A Findley Discovery

The park was a very open with somewhat quite camp sites, Thou at nights you can hear the train yard not far down the road. The Park offers lake swimming, shared sites. Some sites now have electricity and the showers The main bath house was somewhat clean and offered many stalls and showers. The site's roads are well maintained and allows for biking and hiking around the forest and many paths allow shortcuts to the lake and amphitheater. The rates are what I would call Average for the sites indemnities. There was firewood at the checkin station and was very inexpensive. Over all impression of the campground, was a bit not amused. Even with the site's many upgrades, it still lacks in upkeep and maintenance

A Hide Away Apart From The Rest

While traveling the blue ridge parkway, Stayed at another camp site near the parkway and even passed the Linville Falls Campground more then once. We decided to stop for the night. We weren't disappointed. The site are very private and quite. Our body's and soul's seem to drift into the forest surroundings and escape the everyday stress filled events. Listening and bird watch is your hobby? This is the place, one can notice, many verities of birds including: Indigo Buntings, Goldfinch, and Wood Thrush with an accessional song from a cat bird in the distance. After about 7:00 p.m. est the parkway slows down and you can finally hear your heart beat. So for a "real" escape try Linville Falls Campground today.

Surprising Stay At KOA

Although this took place many years ago, when I first met my wife. We drove to Bar Harbor Maine to stay at "another" camp ground which turned out had floored a few nights before. Luckily was were able to get a refund and decided to stay at this KOA Site. We setup our tent unknowing what would happen in the morning. The tide came in and we woke up with water less then two feet away from our tent. KOA Stepped forward and offered Us Another spot which was more romantic then the one we had selected on our own. We will Always remember the morning getting up peering out through the trees and through dense fog.. The Chill, Rain or Fog deuter our spirits and This KOA Made Sure Of that.

Re: Soon To Be Posting "Gluten Free" Camp Fire Recipes

I am a fulltimer who has been on a gluten free diet for a 1 ½ years now and would love to have some new recipes. Thanks for sharing.

Re: Soon To Be Posting "Gluten Free" Camp Fire Recipes

Well actually we have Chicken and dumplings as first on this list.. and I'll speak with wife on the aspect of making cookies on the open flame.. Never attempted it, but worth giving it a try. Been looking into a smaller 2 or 3 serving Dutch over made by Lewis and Clark.

Thank you for giving us something to look forward to ourself.

Attraction Or Tourist Trap

There is a fine line between an Attraction and a Tourist trap. yet we all have our own point of views on this subject. Many of use tend to mouth off at one shop or attraction soon after we had been taken. (which is a good thing) or the fact that its unclear what is an attraction and a trap. Points of interest tend to be attractions, While traps tend to be those little places leading up to the attractions.

Case in point: Tweetsie railroad, NC Once was a great attraction.. But has since turned into a tourist trap. Prices have increased.. The parking has decreased and I recall instance (not just at Tweetsie railroad, but other attractions) where Nails have been left in the parking lot in an attempt to keep you there a bit longer. Sure we all get nails in our tires.. But what About Broken knife blades while driving to see Grandfather Mountain. No I'm not saying these Attractions are at fault.. or do this things only happen to us while we are vacationing.

So what can be determined an attraction or a trap.. Well first off one must understand that Most Attractions are "State Maintained" to some degree or another.. While The traps on the other hand are more Privately own and operated or just outside or near the State maintained areas. Again its all a point of view. So if your unclear on what is or what isn't Contact The states tourist bureau for more details or visit their .gov web site.

No In mot saying that all attractions or Tourist sites are traps or vice versa.. but one needs to use common since when booking a camp ground.. Renting and RV.. or taking a day trip. For us, is more like We leave when we get the feeling. and sometimes this can be costly as well as a longer then expected drive. Thous is or was it worth it?.. Sure we have relatives in all parts of the eastern seaboard. Even at times they can be just as much of a tourist trap then anything we have ever experienced while on the road.

