Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Fredericksburg KOA ~ Fredericksburg, Virginia

Description:  Here is another case where we needed a place to stay and this was the only park we could be sure would fit BIG rigs and 50 Amp electric.  Pretty much the only park near Fredericksburg which we wanted to visit.  Fredericksburg has a lot to see & do.  The biggest problem with this park is there are very few sites that don't trees and you can not get satellite but they do have cable TV ~ also the pool was in very sad shape and a beautiful color of GREEN!  I do think they were trying to take care of the problem though.

Amenities:  50 Max Amp, 95' Max Length, Wi-Fi, Cable TV, Pool (Open May 1 to Oct 1), Snack Bar ($), Propane ($), Fishing, Firewood ($), Pavilion, Bike Rentals ($), Food Delivery by Local Restaurants, RV Clubs & Rallies, Local Area Tours Available.

Directions: Located midway between two I-95 exits. Southbound Exit 126, south 4 miles on US 1, left 607. Northbound Exit 118, left to US 1, north 4 miles on US 1, right on 607.

Web Site:  http://koa.com/campgrounds/fredericksburg-washington-dc/

Date of Stay: April 25th, 2012 for 3 nights

Weather During Stay: Very cool and some rain but it didn't stop us from site seeing!

Favorite Sites: We stayed under trees on site 111 and other then no satellite it was OK ! Site 96, & 95 would be a better choice for Satellite.

Rate: $47.46 with a KOA discount

Phone/TV/Internet: Both Verizon & AT&T had adequate service not best ~ TV cable was good but we couldn't get satellite TV since we were in the trees ~ Internet was slow on our Verizon Mi-fi card but I did get to post on my blog.  The park had free Wi-fi which was good.

Elevation/Landscape: Woodsy and paved roads.

Lighting/Noise: Park was pretty quiet and the lighting was good

Hiking/Walking/Biking: Lots of places to walk & bike in the park and even a lot of battlefields to walk in around the National Park.

Things to See & Do: Historic Fredericksburg has Kenmore Plantation, Rising Sun Tavern, Apothecary Shop, James Monroe Museum, Mary Washington House, Chatham Manor, Ferry Farm, Belmont, Fredericksburg area Museum. Also some City & National Cemeteries.
Civil War Battlefields Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Chancellorsville, Wilderness, Stone Wall Jackson Shrine.


Rating:  (7) This park had some very helpful host and they were adequate for our stay in the area.

Have Fun & Travel Safe

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Americamp KOA ~ Ashland (Richmond) Virginia

Description:  We needed a place to stay while visiting Richmond and even though we usually don't care for KOA's it was about the nicest park close to Richmond.  The park was clean and the people working here were very friendly and helpful but the Interstate noise was LOUD! 
Amenities: Cable TV and free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, convenience store, pool, playground, canine camps. NOTE: Dog run had a lot of poop in it when we were there and we told the staff.  Hopefully they did something about it.

Directions: The Richmond North / Americamps KOA, located less than one minute from Exit #89 on I-95 approximately eight miles north of Richmond and about a mile from I-64,
Web Site ~ http://koa.com/campgrounds/richmond-north/

Date of Stay: April 21st, 2012 for 4 nights

Weather During Stay: Cold & Rainy to start but the sun came out and it warmed to about high 60's during the day.

Favorite Sites: There are many large sites for BIG rigs ~ some with gravel and some with cement pads.
Rate: $43.27 per night with KOA discount

Phone/TV/Internet:  Cable TV was really good ~ Verizon and AT&T phones had good reception ~ Verizon Mi-fi worked just OK... we had 4G and it was good enough for posting but sometimes it would stop working.  Park had free Wi-fi which was OK.

Elevation/Landscape: Level sites with a woodsy atmosphere ~ there are some open sites with no trees

Lighting/Noise: Heavy noise from interstate but we were so tired at night from site seeing it didn't seem to bother us.

Hiking/Walking/Biking: The park is really big so there are a lot of roads for walking & biking.

Things to See & Do: There is a lot to see & do in Richmond ~ Monument Avenue, Confederacy Museum, Confederate White House, Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond National Battlefield just to name a few.  We had a great time visiting all of these and hope one day to come back.

Rating: (7.5) Noise level & the Dog Run had a lot to do with my rating but other then that the park is nice and clean and the host are very helpful.  We would stay here again.

