Cedar Hill State Park - Revisted

Cedar Hill State Park
Dallas, TX
September 30, 2010

We visited this park last year but we're unable to take any note or pictures. We arrived after sunset and left before sunrise to get to the state fair. Hard to review in the dark. I'm glad we made a return visit. This park has a lot to offer and it only got better!

We immediately noticed the new concrete pads. This is a big park with over 300 camping sites and every site had a nice new level concrete pad. I do remember the paved pads from last year and they weren't horrible, but this is a nice improvement.

We stayed in the Eagle Ford camping area and had a nice view of the lake. We had a fire ring and a nice covered picnic table.

This park sits on the shore of Joe Pool lake. The lake is a 7,500 acre reservoir. So, it's a nice size lake. The water looked very clean and was blue-green.

This park has lots to offer and I can image is very busy during the summer. The park has a full service marina that rents boat slips and jet skis. My son really liked the fishin

g shed on the marina and in addition, there are several lighted fishing piers. There is also has a really nice dedicated swim area and beach in one of the coves. As well as a playground.

The park is just of a highway and you can see and hear some occasion

al tra

ffic. It is very close to fuel and supplies. A Walmart is maybe two miles away.

Hard to find many faults with this park. We look forward to another return visit during the summer so we could enjoy the lake.

Pros
- close to supplies (WalMart close by)

- marina (fishing supplies, propane and ice....however, no souvenirs)
- swimming area & beach
- nice sites (some very close to water and some with excellent views of the lake)
- awesome new level concrete pads
- lots of sites

- pretty lake

Cons

- close to roadway (some noise )
- no state park store (no souvenirs-one of the largest SP's we've visited that didn't have souvenirs)

RATING 9.5 out of 10

2010 Boy Scout Jamboree - Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia

2010 Boy Scout Jamboree
Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia
July 29 - August 2, 2010

WORK IN PROGRESS

Washington D.C.

WORK IN PROGRESS

South Llano River State Park

South Llano River State Park

Junction, TX
June 2010

This was a nice little park located off of IH10 In Junction Texas about an 90 minutes outside of San Antonio.

The park has one camping circle that includes fifty seven RV pads.
The sites were level, well paved and very generous in size. We
had spot #57 and enjoyed the privacy. Our nearest neighbor was
approximately sixty feet way.

The river is pretty secluded. We tubed down three times and
only once did we see another tuber. The water is fairly clean and
clear. The only rapids are at the start of the park where water shoot out from under the park's entence bridge. Lots of people

hang out in this area and shoot the bridge.

The river float is about two miles long and takes an hour or two.

It isn't fast flowing but deep enough so that we didn't have to walk

any of the shallow spots. The top of the river float is about a

3/4 mile hike and the exit hikeis about a third of a mile uphill

to the campsites.

This park reminded me of Guadelupe River SP. The park is also

known for it's turkey roost area.

This isn't the Frio/ Garner SP. But it's a nice little SP.

PROS

- good size camp sites

- firerings and picnic tables

- level paved pads

- easy hikes to and from River

- enjoyed the bridge chute

- Ten minute drive to Schrier Park in Junction - day park

(see bottom two pictures)

CONS

- out in the middle of no where

- make sure your supplies are on hand. Only shopping is a
Family Dollar store in town.

Schrier Park

Ingram Dam 2010 - Revisited

Ingram Dam

Ingram, Texas

June 2010

Always a blast to visit. My kids love this place!

The Dam Store ran out of pads (plastic that you ride the dam on),

so we made the best of it going without. Our jean shorts were

quickly ripped to shreds. You do not want to use a good swim

suit to ride down the dam.

Well worth the stop.

Seven Bluffs Resort - Revisited

Seven Bluffs Resort
Frio River
Concan, Texas
June 2010


We had more water this year, so the river was back. Didn't have
to walk very much on our river float which is always nice.

This is a great place and is so close to the water. The RV spots
are all gravel and not very level. They can also be difficult to
back into. But, it is well worth it being so close to this beautiful,
crystal clear, refreshing river.

We had some cancellations and really missed some of the families
that were not able to make it this year. Hopefully we can all
be together next year.

Fredericksburg KOA

Fredericksburg KOA

Fredericksburg, Texas

June 2010

This was our first visit to a KOA. The kids had a swim meet

Saturday morning so we had a late start on our annual trek

to the Frio River. Instead of trying to make the long drive in

one day, we schedule a stop in Fredericksburg.

IMO, Fredericksburg is one of the neatest little towns in Texas.

Lots of history and culture and very pedestrian. You park

and walk the shops, B&Bs, resturants, beer gardens. The

surrounding area also has several wineries with tours to each.

One day my group of friends plan on doing the wine tour.

We checked in and dropped off the trailer. Then we went and

checked out the highway peach and vegatable stands. We all

enjoyed some peach ice cream and we bought a peach pie for

the Frio.

The kids took a quick swim and we went and had dinner at a

down town beer garden and had a good time.

My wife tried her first white beer and enjoyed it.

On the way out of town we stopped and bought a huge box of

kolaches for our daily breakfasts.

I have nothing but good things to say about the KOA. The

location was excellent. The management was nice and very

informative about the area attractions. They even had a fantastic

RV parts shop with prices that were very reasonable. KOAs are great

for rest stops. We do enjoy more of a camping park, but it worked

out great for our situation.

I wish we would of had more time to vistit the Nimitz WWII

musuem and hang out in Fredericksburg. Definitely a great

spot for a layover.