Rowdhog Travels: A couple weeks at Canyon Lake, Texas

After leaving Arkansas, we traveled through the northeastern corner of Texas, near Texarkana. This is familiar territory for us, having gone this route 3 or 4 times. We took Routes 59, 79, and 77 to TX 21 which took us through Bastrop, TX, one of the communities that was hard hit by last summer's wild fires. The evidence was very clear, the fire had destroyed houses and forests on both sides of the highway. The smell of pine was in the air and you could see rebuilding where homes had been burned.

We stopped overnight at a small park in Franklin, TX, which caught our eye since Dennis was born and raised in Franklin, NH. The park was under new ownership and had just become a Passport America park, so our stay only cost $12.50. The new owners were very nice and are trying hard to attract overnighters.

It was less than 200 miles or so to our destination, Canyon Lake, Texas. We arrived at Joint Base San Antonio at Canyon Lake around noon. That's the new name of the military FamCamp that we stay at when we're in the San Antonio area. It's in a rural setting and about 35 miles NW of Cibolo, where our son and daughter-in-law live. It's quiet and a bit out of the way, but there is good shopping in New Braunfels, which is only 20 miles away.

As usual, the deer were plentiful. They wander around, day and night, with no fear of humans or pets. After a few days, Paddington gets used to them.... until they run! Then she can't help herself and has to bark at them. But it takes a lot of barking to keep them away from their 'feeding stations.' They've gotten accustomed to campers feeding them.

Sun setting over Canyon Lake.

We may not do a lot of Christmas decorating now since we are away from home at Christmas, but that doesn't mean we don't escape the fun/chore of 'putting up the lights.' We've given Ryan and Crystal a hand with their decorations the last couple of years. It sure is more fun to do this in Texas weather than in NH weather!

During our stay, Ryan and Crystal took us to the Riverwalk in San Antonio to see the lights, which were all new this year. They changed to all LED lights and it was a fantastic display. After a wonderful dinner, we walked along the Riverwalk and enjoyed the sights and sounds.

The town of Gruene, Texas (pronounced Green) is probably most famous for the Gruene Music Hall, the oldest still active dance hall in Texas. I couldn't think of a better place to visit on my birthday!

My favorite singer, the King of Country Music, George Strait, got his start at the Gruene Music Hall in 1975 as a singer with the Ace in the Hole Band.