Soon To Be Posting "Gluten Free" Camp Fire Recipes

My wife and I are diligently working a few Gluten Free recipes that can be adapted for use at the camp site and doesn't require allot of preparation before hand. Thou we have all winter to work something up, I'll be sure to post here as well as Our JeepLife 2"s site. So Hang in there until then.

Ground To Hard For You?.. I've Got It Covered

Because of my lower back pain.. which stems from my fathers side of the family, It's sort like having hip displasica, some times painful, but more over can and I have contorted it with Proper exercise and strengthening.

Our last outing wasn't so pleasant. Staying at the Enota Mountain Retreat, In GA I found myself with major back pain due lifting some gem mining buckets at a local Gem Mine.. Most of these buckets had been filled with rocks instead of the typical sand or silt product. I felt like Charlie Brown On Halloween. "Say Charlie, What Did You Get In Your Trick Or Treat Bag?".. "All I Got Was A Rock".

Anyway.. I've been biding my time and biting my tongue on this cleaver way to soften the ground while camping.. Most hardware stores like Lowe's or Home depot have foam "Gold's Gym Exercise Pads" which lock together like giant puzzle pieces. Some come in array of playful colors squares measuring 2' x 2' while more are a more natural color or shade of gray or black. These mats are most commonly used in basements as excise floors and kids play areas.

We Set up tent, took some measurements and determined that we needed four packs of four mats each.. which would covered the entire floor surface area of the tent. Heading back into town. We located the nearest Home deport (which at the time was the closest to our camp site) and bought the packs of mats. Selecting the gray colors mats over the kid friendly "Day Glow Green, Red Yellow and Blue" Which came to roughly $28.00 per pack. (Found out Wal-Mart has them cheaper, But it was to late to complain)

Arriving back at the camp ground.. We moved the tend aside.. and began placing the 2 x 2 puzzle mats down on the ground.. then picking up the tent and setting it directly on top of the mats. It worked! Thou the mats offer some comfort more so then the ground. They do offer a thermal barrier as well.. Not sure the "R-Value" but we did feel warmer that night.

Next season, We will go into more detail about how one is to carry this much foam padding and have some pictures to boot:
Our JeepLife 2's Web site

It's Almost Time To Put On Those "Libby Hill" Shirts

This is a good indication of what to expect.. for weeks we muddle about going to work.. saving money and one day I notice my wife putting on her Libby Hill sea food shirt. This is a clear indication that she is hungry. Not just for the sea food (which is locate in and around North Carolina and Virgina) but that she is hungry for the road. Sure she dives back and forth to work.. You know same ole same ole.. But when she puts on that shirt.. this tells me It's my turn to drive.

Even though this is just a weekend trip.. and our Camping season is over.. We always keep and eye out for place yet discovered along back roads and less travel highways for those camp grounds, attractions etc. But one thing remains the same and a constant, Libby Hill Sea Food. I give them a call a few days before leaving Just to let them know we are heading their way and of course they are always ready and willing to greet us.

Not many can say this to someone who has driven 8 plus hours just for some Sea food. So next time your down south.. check into the 11 Libby Hill sea food locations in and about North Carolina and Virgina. Tell them "Our JeepLife" Sent you.

Re: What is a good Emergency Road Service Plan?

True, AAA has many options when it pertains to road side assistance. As with any plan.. there are fees so don't let anything or anyone fool you about what maybe right or wrong for you. Your main issue is the fact your interested in knowing if your F150 can tow a fifth wheel.. Best see if the F150 have a towing package.. and check to see (at sites which have the data you need in the vehicles towing capacity)

Typically one use to call and wait for an AAA truck to arrive.. and this still holds true, and the time delay can vary. However I have noticed many states now have AAA stores locate din around major highways. This means they can get to you faster. Beside not a day goes by when I do not see a AAA truck, van, car Carrier. No I'm not an expert on this.. But I have had a AAA account since 1982.. but never had to use it. (Knock On Wood) but its good to know they are there.