Camp Wood Camping...

[M38A1]

I'm really starting to enjoy this moto-camping thing.

After keeping an eye on the weather for a day or so, a group of us had made plans to make a run down to Camp Wood and the three sisters area for the weekend. Having done the sisters half a dozen times now, I thought something else might be in order.

I left Austin about noonish under a drizzle and damp sky and made my way out through Fredericksburg and then down to Kerrville. Having never been to Stonehenge, I figured that was my first stop of the day. If you haven't been, it's worth the trip to Ingram/Hunt to see it.





After Stonehenge, I opted to take the quick route to Camp Wood via Hwy 41 passing up two of the sisters that would have taken me South, and then headed down 55 through Rock Springs and on into Camp Wood. That stretch of road South of Rock Springs has to be one of my favorite twisty highways now. Just South of Camp Wood I was meeting the group at the Big Oak campgrounds which was very easy to find. Great place by the way and I'd highly recommend it. I set up camp right next to the somewhat dry riverbed. And as a treat, the sun was really starting to show itself by now.


The others started to arrive and setup their campsites. As the riverbed was right next to the camping area, we all wandered around the area. Along the way we found "Wilson" sporting hair. He spent the weekend with all of us.



There was much talk of what we would all do that night for dinner, and then the wine bottles were opened and we all decided it would be in everyone's best interest to just stay at camp for the night. Hmmmm.... what to do for dinner? Plan "A" was the bbq place in Camp Wood, but that was out so it's Plan "B" moto-camping style.


After dinner and many bottles of vino by the rest of the group, the sky was clear and the conversation under the stars great. About 10pm or so it was time to call it a night as tomorrow would bring a new day.




The next morning came early and one other rider and I decided to run down to Mexico and have Mexican food. We didn't learn until we got home Sunday about the swine-flu thing. Anyway, we headed South out of Camp Wood and made our way to Del Rio for fuel and some picture taking. You know, those pesky courthouses seem to pop up everywhere. We didn't opt for Mexico. From Del Rio we headed over Lake Amistad as I had not yet seen it. That's a BIG lake. From there, we continued West to the Pecos River bridge where we stopped for a bit of a rest from the building heat of the day.


Continuing West, we made it to Langtry, home of Judge Roy Bean's law West of the Pecos. I had been to a replica somewhere around Pecos, but never the original so this was a treat for me.


After the Judge's place, we went down to the river and read a few historical markers then left. Headed back to Del Rio just East of Langtry I eyed a couple of bridges and sandstone rock formations I just had to try to get a shot of.


We made it back to the Pecos river bridge for another water stop and then on in to Del Rio. We were at a decision point on how to get back to Camp Wood and we opted to backtrack to get there quicker to meetup with the rest of the riders. Pulling into Camp Wood we finished the day off with some great steaks/potato's done to perfection. Saturday night was an early one as well.

Sunday we woke to rain and packing in it isn't that much fun. However, we all loaded the bikes and headed back to Austin via 337 and over to Bandera where we had lunch at Bricks and yet another courthouse picture. The trip in from Bandera took us through Boerne then up through Kendallia and Blanco then home.

Overall, my little moto-camping experience was a blast. Running a tad bit over 700 miles, I added a few more courthouse pics to the collection, had a great time with good friends camping, saw Amistad, the Pecos River bridge and hit Langtry.

Life is indeed grand.

.

[Texas T]

Excellent.

[Hemibee]

Originally Posted by Texas T

Excellent.

+1

[CaroleAnn]

Sounds like a great trip, I'm going to have to make one of those!

[Janet]

That is cool Scott. Looks like a blast!

[Wes]

It amazes me that there are people who ride and don't camp. The best part about riding is actually getting out of the AC and being out in the world. Camping is just an extension of that experience. Just my thoughts. That looked like a great trip. Thanks for sharing.

[M38A1]

Originally Posted by Wes

...The best part about riding is actually getting out of the AC and being out in the world.

Speaking of weather, how do you handle day in and day out if it's raining? Do the tents/rain flys still keep the inside dry if they are wet for extended periods?

[Wes]

Originally Posted by M38A1

Do the tents/rain flys still keep the inside dry if they are wet for extended periods?

No they do not, there is a point where you need a hotel to dry off. But if your feet haven't spit open from being wet you aren't there yet.

[bonecrusher]

I love to tent camp, but I avoid camping in Texas during the summer months. You see, if I'm sweating, I'm not sleeping!! During the summer I usually camp in the mountains in New Mexico or Colorado. I have yet to combine camping and motorcycling. I guess I will have to do that!

[CBAT]

Nice trip. I like how your tent matches your bike. That stretch of 55 is one of my favorites also. I like those fast sweeping curves more than the tight twisties you have to take at 15 mph.

[JTM]

Scott,
glad to see that you made the leap into MotoCamping.