Texas RV Travel blog

Hurricane Rita swept through East Texas last weekend, devastating many communities. The damage remains and cleanup begins this week. Among the casualities were 20 Texas State Parks in the East Texas area.

While Texas State parks continue to provide free entry and campsites to hundreds of evacuees, 20 State Parks in East Texas are closed, some until 2006. For the latest information about state park temporary closures and state parks able to host hurricane evacuees, call TPWD Customer Service Center reservations line at (512) 389-8900.

These East Texas State Parks are closed due to Hurricane Rita and will reopen after clean up and repairs have been made. While most of the parks will be open by mid-October, some will not open until later or 2006. The dates given are approximate, please call to inquire before planning a trip.

Texas State Parks Temporarily Closed Due to Damage from Hurricane Rita

Brazos Bend SP. (979) 553-5101
September 21 - 29, 2005

Caddo Lake SP/WMA (903) 679-3351
September 23 - 30, 2005

Daingerfield SP (903) 645-2921
September 22 - 30, 2005

Fort Boggy SP (903) 344-1116
September 22 - 30, 2005

Galveston Island SP (409) 737-1222
September 21–29, 2005

Huntsville SP (936) 295-5644
September 22 - October 15, 2005

Lake Houston SP (281) 354-6881
September 22 - November 30, 2005

Lake Livingston SP (936) 365-2201
September 24 - October 15, 2005

Martin Creek Lake SP (903) 836-4336
September 23 - 30, 2005

Martin Dies, Jr. SP. (409) 384-5231
September 22, 2005 - February 28, 2006

Mission Tejas SP (936) 687-2394
September 23 - 29, 2005

Sabine Pass Battleground SP/HS (409) 971-2559
September 21 - February 28, 2006

Sea Center Texas (979) 292-0100
September 25–October 7, 2005

Sea Rim SP (409) 971-2559
September 21, 2005 - January 31, 2006

Sheldon Lake SP (281) 456-9350
September 21 - 30, 2005

Village Creek SP (409) 755-7322
September 22 - 30, 2005

Martin Dies, Jr. State Park was hit hard. The hurricane blew down dozens of trees, causing extensive damage to facilities and structures. Seven buildings had roof damage, with major roof damage to one cabin, one restroom, the park nature center and six screened shelter. The assistant manager’s residence was structurally damaged. Three screened shelters and two host camp sites were destroyed.

Sabine Pass Battleground SHS lost 16 new shade shelters and the park residence. The concrete bulkhead along the Sabine River/Ship Channel was completly undermined.

Sea Rim State Park near Port Arthur suffered damage to the park residences and wastewater plant. The maintenance area and boat barn were destroyed.

Lake Livingston State Park, like many other parks across forested East Texas, had many downed trees.

Sea Center Texas, a combination fish hatchery and visitor aquarium center, lost 97 percent of its red drum, spotted seatrout and flounder broodfish when backup power generators failed. The fish in the aquarium, however, somehow survived.

For the latest information about state park temporary closures and state parks able to host hurricane evacuees, call TPWD Customer Service Center reservations line at (512) 389-8900.

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Last week, a House committee approved the “Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act.” This week the full House of Representatives will vote on the bill.

Sponsored by long-time opponent of species protection Rep. Richard Pombo (R-CA), the bill would eliminate habitat protections, making it easier for developers, oil and mining companies, and others to harm the special places that threatened and endangered fish and wildlife call home, including rivers like the Missouri, Columbia, Snake, Sacramento, and Colorado.

Learn more and take action now!

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As we baby boomers age (creak), we fall prey to arthritis and other ailments. This is no reason to sell the RV and stay at home; especially once you read the tales of travelers with C4 quadriplegia or deafness who still enjoy travel. Most RV parks have at least one parking spot for travelers with wheelchairs and its seems like everyone has a scooter or a golf cart to get around the park.

Remember, you have rights. You have the right to ask for accommodations so that you may enjoy the trail ride or canoe trip. Of course, the best time to ask about handicapped facilities and accommodations is BEFORE you arrive. For this reason, your best friend when booking a trip may be your travel agent. If you book your own travel, please ask lots of questions. Better yet, send your questions in email so that you have your answers in writing.

Disabled Online has an entire page of travel links to websites for people with disabilities, ranging from home swapping with people with disabilities to travel to Egypt.

The Handicapped Travel Club has surveyed campgrounds for accessibility and have a classifieds section for previously modified RVs. There is good information for RV parks who wish to address accessibility issues in their park.

The Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality (SATH) has a resources page that will help anyone with physical limitations travel in style.

There are national organizations working on passing and enforcing legislation for travellers with disabilities. However, YOU can make a difference. If you call a park to check on facilities for RVs with lifts–(wider by 20′ and paved with hookups on the level portion), pools with ramps, service animal facilities, accessible bathrooms, showers, offices and stores–YOU are making an impression. If the park owner says he does not have the facilities, you might want to direct him to resources for park owners.

Power to us old folks!!

