Rocky Mountain Star Stare (RMSS) 2026

 

Messier 13 (M13) Globular Cluster

060926 - 061426 Rocky Mountain Star Stare (RMSS) is an annual star party sponsored by the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society that is held every summer for 30 years. So how di I hear about it, you ask? Well, on the Built-to-Go podcast of course! Hosted by Jeff Wagg of the College of Curiosity. Jeff’s weekly podcast features everything and anything about van life including events and places to visit. Jeff is a member of the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society and told everyone about the RMSS during one of his episodes. So I signed up months in advance and it is finally here. I really didn’t know what to expect other than I knew there would be camping in a big open area and I would meet Jeff Wagg. 

Jeff Wagg

After leaving Yucca State Campground I stopped at Loves to fill my propane tank, then headed up to the coordinates provided by RMSS. I recognized Jeff as I was pulling into the registration building and he directed me to where the Van Life followers were parking. Figured out later that it was the members area. I was honored to set up right behind Jeff's truck camper. 

There was nothing on the agenda the first day. I met all of Jeff's friends and the other Van Lifers that follow the Built-to-go podcast. We had hotdogs & drinks over with Yogi’s then later, around sunset one of the CSAS members, Bruce Bookout, conducted a opening presentation and someone set up a big telescope and showed us the moons of Jupiter! I was amazed and soaked in the presentation. We learned about the anti-solar on the east horizon; Earth's shadow / the "dark segment" and the "Belt of Venus".   Scientists explain this as the Earth's actual shadow projected onto our atmosphere. Over the years there have been folk lore and symbolism such as, the soft, glowing pink arc separating the dark night from the bright sky was likened by astronomers to this legendary ribbon of grace wrapped elegantly across the horizon and The Magic Cestus: The name directly alludes to the Cestus (a beautifully embroidered girdle, sash, or breast-band) worn by Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty.  

As the sun set, the Astrometers worked on setting up their equipment in designated areas in the middle of all the campers. A strict "Red Lights Only" policy went into effect at Sunset. No other lights allowed to preserve the night sky viewing. 

I volunteered at the greeting table and directed campers arriving on Friday and Saturday. I find that volunteering is a good way to meet other people and for newbies like me to ask a lot of questions.  Friday night I spent 3 hours with 2 members that I was on watch with. They showed me their smart telescopes and we set them up with a tablet and zoomed in on some star clusters far away. The first image on this blog is one we took that night. 

Our group would usually meet in the evening at the observing area after dark and discuss the stars, sky and anything else there was to discuss.  There were presentations by people from NASA about Catching Astronauts, Recovery of the Crew of Artemis II and their Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere (PUNCH) Mission. There was other presentations including Mystery and Majesty in the Northern Skies. There was always something going on at the main building, which was the only building. 

The weather was fabulous until Saturday, we had some clouds, heavy winds and some light rain. Sunday morning Jeff was gone early but left a nice note on the discord. I was packed up and out by 1000. I stopped to dump my gray tank at the state campground then headed west through southern Colorado. 

Chimney Rock

I stayed at Ute Campground near Chimney Rock National Monument that I visited in the morning before heading out of Colorado. 

Just before entering Arizona I stopped at the Yucca House National Monument a  unexcavated archaeological site, based around an ancestral Puebloan settlement. The site was on a farm over by an old barn with a circle driveway. There was a walkway and trail that takes you right up to the ruins, an old brick-like wall that was first written about in 1878 then was made a National Monument in 1919. Read more about Pueblo settlements here. 

I stayed the night at the Sunset View Campground at the Navajo National Monument. Feeling kind of crummy, like I had a cold, I just stayed in the van and headed home the next morning, ending my 46 day trip. Total Miles 6856.7 average speed 47 mph, 17.8 mpg, Travel Time 145 hours

RMSS Photos

Ute CG Colorado photos

South Dakota & Wyoming

 060726 Cold Brook Lake Campground, Hot Springs SD.  I arrived early and had to wait for the camper in my space to check out, but there was no sign of them. They were camping in a small trailer and must be out on the lake. So I pulled into another space to wait. But I did do some geocaching on the way. 

I pulled out of Crawford pretty early, it was only about 30 minutes to the border of South Dakota. I made it in 31 minutes and pulled over at the state line because on these back roads there is usually a cache welcoming you to their state. Sure enough, I was parked less than 50' from a cache. The description said I will need a TOTT (Tools of The Trade) to retrieve this micro. I took a look and saw the container way up high on the Welcome to South Dakota sign. I hesitated not and got my ladder out of the van to make the grab.  

