On the Road to Austin

Wednesday-Thursday, February 8-9, 2017

Wilson and I need to be in Austin, TX the morning of 2/11.  Texas is a big state so we decide to drive a couple of days and then camp about an hour outside of Austin.  Our first day of driving finds us in San Angelo, TX where we Walmart "camp" overnight.  It's great to have the Walmart option as we have found it to be a perfect option for days that we designate as driving days, where all we really need is a place to sleep.  Of course we always buy something while at Walmart because let's face it, it's the right thing to do.

Interestingly enough there is a small rodeo happening in San Angelo...why is this important to note you may ask?  Well, I actually have a strong desire to go to a rodeo.  I'm intrigued with the bull riders and all of the other events.  I don't think that we'll make a rodeo on this trip, but we sure will find a way to make one on our northern route.  I've already researched a little and there are several events in Quebec.  Perhaps when we are back in VT, if the timing works, we'll go up to Canada to see one.  We have a pet/house sitting gig in Canada in August so perhaps we'll go to one along the way there...more on that later.

While here we went to McCalister's Deli, a sandwich/salad chain.  It was a short walk from Walmart and it was the third time we had seen one and talked about it in two days - it was destiny.  Not only was it destiny, but we had a great sandwich and salad at a reasonable price.  I would recommend folks try it out.

Leave Brantley Lake SP, NM 9:55am
Rte. County Rd. 30►285S►Carlsbad Relief Route (bypass rd.)►62/180E►87
11:35am Goodbye NM, Hello TX (again) - One hour time change
Gas - Big Spring, TX Alon - $2.02/gal
Arrive San Angelo, TX - 3:55pm/4:55pm
Miles Traveled - 288

Thursday-Saturday, February 9-11, 2017

While in San Angelo we searched for our next stop.  We knew we wanted to be close to Austin and we knew we wanted to try and stay in a state park, as we had yet to do that in Texas yet.  We attempted to reserve a spot a park on the west side of Austin but were unable to, so we ended up with a park on the east side of the city, Bastrop State Park in Bastrop, TX.  We are happy that we ended up here for the following reasons:

• The people - campers, camp volunteers, and park staff have been incredibly nice
• The bathrooms are incredible - newly renovated, heated, hot showers, and especially clean ... I know I'm obsessing about bathrooms again, but these things are important :)
• The short hikes around the property were pleasantly more than we expected...very well maintained, natural paths
• The area and especially the park shows great perseverance having survived two floods and a wildfire within the last six years - Many of the trees in the park were burned down, the area is a bit desolate around the camp 
• The town of Bastrop markets itself as the most historic small town in Texas.  The town is charming and appears to be very vibrant.  We visited the Visitor Center, Library, walked the main business area as well as the River Walk.  We also had a very nice, filling lunch at The Grace Miller (Gracie's) Restaurant - Chicken Fried Steak w/cream gravy, garlic mashed potatoes, Texas toast, vegetable (spicy pinto beans w/bacon for each of us), and a piece of lemon cake (Wilson had grilled pork chops instead of the chicken) - all this food for only $7.50 for each lunch.  This was the special and it was well worth it!
• Bastrop has a lovely River Walk - along the walk we saw a couple of interesting birds, some sort of bird of prey, several types of ducks and the elusive Turkey Duck, or as the locals call them, Turucks (check out the photo below 😉)

      

    

Leave San Angelo Walmart, TX 8:25am
Rte. 89S►71E►95N►21E
Gas - Llano, TX Alon - $2.13/gal
Arrive Bastrop, TX - 1:00pm
Miles Traveled - 238