Goliad State Park, Texas. February 23-26, 2026

 Monday we traveled to Goliad State Park, an interesting place with a lot of history.  We set up camp in more of a glorified parking lot. Then we went wine tasting at Texas South Wind Winery. Thanks for the tip Peggy! The wine was ok, but the owner Brad was fun to talk to.

Tuesday, February 24, we went for a bike ride. We went a little off the bike path thinking we would go for a longer ride.  Not the best idea we had.  We went down a dead end road and about 4 dogs started chasing us.  They didn’t catch us, but we realized the only way back was to go past the dogs again…Now there were about 10 dogs.  Yikes! We decided to walk slowly and talk calmly to the dogs. A few greeted us wagging their tails. We made it by with no growls. Whew!

We stopped at the Presido La Bahia Mission and Fort.  Interest in history of Texas.  In this location, more men were massacred than in San Antonio.

Memorial for those massacred.

We finished our ride to the State Park and went to the Mission Espiritu Santo De Zuniga on the grounds of the State Park.

We went for dinner to the Cracked Crab and hung out at camp afterwards.

Wednesday we hiked around the park, played Catan and went for dinner to La Victoria.  Cute little place with Mexican fare.

A live vine growing inside around the doors and windows.

Cucumber lemonade. I need to make this!

We stopped at a little liquor store. The name cracked me up. Jugs and Jiggers.  Then got a few groceries and prepared to leave the next day.

South Padre Island. February 20-23, 2026

 February 19 we stayed one night at Corpus Christi State Park and then traveled on to South Pardre Island. It was a hazy day of travel, but no problems. We arrived at the KOA on the Island and went to the pool (an olympic length pool!) to enjoy fantastic pool weather.

We met Randy and Peggy and they showed us around the Island. First we went to the beach bar, Clancy’s,  and enjoyed a drink looking out over the gulf. Then we went to Meatballs for a scrumptious dinner!

February 21, we walked the beach, sat at the pool, went to the grocery store, went for dinner at Dirty Al’s (Kurt had amazing blackened black drum!!) and did laundry.

Our campground from the bridge

 Sunday morning was super windy and turned chilly.  We “went” to church and later met Peggy and Randy. They took us to Harley’s, a fantastic Texan joint!  They sell beer, wine, sodas and water. They do not have hard liquor or snacks, so you are allowed to take that in - just not anything they sell. The country western band plays and takes a break when the bbq chicken is done. Then we eat dinner. People bring sides to share potluck style.  After all are served, the band starts up again.  SO MUCH FUN!!

Thank Randy and Peggy for showing us around the great time!  Yeehaw!

Brazos Bend State Park, Texas. February 16-19, 2026

 We arrived at Brazos Bend State Park on February 16.  The roof of Beauty was still in tact and looking good! We set up camp, relaxed in the sun and then went for supper to The Boil - about a half hour away.  Kurt had a Tazos sandwhich and I had a shrimp boil.  Both were top notch!

Tuesday we went on a hike.  It was fantastic!  We walked about 7 miles total, but it was all flat, so an easy hike.  We saw over 35 gators and lots of birds along the way.

Common Gallinule.  They are loud funny sounding birds

Ibis

Little Blue Heron

Anhinga

Northern Cardinal

Blackpoll warbler

Snowy Egret

Yellow rumped warbler

Y

Roseate Spoonbill

A vulture going into a nest in the tree

Wednesday, the 18th, we again went on another 7 mile hike. At first we did not see near the gators we saw the day before, but that changed as we walked a new area.  Again, we saw lots of birds as well.

We went to Open Range Restaurant and Lounge.  Cool food with amazing food! Kurt had the Cajun Trio and I had the blackened redfish.

 

Heading back to the rig, we saw all the vultures head to the trees for the night. At least 100 of them,

And by the camper, this little guy.

 Brazos Bend you treated us well!