Continuing on into South Dakota, a state I need for another sticker on my water bottle, I proceeded to visit The Mammoth Site  in Hot Springs to claim a virtual cache. I did not pay for a tour, it was pretty crowded, but I was able to meet the requirements for the find. 

Driving through Hot Springs, a small mountain town surrounded by evergreen with modern condos and an old downtown. Before I knew it I was on a dirt road heading north out of town for about 3 miles before pulling into the campground where I am still waiting for my campsite to open up.  The ranger stopped by and said it was fine if I waited where I was and that he would check down by the lake. 

I didn't need to wait too long and I was all set up by 1630 and had a nice peaceful evening in the small campground.  Although the Camp Host had to run their gas generator, but that ok with me. In the morning I took a nice walk down a jeep trail before packing up. This is definitely a place that I wish I could stay longer, but I have a place to be at in Southern Colorado in 2 days.  

The next days route will be determined by the wind. There are high wind warnings for south Nebraska and Wyoming but it looks like if I make it to Cheyenne then go west I should miss all the heavy wind. So I left at the regular time and entered east Wyoming and stayed on the eastern border. I stopped in Lingle Wyoming to claim a virtual cache and have some lunch. It was overcast but the wind was mild. 

The wind picked up as I got closer to Cheyenne and when I made the junction to I80 west the wind was even stronger, but I pressed on west until I saw the Highway warning sign, you know the ones that tell you click it of ticket, that said road closed for high profile vehicles less than 20,000 lbs, that's me! I took the next exit and stopped at the Northbound "Welcome to Wyoming" rest area. It had a RV area with a dump station and best of all 2 adventure labs with a bonus cache! 

So I went ahead and dumped my gray tank, parked and got to work on the Adventure labs. To get the answers to all the questions required walking the whole rest area and the perimeter, where the final micros were, so I got in a good walk in strong wind. 

No reason to try and find a campground, obviously overnight parking was allowed. I talked to an old fella that said someone had run him off his land and all he had left was his old beat up chevy van. He gave me a tour of the inside and I listened to all the improvements he'll make once he get his settlement money for his property cause "I'm gona sue them for all their worth" he said many times.  I asked him if he was okay on food and that I would make him a sandwich , but he declined, says he can take care of himself. I didn't press the issue, though he looked like he missed a few meals, we just shared our good wishes for each other and settled in for a fine rest stop camp. Tomorrow I'll stay at a state campground outside of  Walsenburg CO, only 30 miles from the Rocky Mountain Star Stare. I can fill my water tank, get a shower. and stock up for a week of boondocking.  I sure took a roundabout route to get from Alabama to Colorado, but I got four more stickers on my water bottle and saw some pretty neat sites.  Thanks for visiting, bye!

📷Camera Roll 🧻

Toadstool Geologic Park

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060626 Toadstool Geologic Park is noted for its unusual geological formations, some in the shape of toadstools, and scientifically valuable fossil deposits. Located northwest corner of Nebraska.  I heard about it as a place to visit on the Built to go podcast, so I put it on my list for on my way west. The campground consists of 12 sites with picnic tables, fire rings, upright grills and two accessible vault toilets. There is no water. There were three tent campers already there when I arrived. I parked and took the campground loop trail that featured information from a very informative Earthcache GC2CHP2. The weather was cooler in the afternoon, I was ready for a nice peaceful evening sitting at the picnic table with my salad and grilled ham & cheese with tasty Hungarian peppers. 

That's when a gust of wind blew my cap off. I looked up from my meal to see a dark sky beyond the foot hills, thunderstorm to the southwest.  I looked at the weather app which showed the rain starting a 2100.

After the sun went down, I sat outside to watch the lightning and take some pictures.  It was quite the show as the storm looked like it would pass to the west. At about 2015, I went inside and cleanup my dinner mess and put on an audiobook. 

The rain started right at 2100 and the wind was rocking the van. I was just thinking about hitting the sack when I received a weather alert on my phone. There was a link to a Nebraska Special Weather Statement that warned wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny sized hail. I stepped outside to determine the wind direction in case I need to move the van, thinking I would be ok with 50 mph head on but not broadside. The wind was coming right at my port side and the other campers were gone! I packed up and got out of the area. I ended up in Crawford NE, about 20 miles southeast. I found a place to camp at the city park. Crawford City Park Campground. 

