With a bit of sadness in our hearts we departed Louisiana and moved on into Texas. We both were disappointed not staying longer to enjoy the Acadian region of the state of Louisiana but we fully realize Covid would have kept us from enjoying the many offerings we so enjoy.
Our next stop was another 128 miles east into Texas for a short stay at another Passport America Park called Gulf Coast RV Resort in Beaumont, TX. We planned to stay three nights to get us through the weekend.
One fun hike we found near Beaumont was at the Tyrrell Park and Cattail Marsh. Beaumont's largest city park which has this beautiful 900-acre Cattail Marsh wetland. What a great place to be outside for a hike in this wonderful wetland habitat.
We discovered lots of waterfowl sitting on the open ponds scattered throughout the marsh. Common Gallinules were clucking while hiding in the reeds and we saw plenty of them around the edges of the reeds with their showy red ornate bill. Lots of teal were flying through the skies and an assortment of herons, egrets and ibis dotted the marshland.
Not mentioned online about this park was it also has a disk golf course on it. Had we known sooner we would have made time to play the entire course but we were still able to play nine holes of it that day as it was our last day in Beaumont. Man, you better bring your best driver discs for this course as holes over 600 feet were common and we even played one that was 750 feet to the basket!
The next morning we made the drive through Houston Texas on Interstate 10 another 99 miles east. We stopped at Buc-ees for diesel, brisket and kolaches. Buc-ees is a must stop not only for an easy fill up but for the huge store attached. Its truly an unbelievable Texas gem.
Our next stop was a little (slightly run down) Passport America park named Happy Oaks RV Park in Alleyton, TX. It was filled with mostly permanent older rigs yet was perfect for an overnight stay adjacent to I-10. The manager was very friendly and helpful so even though it wasn’t the prettiest park we felt perfectly safe for our one stay before moving on over to San Antonio Texas to see our son and his family for carefully planned socially distanced Thanksgiving celebration.
NOTE: We are currently in Riviera Texas for two nights before heading south to the Rio Grande Valley in Texas for the winter…
I've lived in Houston all my life and have never been there. Maybe I should make it out there for a hike before I move to Arizona in a couple of months. :)
ReplyDeleteIt was a nice experience with lots of birds to see... worth the time if in the area.
DeleteYour hike thru the park and marsh looks awesome! Thanks for taking the time to label the birds for us.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to do better on labeling...
DeleteWe may need to stop in Beaumont one day, I grew up south of there and would be interesting to go back and visit a few places. Looks like a great hike.
ReplyDeleteWow, you should visit the area as it has more to offer than what one might think...
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