Have Fun & Travel Safe

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

American Heritage ~ Williamsburg, Virginia

Description:  For our visit to Historic Williamsburg we choose American Heritage and what a GREAT place to stay.  The Host & Hostess where really nice and did whatever they could to help you out.  The park was well maintained and one thing I really loved is they had on-site garbage pick-up.  Also it was easy Access I-64 and Hwy 60. We took a standard site but they do have premium sites that have a nice patio with furniture and a firepit on them. Pet friendly.  There are a lot of great things to see & do in this area.  Just a bit of advice, when visiting you should plan on your visit to Historic Williamsburg for 2-3 days. There is a multiple day pass for the park.
Amenities: Camp Store for RV Supplies, 95 Full Hookup Shaded or open Sites, 70 Spacious Pull-Thrus (multiple slide-outs), 20/30/50 AMP Electric, Big Rig Friendly, Free Wi-Fi and Cable w/ 45+ channels at each site, Picnic Tables, Fire Barrels/Wood Free delivery to site, Newly Remodeled Bathrooms, On Site Propane, 24 Hour Laundry, Fenced Dog Run, Dump Station, All Sites w/Concrete Parking & Patios, Swimming Pool, Basketball Court, Volleyball Court, Horseshoes, Spacious Green Meadows, Nature Trails, Lending Library, Mini Golf, Kids Game Room, Heritage Room & Colonial Room - Fireplace, TV and Meeting Area, GranTour- 4 Seater Family Bike, Golf Carts
Directions & Web Site:  Lat: 37.376016 N ~ Long: 76.766612 W
From I-64, exit at 231A (Norge). Take second left at Mennonite Church onto Maxton Ln. go 1/4 mile to park entrance on left.
From State Rt. 60, turn on Rt. 607 and go to Mennonite Church, turn right onto Maxton Ln., go .22 miles to park entrance, on left.
     
Web Site: http://www.americanheritagervpark.com/

Date of Stay:  April 17th, 2012 for 4 nights

Weather During Stay: Our weather was great while we visited here.  Around 70 during the day
and low 60's at night.

Favorite Sites: We had site 81 which was really nice and had a cement pad.  Not all sites have cement pads but a lot do.  All sites seemed to be pretty good.

Rate: $44.86 per night total ~ Good Sam discount

Phone/TV/Internet: We had great reception on both our AT&T and Verizon phone.  Verizon Mi-fi card worked great (4G).  Park free Internet was fast and reliable. Direct Satellite on roof worked good too and also they had free cable TV (60 channels).

Elevation/Landscape: 70 acres of lush green meadows and woodlands
Lighting/Noise: Both were OK and there was a train that went by several times a night which didn't bother us at all.

Hiking/Walking/Biking: lots of roads to walk or bike on not to mention all the walking you'll get in visiting the historic towns.

Things to See & Do: There is a lot to see & do in this very historic area ~ The first colonized town in America ~ Jamestown, Williamsburg ~ where the American Revolution was decided. The site of the final major clash of the American Revolution and symbolic end of the colonial period of our nation's history ~ Yorktown
Rating: (9.5) We really enjoyed this park and it had all you could ever need.

Have Fun & Travel Safe

Friday, April 13, 2012

Kitty Hawk RV Park ~ Kitty Hawk, North Carolina

Description: This campground is just an average campground with sites that are to close together and not entirely big rig friendly however with that being said it is right next to the water and just a stones throw from the Wright Brothers National Monument. The host is really friendly and if you mention that you have a big rig she will put you on a site that is not to terribly bad.

Amenities: Full service sites are available with 30 / 50 amp service, sewer, water and cable TV. Wireless Internet access is available through OBXwan

Directions & Web Site: Located on a sandbar known as the Outer Banks, Kitty Hawk RV Park is at Mile Post 4 between the highways of Route 158 and Route 12. You will hear the roads
referred to as “the Bypass” Route 158 and Route 12 as “Beach Road”.
click here to go to their Web Site:

Date of Stay: We stayed here April 13th, 2012 for 4 nights

Weather During Stay: The weather was perfect this time of the year. However it is always pretty windy on the outer banks so awnings are not a good thing to put out unless you want a new one.

Favorite Sites: We stayed on 31 and I would stay on it again if I was in the area ~ 32 looked like a good site too.