I probably would have been fine if I stayed at Toadstool. I guess I will never know. Crawford was peaceful and there was no wind to speak of. I may have over reacted but I live to camp another day. 

👀👀👀👀Here a link to the rest of the photos.  👀👀👀👀👀

Thanks for visiting. 

Carhedge and Agate Fossle Beds

 

6-6-26 Created by Jim Reinders Carhedge, located in  Alliance NE, is a replica of the famous Stonehenge in England. I arrived at 0930 and found the geocache in the parking lot then walked around the exhibit. There was another geocache in the exhibit. The log is an old station wagon near the far end of the grounds which is covered with signatures as it was placed in 2003. Very unique roadside attraction I stopped at on my was north from Scott’s Bluff. There is a nice trail and a gift shop. 

Next, I stopped at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument Visitor Center and Museum in Sioux County NE. I spent some time inside looking at all the artifacts on display and watching a film about the fossil beds and the people that discovered them. Afterwards I hiked the Daemonelix trail. Half way up the cliff face they discovered a series of vertical spiral shapes. The locals called them Devil Corkscrews but they are actually burrows of ancient beavers leading down to nesting areas underground. They are approximately 20 to 23 million years old, dating back to the Miocene epoch of the Neogene period. I completed 3 Earthcaches before continuing on north to the Toadstool Geological Park, which I will tell you about in my next post. 

Thanks for visiting 

Photos

Chimney Rock and Scott’s Bluff NE

​60326 After getting an oil change it Wichita, I proceeded north towards the state border with Nebraska. I stayed at another Army Corps of Engineers campground called Methodist Cove Campground in the city of Alma NE. This puts a new state sticker on my water bottle. They have showers, coin laundry and dump station. I spent the next day bike riding a nice trail into town, I found the only cache along the trail and went to the bank to get quarters for the laundry. Had to ride through a flock of sheep! 

I left the next day driving west past Chimney Rock and into Scott’s Bluff. This was a pleasant surprise. I never heard of this place before and I was surprised how such a significant landmark would be so unpopular. This was(is) the real gateway to the west. Maybe because it’s named after an unfortunate fur trapper, Hiram Scot, who died there at the base of the pass in 1828 and not for some famous politician. There is a visitor center and a driving self tour of the north side of the landmark. Layers of sandstone, volcanic rock and limestone concentrations are exposed after years of erosion, telling the geological story in the area. I found it well worth the visit and took my time enjoying the scenery. 

It was late in the afternoon when I pulled into a non hookup space at the Riverside Campground in the town of Scottsbluff NE. 

Photos  

Arkanas, Missouri, Kansas 26

 

Norfork Lake Henderson Ozarks AR

I headed west after completing the Stone River cache and drove all the way to Arkansas. I have never camped in Arkansas so I will get another sticker on my bottle. My first night in "The Natural State" I stayed for free at the Blytheville AR Welcome Center  of Highway 55, very RV friendly and I was greeted with a beautiful rainbow! 

Welcome to Arkansas

This rest stop afforded easy access to Krogers groceries without having to get back onto the freeway. So I was all prepared to continue my journey west through Jonesboro and Norfork Lake. I stayed at another Army Corps of Engineers campground, half price thanks you very much, in Henderson. I got there early, so I went exploring down to the Buffalo National River in the Ozark Mountains. What makes this river 135 mile river special is that it is one of the few undammed rivers remaining in the lower 48 states. I often wonder if it would be better if we didn't dam rivers, like the Colorado, what would they be like now, but I digress, back to the camping and geocaching adventures. 

Buffalo National River

I returned to the Henderson campground and had a nice sun downer outside the van. The dark clouds moved north leaving a clear horizon for a stunning sunset or the lake. I headed out the next morning on my way out of Arkansas for a brief visit to the "show me" state of Missouri to visit the first national monument dedicated to an African American and first to a non-president. George Washington Carver National Monument. 

George Washington Carver National Monument

Born into slavery, George Washington Carver became a renowned agricultural chemist. Fun Fact:  he found 325 uses for peanuts and created 108 uses for sweet potatoes! The Monument included virtual cache that takes you on the nature trail that was his boyhood home, ending back at the visitor center museum. It really was a beautiful park and a nice peaceful place. For some reason, it gave me a sense of hope. 

