Port Aransas, Rockport trip, hurricane, RV park incident

[SusanDallas]

I just returned from a trip to Port Aransas and Rockport. I am a 65 year old female that travels by myself and this was my first long trip. I pull a 2017 KZ Sportsman Classic 180bh with my 2006 Kia Sedona EX minivan. I left this last Thursday morning and arrived at the RV park around 4:30pm. The cost of gas for the trip down from Dallas was $40. I was amazed at my gas mileage. It was $90 on the trip home. This is because I am going uphill on the way back. The devastation to the Rockport and Port Aransas area is far worse than what was shown on TV. On the drive to Rockport, the grass median between the highway is piled 2 stories high with debris from the storm. This goes on for miles. It is piled up with trees, steel siding, etc. and there are signs warning of flying debris if the wind picks up. There are still boats piled up miles inland scattered everywhere and the street and highways signs are mostly gone. This made it extremely hard to navigate when my directions told me to turn at a certain street and there are no signs. Most of the gift shops are closed and boarded up but the beaches are beautiful. When I arrived at the RV park at 4:30pm, it was raining hard and a cold wind was blowing. I managed to hook up the electric and water lines before it got dark and said to hell with the rest until morning. I was already drenched from the rain and tired from the trip. I woke up early the next morning and looked out the window. It was snowing hard and everything was already covered in snow. We received about 3 inches where I was located but most of it melted off by the afternoon. By the time the snow melted and it warmed up enough for me to poke my nose outside, I set about hooking up the cable TV, sewer lines and exploring the RV park's facilities. I needed to find the laundry room since my coat and clothes from the night before had gotten soaked. I walked to the Stripes convenience store for detergent which was just down the road and then explored the beach. There were small whole conch shells and other fabulous shells laying on the sand. They were only about 5 or 6 inches long but perfectly intact. I found about 15 of them during my short stay. I have been vacationing in this area all my life and never found such excellent shells. Unfortunately, I didn't get my car unhooked from my travel trailer that day due to talking with other guests and exploring the beach and I didn't get my laundry done. I did get my sewer lines hooked up and my cable TV which were my main priorities. I had a fabulous 2 days but here is where my visit took a turn for the worse. I was staying at On the Beach RV park. It is pricey but is steps from the beach. It is a smaller park but very clean and well maintained with only guests no live-ins. At 8:30 Saturday morning, I was brushing my teeth and listening to the news on TV when I heard a knock. I thought it was something on TV until a louder knock sounded and I could see the top of a gray curly head outside my kitchen window. This person would not go away so I assumed it was a staff member at the RV park. I went outside to see what she wanted. It was a lady I had briefly spoke to the day before. The only conversation we had was my asking for directions to the dumpster. She had pointed to an old Siverstream trailer that her and her husband lived in. I was really surprised the RV park allowed it since their website stipulated that your RV had to be in good shape. This one was not. It was dented and needed a paint job. It was several different colors and looked like it belonged in a junk yard. I love vintage trailers and I am not a snob but this one was in terrible shape. She told me that it was over 40 years old and that her dad had given it to her. This woman had told me that she and her husband got their RV space for free in exchange for helping with the cleanup and building new walkways at the RV park. Anyway, I stepped out of my trailer to see what this woman wanted. She wanted to know why I had not unhooked my car from my travel trailer. I explained to her that it was raining when I arrived and snowed the next day. She was not asking me on behalf of the staff. I told her that I had planned on doing it that afternoon but I needed to do laundry first since my coat was soaked not that I needed to explain any of this to her. This woman then informed me that the laundry room at the RV park was a dump and that she was about to go and do her laundry in town and wanted me to go with her. I had checked out the laundry room the day before and the machines were in perfect shape and well kept. This woman tried everything to get me to leave with her and go into town. This is 8:30 in the morning and who wants to go into town with a stranger and do laundry! This was very odd and also irritating to have someone knocking on your door so early in the morning. Later that day, I saw this same woman in the RV laundry room when I went to do my laundry. I asked her why she was doing her laundry here since she had told me that this laundry room was such a dump. She told me that she had just changed her mind. Her odd behavior got me very worried. I take a lot of cash with me on my trips and my travel trailer is new. I had my laptop, printer, new TV, etc. in my trailer including my purse. When I went to the beach that afternoon, I took all my cash with me. I was concerned about why this woman wanted me to leave my trailer or even get in a car with her. I had asked several of my neighboring RVers if this woman had bothered them and had been told no. Most of them were couples with dogs staying in class A RVs that were much nicer than mine. The person parked next to me said he had been there 6 weeks and only once had someone knocked on his door. It was the office staff that had a package that had been delivered to him. He told me that he thought this woman's behavior was unnerving. I was so concerned about this woman's behavior that I was worried about leaving my travel trailer to explore the town or go out to eat. This odd couple was parked just two sites down from me and had a clear view of when I left my trailer. I had planned on staying at least a week or maybe two and had paid for a week's stay. I couldn't have enjoyed myself if I stayed and decided to leave the park and come home. I had thought about just moving to another RV park but it would have cost me another week's rent. So, Sunday morning I was on my way back. I had to leave by 7 a.m. if I wanted to get home by dark so the office was still closed. I called the RV office this morning and told them about this volunteer and her behavior. They told me that they thought her behavior was odd but would not give me a refund on my week's stay. I will never pay a week in advance again even if it means a higher rate. This was my first vacation in 14 years and I was really looking forward to it. I do think they should have given me a partial refund since they charge $55 a night plus electricity. I do think they are responsible for their volunteers actions and need to screen them. I have done volunteer work at libraries, animal shelters and political organizations in the past. All of them have conduct rules and training. I know some of you will think I overreacted to the situation but I was mugged in Dallas about 25 years ago and had my purse stolen. I was shoved to the ground in a mall parking lot and they had a gun so I am very cautious. It does make you very aware of your surroundings. Anyway, I am going to put up my Christmas tree and forget about it. But I really miss walking along the beach and wish I was still down there. These towns have really been devastated far more than I realized from the hurricanes. The hotels, condos and housing are being rebuilt but most of the businesses are still boarded up and appear abandoned. I really feel sorry for the people that live down there and am going to check into where I can make a donation. I donated at my local HEB grocery store right after the hurricane but you do not see anymore about it since it is old news. I wish one of the TV stations would do a special on the hurricane aftermath and the lives that have been destroyed by it. Have a Merry Christmas and enjoy yourselves!

