Pine Grove, PA KOA Nov. 19th weekend

[copcarguy]

Hey all!
 
We're planning on going to Pine Grove KOA this Friday through Sunday or even Monday.  We're on vacation from the 19th to the 29th of November and figure we can get in one more weekend in the PU.  I plan to winterize there...  We didn't make reservations because we wanted to see what the weather forecast was.  
 
Tracy - I haven't heard from you...  Are you guys still going??
 
PS - I heard that a new Bass Pro Shops store opened up in Harrisburg... is this do-able from Pine Grove??  We would like to check that out as we have been to Cabela's a few times from Pine Grove and would like to see something new.  The Bass Pro Shop we went to in Orlando, FL was totally cool and we're hoping to see this new one!!

[tlhdoc]

Hi Copcarguy,

I think I am coming.  Still waiting about the weather.  I might be solo.  The Bass Pro shop opens on the 18th, do you want to go?  It will be crowded.  This might be a good time to go to the Cabala's store.

[SheBantam]

I am not sure what I am doing. I want to go to Greenbelt NP and spend a few days touring DC and the Smithsonian, I have off Thanksgiving week. Greenbelt is dry camping...

[tlhdoc]

Paula this trip is not on Thanksgiving weekend.  It is this weekend coming up.  I am leaning toward going.

[copcarguy]

Tracy - I hope you can go...  Maybe Beckie can come by for the day if she's not gonna camp?  Tracy, you might be right about Bass Pro being a madhouse.  I would love to see it though since we'll be 3/4 of the way there.  Might be worth fighting off the crowds??  Work has been so stressful lately that whatever we do, I NEED a camping trip to become sane again.  I'm looking forward to having dinner in the Pine Grove restaurant at least once.  

PS - I just checked KOA.com and they're giving you a free bundle of firewood at Pine Grove!

[tlhdoc]

OK Rick I am in .  I told Beckie she could camp with me.  I don't know if she will camp or just come by and visit.  I will take my PU to work with me, so I should be there about 5 or a little later. If we go to Bass Pro shop can I ride with you?

[SheBantam]

Paula this trip is not on Thanksgiving weekend.  It is this weekend coming up.  I am leaning toward going.

Tracy,
I have off the whole Thanksgiving week.

I will not get off on Friday until around 5:00 or 6:00 PM, we have some emergencys that have come up with work and new applications that are going on line. My Chief administrator also made promises to the Director that "volunteers" our services since another critical application will not come up until March. I will be on Overtime/comptime (at straight time) until late on Friday. Looks like a 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM day today, when the mainframe is brought down for nightly processing. I would not be able to come up there until Saturday. We are talking a 3 hour drive...2 hours from here to Greenbelt, maybe a little longer if I take US 1 to avoid the tolls on I95.

I called Andrews AFB, all they have is dry camping sites left for this weekend and into next week. Plus they warned me that the check of the RV takes from 10 minutes to 3 hours.

Greenbelt NP seems to have the same type sites for $14.00/night. If I took Raymond (at least at check in) it would be $7.00/night.
Looks like I won't be heading North.

[MTNDAVE]

Hey boys and girls,

Well, our PU is put away for the winter (already had snow on the mountain) so camping is not an option this weekend.  Boo Hoo !!!!  We really do like this CG.
 
We did take this Friday off as we are traveling the weekend.  Actually we are stopping at Cabela's early on Friday morning on our way south.  Probably be in Gettysburg (my home town) by mid-afternoon, so looks like we will miss you.  How long is everybody staying as we will be heading back on Sunday and if anybody is staying over we will stop by.
 
WARNING.....This is the LAST pre-holiday weekend before deer season :yikes: and Cabela's will be jammed.  If you are going I would suggest being there when they open the doors.  We plan to do so on Friday.  Last year we went the same day and by 11:30am it was a mad house.:eyecrazy:
MtnDave & Sharon

[tlhdoc]

Rick I am assuming that you will be there before I will.  Please ask then to hold a site for my, next to you.

[MTNDAVE]

Hey guys,
 
After a busy weekend in Gettysburg we headed home.  Took a stab at dropping in on some PUT pals and detoured a bit to Pine Grove CG.  Arrived around 2:30pm on Sunday to find this is now a "Gated" campground.  Sign said to go in office to register as a visitor.  Seemd fair enough.  
 