I ended my day at Damsite, yes another Army Corps of Engineers campground called Damsite in Fall River Kansas, the Sunflower State. I got settled and went for an afternoon walk around the dam listening to the Padres baseball call when I was approached by the camp host. An old couple, I swear I wrote their names down but I am not finding my note, anyway they are volunteers and stay in there big motor home. They get free camping for taking care of the yard maintenance and keep the toilets stocked and clean. They have been hosting for a few years and they get time away when they need to.  There is a magnetic cache on the bridge, but the bridge was out and I did not want the search beyond the KEEP OUT sign. 

Well that is all for this post. Keep coming back for more. If you want to get an email notification when there is a new post, just leave a comment below.  

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Poole Knob & Stone River National Battlefield

 

Stone River National Battlefield

052926 - 053026 I left the day after the Baron's game and headed back north into Tennessee and camped  at Poole Knob Campground (Army Corps. of Engineers)  My site was at the top of the knob and for the first day I was the only camper.  There was a Bald Eagle Protection Act. sign on the road in front of my site. This must mean there is a nest nearby, so I looked around and found what looked like a big nest in the tall trees between me and the next site.  I kept checking it but I did not see an eagle. Later, after returning from my geocaching hike, a pair of Bird watchers parked on the road and were looking at the nest. Sure enough we could see the big bird in the nest.  My campsite is protected by eagles! I wonder if it knows Gwaihir 

I left early the next morning so I could attempt the Wherigo at the Stone River National Battlefield before heading west to Arkansas. There was a Regular Geocache inside the visitor center, all you need to do is ask the nice ranger. This was also the starting point for GC3X6XN Wherigo cache.  😀 Found it. Even after visiting and completing the tour and finding the cache I have a hard time with understanding the magnitude of this battle and the number of lives lost. The sheer will to fight fellow Americans and cause so much destruction is unfathomable. My trip to Tennessee starts with a symbol of freedom and a grim reminder of the American sacrifice for freedom. The wherigo was very well done. Luckily there was nobody present at the final GZ, a chops of trees in a strip mall that is being used as someones shelter.  But I found the container without disturbing too much. 

TTM 81 - 2.0/2.5 - Stones River Battlefield

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Birmingham Barons

Baron's Win!

5/28/26  To celebrate Carla's Birthday, we went to baseball game. The double A, Southern League,  Birmingham Barons defeated the Pensacola Blue Wahoos 7-4 on May 28, 2026, at Regions Field, downtown Birmingham. We arrived in plenty of time to visit the team store and concessions stands well before 1st pitch. We were seated on the first row behind the dugout, which is cool because you can use the top of the dugout to hold your popcorn and drinks. 

Already behind by 3 runs, the Baron's finally got on the board in the bottom of the 3rd with a HR off the bat of Left Fielder Drake Logan. PNS 3,BIR 1. Then the Baron's tied it up in the bottom of the forth after 2 walks and 2 wild pitches put runners on 3rd and 2nd. They scored on a ground ball fielder choice and catcher Jorge Corona's 2 out RBI single to center ,PNS 3,BIR 3.  The Blue Wahoos plated a run in the top of the 6th, PNS 4,BIR 3 and it stayed a 1 run game until Baron's DH Jeral Perez RBI double in the bottom of the 8th. PNS 4,BIR 4.  No score in the 9th, we went into extra innings. The Blue Wahoos failed to cross the plate in the top of the 10th.  After a pop up out, Shortstop Jordan Sprinkle, ghost runner at 2nd, steels 3rd, 90' away from a win. Pensacola intentionally walks Pinch Hitter Colby Martin to set up the double play, but instead of a ground ball, Baron's first baseman Anthony DePino ended it with a walk-off 3 run homer, way out to left.  The Baron's dugout empties to meet their hero a home as DePino rounds the bases.  PNS 4,BIR 7! A great win for the home town crowd. 

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North Carolina, Virginia and Kentucky

Cumberland Gap from Tri-State peak

052226. First stop was Jackrabbit Campground in Nantahala National Forest, part of the Southern Appalachians in North Carolina.  The weather was warm with off and on rain throughout the day, discouraging weekend campers. There was a single geocache along the Jackrabbit Mountain trail system that meanders down by the lake before turning up hill to the ridge making a nice loop, I waited for a break in the rain, but decided to go for it anyway before it got dark. The trail was well maintained yet muddy, especially on the downward slope. I found the cache in good shape feeling like it was well earned. There were just enough daylight left to complete the hike. The camp host was very friendly and told me where I can dump my gray water and top off on fresh before heading north to Virginia in the morning. 

