need a plan for vacation time

Alabama Jim wrote:
Wow, so many options. I will offer only one. Pigeon Forge, TN. is pretty, has hiking in the Smoky Mountains, has zip lines, alpine slides, and plenty of shows and rides in Dollywood. We stay at Creekside Campground and stay out most of the day touring.

dolbsss wrote:
ok so I thought we were going to take the family west during the wife and I's mutual time off work July26-August12 but we had a wrinkle in the form of a wedding thrown in on August 5. So our start point is Columbus Ohio and the wedding is in Wheeling WV. I love the smokey's and my wife has been looking at Shenandoah NP, so the Blue Ridge parkway sounds like a plan. Looking for any and all suggestions involving campgrounds, hikes, kid activities and what not. Kids are 5(girl) and pushing 2(boy). Wife likes the jellystone campground in Virginia(Luray) and I like the KOA in Murphy NC so far. If we can find at least 1 stopover in the middle I think it would all work out. I'm not committed to either campground mentioned however.

I'm open to a doing something the week after the wedding also. If we can throw in a part 2 I'd love it so long as we can get a bunch of $30-$45/night campgrounds mixed in. As far as where to go, I'm open to suggestions.

Things to keep in mind...we are 10/10 on being active people(we run tough mudders). I want to hike, and we have kid carriers for tired little ones. Resort campgrounds are awesome, but we won't be there the entire day most of the time(with the exception of rest days). We want to venture out. My kids love swimming, so any watering holes off the beaten path sound like a plan.

I have a 2500HD pulling a Jayco Jayflight SLX 284bhsw. Need to park that guy. As long as we have electric and dump/fill stations I'm happy. No need for full hook ups but it is a long trailer. I drive trailers daily for work so I'm skilled but don't want a super tight parking spot.

dolbsss wrote:
Busskipper, I'm saving all your suggestions for next year for Colorado. Since we can't get there this summer it will be a must for next year. I had my heart set on going west so bad. LOL

Lwiddis wrote:
Taking the family "west" as from Columbus to West Virginia? Look out for buffalo stampedes, outlaws and war parties!

Busskipper wrote:

dolbsss wrote:
Busskipper, I'm saving all your suggestions for next year for Colorado. Since we can't get there this summer it will be a must for next year. I had my heart set on going west so bad. LOL

Fact is when the kids are a Year Older it will be more fun for Them.

BUT, Wheeling is a day trip from Columbus - any chance you could get the vacation days moved - Possibly September - IMHO that is the BEST TIME to be in Colorado. - Fall in Colorado - Last 10 days to a week in September are the Best days of the year in Colorado.

Just a thought - but if not - The two Options I gave will really surprise you - Upstate is Beautiful and the Water is everywhere - so mudders have at it - You have the Finger Lakes - Lake Placid - so many National and State Forests - not really sure, as it was twenty years ago but the CG's were good and Plentiful.

Lake Toxaway and Cashiers/Sapphire areas just are filled with the Water and the Water falls - Hikes and National and State forests Parks are around every turn, Just Spectacular - Last of the Mohegans was shot in The mountains around Toxaway if I recall.

Anyway - keep us in the Loop will be fun to watch and learn what you decide,

Best of Luck,