Time to go back to the links!
We're coming to you from beautiful Mustang Island, at the Community Park in Port Aransas, Texas. Today's course lies within a free-to-access municipal park along a walking trail near the Nature Preserve. Port Aransas Community Park is unique in that although it is a nine-hole course, there are three bonus holes offered along the vehicle right of way, which means this will be a twelve hole match. Although no map exists outside the course, here is a map of the first 9 holes. The tees are well marked, although there are no concrete tees.
This match in the late morning consisted of 12 holes, using the red markers for the front 9, and the only markers available (blue) for the bonus holes. No pup, same handicap for the discs. Because of the limited discs and the corresponding inability to throw over a marsh, the participants agreed to play hole 3 starting from the location of hole 2, as opposed to the tee. How'd this one go?
Course Result:
Front Nine:
His Holes: 2
Halved: 5
Her Holes: 2
Bonus Holes:
His Holes: 0
Halved: 3
Her Holes: 0
Total:
His Holes: 2
Halved: 8
Her Holes: 2
Course Record: Him 3 - 2 - 2 Her
Holes Record: Him 19 - 15 Her
This match went back and forth. He took hole one, but she immediately answered back with hole two. After a few halves, he was able to clinch hole seven, but she answered right back with a par of hole eight. However, hole nine saw both players achieving par, him for the first time, as the match ended not only halved, but a draw in terms of stroke count: 39-39 on the front nine par 27, and 16-16 on the bonus holes as a par 9.
With a draw this time around, she's able to keep pace, but he maintains the one course lead. Who will take the next course? Stay tuned as we Follow our Internal Compass to another match.
Nestled deep within southeast Texas is a vacation spot where many flock to visit: Port Aransas.
Port Aransas is found on the north side of Mustang Island, about 20 miles east, as the crow flies across the bay, from the center of the port city of Corpus Christi. There are only two ways to access Port Aransas by vehicle: Either from the highways of Corpus Christi and through Padre Island, or by a ferry northeast of the city near the resupply and financially-friendly small city of Aransas Pass, funded entirely by the Texas DOT and taking 15 minutes or longer to cross depending on traffic; check here for updates on travel times. The ferry is able to carry RVs or trucks at no charge to the driver, assuming the tide isn't low enough to weigh down the boats too much. Speaking of boats, taking the ferry not only gives the rider a chance to view dolphins frolicking in the water, but to also watch a number of ocean liners pass through this canal from the Gulf of Mexico to Corpus Christi Bay. Once on the island, Port Aransas is a golf cart community, but be sure to stay within the lower speed limit areas of the old town and the driveable beach, while avoiding the major State Highway 361, which would include crossing.
While in Port Aransas, take some time to check out the west side of the city: the Port Aransas Nature Preserve, specifically "Charlie's Pasture". This is a tribute to Charlie Bujan, a rancher whose father first settled on Mustang Island in the late 1800's and leased much of the land in what is now Port Aransas. Today, his land has become a nature preserve, which is a sanctuary for many species of wildlife, including the endangered whooping crane. Enjoy a lovely trail walk from a couple miles outside the "Old Town" near a compendium of apartments, hotels, and RV resorts, while stopping at the lookout tower to either spot the many animals, or for a similar moment of reflection. If you prefer to take your golf cart to this preserve, you may access it from either the Community Park or the Birding Center.
Along with the various commercial, dense residential, and hospitality outlets that seem to come with any sort of coastal city that is a destination for "Winter Texans", spring break party-goers, and summer visitors, no coastal city would be a coastal city without the beach. Port Aransas, and Mustang Island itself, boasts many miles of shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico. Much of this beach is driveable with public and private access roads and piers to help patrons reach the waters. The majority only allows parking by yearly-paid permit with a three-day maximum stay in one place for any RVers looking to brave the salty air. However, those looking for a simple day use may head up to the free-to-access area on the north side, from the fishing pier near Lantana Street to the jetty. Take a long walk along the beach, get out some fishing poles and try your luck, or just go along the jetty to view the ocean liners as they come in to Corpus Christi.
So the next time your Internal Compass leads you to South Texas, perhaps make your way to the resort destination of Port Aransas.
Once again near some courses, it's time to hit the park!
Welcome to the Waldron Park Disc Golf Course, located just off the Gulf coast in Corpus Christi, Texas. This is a free access park, albeit tucked deep within a sizable residential area. Waldron Park is a nine-hole course, with two tee pads marked to emulate a total of eighteen holes. Most of the course is fairly straight-forward, although hole eight is very difficult if you don't have good distance because of the water hazard. A billboard with a map of the course is available near hole one.