052326 - 052526 I camped at the Wilderness Road Campground just across the border in Virginia  Now I was really enjoying the history traveling through the Daniel Boon trail of 1776 from North Carolina to Kentucky. The Cumberland Mountains comprise borders in Virginia, Carolinas, Tennessee and Kentucky. Borders that were declared by Great Britain in 1665, but not surveyed until 1728, but were not settled until 1803. I often wondered how the states borders were established. Imagine all the border disputes that went on between the Virginians and Tennesseans back in the day.  There was a lot to do in the area, all the monuments and geocaches, but it rained most of one day so I packed what I could into the next. I hiked the Tri-State peak and visited the ‎⁨Cumberland Gap National Historical Park⁩. I would like to go back and spend more time in the area, but for now, I need to keep on with my route which takes me to the Mammoth Caves in Kentucky. 

052526 - 051726 I got an early start on Memorial Day because I wanted to spend some time at the Mill Springs Battle Field National Monument on the way to Mammoth Caves. The virtual cache at Mill Springs is no give away, it requires visiting several sites and a hiking tour through the mass graves of confederate soldiers. I spent 2 hours completing all the logging requirements, but had a wonderful time learning about. This victory broke the right section of the confederate forces allowing union advance into Tennessee and control of the upper Mississippi river. When I was finished, before driving away I sat and thought about the many Americans that lost their lives in the civil war. 

I arrived Mammoth Caves Campground about 1500. Before setting up I walked over to the visitor center. This place is big, they have a restaurant, a hotel, cabins and a large gift shop. At the information desk is when I found out there were no cave tours available, apparently you need to purchase them online well in advance. But they did have a limited self guided tour, so I got one of those for the next day.  I got settled in and had dinner. No cell service and too many trees for Starlink. But it was only a short walk to the ranger's booth for wifi to check my phone. In the morning I visited the cave at the Historic entrance and spend about 90 minutes on the self guided tour. It was like an underground museum with different exibits and information plaques detailing the cave's history. The rest of the day I drove to where some virtual caches were, one in a graveyard and another at a sinkhole pond with a nice trail.  I spend some time in the visitor center parking lot so I could get online through starlink. In the evening I took a nice walk on the campground trails, there were no geocaches, but I had a good walk. The next day I left the park and visited Russell Cave National Monument just across the Tennessee and Alabama border. Not much there but a small display and a short trail to the cave opening. No entry into the cave allowed. Later in Anniston AL,  

I visited the Freedom Riders National Monument  before arriving back at Camp Carla in Pell City for some birthday baseball. 

Here is a link to the weekends shared photos. 

Until next time, bye. 

Camp Carla - Pell City AL

 

Pell City Alabama

051926- 052226 My drive to Pell City would take me through Columbus Ga and I remembered there is a Museum there, specifically the National Civil War Naval Museum, about ½ way to Pell City so I took a break and visited. The main exhibit is the remains of the CSS Muscogee ( renamed CSS Jackson) a casemate ironclad that the Union Army captured, set adrift and set ablaze in 1865. I spent about an hour in the museum before setting off again to Pell City.  

Green water navies 

Railroad investors founded Pell City in 1890 and named it after George Pell of the Pell City Iron and Land Company, one of its financial backers. I arrived right at dinner time, I have a knack, Carla made a wonderful meal and we watched baseball on her great big TV.  For the next 3 days I was able to get laundry done and spend some quality time with Carla and the Thompsons.  Friday I was off again to camp in North Carolina, Virginia and Kentucky before returning to Pell City to celebrate Carla's Birthday. Shared Photos.

Vanning the gulf coast.

 

Perfect Spot

Fairview-Riverside State Park Campground - Madisonville, LA

Tchefuncte River 

051326 I left Humble with my eye on a dispersed camping area along the interstate in Louisiana, not sure what I was getting into my plan b was a State park above Lake Pontchartrain and New Orleans. I stopped for a break and a geocache at the Sabine River Rest Center just across the border of Texas. There was convenient parking and a nice park with a boardwalk that went over the river. While I was hunting the cache I saw my first alligator just swimming around near the bank. Back on the road, had already decided to try the state park so  passed the turn off to the dispersed camping area. I pulled into the park at 1815, the office was closed so I picked a small tent site and set up for an overnight. The park had a nice swamp trail, boardwalk, so I took a nice walk in the morning before pulling out. 