Once inside I inquired to Rick & Tracy's locations.  They said Tracy had already headed out and they were not sure about Rick.  They informed me I was welcome to go on up and visit...... For $5.00 a person !!!!!!!  :yikes:
 
Although we would have liked to visit, a $10.00 go on in fee to see if you were even still there seemed a bit STEEP in my checkbook.  
 
Oh, they also told us if we planned on staying over it would even cost more.  Guess they didn't read the shocked look on my face from the first fee announcement.  
 
Hope you had a great time and sorry we missed out on seeing you.  
 
MtnDave & Sharon

[tlhdoc]

Hi Dave,

Yes the campground is gated.  I was able to get Beckie in for free last night, because I was on my own and the going rate includes 2 people.  Rick and Stephie paid for a late checkout and had until 6PM to leave.  They were just cooking breakfast at 1245 when I left for home.  Sorry we missed you.

[copcarguy]

Hello all - we're home safe!

Hey Dave sorry we missed you...  We left a little after 4pm.  I'm not feeling the gates, but I guess they have had some vandalism...  I don't see how the gates will stop that, as you can park in the parking lot and just walk in...  I guess the people vandalizing stuff must've come in by the car load.  :p   We had great sites, all the way up by the log cabin bathroom.  There was a nice little stream literally 20 feet behind our sites.  It was SO calming to hear that all night...  We'll be heading back there in early spring around Feb/March.
 
We also went to the grand opening of the new Bass Pro Shops in Harrisburg.  The radio was warning of massive traffic jams and crowds...  We went there, had a parking spot in under 2 minutes, and there were less people than a "normal" day at Cabela's.  We were thankful that the warning had scared off most people.

[SheBantam]

I am sitting in the Greenbelt Library, Still in DC. Greenbelt NP is OK, sites are not as level as the KOA I guess. Had deer in my site both mornings. And saw a fox dart in front of me.  Just think and this is INSIDE the beltway.

Well off for more walking around the Smithsonian in a bit. Raymond and Jeffrey insist on staying home, and Raymond said that I could stay through Thanksgiving if I wished. he almost pushed me out the front door on Saturday AM does not seem really thrilled that I might be coming back tomorrow. so maybe I will stay. Wsh you all could join me.

Found about the only level site side to side on the only open loop, I backed in and out of about 6 sites, I figured if I ahd my pick of the sites, then I wanted the one with the least work.

Talk to you all in a day or two or three...wish you all were here with a good campfire, this going to bedearly after reading by flash light gets old. I am not ne to traverse DC at night by myself.

Happy Thanksgiving,
Paula

[MTNDAVE]

Hey Rick,
 
After getting the admission fee speech we considered covertly walking in. As we went back towards the car I was aware that "eyes" were on us and even when we drove around the other end of the building an employee popped out the door and seemed to be observing.
 
I didn't want to make waves, especially since COTOC members (including myself) will be frequenting in the future. Must respect their (CG) rules, whatever the reason.
 
I considered bushwacking in from Goldmine road but neither Sharon nor I were in the mood or dressed to do so. There is always another time.
 
BTW....My sister called me on Friday morning and warned us about the traffic horror stories around Bass Pro.  It apparently was all over the TV.
 
We went to Cabela's on Friday and it wasn't crowded till mid afternoon.  Figured they all were at Bass Pro.  We took a chance and rolled by Bass Pro on Sunday without a hitch.  I WILL be making a trip down after the holidays.  What was yours and Tracy's opinion of Bass Pro as compared to Cabela's?  It's a bit more driving for us to get there.

[Adam]

Hello all - we're home safe!

Hey Dave sorry we missed you...  We left a little after 4pm.  I'm not feeling the gates, but I guess they have had some vandalism...


Rick, They are two reasons for the gates one is in order to receive a five star Woodall & TL Rating they must be a gated campground. Second is 1/3 of Twin Grove is seasonal so they expect some control who comes and who goes.

BTW they are almost fully booked for next year, we are booked there with fiends for the second weekend of June and in October. We also have friends that have a seasonal there and from what they told me last week, the owner is looking to start building an amusement park there over the next few years, they also just purchase 60 acres to add more sites next spring. Our kids love this campground and from the bookings where not alone.