It is not to difficult to decide to go camping when you hear a beautiful weather forecast.  Besides our puppy Nala turned one year old on the 5th of February so we decided to try another Corp Of Engineer Park.  Holiday Park on Benbrook Lake offers cement pads, covered picnic areas, and a fire ring.  Water and electric provided at RV sites.

Cement pads for the RV, water and electric hook up.  Dump station provided.

Cement pads and covers for picnic tables at sites.  Fire pits also provided.

Lots of road to bike and hike.

Leashes and pet mess pick up required.

Couldn’t get over how twisted up this tree was so I just had to take a picture.

Can never beat the gorgeous sunrise.  What a great start to a great day.

Benbrook Lake was quite low, I’d guess at least 10 feet.  Tree stumps everywhere.  Boaters beware.  Once the water is up to its normal levels, navigating a boat through the narrow passages could be quite tricky.

Everyone needs birthday gifts.  What do you get a puppy who has everything?  Food and toys..

Nala’s first taste of canned dog food.  It didn’t take her much time at all to finish it.

We really enjoyed ourselves at Benbrook Lake.  Although it wasn’t as picturesque as other parks we have been to, we always love being outdoors.

 

© 2017-2026 ArchBooks, Inc.

Corps of Engineers (COE) Parks are a great place to camp whether for one night or longer.  COE parks usually consist of several parks within them.  Lake O’ the Pines Recreation Area in Jefferson, TX has three parks for RV camping.   They have cement pads, water and electric hook-ups and a dump station.  Tent sites available.  Hiking and biking and fishing are popular.  Pets welcome.  Bathrooms and showers are clean and well-maintained.  Sites can be reserved ahead of time by just contacting them at www.lakeothepines.org  or  call   877-444-6777.

BUCKHORN CREEK, Jefferson, TX

Lovely RV sites with picnic tables, cement pads, fire rings and beautiful view of the lake.

Great docks for fishing for those of us without a boat.

This RV site comes with its own personal deck.

Very well maintained and clean showers and rest rooms.

Many sites to choose from,

When fishing is done and fish are cleaned the birds come in for the left overs.

Love the sunsets

We really enjoyed Buckhorn Creek.

 

© 2017-2026 ArchBooks, Inc.

We again decided to spend Christmas at the Blue Angel RV Park with TenPin.  Fortunately,  this time we had marvelous weather.  We were able to take advantage of disc golf, bike riding and plenty of walks through the park.

This sign gives you directions for the park.  If you turn to the right, you go to campground with gravel sites, and only water and electric site.

If you turn left, you go to campground with cement pads and full hook-ups.

We did not do the Paintball

But we did play disc golf.  Lots of fun and exercise

We found a nice site.  TenPin camped right next to us..  The sites are well maintained, and spacious.

We will be back again to the Blue Angel RV Park.

 

© 2016-2026 ArchBooks, Inc.

Hi my name is Nala.  Gypsy and LoneStar love to take me camping.

Most every campground we go to people have their pets with them.  All the parks we have visited have several rules that must be abided by:

All dogs on leash

No dogs left outside camper unattended.  Must be tied or kenneled.

Clean up after pet

Noisy and out of control pets are not tolerated.  All dogs bark to communicate but nuisciance barking is annoying to all others in the campground.

I was only 8 weeks old here and stayed in my kennel while we traveled.  I even slept there at night.  As long as I had toys I was happy.

They put a soft cushion between the seats and that’s where I lay while we were on the road.  I matured real fast and no longer needed the kennel along on trips.

I like to go camping and meet new friends.   So far, most dogs I met  in RV parks  are friendly but my Gypsy always asks the pet owner  if their dog is friendly towards people and other dogs.  Never assume, just because they have their dog in an RV park, that he/she is friendly.

I am not sure about this.  They put this vest on me.  Little did  I know it involved me going in the water.  I was only 10 weeks old here.

Click this link to watch my video, I did pretty well for my first time swimming.

 

No body told me I would have to have baths while we were traveling.  Kate keeps me warm in a towel and dries me off.

Ten Pin always brings my cousin Hook camping.  I love playing with him even though he is quite a bit bigger than me.

Hook is such a gentle giant.

Click on this link to see Hook and I playing

Ever since I can remember, I love to play with sticks.  As I grow, so do the sticks (logs) I try and conquer.

Yes, I even like cats, although they don’t like me very much.  All I want to do is play.  This is Buddah.  We are up at the Albee’s Little Sand Lake Resort II.

