We visited Fredericksburg today. As we drove down Main a guy pulled up alongside us and yelled out that he’d seen us on Tiny House Blog. He laughed and said that he’d just moved and had twenty-five truck loads of crap. The light turned green and he wished us well.
A while later we were walking along and came across a toy horse ride. Ali and I both dug around in our pockets for quarters while the kids stared up excitedly. No quarters. Just as we were explaining that we didn’t have any a stranger walked past, stopped, reached in his pocket and produced two quarters. He handed them to the kids and told them to have fun.
At lunch we somehow got to talking with the lady at the table next to us. When her huge bowl full of fried okra arrived she handed it to us and insisted we dump half of it on our plates.
It was almost as if all Texans had been issued a statement that morning saying to be extra nice to the Bums from Minnesota.
Later on in the afternoon we drove out to a place called Turkey Bend. A state park on a river where we could dry camp pretty much anywhere we liked. We found a nice flat spot with wildflowers overlooking the river, then hiked down the hill to play in the shallow, muddy water.
25 Comments on “Turkey Bend”
So glad Texas is treating you right. Some folks don’t understand why Texans love their home so much. It’s hot. You have to drive for hours to get anywhere. We have some pretty weird politics. Again, it’s hot. Then you see Texans in action and you get it. It’s the people. Texas means friends after all. http://youtu.be/1z7uXsav9FE
Agree wholeheartedly with Cidnie. I was born in Dallas, spent the first year of my life in Helotes and have proceeded to live a life so far of moving every few years or so all over the world. And yet I’ll always be a Texan, it is the people, they’re just real, real people. Keep having fun.
Texas forever.
Love those last 2 shots!!!
Isn’t it about time grammy got a video? we miss the birthdays every month:-) loving the views by the way… keep this up, you may end up in idaho again.
Be careful, or Texas will sweep you off your feet, and you’ll live there for a year!
it’s funny… but that last shot looks like a “Travco” brochure:-)
I LOVE this post. You are discovering true Texas. Some of the kindest and most genuine folks around are in those small towns. My in-laws have a small ranchito in Fredericksburg and it is a great place. Has anyone called Ali “darlin” yet? Practice your “ya’lls” . ;*) Love the pics at Turkey Bend. Off the grid! Enjoy your solitude!
I’ve just spent the last couple of weeks reading your entire website – love your adventures! I was just curious if you worried about posting pictures online of your kids without clothes? There are a lot of perverts out there – I’d be interested to hear your thoughts.
Just awesome! You should write a book on the best places to go in Texas, both on the grid and off. This blog is better advertising than the state has. The pictures, location– perfect!
Alas, he would need to double back for a pass through Lockhart and a Giant Beef Rib at Blacks BBQ to properly fortify the family for starting such an awesome undertaking.
As the water loving fuzzlers appear to be meandering West though, I would like to Heartily toss this suggestion in the ten gallon hat:
https://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/balmorhea
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIXYY753hak
Carlsbad Caverns and White Sands National Monument both highly recommended in southern New Mexico.
Hi guys,
I have been following your travels for a few years now and love all of your stories and adventures…
If you find yourself passing through Truckee, CA you have a place to park and base from. We are 15 miles from Lake Tahoe and have plenty of room for you. Having three kids myself I can sympathize with wanting to keep them out of the http://www.junkshowworld.blaaa if you know what I mean. It has invaded our life and is incredibly difficult to back out of… It is great to see you are still trying to keep it real in the new digital world. Your kids will thank you for it…
Keep on Truckin, you guys rock!
The bus is looking pretty spiffy in these photos. You must have had a chance to give it at least a good washing.
You may have see bumper stickers in the General Store in Gruene “I’m not from Texas, but I got here as fast as I could.” And as our native son sings “That’s right, you’re not from Texas, but Texas wants you anyway.” Most of us Texans are very friendly and love having visitors.
Beautiful spot – ain’t life grand? 🙂
What a cool spot! For what it is worth…you are boondocking. You are out in the boonies and have no “utilities”….. dry docking is like staying at Walmart or Sams, etc…. We are having to make a bee line back to Indiana for medical reasons. Last night we drydocked at an Arizona rest rea….not our favorite, but it was ok since all we wnted to do is sleep and rest for today.
I only consider it boondocking if it is free. This was a State Park, so it cost us ten bucks. In my book, not boondocking.
Our favorite state park is South Llano River State Park. They have lots of wild turkeys and they have bird blinds you can sit and watch the birds come in. The water is very clear and it’s so peaceful! Also Lost Maples. More clear water! The Texas Hill Country is the best. Where I grew up!
Hi – Did yall pass through Goldthwaite, TX today (4/30/14) headed toward Brownwood? If not…someone else has a rig that looks just like yours. I was coming out of a store on hwy 84 today and I saw what looked to be yall driving by and I burst out, “There goes the Bumfuzzles!” My husband didn’t know what the heck I was talking about. I’ve been reading your blog for several years….was just catching up with the blog this morning. Good journeys to you!
And this, my friends, is why you must always be driving something unique. 🙂
Hey have you guys ever thought about doing the Amazon buy from my site thingy. I know of an RV cruiser person making like 1500 a month. Far as I k ow they just log in from your site and buy and you share in proceeds. Just a thought!
My old part of the country! There are some really unique swimming holes in the Wimberley and Dripping Springs area I could share if you are interested. So funny, I’ve been following your blog for years as you travel the world and you end up in central Texas.
Hi, Just read your wonderful, zero bullshit sailing book, “Bumfuzzle….for Pirates”, it was terrific! And happened on your blog.
By coincidence, I was just through that part of Texas, visiting friends and following the spring north. I left my 25′ trailerable sailboat in Port O’Connor in storage,(6′ 5″ standing head room!!), that I drag around using as an RV. I have had it for 40 years, and have had so many wonderful times with it, in particular, when my kids were young…we put over 53,000 miles on it just dragging it around…lots of trips to Baja and back. I plan to collect the sailboat this coming fall and explore the free camping on the Colorado River(the one in Texas) while I continue working on the sailboat…just put in a new Yanmar(rebuilt), some wiring, and trailer repairs…and then explore the estuary, do some fishing, and maybe putt around the Laguna Madre/Padre. I am at home now in Castle Valley, 17 mi. upriver from Moab, Utah. (If you happen to get up around here you have a free place to park your rig w/utilities)…(though there is no lack of free places to park and camp in this area…just about any side road). Cheers, JM.
Awesome pictures! I love the two-tone colours of the Travco.