Day 5

opnspaces wrote:
I don't think I've ever been in a storm like that with all the lightning. I know it's probably dangerous, but I think I'm going to have to add it to my very short just started right now bucket list.

Did you ever hear the saying, "Every cloud has a silver lining?" When we came to terms with Marianne's illness we made a choice to live every day to the fullest. We've been living out our bucket list.... For us it is the right choice.

As for storms!!! Last year in Colorado we were at one of the overlooks way up in the mountains when the park patrol came up and told is there was a huge thunderstorm coming our way. They said they couldn't force us but suggested everyone leave. Of course DW and I found a parking spot with the best view. Snuggled together under a blanket in our van and watched the most magnificent lightening show with earth shaking thunder while the van was rocked by the wind and pelted with rain. Now that was a storm!!!

I'm loving the daily reports. It sounds like you're seeing a bit of rain. Did you guys ever consider buying some rain jackets? :B

I don't think I've ever been in a storm like that with all the lightning. I know it's probably dangerous, but I think I'm going to have to add it to my very short just started right now bucket list.

Anmacc2, your comment about doing nothing reminded me of one of my favorite humor photos. I know it has been around a while but maybe some of you haven't seen it. javascript:;

rbpru wrote:
We had very good luck with KOA.....

....We stayed in a couple of KOA and enjoyed them. The second KOA discounted our stay which paid for a large part of the annual fee.

X2
I full time and after the first couple of months of coming off the road late in the pm and pulling into crummy CG's if you even can find them from the directions provided found off the ole Woodalls book? First that old fat Woodalls Book went out the window.

Then I started staying exclusively at KOA's . No surprises, their CG catalog has very precise directions to the CG AND phone numbers for the CG that actually work. All the CG's in the USA are listed neatly by state and city and pictures of each CG.

Since it's a franchise the CG's have standards that they have to adhere to to maintain the KOA name. No more surprises for me. That's why I choose to use them whenever possible in my travels.

Except for CG's near a popular attraction (which ALL CG's near attractions have higher rates),I found KOA rates are NOT higher than other comparable CG's. Join their membership and you get discounts and free camping.

I don't mind spending the money as long as I feel the value is real. I think each of us would have a different description of the perfect campground. I will need a little real experience of our own to figure out what we are and aren't willing to pay for.(And then DW will tell me the right answer. Ha!)

Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

We feel KOAs are a bit stark, and also fairly tight quarters?

We kind of pass them by because of our experiences stated above.

Except for the original one in Billings, but it was $125/nite.
Too rich for my blood.

We had very good luck with KOA.

We usually camp at State Parks and we do look for Good Sam discounts. Out West we hit Spring Break and the winter tourist seasons so State campgrounds were in short supply.

We stayed in a couple of KOA and enjoyed them. The second KOA discounted our stay which paid for a large part of the annual fee.

Cecilt wrote:
Which campground in Harrisonburg didn't you like? Harrisonburg/Broadway KOA?

Yes but to be clear and fair the place was very nice! It just didn't suit our needs. It would be perfect for most I think.

LetsGeaux wrote:
I went to the KOA Luray website and saw some very nice pictures. I am starting to see a pattern with you and KOA. It also looked a little pricey. All things equal, is it your "go to" campground chain? Do you have any memberships in "Passport America" or others?

As a newbie(really, still just in my imagination), I would like to learn from your experiences!

KOA is our go to. We have a discount membership and because we use them so often we sometimes get invites or promos. We choose KOA because they are well mapped so that if there is a health issue we are easily found. As well, we have a couple of times had to leave and return home unexpectedly and we've never had a problem leaving our rig behind and returning when we could or having the kids go get it.

We live in South Florida which in our experience is a very expensive place to camp so everywhere else is relatively less expensive. Our philosophy with RVing is it costs what it costs and takes as long as it takes. We won't pay rediculous but don't bargain shop either. Just our way of doing it.

Which campground in Harrisonburg didn't you like? Harrisonburg/Broadway KOA?