Texas Spring Break Camping Adventure at Lake Mineral Wells State Park

Last week, I went camping at Lake Mineral Wells State Park. In this video I talk about my camping, hiking and biking experience. I had a lot of fun. My wife, not so much. Annie suffered through allergies. I also comment about the quality of the bathrooms and showers. This park is 60 miles west of Fort Worth and is hard to get a space at. So I split 5 days at two spots. You gotta do what you gotta do to go camping Lake Mineral Wells State Park.

DELUXE CAMPGROUND TOUR: Brushy Creek @ Lake O'the Pines Jefferson, Texas...

An extra long YouTube video. Perfect for insomniacs. Feel free to send me your comments, suggestions or questions. I'll try to answer them ASAP! I shot this video around Turkey Day 2022. My wife and I took a week off and traveled 3 and half hours to Jefferson, Texas. There we enjoyed a respite for the boring Fort Worth 'burbs. 

Top Four Takeaways From Our Trip!

1. Sandy beaches in many areas (not just rocks or mud)
2. This is a big lake. Texas size.
3. Lake O'the Pines has many inlets and parks. Some are for camping and others for day use.
4. Annie and I loved the scent of the pines. The first day we got there it was amazing!

Testing My Travel Trailer Electronics

My 3 night Possum Kingdom State Park trip was a success.  I had the opportunity to test my RV electronic systems a 100 miles from my home. All the while hooked up to water and 30 amp shore power. 

I tested my WFCO converter charger, microwave oven, electric water heater, all lights, space heater/fireplace, TV, Go Power charge controller, iRV Technologies radio/CD/DVD player and GE fridge. Thankfully, they are all working fine. During my last camping trip, I had some serious malfunctions. They have been corrected.

I have no plans to come back to this state park. In my opinion, PK reservoir isn't very beautiful (Texas Park Service begs to differ). Nature is not resplendent here. Half of the lakeshore is commercially developed with plenty of homes. There is only one short modest trail. The park is family friendly. There is even a playground, restaurant and store. If you are a boater or angler. You came to the right place. 

Sure was quiet camping without my wife. My wife Annie is fun to hang out with. No plans to go camping solo anytime soon. At PK there was no TV reception. Thankfully there was internet service. I could check for the latest news, post to social media and even stream several movies. 

While camping, I did take quite a few photographs and shot some video. I look forward to hitting the road again. My home on wheels allows me to travel on a budget. I can readily take quite a bit of camera equipment along with me. I have the freedom to capture landscapes, wild life (I need a bigger telephoto lens), infrastructure, people and more while RVing. I'm excited to enter this new phase of artistic life.

Finally Picking Up My New RV

Finally. It's time to pickup my new 2022 Rockwood Mini Lite 2205S travel trailer from Wana RV in Shipshewana, Indiana. On the way there I will be stopping at hotels in Little Rock, Arkansas, Effingham, Illinois and finally in Shipshewana. This San Jose, California boy isn't looking forward to the cold upper Midwest winter weather. 

On the way back, I'll stay at various RV parks and do some boondocking. Most campgrounds in Indiana, Illinois and Missouri will be closed for the winter. Maybe I can relax at DeGrays Lake in Arkansas. Dare to dream. 

Should be fun producing several installation videos. First up is Haloview. I'll be adding their side and observation cameras to the travel trailer mix. I'm super excited about installing my Aolithium batteries. First I have to figure out how to wire them inside the pass through storage. You have to keep them warm and safe. Lithium batteries don't like freezing temperatures.

Here's a link to my YouTube video: https://youtu.be/y_Oe3GEq0Gs

Cleburne State Park Texas Review & Video

Cleburne State Park is less than an hour South of busy Fort Worth. The state park surrounds the relatively clear water of 116-acre spring-fed Cedar Lake. I feel Cleburne State Park is representative of the Texas park system. This park offers RV sites, (casual/flat and mountain) biking, fishing, picnicking, swimming, hiking and no-wake boating. 

Visitors can reserve a screened shelter or cabin with bathrooms. Several large group picnic areas are also available. Contact the park for reservations and more information. The park offers plenty of affordable camping and recreational options. Frisbee, soccer, softball, volleyball or badminton anyone?

Some RV sites have water and electricity. While others offer full-hookups. Some full-hookup sites offer only 30 amp service while others both 30 and 50. My wife and I did see a dump station. There are showers (indoor and outdoor) and restrooms at several locations. What else does an RVer need?

We look forward to coming back to camp, hike and fish. We're definitely considering bringing our bikes too. My wife appreciated that outside the busy swim area, the park was quiet. 

5800 Park Road 21 Cleburne, TX 76033 (817) 645-4215 Latitude: 32.252365 Longitude: -97.549617 Here is a link that you may find useful: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/cleburne

Link to my YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/fRzBdjM6f-A

Any questions? Feel free to contact me. https://jmmgarza.com/contact