Montebello Camping & Fishing Resort

This is our first trip to Montebello Camping & Fishing Resort.  The campground is in the middle of the woods beside a small lake/ponds that you can fish on.

We tagged along with my cousin Mike, his family and their friends. In other words the whole gang up to Montebello for a little weekend of hiking and festivals and wineries. What a great choice. Perfectly located as a base camp for numerous trails and mountain hikes.

Winery hopping was a load of fun and I believe several in the group had wine hangovers the next day.

The campsites are a little close to each other but we mainly stayed close with the group at one site and only slept in Stella when needed.

The store is packed with goodies but is a lil pricey, but hey it's 12 miles from nowhere so what do you expect. There is no cell service, and that's the way I like it when getting away.

Overall great lil campground. We will be back!

Myrtle Beach Travel Park

This was our 1st stay at Myrtle Beach Travel Park. Campground is well-maintained and staffed by friendly, courteous and efficient people. Sites for transient campers are close to each other , but one needs to keep the popularity of this destination in mind. Bath facilities are extremely clean and in excellent condition. Pools and other amenities are excellent as well. We liked the "cabanas" that are at each site as the constant ocean breeze usually precludes the use of your awning. Campground beach is very clean and spacious. We will definitely return!

It was especially nice to spend time with a college friend and her partner.

Myrtle Beach KOA

For Memorial Day weekend we were able to escape to the Beach.  Our initial reservations were to stay at the Wilmington KOA, however, the weather was calling for rain each day so we decided to head more south to avoid the rain. We found ourselves staying at the Myrtle Beach KOA and were pleasantly surprised.

We did not 'set up camp' as we have in the past.  Not quite sure why, but I am going to go ahead and say we were just too darned lazy to do so. 

Our site overlooked the water (stream/creek very small river) that went through the campground and it was very peaceful!  We fed the squirrel's breakfast (banana & strawberries) and I believe if Mel would have held the banana in her hand they would have taken it from her hand. She was more timid of them than they were of her.

We spent our days lounging by the pool and our afternoons shopping at the outlets, spectating 'Black Bike Week' participants and enjoying delicious seafood in Murrells Inlet!  

This is definitely a place we will return too.  However next time will go for a spot up in the crowd.  As our location was a bit boring (although relaxing) and seemed out of the 'mix' of things.  Of course we will get in the golf cart next time and stalk the campers.  We do miss seeing how others set up camp.

Starlite Trailer Lodge

We returned to Starlite Trailer Lodge in hopes our second visit would far outweigh our first.  We arrived without 'getting lost' and were happy that upon our arrival there was NO rain!  Luckily we were in the same 'spot' we were on our last visit.


Unplanned, we ended up beside an old school mate of mine, Shawn.  He was accompanied by Jimmy and Rusty. As always the boys provided much entertainment and needed less sleep than us girls!  We love them and would not take a plug nickel for them!  Gold maybe, but not a plug nickel!


We made a day trip into Blowing Rock and Boone.  What a wonderful ride up the mountain side!  We did not spend as much time sight seeing as we anticipated, but we do plan on returning and enjoying a bit more of the area.


There was this absolute beautiful monarch butterfly village we saw on our trip up the mountain and back down.  We have never seen as many butterflies in one place as we did this day.  Needless to say we did not have a camera.  But trust us when we say that there were thousands of butterflies fluttering about without a care in the world.

Sycamore Lodge

Sycamore Lodge in Jackson Springs, NC.

We had a great time 'stalking' on the golf-cart at the vast array of RV sights and the display of lights, chairs, signs' etc.  Several folks were selling 'crafts' at their sight and we ended up buying a coke can airplane wind catcher.  Quite cute!

We met some great people (Tabatha, Keith and Judy) and do expect to return when we become members.  Yes, there is a catch that we are hoping to outsmart.

