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.