First I would like to say Happy Holidays to all. I hope the New Year will find all of you happy, healthy and ready to camp.
As the new year approaches I am curious as to what camping plans you have for the coming year.
Next month I will be taking my oldest by himself to Lost Dutchman State Park here in AZ for a night. It's the second installment of spending a night one on one with each of my four kids. In March we will be at the Grand Canyon for three nights. I'll be 51 next month and have lived in AZ for 8 years and have never been to the Grand Canyon so I am really looking forward to that trip. Our vacation plans in June are to try to get a spot in Yosemite for a couple of days but if we can't get in there we will find another cg close by. We will see as much of Yosemite as possible, visit the giant Redwoods, drive down the coast to visit the in-laws in SoCal, take the kids to Knotts Berry Farm and the beach. We may stop in Vegas on the way out or way back to visit my folks.
We are going to try to get out at least once a month when the warmer weather hits seeing as much of our diverse state as possible. We would also like to visit Rock Hound SP near Deming New Mexico.
I plan on posting a lot of pictures this coming year in our first full year with the pup. I'm looking forward to reading about your plans for the 08.
Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year first of all!! If you plan on visiting Vegas try staying at Lake Mead campground or RV park, its not a bad place to camp..........Ed C.
While my plans are not yet firm, I do plan to visit other campgrounds within my membership, and hope to have my grandkids join me now that they are potty trained! Hope to enjoy a few CG's in Pennsylvania, as well as spend a little time in NC as well as Virginia.
If I can do it, I'd like to 'workkamp' -- but this requires considerable thought and a serious evaluation of finances.
My wife is Irish with family still living in Ireland and I am Scottish on my dad's side, so we have decided to take two weeks in the late spring to tour Ireland for a week and Scotland for a week. During the trip we will be doing some backpacking and tent camping along the way. There are trails over there that lead from one town to the next that we plan on exploring.
We also plan on visiting Yellowstone and Grand Tetons NP during the late summer.
I'm sure we will also take the opportunity to spend time in Florida camping as well as spending a few long weekends in some of our local state parks over the summer and next fall.
CajunCamper
I plan on camping one weekend in January and February. For Easter we will be going to Assateague Island National Seashore in Md.
April 18th weekend we are camping at Hickory Run State Park, PA.
First weekend in May is a 4 day trip to North South Lake campground in the Catskill Mts of NY
Memorial Day weekend camping in NJ
First weekend in June camping with the BSA at Bald Eagle SP, PA
Middle of June a week long camping trip to Minute Man Campground, outside of Boston Mass.
Last weekend in June a 5 day trip to Watkins Glen SP, NY
Independence Day weekend camping but not sure where
July 12th camping for a week at the Eastern PU Rally in the Pocono Mts. of PA
First weekend in August camping with the BSA in Northern Ontario for a week
Second or third week in August camping at Assateague Island National Seashore for 5 or 6 days
Labor Day weekend camping but not sure where
Last weekend in September camping Fall COTOC Rally, Locust Lake SP or SP to be decided
Also plan to camp the long weekends in October/November and a few other trips that are unplanned at this point.
Happy New Year to everyone!
We will be camping at Paynes Prairie (FL) over New Year's.
In February we will be camping at O'Leno State Park (FL).
We also have a camping trip planned for the first week of June in John Pennekamp State Park (FL Keys).
That's what we have booked for the present time - I'm sure there will be more reservations to come.
Well, let me start by saying that I hope everyone has had a Merry Christmas or Joyful Holidays and may you all have a Blessed New Year. And may you have many pleasant camping experiences this coming year.
Our plans for this next camping season, which here in SW Ohio starts in late Spring, is a week in Eastern Tennessee sometime around Memorial Day. We're probably going to stay in Warriors Path State Park near Kingsport Tn. but this park does not accept reservations -it a first come first serve basis- so our exact dates aren't known at this time. We have family in the area so that will work to our advantage in getting a site.
