Garner SP

[chisos muse]

I had my first vacation of the year and have been waiting to take my pup Sasha camping for the first time. I had other plans for the weekend but wanted to get at least one night in camping. I had never visited Garner before, mainly because I had heard it was very crowded. I went on a Wednesday and believe me, it's the best thing to do for any TX state park with a refreshing river in May!

Garner is absolutely gorgeous, with the pristine Frio River, tons of rocky trails and high hills, and a first rate campground setup. I purchased a new Wally World big arse tent (the night before) so there would be plenty of room for Sasha and the inflatable bed and such.

Loaded up the cooler, packed the Jeep and headed off to the park with a very excited puppy. Sasha loves to ride in the backseat with her leg propped up on the arm rest while she looks out the window. After a bit she'll get tired and start to nod off, but refuses to lay down. She'll give in after a while but won't lay there for very long.

We arrived at the park and it was the first time I have seen 4 different booths inside with a digital number box much like the DPS. Luckily, I was the only person there...I had asked the park person lady about it and she replied almost snobbishly "we're the #1 state park". Well OK then! Got my window sticker and proceeded to my campsite.

I pulled up to #8, a tent site with water backed up against a steep, tall hill. The park lady called it a mountain but I know better.  I put Sasha on her tie out chain and started to unload my shtuff.





I poured a refrishing drink and put up the big arse tent for the first time, while Sasha looked on rather curiously..





After the tent was up it was walk time. We went down the park road towards the river and stuck our feet in. It lived up to it's name and I thought after getting hot and sweaty it may feel more inviting...
We strolled lazily and Sasha called attention to herself with her playful pouncing and licked a few toddlers on the cheek and pissed off a few geese. Life was good. The weather was perfect and I had my doggy with me ath the park during vacation. I was getting hungry though and I had dinner to cook so we headed back to camp.



I rustled up a sirlion burger, chicken breast, and sauteed mushrooms with mashed baby red's and gravy. Sasha shared dinner with me which is rare because she's not a table fed dog. I made and exception well, because I'm the mommy and I can do that!
After dinner we relaxed for a bit then went for another walk. This time we headed up the steep rocky hill to check out the trail. Kids, please don't try this at home with a spry dog on a leash! Sheesh I tell ya, that little dog is great going up, better than a trekking pole, but on the way down will darn near kill ya! DO NOT attempt to climb rocks with a dog on a leash! We had a blast, though. I told her we'd come back in the morning to do it again. 

We walked around a bit longer on low ground by the river and crossed into a shallow area. Sasha pranced around in the water and rocks and I've rarely seen her happier. Musey too. After about an hour we headed back to camp and Sasha came to take a shower with me. It's cool because the shower is in it's own lil private room, not in the restroom. I guess Garner does so much business that they're able to keep their facilities fancy and new. Oh, yes of course she didn't  come in the building with me, as that would have been against regulation....

I sat and fixed the Coleman lantern planning to read a bit of Abbey in the tent. I laid Sasha's blankie down next to my bed and put down her bone and bunny. She walked in the tent and laid right down. What an awesome dog I have! I prolly read 2 pages of Abbey before I turned off the lantern and looked at the stars falling fast asleep. No rain fly tonight. She was an angel and we slept really soundly. I turned over a few times when the wind picked up but it was refreshing. We awoke to the birdie's as usual and did our morning routine as I made coffee then changed for our morning hike.

 We climbed higher on the rocks this time, and I also had a camera in my hand. Fun stuff.. 









So glad that "Rick" decided to tag that rock, so we can all remember his name forever! 

We went down by the river again and I snapped a few more:

Hollowed out tree..














It was a perfect time in the park. Just a girl and her little dog... 

[Vince T]

Cool report with great pics.
Garner is a great place when the crowds are at a minimum.
I do have to say though...if you are there during the summer on a weekend when it's packed, the dance they have at the pavilion at night is quite a treat.

Did you set up a window unit AC in that big arse tent?
Looks like you could have pulled the jeep in there too.

 
Vince

[oldfatman]

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in the hill country is usually good.  Starting noon Friday until noon Monday can be very active at most of the hill country parks.  Excellent pics. Thank you.

[badknees]

Way to go Musey!

[homerboy2u]

I have been lucky to have visited Garner Park, since i was a kid.Not one of those times did i ever had a bad experience there.Garner is tops with me and m,y family.

 Only once was i lucky enough to trap a screened shelter there:



 They are spacious,you can get privacy and very ventilated,i believe they have some utilities as well,except a bathroom . Anyhow,you always go out with a smile...crowds or not.



 I forgot to mention about the square dances at the jukebox pavillion.I don't know if it still is going on,back then it was a blast and great place to meet beautiful gringas!!!

 I'm glad you had a great time there and some vacation time for yourself.

Saludos

[Al]

Cool report with great pics.
Garner is a great place when the crowds are at a minimum.
I do have to say though...if you are there during the summer on a weekend when it's packed, the dance they have at the pavilion at night is quite a treat.

Did you set up a window unit AC in that big arse tent?
Looks like you could have pulled the jeep in there too.

 
Vince

Vince, we have had record cool weather the last week or so. Most delightful at night. No A/C required.

Muse, sounds like a most excellent trip and a very nice report.  Garner SP is a jewel for sure especial when able to avoid crowds!  Well done. Sasha was just being the great dog she is!

Al

[bdann]

cool pics, looks like a great getaway.

[Goldilocks]

Great report!  I have added Garner SP to my list (ever growing) of places to visit.  I love the tent and I am so glad you and Sasha were able to get away for a few days.

[Sotol Vista]

Garner is great. but when it gets crowded, it is jam packed. We stayed there one weekend when it was extremely crowded. the rest rooms were full all the time. then on Saturday afternoon we decided to drive to Lost Maples to Shower in peace and quiet.

the site we stayed in was at the Persimmon Hill camping area, site # 234.  When the park is going to be crowded, i recommend this site. its the one site that has more room between it and the rest of the sites and offered us a little more privacy from the rest of the camp area.

James

[BigBendHiker]

Thanks for the trip report and pictures! 


BBH

[bjbriggs]

Neat trip......Thanks for the photo's

[chris]

My girlfriend and I were headed out that way this past Sunday for the day but a sudden (and very heavy!) downpour on FM 470 changed our plans to go to the city park in Utopia instead...the temperature had already plummeted into the mid-70's, so the Frio sounded, well quite cold!

The Utopia park (right off FM 1050 on the way to Garner SP and Concan) is a nice spot for the afternoon with a prime location on the Sabinal-hopefully I can upload some pictures soon.  There's a dam with about a seven foot dropoff you can jump in addition to a huge old oak tree with all the branches sawed off and a crude metal ladder going up...the highest point is about as high as the high dive at Balmorhea but it looks quite intimidating with nothing to brace yourself against!  Despite being egged on by a bunch of local kids, we opted to jump off where the tree splits (a mere 15 or so feet) instead.  There's also a ball field, see saws and cookout facilities...well worth the stop if you're out that way!

[jeffblaylock]

Sasha looks like a great little camper! Garner is a great place, when it's not overrun, that is. Looks like you timed it just right.

[sleepy]

YAY! a girl and her dog!
sounds like a swell time was had by all.  no crowds at Garner, i never heard of such a thing.
Looks like you could have had your own Friday night dance in that big arse tent.

[RichardM]

Sweet trip, Muse!

hopefully I can upload some pictures soon.

Don't forget you still owe Homero some pictures from your January Trip