Fentress, Texas
January 20-22, 2022
January 20-22, 2022
I camped in this tiny town just outside San Marcos, home of the Texas State University. A friend who used to live in the area pointed out some hot spots to visit, and, though I had far too little time in town, I made a point of dining at Industry and Casa Maria and strolling the dogs along a section of Purgatory Creek. The weather was chillier than I would have liked—30º and sleeting the first night, and down to 26º the second night—but I braved the chill and dined solely outdoors. The server at Industry definitely thought I was out of my mind.
Along this trip, I’ve developed a distaste for most private campgrounds and a strong preference for state park campgrounds. Facilities at the state parks are better maintained, there’s access to hiking trails, and they’re usually more affordable. The private campground in Knoxville was the worst, with the smell of urine all over and at least one bus-sized camper with a massive Confederate flag plastered across the grille. Let’s just say I didn’t feel right at home. But the Leisure Resort campground in Fentress was a pleasant surprise. The best parts were the long stretches of beach on the San Marcos River and the enormous dog park. My boys don’t get many off-leash runs now that we’re so far from home, so this was a super treat.
On my last day in town I drove to the adorable town of Wimberley and got a couple Texas-brewed beers at The Shady Llama. It’s an outdoor bar that serves exclusively Texan beer and wine and has llamas and miniature donkeys for petting and ogling. It was stupendously child- and dog-friendly, and my boys made friends with an adorable cavapoo (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle!) and his charmingly bizarre human, a middle-aged man in steampunk sunglasses who thought I was from Tennessee.
I’ve fallen completely in love with the Texas Hill Country.
Along this trip, I’ve developed a distaste for most private campgrounds and a strong preference for state park campgrounds. Facilities at the state parks are better maintained, there’s access to hiking trails, and they’re usually more affordable. The private campground in Knoxville was the worst, with the smell of urine all over and at least one bus-sized camper with a massive Confederate flag plastered across the grille. Let’s just say I didn’t feel right at home. But the Leisure Resort campground in Fentress was a pleasant surprise. The best parts were the long stretches of beach on the San Marcos River and the enormous dog park. My boys don’t get many off-leash runs now that we’re so far from home, so this was a super treat.
On my last day in town I drove to the adorable town of Wimberley and got a couple Texas-brewed beers at The Shady Llama. It’s an outdoor bar that serves exclusively Texan beer and wine and has llamas and miniature donkeys for petting and ogling. It was stupendously child- and dog-friendly, and my boys made friends with an adorable cavapoo (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle!) and his charmingly bizarre human, a middle-aged man in steampunk sunglasses who thought I was from Tennessee.
I’ve fallen completely in love with the Texas Hill Country.
