I've had friends and family rave about Stone Mountain in Georgia so while I was in Atlanta about three weeks ago on business I decided to drive up to Stone Mountain to check it out. I was mainly interested in seeing the campground. I found the loop around the mountain to be a pretty drive with the lake always in view, but the campground didn't seem to be very well laid out. The campground was vertually empty when I was there, but the sites seemed to be stacked one on top of the other with very little if any brush or growth between sites to give you even the slightest privacy. To camp on the lake your only option seemed to be setting up your pop up parallel to the street leaving you only 4 to 5 feet from the street. I think the rates there are something like $25 to $30 per night for a site. I don't think I will be camping there after my visit. It just shows you that one persons idea of a great campground can be another persons nightmare.
CajunCamper
Quote from: CajunCamperI've had friends and family rave about Stone Mountain in Georgia so while I was in Atlanta about three weeks ago on business I decided to drive up to Stone Mountain to check it out. I was mainly interested in seeing the campground. I found the loop around the mountain to be a pretty drive with the lake always in view, but the campground didn't seem to be very well laid out. The campground was vertually empty when I was there, but the sites seemed to be stacked one on top of the other with very little if any brush or growth between sites to give you even the slightest privacy. To camp on the lake your only option seemed to be setting up your pop up parallel to the street leaving you only 4 to 5 feet from the street. I think the rates there are something like $25 to $30 per night for a site. I don't think I will be camping there after my visit. It just shows you that one persons idea of a great campground can be another persons nightmare.
CajunCamper
Thanks for the critique, My family and I were talking about camping there. I'm with you on that campng stacked on each other is not somethinig I care for either.
THANKS :tent:
Most Campgrounds seem to be crowding in too tightly for my PUP liking. The 5W and bus crowd don't mind because they never come out of the house anyway, but I like to live outside and sleep inside. I'm 6'2" so I need more than 5 feet between campers.
Quote from: McCampersThe 5W and bus crowd don't mind because they never come out of the house anyway...
What is it with them??? If they are going to stay inside and watch their big screen TV why not just stay home or get a motel room? Isn't camping about being in the outdoors? But then again, I'm new to camping, so what do I know... :D
I ain't figured it out. Stay in the house, stay at home. I would anyway. It's alot cheaper than buying a wheelable house and all the crap to go with it. I suppose its their HOME away from Home.
Quote from: McCampersI ain't figured it out. Stay in the house, stay at home. I would anyway. It's alot cheaper than buying a wheelable house and all the crap to go with it. I suppose its their HOME away from Home.
yeah but now they come out all the time.. because some of those huge motor homes we are seeing now have that big 42 inch plasma on the outside... so they are outside watching their freaking nascar or some wacked out DVD's... under their awnings.. seems a bit over the top for camping..
Back in my tent camping days I had wanted to camp there - great views as well as trails and activities. Some day might make it.
Quote from: wayneryeah but now they come out all the time.. because some of those huge motor homes we are seeing now have that big 42 inch plasma on the outside... so they are outside watching their freaking nascar or some wacked out DVD's... under their awnings.. seems a bit over the top for camping..
Yeah I've seen some of those monster TVs and the whole cooking unit pulls right out the side too. I wonder if the designers wanted to trick them into actually coming out of their houses? I see more and more satelite dishes for campers of all sizes. I see them used by PUPs as well. We carry a personal DVD player in case it rains, and an Ipod stereo cause I gotta have my tunes, but that's it. I like to be outside in it, even if I'm only sitting around reading a book.
Quote from: CajunCamperI've had friends and family rave about Stone Mountain in Georgia....but the sites seemed to be stacked one on top of the other with very little if any brush or growth between sites to give you even the slightest privacy. To camp on the lake your only option seemed to be setting up your pop up parallel to the street leaving you only 4 to 5 feet from the street....CajunCamper
I agree with you. I've driven through the CG twice while in Atlanta, but I've never camped there. The sites do seem small, and some sites are very unlevel. I probably would not choose to camp there unless I got to pick my site.
Quote from: butterflyfishWhat is it with them??? If they are going to stay inside and watch their big screen TV why not just stay home or get a motel room? Isn't camping about being in the outdoors? But then again, I'm new to camping, so what do I know... :D
I agree. We camped at a KOA a few weeks ago in Charleston, S.C. we were placed next to a row or 5 or 6 diesel pushers. All of them were from CA, on our last day they started leaving around 4 am..:( ... of course waking my wife and I. The few days we overlapped with them only 1 couple, mainly the DH, were seen outside the motorhome. The rest of them we never saw step foot out of their rigs. Whats the point?:yikes:
Quote from: Old StarcraftThe rest of them we never saw step foot out of their rigs. Whats the point?:yikes:
Those folks aren't campers, they're RVers.