Our session around noon found us only playing the front nine, seeing how there's no real difference other than angle of tee shot. No pup, same handicap as always with discs. Who took this match?
Course Result:
His Holes: 5
Halved: 2
Her Holes: 2
Course Record: Him 3 - 1 - 2 Her
Holes Record: Him 17 - 13 Her
He started off with a hole lead, and basically ran away with it, including a lucky long putt on hole 5. She started to catch up on holes 8 and 9, but by then, it was too little, too late. The shot count ended in his favor at 43-48 on a Par 27, but we must give her a special commendation on hole 9 for achieving the first "par" in our disc golf series.
He may now be up in both course and holes, but that ending may leave her some room for momentum. Can she cash in on it and even things up? We'll see when we Follow our Internal Compass to the next course.
If you're headed to south Texas, you might not be to help but take a visit to one of the area's largest cities.
San Antonio, Texas is the third largest metropolitan area in the state at the crossroads of Interstate Highways 10 and 35. Named after Saint Anthony of Padua, San Antonio first started as a colonial outpost for the Spanish over 300 years ago. Since the annexation of Texas in 1845, San Antonio has been steadily growing at every census into a place with over 1.5 million people.
While in Downtown San Antonio, take a stroll along the River Walk. The San Antonio River runs through the heart of the city, and its banks have been developed into a park-like setting for locals and tourists alike. Walk down the stairs at almost every cross street to find a peaceful and serene environment below all the hustle and bustle of city at the surface. Once you reach Market and Commerce streets, the river splits off to create a commercial loop where many flock. This is where you can find the Go Rio cruise line, which provides guided tours along the river. You may also want to head to Cafe Olé, a fajita bar which offers a Texas-sized 60-ounce margarita containing 13 shots of tequila!
No trip to San Antonio would be complete without a visit to arguably its most famous landmark: The Alamo. The Alamo was a missionary site and fort throughout Spanish and Mexican occupation in the early days of the Americas. At the start of the Texas Revolution, Mexico had lost the fort and the Texas army chose to fortify the location, until the Mexican army attempted to re-take San Antonio in 1836, resulting in the fall of the Alamo, claiming the lives of William Travis, James Bowie, Davy Crockett, and other notable names in Texas history. Today, this historic landmark offers tours of the grounds, restored cannons, and the original chapel for moments of prayer. It is also the inspiration for the name behind many points in the city, including the nearby football arena: The Alamodome.
Other landmarks that may pique your interest include the Tower of the Americas, a 750-foot high needle-style observation tower built for the 1968 World's Fair; The San Antonio Zoo on the north side, with over 750 species of animals; and the arena on the east side for the NBA's San Antonio Spurs: The AT&T Center.
So the next time you go to south Texas, perhaps consider Following your Internal Compass all the way to San Antonio.
Welcome to San Antonio, Texas: Home of the Alamo, the River Walk, and nestled within the industrial area of the northeastern part of the city, Ranger Creek Brewing and Distilling. So come along with us as we take a deeper dive into one of San Antonio's rising stars in the beer world.
Ranger Creek started in 2011 as a whiskey distillery. Shortly after, the company expanded their offerings to brewing beer. The process is mostly the same between the two, so it was a natural fit, as described by brewmaster Harley. All of Ranger Creek's processes are done in house, from the large vats that brew the several different varieties they sell, to a smoker within a shipping container that gives the grains their distinct taste, even bringing in a mobile canning solution to help with packaging and distributing their beers all across Texas. Ranger Creek is very proud of the fact that minimal waste comes from each step of the process, from barrels to kegs to even their cardboard packaging boxes; nearly everything is able to be reused. They are also able to help the community as a whole, not only by offering volunteer opportunities in the whiskey making process, but also providing used dry grain to local farmers who are able to feed their livestock.
As Ranger Creek is nestled within an industrial part of the city, aside from the production, the "Brewstillery" becomes a great place for laborers to kick back after a hard day's work. Once you walk into the taproom, you come into an industrial decor that still lends itself to being an inviting setting, with the walls adorned with their various whiskey offerings, along with the whiskey making process. The taproom includes a couple of seating areas, a lounge with books and board games for your entire party to relax, and a small set of gift shelves to purchase a souvenir to bring home with you. On nice days, perhaps head out to the patio behind the brew factory, among the various garages where the whiskey is allowed to age in a climate-controlled setting.