We were awarded 30 days of free camping when we purchased Stella.  Unfortunately, we will not be able to utilize this free gift as it is only good for Sunday-Thursday.  Since we both work for a living, camping those days are not in the cards for us.

There was a 'fine-print' to the 30-day invite for camping.  We had to endure a 90 minute sales pitch to purchase a campground membership.  We did enjoy the weekend there and would like to return as members.  However, the price tag they put on a membership ($8995) compared to the price tag found in searching the internet are ($100-$2500), we elected NOT to become members, but we will keep an eye out for a membership that is closer to the $2 range.  For now, we are nomads checking out the sights elsewhere.

It is kind of difficult to suggest to folks to checkout this campground since it is a member only campground, but if you are willing to sit through a 90 min sales pitch then by all means go!   We did enjoy our stay and just may become members if we find a membership thats to our liking.  It is a resort and there are many activities going on and things to do.  Or you can elect to do nothing but sit by your campsite and read a book or watch people go by on the bicycles, golf carts, etc...

Lake Reidsville

We decided to kickoff our 2010 camping season with a short trip to Lake Reidsville.

  

Just like it's website says "Lake Reidsville is renowned for its big bass, crappie, catfish, bream and other fish."  I fished with my father on this lake and for a season, during my teenage years, worked for groundskeeping.

Fortunately we were not there to fish or maintain the grounds.  All we wanted to do was 'chill' amongst the trees and enjoy the boats as they sped by and share an afternoon lunch with friends.

Our neighbors had a very interesting VW wagon/camper and asked us if we were part of the "Sisters on the Fly" (sistersonthefly.com).  Although, it is a catchy name and an interesting group to be a part of, we were there strictly for camping.


If you have never been to Lake Reidsville we do recommend it.  The bathrooms were clean, although we did sneak home to take a shower and only used Stella's bathroom while there.  The folks there were quite nice and we plan on visiting again.  For $12 a night as a city resident, it is really a great deal.


On our next visit, we do plan on playing the Lake's Edge Disc Golf course!

(The first hole of Lake's Edge is located to the right of the Camp Store at Lake Reidsville.)

2010 Camping Season!

We are so excited about camping this season!

During the winter we would always tell Stella how much we were looking forward to the warmer months. Especially those weekends she was covered in 5+ inches of snow. Now that time is slowly arriving and we are ready! Like two little kids in a candy store just waiting for permission to stick our hands in the candy jar!



This past weekend we spent going through Stella and accounting for what we have, what we need and what we would like to have. The majority of the things we have (Patio Mat & Lights, Satellite Dish, Coffee Mug, Spices, etc) were mostly Christmas presents. Of course the one I have yet to get working is the Satellite Dish.

I have spent a few hours putting things together and point the dish out into space, changing angles, directions, tilting, etc... with no luck. Of course I was pointing the dish in the "possible direction" our current home satellite dish is pointing. Give or take a foot or two or three. But obviously I do not know what I am doing and I am at least laughing at myself instead of getting upset.

So after trying again and I am sure giving my neighbors something to "watch" I decided to google my way though the questions I had in my head. First, and foremost, where is that darn satellite and how to figure out the azimuth and elevation? For that fact, what is "azimuth"??? So, during my googling (yes, I am a googler) I found dishpointer.com. They have an iPhone application that will show me where the satellites are in relation to where I am currently standing. It is very cool and my new play toy.


Of course I now know why I have been unable to get a signal. Has everything to do with pointing the dish into never never land and the trees are totally in the way. So I do have hope that one day, we will be in a clearing where I can spot a satellite with the new iPhone application (internet connection of course will also be needed) and then I can try again. Hopefully with success. So I will know at a later time if all this work has been fruitful or frivols.

We are in the process of making reservations in various places across VA, NC, and SC. Our plans are to Blog on each trip and rate the campgrounds we visit. It should be fun since camping in an RV is still new and we have lots to learn, mostly I am sure through trial and error.