Then in mid to late June we are planning on at least a week in the Mammoth Cave area of Kentucky. We haven't decided on an exact Campground yet (but we welcome suggestions) but we have pretty much ruled out staying in the park because they do not have electric at the sites -no AC if required. DW and I are looking forward to visiting the Cave but DD '03 is looking forward to the local attractions like the alpine slide and Dinosaur World. I also would like to see the Corvette Museum in nearby Bowling Green KY.
Next, we are planning 3 -4 days at Stone Lick SP here in Ohio. This is about 1.5 hours South of where we live and we've never been there before. Looking at an aerial map, it looks like there are some campsites situated directly on the lake so we are wanting to get one of those.
This all we have actually sat down and planned to do but there are many more as yet unplanned trips we are.....well....planning?......to either some of the local SPs or maybe back to Stone Lick again if we like it. Also we have a small campgrounds we like to stay at along the Little Miami River (Morgan's Family Campgrounds) about an hour south of here. It is located on the Little Miami River and has almost direct access tot he Little Miami Bike Trail. The campsites themselves are on the river too. It is a really nice place except that the sites have no water or electric. The water we can deal with -there is potable water available in the campground but without electric we only stay there early in the season or in the fall when AC is not going to be required. We usually stay here once or twice a season.
I still haven't given up on trying a trip to the Northern of lower Michigan like to Sleeping Bear Dunes area or Wilderness State Park, but this will depend on how much time off from work DW and I can get.
I have reservations at Guajome County Campground in Oceanside Ca. for March 16-18.
Campdaddy,
Wow, it sounds as though you have one heck of a year planned. :-() I'm jealous. We will do a lot of weekend trips up to the mountains. We plan on getting a BLM permit as well as one for AZ state land that will let us camp anywhere that camping is permitted. This way we can take off, find a place that looks good and set up camp. AZ is such a diverse state. I know that most people think of it as nothing but desert. Earlier this year my kids were playing in snow and then an hour and a half later were home where it was almost 90. We have three neighbors that park their toy haulers at a cg up north for the summer so we will probably spend at least one weekend up there. I want to spend as much time camping this year as I can. This is our first full year with the pu and I want to make the most of it.
Quote from: campdaddyThen in mid to late June we are planning on at least a week in the Mammoth Cave area of Kentucky. We haven't decided on an exact Campground yet (but we welcome suggestions) but we have pretty much ruled out staying in the park because they do not have electric at the sites -no AC if required. DW and I are looking forward to visiting the Cave but DD '03 is looking forward to the local attractions like the alpine slide and Dinosaur World. I also would like to see the Corvette Museum in nearby Bowling Green KY.
Next, we are planning 3 -4 days at Stone Lick SP here in Ohio. This is about 1.5 hours South of where we live and we've never been there before. Looking at an aerial map, it looks like there are some campsites situated directly on the lake so we are wanting to get one of those.
This all we have actually sat down and planned to do but there are many more as yet unplanned trips we are.....well....planning?......to either some of the local SPs or maybe back to Stone Lick again if we like it. Also we have a small campgrounds we like to stay at along the Little Miami River (Morgan's Family Campgrounds) about an hour south of here. It is located on the Little Miami River and has almost direct access tot he Little Miami Bike Trail. The campsites themselves are on the river too. It is a really nice place except that the sites have no water or electric. The water we can deal with -there is potable water available in the campground but without electric we only stay there early in the season or in the fall when AC is not going to be required. We usually stay here once or twice a season.
It's been years and years and years and years, but when I was younger, we stayed at a Jellystone near Mammoth Caves. As a kid, it was a very interactive park and I had a blast. I've recently come across their web site and it doesn't look like much has changed.
We'll be starting our camping career as a family (though I grew up camping) with two young boys in the spring. Not sure where yet, but being based in Cincinnati, we'll probably hit a couple local state or county parks to get the kids acclimated and familiarize ourselves with the camper. Once we start branching out, Mammoth Caves might make for a nice regional option.
My wife is ready to haul it down to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge as that has been a popular vacation spot for us for years.
Quote from: AZsixCampdaddy,
Wow, it sounds as though you have one heck of a year planned. :-() I'm jealous.