Rate: We payed 45.00 per night with a Good Sam discount.

Phone/TV/Internet: Both AT&T and Verizon phones worked well. We had good TV reception with our roof satellite (Direct). Also our Verizon Mi-fi card worked very good (3G)

Elevation/Landscape: Sea level with a lot of sand and seaside plant life.

Lighting/Noise: There was some noise from the road but it didn't bother us that much. Also no lights really did either.

Hiking/Walking/Biking: Miles & miles of beach to walk on. We didn't see to many people riding bike.

Things to See & Do: There is a ton of things to see and do on the Outer Banks ~ First there are 2 National places to visit: Wright Brothers National Monument & Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Plus there are 4 Lighthouses ~ There is a free 40 minute ferry to Ocracoke to see Ocracoke Lighthouse and drive around the quaint little island. Also up the road (north) there is not only another lighthouse but in Corolla there is a beach you can go out on if you have 4 wheel drive or you can take a guided tour to go see the wild mustang horses ~ descendants from the Spanish horses left their 500 years ago.



Rating: (6) This park was just OK but with that being said we would stay there again since it was a GREAT location.
Have Fun & Travel Safe

Thursday, April 12, 2012

RVacations Campground ~ Selma, North Carolina

Description: This park is a great park to stay in for an overnighter or for a few days and is easy on ~ easy off from I95. It is an extremely clean park with friendly host. Amenities ~ Southwest exposure for satellite reception plus excellent regular TV reception, FREE wireless and DSL Internet available, throughout park All sites pull-through (up to 120’), Full service, 30 and 50 amp service, BIG rigs accommodated, all trees trimmed to 18', LP gas, bottle and motor home fill, Clean restrooms with hot showers, Fishing pond, no license required, Convenience Store, RV wash station, Courtesy phones, Open all year, Dump stations, Pet friendly, Laundry.

For more info see WEB SITE: http://www.rvacation.us/

Date of Stay: April 12th, 2012

Weather During Stay: Cool & Sunny

Site Description: A lot of the sites are pull through, level and very long. Gravel driveway with grassy islands in between each site. The is a picnic table and lots of room in between sites.

Favorite Sites: We stayed on E5 but there were a lot of sites that we thought were very nice.

Rate: $34.86 total & that was with a FMCA discount. They also take Good Sam, AAA

Phone/TV/Internet: Excellent reception on both AT&T & Verizon phones. Our roof top dish (DIRECT TV) was really good as well as the regular antenna TV.

Elevation/Landscape: Nice grass and plants throughout the park. Fairly level terrain and a nice pond with ducks and is stocked with fish...

Lighting/Noise: Very close to the interstate BUT we didn't hear much noise from the traffic. Lighting was good and we slept very well.

Hiking/Walking/Biking: Park was really nice for walking or biking but we were only there overnight so not sure of anyplace else.

Things to See & Do: Antique Shopping in Selma America Music Jubilee, Hinnant Vineyards, Tobacco Farm Life Museum, Ava Gardner Museum, Bentonville Civil War Battleground

Rating: (8)We would stay here again ~ it is a very clean, safe and friendly park. There is a pool but when we were there it was drained empty.



Have Fun & Travel Safe

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Hardeeville RV Park ~ Hardeeville South Carolina

Description: Hardeeville RV is perfect overnight stay or extended stay that allows you to relax in a peaceful, wooded site surrounded by the sounds of nature. It is quiet relaxing atmosphere, so
conveniently located to Savannah, GA and its historic attractions. Just ten minutes from the Savannah Visitors Center, you’ll discover the many tours, sites and restaurants in the Historic District. Amenities include: Level Lots. Big Rig Full Length Pull Thru Sites – 60’-90', Full Hook-ups, Free WiFi & Cable, On-Site Dumpsters, Laundry facilities, free phone service, Some EZ Pull-Thru Sites, 20/30/50 AMP Service Available, Open Year Round, Small Leashed Pets Welcomed, Fires Permitted in Rings.

NOTE: They do NOT accept credit cards ~ cash, checks, and traveler's checks only

Date of Stay: April 8th (4 nights)

Weather During Stay: Beautiful ~ cool in the evenings and warm during the day... no rain

Site Description: Our site was a big grassy site, plenty hard enough for our heavy diesel pusher. Level and HUGE like so many sites in the park. Full hook-up with 50 amp service.

