scenic drives in the state any time of year. I got to Lost Maples in time to do some hiking before sunset. Like I said, I think the peak time had already passed so that was a bit disappointing, but I wasn't disappointed. Headed back through Hunt and Ingram via TX-39, which winds back and forth over the crystal-clear waters of the Guadalupe River countless times. Note: For those interested, Stonehenge II is no longer in Hunt, it is in the process of being moved to an art gallery in Ingram. I stopped at Max & Zelda's Oasis Cafe on the way back to the park. It was okay, a bit pricey and not as good as the cafe I had lunch at. Enjoyed another campfire and wonderfully cool night.

Had to get back to town and back to work Wednesday, but first hiked the loop trail, the first time I had gotten to do that and see the back of the Rock. Packed up camp and headed back to the city. Drove into Colorado Bend State Park just far enough to take a picture at the sign, had lunch at the Koffee Kup in Hico, walked next door to get some goodies at Wiseman House Chocolates and had to resign myself to the fact that now my trip was basically over as it was time to get back to the real world.

Had a lot of fun for a 2-3 day trip. Next year I'll be heading down that way in April for the bluebonnets but I think I'll try East Texas for the fall foliage. And, alas, now it's back to the holiday grind for the last heavy week. Hope you all get your UPS packages on time (of course they will be).

[Onervemurce]

I started off leaving D/FW Monday morning and about 2.5 hours later arrived in De Leon to check out the Terrill Antique Car Museum. After leaving De Leon, I beat a fast path to Llano ).

Just curious how is the drive down TX 16 (assuming you went that way) We like 281 with the trailer because less trucks and its a good speed otherthan the towns you hit

We like the Koffe Kup in Hico also but DS graduated now from Tarleton so no more visits to nearby Stephenville

Also last spring lots of color at Meridian and Whitney (see trip reports in the forum) picture below

[8cyVn4RJ]

Nice, quiet road. Even fewer towns than 281 and smaller ones, too. Of course, if you're pulling a trailer you might want to stick to 281. I think there are more passing lane areas in between the towns on 281 vs. 16. But always take the road you haven't traveled if you have the chance!