These are all tentative, subject to change or cancellation especially considering my R&R Band hasn't nailed down it's scheduled yet. But hopefully.....:#
Sounds like you have a pretty full schedule also..... I've never camped in the SW U.S. but my dream is to take the family on a cross country camping expedition someday....
Quote from: jeezyIt's been years and years and years and years, but when I was younger, we stayed at a Jellystone near Mammoth Caves. As a kid, it was a very interactive park and I had a blast. I've recently come across their web site and it doesn't look like much has changed.
My wife is ready to haul it down to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge as that has been a popular vacation spot for us for years.
We've looked into the Jellystone at Mammoth Cave a little bit and I'm hearing that it's showing it's age a tad bit these days, but then again with a 4 YO it would be fun for her regardless. We'll probably look a little further into the various campgrounds before settling on anything but Jellystone is one we're looking at.
The trip to Eastern Tennessee is primarily for a family visit but there is just so much to do and see in that area that I'm sure we'll do some sightseeing also.
If you live in the Cincinnati area there are many good places for you to camp nearby. We usually prefer State Parks and there are a lot of them in Ohio. Most are quite nice. We stayed at East Fork last summer and it was a really nice SP. You also have Huestin Woods to your West. We've camped there a couple of times without complaint but some people don't care much for it. I think it depend mostly on the site you get. Indiana has the White Water area that is really nice and then there is Kentucky, and West Virgina just a little bit further. All in all, I'd say your in a great location for camping opportunities.
Well to beguin with, Merry Christmas, Ho Ho Ho, There I said it! Also Happy New Year!
This year will be Great! First to Quartsite AZ, for the rock and gem show at the end of Jauary. Then just short trips around the neveda and arizona desert gold and rock hunting,(mine is the gold, the rocks are my wifes). Then up to Utah in June for some fishing. After that it's wide open. Maybe the beach around ventura ca.
Quote from: campdaddyIf you live in the Cincinnati area there are many good places for you to camp nearby. We usually prefer State Parks and there are a lot of them in Ohio. Most are quite nice. We stayed at East Fork last summer and it was a really nice SP. You also have Huestin Woods to your West. We've camped there a couple of times without complaint but some people don't care much for it. I think it depend mostly on the site you get. Indiana has the White Water area that is really nice and then there is Kentucky, and West Virgina just a little bit further. All in all, I'd say your in a great location for camping opportunities.
I've tent camped at Hueston Woods, East Fork and Miami Whitewater. At HW, it was in their large primitive area. At the others, we were mixed among the RV's. I really liked Miami Whitewater, though I've been to East Fork the most. Nice thing about EF is it's a large park and you can almost always get a site at the last minute save for holiday weekends.
Well we had to adjust our plans. The Grand Canyon trip we were going to take in March has been rescheduled for the first week in June. (Temps are a little more to our liking in June) After the Grand Canyon we may continue up north to Monument Valley or head to Vegas to visit my folks. We have scrapped the plans for Yosemite for the time being. My oldest (10) and I are planning a trip to Lost Dutchman SP two weeks from Saturday as long as the weather will cooperate. My wife is pushing for a trip to San Diego so I think we will sneak that in as well this summer.
My twin girl (8) said her New Years resolution was to go camping more. I think she has been bitten by the bug!
Quote from: AZsixFirst I would like to say Happy Holidays to all. I hope the New Year will find all of you happy, healthy and ready to camp.
Group Trips:
April: The food trip. Everyone has a cooking challenge .. probably 4 families, 3 campers..
Memorial Day: Lake Perry, me, DS, best friend and his family in my PUP, friends in their hardside biggy, whoever else shows..
(hopefully) July 4th: Lake Perry (probably)
Labor Day: LAKE PERRY .. (ABATE M/C Rally -- reserve EARLY for this one ..)
Other trips:
Maybe something in March: Nothing concrete...
Other trips /w just me and the DS: Just the two of us..
Trip with friend, my DS and his DS to the river in June: Niangua River
If weather is nice, maybe a colder trip in Feb ... (if it's not 14 like it is right now): Dunno. :)
A few one nighters, probably ..
