Buescher State Park, 10/3/14 - 10/5/14

17. This was a group camping trip to celebrate Jen's birthday.  We Scamped at site #7 with Jen and Jeremy (in their tent), Stacy and her friend Carol had site #8 in Stacy's Big Mama RV, Liz and Ken tented in the walk-in area.  Several of us rode our bikes on Park Road 1C that connects Buescher to Bastrop State Park.  It is a road known for steep hills and windy curves, and was quite a challenge. We also spent some time in Smithville - the boys went to the Bone Distillery, the gals went antiquing. We didn't do any hiking this trip, but Aaron and Jeremy did fish a little from the bank of the lake. There are several CCC-built buildings dating to 1933-1939, the dam, and Park Road 1C, from when the CCC built both parks.

Scampsite #7.

Amphitheater.

CCC-built Pavilion.

CCC-built bath house.

Park Road 1C.

Buescher Lake.

CCC-built Ranger housing. 

We visited again in February of 2016, hiked all the trails around the park and were also assigned the same Scampsite!  

CCC-built Pavilion on the lake.

Buescher Lake.

Galveston Island State Park, 7/9/14 - 7/12/14

16.  We went to Galveston to celebrate Sheila's 40th birthday gathering and family reunion.  We Scamped in site #65 and spent most of our time at the beach house that Sheila rented.  However we did explore the Clapper Rail Trail and Caracara Trail and saw lots of cool birds.  The bathing facilities were very nice - recently remodeled after Hurricane Ike.  There are 2 cabins in the process of renovation that should be open for rental by now.  There are also some kayak trails that look like fun.

While there, we also ferried to Bolivar Island, which has one of the few lighthouses in Texas. Unfortunately, the lighthouse is on private property, so we couldn't visit it, but we did hang out at Crystal Beach and had lunch there too.  

Galveston is an amazing town too: the Strand is the historic, touristy area.  There are at least 2 breweries in town, a lovely old courthouse, Moody Gardens, dolphin boat tours, and tons of good restaurants, hotels and B&B's.

Scampsite 65.

Sheila on the ferry to Bolivar Island.

Bolivar Lighthouse.

View of the Pleasure Pier from Sheila's beach house. 

View of the state park from the Observation Deck. 

The 2 cabins that should be available now.

Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site, 7/2/14

15.  No camping at this one!  Day use only, but we made a full day of it! We took our friend Jen with us and walked the park: Independence Hall, the river and then to the farm. Barrington Living History Farm was really cool, but it was pretty hot so we didn't linger too long.
While in the area, we visited the Antique Rose Emporium (lovely rose gardens and roses for sale if your thumb is greener than mine), the Blue Bell Creamery (always a hit!), the beautiful county courthouse, and lunch at Yumm's, which lived up to its name.

Independence Hall.

Barrington Living History Farm.

Jen and Aaron at the Barrington Living History Farm.

Antique Rose Emporium.

Blue Bell Creamery.