Dinosaur Valley State Park

standing in a sauropod's footprint (long neck plant eating dinosaur)

This state park in Texas was quiet, comfortable, and the kids REALLY enjoyed it.  I'm not sure if it was because of the excitement of dinosaur footprints or the chance to play in a shallow river, but they repeatedly said how much fun they were having.  Here is a conversation that happened repeatedly in this river.  Me:  "Let's head back and eat some lunch."  Kids:  "Not yet.  Pleeeease!  We are having so much fun.  This is the best ever."

Even the earlier trauma of getting a piece of bark in his eye while climbing a tree was forgotten at the river.  Morgan was too little to walk on the mossy rocks alone, so Daddy came to her rescue walking her back and forth across the river while she explored every footprint. 

When the water level is low in the summer, they say you can see the footprints better.  Even though the water was up during our visit, we saw several sauropod footprints (big and round) mixed with some meat eater footprints (smaller with 3 distinct toes). 

dinosaur petting zoo

We only stayed here one night before moving on to the North Texas Airstream Community.  The NTAC is both a neighborhood and a campground for Airstream owners.  When we joined the Wally Byam Caravan Club (WBCCI), we got 2 free nights at this community.  They have houses and villas with attached RV bays for those that want a home-base for their travels.  We are too young to buy property here because you have to be at least 45.  That's not too many years away, but the other stipulation is that you can't have any minor children living with you.  That's quite a few years off for us.  It was a great location to work for a couple days and meet other Airstream owners.