And we gotta do a guys weekend out (me, my best friend, his DS, my DS)..
I have been busy for the last week or so making plans for the upcoming camping season. It turns out to be quite a chore. Where do people want to go, check the weather, check the school calendars for breaks and another calendar for when the holidays are. Then I spend quite a bit of time researching on Reserve America for good spots and so on. I think it's worth the effort though. In California making reservations for State Parks can be done 7 months in advance. So, since Jan 1 reservations can be made for July. And yes, the good spots fill up fast.
So far I am excited about the spots I've reserved at:
DL Bliss at Lake Tahoe
New Brighton Beach near Santa Cruz
Pfeifer Big Sur State Park
MacKerricher State Beach on the Mendocino Coast
This is our first year having a pop up, we bought a used Bayside and have five young children.
We just returned from tent camping thru Europe for four weeks (and just parked and crashed in our rented Volkswagen van) so our trips this year are only camping in our new (to us) pop up.
Going to Hunting Island and camping on the Ocean for 10 days in SC.
Camping Dreher Island SC (never been) for 9 days in SC.
Attending a wonderful weekend music festival in VA mountains called Floyd Fest.
Deep Creek Camping (and tubing and never been) in NC for 10 days
Vogel in Georgia (never been) for 9 days
Disney possibly in early December
Fort McAllister celebrating St Patty's in Savanah
I really hope we enjoy them...this is all new to us and I really planned these vacations taking the huge leap to get us involved in the pop up way.
This is our first year having a pop up, we bought a used Bayside and have five young children.
We just returned from tent camping thru Europe for four weeks (and just parked and crashed in our rented Volkswagen van) so our trips this year are only camping in our new (to us) pop up.
Going to Hunting Island and camping on the Ocean for 10 days in SC.
Camping Dreher Island SC (never been) for 9 days in SC.
Attending a wonderful weekend music festival in VA mountains called Floyd Fest.
Deep Creek Camping (and tubing and never been) in NC for 10 days
Vogel in Georgia (never been) for 9 days
Disney possibly in early December
Fort McAllister celebrating St Patty's in Savanah
I really hope we enjoy them...this is all new to us and I really planned these vacations taking the huge leap to get us involved in the pop up way.
We have quite a few already planned for 2008. One of the places I camp, Hither Hills, has to be booked 6 months in advance!
My wife and I start the year off with a cruise in February (not camping/her idea).
Middle of May we camp Smith Point Park on Long Island.
Beginning of June it will be Hither Hills in Montauk, L.I.
End of June its Watkins Glen State Park upstate for a Rally
Middle of July we're going to Lake George RV Park (I hear it real nice!)
September is back to Montauk (end the summer at the beach!)
October is two trips Upstate N.Y., one is Yogi Bear in Gardner N.Y. (it has a heated Pool),
The other is in The Woodstock/Saugerties NY area either Woodstook KOA; Rip Van Winkle or Brook and Wood. Any advice would be appreciated!!!!!
Much of this planning has to do with scheduling vacation time from work!(5 wks )
Some of these trips I plan to bring our two dogs. Others, we want the freedom of not staying at the camp ground the whole time.
Quote from: CajunCamperI'm sure we will also take the opportunity to spend time in Florida camping as well as spending a few long weekends in some of our local state parks over the summer and next fall.
CajunCamper
I'd love to meet you - let us/me know (sandykayak@yahoo.com) when you are in FL. I live in Miami and my husband of two years lives in Metairie. (Plus my ex is Scots Irish!)
This year is the "Big One". The old-fashioned Griswold family cross country loop from SoCal to Smokies, to Williamsburg, to DC & Gettysburg, Chicago, Wall Drug, Mt Rushmore, Salt Lake and home.
This forum has helped me identify Little River in the Smokies, Newport News Park near Williamsburg and Pohick Bay near DC.
I am still searching for some must see (or must camp) sites along the 40 in New Mexico & Arkansas. Ditto for sites along I-90 on our return.
