Our 2013/2014 Winter Journey

Sorry we missed you "again". My "best guess" is we'll be in Georgia and South Carolina most of December, then most of January in Florida. We'll be heading back west by February. Our route will take us to Aviation Arbor, then heading to Laughlin AFB (Del Rio). Eventually, we'll end up at SeaBreeze (Seal Beach, CA) by mid-March and stay a couple weeks for family. Then back to Mammoth Lakes, CA for the summer work season.

You all have a safe trip also!

Don't miss Big Bend NP, if you've not been there - a great park. Pretty close to Del Rio - worth the trip, especially if you have a 4x4 or AWD toad.

In addition, when you leave BBNP, head out along the Rio Grande thru big Bend state park - instead of back to the interstate. NO camping in Big Bend SP (plenty of camping in BBNP) but you can do that BBSP drive along the river in a day, easily - it's a beautiful drive (stunning actually, a better word). And, Fort Davis has just been renovated, and is a great park too - you can get there from either one, Big Bend NP or SP. Fort Davis is small, but some sites will accommodate a big rig if you disconnect.

monkey44 wrote: Don't miss Big Bend NP, if you've not been there - a great park. Pretty close to Del Rio - worth the trip, especially if you have a 4x4 or AWD toad.

In addition, when you leave BBNP, head out along the Rio Grande thru big Bend state park - instead of back to the interstate. NO camping in Big Bend SP (plenty of camping in BBNP) but you can do that BBSP drive along the river in a day, easily - it's a beautiful drive (stunning actually, a better word). And, Fort Davis has just been renovated, and is a great park too - you can get there from either one, Big Bend NP or SP. Fort Davis is small, but some sites will accommodate a big rig if you disconnect.

Thanks - we visited Big Bend a few years ago with the RV, then went out remotely for a couple nights in a tent. Didn't see anyone for those couple of days. We also visited Fort Davis (didn't stay there) and the Alamo movie set out there (can't remember the name). Didn't go into Big Bend State Park - might do that this time around.

We stayed at Ft Davis (Davis Mountain State Park) a few nights - it's been totally renovated and will re-open in Feb 2014 ... very nice place. Near the observatory too ...

BUT, we were sitting out enjoying the evening and suddenly heard a buncha grunts, like dogs fighting. And across the campground about ten Javelinas raced across the grounds and grabbed a huge cooler some campers had left out on the table.

These Javelinas look like large pigs, but are actually some other family of mammal. Anyway, these guys ripped into the cooler, figured a way to open it, and grunted all over, fighting for the food. Took them about ten minutes to eat thru everything in it. And they kept fighting amongst themselves for the goodies - was quite an experience. Apparently they hang out around the park, lots of signs saying "don't leave coolers out" ... and giving info about these critters. But, some folks don't pay attention - it was amazing how fast these 'pigs' found the cooler and tore it up.

Remember - no campsites in BB State Park, just a great drive along the Rio Grande and some short hikes ... but if you time it right, you can leave BBNP, make the BBSP drive and overnight at Davis ... When we leave here in Feb, we'll probably stop there again on the way to Death Valley and So CA - very neat place.

We'll be a lot farther south this trip. We're not specifically touristing, just looking to get away from the cold weather for a while!!

If either of you are in the Mission, TX area from Feb 10th through March 12th, give us a call. We always have room at the fire and a cold drink to wet yer whistle!

Sounds good John - where are you guys now?

What's with Mission? MCG there? Or what?

How the new 5'er working out - last time we saw you, you just got it and spilled beer on the floor... Wrong place for a beer, for sure.