Enough of the cold, Texas here we come

[MNRon]

This winter in MN has been a "real" winter again. While the snow is beautiful, and the frigid cold is even refreshing for the first few minutes outside and the crunching snow sounds nice (DW would NOT agree)...it's time to get a break!

We're planning on a ~3wk trip with a week or so in San Antonio in mid-Feb. Current plans are a hard day or two pull south to get into Texas and de-winterize the camper and spend a few days. Then go to San Antonio for a week or so. Lastly start north and spend a few more days somewhere else and then a couple long days with a winterized TT again.

Looking for any advice on where to stay, what to see, etc. We don't need anything great (no pools etc), but would appreciate campgrounds where we could walk the dogs and sit out and read a book. Definitely plan on taking in the Alamo, River Walk, Pres. Johnson's ranch/library. What else would you recommend?

Thanks in advance!
Ron

[her_I]

If you are coming into Texas through Arkansas to de winterize there is a real nice park in Texarkana called Shady Pines. No pool but real nice level, full hook-up concrete sites with a fishing lake. There is a large RV service centre right next door owned by the same family.

[4huskers]

If you're only going as far south as San Antonio I'd stay at Traveler's World. It's a great location for visiting the downtown area. It's right on a bus line so you don't have drive. The way winter has been this year you'll have some pretty cool weather in SA. You need to go down to the valley for warmer weather.

[MNRon]

Any Texas weather sounds warm right now when our thermometer says -6degF (and that's become 'not so bad' here over the last couple months). 50's would be very nice, my wife would really like 60's and maybe a shot at 70 for a day or two.

Our plan is to get on I35 and drive south, not a lot of detouring on the way down. Ideally we'd reach warm enough weather around Dallas-ish area and camp 2-3 nights, then move to San Antonio for a week or so, and then move a day to somewhere else for a few nights before starting our trek homeward again.

[fchammer1]

When you're traveling from Minnesota, what's another 200 miles? Well for one thing, it's currently 70º at 8 a.m. in Bonita Springs, FL, and will hit 84 later today. Mid 80º weather is forecast for the week. Realizing that the sun isn't up yet in McAllen, the temps there right now are 46º and will rise only to 55º later today. Their forecast is for 70º weather for the week. That's what another 200 miles will do!

[1971duster340]

Since we haven't had a normal (bluebonnet stimulating, flea killing) winter in a few cycles, we are having an abnormal (too cold too often) winter this year. Not so cold, but I've seen 30s-40s at night more times this year than the past many. Even a few too many 20s. We are in the dry, NE part of the state, no snow/sleet/ice like the places south that hardly ever get the white stuff. I'm not complaining, I was ready for the abnormal, not a warm abnormal.
You might mention where you will enter the state...I30, I35? That will narrow down the entertainment corridor.

[okiejoe]

Its cold in Texas too.

[hermandutchman]

If you come to the RGV you will not have any a place res. FunNSun in San Benito has 1400 cites and only have a little over 800. This has not been the best year for hot weather. Temp was over 70 at 3 and by 5 had dropped to 50. That is still better than up north.

[pawatt]

MNRon wrote:
Thanks for the ideas. More would also be appreciated.

Do we need to make reservations, or will we be able to find openings just driving in? Also any good state campgrounds?

Most places you will not need reservations unless in or near the oil fields. Hopefully others can give you an idea of these locations depending on your route.

[MNRon]

Thanks for the ideas. More would also be appreciated.

Do we need to make reservations, or will we be able to find openings just driving in? Also any good state campgrounds?

[John_Joey]

When we're in SA we like Travelers World. MAKE SURE YOU FOLLOW THEIR DIRECTIONS to the park. Using the GPS only will put you in a spot where you can tear out the bottom of your rig.

North of SA is Potters Creek COEa good place to explore Hill Country from and read that book of yours.

On your way down Winstar Casino RV Park is a very nice place to regroup at both going south or north.

[AUWing]

It was -15 when we left the Twin a Cities this morning on our way back to balmy Milwaukee (-5). Just go and don't look back. Can't be anything like the 6foot high snow piles over there.

[padredw]

One good possibility would be to spend a day or two at Fredericksburg as part of your visit to the San Antonio area. From there you could visit the LBJ Ranch and see the Nimitz Naval Museum. Fredericksburg is a nice town to visit. This is a bit early for the wildflowers which should be blooming in early April.

One other suggestion. It would be good to plan a stop over in North East Texas to see an entirely different part of the state--pine forests and rolling hills. The Daffodils will be in bloom in a week or two from right now at Mrs. Lee's Garden--acres and acres of daffodils near Tyler/Gladewater. Many good parks in this area. Tyler State Park, Daingerfield State Park, COE Parks on Lake o' The Pines. That allows a visit to historic Jefferson.

Many good private parks also in the area. Many people come to Texas and never see this part of the state.

You could make this a one day drive from San Antonio/Fredericksburg on your way home. As we say, "You all come to see us!"

[ronfisherman]

If you are looking for any warm weather in TX. You will need to come all the way down to the RGV. Lots of parks down here. Pick one and enjoy the area.

[azrving]

Cant tell you where to stay but you may be able to stop at this place just to start warming up to Texas. I wouldn't necessarily drive hundreds of miles out of the way for it but we stopped there before Christmas and it was deserted. Its not the grand canyon but its nice. $10.00 to get in for the day and $20.00 per night.

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/palo-duro-canyon/map

We are staying west of Houston. I had ice all over my rig on Wednesday but on Friday it was 73 and tee shirts. Loving every minute of it. Be careful and come on down!!!!!