(Funny how I kept the California "the 40" wording for Eastbound but switched to the the east coast "I-90" phrasing for the return. Must be actually travelling in my mind)
I cant wait!!
Quote from: pricerjThis year is the "Big One". The old-fashioned Griswold family cross country loop from SoCal to Smokies, to Williamsburg, to DC & Gettysburg, Chicago, Wall Drug, Mt Rushmore, Salt Lake and home.
This forum has helped me identify Little River in the Smokies, Newport News Park near Williamsburg and Pohick Bay near DC.
I am still searching for some must see (or must camp) sites along the 40 in New Mexico & Arkansas. Ditto for sites along I-90 on our return.
(Funny how I kept the California "the 40" wording for Eastbound but switched to the the east coast "I-90" phrasing for the return. Must be actually travelling in my mind)
I cant wait!!
:yikes:
Wow! I'd love to hear reports about
that trip. What an adventure and range of locations. Literally cross country and back with a PUP. Have a great time. And wave to all of us as you drive by, will ya?
Quote from: jeezyMy wife is ready to haul it down to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge as that has been a popular vacation spot for us for years.
Where will you be staying in Gat/PF? Inside the park or out?
Quote from: TroutBumWhere will you be staying in Gat/PF? Inside the park or out?
I don't know yet. We are just starting to do some research. Any input would be greatly appreciated as I'm sure there is some experience there on this board.
Quote from: pricerjThis year is the "Big One". The old-fashioned Griswold family cross country loop from SoCal to Smokies, to Williamsburg, to DC & Gettysburg, Chicago, Wall Drug, Mt Rushmore, Salt Lake and home.
I cant wait!!
Sounds like a great trip though I do have one question. Why Wall Drug? Not exactly what I would call a "must see". Just curious.
Don't know how much time you will spend in DC but the Air/Space portion of the Smithsonian is fantastic and you need to make a trip to the Vietnam Memorial. I don't know anyone personally that died in Vietnam but the times that I have been there it was a moving experience. Not just because of all the names but the cards, letters and gifts that people leave there and seeing people search for names they know and seeing how they react. If a visit there doesn't get a person emotional, they have no feelings.
Enjoy the trip and I think I can speak for most of us when I say we will be looking forward to the pictures from that trip!
Quote from: AZsixWhy Wall Drug? Not exactly what I would call a "must see".
Don't knock Wall Drug :) When DW and I moved to Idaho from OH, we couldn't wait to get to Wall Drug. We had a picture of her dad as a kid on the stuffed bucking bronco from a family vacation to Yellowstone in the 50's and couldn't wait to get to the picture of her on it to send him. We started seeing signs for Wall Drug outside of Rochester, Minnesota (Kinda like "The Thing" in AZ). We also got caught in a "prairie boomer" - a wicked thunder and hail storms that moved in in minutes and was gone about as fast. I have never seen anything like it in my life. Plus Wall Drug has free Ice Water.
While you are on your trip, make sure you stop at the Corn Palace. It is about as cheesy Americana as it gets and not far from Wall (by cross country standards).
Wow....I envy those of you who are so organized that you have so many plans in effect for the year. We're much the spur of the moment type...especially now that my mom travels with us after a massive stroke...but to Pricerj...we're close to Pohick and are there quite often for weekend trips.....let us know if there is anything you need help with when you are in the area..... It's a really nice campground and I have lots of pics on my webshots page!
Our camper has been in for a bit of warranty work and we should get it back in the next couple of days. I can't wait to just have it in the back yard for my "escape time". LOL I love to just go out and pretend to be "away".
Happy New Year to all...............a bit late but a great camping season hoped for all!!!
Quote from: TroutBumDon't knock Wall Drug :) When DW and I moved to Idaho from OH, we couldn't wait to get to Wall Drug. We had a picture of her dad as a kid on the stuffed bucking bronco from a family vacation to Yellowstone in the 50's and couldn't wait to get to the picture of her on it to send him. We started seeing signs for Wall Drug outside of Rochester, Minnesota (Kinda like "The Thing" in AZ). We also got caught in a "prairie boomer" - a wicked thunder and hail storms that moved in in minutes and was gone about as fast. I have never seen anything like it in my life. Plus Wall Drug has free Ice Water.
