Our second-to-last Texas stop was a big one for me—Turtle Bayou at Rio RV Park in Wallisville. I’d been looking forward to this one for weeks, and boy, it delivered! I splurged on a premium waterfront site, and let me tell you, it was glorious. We had a huge space overlooking the bayou, and the moment we arrived, John and I got straight to work setting up the “yard” for the dogs. (Priorities, right?)

Since it was Thanksgiving weekend, the park was practically deserted. We didn’t see another human on our side of the water until the day we left, which made it feel like we had our own private bayou kingdom. Just us, the dogs, and nature. Bliss!

Day 1: Fire, Music, and… Snakes?

I took the Chis for a nice long walk around the property, keeping my eyes peeled for turtles, gators, and whatever else might be lurking. I was so focused on spotting wildlife that I completely missed the “Beware of Snakes” sign. SNAAAKEEEESSS.

Let me just say, I am not a snake person, I’m not necessarily afraid of them, but I also have no desire to hang out with them either, especially in Tewxas. Had I noticed the sign earlier, my “peaceful stroll” would have looked more like paranoid tip-toe. Thankfully, we didn’t see any slithering nightmares, but it was a good reminder that nature isn’t just about cute turtles.

That evening, we lit a fire, and John brought out his guitar. Picture it: a peaceful bayou, crackling fire, Rockstar Husband serenading the sunset. It was like a scene from a movie—until the dogs decided they were very concerned about the fishermen who had wandered into their territory. (Sorry, guys. The Chihuahuas have spoken.)

Day 2: Fishermen Invasion

The next morning, Turtle Bayou came to life. Apparently, the day after Thanksgiving is Prime Fishing Day in Texas, because we woke up to about 20 fishermen on the dock across the water. It was a total “Field of Dreams” moment—if you build a dock, they will come.

Whole families showed up, fishing gear in hand, settling in for a full day of casting lines. We watched boats launch and reload well into the evening. Honestly, it was like a fishing marathon. When we went to bed, they were still out there. When we packed up to leave the next morning? Still fishing. I half expected them to move in permanently.

The Great Power Cord Debacle

And then came our grand exit.

We were feeling relaxed, refreshed, and ready to hit the road. John got the car on the dolly without a hitch, the dogs were buckled in, and we were feeling pretty smug about our smooth departure…

…until we realized we were still attached to the power pedestal.

Yep. We drove away with the RV still plugged in.

Cue the panic. The sound of the power cord stretching was like a horror movie. Thankfully, nothing broke (except maybe a little of my pride). Lesson learned: stick to the exit list, always do a final walk-around, and never get too cocky.

Final Thoughts:

Despite the snake warnings and the power cord fiasco, Rio RV Park was a winner. The views were stunning, the bayou was peaceful, and it felt like a much-needed reset. If you’re looking for a serene escape where you can roast marshmallows, spot turtles (hopefully not snakes), and watch the locals fish their hearts out, this is the place.

Just, you know, double-check your power cord before you leave.