Fort Anahuac Texas

Right after I wrote that

last blog post on technology on the open road

, we entered Texas, and suddenly, our cell service and WiFi issues cleared up. We still haven’t purchased the mobile hotspot and haven’t really needed it since we left LA. It may have provided a better signal where we already had one, but we haven’t been totally without since we crossed the state line. Not sure if that has to do with Texas or with my call to MetroPCS, but I’ll take it without complaint.

We’re in Texas!

For those of you who don’t know my husband very well – Tim is a lifelong wannabe cowboy. He can quote almost every John Wayne movie from start to finish, and most other westerns too. There aren’t many westerns he hasn’t viewed more than once – some of them dozens of times each. He wore cowboy boots every day until he retired, and his dream is to one day own a “two-pound Stetson with a six-inch brim” (I think I got that right – a quote from McClintock, if I remember correctly.)

But Tim had never been to Texas, and I couldn’t wait to introduce him.

In "downtown" Anahuac

Our first camping site in Texas was a free one at Fort Anahuac Park in Anahuac, Texas.

Loved the overall park layout because we had almost the whole place to ourselves (although the bathrooms were quite awful!) One nature conservancy group had already picked out the best spot in the place, so we landed smack in the middle of the park, and because there were no boundaries on campsites, we just spread out.

The restrooms were quite a hike though, but we picked the site closest that we could get without landing in water. We stayed dry the entire time there, which was a relief after all the rain we'd experienced since leaving.

Although the campsite was free, we had to get a three-day permit from the local commissioner’s office, and could have renewed it for three more days, but the cold front was moving in, so we left to keep from having to deal with 30 degree overnight temps. The same commissioner's office oversees the Double Bayou Park a few miles away, with the same three-day permit required. We drove over to that park one day, to see what we were missing, and decided that Fort Anahuac was the best option. Double Bayou was totally secluded, and basically just a large chunk of land. One bathhouse, next to the deputy's house on the property, but that was it. Roads weren't developed, basically just paths.

TIP: If you go to Fort Anahuac, try to get the site at the back of the park, next to the monument. The site has a couple of picnic tables, under some large trees, overlooking the marsh, with views of the water. Best place around.

But it felt good to settle in somewhere for a few days. The town is tiny – population of Anahuac was 2339. Driving around, we discovered a bank, Dairy Queen, Dollar General, a steak restaurant, and a Mexican restaurant. We also used their washeteria, which was only $2.00 per wash and took $1.50 to dry. (Cheapest laundromat so far.)

My favorite part of Fort Anahuac was walking out on the point and seeing Trinity Bay.

While we were in camp, we realized the need for some groceries. The Dollar General there was basic, so we asked a customer where the nearest larger town was located. She laughed and said if we meant real groceries, that there was a new H.E.B. store located in Mont Belvieu about 10 minutes away. H.E.B was on my lists of “must visit” sites while in Texas, because of their kindness, compassion, and generosity to residents during and after Hurricane Harvey.

The store was great and exceeded my expectations. Great prices, good service, delicious and cheap pastries for our breakfast, and free coffee. What’s not to love about that?