North Texas I-20

[phix]

I am a bit overwhelmed planning an adventure from central Florida to Las Vegas and back, March 2016. We will be traveling through Texas on I-20, pulling 40 feet. We just don't know anything about what there is to see and where to stay in TX. I can find campgrounds, but I don't know if we should make it a one-nighter or plan a couple of days to see the sights. We enjoy history, lakes, rivers, landscape, etc. Does anyone have ANY suggestions of where to stay and/or what to see?

Many thanks,
Pam

 

[jimtoo]

Hi Pam,

I know you ask about traveling I-20 but, being a South Texas resident I am a little prejudice and I would travel I-10 from Fl to Texas. Coming through Louisiana there is lots to see and great food and then you get to Texas... speed on through Houston and make plans to stop in San Antonio and spend a few days, not just 2,, but 3 or 4.

Check out the San Antonio KOA. It is fairly easy to get to and they have bus service from park to downtown I have been told. The SA Bus system has buses that run all over town and they are color coded. You can ride all day for just a couple of dollars, get on and off all you want. See the Alamo, the River Walk, El Mercado (just like going to Mexico), about the best way to get around SA. You can tour the missions and visit so many things in San Antonio. The drivers are good about telling you what you can see and where to get off and on. Even thou we live not to far from SA,, when we go to the river walk or downtown SA, we park and use the bus to visit the sites.

Then there is the Texas hill country you could take a day or two and go to Kerrville and Fredericksburg (you might wanta leave credit card and money at RV) lots of shopping, old and new, lots of history, great German food. Even a couple of nice RV parks.

Jim M

 

[HornedToad]

I live on I20 and I'm not prejudice... take Jim's advice to travel I10 through Texas.

I20 in West Texas may register with a little history, but it would score a zero on the lakes, rivers and landscapes. There isn't much to see or do between Midland & El Paso.

If you really want to do history, lakes, rivers and landscapes... take HWY 90 from San Antonio to El Paso. You have the Frio River along what I consider the most scenic drive in Texas from Uvalde up to Rock Springs, Lake Amistad in Del Rio, 10,000 year old pictographs at Seminole Canyon, Big Bend National Park and Ft Davis.

Jim's right about Fredericksburg too, it's my wife's favorite place.

Also, on a bad day, the March winds in West Texas can blow 30 mph gusting up to 50 mph usually out of the south making for a mean crosswind on I10 or I20.

 

[BLHFUN]

Ditto and ditto. Fredericksburg, San Antonio and Kerrville areas are a must stop. Beautiful area, great small town throwback feeling. You won't regret the southern route through Texas.

The signature says Missouri, But Texas born and raised. Have fun!

 

[TravelTiger]

Have to agree. I-20 will take you through Dallas and Ft Worth, with some interesting things there if you research the area. However, other then that, lots of not much, unless you want to venture into small towns and find some local history.

A couple of ideas tho if you do go I-20:
Canton Tx has a monthly flea market on the weekend of the first Monday of the month. It's huge with more than you can possibly see in one day.

Abilene, TX has a neat Frontier Museum, that describes the history of that part of TX.


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[dlw930]

If you do take I-20 across TX, don't forgot about the world's largest rattlesnake roundup held in Sweetwater, TX the 2nd weekend of March every year.


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[Lance & Jo]

Good morning Pam, we have spent the last year transitioning to part time status after 20 years of full timeing (boat & trailer). We located in East Texas about 90 miles from Dallas for all the things you mention. I would suggest a compromise, Start in the Cado lake area in East TX, a really neat area with lots of water, hikeing, sight seeing etc. Moving west towards Dallas there are lots of lakes, rivers and forests to view. From Dallas take 35 south to Austin/San Antonio. If you enjoy BBQ then you could spend weeks in Austin, Lockhart, Dripping Springs (ask me how I know) . San Antonio is a must see, think Alamo and river walk. Then west on 10 through the hill country. With a little searching you can find what I think are probably the best doughnuts in the world in Kerrville. Bottom line is Texas covers a lot of geography, it"s 2 days hard driving just to get across it, and has a lot to offer from desert and sand dunes in the west to swamp land with alligators in the south. I know there are a couple chapters of Heartland owners here and you might want to reach out to them for more info as your plans firm up. You might also want to look into Texas state parks/camp grounds as lots of them are co-located with points of interest.

We plan on wintering in FL this year so mayhap there could be an opportunity for coffee. Hope this helps.

