campermom

Well folks, we made it back and what a week. I will break up the posts to include information about the specific park and what we did while staying there.

Originally we had planned 2 nights here but extended to 4. Davis was paving and needed everyone out by 8am. Ew. While at Balmorehea, we swam. The water was cold and refreshing, but for 7 year old boys, they got cold to quick. The did enjoy swimming with the fish, and chasing the chipmunks which have taken over the lawn at the pool. The park is in the desert with very few tall trees for shade. The loop is almost exclusively pull-thrus. All the tables are covered with a large white stucco looking structure with red tile roof. The restrooms quite serviceable but the showers give you a minute of water, at a pre-determined temperature, then turn off. They take water conservation very seriously out there, and that's OK by me. From here, we were able to take a second trip to Fort Davis ( the fee is good for a week), spend a half day at Mc Donald Observatory, a day trip to Big Bend, and a day trip to Carlsbad Caverns NP & Guadalupe Mtns NP.

As for McDonald Observatory, we would have made the kids happier if we'd had gone to McDonald's. They showed us the telescopes and some slide shows but it wasn't at their level. Also, the road to the top is quite steep. Call ahead if you have a long rig.

This was a great place to use as base camp. I would have preferred Davis Mountain SP due to the nicer temperatures and view from the campsite but that would not be the case this trip.

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