Triple Creek RV Music Park
Following a three-mile dirt road through some of the prettiest piney woods in Texas, folks from all around the state and far beyond arrive at Triple Creek Music Park. Whether they are musical snowbirds from colder climates who come to spend the winter months, music tours passing through the Houston area, or musically-oriented families looking for a unique getaway, park owners Karen and Marc McConnell make them all feel welcome and get them jamming.
Both musicians, the McConnells purchased Triple Creek RV Music Park in 2006. “We had previously stayed at Triple Creek, and we couldn’t believe that it was for sale,” says Karen. “We pushed up retirement plans and purchased the park.”
Marc still works as a corrosion engineer/metallurgist consultant during the week and he joins Karen for weekends at the park. Karen, who previously was director of the Computer Networking & Troubleshooting Technology Program at Lamar Institute of Technology, now lives at the park full-time. “When asked if I miss it, my usual response is that I am too busy running the RV park and learning to play new instruments, to miss it!” Karen says.
Like many recreational musicians Karen and Marc studied piano as children and their love and knowledge of music never left them as they learned a variety of new instruments along the way. “Music is something we have always enjoyed, but rarely took time to participate in,” says Karen.
“At the park I play mandolin, dulcimer, autoharp, tenor guitar, and upright, acoustic, and washtub bass, but my favorite is an Adirondack washtub that was made especially for me,” says Karen. Marc took some refresher guitar lessons before the couple purchased the park, and even though he has two guitars on-hand, he rarely has time to join in the jams.
The genre of the weekend’s music changes on a rotating schedule found on the park’s website (www.triplecreekrv.com). For example, week one is gospel, the next week is open jam, then classic country, and then bluegrass. There are often “food events” to coincide with the music events. For example, one March weekend this year featured bluegrass music with a Dutch oven cookout and Memorial Day weekend featured bluegrass and a barbecue.
Small jam sessions spring up all over the park, but guests can count on organized jams from Thursday night to Saturday afternoon. For circles located in the park’s Jam Shack there is a rotating wireless mike hooked to a sound system. “All are welcome to join our jam circle,” says Karen. “It can be small or large, and sometimes divides itself when it gets too large!”
Upon arrival at the park, music is a priority. “One of the early questions guests are asked is, if they are pickers, singers, or grinners/listeners,” says Karen. “All are encouraged to participate at their own level and are made welcome.”
Almost every Saturday evening there is a music show, and sometimes guests are treated to an impromptu concert from a touring act that is just passing through. “We get professionals from time to time and encourage them to stop,” says Karen. “There are lots of bands on the road, and we allow them to ‘camp’ with us in exchange for entertaining us.”
Aside from music being front and center, Triple Creek is a full service RV park with all the amenities you would expect, including 92 full hook-up sites with Wi-Fi service. Tents and RVs, big and small, are welcome.
“I know there are other parks that encourage music, but we think that no other can compare,” says Karen. “Many of our guests agree and come back year after year. You enter the park once as a stranger and leave as family.”
This article is from our May-June 2012 issue. Click to order!
