After Houston we moved to Goliad SP, a Historic Site southeast of San Antonio. Spanish missionaries and soldiers established a mission along the San Antonio river at this location which is an icon of the Spanish colonial era. Weather joined us on our move with clouds and rain during the stay and fewer birds than other location. From Goliad we moved to Garner SP southwest of San Antonio. By this time, spring break was in full swing. Coronavirous fear was starting to swell, but Garner SP was full and overflowing. Texas love their state parks and bring families. There was kids on bikes, campers with outside tables setup, Christmas lights on the ground and hanging in the air at night, fires burning in the ring pits, music playing, games going, people walking pets, joggers, etc. Garner has over 400 campsites, numerous tent sites, a jukebox dance in the evenings at the pavillion, grocery store, walking paths, miniature golf, etc. After about 10 PM the campground area quiets down and becomes peaceful. While at Garner we hiked and also visited birding sites at Uvalde.
We left Garner early on Saturday 3/14 and drove to a join a weekly bird trip at Lost Maples State Natural Area. The 2900 acre area is along the Sabinal River surrounded by rugged limestone canyons and populated with Uvalde Bigtooth Maples. The area also hosts the endangered golden-cheeked warbler which had just arrived and we were fortunate to find and see. The trip was led by volunteers from Michigan that we first met at Goose Island SP.
After the birding trip we continued on to Kerrpark on the outskirts of Kerrville in the hill country west of San Antonio. Donna’s daughter Colleen/Steve had rented a place along the Guadalupe River in Kerrville. We visited with them Saturday and Sunday. By Monday the Coronavirous threat became more onerous and our kids more concerned about us so we headed for SD. We managed 588 miles on Monday and stayed at Stratford, TX at an RV park that featured self-check in and corals for any horses you might be hauling. Tuesday we continued and drove 637 miles to arrive at Whitewood around 7 PM. During the two month trip we traveled 5937 miles, stayed at 13 different RV parks, and recorded 207 different bird species.
Will this be our last big camper trip? Who knows.
Attached are some of the pictures from Goliad, Garner, Lost Maples, Kerrville, and our trip home.
Donna by the Espiriti Santo Mission at Goliad.
Indian Paintbrush by our camping spot at Goliad. The state of Texas plants Indian Paintbrush and Texas Bluebonnets along the highways in Texas.
Garner SP was named after after former Vice-President of the United States John Nance Garner. Original work developing the park was done by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Vic is standing by the original entrance built by the CCC but the entrance and road are only used as a walking trail.
Birding walk at Lost Maples. Participants L-R were Brenda, Donna, Les, Jane, and Vic. A cool and cloudy day. Les and Jane are volunteers from Michigan and we met them at Goose Island.
Our camper spot near Kerrville just before we started the return to SD.
Donna’s daughter Colleen, Steve, Vic and Donna at Kerrville, TX.
I almost forgot to include a bird picture. This is a White-winged Dove that was coming to our feeders at Garner SP. This is a southern bird, but a few sometimes make it to SD.
We are back in Whitewood and happy to be home. Thanks for following us virtually on our trip to Texas. Please follow the Presidential Guidelines “15 Days to Slow The Spread” and stay safe and healthy. Vic/Donna