Garner - Wild Texas Forums: Parks, Travel & Recreation

srds · 08-26-2007, 11:44 AM

Well I kept promise to dd and just back from Garner ,man what a great place when the weather is good ,low 90's daytime 70's at night .New dance area is really nice and the new rope on the tree swing is alot easy too swing on.This is the first time we had been there while the river was (normal) levels hardly any butt bumping.I was surprised that to see the park was only 3/4 full and we never got crowed.Rangers said they had alot of last minute cancels.Already planning and booked for the fall.
srds

Have Fun

HillHopper · 02-11-2008, 02:22 PM

Just got back from GSP. The weather was perfect for hiking but due being up in the hills, I was getting dis-oriented as to how much daylight was left. We hiked most the outskirts of the park. Trails got confusing trying to figure out which trail is mapped and which is really a trail. I followed what I thought to be a trail all the way until I hit a barbed wire fence. Sarted getting worried about not making it off the hilltops. i will not dare let my girlfriend navigate with the map ever again. I didn't want to alarm my girlfriend that we were lost so I kept all my survival thinking to myself. I was about to started settling down in one spot for at least an hour to determine which way the sun was moving to get a better east/west direction but that would surely burn up daylight. Actually, we were pretty far, and could not even see the park. Spent around 5.5 hours walking including after we were lost. We finally spotted "Old Baldy" and figured out sense of direction. We got off the hills at around 5:30-6pm. I was glad because our cell ###### had no reception and no one knew where we were.
After all the excitement for the day, we settled in for the night with beer, remy martin, sausages, grill boneless chicken, thin sliced ribs and potato salad. Star-gazing was fun. It was around high 40's but felt more like 50's night temp.
The following morning was packing up and heading back up to the top of Old Baldy since we were unsuccessful the first day. The view from atop of old baldy was gorgeous!
After we got down, we relaxed for an hour before we decided to do our scenic drive. From Garner, we went north on RR1120 to Leaky, Tx until we hit 337 and headed east. All I can say is WOW! The scenery and sharp curves were outstanding. I don't recommend speeding but I could not help myself and had my my squelling through the turns. I spent years racing for a living and this had me excited. From 337 we continued to 187 towards Vanderpool to get gas since there are no other gas stations around (not even in the small towns). From there we doubled back and headed east again to Bandera.

The only bummer was that we had to stop for a road block in the middle of no where as we were going over a hill. We saw Lifeflight helicopter taking someone away that crashed on their motorcycle. I hope they lived. We wited nearly 45 minutes before traffic flowed again. Other than that, it was great and we'll do it again.

My next destination will be the Guadelupe Mountains.

srds · 02-11-2008, 07:00 PM

Sounds like a good time,If all things work out we will get to go August.My daughter got me a gps and told me I could'nt get lost anymore,Little does she know ,I have to learn how to use it.I'm going to find your camp at dinner,man that sounds good.My neighbor wants us to go with them in June ,but my wife has a trip planned in Arkansas so we will have to wait for our Frio Fix.Glad you shared your trip.

srds

Have Fun

almitra · 02-12-2008, 01:10 PM

Yes, Garner sounds great---I need to go just to say I have someday.

4everfrio · 02-12-2008, 01:11 PM

Sounds like yall had one great adventure. We are going at the end of May. I can't wait to leave. I hope it starts raining and keeps the river running at a good level. Maybe you could make a menu for my garner trip. It looks like yall know how to eat. Have fun in the mountains.

HillHopper · 02-12-2008, 01:44 PM

Geez.. sorry for my bad grammar and spelling. I just now re-read what I wrote and I could barely figure out what I was saying. Maybe, I'll run into you folks someday out there and share some food.

Also, I would recommend RR337 north of Garner. The drive was beautiful and not really out of the way. We headed that way back to Houston.

riverrat · 02-12-2008, 05:47 PM

We'll be heading to Garner and the Frio for Spring Break. My son with 2 or 3 best buds will be staying in New Garner (for their senior trip) while we stay across the river at Parkview Riverside RV Park | South Texas Camping. we'll be just a holler away if they need us but far enough away that they will feel they are on their own. I read the dances will be going on for that week. I hope they go at least one night. I think they'd have a blast even tho they each have a girlfriend at home. Never know who you might meet when down on the Frio...
Always looking forward to going to the Hill Country!

almitra · 02-15-2008, 04:23 PM

Well, I couldn' resist--I booked a water only premium site in Old Garner area for Memorial day weekend. That makes 5 confirmed reservations for the spring/summer so far. Man, I can't wait to go as I hear so many wonderful things about this park.

Troop198 · 02-15-2008, 04:33 PM

where are those five spots? besides Garner of course

almitra · 02-15-2008, 07:03 PM

Caddo Lake SP, Garner SP (as you now know), Lake Whitney SP, Galveston Island SP, and Inks Lake SP. Kewl, huh? :P

rockhill · 02-15-2008, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by almitra

Caddo Lake SP, Garner SP (as you now know), Lake Whitney SP, Galveston Island SP, and Inks Lake SP. Kewl, huh? :P

Those reservations cover a diverse set of parks. Enjoy your time in the great out doors.

Troop198 · 02-16-2008, 01:24 PM

Almitra,

Not sure when your going to Galveston, the Troop was there for MLK weekend, was very windy and they had a hard time keeping stoves lit, THERE IS NO shade (didn't need it in January but might be hot in July). Beachcombing in the early morning was the number one attraction for the scouts. Spent most of one day at the Battleship Texas. Did I say it was windy

almitra · 02-16-2008, 01:39 PM

LOL!!! Windy...yessir! That is my main concern with my campstove and campfire, I must say. We are going June 22-26, so it will be hot. Guess I'm glad all the sites are water AND elec cuz I'll need the fan at night. We plan on going to the Seawolf park for sure...the Strand as well, and maybe see a play in the outdoor theatre like we did eons ago.

jillkc · 03-08-2008, 12:43 PM

My friends and I have a couple of cabins reserved in Leakey for the week right before Memorial Day...how is the float in May usually? I've only ever been in July/August. Has there been a decent amount of rain up there so far?

honeask · 03-08-2008, 07:53 PM

Jillkc,
We will be on the Frio the same time you are there, just west of Leakey about a mile. We, as a couple have been to the Frio for the last 37 years and my husband before me for the last 54 years. He started going as a two year old. You can never predict the river. If it is a rainy season then the river will be decent and move in the places it needs to flow. We have been in years that everyone complained about the river and had some of the best times ever. There is always good places to just hang out and play in the river. If you are only there for floating, you may be disappointed at times. The Frio is a Fickle Lady to be sure. Again, you can have a great time whichever way she decides to be. I plan on having fun either way and it will be a little cooler at that time. Take a blanket, it gets pretty cool at night up there. Don't skip the dance at Garner, it is really cool, dancing under the stars. That's where I snagged a really good guy and I still have him.

Sandy