This is one of the reasons I choose those far away, remote, camping places (certainly not "sites"), as those type of rigs simply cannot get back in to. And then when I do choose a regular NFS C/G (without electrical hook-ups), I get to the far away sites not meant for large TT's, 5th wheelers or motor homes.
On the other hand, when traveling between "point A" to "point B", and have to lay over for the night, then will pull into a K.O.A. type place. Also, have had some business at a particular place and sought out a C/G not too far away, so I could spend the night in the PU rather than at some over-priced hotel/motel, in a strange bed of only God knows what has gone on there. Much, much, rather spend the night in my Starcraft's comfee bunk ... and that's another reason I have a popup.
Fly
Quote from: flyfishermanThis is one of the reasons I choose those far away, remote, camping places (certainly not "sites"), as those type of rigs simply cannot get back in to. And then when I do choose a regular NFS C/G (without electrical hook-ups), I get to the far away sites not meant for large TT's, 5th wheelers or motor homes.
On the other hand, when traveling between "point A" to "point B", and have to lay over for the night, then will pull into a K.O.A. type place. Also, have had some business at a particular place and sought out a C/G not too far away, so I could spend the night in the PU rather than at some over-priced hotel/motel, in a strange bed of only God knows what has gone on there. Much, much, rather spend the night in my Starcraft's comfee bunk ... and that's another reason I have a popup.
Fly
Fly I couldn't agree with you more. I am the same way when it comes to selecting a campground or a campsite. When scouting out a campground, I always look for the areas where the big rigs can't get into, and that includes TT and 5ers.
CajunCamper
-
Yep, there's a big difference between campers and RV'ers! Think I'll stick with camping. :D
Quote from: flyfishermanThis is one of the reasons I choose those far away, remote, camping places (certainly not "sites"), as those type of rigs simply cannot get back in to. And then when I do choose a regular NFS C/G (without electrical hook-ups), I get to the far away sites not meant for large TT's, 5th wheelers or motor homes.
Fly
Sometimes you can talk Ranger Rick (or Ruth) into letting you into the tent area.
So do you all feel like you have to have a fire to be camping as well? I like a fire, but it isn't an absolute must. I would prefer a fire though.
Quote from: McCampersSo do you all feel like you have to have a fire to be camping as well? I like a fire, but it isn't an absolute must. I would prefer a fire though.
We like a fire too. Sometimes when we are at places that prohibit fires or when rain keeps us under our awning, we will put a small amount of wood chunks in the bbq (Weber Smokey Joe) and make a very teeny fire. We only use the wood that's 'food grade' sold for barbecuing/smoking (the hickory or apple chips) since we do use that grill to make food as well & I'm paranoid about such things.
I think it depends also on what the park/surrounding area has to offer.
For example, we often camp at Delaware Seashore State Park. The campground is little different from the setup at a Nascar infield (I've never been to one but from seeing on tv the campers are just as close, just this has full hookups (that's another subject I might comment on one of the other threads)) Anyway. There aren't any trees or privacy except for the fact that the sites are aligned so that the door of your camper faces the back of the neighboring one. You have a 12-foot wide 'yard' with a picnic table. It's an understatement to say it feels crowded and cramped.
However, what we LOVE is that we can walk to the beach (where we spend 95% of our time), walk to the inlet to fish/look at the boats, etc. or just walk around the perimeter of the campground and look out over the marsh at the osprey nesting platforms and egrets. This outweighs the claustrophobia.
Likewise with Assateague - we don't have a camper toilet or shower, so we use the public ones (a porta potti and porta shower with cold water only). Both are usually in poor condition. Camping right over the dune from the beach is worth it to us (and makes me extra thankful to be back home in my own bathroom!)
Beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder! It's interesting to hear all the different opinions on this!
Quote from: McCampersSo do you all feel like you have to have a fire to be camping as well? I like a fire, but it isn't an absolute must. I would prefer a fire though.
I feel the same way. Fires perform a social function as a gathering place and a sign of welcome. In the winter, well, we keep one going all day. (In my tenting days, we kept one going all night using an automatic, gravity feed for adding logs.)
Also, as any camp chef knows, there's a big difference between a campfire and a cook fire.
I'm hoping to have a fire at my camping Mother's Day Weekend. I have a 4 foot roasting fork that I've only got to use once since I got it. I can do enough mallow for 4 half bar smores at the same time. Plus I don't have to get close enough to fry my face. I can sit there in my folding chair and roast the mallow all nite!
This is why DH and I try to put pictures of campgrounds we visit on our website. That way people can actually SEE what the campground looks like. We don't like the crowded, stacked on top of each other campgrounds either.....we try to visit and get pictures of campgrounds in the areas we visit. It's stopped us from making reservations at a couple of places we'd have ended up hating that came highly recommended.
