My friends bought a campground

[Weezy]

I am very excited. Two of my best friends just bought a campground. The campground was once a Jellystone, but then became It's A Wonderful Life. It is in Arcadia off of I-81 (not too far from Lexington and Natural Bridge). The place needs some work, which they have already started. I am so happy for them, this has always been a dream of theirs. I am excited since it is so close to Roanoke, where I live. They are planning to call it Middle Creek Campground. As soon as I have more information, I will post it!
Elizabeth (1969)
Rich(1967)
Caitlin (1999)
Jared (2002)
1992 Starcraft Starflyer
2005 Honda Pilot

[brainpause]

How exciting!

I've always thought that might be fun, but I bet it would cut into my own camping time!

Larry

[Weezy]

Yes, I know! These are the friends that I always go camping with. They are planning to live there, so it will not seem like camping for them anymore! It will also be a huge amount of work. I admire them for doing it. They are so excited! I hope they make a go of it.

[GemmySan]

Sounds real good.  If I get the opportunity to stop there and spend a few days with them, I will let them know you sent us.

My wife's cousin will be work camping in VA again this year and my wife is going to fly down to San Antonio in April and spend a couple of weeks in her Class A driving back to VA.  She's a remarkable gal - 71 years young and drives that rig and tows a Jeep Cherokee toad.  Been all over and just loves what she does.  Anyway, we hope to spend some time camping with her as well as other locations in VA.  Perhaps our paths will cross.

Jimmy and Sandy, also Roanokers

[Weezy]

Yes, I hope you can swing by! They are so cute, planning what to put in the store. They have been working on a campground logo. I hope to camp the 1st of April. My husband will be in Greensboro, and he doesn't like the idea of me going camping without him. We'll just see about that! My kids need to see an independent Mommy! As a Roanoker, where do you camp most often? We tried Natural Bridge Jellystone, Montebello, and Fairy Stone last summer. I liked Fairy Stone the best. Montebello was beautiful, but quite a mountainous climb. I am definitely the camper in the family. My husband really doesn't mind it, but he thinks it is a huge production for what he says amounts to "Living like a homeless person for the weekend." I love it. And the children do as well!

[brainpause]

I assume they don't have a website yet. Why don't you have them take some pictures and scan their logo, and we'll do a little publicity here for them.

Larry

[vjm1639]

Yes, I hope you can swing by! They are so cute, planning what to put in the store. They have been working on a campground logo. I hope to camp the 1st of April. My husband will be in Greensboro, and he doesn't like the idea of me going camping without him. We'll just see about that! My kids need to see an independent Mommy! As a Roanoker, where do you camp most often? We tried Natural Bridge Jellystone, Montebello, and Fairy Stone last summer. I liked Fairy Stone the best. Montebello was beautiful, but quite a mountainous climb. I am definitely the camper in the family. My husband really doesn't mind it, but he thinks it is a huge production for what he says amounts to "Living like a homeless person for the weekend." I love it. And the children do as well!

Weezy...if you liked Fairy Stone, try just a very few miles past that at Goose Point...doesn't get much better than that in my opinion! :>
 
Look forward to seeing/hearing more about the new campground your friends are opening.  I wish them the very best!  :>

[stateparkgrl]

Weezy, if your DH likes fishing - he can stay busy while you camp at Douthat State Park in Clifton Forge. It's a beautiful park with lots to do for you and the kids..and if he really doesn't like "roughing it" - they have a real good restaurant.

[springer02]

Douthat State Park is our all time favorite place to camp.  Like stateparkgirl said, it's a gorgeous park with lots to do -- the fishing is awesome, I even catch trout.  (If I can catch them, anyone can!)

We also like Loft Mountain on Skyline Drive.  It's a bit of a steep drive to get there but the park is wonderful, not much to do, but watching the deer and bear make up for it.

Tena

[ColemanCampingFamily]

Yes, I hope you can swing by! They are so cute, planning what to put in the store. They have been working on a campground logo. I hope to camp the 1st of April. My husband will be in Greensboro, and he doesn't like the idea of me going camping without him. We'll just see about that! My kids need to see an independent Mommy! As a Roanoker, where do you camp most often? We tried Natural Bridge Jellystone, Montebello, and Fairy Stone last summer. I liked Fairy Stone the best. Montebello was beautiful, but quite a mountainous climb. I am definitely the camper in the family. My husband really doesn't mind it, but he thinks it is a huge production for what he says amounts to "Living like a homeless person for the weekend." I love it. And the children do as well!

Please let me know when it opens. I live in Lynchburg, and because of my DH's work schedule, me and my DS will be camping on our own some. We usually camp at Otter Creek or Peaks of Otter, but I am looking for a new place.

