Trip Dates: 7/19-7/22/2018
Location: Lake Ray Roberts State Park – Isle Du Bois (Site 48)
The 5 day forecast ranges from 105-110 degrees (record breaking temps worthy of news stories and social media posts) . . . so let’s have a birthday party and go camping! I told Cameron the s’mores are going to make themselves – no campfire needed.
I had to work on Thursday, so Kevin and the kids went early to set up camp. They pulled in around 3 pm (did I mention it was 110 degrees!), chose a sight with the most shade possible that also had an open spot on either side, giving us the best chance for our friends, The Crowders, to get a site right next ours. Turns out site #48 had it challenges – squeezing Shasta in there (that’s what we’ve named our new fifth wheel – just so happens she has a giant sticker on the front that reads “Shasta” — yes, we are very creative). With inches to spare between the slides and trees, and a slope that required 4 blocks on one side to level it out, he and the kids plugged her in then sat in the truck with Chewy enjoying the cold A/C and wi-fi while the A/C tried it’s hardest to cool this RV down.
Meanwhile, Alan met me after work to do a “quick” hook up of the boat to my car, so I could head out to meet the family. Well, of course it couldn’t be that easy. . . Just one break light, 3 tires in need of air, an adapter for the lights and a spark plug change, then I was on my way. (Did I mention it was 110 degrees!) Thank you Alan!!
I made it there just after 7:00 and The Prairie House was calling our name for dinner, followed by a grocery/birthday cake trip to Walmart. We loaded up on Icee-Pops, Drumsticks & Blue Bell cups. The reason this is noteworthy is we finally have a freezer that works!! (Thanks to Kevin for installing our new 3 door residential stainless steel fridge – yes, we really rough it). Then back to the camper where the A/C was finally getting things cooled down.
One of the things I love about this park is there are deer EVERYWHERE! Nearly every time we drove around, there they were, right beside the road, grazing away. Chewy and I ran into one on a morning walk, not 20 feet in front of us, just standing there, not afraid of us in the least. There was also a cute little pair of road runners that made several appearances crossing the road right by our camper. Someone took a picture of them, but I can’t seem to find it.
Friday morning, the alarm sounded at 6:30 am, so we could head out to Anne’s farm (Valhalla) to get in some horsey time before the temperatures got into the triple digits. We had a blast helping feed the horses, leading 2 in from the pasture behind the golf cart, bathing a mare, rescuing a drowning mouse from Cabalito’s bucket, taking turns driving the golf cart (pretty sure Nolan and Cameron could have done that for 48 hours straight) and watching Macy school Glory. I tell Kevin and the kiddos if I can pet a horse at least once a month, then I’m a happy girl. Mission accomplished!
Mindy, Joe, Brooke and Lila arrived when we got back and were able to get the spot right next to us (20% shaded site according to the “book” at the check in office – what a great idea to have pictures and stats on all of the sites!) We got to eat lunch at Ernestos (a Mexican restaurant we frequented when living in Pilot Point). Ernesto lived a couple of houses down from us on Twin Creeks. We took a little trip down memory lane and drove by our old house and my parent’s old house too. Part of me really misses it. Maybe one day we’ll go back to living the country life.
The rest of the day was spent trying to stay cool. If you sat very still, and had the fan blowing directly on you, it was tolerable at most. ChewyWe waited until about 7:30 to fire up the grill and had chicken, corn, mashed potatoes and salad – yum!
The Pollones, Avery and Cade (Nolan got to bring a friend so he could stay out of the girls’ way) all arrived Saturday morning around 9:30 to kick off Cameron’s Beach Birthday Bash, trying to get swim time in before we melted. We reserved a covered picnic table early and set up a canopy down by the beach. Kevin grilled chili dogs and brats. We manage to stay out there until 3:00 before we called “uncle”. Instead of sitting still in the camper for the next 4 hours we decided to move the party to our house, where we could enjoy the air conditioning, cook hamburgers and have the cake, then back to Ray Roberts to “camp” for the evening. Unfortunately Presley wasn’t feeling well, so she stayed behind. Nolan and Cade had enough and ended up staying to sleepover at Cade’s house.
The girls hunkered down in the Living room on the pullout sofa and we turned on a movie for them. The next morning we had Cameron’s favorite breakfast (Sister Shubert’s Sausage Rolls). Avery needed to be back by 2:00, and we still had to break down camp, so we decided to squeeze in a boat ride for an hour. After all, we didn’t want Alan’s efforts to go without cause. If we haul the boat, we’re going to use the boat! Also, Brooke wasn’t able to get in the lake yesterday since she had foot surgery, so this was something she could enjoy.
Heading out, Kevin managed to back the RV (like threading a needle) out of the tight spot that had rail road ties place too close at just the wrong angles. We hooked the boat to my car (no incidences this time), loaded the girls and headed back to Highland Village. Kevin stayed behind to take Shasta to the dump station (did I mention it was 110!). All in all it was a good trip, even though it was Hotter than Hates. Camping in the end of July in Texas may not be a tradition to continue. This is the second year we’ve done Cameron’s birthday here. I’m thinking we might try ice skating next year?
To Have And To Haas 