Click on this link to see us play.

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© 2016-2026 ArchBooks, Inc.

 

On our way home from Green Bay, WI we made a stop at Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley. I was pretty young when Elvis was hitting stardom, and not one of his big fans.  However, I must say, after seeing Graceland and hearing of all the good causes Elvis contributed to, I do have a better appreciation for him.

Seeing where he lived was an awesome experience

The home Elvis was raised in was very modest.

The home of Elvis was continually filled with friends and family who often would partake in meals served in this lovely room

With all the visitors, the kitchen was open 24 hours a day to accommodate them

Elvis’ mothers bedroom

 

This lovely oversized pit couch is where Elvis and guests would relax

Many guests  played pool here.  If you look closely, in the upper right corner right by the pocket, there is a tear.  This was caused by one of Elvis’ guests attempting to make a trick shot resulting in a tear to the felt.

Notice the walls and ceiling.  They are decorated in cloth.  It took three people ten days to completely cover this room in the material.  It was quite lovely and gave the room a warm, relaxing feeling.

This was one of Elvis’ favorite rooms.  The furniture was real unique and quite popular in the 70’s.

Elvis had a great love for horses and would often go riding with family and friends.  When they found out he was going riding they would want to join him.

Anyone who knows anything about Elvis knows that his music awarded him many gold records and other awards.  It was breathtaking to see all these hanging on the walls and encased in glass.  The man had great talent

Every concert Elvis performed at he always wore a very showy costume, whether it be beads, bangles, fringe or bling.  Above are just a few of the outfits he wore.

Decorated with bushes and plants it looked very inviting,.

These were Elvis’ vehicles he owned.  Great vintage automobiles.

This is the limousine that Elvis’ rode in to many of his concerts.

This was Prascilla’s car.

These were Elvis’ big boy toys.

Elvis had been buried at another location, but with fear of vandalism he was moved onto his estate for security.

Buried along with Elvis are his mother, father, and grandmother.

The trip to Graceland was unforgettable.  I am sure one day that we will revisit and once again be awed by the beauty of Graceland.

The song Heartbreak Hotel was released as a single on January 27, 1956.

Entryway into Heartbreak Hotel.  So elegant.

© 2016-2026 ArchBooks, Inc.

 

 

 

 

One of the few Packers games I have seen live.  The excitement was over the top.

Packer fans come in all shapes and sizes,

Hook (R) has his Packer Collar

Nala (L) has her Packer Sweater

 

 

You have to start the game right with a tail gate party.  The neat part of tailgating, everyone shares their food and beverages.  It was fun to walk around and see how everyone was set up.

Some really came prepared

Packer fans now and always

The ultimate tailgate grill

Everyone had their own idea of what their tailgate party should consist of

A little drinking fun

LoneStar with a pre-game cigar

Really cool Packer bus–Can you say ultimate Packer fans

Gypsy enjoying beverages at the tailgate

The tailgate parties ended and then it was time to find our seats

Just a few people

 

It was so awesome to be at the game but unfortunately the Packers lost to the Cowboys.  It still was an awesome experience.

© 2016-2026 ArchBooks, Inc.

While we were visiting Angela and Dave’s cabin, LoneStar found out there was a concert featuring Chicago, which just so happened to fall on my birthday. He surprised me with a  5 day camping trip to Moondance Jam 25.

 

Bring your lawn chairs or just relax on the ground.  You could actually set your chairs up the first day of the concert and leave them there for the entire four days.  People were courteous and for the most part left them alone.  This helped since the walk from the campgrounds to the stages was a fair distance.  You could never be assured of the same spot your picked the day before.

Each day live bands were featured.  This lineup changes yearly.  Can’t wait to see who is featured at Moondance Jam 26

When the main stage was quiet, other bands played in other locations.  You could always find the music genre you liked.  Unfortunately, Rick Springfield was unable to make it so Jet (The Wings Tribute Band) played in his spot.

Food, beverages and vendors were abundant.  The tie-die booth was always full of patrons.  There was beer and wine tasting.  And two days they had an art class for anyone who wanted to participate.  For a fee which paid for supplies and instruction you could go home with your own special momemto of Moondance Jam 25.

Here’s a Gypsy original.  This was with acrylics.  It was so much fun.  Class lasted about 2 hours and you could still hear bands playing in the background.

Boston–My kind of rock and roll

Buddy Holly Tribute Band–They were excellent and brought back lots of rock and roll memories.

