Wind - the most consistent part of this April trip in the Southwest (and probably some other places too). Some wind is fine, but 35-40 mph starts to get a little old when you are camping - OK, I admit it is not really camping but more like living in an RV
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
A Big Data Hole.......
Did you miss me? Well, Coleman, TX is in the middle of a giant data hole, the type that is labeled - Don't even think about trying to connet. So, for all purposes we have been incommunicado - at least via computer, unless I wanted to find a wi-fi hook-up in Coleman and then have to put up with Bruce's figiting while I tried to get something done- just not worth it. But right now I am back so will do a quick update while we remain on I-20 moving W from Sweetwater to Big Springs- because once we leave the interstate, who knows if I will have connectivity for the rest of this leg of the trip.
I am pretty sure I added mucho information about Coleman on our 2009 trip - as we stayed at the Lakeside Park at Hord's Creek back then too, but obviously later in the season, so won;t spend too much describing the area. This time we stayed on site #1 - right down the hill from the newest bathhouse in the park - only to find that it was locked. Apparently, to our surprise, since neither the park hosts or the web site offered any information, they don't have a contract to have any of them cleaned until May 1- so only 3 in the whole park were open and of course none within walking distance to us. They offered to move us to another site once we questioned the Park Ranger about the problem, but since it had taken more than the average time to get The Beast level and we were already set up, we declined. We were only staying 7 nights and could use our own facilities until then - but we had to relocate the cats' bathroom in the meantime. Just inconvenient, not a show stopper. The bathhouses that were open were in bad condition, in fact at one time Bruce said that the shower on his side of the one closest to us looked like had someone stood across the room and threw whole boiled potatoes on the walls where they spattered everywhere and it was never cleaned up while we were there. So using The Beast's facilities was the right decision. Note to self- when arriving before May 1, be prepared to use our own facilitates and try to find a site with sewer hook-ups where The Beast will fit.
Weather was warm during the day but very, very windy except for Satruday. Night temps were perfect and we didn't use the AC until late yesterday evening and to sleep last night- 90 is getting too hot, even with a heavy wind and the cats were complaining audibly. Eating outside was limited, especially since picnic ware doesn't stand a chance of remaining in the vicinity of the camp site with 35-4 5mph gusts and the grill even had a hard time staying lit. I must admit, instead of cooking we sampled most of the Coleman restaurants instead.
The deer were prolific int the park and would graze nearby without even worrying about the dog. There were feeders placed around the area, so it was apparent they had a good, safe home in which to live for the time and were making the most of it.
Terrie drove down to see us Friday, leaving to go home early Sunday morning. We had a beautiful day on Satruday with a morning filled with garage sales, a comfortable afternoon at the park, a wonderful dinner where we could even eat outside, culminating in a dessert trip to the Dairy Queen. The weather was so nice that evening she opted to sleep outside on her puffy mattress covered with a comforter and was very happy.
We just left the interstate and I want to get this update out before I am conectless (or down to dial-ip speeds) so will conclude now. All in all, it was a very nice stay at :Lakeside Park (even with the winds and bathroom issues) and we enjoyed Coleman. I will post all of our new pictures once we get situated in Carlsbad (I hope).
Until then - Drive safely and Retire early.
I am pretty sure I added mucho information about Coleman on our 2009 trip - as we stayed at the Lakeside Park at Hord's Creek back then too, but obviously later in the season, so won;t spend too much describing the area. This time we stayed on site #1 - right down the hill from the newest bathhouse in the park - only to find that it was locked. Apparently, to our surprise, since neither the park hosts or the web site offered any information, they don't have a contract to have any of them cleaned until May 1- so only 3 in the whole park were open and of course none within walking distance to us. They offered to move us to another site once we questioned the Park Ranger about the problem, but since it had taken more than the average time to get The Beast level and we were already set up, we declined. We were only staying 7 nights and could use our own facilities until then - but we had to relocate the cats' bathroom in the meantime. Just inconvenient, not a show stopper. The bathhouses that were open were in bad condition, in fact at one time Bruce said that the shower on his side of the one closest to us looked like had someone stood across the room and threw whole boiled potatoes on the walls where they spattered everywhere and it was never cleaned up while we were there. So using The Beast's facilities was the right decision. Note to self- when arriving before May 1, be prepared to use our own facilitates and try to find a site with sewer hook-ups where The Beast will fit.
Weather was warm during the day but very, very windy except for Satruday. Night temps were perfect and we didn't use the AC until late yesterday evening and to sleep last night- 90 is getting too hot, even with a heavy wind and the cats were complaining audibly. Eating outside was limited, especially since picnic ware doesn't stand a chance of remaining in the vicinity of the camp site with 35-4 5mph gusts and the grill even had a hard time staying lit. I must admit, instead of cooking we sampled most of the Coleman restaurants instead.
The deer were prolific int the park and would graze nearby without even worrying about the dog. There were feeders placed around the area, so it was apparent they had a good, safe home in which to live for the time and were making the most of it.
Terrie drove down to see us Friday, leaving to go home early Sunday morning. We had a beautiful day on Satruday with a morning filled with garage sales, a comfortable afternoon at the park, a wonderful dinner where we could even eat outside, culminating in a dessert trip to the Dairy Queen. The weather was so nice that evening she opted to sleep outside on her puffy mattress covered with a comforter and was very happy.
We just left the interstate and I want to get this update out before I am conectless (or down to dial-ip speeds) so will conclude now. All in all, it was a very nice stay at :Lakeside Park (even with the winds and bathroom issues) and we enjoyed Coleman. I will post all of our new pictures once we get situated in Carlsbad (I hope).
Until then - Drive safely and Retire early.
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