[Tyandkate]

That’s pretty awesome! Traveling in a comfortable vehicles and still tow the camper! Happy camping! Thanks for the info

[SusanDallas]

No, I didn't stop in San Antonio. From Dallas, I took I-35 to Waco, then hwy. 77 to Victoria. It is a very easy drive.

My Kia can tow 3500 lbs. My KZ Sportsmen Classic 180bh only weighed 2700 lbs. at delivery. This included the roof ac, 6 cubit ft. fridge and a few other upgrades.

I did add Timbren springs to the rear wheels on the Kia. I also added the largest external transmission cooler that would fit as well as an additive to the transmission fluid to keep it cool. I also added a Curt hitch & brake controller and use an E2 weight distribution hitch with built in sway control.

I hardly notice when a semi truck passes me and the Kia pulls the trailer easily. In Europe, the exact same Kia built on the same assembly line has a tow rating of 4500. I would never attempt to go over 3500 lbs but the ease of towing with my Kia makes me think the 4500 lbs. would be possible.

[Tyandkate]

Did you happen to stop off at a the Koa in San Antonio? I saw a rig that you described as your set up there last weekend when we were down I believe I was curious how much your Kia can tow? Glad you got out of that camp ground safely when we travel I always trust my instincts my wife does as well.

[2112]

We drove down to Rockport last week and it's pretty much as she described. It's sad that they don't receive the attention Houston does. Things are back to normal here from an outward appearance but Rockport still looks devastated. They need help down there.

[jfkmk]

Long story, and maybe I missed it. Did you bring your concerns to the office before just picking up and moving? If you just left then asked for a partial refund, how do they know what the reason for leaving is?

[Scottiemom]

I probably would have stayed for the week. Sounds like a nice camp on the beach and I would have just hung out there and read or sat in the sun. You are right to be cautious, though, and if you truly felt uncomfortable you did the right thing.