Buddy Holly Tribute Live at Moondance Jam – Oh Boy

Buddy Holly Tribute Live at Moondance Jam – La Bamba

 

 

Godsmack, a heavy metal band.  I don’t like heavy metal but they actually had some songs I enjoyed.

Jet: live at Moondance Jam 2016 — Live and Let Die

Jet: Live at Moondance Jam 2016 — Jet

 

Chicago–Now that was the way to celebrate my 65th birthday.  Awesome!!!!

Chicago Live Video – Call On Me

Chicago Live Video – Clip 1

Chicago Live Video – Clip 2

Chicago Live Video – Clip 3

Check out the Video Clips below.

Fabulous Armadillos: Tribute to the Eagles Live at Moondance Jam – One of These Nights

Fabulous Armadillos: Tribute to the Eagles Live at Moondance Jam – Witchy Woman

Godsmack Live at Moondance Jam 2016 clip 1

Godsmack Live at Moondance Jam 2016 clip 2

Little River Band Live at Moondance Jam 2016 – Help is on Its Way

Loverboy Live at Moondance Jam 2016 – Turn Me Loose

Boston Live at Moondance Jam 2016 – Rock & Roll Band

Boston Live at Moondance Jam 2016 – Clip 1

Boston Live at Moondance Jam 2016 – Clip 2

 

The crowd was amazing and for the most part well-behaved.

What happens at Moondance, stays at Moondance

Just rockin’  with Bush

Indoor restaurant that served excellent food and beverages

Back at the campsite after the bands there were many activities.  One is a Flaming Chimney.   See pictures and videos below.

Flaming Chimney Campfire at Moondance Jam Part1

Flaming Chimney Campfire at Moondance Jam Part2

 

This concert happens every year.  The lineup changes, but be assured if you decide to go there will be a band you like.  You can get daily tickets or a package deal.  Go and enjoy.

Click this link to go to the Moondance Jam Web site.

© 2016-2026 ArchBooks, Inc.

Corps of Engineers (COE) Parks are a great place to camp whether for one night or longer.  COE parks usually consist of several parks within them.  Lake O’ the Pines Recreation Area in Jefferson, TX has three parks for RV camping.   They have cement pads, water and electric hook-ups and a dump station.  Tent sites available.  Hiking and biking and fishing are popular.  Pets welcome.  Bathrooms and showers are clean and well-maintained.  Sites can be reserved ahead of time by just contacting them at www.lakeothepines.org  or  call   877-444-6777.

ALLEY CREEK CAMP– Jefferson, TX  

When we arrived we found out many camp sites were flooded.  Actually, half the park that we stayed at was closed due to flooding.

Fire rings under water

Level cement pads for your RV

Biking, hiking or just relaxing, Lake of the Pines is the place to do it.  The scent of the pine trees is in itself relaxing.

Bonfire rings provided at campsites.

Beautiful sunset

We will definitely came back to the Lake of the Pines.

 

© 2016-2026 ArchBooks, Inc.

 

Another Civil War site we stopped to visit was Vicksburg, MS in April 2016.    The Civil war always intrigued me (Gypsy), and to visit the sites gave me a better understanding of it.

The Vicksburg National Cemetery was established in 1866.   There are 17,000 union soldiers buried there.

The Shirley House was restored to original and is the only remaining wartime building inside the military park.

Ironclad ships from the Civil War.

On site there was the last of its kind.  The damage it sustained during the war is evident.

I cannot imagine what that must have sounded like to hear cannon shells hitting the metal of the ship.  It had to be deafening.

The USS Cairo was sank on Dec 12, 1862.

If you ever get near the Vicksburg area, you have to take the time to visit the National Cemetery.

 

 

 

 

 

© 2016-2026 ArchBooks, Inc.

Andersonville was on of the most notorious prison camps during the civil war.

 

The caption on the bottom of this statue reads:

“Turn you to the strongholds ye prisoners of hope”

Dog Tags had not yet been invented, so came the grave of the Unknown Soldier.

Sections of the original stockade still stand.  It was exciting walking back into history.

I was not aware of all the different types of cannons that were used in the Civil War.

 

The above monument built for the prisoners of war who died at Andersonville.  Twelve of these monuments stand in the cemetery and eleven at the prison site.

State memorials

The Civil War has always drawn my interest and the visit to Andersonville was a highlight of our adventures.

 

 

© 2016-2026 ArchBooks, Inc.