Pine Island-Big Cypress Bayou-Caddo Lake (near Karnack & Uncertain, Texas)
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A place where East Texas pine trees meet the bayou’s Spanish moss covered Cypress trees is Pine Island
Pine Island RV Park. It was over a decade ago when we RVed here with a group of friends and their RVs, and we’ve been back several times, since. There have been a few different owners since our first visit a decade earlier, and it’s obvious that each owner made their own improvements at this park. We introduced ourselves to Wanda & J.R., (current owners) and we’ve booked different return stays at this park & added it to our “do-over” list of places to return to. Trippin’ w/ Tom & Teri on the deck (across from Pine Island RV Park) overlooking the Big Cypress Bayou. We enjoy taking walks around this beautiful area. Across the Pine Island Road from the RV park is the Big Pines Lodge Restaurant & Watering Hole , where we’re known to stop in to enjoy lunch while sitting in the outdoor patio dining area (overlooking the Big Cypress Bayou).Trippin’ With Tom & Teri on the patio deck at Big Pines Lodge along Pine Island RoadTeri used the stick that was in her burger, to pick out some tasty onion rings during the lunch on the patio overlooking the Big Cypress Bayou at Big Pines Lodge Restaurant & Watering Hole.During our recent visits, Wanda gave us the good news that there was one spot left available. Each time, it was a covered RV spot. During 25+ years of RVing, these were the first times that we’ve ever enjoyed a covered RV spot. We would have, gladly, taken one of the non-covered spots, but those spots were booked, and we were glad that we lucked out and were placed in an available covered spot. Each RV spot at this park offers full hookups, including excellent 50/30 amp power supply, water, sewer, pit grill (if you desire), table with chairs and fire pit. Teri enjoys building fires during the right time of year. During this visit, we appreciated our neighbor (Mr. Ebarb), who offered us some of his firewood, but the owners at Pine Island RV Park provided us with firewood. J.R. (park co-owner) does a lot of work on the property, including clearing some land, and he told us to go over to the firewood pile and grab all of the firewood that we desired. Our RV spot was a good level surface. Since we weren’t used to covered RV spots, Tom got out his measuring pole (pieces of tape positioned on the end of a broom stick) to check the width on both sides, before opening the slideouts. Perfect fit! During one of our visits to this area, we noticed there were some motorcycle sidecars in the Pine Island RV Park. Teri wanted a photo of Tom at one of the sidecars (that was owned by a man from New Mexico). A major sidecar event was being held in nearby Uncertain, Texas, where sidecars from several states were in attendance. During this photo, Tom recalled an episode on the Hogan’s Heroes TV series, where Sergeant Schultz was on the motorcycle, and Colonel Klink was in the sidecar. Hogan’s crew had secretly taken the bolts out of the sidecar, so when Schultz drove off, the sidecar with Klink stayed behind and fell over. Tom thought that was funny, but sometimes, Tom is easily amused. While strolling around Pine Island Road near the RV park, there are some cabooses among the pine trees. We noticed these cabooses the decade before when we were here. During a recent trip to this area, though, Tom did his investigation as to why these cabooses were there, since there were no train tracks for miles around. Tom said that he’d share what he learned from his investigation, if you meet us along our travels, or email info@tomsmahaul.comThis caboose looks kind of spooky doesn’t it? Especially at night. Under the cabooses are the railroad tracks that were brought in decades ago, to place the cabooses on. Tom commented that he would liked to have seen how the cabooses were placed in that area. They were, likely, brought down Pine Island Road by trucks, though the road can be narrow in some spots. Tom enjoyed telling some family and others that the cabooses were positioned on those spots by UFOs (Caution: Fake News). While in this area, we’ve made our way to the west side of Marshall (Tx). Photo of Tom observing the smoking process at Bear Creek Smokehouse. We enjoyed tasty pork sandwiches, potato salad & beans during lunch. The staff was very pleasant & welcoming, around the entire property. Interesting items in the store, too. Longhorn, boars, turkeys & chickens were around the massive property. During one of our (several) TomsMaHauL motorhome stays at Pine Island RV Park, we drove the Jeep over to Los Pinos Ranch Vineyards – Pittsburg, TX . We’ve been there many times, but this time we were surprised to see some folks that we haven’t seen in a handful of years.During one of our stays at Pine Island RV Park, our son (and website designer) Justin paid us a visit. We enjoy the times when family are a part of our adventures. Thanks to Wanda & J.R., for always having a spot available for the TomsMaHauL.com motorhome at Pine Island RV Park. While strolling along Pine Island Rd, Teri captured a photo of Tom talking to an ominous & mysterious figure along the Big Cypress Bayou at Caddo Lake. Tom will talk to anyone that will listen.Caddo Lake State Park is near the Pine Island Road area, offering RV & tent camping, as well as cabins. The Jefferson, Texas Historic Downtown District is about 15 minutes from Pine Island & Caddo Lake State Park, and when we’re in this region, we always make time to drive the Jeep into Jefferson.
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__________________ We welcome you to check out some of the places that we enjoy exploring around the ArkLaTex region and… beyond the outer parameter. Visit our Journal page HERE __________________ You’re Trippin’ With Tom & Teri. Our location is a space in time. No matter where you go, there you are, and at the moment, We Are HERE. __________________ Tom shares some of our motorhome preparation, maintenance & projects…along with expecting the unexpected. Visit our Projects page HERE __________________ Also, visit us at TomsMaHauL on Facebook HERE __________________ We’re checking our email inbox, and checkin’ it twice. We’ll check it again, to see if you checked in. Email: info@TomsMaHauL.com
