1. 20 Houston Family Magazine | June 2009 www.HoustonFamilyMagazine.com
L
et me start out by saying that my husband and I are not experienced
campers. In the past, we have taken our oldest son on a couple of
Boy Scout outings, but we have never been camping as a family.
Recently we decided to take the plunge to see if our three younger
children, ages 5, 8 and 14, would enjoy sleeping under the stars and roughing
it for a few days.
I was put in charge of planning the
family vacation and that meant first
deciding where we should go. Texas
has more than 90 state parks in seven
geographic regions, offering enough
outdoor variety to suit anyone’s taste.
My family loves the Hill Country, so
I concentrated my efforts there.
Unfortunately, my top three choices
were booked and the only available
space was a primitive site at Enchanted
Rock near Fredericksburg. We love the area, but primitive means no water, no
electricity and crude or no restrooms. It also means you park your car and hike
to your campsite with all your gear in tow. I was ready for an adventure, but
not that kind of adventure.
I continued to search the internet for campsites in Texas and found out
there are numerous options for families seeking outdoor fun. We chose a KOA
facility in Junction, Texas, about an hour and a half northwest of San Antonio.
The website noted clean restrooms and showers, a pool, canoes, playground
and tent campsites situated on the North Llano River. It sounded great!
Since I wasn’t certain that camping would become a yearly tradition for
my family, I opted not to invest in a lot of equipment. We own a good tent,
chairs and some lanterns but we decided to borrow a few of the basics.
Our friends loaned us their Coleman stove and camp kitchen and other family
members contributed sleeping bags and an extra large cooler. My sister
offered her air bed for comfort, but I end up turning it down, assuring her
that the foam pads I have packed will suffice.
After the car is loaded up with all the equipment and kids, we hit the
road ready for our first family camping adventure.
We arrive at the campground before dark and
pitch our tents without a hitch. Everything is going
great until… Although my various checks of the
weather promise a rain-free trip with cool nights
and warm days, our first night is unbearably cold.
The thermometer dips to 41, which feels a lot
colder when you’re in a tent. I have trouble
Go Camping in Texas!
Pack up the car and grab a
sense of humor, it’s time to...
BY REBECCA WISEMAN
If you’re not sure that your
family is ready for a camping
weekend, try going hiking
and picnicking for a day.
”
“

2. Houston Family Magazine | June 2009 21www.HoustonFamilyMagazine.com
sleeping because my face and hands are freezing. And while the ground is level,
I can still feel it through the foam pad. I am not happy. I want the air mattress.
Our children are miserable as well. My five year-old is crying that she wants
to go home. The eight year-old is rolling around the tent while she’s asleep,
trying to find a comfortable spot to rest. I search in the dark for anything to
keep them warm, and end up sharing my sleeping bag with the little one.
On top of this, I really need to use the facilities, but it’s way too cold and dark
for me to brave the elements.
My husband and son manage to sleep though all the commotion, and when
morning finally breaks, the girls and I put on more clothes and run to the restroom
about a ¼ mile away. At this point, I’m not sure that I like camping and neither do
the girls. That is, until they see a group of ducks wandering through the campsite.
They squeal with delight, then squeal again as they notice deer coming to feed
about 200 feet from our tent. My husband has a big smile on his face as he preps
bacon and coffee. The sun is climbing higher in the sky and things are warming up.
The combination of good food smells mingling with clean air is having a positive
effect on my mood. Ok, I might like camping, but we have to change a few things.
A quick trip into Junction secures some needed items: knit caps, gloves, a
few more blankets and some good junk food. We spend the rest of the day
hanging around the campground. We meet other campers, skip rocks at the
river, climb trees, spy turtles sunning themselves on boulders and simply enjoy
our beautiful surroundings.
After a great pan-fried fish meal, we roast marshmallows over a campfire.
Both girls swear that we have the best campsite ever, and they want to stay.
What a difference a wonderful day and 40 degrees makes!
The second night is better. The additional items help keep everyone warm,
but I’ve decided to invest in air mattresses for any future trip. As I drift off to
sleep, I imagine what it must have been like to be an early Texas settler. Pioneer
mom couldn’t have run into the nearest town to grab extra blankets and food.
I’m grateful I live in this time and am amazed at the resilience of the people
who came before me.
Our next day is spent exploring the surrounding area. We check out beautiful
South Llano River State Park, then head 50 minutes northwest to the Fort
McKavett State Historic Site. The fort boasts a combination of ruined and
restored structures in a beautiful Hill Country setting. This was a wonderful side
trip, offering our children a glimpse into our state’s rough and rugged past.
By the third day, we’re hooked. The children are having a great time, we’ve
expanded our comfort zone and the experience is definitely budget friendly.
Besides tents and RV’s, many state sites and campgrounds like KOA offer
screened enclosures and cabins for much less than a typical hotel room. You will
have to provide your own linens, but almost all include water and electricity, a
grill and fire pit, access to restrooms and showers and some have A/C & heat.
Also plan a day trip to a surrounding state park and check out the amenities
and activities. If you’re not sure that your family is ready for a camping weekend,
try going hiking and picnicking for a day. Then, when you are ready, take the
plunge and go camping! Just remember to leave room for imperfection and pack
a sense of humor along with your sense of adventure…you’re going to need it!
Not ready to tackle the great outdoors,
why not try your own backyard? Be a
part of the fifth annual Great American
Backyard Campout on June 27th.
The national event, sponsored by the
National Wildlife Federation, encourages
individuals, youth, friends and families to camp out together for one night
and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. The experience provides an
opportunity for everyone to relive, or to experience for the first time,
how much fun it is to spend a night sleeping under the stars. For more
information visit www.backyardcampout.org.
Great American Backyard Campout