BIG TEXAS CAMPING TRIP (October 14 - 23, 2005) |
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Before leaving on
our 10-day camping trip through Texas, we powered up the kids with
Texas-sized cinnamon rolls. They ate the whole thing!
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We stopped our
first night at Trinidad Lake State Park in Trinidad, CO. There were
only three other campers in the entire park! Most everyone in Colorado
has winterized their camper by the end of September. Having the park
to ourselves was a little creepy, but you can't beat having no neighbors!
We found a bunch of wood left by other campers and made a fire.
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Here is Courtney
cuddling with Carly.
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We stopped in
Amarillo, TX on our second night and stayed at the
Amarillo RV Ranch.
This kids took advantage of the heated indoor pool soon after we parked the
camper.
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We called a limo to pick us up and take us to the
Big Texan restaurant.
Check out those longhorns on that Lincoln! The kids loved the limo
ride.
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The Big Texan
offers you a FREE 72oz steak (that's 4 1/2 pounds for those of you
math-impaired), plus a salad, four side dishes, and a shrimp cocktail!
The only catch is you have to eat everything in an hour or you pay for the
meal. The kids REALLY wanted me to try it, but I declined since we
were living in our camper for the next 8 days. Melea was thankful I
made this choice.
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While waiting for
our table, the kids tested their shooting skills.
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The kids ordered
their drinks in Big Texan boots. That's Dad's 33oz. beer in the
foreground.
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Eat a few 4 1/2 pound
steaks and you would fit in this rocking chair just fine!
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There is the
elevated stage where the brave souls sit on display for all to see as they
attempt to ingest a ridiculous amount of food. Since 1960, almost
37,000 people have taken the challenge...just under 6,200 people have
succeeded. Notice the well-placed trash cans at the side of the table!
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I took this photo
of Courtney as she was attempting to eat all of her dessert. Kind of a
"Big Texan Challenge" of smaller portions.
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Our third night was spent at Abilene State Park. It
is a beautiful park. Take away all the pecans on the ground (and the
mid 80 degree temperature) and this park could be mistaken for a Rocky
Mountain park. Our site was well shaded and very level. Camping
next door to us is mswalt from
Outbackers.com.
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Nights 4, 5, and 6
were spent at New
Life RV Park in Georgetown, TX. We were surrounded by snowbirds
(full timers) who were escaping the cool temperatures of the North.
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While visiting
Melea's 94-year-old Grandmother in Round Rock, TX, the gentleman sitting in
the wheelchair came out of the building and asked us where we were from.
After we answered, "Denver" he told us he lived in Colorado Springs while
going to college. Colorado College we asked? Yep! LeRoy
graduated in 1941, Randy and Melea in 1992, and Melea's mother Kay in 1967.
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We ventured west of
Austin to Lyndon B. Johnson's childhood ranch. The kids enjoyed
exploring the farm learning how people lived a long time ago.
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Our ranch tour
included several farm houses with authentic items that were found in farm
homes during this era.
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What would a trip
to Texas be without genuine Texas Longhorns?
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We stopped at Barton Springs Pool in Austin for an
afternoon swim. The water was a cool 68 degrees and the bottom was
all-natural rock with plenty of slippery algae.
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Courtney was so
cold after swimming that she curled up on the warm cement in the sun!
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Our 7th night was spent in Abilene, TX at the Abilene
KOA. We had reservations at Lake Colorado City State Park in Colorado
City, TX, but that was a little farther than we felt like driving.
This was our first time at a KOA and it did not disappoint.
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Night #8 was at
Palo Duro State Park near Canyon, TX. It was amazing to find this
canyon among the endless flatlands of northern Texas.
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We were in site #8
which had a large open area around the camper and a great view.
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The next morning
before heading back to Trinidad Lake State Park for night #9, we hiked a
trail at Palo Duro. Melea took several pictures that will likely end
up at artwork in our home. The trip was wonderful.
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