Ranger Creek is quickly becoming a rising star in the local area for craft brewing, as they offer eight beers on tap along with a selection of whiskey drinks. Their signature beer, the San Antonio Lager, has been a staple on the menu since their inception, and even comes in a wonderful salt and lime variety. Quickly becoming a favorite among beer connoisseurs at retail stores is the "Dog in the Hunt" Amber Lager, as a high demand has been reported. Production has been so well that the company is trying to expand their production areas in the hope of taking their beers not only throughout all of Texas, but to potentially begin a national campaign.
So the next time you head out to San Antonio, give Ranger Creek Brewing and Distilling a try. This company may just become a mark on your Internal Compass.
As we continue our mini-series on Ranger Creek Brewing and Distilling in San Antonio, Texas, we look at the rest of the beers offered at the time this is being published, along with an idea for a cocktail using their bourbon. Please ensure that these, or any brews, are enjoyed in accordance with local laws wherever you may be. In addition, one other brew that may pique your fancy is the Love Struck Hefe, a hefeweizen previously reviewed in the main brew review series.
When tasting a flight of beers, it is best for the taste buds to go from the lightest to the darkest in color. What better place to start at Ranger Creek than with the Laguna Madre Belgian White Ale. Like many Witbiers before it, Laguna Madre brings that light, clean taste to be able to enjoy on a hot day, while this particular brew has that slight bit of sweetness that will first hit the tip of your tongue to give it that extra special experience. Whether you're out having a wonderful time on the Laguna Madre itself, or out trying to catch a Guadalupe Bass on the rivers of Texas, you cannot go wrong with this choice.
Many breweries will take their signature beer and add another dimension to please even more discerning palettes. Enter, the San Antonio Salt and Lime Lager. Beer salts are a Mexican tradition that has been in existence for last century. It's not a typical "salt" you'd put on your food, but rather a flavoring used to accentuate a beer, such as a lime flavor that Ranger Creek incorporates into this particular brew. There is a hint of a salty taste as one would expect from the name, but the flavoring is able to subdue the "hop taste" from the signature San Antonio Lager. Those that don't regularly enjoy beer will find this to be a good "ice breaker", so give this one a try if your friends bring you along to the brewery.
One of the dark beers available from Ranger Creek is the Sunday Morning Coming Down coffee ale. As with typical stouts and porters, this one comes in at a higher ABV level and a dark brown color. Enjoyment of this brew is really going to depend on your enjoyment of coffee, as from the time you receive this off the tap or out of the can, to the time it's finished, the senses will be overloaded with coffee, coffee, and more coffee. Sunday Morning is produced using coffee from a locally sourced roasting company, while a hint of lactose sugar adds a milky texture to this already smooth beer. If you're one that likes to finish your meal with a slightly alcoholic coffee, then Sunday Morning Coming Down may just be the ticket for you.
Ranger Creek is known not only for being a brewery, but also a distillery, thanks to a grandfathered process in their production. Their bourbon and whiskey is aged for at least two years in their Texas bourbon oak barrels before being bottled and made available to the consumer. Along with several varieties including single malt and rye, if you wish to skip the oak barrel maturity process altogether, there is a white bourbon. Try this clear variety with ginger beer, simple syrup, and lime juice; a drink they call the "Texas Mule". The slightly peppery taste of the bourbon works in perfect harmony with the bite of the ginger beer and the fruitiness of the lime. Whiskey and bourbon lovers will want to flock to Ranger Creek to try their award winning spirits.
So whether your Internal Compass takes you to beers or liquors, Ranger Creek is going to have something for you.
In honor of National Beer Day, which is happening as of the time this is published, Freedom Rolling presents a mini-series on Ranger Creek Brewing and Distilling in San Antonio, Texas. We'll have more on this company in another post, but for now, let's take a look at a few of their brewed offerings. Please ensure that these, or any brews, are enjoyed in accordance with local laws wherever you may be.
First on the list of offerings is Ranger Creek's signature beer: the San Antonio Lager. Lager beers are already very commonplace in America, being the choice in style of many of the nationally advertised selections. The San Antonio goes down very smoothly, with that hint of hops to let you know it isn't that run-of-the-mill beer you'd find at a sports bar. However, one tip we had received from one of their representatives, Taylor, is to try this particular brew in the shower. It seemed a bit odd at first, but evidently it is a thing, and who are we to argue with the experts? Needless to say, after a couple of minutes of steaming, the flavor of the hops really starts to come out, accentuating your taste buds during your daily wash. We don't necessarily recommend doing this if a morning shower is your cup of tea, but it is quite the experience to be had.
