Not For The Faint of Heart

Last summer, we wanted to take a trip to Asheville, NC and camp all the way down. Mind you, we're coming from southern Maryland. Several weeks before departing Maryland, we stopped at one of the local truck stops to grab a laminated travel map and overheard a couple of RVer's talking about Mama's Campground. All we heard was praise and decided we would have to check this campground out.

Hills and more hills. Not suited for man nor beast. The hills within the camping area really took a toll on our knees and back. Mind you, the tent camping was several meters away from any bathroom, so walking down the bathhouse was easy. The hard part was walking back up the steep hills afterward.

Two other issues crept up while camping there, First, while sitting in our chairs either early morning or late afternoon, we heard this thumping noise and what seem to be allot of bark on the top of our tent. Turns out we just so happened to have set up tent under a squirrels feeding area and they were dropping their leftovers all over us. Death from above as we called it..

Later that night we were entertained by a young lady who camped two sites above us. "Smelly Cat" as we later referred to her as, (song from Friends) decided to play her guitar as well as her flute at 10:00 pm est.

We're out of our element..*slaps forehead* this isn't a "tent camper campground" or for the faint of heart. RVers Welcome... Tent Campers Aren't.

We stayed here in a Tent.

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: One Night Camping

I believe this all relates to how old everyone is within your unit.. age is a big factor when it comes to youngsters.. a "Home Sick" feeling could set in.. then there is the one night camping issue.. seems a bit rush.. setup tear down.. at least do a short weekend once or twice then gradually extend the time to include a Friday or Monday or both..

Re: Ceiling covering

Long strips of double sited tape or velcro.. But in that instance, I would redo the whole ceiling instead of simply reusing the same ole repair job.

Official Suggestion Thread

The longer I stay, the more suggestions I'll submit.

Relocated From: HOW OLD IS CAMPING ROAD TRIP

A) I've noticed several forums including facebook and google having the "Like" or "Thumbs Up" options.. wonder if this will be incorporating in the near future.

B) I've noticed several users claiming to be a particular site host or simi Vendor to an alternate site.. I've submitted a request that they contact you in an effort to see if there is a way to actually verify that they are who they say they are with some sort of "star" or camping symbol.

C) It would seem there is a great need for a "classified" area. Thou some sort of rules will need to be set in place to protect those selling legit items form the posers.


D) Social Networks are ok.. but not all of use use the same formats. I personally do not like Facebook.. nor do I like Google+, However Google+ is manageable to the point where I'd like to see CampingRoadTrip there also.

Submit your comments or forum suggestions here.

Re: Getting Teens to Go Camping

Before the age of the home/personal computers, our camping experiences consisted of a cot placed under a clear plastic tarp suspended between two trees.. (no tent required). Now that the "toys" have taken over, we can't attract youth to our heritage. "Camping is to much of a chore" one youth told me.. they don't like the idea of being away from their friends or their game systems. Connectivity is the issue.. but sometime one just has to "unplug" and get away. Starting your kids off right, in the knowing that is a great world "outside" that awaits.

From Rock Crawl to Rock Hound

I suspect by now everyone has taken a look see at my avatar/profile.. and clearly there is a big reference to the "Jeep Wrangler" name plate. Thou I've never been rock crawling or extreme off roading.. we do take a few trips just to drive down some of those lonely trails most cars can't pass. But we get allot of questions dealing with where to find these easy trails.. and we are still searching our self.
These easy trails can last anywhere from a few mins to several hours and along these trails.. and being that we are Rock hoarders.. we past sights like cliff/rock face walls or new road cuts.. which are areas where the state is planing for new highway etc.. these road cut have or expose minerals and crystals which we may take a few more hours just to explore. 9 out of 10 we get so caught up in the driving off road.. that we simply over look the rocks we drive pass.
Yet we do take time to visit the mineral museums and gem mines along our travels.. So if you looking for something different as in an activity, Jeeps or off road vehicles and of course the rock & mineral discovery.

Re: Tent Questions

Because my wife and I have lower back pain among other issues.. we've selected a dome tent which has a high center that allows us to actually stand while inside the tent.. and these are hard to come by.. because simply standing inside a tent is sort of forbidden.. tend are meant to be portable and a on the go style.. meaning pack up and throw in the back of the car without really having to tear down.
Consider your options on if you want to stand inside the tent and what would be the average temperature you'll be camping. Tent come with a seasonal rating which indicates the best time of year to sue said tent.. 2, 3 or 4 season.. REI is but one place which has a lift time return policy which we've used several time if we find a tent or gear that we didn't like. make sure if you purchase from REI you register your tent with them or simply create an account.

Re: Portable Fire Pit!

Although you have a great concept.. the survey in general lack inspiration and as a guesstimate.. 85% of those seeing that you have a survey will attempt to avoid them.. My suggestion is to simply create a low cost site and explain your product.. Once you have a site created create a "feedback" tab which one can use to submit idea or site/product suggestions.

Re: Remodeling a TT

Actually this may sound funny or even strange.. Because we hang out with a few off roaders (jeepers) the hot topic is "bedlining" their jeeps as well as other items.. and yes I have seen them bedline the interior of a camper, But not in black which is the most commonly used color.. and Yes many companies now offer colors. But If you're painting around the sink, stove etc.. it's prob best that you use an exterior latex paint which is mildew resistant.

Re: Inspection at Canadian Border

External Link Suggestion: Crossing U.S. Borders

Re: Need company in SF Bay Area to set-up camp, cook, etc.

Sounds like a great adventure. Farming out your camping activities is a great way to sort of take the load off your mind by allowing someone else to handle an event. Typically we do the same when participating in jeep adventures.. thou my wife is more of a cook/chief than I she is always ready for a challenge.. Camping. feeding others is our lifestyle, Thou I doubt we could handle 50+ showing up.. At that point we would need some sort of reservation before hand.. So I feel you need the same.. after finding the "campsite caters".


External Link Suggestion: Big Sur Caterers