Blue Mesa Recreational Ranch

We arrived here in Gunnison, Colorado on July 13 for 4 nights.  This is a RPI membership park and we elected to pay an extra $5 per night for 50 amp electric as the temps were near 100 degrees.  So we paid $15 per night and found a level, wide, and long gravel site with full hookups.  No cell service here, but they sell a wi-fi package for $3 per night.  They did not charge me for it and it really did not work for the internet, but it allowed us to use our phone.  Every day the storm clouds and associated wind would come in, but did not drop much rain.  We hit a good rain storm coming into town and another when we went into Gunnison for groceries and hardware supplies to repair two of our three fantastic fans.  Took a ride along the nearby lake and spent one day along the shores watching boats speed by with their attached toys while Buddy went for a much needed swim.  I rate this park M***.

Spring Lake RV Resort

We arrived here July 8 for one night located in Halstead, Kansas.  They claim to be the largest RV park in Kansas.  I would not doubt that as the campground is spread in several different parts of the park separated by lush green grass, trees, and ponds.  We had a level pull through with 50 amp electric, water, and sewer and we did not have to detach the toed.  The park was mostly full of full timers, however, the row we were assigned were all travelers who were spending one to two nights.  We enjoyed our stay here and was a great value with Passport America discount, we paid $16.  I rate this park P***.

Diamond RV Park

We arrived here in Woodland Park, Colorado, on July 10 for three nights.  It was a little inconvenient as we had to move to another site after the first night since they did not have a site to accommodate our rig when I made the reservations.  We had full hookups including 50 amp electric, water, and sewer.  Most of the campers stayed here the whole season for the summer.  The park was well maintained, but all facilities were shut down because of COVID19:  including the club house, and dump station.  The generous sized gravel sites were not level, but no issues with jacks or blocks.  We paid about $40 per night plus ponied up another $40 to purchase Passport America.  I rate this park P****.

We took a day trip to Manitou Springs and Cripple Creek while here.  Aggie loved the pine trees in the campground and it was pretty warm considering we were at 8400 foot elevation.  We received good TV reception over the air and my cell phone was a little spotty.  

Table Rock Lake State Park

We arrived here on July 3, 2020 and camped in campground 2.  Campground 2 is closer to the Marina and Campground 1 is closer to the day use area for swimming and the boat ramp.  Campground 2 seemed to be larger and the sites seemed more spread out.  That said, we camped in the dry camping area and our spot was long enough for our rig, but close to our neighbors.  In fact, most campers in our section were camping with tents and our neighbors planted their tents behind our rig in our campsite.  There are full hookup sites and electric and water sites available, but we were unable to snag one for this holiday weekend.  Our spot was level and in the trees.  We have filtered water view through the trees.  They do have a dump station here also.  The full hookup sites are close together like an RV park, but the electric and water sites are spread apart nicely with green grass and plenty of shade trees.  We paid $11 per night plus $8.50 reservation fee and I rate this park F*****.

We utilized their free showers and fee laundry to wash our clothes.   Spent over two hours at Best Buy to figure how to transfer pictures to the laptop.  It turns out that all my pictures on the phone went to the cloud and the software would not copy them to my computer.  So he downloaded them back to my phone and showed me how to download pictures from Aggie's Kodak camera from her computer chip directly to my computer.  Kodak software would not work with windows 10.  We took several trips around the area and booked a variety show for tonight.  We will go out to dinner tonight and ordered a deep dish pizza one night which we got two meals from.  The lake is currently 15 feet above high pool level, so some campsites are under water.  Aggie took a shot of me repairing the flag pole as the high winds broke two connections that the flag attaches to.  I epoxied them and am back in business.

Rocky Point COE

We arrived here in Queen City, Texas on June 30, 2020 for 3 nights.  I used blocks and jacks to level the coach and we had a waterfront site with water and 50 amp electric.  We experienced windy days here also and it was also hot and muggy.  The only drawback I can think of with this park is the trash.  The only dumpsters were near the entrance and the dump station.  Not within walking distance.  Other than that, this is a great park.  We paid $13 per night with our America the Beautiful Senior Pass and I rate this park F*****.

This is located near Texarkana, Texas, which borders Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana.  We visited a museum of regional history.  This museum had info and musical instruments of the musician and composer, Scott Jopin.  This old two story building used to be a bank and insurance company.  The insurance company had a big safe hidden behind a brick wall on the second story.  There were some military uniforms and medals exhibited there also.  We also toured another museum called the Ace of Clubs House, built in the 1800's.  Legend has it that this house was built with $10,000 won in a poker game.  This house had 22 sides and the entry ceiling boasts to 45 feet high.  The chandeliers operated on gas and electric.  The house still has it's original wiring, I hope it does not burn down.  

We stopped for supper at a sports bar, Walk-On's, that had cold draft beer and I ordered a Louisiana style gumbo, fried shrimp, fried catfish, hush puppies, and french fries.  Aggie ordered a fried shrimp po-boy and corn grits.  

