South Llano River State Park, Texas

May 20, 2015

5/20/2015

Left Fort Stockton Texas heading toward San Antoine Texas via I-10. We left around 10:15, stopped at a Flying J Truck stop to purchase gas. Gas was $2.52 per gal. Around 1:30, we ran into a bit of bad luck and had a flat tire. Inside right tire separated completely from the tread.

Our tires were new in 2014, with approx. 10,000 miles wear on them. I guess things like this happen no matter new or old. To make things worse we had a very bad cell single and we are in the middle of nowhere. We estimated from our location on our atlas and called our Road assistance Insurance. We did not know the mile marker we were close to and the Road Assistance people could not receive a GPS signal from us at this location. We were fortunate that we were able to at least get a signal long enough to the cell phone to contact help. We estimated our location and waited. Then we waited some more. No police drive by the whole time we were here. Finally we got a signal long enough the Service man was able called to let us know he could not find us and to see if we could help him. We again told him our guess, but told the gentleman we would walk to find the next mile marker to help.

After we started walking, a man in a pickup truck stopped about 100 yards down the interstate, and waited for us to catch up to him. We asked if he would drive on and call us when he saw the next mile marker. We tested the phone signal then he drove on and found the mile marker around the curve not far from where we were. We then began walking back to the Kodiak and waited for the Service man to call back. He did and we told him the mile marker we were closest to. He was shocked we were so far from our original EST. We were too, but that’s the way it was. He said he could still come, but it would be another 20 min. before he could be here. We agreed to wait, ha ha, as if we had a choice. Sure enough, another 20 min. and he found us. Changing the tire, took him about 30 to 40 min. We had a good spare, but no jack with us.

After the tire was changed, we continued on our way and decided to stop at the next logical spot. Becky found a State Park in the next town of Junction, Texas. We stopped at the Flying J truck stop there and took advantage of the dinners they had prepared. We continued on to South Llano River State Park, Texas, about 3 miles away. We arrived and the office was closed. We talked to the Host on duty at the campground, and he said to just park and go to the park office tomorrow and settle up then. Becky and I were both tired from the frustrations that go with such an experience.

We ate dinner at the picnic table furnished at our site, took a little hike to the river and settled in for the night. When I was connecting the Kodiak to the electric service a Park Ranger stopped and made me aware a thunderstorm was coming this way and to be aware of possible tornado following. I’m thinking to myself, “What a day” and thanked the Ranger. Becky and I planned to head to the concrete structure housing the showers and restroom close to the Kodiak if we needed too.

We watched Deer grazing on grass while we eat our dinner at South Llano River State Park in Junction Texas.

Sure enough about 1 hour after we went to bed, the firework show began. Thunder, lightning, hail and lots of rain started coming down. We never really felt uneasy, but we never rally rest good knowing the weather is acting up.

5/21/2015

Thursday morning early we got a knock at the door. A park volunteer was making all campers aware of the river flooding the entrance to the park. He said it might be down around noon if we were expecting to leave today. Becky rode her bike to the office to settle up and was told the river had actually raised more and we possibly could not leave today. Oh well, I guess we are forced to stay another night. Not too disappointed, but we are trying to get to Orlando by May 23rd for Diego’s soccer terminate at ESPN Sports Complex. The State Park here cost was $4.00 per person entry fee, $20.00 per night Camping.

Fortunately the park does not charge for nights we are forced to stay after the flood, until the water subsides.

After noon I just got back from a bike ride. I was informed by a Ranger the park is still closed to both entering and leaving because of the river still rising over the bridge. I had to go back to the office and register again for a second night. The second night is on them thank goodness.

We enjoy watching the Deer grazing on the grass in the park. I've never seen Deer so fearless of humans. Well maybe in Brown County State Park in Indiana. Oh well, overcast and cool today but quiet and peaceful. We hope it doesn't rain any move tonight and the river goes down by tomorrow morning so we can continue “Our Kodiak Adventures”. Becky is becoming quite a wildlife photographer. We are enjoying the wildlife for sure.

We are doing fine, now 2 days behind schedule but enjoying the park. Tomorrow we will see if we will be allowed to leave and continue "Our Kodiak Adventures".

5/22/2015

Becky and I drove to the dump station to beat the traffic in case we were allowed to leave today. Sure enough, the Ranger informed us the gate would be opened at 1:00 p.m. and we could leave then. After dumping our tanks, we began the long line of RV's ready to leave.
We continue East on Our Kodiak Adventures.