That is how we got into RVing - the ability to live within such beauty.
We were already doing quite a bit of wildlife photography, and doing the car/motel thing (which was getting old, fast).
To visit Brazos Bend State Park, an incredible wildlife park, we had to stay in some dinky motel in small town with limited facilities (restaurants), and STILL drive 18 miles down smaller farm roads, with no way to get into the park before the front gate was unlocked around 8 a.m. - well past prime photography hours.
And so many beautiful camping sites at the park! Right there! It was obvious that if only we had something to camp in we would be so much better off. (had tried tent camping again a year earlier and decided too much trouble!!!!)
Until then, we hadn't seriously considered getting an RV. Frankly, most of them looked quite unappealing to us, and we didn't want anything big. But we did discuss what would be the minimum requirements - enclosed, hard walls, bathroom, fridge and microwave/cooktop, AIR CONDITIONING!
Didn't do anything for quite a while, but that planted a seed in our mind and made us more observant about what people were pulling down the road. About a year later we saw someone pulling a Casita over Wolf Creek Pass. Thought - hmmmm, something like that might work. They stopped at the summit and we went over and talked to them. They told us our 4Runner could easily pull such a thing and where they were made.
Tons of research and 6 months later, we ordered one and took delivery in early 2003.
That opened up a whole new world. It wasn't just the incredibly more convenient access to wildlife at the State Parks. I discovered that I just loved the whole camping experience. Being out in the wild, the early morning bird song, the quiet dark nights, eating out at the picnic table, having my comfortable camp chair and lounging at the campsite reading or snoozing and generally relaxing. And then whenever I wanted, just hop up, pull on the hiking boots and go for a nice long nature ramble. I thought I had found heaven! Oh yeah - and DH was taking a LOT more wildlife photographs. Heck, most of the time the wildlife showed up right in our campsite, we didn't have to go looking for it. And staying somewhere all day for several days you would find a lot more opportunities - discover bird nest sites, or particularly good locations for wildlife, etc. Things that just aren't possible if you are commuting from a motel.
And so after a year and a half of great fun camping with the Casita, we decided to ditch the house, get a bigger rig, and live this enjoyable lifestyle full time.
And we have returned to Brazos Bend State Park time and time again. In the tiny trailer, and in the monster DP "rolling condo" motorhome. Fabulous place, but only one of many, many state and federal parks we have enjoyed immensely over many years now. It just seems like such an incredible privilege to actually be able to LIVE in such a place for a week or two. I don't think I'll ever get tired of it.
Audrey
Some Photos from Brazos Bend State Park
TPWD: Brazos Bend State Park
You never know what is going to happen when you are sitting quietly at your campsite!