For a variety of reasons, it’s been a very long time since our last post. For one thing we have stopped at several parks where we stayed before. I usually update the parks but do not send out an email for those updates. We also stayed at several parks for an overnight. I do create a post for those but they are usually just a review of the park and I do not send out emails for those either. You can find these stops by looking a the Routes item at the top of the web page. I’m also behind several larger stops and I will be working to get caught up on them soon. We visited Blanco almost a year ago. 🙂 Because of that, there will be more pictures and less text since we don’t remember all the details.
We stayed here for one night on New Year’s Eve while travelling from Colorado to Elephant Butte, NM. We typically stay at the Isletta Lakes RV Park since it is in a better location but when checking this year the reviews had gone down hill. They also don’t allow you to reserve a site and it’s right on a railroad track and can be quite noisy. Route 66 RV Resort and Casino is about 20 miles west of Albuquerque on Interstate 40. The park is much nicer and worth the extra miles and we had a great dinner in the Thunder Road Steakhouse & Cantina.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2 Location: Albuquerque, NM Site Quality / Amenities: Concrete pads and asphalt roads with nice landscaping for a desert environment. Type: Commercial Park Access: Easy access from I-40 about 20 miles west of Albuquerque., Showers and laundry facilities on site. Staff: Friendly but check-in/out procedures were somewhat awkward. The texted for information before arriving and after leaving but then still called even after I replied. Cellular/Wi-Fi: Good Restaurants: Thunder Road was good but pricey. Nearby parks: We didn’t look at any other parks in the area. What we liked: Clean, well run park. What we didn’t like: A bit out of the way for us but it was worth it. Verdict: This is a nice park for a one or two night stopover when travelling through the area and we’d stay here again.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ Location: Peculiar, MO. Site Quality / Amenities: Asphalt roads and gravel sites. Some sites have trees for shade but most do not. Restrooms and showers, self-service laundry, activity room for card playing, puzzles, or darts. This is an old KOA park but it has been updated and is nicer than most KOAs. Type: Commercial Park Access: Easy access 27 miles south of downtown Kansas City along Interstate 49. Staff: Friendly family owned park. Cellular/Wi-Fi: Good AT&T and Verizon service. There was high speed WiFi per the park but we didn’t use it. Restaurants: We ate at Merle’s American Tavern in Peculiar at the recommendation of the park staff but only found the food to be so-so. We’d probably look elsewhere if we stay in the area again. Nearby parks: We didn’t look at any other parks in the area. What we liked: Clean, well run park. What we didn’t like: Sites are somewhat close together and are gravel. Some of the interior roads are a bit narrow but were doable even with a large rig. Our truck alarm went off several times although I don’t believe anyone was actually doing anything to it. This is only the second time something like that has happened. Verdict: This is a nice park for a one or two night stopover when travelling through the area and we’d stay here again.
We stayed one night in this park on the way east toward Missouri. Located in the heart of the Smoky Hills, Wilson State Park is considered by many to be the most beautiful in the state. Wilson Reservoir features a rugged shoreline punctuated by scenic cliffs and rocky outcrops.
Wilson Reservoir offers excellent white bass and striped bass angling. The Cedar Trail in the Otoe area is a one-mile loop with a concrete surface and is great for a leisurely, low-stress walk. The 24.5-mile long Switchgrass Bike Trail is popular with mountain bikers to pursue this challenging activity.
Wilson Wildlife Area is located on the upper end of 9,000 acre Wilson Reservoir. The 8,069-acre public hunting area is made up of 5,000 acres of rugged rolling hills of native prairie, approximately 2,000 acres of cropland, and 1,000 acres of riparian timber along the Saline River, Cedar Creek, Turkey Creek, and Elm Creek. The area has a waterfowl refuge that was established in 1996.
Wilson State Park
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ Location: Wilson, KS Site Quality / Amenities: Asphalt roads and gravel sites. There were a few small trees to sit under that that provided a small amount of shade. Restrooms and showers were provided although we did not use them. 50A electrical service with full hookups. Type: State Park Access: Easy access about 5 miles north of I-70, and west of K-232. Staff: We had minimal interaction with the staff but when we did they were efficient and professional. Cellular/Wi-Fi: AT&T was reported as marginal but Verizon speeds were great. Restaurants: We did not eat out while here. Nearby parks: We didn’t look at any other parks in the area. What we liked: Unlike much of the state, this area included many rolling hills. What we didn’t like: The site we were in was not very level. No shade over the site. Verdict: This is a nice park with lake views and rolling hills and is a good option for a few days when travelling through the area. We’d stay here again.
Rating: ⭐⭐1/2 Location: Sweetwater, TX Site Quality / Amenities: Roads and sites were gravel. Some mesquite trees for shade. Restrooms and showers, self-service laundry, Office with Pool table, TV, and Lounge Areas. Type: Commercial Park Access: Easy access right off I-40 west of Sweetwater. Staff: Friendly family owned park. Cellular/Wi-Fi: Decent AT&T and Verizon service for an overnight. There was WiFi but we didn’t use it. Restaurants: We ate at Skeets in Sweetwater. The chicken fried steak was good but overall the place was just ok. Nearby parks: We didn’t look at any other parks in the area. What we liked: Easy access for a one night stop. There are two truck stops for fuel at that exit. Cheap full hookup sites with 50A service. What we didn’t like: Train tracks nearby but we only heard them during the day. Close to I-40 so there was some road noise. Verdict: This is a nice park for a one night stopover when travelling through the area and we’d stay here again.
