Along the way, we made a stop at another Texas State Park. This time, Hunstville State Park!
The narrow exit road...
Exiting our out of the way boondocking spot.
We pulled in to Hunstville State Park and went into the office for our free day use pass using our annual pass. We are really liking this annual pass! Parked the motorhome in one of the empty parking areas, got the bikes off and went exploring.
We parked them at a trailhead that was marked for hikers only, and went for walk...
Cormorants.
Me!
Apparently there are quite a few alligators on the shoreline, and we were hunting for a photo. Unfortunately, none were to be seen. Even at the end of the trail where there is a sort of a viewing platform at the spot marked Alligator Branch of the creak that runs through there, we didn't see any.
Heron.
That heron was only about 30 feet away. Usually, you can't get that close to them and they take off. But this one stood perfectly still, like "if I don't move they won't see me!"
Trail closed.
Some of the trails are still closed from the hurricane damage that occurred in late August.
Swamp. No alligators to be seen.
We did a total of 5 miles (9 kms) combination of biking and hiking. Then we got back in the motorhome and carried on to Bryan, Texas.
Big statue of Sam Houston.
Arrived at blog readers Annette and Raymond, and sat with their daughter Holly and had lots of conversation about RV'ing and travel in general. Had a nice dinner of deer sausage, and then retired to the motorhome parked out front of their brand new house.
Kind of feel like cousin Eddie arriving in Christmas Vacation!
Yesterday's drive, 93 miles (149 kms).
Today, we're heading due south! We've made plans to meet up with friends and fellow bloggers Lorne and Sue at Magnolia Beach for Christmas Eve... and that's tomorrow! So we've got some driving to do to get there in time.
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Nice price drop on this 200 watt solar starter kit. Shows a 1 to 2 week delivery, but it's a good deal.
And in Canada...
Pretty pic of the blue heron in its surroundings! Deer sausage sounds good. That's the one thing we haven't made with our venison. We'll have to try that.
ReplyDeleteWe couldn't believe how still that heron stayed. Most of the time on our hikes it seems that all we have to do it walk by and the egrets and herons are flying. They must be more used to people hiking on this trail or it was "zoned out" and totally concentrating one it's fishing. ;-)
DeleteI wonder how many alligators saw you two... The area looks beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWe wondered that ourselves too! ;-)
DeleteMagnolia Beach is close to 200 miles from College Station. Have a nice drive and be safe!
ReplyDeleteWe know, but a normal driving day for us is usually less than 100 miles so it was going to be a two day drive for us, lol!
DeleteStay safe and Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThank you Bridgett, and the same to you!
DeleteMagnolia Beach. My favorite boondocking beach at the Golf. Is there still damage seen by the hurricane Harvey in August 2017? I wish you a Merry Christmas there.
ReplyDeleteWe haven't been to Magnolia Beach since the spring of 2008 so we are looking forward to going back and to spending time there over Christmas with some friends. At the moment we have no idea if there was damage there or how much there was and if it has been fixed. I guess we will have a better idea later today.
DeleteIf you want to see alligators, you may want to put Brazos Bend State Park on your list for next time. They have bunches of them (or had a few years ago). But that would be back tracking at this point for you guys.
ReplyDeleteYes, the lady that sold us our yearly pass told us that Brazos Bend was the best park to see alligators at. We didn't have plans to visit that park on this trip but we will try to make sure that one of our trips through Texas will include that one. Thanks for letting us know. :-)
DeleteUnless there's a cage between me and the gator I'd rather not see one. How very wonderful to be invited to dinner. Sounds like a great time.
ReplyDeleteWe have seen many alligators in Florida and generally as long as you keep your distance it isn't a problem. The only thing I worry about is if one comes up onto the trail and we are stuck at trying to get by it. It's not bad if you are on your way into the hike because you can just turn around and go back but it could be a problem in you are on your way out on the trail and it isn't a loop trail.
DeleteOhmygosh, Cousin Eddie in Christmas Vacation! We have to watch that again this year, it's so darned hysterical. Gators are beginning to "hibernate" and you won't see them unless it's sunny and warm. Wishing both of you a very Merry Christmas and a new year filled with adventure and wonders!
ReplyDeleteYep, and that is sorta how we felt! It was pretty funny. ;-)
DeleteWe do realize that alligators are beginning to hibernate but we are in southern Texas and we have had several nice warm, almost hot days so they "could" have been out sunning themselves for the afternoon but obviously they weren't.
Merry Christmas to both of you!