Keep on rolling along,

Eileen

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Virtual 3-D Dogs Community Expo

This weekend: September 23-25, 2005
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According to AnimalPlanet.com, thousands of animals were killed by Hurricane Katrina, while many others are still in need of rescue. Will you help?

All proceeds from this Dogs Community Expo will go to the Petfinder.com Foundation for Animal Victim Disaster Relief.

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Petfinder.com is an Animal Rescue Group. Visit http://www.petfinder.com.
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Combine exposure and great public relations for your pet-related business through the Dogs Community Expo AND assist the four-legged animal victims of Hurricane Katrina.

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EXPO SPECIAL - Donate $50 donation to PetFinder.com Foundation Disaster Relief Fund and you will receive one 3-D Exhibitor Booth, including an eight-seat Web Conference room for the weekend.
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As an exhibitor, you will proudly display the DogExpo logo on your website for the next 3 months. This logo demonstrates your support of the Animal Relief Fund to your customers!

Your 3-D Exhibitor Booth includes an eight-seat Web Conference Room which enables you to voice conference and text chat to visitors from around the world who step into your Virtual Exhibitor Booth.

Your booth will be promoted online until the end of January 2006! Find out more about the benefits of an exhibition booth by visiting the link below.

Gain some great PR for your business, become part of the community, and help the four-legged survivors of Katrina. Not everyone can give, so make sure you visit the Dog Expo this weekend to show your support!

God bless you!

Eileen

Visit the Virtual 3-D Exhibition Hall for more details!

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Solar - Wind - Water Use & Reuse - Energy Conservation - Rainwater Harvesting - Green and Sustainable Building - Organic Growing - Alternative Transportation - Straw Bale Construction

Sixth Annual Renewable Energy Roundup and Green Living Fair
September 23-25, 2005
Fredericksburg, Texas
Market Square, downtown Fredericksburg, TX

Four different threads for workshops and exhibits:
- Renewable Energy
- Organic/Sustainable Growing
- Green Building and Sustainable Living
- Water Use & Reuse

Organic wine, food and ales available.

Gate entry fee $8 for Friday or Sunday, $10 for Saturday or $16 for a 3-day pass (children under 12 free).

Gate fee includes:
- Exhibitors in one of 3 pavillions, 2002 Exhibits and on-going demonstrations
- Speakers and workshops
- Fun learning activities for kids
- Musical performances

Check the TheRoundUp.org website for the schedule and particulars.

There are also links to information about Fredericksburg on the Round Up website as well. If you need more information, visit the TravelTex website.

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TourTexas.com is a great website for planning your trip to Texas.

TourTexas has information on destinations and attractions by city or region. They have a great database of events, fairs, festivals, sports, shows, concerts, exhibits and other happenings in Texas. You may search by date, region or category, so you will always find the perfect activity for you and your family.

Order FREE Texas travel brochures, vacation guides, maps and travel planning kits from select destinations and attractions. Nature and Heritage Tourism resources include a directory of activities, destinations and services by region. Bird watching, historical re-enactments, ghost tours, you name it. Texas has it.

There is also a link to accommodations, if you are not bringing your own.

TourTexas.com is a joint project between AJR Publishing, LLC & the Texas Travel Industry Association (TTIA). It is designed to help visitors to Texas find travel information on a variety of destinations and attractions in the Lone Star State.

Keep your wheels on the road!

Eileen

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September is the perfect time to visit Big Bend National Park. Desert plants display their most profuse flowering in late summer, following the regular rains of July and August. Big Bend National Park, over 800,000 acres, encompasses the largest protected area of the Chihuahuan Desert and the only complete mountain range within a National Park in the United States. The boundary on the south is the Rio Grande River and the international border with Mexico.

The National Park site is your source for regional information, park maps and links to other resources.

This is a great site that includes an interactive map of the area and a link to virtual tours: Visit Big Bend

Do not forget this wonderful website, complete with pictures of Big Bend, discussed on prior post : American Southwest

The only campground that offers full hookups in Big Bend National Park is Rio Grande Village R.V. (432-477-2291), If you do not mind boondocking, there are 2 other campgrounds in the National Park. However, they are not suggested for large RVs.

There are other many RVing options in nearby towns that you would want to visit anyway:

Big Bend Travel Park - Study Butte, 432-371-2250
Restaurant, Bar, R.V. Hookups, Showers/Laundry

Big Foot R.V. Park - Terlingua, 432-371-2518
R.V. Hookups

BJ’s R.V. Park - Terlingua, 432-371-2259
R.V. Hookups, Shower/Laundry

The Ranch R.V. Park - Marathon, 432-386-4511
R.V. Hookups, Tent Camping, Showers/Laundry

Stillwell R.V. Park and Museum - FM 2627, 432-376-2244
R.V. Hookups, Tent Camping, Groceries, Showers/Laundry, Gas

Study Butte R.V. Park - Study Butte, 432-371-2468
R.V. Hookups, Groceries, Gas

Have a great time! Do not miss the Hot Springs by the Rio Grande and the Window in the Chisos Mountains…

Eileen

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