Meaher State Park Campground - Spanish Fort, AL

Great Egret & Alligator

051426  It was less than 3 hours from my next campground in Alabama, so I stopped and took a break at the Jackson County rest area. This place had designated spaces just for overnighters and one was right near Nana’s Perch geocache. I was not overnighting, but I did go find the cache and made lunch. I made it to the campground in Alabama before 1600 and found my space. I was in the new part of the campground, no trees, just asphalt pads. Brand new shower house built off the ground. The humidity was probably 75% but there was a nice ocean breeze off Ducker Bay. After getting parked I was ready for a walk and some geocaching. I strolled the boardwalks, saw Great Egret, Alligators, and found all the hides in the park. I felt much better about the place after my walk. In the morning I had a really nice shower and went to Waffle House for breakfast. Today I will travel the pan handle of Florida to a campground in Georgia. 

Eastbank Campground - Bainbridge GA

Space #50 Eastbank CG

051526 - 051726  I did not book a space online because they require a minimum of 2 days, so I thought I would just change it and have a drive through before I pick a space. But when I arrived I was informed that even in person, there is a 2 day minimum. The attendant let me drive through and pick my space and I got it for 2 days. Turns out it was a really nice spot so I ended up staying for both days and I was able to move the dates for my next reservation. I got the nearest geocache at the entrance to the park, the only other one was an Earthcache. I had a nice ride on my bike down by the dam. 

Jim Woodruff Dam

Lake Seminole was produced by the construction of the Jim Woodruff dam and is the result of the water flow coming in from the Chattahoochee and Flint Rivers. The Florida and Georgia state line runs north to south along the middle of the Chattahoochee River, then turns east just before the dam. North of the Dam is the Central Time Zone, south of the Dam is the Eastern Time Zone. So the water of Lake Seminole takes an hour to flow through the dam 😁. 

I ended up having a very nice stay before I moved to another campground on the other side of the lake.

Three Rivers State Campground - Snead FL

Gators

051726 - 051926 It was a short drive over to the campground in Florida. I stopped at Piggly Wiggly for groceries on the way. This space was not like my last, it was an accessible site right in the middle of the park. This is why I like picking my site after arriving. I got set up and went for a walk along the lake. No geocaches allowed on Florida State Parks but they did have nice walking and riding trails. I walked about 4 mikes on the first day and rode about 7 miles on the 2nd day. I did not see any Gators here. The three rivers referenced in the name are Chattahoochee River, Flint River and Apalachicola River below the dam. I updated the stickers on my water bottle to include Alabama, Florida and Georgia. I will be nice to stay at Camp Carla for the rest of the week. My Photos of Vanning the gulf coast

Camp Dempsey - Humble (H is silent) TX

 

Mariners Win!

051126 - 051326  I was overdue visiting Camp Dempsey. I really appreciate Robbie's Grandma and Grandpa’s hospitality. It was fun catching up visiting and true to form the visit was eventful, baseball and golfing. We attended the Astros game against the Mariners, I was impressed with the ballpark and enjoyed the Seattle win! In the morning we went golfing at Tour 18 Golf Course, featuring a collaboration of replicas of famous holes in golf. Most of all, I got to meet Robbie. My visit was short enough to not be long and long enough to not be short. Next thing I knew I was on my way east to Louisanna, looking forward to my next visit to Texas. 

Tour 18 Golf Course

Gulf Coast of Texas

 

Magnolia Beach, TX

I had an uneventful overnight at the rest area, got an early start towards the Gulf Coast. When I was looking for a place to camp, I found dispersed camping at  Magnolia Beach  so I made sure I went to check it out. The beach faces northeast on Magnolia Bay. There were quite a few places to park and camp. It looked like all the others parked on the beach were fishing. I didn't trust what I read online, so I booked a county campground up the coast, but this place would have worked fine. I parked on the beach and made lunch and then took a quick walk down to a virtual cache at the end. 

Quintana Beach

Quintana Beach County Park is right on the coast and right next to Freeport LNG Propane where they process deliver and transfer to ships. There were very large ships coming and going the whole time I was there.  After dark, their deck lights lite up the whole campground. 

I enjoyed the weekend walking on the beach and riding the Jangurandi and finding the geocaches in the area. The was a geocache right in the park, only about 400' from my space. I went out to the Quintana jetty and talked to locals fishing. They were catching "Speckled Trout" about 16 to 20 inches.  This really put me in a Jimmy Buffett mood, "get jalost in the reggae mon and walk along the beach."  

👀Here is a link to my Photos. 👀

Quintana Beach

Jagurandi