The second time we took the new travel trailer out was to Lake Tawakoni State Park located near Wills Point, Texas. This was our first visit to this small, but very well maintained state park.
View of lake from public beach
The park was almost full when we made our reservation so we ended up reserving two different campsites - one for each night of our stay. When we arrived at the park we explained our dilemma to the park headquarters staff. They were very friendly, allowing us to cancel one reservation, and put us in the same campsite for two nights. What a relief! Our campsite was among shade trees of tall oaks and, although narrow, had a very level drive to park the trailer.
Awesome campsite!
We attempted to fish in a finger of the lake that stretched behind the amphitheater but had not luck.
Nothing beats a Texas sunset!
Instead, we entertained ourselves riding mountain bikes on the many linked trails and geocaching, our new hobby! We definitely will be back to visit this lovely little park set in east Texas!
After weighing all the pros and cons, and marking a few items off of our "want" list we finally decided that our first travel trailer purchase would be a .. by Forest River. Gman spent many hours researching and shopping for all the incidentals (that no one tells you about) we would need to tow the trailer, hook up the water and electricity and dump the tanks. TK spent many hours shopping for just the right towels, the lightest weight dishes and the cutest party lights to decorate the patio (still searching).
Finally, after many preparations, it was time for our inaugural camping trip! We decided on a destination fairly close to home, Ray Robert's State Park, Texas. Ray Roberts is 29,000 acre lake just a few hours north of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. There are two recreational areas on the lake: The Johnson Unit on the north side and Isle du Bois Unit on the south side. We chose to stay at the Johnson Unit. We were so anxious to start our camping adventure that we headed out late on a Friday night. In route we called the park to let them know of our reservation and late arrival. They were very friendly and told us that our spot would be available when we arrived.
Site #84 Walnut Loop
The park rangers helped us select a site - #84 in the Walnut camping loop. Parking and setting up the trailer in the dark was not as challenging as we thought it would be. Gman quickly leveled the trailer and got the water and electricity hooked up. We were able to turn on the heater and warm up the trailer so we slept snug as two bugs in a rug! Awwww....now this was camping!
Red buds and wild plum trees were in full bloom
The next morning we rode our bikes around the park and stumbled upon an old farm who's acreage now makes up the park. Sadly, this historic site now sits in ruins.
Sign explaining farmstead
What is left, and what we could see of the house
There were no letterboxes in this park (hmmmm we may have to plant one) but we did search for and found two geocaches planted by the park rangers.
Morning at the lake
By the late afternoon our friends and family had arrived. We had a nice visit, did a little bank fishing (TK was the only one to catch a small bass...yeah, she's rubbing it in) and grilled some delicious burgers!
Gman tends the fire
Our little dog Sam guards camp
All in all it was a great inaugural camping trip in our little trailer! We can't wait for the next trip!
Maybe we were crazy, maybe we were bored, or maybe we were inspired by the lyrics to the Kacey Musgraves song, "My House!"
Yep, that's it! The idea of being close to where the buffalo and antelope all roam was a dream we've had for a long time so we went out and bought ourselves a 26 foot travel trailer to take on our adventures. The name of our blog goes from "The Adventures of TK and G-man" to "The Camping Adventures of TK and G-man!" Stay tuned for more exciting details!
My House
by Kacey Musgraves
Who needs a house up on a hill, When you can have one on four wheels And take it anywhere the wind might go You don't ever have to mow the yard Just hang a map and throw a dart Pray to God the engine starts and go
Water and electric and a place to drain the septic Any KOA is A-OK as long as I'm with you So come on hitch your wagon To the living room I'm draggin' If I can't bring you to my house I'll bring my house to you
Parking lots and county lines and counting on market signs Where the buffalo and antelope roam Greetings from Niagara Falls One more postcard for the wall Off in our home sweet home away from home
Water and electric and a place to drain the septic Any KOA is A-OK as long as I'm with you So come on hitch your wagon To the living room I'm draggin' If I can't bring you to my house I'll bring my house to you
In Washington, in Idaho In Oregon and away we go To Tennessee and Arkansas No we won't stop 'til we've seen 'em all 'Til we've seen 'em all
So what else could you ask for? You don't even need a passport To see the whole world from our living room So come on hitch your wagon To the happiness I'm draggin' If I can't bring you to my house I'll bring my house to you If I can't bring you to my house I'll bring my house to you
It don't matter where we go We'll never be alone Anywhere besides you Is a place that I'll call home
