Halloween Fun This Weekend!

"It's a beautiful fall weekend on the campground, and we couldn't ask for better weather for our outdoor movie tonite!" says Fred Foxx. Join us in the middle of the park, near the 'soon-to-be' Camp Store. Soon we will inflate a large outdoor movie screen, and when the sun goes down... and we will watch the Harry and Hendersons outdoors on the closed-off street. It's the perfect movie for our Halloween weekend.

Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, or whatever you'd like to sit on and enjoy this great fall evening. We'll have a FREE popcorn machine onsite for all movie goers as well.

Fred also says, "on Sunday, there are no specific plans for Trick or Treating in the evening on the park. One of our campground's business partners—The Sonic Drive-In—has invited campers to their afternoon 'Fall Festival' in Grapevine with lots of fun things going on there. So stop by the Front Gate and get directions to it, as it's only a few blocks from the campground." We know that several guests enjoy having trick or treaters, and since we are closed campground, feel free to join in Sunday evening as well.

Final Punch List This Week on New Construction

The whole construction team met most of Tuesday to review the final punch list on campground improvements. Before the group walked the grounds, Project Manager John Weeden and Joe Moore, assistant director of Grapevine Parks and Recreation, agreed, "at first glance, there is a consensus among our group that our work crews have surpassed expectations—the additions to the park are looking excellent."

The first order of business was to check every site's 50 amp electrical, water and sewer connections for proper installation and above ground access. Park Rangers Ken Myers and Allen Creel joined the group from the Grapevine office of the U.S. Corp of Engineers, offering oversight as well on the completed work. Site by site—on all 87 sites—the team suggested and documented all final construction notes.

Project Manager Fred Foxx also joined the group, and shared his compliments for a job well done by all.
The review team included (l-r) Joe Moore and Mike Hooker, the City of Grapevine Lake Parks; David Moore, Jacobs Engineering; Park Rangers Ken Myers and Allen Creel; Gene Cooper, President of Cooper General Contractors; Mark Hill, Jacobs; Chad Hester, City of Grapevine Facilities Division; and Project Managers John Weeden and Fred Foxx.

As Construction Nears End, More Firewood and S'mores

Fred Foxx, construction Project Manager, grabs a ride with workamper Floyd Harper to check on some of the last details that need to be covered as the campground improvement project winds down the next few days.

So much has been done, and now work crews are finishing off many of the details, like cutting down trees that have been lost to weather or age. Mike Hooker, who also has been instrumental in working closely with Cooper Construction, has been on the campground identifying items on the final punch list.

Fred also joins workamper Walt Bullock later in the day to help oversee that one the campground's largest trees safely comes down.

Of course these trees will be recycled, and cut into firewood to be used this month on the campground. Campers are encouraged to purchase two (2) bundles of firewood at the Front Office — and then, we will throw in a FREE bag of marshmallows, graham crackers, and Hershey bars so you can make and enjoy your own S'mores! We do appreciate your support during construction on the campground...

The Perfect Night for S'mores

Last night was a beautiful fall night for building a campfire and having S'mores. Special thanks to campground Host John Tork for getting the fire started early; we had the perfect coals to roast marshmallows at sunset!

We decided to try some new "Fancy" S'mores this time around, and our campers—who were all young at heart—created all sorts of delicious treats. We started out with the basics...some perfectly roasted marshmallows and some really, really toasted ones, Hershey's chocolate squares, and graham crackers.

Our guests then had the option to add extra toppings, including peanut butter, carmel sauce, a variety of colored sprinkles, cinnamon sugar, strawberry topping, white chocolate chips (yummm), or Junior Mints. The hot marshmallow melted right into the toppings.

There were a couple of children that put everything on one S'more...but the rest of us decided to test 'several' different kinds of S'mores. The 'hands-up' favorite for the night went to S'mores with peanut butter and Heath English Toffee bits, which now might have to become our park's signature S'more.

Do plan to join us often for our weekly Friday night events; it's a great time to meet and visit with others who love to RV and camp just as much as you do. See you soon...

The CAMP STORE has Arrived!

One of the most awaited moments during the campground expansion plan has finally arrived! At the end of this week, the CAMP STORE rolled through the Front Gate on a beautiful fall day in Grapevine.

The idea for a camp store has been on the drawing board for years, and to see it finally appear brought great joy to all of the staff, and campers alike. Did you hear the applause?


It took many tries to get the building into the right spot, tucked right in the middle of the campground and adjacent to the EPA (environmentally protected area) crosstimbers forest that hugs the southside of the park. This family-friendly gathering spot will be easily accessible to everyone that stays with us.

Once the building is stabilized and secured, carpenters will begin to build and attach a large covered deck on the front of the store. We are sure that it will become the gathering point of the campground for all kinds of special events, music, and visiting with other campers, as well. There will be enough room for classes, ice cream socials, or just playing a boardgame or cards.

As soon as the camp store is in place, there are plans to connect the new building area with a pathway and an upgraded outdoor patio and deck to the adjacent building, which houses the Laundry Room and central bathrooms.

The expanded area will now share the new location name of "Grapevine Station." It will be at the crossroads of Nectar Drive and Grapevine Trail on the campground.

Bingo Night Great Family Fun

Friday nights are family fun nights on the campground, and Candy Bar Bingo last Friday was a big favorite.

The Texas weather is great this time of year, with warm Fall days and perfect sunsets filling our October evenings. We offer a variety of outdoor events each week throughout the year that range from playing games to listening to musical groups to kayaking nights, so all ages can participate.

Candy Bar Bingo is relaxing enough for all to play, so that's why it is a favorite with our campers ... and of course, anyone can eat up all the candy they win at the end of the game!

Plan to join us each week, as we offer a variety of guest events at the Pavilion, Hummingbird Station or near the shoreline and beach. Most are listed ahead of time in our campground newsletter, The VINELINE. You can read about each month's news and events online, or send us an email and we'll be happy to add you to our monthly newsletter e-mail list.

Come Enjoy the Comfortable New Cabins

Four new cabins came last week, and the others will follow as they are completed the next few weeks in October — and they look great! "Our new cabins are getting rave reviews from onsite campers, who are peeping in the windows, and taking impromptu tours when they can catch the make-ready staff opening the cabin doors," says Fred Foxx, project manager.

One cabin design is especially getting noticed. Fred says, "these large one-bedroom cabins offer a carpeted, upstairs loft above the main bedroom for youngsters to sleep and play in, which is great when you have little ones like Fiona and I have." The kitchen/living area is especially spacious with a large futon that serves as additional sleeping space as well. There are many new amenities in each new cabin, including a flat screen television and an electric heater that looks exactly like a fireplace. The front porch is an additional family space to relax and enjoy the wildlife on Grapevine Lake.

"Cooper Construction is on schedule to complete the campground improvement plan by the end of October," assures Fred, " so we look forward to seeing many of you soon."