Amistad, Wild West, and Dark Skies

We left Houston and stopped a couple of nights in San Antonio at Ft. Sam Houston. We stayed on base and used our day there to stock up on groceries and get a few errands done. Harold chased down a new 6-pin socket for the Jeep. One of the pins was bent, preventing the Jeep's tail lights from working when connected to the coach.

From there we headed further south to Del Rio. We stayed at Laughlin AFB where we parked our chairs behind the coach and watched the pilots training. We took a short side trip to Amistad National Recreation Area. We might try staying at Southwinds Marina campground should we make it through the area again.

Crossing the Amistad Dam

Following U.S. route 90 west from Del Rio, we stopped at the Judge Roy Bean Visitor Center in Langtry, TX. It was a nice stop to stretch our legs and for a free museum, it was kind of nice. 

Saloon and Court

The Opera House (really Judge Bean's home)

Our next overnight and final stop before Terlingua and Big Bend National Park was in Marathon. The owner of Marathon Motel and RV Park is an avid dark sky observer. They have an onsite Sky Park with telescope pads. If you're staying there, the pad fee is waived. Dark Texas Skies conducts a nightly star party, weather permitting. There's a $10/person fee for that. Naturally, we'd arrive just before a full moon!

Telescopes at the campground

Checking out the moon

A campground rules first

The Big Bend area is prime dark sky country. We even noted an advertisement for a residential development being built specifically for dark sky enthusiasts. They offer concrete telescope pads with electric in the common areas. That's pretty unique. 

Where Are We Going Next?

Family, Flea Markets, and Friends Old and New

We can't come across I-10 and not stop at least a couple of nights in the Houston area. We have two nephews living in the area, one on the north side and one on the south side. We've met new RV friends who live north of Houston, and I used to live in southwest Houston back in the late 1980's. 

Our campsite was at Traders Village, a weekend-only flea market on the northwestish side of town. It was reasonably priced, had decent ratings, 24 hour security, and was not too far north for when we continued our journey west. We found it interesting to see the traffic over the weekend. Our nephews didn't necessarily enjoy it as they waited in line to get to us.

While in the area, we took the opportunity to enjoy a meal with Buck and Avah. Two RV friends we met about a year ago in Indiana at my cousin Steve's. We were both moochdocking at the RV lot. We finished our meal and headed to Humble Pies to continue our conversation. Humble Pies doesn't have a website, or I'd definitely be posting the link with a five-star plus review. If you're ever in Humble, TX, go for pie!

Much to my surprise, I recognized one of the names of the ministry leaders at Tallowood Baptist Church, where I attended all those years ago. We took the opportunity to touch base with Allyson prior to the service. Wow, has the church grown over the years. 

We just missed the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. It started two days after we left. Maybe we'll catch it on another visit to the area. There's plenty to do and see - besides the flea market!

Welcome to Texas - see the snake?

Everybody say "Hi, Steve."

Allyson and her wonderful smile

Campsite at the flea market

Front window view

Team Harold and Tom, Emily and family

Where Are We Going Next?