Favorite Sites: here we stayed was 113 & 115 which were really nice but to be honest the whole campground had good spots.

Rate: The cost was $30.00 per night total. They accepted Good Sam, FMCA and Passport however April & May were blocked out for passport.

Phone/TV/Internet: GREAT park wi-fi and our Verizon Mi-fi card worked great (4G). Both Verizon & AT&T phones worked. You could pick up TV on a regular antenna and out Direct TV roof satellite received a signal really strong.

Elevation/Landscape: Grassy with trees but not so many that we couldn't get TV with our roof satellite.

Lighting/Noise: Park was fairly dark at night but there was a little road noise ~ however not enough to keep us up.

Hiking/Walking/Biking: The campground has plenty of area to walk but trust me you'll get plenty of walking in the Old Historic area of Savannah

Things to See & Do: Enjoy the history, lore and legends of Savannah, including a visit to Forsyth Park and Bonaventure Cemetery. Be sure to have lunch at Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House for a truly southern meal. So much to see and do and so close, to a quiet relaxing retreat at Hardeeville RV- Thomas Parks and Sites . Also just a little further is Fort Pulaski National Monument and Tybee Island...

Rating: 9 ~ we rated this park high because it had such BIG roomy sites with full hook-ups and great TV, phone and Internet service... it was a peaceful park and we could have stayed longer. We will come back to this park whenever we want to visit Savannah again!!!

To visit their website click here
Have Fun & Travel Safe

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Country Oaks RV Park ~ Kingsland, Georgia

Description: The campground is a full-featured RV park that is just minutes away from the Georgia coastal waters and many great attractions. You will find the atmosphere friendly and relaxing ~ the people running the park are a delight. There are 44 RV sites (18 large pull-thru's) with full hook-ups (20, 30 & 50 amp), nicely paved interior roads and the parks easy access on and off of I-95. Campground amenities include ~ All shady wooded sites with picnic tables. Laundry Room, Free Hi-speed wireless Internet access, Showers & Restrooms, Modem / Telephone access in the office, Propane refills. You can sit and enjoy the Cool & shady porch with lots of rocking chairs & swings. Book-swap library in the office. Campground has a fully stocked fishin' hole for those who want to try it out. Pets welcome!


Date of Stay: April 3rd for 5 nights

Weather During Stay: The weather in the area was a couple of rain storms at night and mostly sunny & warm... we had one very cool evening but not enough to keep us in.

Site Description: Our site #5 was pretty much level and we had Good TV reception with Direct TV (roof satellite). All sites have trees but are pretty much level. When you call for reservations make sure you tell them what service you have and they will try to put you into a site that has reception.

Favorite Sites: Sites 4 & 5 are both pretty good ~ there are several others that are good for BIG rigs.

Rate: We paid $34.00 per night total... this park is a Good Sam park.

Phone/TV/Internet: Both AT&T and Verizon phones work excellent also our Verizon Mi-fi card worked really good on 3G. Park wi-fi is EXCELLENT! Satellite TV is a hit & miss ~ we had it! Direct TV ~ roof antenna. There is good regular TV reception with roof antenna also since this park is close to Jacksonville.

Elevation/Landscape: The park surrounded by lush oaks and palmetto forest.

Lighting/Noise: Some noise from I-95 but nothing that bothered us to much and the lighting wasn't too bad... Park had street lights that may or may not come into your rig. We just shut our blinds.

Hiking/Walking/Biking: Park is great for walking or riding your bikes plus there are many State & National Parks to go and walk in... Great bike trails also on St. Simon Island & a few of the others.

Things to See & Do: There are many wonderful and historic things to see & do... Here are just a few of the many places to explore ~ St. Marys Historic District, Fernandina Beach Historic District, Fort Clinch St. Park, Fort Caroline Nat'l Monument, Fort Frederica Nat'l Monument, Cumberland Island Nat'l Seashore, Okefenokee Swamp Nat'l Wildlife Refuge, Harris Neck Nat'l Wildlife Refuge, Jekyll Island St. Park, St. Simons Island. Also in St Mary's & Kingsland there are a few very good restaurants.

Rating: Overall I would give this park a 7.5 rating... it is all in all a great park but bad TV and too many trees are the only problems. I would stay here again



Have Fun & Travel Safe