Moving down the line of taps, we turn to the Dog in the Hunt Amber Lager. Reds and ambers are typically high on the priority list for us, and Dog in the Hunt was not what we had expected. We are used to ambers being brewed as ales, so we were surprised to find this concoction to be a lager. There is a very pleasant scent when first presented, but the blandness in taste cannot be overlooked, even when compared to other lagers. Dog in the Hunt may be an acquired taste, especially given its overwhelming popularity across southern Texas, but we believe a sampler will want to try something different.
Speaking of "something different", time to head to the east for the Sky Trooper IPA. The India Pale Ale is well known for its strong use of hops in order to preserve the brew on a long voyage. Ranger Creek enjoys looking at history to inspire the names of several of their beers, such as the Sky Trooper, which is named after a famous World War II aircraft. Getting back to the beer itself, if you're one that likes your hops, Sky Trooper is definitely for you, as it has a great flavor of hops. Even if you're not used to that overpowering sensation, a nice mix of malts gives this beer a well rounded taste as you sip, taking your taste buds everywhere you expect a beer to go. IPAs are a bit of an acquired taste for those who are new to beer tasting, but this is definitely one brew that is worth enjoying again and again.
Perhaps there is a feeling starting to "brew" that many beers are a bit light on the potency side. How about giving a try of the Wee Heavy Scotch Ale. Ranger Creek is known for distilling whiskey along with brewing beer, and this slightly darker-colored ale is aged within Texas bourbon barrels used for their brand of whiskey. Wee Heavy can seem a "wee heavy" on the potency, as it comes in at a whopping TWELVE percent alcohol content by volume, or ABV. Once you first take a swig of this one, if you're not ready for the strong taste, it's going to pack a punch. Once you get past that initial sensation, this one's going to go down really smoothly from the malts used in this brew. So if you need something a bit stronger at the end of a rough day, Wee Heavy is going to be for you.
So the next time your Internal Compass takes you to Texas, give a try at a few of the beers that Ranger Creek has to offer.
When you're on the road full time, the "soul" isn't the only thing that needs tender loving care. The trailer itself, otherwise known as the "heart", will also require some regular maintenance.
Just like the soul, mobile capability is one of the most important things. Light checks are already a thing, but how about those axles? Although you may not be a complete fool if you park your rig upon the sand, or at least near a saltwater coast, the salt in the air can cause quite a build-up on the metal. Keep those axles lubricated. Some like to use bearing protectors, and it's not that bad of an idea. A can of spray oil doesn't hurt to supplement, though. Tire inflation and wear is also something to keep in mind, just like the tow vehicle.
It's not just what makes the vehicle a vehicle, but also the basic appliances and utilities. If you stay at that beach paradise, you may end up with some mud buildup in the drain pan of your air conditioner. Nothing says "bad day" like having to put a bucket under the unit because the drain pan won't drain. You may want to break out a ladder and examine that as best you can; just try not to do it when it's ready to downpour. Speaking of water, be on the lookout in some parts of the country for moldy supply. That will ruin your hose quickly. Also remember that salt can affect your connections with splitters and pressure regulators, too. Perhaps clean those things around the time you pack up and move. Finally with water, be careful of the freezing weather, lest your water pump goes out on you.
Don't let Following your Internal Compass destroy the heart of your journey. Keep it in check, and be ready to see much more.
Freedom Rolling brings you yet another review of craft beers. This time, we take a look at three selections from a single brewery, today being the Karbach Brewing Company in Houston, Texas. As always, please ensure that these, or any brews, are enjoyed in accordance with local laws wherever you may be. That being said, let's head down to the Space City and see what they have.
We start this mini-tour by sampling the "Love Street" blonde ale. Love Street was a famous nightclub that existed in the 1960's on the area believed to be the founding of Houston known as "Allen's Landing". Although this brew may not be strong enough to bring you to the state of mind of the aforementioned era, it will certainly be a great match for your taste buds. The mix of malts coupled with a subtle hint of hops allow the beer to go down easily, and is so carefully brewed that it certainly warrants being Karbach's signature beer. Love Street also comes in a light and other fruited varieties, but one sip of the original blonde will have you wanting to try an entire flight of their offerings.