I am hoping that we have our camper ready for April 1st....we received it as a gift back in September, and since it wasn't "camping ready", we haven't taken her out yet. I can't wait!!!

___________________
DW (69) :U
DH (67) :!
DS (00)  :Z

1985 Coleman Aspen AKA "Patches"

[Weezy]

They are planning to open the March 31-April 1 weekend. The place really got run down with the former owners, but my friends are really trying to make a lot improvements. They have invested so much money and time already! I hope they are very successful with it. I noticed that you and I are both born in 1969, and your son and my daughter are close in age. She is Sept. 1999. Too cool! I also have a son who will be four in April. Do you camp solo? I am in the same boat, wanting to go camping soon, but DH has other plans for that weekend. I am trying to get some other folks to go. I am not really worried about taking the kids alone, but DH doesn't like it! They are calling the place Middle Creek Campground. It is about a 10 minute drive from the Arcadia exit off of I81. I am going down there this Saturday to help paint. My kids go to play with their best friends (who are six and four). Let me know if you are going to try to go that weekend.

Please let me know when it opens. I live in Lynchburg, and because of my DH's work schedule, me and my DS will be camping on our own some. We usually camp at Otter Creek or Peaks of Otter, but I am looking for a new place.

I am hoping that we have our camper ready for April 1st....we received it as a gift back in September, and since it wasn't "camping ready", we haven't taken her out yet. I can't wait!!!

___________________
DW (69) :U
DH (67) :!
DS (00)  :Z

1985 Coleman Aspen AKA "Patches"

[ColemanCampingFamily]

Can you give me the street and city that the campground is located at so that I can mapquest it? I am a little hesitant about driving on I81 with a camper...especially since it will be my first time!!

I do plan on camping that weekend, weather permitting, of course! I will more than likely be alone with the little one, but that isn't a problem. I used to camp all by myself before we were married (of course, my mother didn't think it was such a good idea, lol), and have even ventured out a few times with just the kid. Well, I say alone, but I don't count my husband showing up at midnight as really being there.

Anyway, I will keep checking this thread for your reply. By the way, how did the painting, etc. go?

_______________________

DW (69)
 :usflag:
DH (67)  :!
DS (00)  :Y

1985 Coleman Aspen (AKA "Patches")

[Weezy]

Basically, you get off at the Arcadia exit, turn right, drive 4-5 miles, turn left on Middle Creek Road (Buchanan Virginia). The campground is just up that road 1164 is the street number. They are close to having their website finished. I'll post a link soon. They are primarily trying to renovate the store since that will be the base of operation. They have an excavator working also. The previous owner thought it would be nice to make some money clearing an entire hillside. I guess he made some cash, but left a huge mess. It's sad because my friends are paying over $20,000 in fees to the excavator. They bought the place knowing it needed a lot of work. My friend's husband is living there 24/7 working to get it ready. She comes up Friday with the kids and stays all weekend. Some of the campers who have yearly sites have pitched in to help. They have a lot of long range plans. It is just a shame that the previous owner cared so little for the place. I used to camp there years ago, before my kids were born. It ajoins the National Forest, and there are a lot good fishing streams. They have 2 ponds, a pool, horseshoes, and are working to build a new pavillion. It has a way to go, but it has so much potential. I hope a lot of people give it a chance. I just had the bearings packed on my pop today. I am looking forward to getting out there soon. If you were coming from Lynchburg, you could cut over to Rt.11 and come that way. You would never have to even get on 81. I hate driving on 81 too, even without the camper!

Can you give me the street and city that the campground is located at so that I can mapquest it? I am a little hesitant about driving on I81 with a camper...especially since it will be my first time!!

I do plan on camping that weekend, weather permitting, of course! I will more than likely be alone with the little one, but that isn't a problem. I used to camp all by myself before we were married (of course, my mother didn't think it was such a good idea, lol), and have even ventured out a few times with just the kid. Well, I say alone, but I don't count my husband showing up at midnight as really being there.

Anyway, I will keep checking this thread for your reply. By the way, how did the painting, etc. go?

_______________________

DW (69)
 :usflag:
DH (67)  :!
DS (00)  :Y

1985 Coleman Aspen (AKA "Patches")

[Weezy]

Here is the website for my friend's campground. They just got it up and running yesterday!

http://www.middlecreekcampground.com/

Due to a death in the family, we were unable to go there this weekend, but we hope to go in the next few weeks. This warm weather is just beautiful!

[GemmySan]

... but I am looking for a new place...

Have you been to Paradise Lake CG between Lynchburg and Appomattox?
 
 Jimmy and Sandy