I can understand wanting to get a picture to carry on the tradition. It's just that Wall Drug to me wouldn't warrant a stop unless I was going by. I know what you mean by the signs though. I have driven through there many times in my previous life driving truck over the road. I don't know if anyone can beat the number of signs that "Pedro's South of the Border" has though. I believe it's in SC.
We are considering Yellowstone in June, but after reading this thread there are SO MANY cool places to see it's tough to make a decision! :D
Quote from: A2SuperCrewWe are considering Yellowstone in June, but after reading this thread there are SO MANY cool places to see it's tough to make a decision! :D
I know exactly what you mean. There are so many places I want to go to but don't have enough time. The good part about that is that with all the great places to visit it's hard to make a wrong choice.
Quote from: AZsixSounds like a great trip though I do have one question. Why Wall Drug? Not exactly what I would call a "must see". Just curious.!
I've driven that section before and Wall Drug is one of those hokey tourist stops that kids will remember forever. Its not really the destination just a good break along the way.
If you know about any "House of Mud" or "World's Second Largest Ball of Twine" attractions let me know. As a kid I remember being amazed seeing a guy wrestle a "viscious" alligator at a pen behind a Florida gas station. Ah America.....
We plan on going to Ashland, Oregon first week in April. There is a great campground about 5 miles out of town on a lake. We were there last year with our daughter and her family. Lots of stuff to do and Ashland is a great little town.
Quote from: campdaddy. You also have Huestin Woods to your West. We've camped there a couple of times without complaint but some people don't care much for it. I think it depend mostly on the site you get.
We are considering Hueston Woods for Easter, weather allowing. We have never been there, but the website states showers are available year-around, and the Resort looks like it offers an Easter Buffet. (We were at General Butler for Thanksgiving, and O'Bannon Woods for Easter last year. Because of Easter being earlier this year, O'Bannon Woods won't be open yet.)
Quote from: AZsixI can understand wanting to get a picture to carry on the tradition. It's just that Wall Drug to me wouldn't warrant a stop unless I was going by. I know what you mean by the signs though. I have driven through there many times in my previous life driving truck over the road. I don't know if anyone can beat the number of signs that "Pedro's South of the Border" has though. I believe it's in SC.
Been to the both of them and for a tacky atmosphere, Pedro's wins hands down but they have a real nice campground out in back. Have stayed there a couple of times in our travels.
Wall Drug is more of a shopping adventure but we found it fun to spend some time there when we were visiting the Badlands. Kids enjoyed the place. Second time it was just DW and I and we enjoyed it.
I do have to admit that both advertise along the highways for miles and they can be a bit tacky.
We have been to both places a couple of times. Wall Drug gives you a free glass of water and I think coffee may still be a nickel.
April- Highmeadow Campground in Hershey, Pa
Memorial Weekend- Caledonia State Park in Pa
June- Roundtop Campground Gettysburg, Pa
July 4th weekend- Seven Points Campground Raystown Lake, Pa
August- Greenbriar State Park,Maryland
Labor Day Weekend- Gettysburg Campground Gettysburg, Pa
End Of September- Frontiertown Campground Ocean city, Maryland
October- Happy Hills Campground Hancock Maryland
That's all that's planned for now...If we could only get rid of winter.
Hey there Lifeangel. I am also in Western Maryland. I live near Frostburg. Send me an email to let me know where you are.
My sisters and our daughters have 4 trips planned this year . 2 are to MIS for the NASCAR races (dry camping). The others are to Mackinaw City MI, to walk the annual 5 mile bridge walk on Labor Day , and in July we will be having our 2nd annual girls weekend/canoe trip. We always have a great time.
March: JP Coleman State Park
April: Defeated Creek- With the TennesseeKampers
That's all the plans for now...but to us, that's the beauty of a popup....the ability to go at the spur of the moment.