Fort Worth to Bloomington

  Although there were several stormy days and nights, the rest of the trip back to Indiana was uneventful.  We spent a couple of nights at Heyburn Lake C.O.E. in Oklahoma.   Despite the beautiful location, we spent our time indoors as the wind was too strong to take walks.

The weather cleared up by the time we reached Carlyle Lake C.O.E. in Illinois.  We had spent time here a few years ago.  This time we parked one of its smaller camping areas;  the second night, we were the only campers there.

We felt like we’d arrived home when we reached McCormick’s Creek State Park in Indiana.  We spent 2 nights at the park, visiting with friends, Diann and Rick.  We will return to McCormick's in June to camp host for a month, as we have for the past 3 summers.

April 27 – Our 31st Anniversary

Our wedding anniversary was spent in the solitude of  Benbrook C.O.E. Park on the outskirts of Fort Worth, TX.

 

We spent the afternoon on a long walk along the banks of the lake.

Benbrook Lake was a serene location to celebrate 31 years together.

From Las Cruces to Belton, TX

Whenever possible, we like to find new routes to travel, and this time, we decided to take U.S. 380 to Texas.  It was a scenic route, traveling through the Sacramento Mountains.

 

 

 

 

 

The various signs of Roswell, NM brought a smile to our faces.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mid-afternoon, we stopped for a break at Tiny’s Burger Barn in Tatum, near the state line.  In contrast to the name, the burgers were anything but tiny.  Both the barbecue and the burgers were from local beef, and simply delicious.

We stopped for the night at a free campground in Brownfield, TX.  Northern Texas has many of these small free campgrounds (some with a donation box).   Several of the communities have decided it benefits their local economy to offer camping sites.  We stay in them whenever we run across one.  This one, as most, was in a city park, but we were pleased to find free internet provided by the local high school.

 

 

 

 

 

The next morning, I snapped this photo as we purchased fuel… not a sign you expect to see in a community.  

A sure sign that you’ve arrived in western Texas is the appearance of the giant windmills.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We spent this night in Ranger, Texas.  The campground had a private lake inhabited by beavers. 

We didn’t spot any beavers, but evidence of their industriousness was all along the bank. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The afternoon of the following day brought us to our destination, Belton Lake Live Oak C.O.E. Campground.

Bailey's Point C.O.E., Barren River, KY

After a good visit on Friday morning with friend, Juanell, we moved north to Bailey’s Point on Barren Lake in Kentucky. Friday and Saturday had gorgeous weather, low seventies, lots of sun.

We walked on the park’s nature trail and through the campground, and then just enjoyed the afternoon outdoors in our lawn chairs. We planned to move to Shepherdsville on Sunday morning, but awoke to 40 mph winds and rain, so we stayed the extra night on Barren Lake.

Today, May 12, we are in Shepherdsville, KY, with friends, Jim and Helen. We will attend the Derby City Square Dance Festival here this week.