{Back to Our Favorite Hill Country Tradition – Memorial Day Weekend at Fort Mason City Park}

If you've been following along for a while, you might remember a tradition near and dear to our hearts...camping at Fort Mason City Park in Mason, TX every Memorial Day and Labor Day weekend. It was something we looked forward to year after year...packing up the RV, hitting the road, and spending the long weekend surrounded by good friends, good food, and the peaceful beauty of the Texas Hill Country.

But as life often does, it got busy. Our last trip to Fort Mason was back in 2017, and somehow the years slipped by faster than we realized. That is, until this year. We finally brought back the tradition, and y’all… it was everything we remembered and more.

We loaded up the RV and hit the road toward Mason, TX — a place that’s always felt a little like a second home. Our trip didn’t start off without hiccups. Nate’s parents truck broke down about halfway there. It could’ve derailed the whole trip, but instead, it became a beautiful reminder of the heart of this community. One phone call later, a tow truck was on the way for the truck, and a dear friend — who was already at the campsite — turned around to pick up their RV so they could still make the weekend.

I think that says everything about the kind of people we surround ourselves with. They show up. No hesitation. No question.

While Nate’s dad waited for the help to arrive, the rest of us continued on to Mason. When we pulled into camp, we were immediately greeted by familiar faces and open arms. Even though our camper hadn’t arrived yet and we had nothing to contribute to dinner, the group made room, fed us, and welcomed us in — no questions asked. It was one of those “this is what life’s about” moments.

These shared meals are where the magic happens. Everyone brings something to the table, the guys fire up the grills, and we gather in camp chairs under the Texas sky to eat, laugh, and catch up. It’s simple and yet so rich — the kind of tradition that fills your heart in a way no fancy vacation ever could.

Saturday brought the kind of easy, joy-filled morning I’d been craving. Nate joined the guys for a round of golf while us ladies headed into town. We started at a sweet little thrift store and scored some serious treasures. From there, we visited Fort Mason (more on that coming soon in a Texas Tuesday post!) and spent time shopping the Mason square, popping in and out of antique shops and boutiques.

Back at camp that evening, we played a round of cornhole, followed by another amazing dinner — burgers, hot dogs, and a spread of sides. Like our friend Kenny says, “We had all we wanted and more than we needed.” Amen.

Sunday was extra special — it was Mason’s 15th birthday! I don’t know how time has flown by so quickly, but somehow, here we are. We celebrated our sweet boy with gifts in the camper, and by his request, we spent the day in Fredericksburg.

We found a little hidden gem for brunch (off the main strip and absolutely delicious!) and then hit up both sides of Main Street for shopping. On the way back to camp, we made a stop at a farm stand for Fredericksburg peaches, then took a scenic detour along the backroads toward the Eckert James River Bat Cave. That drive was like something out of a postcard — low-water crossings, rolling hills, and nature putting on its best show. It reminded me again of how blessed we are to call Texas home.

That night, our community supper featured ribs, brisket, and a table full of sides and desserts. We sat around, bellies full and hearts fuller, soaking in the last moments of a weekend we’d waited years to relive.

Monday morning came and with it, the inevitable pack-up-and-go-home routine. I walked the campground one last time, gathering content for my Camp Around Texas series and mentally bookmarking all the memories made.

As we loaded up the RV, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude — for tradition, for community, for second chances to pick up old rhythms, and for the kind of people who make weekends like this one so special. I don’t know what took us so long to return, but I know one thing for sure: we won’t wait another seven years to do it again.

Until next time,

Keep chasin’ backroads, small-town squares, and the Texas gems that make life sweet.