 

[avvidclif]

If you go the southern route a must see is the Nimitz Museum in Fredericksburg. It's been years since I went thru it but it was world class museum back then. Plan on a minimum of 4 hrs for a walk thru and 8 to really see it and do a little reading.

The one thing in the outside exhibit that got my attention was a mockup of a Japanese anti tank gun emplacement with an actual gun and crew. In front of it was an American tank with a hole in it. That gun made that hole according to the signs. Incredible.

 

[jmgratz]

I have to disagree with Jimtoo about speeding through Houston. As a long time Houston resident there is plenty to see in Houston like NASA where you can tour NASA (that is south of Houston in Clear Lake) and see the history of the space race. And don't forget to check out the Houston Zoo, it is fantastic. The Houston Medical Center is like a city unto itself. Also Houston has a number of fine museums such as the Museum of Natural Science. There are more places to shop and eat in Houston also. Just East of Houston is Baytown. Close to Baytown is the San Jacinto Battleground. This is the place where the Battle of San Jacinto was fought and General Sam Houston led the Texas Army in a battle against General Santa Anna and the Mexican Army. The Texas Army won and secured its independance from Mexico becoming the Republic of Texas. The San Jacinto monument (tallest in the United States and taller than the Washington Monument) is located at the Battleground as is the Battleship Texas. Both are open for tours (for a fee) And don't forget Galveston is only 35 miles south of Houston on Interstate 45. Just north of Houston in Huntsville (again on Interstate 45) is the Texas Prison Museum and the Veterans Museum. Going west from Houston on Interstate 10 is San Antonio with all of the sites to see there including The Alamo, River Walk and much more. A great RV Park in San Antonio is Blazing Star which is on the west side on Route 1610 about 1 mile from Sea World. Go west from San Antonio on Highway 16 about 25 miles and you will be in Bandera. Bandera is know as the Cowboy Capital of the World. There are many western themed shops there and a wonderful RV Resort named Antler Oaks Lodge and RV Resort. It is just northwest on downtown at the first Medina River crossing. Don't forget to stop in the Longhorn Saloon in Bandera and say hello to Brian Black (the owner) who is Clint Black (the Country-Western singer) brother. So the bottom line is there is so much to see in Texas you really don't have to go anywhere else Happy Trails To You...

 

[pegmikef]

"Overwhelming" is an excellent description of the sights and places to see in Texas. We have lived and camped in Texas for almost fifty years and still continue to find places to visit almost every month. I agree with all the recommendations!

 

[buddyboy]

Schulenburg TX off I10 has gorgeous painted churches. Their interiors were painted by immigrants from Europe and are the work of true masters. We stumbled on it and are so glad we did.

 

[jimtoo]

Schulenburg TX off I10 has gorgeous painted churches. Their interiors were painted by immigrants from Europe and are the work of true masters. We stumbled on it and are so glad we did.

You are correct. I think there are 22 churches in the area and well worth the time to visit and look at the detail and art work in the painting. It will take the biggest part of the day as the drive to see all is about 75 miles I think. They are all mainly small and out in the country side.

And jmgratz is correct about Houston and that area. What you really need to do is just move to Texas and spend a few years touring and learning about the great state of TEXAS.

Jim M

 

[jmgratz]

I forgot...if you go the Northern route don't miss the Buddy Holly museum in Lubbock. It is neat. Also right off of I-10 (10 miles south of Beaumont) is Port Arthur. There is the Museum of the Gulf Coast. It is very interesting. It has the history of the Oil Industry, History of Local Sports figures (Jimmy Johnson is from Port Arthur) and the History of Music figures from the "Golden Triangle" such as Janis Joplin, Johnny Preston, George Jones and much more. A great museum. Also great salt water fishing at Lake Sabine in Port Arthur. Port Arthur RV Resort is a great place to stay as is Gulf Coast Resort right on I-10 in Beaumont. BTW just a 30 minute drive east is Delta Downs Casino/Horsetrack.

 

[phix]

I just re read your comments and realized that I had not thanked you guys for your comments and help. So, thanks! Can't wait to visit San Antonio and Fredericksburg.

Pam

 

[jimtoo]

Remind us before you get here... may be able to arrange a guided tour or something.

Jim M

 

[dlw930]

Who knows, you might even find a HL Chapter rally somewhere in the Lone Star state in March or April. If you do, I promise you won't go away hungry!


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