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Originally Posted by Campmeister
Thanks for the tips. Location is our primary concern on this trip since we're meeting Houston friends. We're mainly just looking to kick back, relax, and have some good time to catch up. We liked the fact that Palmetto had paddle boats and we may do a bit of fishing, but fishing certainly isn't a priority. Hiking will definitely be on the agenda, but nothing too severe with the kiddos.
Another priority is privacy. We went camping at Lost Maples last fall and were disappointed in the wide open rows of grassy campsites. I grew up in Eastern Washington camping in the Cascades where there were lots of evergreens seperating you from the next camp over. It sounds like Palmetto has that feel, although its obviously not evergreens making the seperation. Am I right here?
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Palmetto's campsites and, to a slightly lesser extent, the day use picnic sites, are definitely less open/exposed than those at Lost Maples. I think you'll find it conducive to enjoying time with friends, and not having to be elbow-to-elbow with fellow campers. One other park that might be worthwile to look into, though it's in the Houston area (but you'll forget that when you enter the park), is
Brazos Bend State Park. It's a larger park that Palmetto, but has the added benefit of an on-site Observatory with nightly (weekends only) star-watching events. Kids are welcome. I can't recall about fishing, but the Brazos River gives the park its name, so that's a good sign. There are also screened shelters, in addition to RV and tent-ready campsites, by the way. This park also has some skeeters, but they're not awful. It'll be humid at both parks most any time of year, so dress and pack accordingly. It's true for anywhere further east in Texas, the lushest part of our state thanks to rainfall levels. One thing about Brazos -- there are American alligators there. So don't let little ones wander unaccompanied. It's not like a Zoo -- the gators have free reign and occasionally are spotted sunning themselves on the trail's edge or right across hiking trails. They fear us as much as we fear them, but kids need to be supervised so they don't get too close.
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Originally Posted by Campmeister
Good thought on the skeeters, does anybody have tips for good mosquito repellant for kids? (This is our first child so we're new to this).
Thanks again!
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I don't have children, but children should generally be exposed to the minimum amount of DEET possible since it's such a harsh and readily absorbed chemical. Even adults aren't supposed to wear high concentrations of it for long periods, and it's pretty corrosive when it comes to plastics and paints (not good if you're carrying a camera, for instance).
Avon markets a sunscreen with repellant that uses citronella in its place of DEET. I think it's called Skin-so-Soft. It's not as effective for hours as DEET-based products, but it's the brand I tend to use. That and long-sleeves in the worst areas so I have an added barrier between me and the skeeters.
An article on
Which Insect Repellent is Right for Your Kids? .
Sorry it took me awhile to respond. I haven't been around the computer for several days.