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    Tattered Jeans

    A sun that doesn't burn you: There is something special about this unique delight

    Katie Oxford
    Sep 8, 2013 | 7:02 am

    Once, basking on the beach at Bolivar Peninsula, Mama said, “There’s something special about the August sun.” I sorta knew what she meant. “It doesn’t burn you,” she said.

    Now, years later and on a different beach, the August sun has taken on a deeper meaning. For my husband and me, this time at the beach has given us just that. Time. Unscheduled. Plentiful.

    We’ve read almost as many books as we’ve watched sunsets. TV has been out of our picture. Except for an occasional buzz from the weather radio, the ocean’s our easy listening.

    August is gone and already, the September sun sets further out over the ocean, signaling change.

    We’ve watched storms come in, the moon grow, comets fall and the ocean turn an orange color that made me think of shucking corn.

    Like our walks, our minds have meandered.

    Here, it’s all about ocean life, present time . . . the August sun.

    August is gone and already, the September sun sets further out over the ocean, signaling change and our return to Houston.

    Fall will bring a different light. January will make us move inside. We’ll talk calendars, projects to complete, issues at hand and the like — but the August sun will still be on the horizon. Bringing special light. The kind that doesn’t burn you.

    With the August sun, the ocean turns an orange color that makes me think of shucking corn.

    Katie Labor Day Weekend at Seaside September 2013 Third photog of August sunset
      
    Photo by Katie Oxford
    With the August sun, the ocean turns an orange color that makes me think of shucking corn.
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    top camping destinations

    Galveston RV resort charms on new list of best campgrounds in America

    Amber Heckler
    Jun 18, 2025 | 2:30 pm
    Stella Mare RV Resort in Galveston
    Photo courtesy of The Dyrt
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    Two charming Texas campsites – Galveston's Stella Mare RV Resort and Neches Bluff Overlook Campgroundin Davy Crockett National Forest – were just ranked among the best campgrounds in America in 2025.

    Campground review platform The Dyrt combed through the most highly rated and favorably reviewed campgrounds across its website for the "2025 Best Places to Camp Regional Awards." Campgrounds were sorted into six regions: Central, Midwest, Mountain, Northeast, Pacific, and Southeast.

    Stella Mare RV Resort ranked No. 6 on the The Dyrt's ranking of the best campgrounds in the Central region. The resort offers 195 different RV sites just steps away from the beach and is pet friendly, making it an ideal summer vacation destination for Houston-area families that don't want to travel too far from home. Campsite rates range between $39-$598 per night.

    Other amenities provided by the resort include high-speed Wi-Fi, 30-50-amp service, two dog parks, barbecue grills, a heated outdoor pool, splash pad, hot tub, and a 3,000-square-foot observation deck. Stella Mare also hosts weekly events such as craft activities, bingo, and more.

    In one review, a returning guest praised the resort's cleanliness and the attentive staff.

    "We have visited Stella Mare every December for 4 years now. This last winter we stayed for 2 months and really enjoyed Galveston," the reviewer said. "The campground is well maintained. The staff is super friendly. They have events for all ages multiple times a week including kid and adult only crafts, candy bar bingo, wine night, s'mores, and golf cart parades for holidays."

    Thrifty campers will enjoy staying at Neches Bluff Overlook Campground, which ranked as the No. 8 best campground in the Central Region. Neches Bluff Overlook is a free campground located in the Davy Crockett National Forest, which is about 150 miles north of Houston.

    Neches Bluff is a primitive campground that only offers "minimal amenities," according to The Dyrt, which means campers will have to rely on their own preparedness if they want to spend several nights in the East Texas forest. The campground operates on a first-come, first-serve basis, and guests are welcome to pick their own site and "create [their] own adventure."

    Neches Bluff OverlookNeches Bluff Overlook is a very scenic place to pitch a tent and enjoy nature.fs.usda.gov/

    One of the most stunning features of Neches Bluff is the panoramic views of the forest from the overlook, according to reviewer Rachel H.

    “There was a creek nearby that we hiked up and down, even found what appeared to be a natural spring feeding the creek," wrote Rachel. "We used the creek as our water supply, and the water was delicious. Lots of cool rocks, and even found a couple snail shells. 10/10 would definitely go again and explore more. The overlook is so pretty, and honestly, this place gave us the perfect camping experience."

    The top 10 best places to camp in the Central Region, according to The Dyrt, are:

    • No. 1 – The Wall, South Dakota
    • No. 2 – Scoria Pit, North Dakota
    • No. 3 – Buffalo Gap, South Dakota
    • No. 4 – Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park Campground, North Dakota
    • No. 5 – Big Pine Campground, South Dakota
    • No. 6 – Stella Mare RV Resort, Texas
    • No. 7 – Hackberry Hollow Campground - Indian Cave State Park, Nebraska
    • No. 8 – Neches Bluff Overlook Campground - Davy Crockett National Forest, Texas
    • No. 9 – Territory Route 66 RV Park and Campgrounds, Oklahoma
    • No. 10 – Wilson State Park Campground, Kansas
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