Let The Camping Commence

=Each year our "camping season" concludes with the annual trip to New Braunfels at the beginning of June.  Then we enter into the camping draught.  It is simply to darn hot in Texas to camp during the summer months.  As the weather cools down, generally October, the camping season decends on us, and we couldn't be happier to get back out and enjoy outdoor activities -- camping, fishing, hiking.

This year we commenced the camping season with a visit to Fairfield Lake State Park in Fairfield, Texas (about 30 minutes south of Corsicana).  We were so pleased that our dear friends Geoff and Staci Miller joined us on this trip.  It was more then appropriate that Geoff and Staci helped us kick off this camping season as they were the people that got us into camping in the first place.

We decided to head out to Fairfield Lake Friday night and stay for two nights.  The down side being that Camper Joe doesn't get off from work until 6:00 in the evening.  We knew it would be evening before we even departed Dallas.  And although it would be a pain to set up camp in the dark, we ultimately decided it was worth it so that we could just wake up Saturday morning and be ready to go. 

So, Friday evening, October 8, Geoff and Staci meet us at our house and we departed Garland around 8:00pm. The front gates close at 10pm.  We were on a mission to make it there before the gates closed.  Despite some traffic delays as we made it through downtown Dallas, we arrived at the state park about a quarter til 10:00pm.

It was full dark by this time and the camp sites have no lighting.  We spent some time picking out or spot for the weekend and eventually settled on a location.  It was near midnight by the time we sat down to enjoy a few adult beverages after setting up our camp site and tents. 

We did not realize until we arrived at the state park that this county was under a burn ban.  This means no camp fire.  Imagine our dismay.  It just isn't the same camping without a camp fire.  We were notified by the on-duty Park Ranger that we were only permitted to use charcoal in the grill or fir ring.  So, no fire.  Having said that, we opted to turn in for the night shortly after we set up.  We had a long day of hiking, fishing, and camp business ahead of us.

A relevant side note:  We had been eager to check out Lake Fairfield ever since we learned that it was a very popular winter fishing location -- perfect for us as winter campers.  A power plant on the lake uses the lake water to cool the turbines (or something like that).  This keeps the water at relatively warm temperature during the winter making the fishing especially favorable.  Fishing tournaments are held every weekend between November and February.  Since Camper Joe and Geoff are both aspiring anglers, it was only natural that we would eventually make our way to Fairfield Lake State Park. 

Lakeview Camp Site

Since we checked into so late Friday night, our first order of business Saturday morning was to make our way back to the office and "check in" to our camp site.  Imagine our disappointment when we were informed that the fishing was no bueno due to a massive fish die off.  I don't remember the details, but basically the water conditions could not sustain the right oxygen levels in the water.  Something to the tune of 1.5 Million fish had died.  Although the lake was recovering, it was no were near populated for favorable fishing conditions.


Armadillo



Geoff and Staci made there way into town stock up on charcoal and beer.  Meanwhile, Camper Joe and I decided to take the dog's for a nice long walk and check out the other camping areas and hiking trails.

This was the first camping trip for our puppy, Penny.  In the immortal legacy of Scrappy Doo, she embodies "puppy power".  Morning time is her most energetic time.  So, our morning/early afternoon exploration was in part to check out the state park, but also in part to help Penny expel some of her seemingly never-ending puppy energy.

Fishing at Sunset

When Geoff and Staci returned for there trip into town, we decided to make our way over to the other side of the lake.  We were told there was a little peninsula that offered the best possibility for fishing.  So, with camping chairs, cooler, and fishing gear in hand, we made our way.  Several hours later and empty handed, the sun was completing it's dip behind the horizon.  We packed up our gear and headed back to the camp site.

We whipped up some dinner and prepared for another night without a fire.

Although we were a little disappointed with the fire ban and the lack of good fishing, we were still very much enjoyed the opportunity to go camping with Geoff and Staci, especially since they our camping inspiration in the first place.  Good friends and good company.

No fire, no fish, no problem.