Have to chuckle a bit because I use to feel the same way about the big rigs, but now I am in the "tin can" crowd.
Four popups, one hybrid and now the tt.
Time marches on, camping needs and wants change, lifestyles change without you realizing it.
Snowbirding in a popup for three months might not be as comfortable as doing it in a tt or something else.
No, I am not flaming anyone about what their views are, just cautioning that you may find yourselves in a tin can or other type of RV as you go through the different stages of your lives.
DW and I are enjoying our Golden Age camping years in the tt. :)
Yes we have seen or almost seen the people in the big rigs pull in and disappear and we have also made some very good friends and enjoyed outside time with some of the big rig owners. It is simply different strokes for different folks.
Quote from: GeneFHave to chuckle a bit because I use to feel the same way about the big rigs, but now I am in the "tin can" crowd.
Four popups, one hybrid and now the tt.QUOTE]
I see ya still hang out with the kool guys & gals here though.......Shredder
Quote from: ShredderQuote from: GeneFHave to chuckle a bit because I use to feel the same way about the big rigs, but now I am in the "tin can" crowd.
Four popups, one hybrid and now the tt.QUOTE]
I see ya still hang out with the kool guys & gals here though.......Shredder
Shredder
I have been in this campground for so long, I forgot the way out. :)
And, let me be the first to say:
Gene is one of the "kool kids" and we don't want him to leave!
Quote from: GeneFShredder
I have been in this campground for so long, I forgot the way out. :)
Kewl :!
Quote from: GeneFHave to chuckle a bit because I use to feel the same way about the big rigs, but now I am in the "tin can" crowd.
Four popups, one hybrid and now the tt.
Time marches on, camping needs and wants change, lifestyles change without you realizing it.
Snowbirding in a popup for three months might not be as comfortable as doing it in a tt or something else.
No, I am not flaming anyone about what their views are, just cautioning that you may find yourselves in a tin can or other type of RV as you go through the different stages of your lives.
DW and I are enjoying our Golden Age camping years in the tt. :)
Yes we have seen or almost seen the people in the big rigs pull in and disappear and we have also made some very good friends and enjoyed outside time with some of the big rig owners. It is simply different strokes for different folks.
Oh I'm with you GeneF and agree 100%. None of us know how our camping needs and styles will change over the years. But for us, right now, we camp to enjoy nature and the peace and quiet that comes along with camping in areas that the big rigs really can't get to. I also like to fish quiet waters or as we call it skinny water in my kayak where you don't find the 80 mph bass boats, ski boats and jet skis. I have nothing personal against those that enjoy fishing from a bass boat, I just don't want to be around them while I'm kayak fishing.
GeneF I have no doubt that if you and I were neighbors in a campground, we could get along great because I know that you have respect for all of your fellow campers and understand what someone camping in a tent or a pop up hopes to experience on a camping trip. But from my personal experience I stand a much better chance of enjoying my camping experience if I stay away from the big rigs.
Nothing personal.
CajunCamper
Quote from: CajunCamperOh I'm with you GeneF and agree 100%. None of us know how our camping needs and styles will change over the years. But for us, right now, we camp to enjoy nature and the peace and quiet that comes along with camping in areas that the big rigs really can't get to. I also like to fish quiet waters or as we call it skinny water in my kayak where you don't find the 80 mph bass boats, ski boats and jet skis. I have nothing personal against those that enjoy fishing from a bass boat, I just don't want to be around them while I'm kayak fishing.
GeneF I have no doubt that if you and I were neighbors in a campground, we could get along great because I know that you have respect for all of your fellow campers and understand what someone camping in a tent or a pop up hopes to experience on a camping trip. But from my personal experience I stand a much better chance of enjoying my camping experience if I stay away from the big rigs.
Nothing personal.
CajunCamper
and no offense taken because I know what you mean.
As for the fishing, I love to flyfish and have been doing it for about 20 years.
As for the bass boat, in June, I will be heading up North to fish with two buddies for a week. The three of us have been doing this for about 10 years. I bring the trailer, another guy brings his boat (40 hp and about 16 feet) other guy does the dishes. Pure heaven for a week.
In the local area, I enjoy fishing for trout and bass from my kayak. We have several ponds that do not allow more than 6 hp motors.
I have also spent a few days with one of these guys flyfishing nor thern NH streams.
I know where you are coming from and have enjoyed some of those experiences myself.
As for the guys in the big rigs, I have a lot of respect for them also. Because of the big rig guys, I have learned to surf fish and to crab plus some other things. Yes, I have found the money guys and the guys and gals that are the same as dw and I. Thoroughly enjoy their company.
I agree that some big riggers can be a pain but I have learned that many of them are as down to earth as dw and I.