Lake Brownwood State Park

Our travels in the past have generally been to sites and activities in other states, but there is so much fascinating history in Texas, not to mention beautiful scenery, that we've decided we'll try for shorter trips closer to home for awhile. Our final destination on this short excursion is Palo Duro Canyon State Park, in the panhandle area of Texas.

Sunday

Our first travel day was windy, overcast, and a bit wet. Not so great for driving or photography, but it did provide an opportunity to test out the new hitch stabilizer. 

After several hours of driving in pretty stiff wind the Trail Master reports. . .  The Way-Safe allows adjustment based on an internal weight scale which allows for real time adjustments depending on the load at the time.  Theoretically this leads to better sway control. So far so good, but still evaluating. 

(click on any photo for a larger view)

Our reservation for the evening was in Lake Brownwood State Park, about a 3 hour drive from San Marcos. 

This is a bass lake, and other campers mentioned they were here for a fishing tournament, but it had been delayed a day because of the nigh winds. Fortunately, Sunday dawned bright and sunny, so I'm sure the contestants all had a good time. 

 We arrived late in the afternoon and settled in to space #1 in Willow Point loop. What a great site! Plenty long, no obstructions to make backing in difficult, and a beautiful wildflower meadow for our front door. 

We enjoyed driving around the park and exploring the many structures left by the CCC corps.

Many of the projects the CCC completed have succumbed to the effects of weather and erosion, but many remain.

A stone picnic table the the foundations for benches, along with a fireplace for warming are tucked up in the trees only a few campsites away from ours. 

There's also a beautiful lodge with stone walls and smaller out buildings that are still in use, though they need a lot of TLC.  

 A monument in front of the lodge  honors the men of the Civilian Conservation Core and the 36th Army Infantry Division which worked alongside and supervised the CCC in the building of the park. 

Access to the lake for fishing and boating include several boat ramps and fishing docks. The water level is quite low due to the past several years of drought, but the docks and bridges all seem constructed to adapt to the changes. 

One path and fishing pier caught my eye, they are designed to float as one piece, while just past them is a sturdy bridge over the water that seems arched high enough to accommodate any possible rise in water level. 

Though we only spent two nights in the park we enjoyed it very much. The wildflower meadows and multiple places to hike walk the pups are hard to beat!

By Monday the sun was shining and all the wildflowers perked up. Our meadow from the campground entrance had quite a variety of flowers, and this seems an especially good year for the cactus blooms.

Departure day, wouldn't you know it? Fog rolled in.... 

 

Now, northward to Palo Duro Canyon!