¿Como esta, amigos? Time to do a little "vamanos" off to try Karbach's Mexican lager appropriately named the "Cerveza Especial". The first impression of this beer will make you wonder what sort of macro-brew you just picked up, and the seemingly heavy carbonation makes this particular brew difficult at first. Don't say "adios" to this one on the outset, though, as it is much easier to go down as time goes by. Good things come to those who wait, and Cerveza Especial is well worth it. Although we typically enjoy these brews on their own, another one may be in order with a nice carne asada burrito, or another Mexican food specialty.
Fans of the Houston Astros may recognize this next particular brew, or at least its name. The baseball park is located along Crawford Street downtown, with the so aptly named Crawford Boxes along left field, leading us to one of the area's favorites: Crawford Bock. Once you get over what seems to be heavy carbonation at the time of pour, this mix of malts and hops is a home run for your taste buds. Karbach suggests pairing with your favorite ballpark snacks, but even if you don't have those and you're looking for a nice backyard brew, Crawford Bock may just be the one for you.
So the next time your Internal Compass takes you to Houston, give Karbach Brewing a try. Maybe even take a tour of their facility, or enjoy their Biergarten.
Ever notice how rickety those RV stairs can be, and then one day, they just break on you? You could spend hundreds for part replacements or buying new stairs, or even worse: You buy a step ladder and destroy yourself while constantly using it as you receive dirty looks from the other campers because your setup looks trashy. Instead, try this less expensive idea on for size.
Camper stairs are easy to build, and are a great portable solution. Head down to your local hardware store and lumber yard, and here's what you'll want to get:
Two Pressure Treated Stair Stringers
2x6 Lumber
Exterior Wood Screws at least 2-1/2 inches long
Optional 2x4 Lumber
Exterior Wood Sealant
Optional Wood Stain or Outdoor Carpeting
For tools, make sure you have the following:
Circular saw
Some form of saw horse (use the back of your truck or a folding ladder)
Impact driver (drill might work if it's powerful enough)
Hammer or Rubber Mallet
Tape Measure and Ruler with Pencil
Optional Reciprocating Saw with Wood Blade
Paint brush
Safety equipment (Some might not want it, but we recommend it)
Before buying the materials, you'll want to measure the height from the ground to the bottom of the door entry, as well as the door width should you want to store your stairs in your RV, to see what size stringers and how much lumber you need to get. With our dimensions, we were able to use 3-step stringers at about 20 inches of height, and made our treads 20 inches wide so the stairs could go inside the RV. You could splurge on 2x12 boards or specialty stair treads if you really want, but 2x6 boards are your most economic solution for a single tread.
First, cut your 2x6 lumber to size. You'll need two boards for each "stair", but save any excess you might have, because you'll use it later. Once all your boards are cut, line up your stringers and start screwing in your treads. The second board on each step will overhang the stringer on the front, so do all of the rear boards before the front ones. Everything should line up, but it's OK if there's a little over- or under-hang, so long as it isn't too noticeable. Risers aren't really necessary, but you can do them if you want; not having them gives you a better way to "grip" the staircase if you need it to be portable.
Once the actual "stairs" are done, you'll need to put in some supports. This is where that excess 2x6 lumber comes in handy, but you can also use the less expensive 2x4 lumber should you run out of 2x6 pieces; we were able to do the whole thing with the 2x6 boards we had bought. Use vertical pieces from the back part of the stair stringer down to the ground. It doesn't have to go all the way to the top step; we stopped a little short based on the excess we had so we weren't wasting lumber. Once those are in, cut some horizontal cross pieces between your vertical supports to make sure the stairs don't wobble when you're on the top step. Some will put the supports on the outside, but for space saving purposes, we chose to tuck them on the inside; it seems to work just as well. You can do diagonal cross pieces if you really want to, but it requires some special tools to make the angles, and rectangular solutions are just fine. The same goes for handrails: You can do them if you really want, but there's probably already a rail on the outside of your rig, so just use that.
One to two hours later in the blazing sun, give or take for some product exchanges, you have yourself some lovely and sturdy stairs! Now time to seal them and either stain or put some carpeting on the treads, depending on what you want to do. After that has dried, you and your fur baby will have a much easier time getting in and out of your home. Not to mention, it looks a lot more sightly when you're at "higher end" resorts. Depending on the size, you should be able to pick this up yourself and move it around on travel days. Just be aware that it won't work for overnight boondocking at corporate establishments because it extends too far out into the next parking spot; you'll still need to use a step-ladder or something a bit smaller and more easily portable, but at least you can use that for other applications.
Don't let your old stairs, or the high expense of new RV stairs, keep you from Following your Internal Compass. Build yourself something that will work for you.
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