Dale

[SusanDallas]

Thank you for all your feedback. I am very grateful for the Breathe in,Breathe out and Move on advise. This has been a tremendous help to me.

Also, the "Gift of Fear" book that was recommended sounds very interesting. I am going to look on Amazon for it. I listen to my intuition since most of the time it has been correct.

Since the campground office didn't open until 9 a.m., I went ahead and left. I wanted to be home before dark. I wasn't looking forward to another day of worrying about being robbed. Moving to another space wouldn't have helped since the campground was small with only 58 spaces.

Goose Island was closed due to the hurricane. I wasn't sure about Mustang Island but neither of these parks have full hookups. I decided to save my money for another trip later on. I was too shook up from this experience to enjoy myself.

[01tundra]

I would've personally asked to be moved to another site (and explanation of why like you did) if possible prior to just calling the vacation, that way it's on the owner to accept or reject.

Would have also tried to meet my new neighbors (if successful in moving elsewhere) so they could be made aware of the situation, if everyone knows about a potential threat that could impact them and their property they will tend be more vigilant.

She could've just been just looking for a friend to chat with, or could've been a scheming thief, hard to tell about people now a days. So being aware of your surroundings is always a good thing.

[jimx200]

F150-Camper wrote:

ScottG wrote:
First, a few paragraphs would have made that so much easier to read - just a suggestion.
Second, if I understand correctly, you wanted a refund of your weeks stay because this lady interacted with you? To me, that would be totally unreasonable.

Exactly! Too much to read but a good story.

So you kept reading and still complain..

[F150-Camper]

ScottG wrote:
First, a few paragraphs would have made that so much easier to read - just a suggestion.
Second, if I understand correctly, you wanted a refund of your weeks stay because this lady interacted with you? To me, that would be totally unreasonable.

Exactly! Too much to read but a good story.

[rbpru]

The nice things about State and Federal Parks is there are no long term residents except for camp hosts and an occasional summer intern.

The draw back is most have electricity and a few have water. It is our preference but others like full hookups.

As suggested we have stayed at several county and even a city park or two particularly out west.

[CharlesinGA]

CavemanCharlie wrote:
Some county parks can be nice too if you do your homework first and see what they are like.

Indeed they can. Scoping out the Port Aransas area, I found a county park right at the north most tip of Mustang Island, at Aransas Pass. Would need to call and see if it is open, the nearby state parks (Mustang Island SP, and Goose Island SP) are both closed for camping due to the hurricane, but the county may have stepped up and made repairs, you won't know till you check.

I.B. Magee Beach Park

http://www.nuecesbeachparks.com/ibmageebeachpark.html

8.2 on RVParkReview.

My experience with the city parks I stayed in were very good, however some tend to take in long term residents to bring in money and many
short term folks dont want a park with lots of long term people in it. As noted, do your homework.

Charles

[spoon059]

TomG2 wrote:

jim1521 wrote:
With paragraphs.

Thanks

No kidding... sheesh...

[CavemanCharlie]

CharlesinGA wrote:
Scope out your campgrounds first using campground review sites (Campendium, RVParkreviews, reviews found on Google Maps, etc) and lean more toward state and federal camp grounds. This will get you away from the permanent/long term residents that many private parks have.

With public campgrounds, you will have a much nicer environment to stay in, with hiking trails, lakes, scenic views, nearby towns to shop and browse thru, etc.

I'll also add, if you do not have a Federal Senior America the Beautiful Pass (lifetime), go pay the $80 an get one, it will be money well spent. I bought my Federal pass last spring as soon as I turned 62 (it was $10 before Aug 28, '17) and that pass has saved me $50 or $60 so far this year in admission fees and getting campsites for half price.

https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm

Passes can be purchased in person at any of the places listed in this current list (dated two days ago) or you can order online but have to pay an additional $10 processing fee.

https://store.usgs.gov/sites/default/files/PassIssuanceList.pdf

In my short time RVing I have only been in one private park, a KOA in the Black Hills, and one overnight stay at a Harrahs Casino RV park, Everything else was Federal, State or in three cases, city owned.

Charles

I agree with this.

Some county parks can be nice too if you do your homework first and see what they are like.