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Mustang Island SP
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/mustang_island/
We had heard not so great things about this park and when we first got to the park (just after dark) I was a little concerned
about the fact that the sites are closer together than most Texas state park sites. The site we were assigned was right next
to a big fifth wheel, but backing in proved to be no problem because our neighbors were kind enough to shine their big outside
light on the spot to help us out. (I guess there is something to be said for closeness!) We had a terrific windstorm that
night with gusts around 40-50 miles per hour but the next day dawned bright and clear (though a bit cool) and we were rewarded
with perfect beach weather the rest of the time we were there.
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| Our campsite--#41--after our neighbor pulled out |
The beach is a little ways from the campsites and there is traffic noise from the road which can be seen from the campground.
There is camping allowed on the beach, but there are no hook-ups, of course, and we mostly saw tenters there. The bathrooms
and showers are decent, but there was no cold water when we showered the first time. The park hosts were notified and the
problem was attended to immediately. The campground itself was quiet, with rowdy campers and everyone was very friendly.
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| Our son and I on the beach |
The day use area of the beach has picnic tables and a pavilion with bathrooms and outside rinse showers to clean off
sand. Although, it looked as if this particular pavilion was undergoing renovation of some sort. The only bad thing I noticed
was the amount of trash on the beach which seems to wash up from the gulf. There wasn't an excessive amount, but it's still
a little sad to see it. Overall we had an enjoyable time at Mustang Island SP(Despite the close proximity of our neighbors.).
The staff was friendly and courteous and the campsites were clean and well-tended. On a scale of 1-10 (1 being the worst,
ten being the best) , I think we'd rate Mustang Island SP as a 7.
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| Our daughter sketching the beach for her art class |
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| Rob and our daughter at the beach |
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| Making sand castles |
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| The trailer area campground at Mustang Island SP |
For more pics, click here!
Daytrip to Lost Maples SNA
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/lost_maples/
We had been wanting to plan a camping trip to Lost Maples SNA in Vanderpool in autumn as was everyone else. Unfortunately,
due to the popularity of the park during the fall, the closest we were able to get was Garner SP. That's okay, we were only
28 miles away and were able to stop and eat at a pretty good restaurant along the way in Utopia called Lost Maples Cafe. It
was a beautiful weekend, we had temps with the lows in the 40s and highs in the 60s. And we finally got to see what
all the fuss was about. We don't get many autumn colors in this part of Texas, but at Lost Maples SNA you get fall at it's
best in Texas.
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| The picturesque First Baptist Church of Utopia, Tx. |
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| Lost Maples scenery |
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| Our son ,enjoying the scenery from up high |
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| Pretty fall colors |
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| Our son and us at Lost Maples |
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| Our son and I on the hiking trail |
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| My two favorite guys |
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| Lost Maples SNA campground (taken during our March visit) |
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