Date: 11/18-11/21/2018
Place: Lake Livingston State Park
Site: 3
The roads were narrow and sites were very close together. We were in the newest loop that was recently re-done with cement site pads. We were lucky, because several of the sites were under water due to all of the rain, but this one was dry
The drive there was uneventful, although we stopped at a McDonalds for lunch that was kind of cool. They had a parking lane next to the drive-thru just for trailers. Parking can sometimes be a beating when we stop for lunch. Also, we ordered our meal on a touch screen inside instead of from a person at the register. Of course that lead into who could touch the screen first, push which buttons, and “he went first last time” shenanigans . . . story of our lives these days, always a competition – and that was just Kevin and I (tee hee).
This was a nice park (not my favorite, but nice). Super friendly campers whom many were repeaters over several years to spend their Thanksgivings here. Lots of them mentioned it was their FAVORITE park . . . . .I asked them if they had been to very many others – lol! There are so many other state parks we like much better!
Traditionally we like to eat out the night we arrive because it’s too hard to set up camp, make dinner and manage to eat anytime before midnight. This trip did not disappoint. We ate the BEST Mexican restaurant – Patron Grill! The queso was really good and was included on almost every plate! Avocado on everything – sorry Kevin! One of the reasons I married him – I get to eat all of his avocado!! Huge plates and one of my favorite crispy beef tacos ever! We’ll definitely return.
It was pretty cold and wet outside, so we “roughed” it in our fifth wheel. (Yes, it’s called “Glamping” – don’t judge!) Chewy cozied up by the fireplace (or on Kevin’s lap in the recliner), we watched movies, played Scrabble and 9 Square.
When weather permitted, Nolan and Cameron played SEVERAL hours of volleyball, bumping back and forth over a make-shift net (made out of clothes line) that Kevin put up between two trees. I think I know what Santa will bring this year – a portable volleyball net!
Nolan had his maiden voyage grilling burgers over the campfire and potatoes in the coals. He did great and they turned out awesome!
We thought it would be too wet to hike, but low and behold, this park just so happened to have an “elevated, decked, 1 mile hiking path” through the trees. It was designed to be handicapped accessible and was awesome! A little slippery, but I managed not to bust my butt . . . .close , but I made it. There was a bird watching building, a duck pond, a frog pond (we saw no critters in any of the mentioned), but we did see the cotton tailed butt of one deer as it bounded away. That was pretty much the extent of the wildlife on this trip.
There was a pretty cool look-out tower and we went magnet fishing off the dock. We are now the proud owners of 2 magnets (EXACTLY the same) so the above mentioned fighting over who’s first or who gets the better magnet, etc could be minimized. This also came in handy when the rope slipped off one of the magnets and we lost it to the bottom of lake. Thank you Kevin for his mad skills in retrieving that magnet with the other one. This trip’s loot included a rusty knife and a spark plug – jackpot!)
On Tuesday, we met Camille and Benjamin in Cleveland, TX (halfway point between us) to pass off Nolan and Cameron, so they could spend some extra “cousin time” before my mom, Earl and I headed to their house the next day. Hannah took them for a day of fun since Camille had to work. They were spoiled rotten with trips to Starbucks, Canes, 5 Below, Wings N More, Pump It Up, parks, scootering, 4 wheeler rides and on and on . . .
Kevin and I headed to Walmart (because there’s always AT LEAST one trip to Walmart on every camping trip). Just as luck had it, we managed to find the matching RV camper jammies for Cameron and I – SCORE! This was now the third Walmart we looked at for our sizes. Santa will thank me for being so diligent. We also swung into a Lowes chasing a good deal I saw on-line. I was on a mission to find the “camper Christmas inflatable” I saw advertised on sale. They had ONE left – Merry Christmas to me!
Mimi and Earl pulled in around 4, and we took them on the “elevated deck” hike as well. We watched the sun set, made fajitas for dinner, had some cocktails and hung out by the camp fire – just adults!! They stayed in their hotel that night and came back for breakfast in the morning. We drove through some local neighborhoods on the lake because we love to look at real estate. I get that from my mom, and we’re just lucky to be with men who think that’s fun too.
We took down camp and said good-bye to Kevin. He, Chewy and Shasta headed back home. I hopped in the car with mom & Earl to Spring for Thanksgiving at Kevin and Camille’s house. Unfortunately, Kevin H had to work on Thanksgiving – AGAIN!! (and Christmas this year – AGAIN!!) Can’t wait for next year when he’s off for both. We may even see a trip to Winter Park for Christmas if we’re lucky!
We ate at Lupe’s the first night (kind of a tradition) and had Thanksgiving dinner (actually lunch) at their country club. We did this last year as well. The food is great and no prep time or dishes to clean up after. Maybe next year, we’ll do the whole cooking a traditional Thanksgiving meal when Kevin H can partake too.
We visited more parks and went to a ninja warrior indoor course. They had a blast, but dang, that’s a work out!! (at least it looked like it from where Camille and I sat on the couches scattered around for the parents).
It was a great Thanksgiving week, but no matter where we celebrate, and who we spend it with, I am truly THANKFUL for my life and everyone in it!
To Have And To Haas 