Homestead Heritage Village

We visited this village while in Waco, Texas.  It had a restaurant, wood shop, blacksmith shop, pottery, a grist-mill, and yarn weaving.  We also watched a 20 minute video about the history of the community.  We hiked from building to building and watched the tradesman work their trade.  Aggie purchased a souvenier cup with the makings to make a snickerdoodle cake in a mug.  They do teach you the trade through workshops for a fee.  No cost to visit though.  In the wood shop, they were refurbishing some very old church pews.  I wish I had taken before and after photos of them.  They looked brand new.  

Airport Park

On June 27, 2020 we arrived at this park Near Waco, Texas.  It is a COE park located on Waco Lake.  We had a level waterfront pull through with water and 50 amp electric.  The only negative comment I can say is the dump station is set up a foot above the ground.  Water and sewage does not flow up hill.  I had to manually lift my sewer hose every 20 seconds to dump what was in the hose.  It was a chore, but we got the job done.  We had strong wind gusts for our complete stay, but it did feel a little cooler with the breeze, although still muggy.  We stopped here to see Chip and Joanna Gains Magnolia Farm and Magnolia Market.  They have a show called Fixer Upper on HGTV.   We did not find their farm, but did drive by their silo and market.  Unfortunately, it was a Sunday and they were closed.  We did catch a wild thunderstorm on the way home and had to place the Tahoe in all wheel drive to navigate the flooded streets.  It came down fast and hard.  Waco is now under complete construction now.  Many streets and freeway entrances were closed and much rehab going on in the city.  The city seemed pretty run down now.  Maybe in a couple of years it will look better.  We also took a side trip to Homestead Heritage Village, a separate post.  We paid $13 per night with our America the Beautiful Senior pass.  I rate this park F*****.

Japanese Tea Garden

We visited this beautiful tropical paradise while cruising through San Antonio, Texas.  It is located in a 343 acre Brackenridge Park.  It was a free attraction and even the parking was free.  Buddy enjoyed observing the koi fish in the small ponds.  The waterfall is lit up at night.  

Potters Creek Campground

We arrived here in Canyon Lake, Texas

on June 22 for five nights.  This is a COE park and we enjoyed our waterfront site.  All sites come with water and electric.  We had 50 amp and needed it as it was hot and muggy.  We were able to open the windows after 11:00 PM as the temps dropped into the 70's.  A dump station is accessible on the way in or out.  Well spaced sites and long enough for any rig.  This is a boaters paradise and most campers are locals from Texas.  All sites are clean and have a fire pit and separate bbq grill.  They also have aluminum covered patio's with heavy duty metal picnic table.  We paid $15 per night with our senior pass.  I rate this park F*****.

We had a thunder storm come through one day.  Buddy was so upset, he would not eat his food for a couple of hours.  That is a rare occurrence!  I took the kayak out one day and Aggie and I popped in for a swim.  I was finally able to get my first professional hair cut and beard trim in 4 months.  Because of COVID19, barbers and hair salons were not open and when they finally did open, they would not trim beards.  We were going to visit the River Walk and The Alamo while here, but the Alamo was closed due to COVID19 and we decided not to go to the River Walk and chance catching the virus there as this is a big hot spot for the virus.  Instead, we visited a Japanese Tea Garden in San Antonio, a separate post. We took a separate road trip to Gruene, Texas, an historic 19th century community.  They have several beer gardens here on the river and a winery tasting establishment.  We poked into several antique and art shops till my feet gave out.  Afterwards we visited a large city, New Braunfels, Texas; to pick up some supplies and food.

I took out the kayak out one calm day.  Went across the lake to check out waterfront homes on other side of lake.  Almost got lost, but finally found my way back as this is a BIG lake.  Aggie paddled the kayak close to shore for a little while and we took a dip in the warm lake.  

Hilltop RV Park

Arrived here on June 21, 2020 for one night in Fort Stockton, Texas.  We were directed to a nice level pull through spot with fabulous views.  The sites and streets in the park were all gravel.  This was a relatively small park and quite windy.  There was a postage stamp pool and fenced dog park.  We enjoyed our stay and would stop here again.  We paid $27 CASH which reflected a $3 discount and I rate this park P****.  There is not much to do around here, but we did gas up at the local Walmart and also stopped to do a little shopping there also.  It was a great place to spend the night.  We had a small herd of goats next door and a large white golden retriever canvased the RV park.  It was his job to keep the goats in line.  

Mission RV Park L.P.

Arrived here on June 20, 2020 for one night.  Located in El Paso, Texas.  We had a level full hookup pull through site with 50 amp electric, water, sewer, cable TV and free internet that worked.  This park has a lot of full timers here and the property seems to need a lot of attention.  A wooden picnic table next to our site was completely demolished.  It was partially on my site and I had to move it over to the site next to ours.  We had no issues with the electric but registered only 112 and 113 volts.  Cable TV worked great.  While the freeway seemed to circle the whole RV park, the noise was surprisingly quiet.  We had difficulty finding the park even with GPS and the RV park did not answer the phone after multiple calls. 

We paid $22 cash which was a one night only 50% discount through RPI and I rate this park P***.