"South Texas"

[Econ]

Plans are to visit "South Texas" approaching from the East. Attendance of the 2024 solar eclipse is planned. The weather Bureau Said the best odds of good weather is "south Texas". Are you aware of anything to visit while I'm there??

Thanks

 

[SteveP]

Search State Parks — Texas Parks & Wildlife Department

tpwd.texas.gov

 

[Dnodoz]

Garner State Park near Uvalde is one of the most popular parks in your viewing zone. Reservations open 5 months out and go super fast.

 

[Mark CASTELLANI]

@Econ... look into "Big Bend NP" or "Lake LBJ"... both seem to be close to the center-line... Big Bend is remote where as Lake LBJ is closer to "attractions"

If all else fails, you're welcome to visit us up here in Buffalo... looks like we're in for a show. Mind you, it's still a bit "chilly" in early April

Happy Trails!

 

[SteveP]

Unfortunately, the state parks in that area were almost impossible to get into before covid, I can only imagine now. Garner and Lost Maples are the most popular parks in the state so if you want to get in there you need to be online when the reservations open. Texas now requires you to pay the full amount at reservation and the cancellation policies aren't that great. For private facilities focus on the Guadalupe and Frio rivers. Every thing from huge RV resorts to farmers picking up a little side money. Dry camping in April in Texas is very enjoyable, so don't think you have to have hookups, unless, of course, you just do. And don't forget city and county parks. Kerville-Schreiner park in Kerville has very nice campgounds, if you don't mind camping on the edge of town.

 

[Econ]

you're welcome to visit us up here in Buffalo.

Thank you for the offer. Please allow me to offer you the second week of August at my house with no electricity for your A/c. At the end we can compare notes <GG>> It does occasionally snow in April here. Has to do with the strong Canadian Fronts hitting the humidity at the right temperatures.

Big Bend NP has a lot of appeal but its closeness to the border is concerning, especially at this time.

Then there may be fuel availability concerns and at what price.

Hunker down, the fall recession is coming.

 

[Mark CASTELLANI]

Thank you for the offer. Please allow me to offer you the second week of August at my house with no electricity for your A/c. .....

@Econ ...no, thank you, I'll take a pass...been there, done that

coming from central NY, I took my 1st Professional JOB in New Orleans back in the late '70s

my 1st apartment was an "efficiency" in an old house... NO a/c... land-lady said she'd put in a window unit if I wanted... I Said " no, thank you, no need"... (mind you, A/C was not so common in the North in those days and I had no experience)... a week later, I went to the land-lady and said "YES, PLEASE!!...PLEASE, PLEASE!!"

BTW: Texas is a great place... Native Texans are my kind of folks!... straight shooters

Happy Trails!

 

[bupkis]

I like caves, https://www.tripstodiscover.com/caves-in-texas/

 

[BohoRex]

I've got 3 bee yards within 1000 feet of the center line of the total blackout line ( in North Tx - East of Dallas) - all on different properties. And a friend of mine owns 100 acres that is also ON the centerline of the path. We're having an eclipse party out at his property. I bought a 100-pack of eclipse viewing goggles for the revelry and watching.
Back in 2017 - I drove to Tennessee for the viewing. It was WELL worth the trip to experience total blackout at mid-day for 6-7 minutes.

 

[Jimbow]

I have over 100 nights camping in Big Bend NP and the nearby state park. If you enjoy wide open spaces and rocky wilderness you will love the area.

I lived up north near Chicago, have spent time in lots of cities, and feel so much safer there than almost anywhere up north.

 

[SteveP]

FYI Big Bend is a couple of hours drive to the edge of totality. Closer as the crow flies but that crow would be flying over almost 100 miles of north Mexico desert. "Border issues" are rare, except for the few people who want to go across to Mexico but didn't bring their passports. Most of the "border issues" happen in more populated areas.

 

[nate_g_2003]

Inks Lake SP, or South Llano River SP are my recommendations for the total exposure zone. Garner is nice, but very popular, to the point it’s too crowded.

Another good place would be Enchanted Rock SNA. Would be really cool to sit on top of Enchanted Rock and watch the eclipse.

 

[Econ]

@Mark CASTELLANI

Your Nawlins experience reminds me of me spending 20 years in Houston one September, outside about 14 hours a day <GG>

I spent some time in Northern NY 10 years ago. The high one day was in the 60's. This was in July!

 

[Econ]

of the center line of the total blackout line ( in North Tx - East of Dallas) - all on different properties. And a friend of mine owns 100 acres that is also ON the centerline of the path.

Close to what city? This would weigh lower percentage clear skies vs closer to home.

Thanks

 

[Econ]

Garner and Lost Maples are the most popular parks in the state

Dry camping in April in Texas is very enjoyable

mind camping on the edge of town.

Please overlook my delay in responding to your post. The Fed Reserve decided to hold their meeting Tues and Weds so I was on standby to make money. What I think that is being seen is a sucker's rally. Dumb money chasing Hope-ium <GG>. The Fed wont pivot til late late 2023/early early 2024.

If memory serves you helped me with some electrical questions years ago which I'm thankful.

What did you mean by the edge of town? Crime? It will be DW with me so I need to take less risks than if I was alone.

Is there a directory of City/county parks?

Is water hard to come by?

Thanks

Big Bend is a couple of hours drive to the edge of totality

Most of the "border issues" happen in more populated areas.

 

[Econ]

Inks Lake SP, or South Llano River SP are my recommendations for the total exposure zone.

Enchanted Rock SNA.

Coming from the land of 100'+ tall pine forests what is the average tree like? Solar possible?
Thanks

 

[SteveP]

Kerrville is a small city in a mostly rural area that just happens to lie on the centerline of the area of totality. Their biggest claim to fame is the Kerrville Folk Music Festival held every summer on a nearby ranch. To my knowledge they have no more crime than any other small city in a mostly rural area. I have a sister living there so if there was a crime problem I'd probably have heard about it. I've camped at the park with no issues. My sister has solo camped there. The camp host when I was there was attentive but not intrusive. IIRC they don't allow ground fires. Most of the sites there have water and electric. There is some slight traffic noise from being close to town but it didn't keep me awake, about what I experience in my back yard. They will probably be deluged with people coming for the eclipse so your mileage may vary.

There are directories which list city and county camping opportunities but I usually just pick a city in the area I want to be and Google camping nearby.

 

[Dnodoz]

Coming from the land of 100'+ tall pine forests what is the average tree like? Solar possible?
Thanks

The Texas Piney Woods of tall trees end at I-45. Most parts west of Houston are not tall wooded areas. You shouldn’t have much trouble in west Texas finding a solar suitable campsite.

Also Enchanted Rock does not have trailer camping. Stay elsewhere and climb the rock on a reserved day use pass.

 

[SteveP]

Most of the area you're interested in will be scattered live oak trees. Google the Edwards Plateau. In areas with the live oak trees you'll be dealing with dappled shade. Shouldn't be too much problem with a portable solar panel. Some of the city/county camping areas are local arena parking lots, gravel with little to no shade.

 

[BohoRex]

Close to what city? This would weigh lower percentage clear skies vs closer to home.

Thanks

Just east of Dallas. I have bee yards in Forney/Heath area; Poetry; and between Quinlan & Wills Point (my friend's place we'll have the viewing at), and 2 bee yards near Miller Grove. All in total blackout zone - VERY near centerline. (with my buddy's land being ON the centerline).