Ashland/Huntington West, KY

My 5 hour planned drive actually took - 7. Webster and JC did not want to ride in the truck with me, they elected to ride with Stella. JC has forgiven me, Webster is still sulking this morning while I sip my coffee.

Two hours into the trip I decided to stop and check on the kids. After a few minutes of 'where did I put Stella Keys' I opted for the 'spare set'. You'll never guess where I found the keys....

Yes... they held on and I am happy they did!

Upon my arrival at the KOA there was the 'Annual Gospel Songfest', before getting too excited. This was Kentucky's version of Gospel, all white and seemingly all anti everything that isn't white Christian. Being a Christian I am not certain if I needed to be concerned with the 'cross' designed in the bottom of the pool, the non existence of anyone of color, or the fact that I was terribly out of place by the not so friendly greeting when I arrived to the 'why are you bringing me the shoes/pants of the camper that drove off and left them'? I have a feeling they are not going to call the couple that left the pair of Merrell's and Polo jeans behind.

75% of the campers seemed to be full-timers and mowing under their RVs, hoses, etc. was an option. It rained, poured and pretty much left most campers in 1" to 2" of standing water. Needless to say, instead of building up the campground before building it, they just dug down. This place will continue to have standing water after rain storms.

I spent Aug 26th through Sept 4th and left before their Labor Day Bash. I mean why stay?

I can honestly say this was the strangest KOA to date. I highly doubt I would ever stay here again and if I did it would not be for more than one night on a pass through. The Wi-Fi is basically non existent (weak signal), but the Verizon signal was 4 bars! I was able to easily work with no interruptions. I was on site B002, for whatever that is worth. Most of the sites seem to all be the same size. I felt safe, but I did not feel welcome.

Very happy to be moving on to my next stop!

Asheville West KOA (Solar Eclipse 2017)

This is the start of my month long journey or meandering while the 50th year chases me!

First stop Asheville West KOA.

I must say this KOA at first was jam-packed with people that were here to see the Total Solar Eclipse 2017!


I too seized the opportunity to experience a rare total solar eclipse in western North Carolina on Monday, August 21, 2017. The towns in the direct path included Sylva, Dillsboro, Cashiers, Bryson City, Cherokee, Robbinsville and Andrews, NC.

I found a rather cute roadside Antique shop where the owner was charging $10 a car to park (with a free pair of glasses). This spot was GREAT in that it had a two+ minutes of complete darkness (relative) as the moon moved in front of the sun, where I found a 'fiesta 'white' mug for 10 cents, and while waiting for the event had a great conversation with the owner.  A 90 (ish) year old woman who had the best personality! If you're ever in Andrews, NC stop by her shop on 74/19/129 (Ms. Dorothy Vaughn) you may not purchase anything and wonder why I said stop, but just sit with her on the porch and chat - a great little ole lady!


Across the United States, cities from Oregon to South Carolina were inside the 70-mile-wide path of the total solar eclipse. This was the first time in 26 years that America has seen a total solar eclipse (last one in our area was in 1506, next one in 2153), and it is one of the few that traveled the nation from Atlantic to Pacific coasts.
 

I'm glad I was able to see this while young enough to go around chasing it!

After the Eclipse frenzy died down, by Tuesday the KOA was empty and quiet!  On my morning and afternoon walks I never counted more than 10 campers in the park.  I was in heaven!  For the Week I worked from Stella through a hotspot (my phone - Verizon) and not once had any issue.  Could have been because this was smack dab in the middle of the park.  I really think it should be a law that all campgrounds have one.


Let's hope as I meander around I keep the good grace of having a cell signal.

As for the Asheville West KOA. I've been in some places where you had a bit more room (length and width) , but I've also been in places that were much smaller and more compact.  You do get the 'camping' feeling of being in the middle of the woods as you're surrounded by trees.  A few sites have their fire pits a bit too close to the next camper something KOA should consider re-visiting. The highway noise is no more bothersome than the sound of the ocean, and if you forget to take your trash out for morning pickup you can tote it to the bathrooms where there are plenty of receptacles and my favorite - recycling bins!

They also have great walking trails and lots of birds to watch and listen too.  One even kept my neighbor busy flying around her window.  I do believe it was enjoying its reflection.

You're about 6 miles from a grocery store and a bit further for something other than fast food. I didn't have any issues as I pretty much stayed in the campground enjoying the peace and quiet.

