Texas - Indianola Beach and Nature Preserve

 Indianola, TX, might just be the one place I learned to love the most of all the locations we explored in Texas. There is incredible history here, beautiful beaches, a nature preserve that holds many species of birds and the locals are so friendly. 

I think what makes this place such a gem is that it is not impacted by tourism at all. Yes one can camp here but it is all boondocking so no hookups as in electric, water or waste. One can stay for no more then 14 days in a months time. 80% of the beach and preserve is hence visited by locals. This morning, it being a Monday, we woke up to an almost empty beach. I counted 4 campers and we are far apart (except one class c class next to us that a single woman traveler occupies).

So this morning I got in a swim in the Gulf of Mexico, or more precisely Matagorda Bay. It was calm like glass and not a single other soul in the water. Then for breakfast we got entertained by the waves a ship created going by. We were in the clear but I think the camper south of us might have gotten a bit wet.

Also, since the beach is clear, Keetna and Oliver got a good run in and playtime. Oliver even jumped into the water and swam to me. Keetna tried but wasn’t to impressed of the salt water.

I also got in a most wonderful bike ride into the preserve. I took the recommendation the lady from Indianola gave me and road my bike to the nature trail and was hoping to do the loop but was cut off by a washed out road. We made it over one washout but the second one would have required a bridge… 

My favorite stop was the old cemetery I found in the marsh. Beautiful old gravestones and two big black birds that entertained me. A perfect morning for me.

Texas - Beach Time - Magnolia Beach, Port Lavaca

 We returned to the scene of the crime! It was last March, so 4 months ago when we stepped foot at Magnolia Beach for the first time. That was also the time we had the accident. Well 4 months later and she (Lucy) is still damaged and we have since lost our trailer Lou, which was totaled by the insurance. 

So while we still wait on the parts to repair Lucy to make it to Colorado we are spending our time in Texas with Niki and the girls. It is tough being in the south during the summer months but it is doable. Both our A/C’s are working full time but they are working.

Our stay at the Fort Sam Houston Base has been in segments due to them being very booked. Hence why we went from the 5th of July to the 9th of July to Potters Creek and why we are now back at Magnolia Beach from the 15th to the 20th of July.

After we leave Magnolia Beach we have one more stay at Fort Sam Houston from the 20th to August 1.

Anyway, the reason for my post today is that I want to highlight how truly beautiful this area of Texas is. It is a hidden gem as it has no tourism influence as in Hotels, Restaurants, Shops etc. There are two small communities, Magnolia and Indianola. At this point I think we are just one out of three tourists here and the rest are all locals. We met a few and they are super nice and one can tell how much they love their beach community. 

I had a history lesson by one local who told me about the German immigrants to this area as well as the 70 camels that arrived from Algeria. I was told that Indianola was suppose to the main port but lost out to Galveston due to a lot of flooding back then. I was also informed that Indianola considers it self of a bit higher class then it’s neighbor Magnolia. Having met locals from both locations now I admit the Magnolia crowd likes to have fun and party more, the Indianola person I met seemed more cultured and loved talking about the history and gave me bike route ideas to take. Magnolia locals are more likely to offer you a beer however 😉

The water is heavenly. Cool and clean looking I got to swim several times already. The mornings are so calm and quiet, the water is smoothly as glass. At night we get waves as the tide moves in and goodness the sunset is amazing! I am just thrilled we have four more days here!

Oh and we did take a 12 mile bike ride this morning. Jam hoping to get one more in tonight…

Texas - New scenery and insights into Texas

 We used to live in Texas for many years before we build our house and moved to Colorado. We knew the area around Dallas/Ft. Worth pretty well and had several trips to San Antonio, New Braunsfeld, Fredericksburg, Houston and Galveston. We traveled through the pan handle extensively due to our many drives up to New Mexico or Colorado.

However, since we became mobile I have seen areas of Texas that are surprising me. From Magnolia Beach, to the scenery on I-10 from El Paso to San Antonio.

This past week we have been staying in the hill country at Canyon Lake. It is truly beautiful. The lake is large and very clean. The park we are in has large sites and embraces a few miles along the lake. Potters Creek Park has a boat ramp and a swim beach. Of course it is hot here right now considering it is July (heat index warning of 108 today!), but the mornings are nice with a breeze coming over the lake. So we are getting some biking as well as swimming in for me. I really am enjoying this area. 

So far I have to admit our time back in Texas has been actually very good. We have been spending time with Niki, including the girls now. We have been riding our new bikes. Access to things that make live easier has been so much better and affordable compared to Colorado. We are actually a tad shocked to realize that for 15 years we were held hostage, without knowing it, to expensive services from food to medical. Literally everything is cheaper here in Texas. Even the campgrounds 😂 and they offer more from space to amenities. 

So yes, we all like to stereotype places and admittedly for 15 years we carried the status of living in Colorado well. It is after all a beautiful state but it is also very good at covering up its short comings as in monetizing nature and putting high price tags on everything, ah taxes. There must be some truth to why many are migrating to Texas from Colorado (no that is not in our future!). However, it is also fascinating how upset Coloradan’s are about the migration from California and Texans into ‘their’ state. Maybe I put this on my to do list as in studying migrations from states to states and figure out the why. I think the move to Texas, even thought the heat sucks, is due to the much cheaper way of living. It must be the reason as well why so many stay here even thought they say they hate the politics. They know that moving to the ‘blue’ or ‘purple’ state means higher cost of living…. So much I am figuring out in my old age…😂.. I guess better late then never.

Which brings me to why I love our new lifestyle even more! We are not held hostage by places. We can enjoy the beauty of each state and soak up what we love and then move on. If a place changes or rubs us the wrong way we pack up and move on. This country is large and there is so much to explore. Even in places we think we know. In this case it’s the state if Texas that is giving me a new insight. 

Pure freedom in every way for my restless soul.