I was in site B-32 (8/19/17 to 8/26/17) and I would camp here again. 

Huntington Beach State Park

I love this State Park; however, I booked late and ended up with a mosquito infested site (#110).  Very thankful for friends - as I hung out at their site (meals, fires, community) instead of at my site.

I appreciate the solitude of the Park. It's such a beautiful park with scenery changes, abundant wildlife, and long, sandy beaches. Nice large spaces that includes a fire ring and grate for cooking. Bathhouse is quite a ways away, but is kept clean. The staff is friendly and helpful.

The beach is nice, not crowded. The walk to the beach includes a boardwalk that allows you to see alligators. I saw 3 different ones during my stay, one was huge!

There are trails to hike and the castle tour is fun. Oh and face sized spiders! Ok maybe not that big but close.

Bring your bug spray as the mosquitoes are relentless. I will return when the weather is cooler.

Buckeye Lake, Ohio KOA

This is a very nice area across the road from Buckeye lake. A large number of restaurants exists in the surrounding areas including Chinese, Sushi, Thai, American, seafood, pizza, hamburgers, etc.

The campground has Nathan's hot dogs, hamburgers, and breakfast buffet. Columbus parks, zoo, museums is not far away and hiking trails are plentiful in the area.

The park is nice with a lot of activities. The employees all seemed very friendly, and polite. A little bossy when pulling in though.  I suppose the owner didn't realize a woman is capable of parking and setting up her own rig.

The sites are close together and the fire rings are dangerously close to vehicles. I was charged $64 a night on a pull thru. Cable was just 'ok', and wifi was in and out.

Now that the commercial above is over, I was in Ohio for the Ohio Lesbian Festival and will return next year to this KOA. As much as boondocking in a field of women seems appealing, there is something to be said for a stones throw away spot to recharge. Plus, the furbabies can travel with to the KOA, not so much to the festival grounds.

James River State Park

Peaceful campground on the James River. I spent a weekend with friends enjoying all the park has to offer. This park offers a lot of trails for hiking, 3 ponds for fishing and canoe, kayak, tube rentals. For camping it has 2 primitive campgrounds (one on a pond the other on the river), 1 RV campground (water and electric only) were we stayed, and a horse campground.

My site (RedOak EW40ft+) was mostly shaded and most all the sites were separated and private. Thin woods between each site.

The only possible improvement might be a pool (and sewer on sites), but sites are large, private and fairly level, Park staff are friendly and knowledgeable, other campers were for the most part considerate. Rangers patrol frequently (which I like). I'm absolutely going back!

Rudds Creek Campground

Rudds Creek Campground I've passed many times on my way to Chesapeake VA to see family. So you can imaging my surprise when we decided to stop here for a weekend!


I was happy next to this beautiful lake for two nights. Lovely shaded sites with very little traffic, although the park appeared to be about 80% occupied. I enjoyed going between friends sites (Robin & Barbara, Lynn, Chris, and Peter) on my bike.


There are several Corps of Engineers campgrounds on the lake with plenty of opportunities for boating, fishing, swimming, and picnicking. I plan to camp them all!


Although we did have on/off water (campground has a broken line they were repairing), I had a great time with friends! The facilities were clean and well kept. I will return!

Montebello Camping & Fishing Resort

Montebello Camping & Fishing Resort offers many types of outdoor recreation, camping, a trout fishing pond and many hiking trails in the area. You will go through a winds, twists, and climbs up to the top of the Blue Ridge Mountains at Montebello. It is said that this road was once an old Indian trail that connected present day Nelson County with Steele’s Tavern in Augusta County two hundred years ago.

Also, Crabtree Falls, the highest cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi River is a popular hiking trail and located near Montebello.

I've been here before and enjoyed this trip just as much. We came for the Drumheller's Orchard Apple Festival and wine, brew, and distillery hopping on


This campground has rather tight turns and if you have a motorcoach or a 5th wheel or TT over 30' you will have difficulty. I will not say impossible, but you will need help getting in and getting out.  During this trip a friend dinged his truck backing up his 5th wheel and another had issues with his motorcoach. I've obviously camped here in Stella (20') and StellaToo (28') and was able to get in and out with little difficulty.


Their cell service is still non existent. There is no getting around this fact, and should you need to be reached, they will need to call the campground to come get you.

I was here 10/16/14 - 10/19/14 and will probably return.