Here and There

Scott and Jackie's Travels โ€“ Thousand Trails Reviews, Campground Reviews, Fulltime RVing, European Travel

Tag: camping

2019 – Airport Park CoE, Waco, TX

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As I have said before, Corps of Engineers campgrounds are our favorites and we have enjoyed Airport Park CoE again this stay. The campground is located on the northwest side of Waco on Lake Waco. There are many campsites with great lake views. We were in the middle loop. Only three of the campsites in our loop have full hookups. All three FHU sites are on the side of the road away from the lake. We still had great views but there were campers in pull through sites (but no sewer) between us and the lake. I think the loop most distant from the entry has more FHU spots. On future visits we will probably try for one of those sites (but see the information on the airport below).

A previous review is here.

Still, though, we had little to complain about. Our view out the front window was very nice, the site was paved and easy access, and we enjoyed having FHUs. Most of the sites slope a bit toward the water. Because of that I noticed that the motorhomes especially that had back in sites with the rear of the camper toward the water had a harder time getting level – something to keep in mind when making reservations.

And, if you are coming over the weekend, you will want to make a reservation. This popular campground fills up often.

The fact that this is called “Airport park” might help serve notice that the campground is adjacent a busy airport. Everything from recreational small planes to passenger jets to military aircraft come and go. During our visit a major fall cold front came in (record lows in the 20’s matter of fact). With a north wind, the air traffic came and went right over the campground and lake. Our middle campground was a bit west of the primary traffic – that most distant campground I mentioned was directly under it. After a few days the wind shifted and so did the air traffic. There was still some action, but not nearly as much.

Waco is a neat city with lots to see and do. We visited Magnolia attractions, went to a big Christmas market and book sale, and walked across the famous Brazos river bridge in downtown. There is more to see, but this is not our first visit to Waco. With the cold, rainy weather throughout the first part of our visit we were mostly happy to hang out at the campground, staying inside, enjoying the view.

This is a great campground and we recommend it to you.

2019 – Lake Texoma Thousand Trails – Gordonville, TX

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Due to the fact that Lake Texoma Thousand Trails, near Gordonville, TX, is located near the north-south route in and out of the Houston area it is often on our travel itinerary – either coming or going! We have stayed here several times and I have written other reviews, so there is no need to do yet another. This stay included the weekend prior to Halloween and the park went all out to make it a special time for the children. This is a popular weekend at the park and there were lots of children in attendance. Jackie enjoyed helping out with the carnival.

We also enjoyed worshiping with and visiting with our good friends at Denison, TX Church of the Nazarene.

All Lake Texoma Thousand Trails reviews are here

2019 – Belle Starr CoE – Lake Eufaula, OK

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Belle Starr CoE is another great Corps of Engineers campground. It is located on Lake Eufaula in beautiful eastern Oklahoma, about 10 miles south of I40, just off of Highway 69. This campground has a lot going for it. Most of the campsites offer a lake view, in fact, a many of the sites are along the lake. We were in a section of good pull throughs that are long enough for any rig, and right along the lake. These sites are quite popular, so it might be a challenge to just arrive and snag one of them. There are also several spots that would be ideal for smaller rigs, each right on the water.

The soil is sandy here, so there are plenty of sandy beach areas. The sand, though, is also a negative for the campground due to considerable erosion caused by flooding over the past few years.

None of the campsites have a sewer connection. Many are water and electric, although not all have water. The section we were in had 50 amp electric service. While most of the sites seemed reasonably level, I noticed that a few were obviously sloping toward the lake. I had to do some leveling back to front, but, in general, our site was quite good. In fact, I’d say that this may have been our prettiest campsite of the year.

Our Verizon signal was good and, since aiming at the satellite was out over the lake, there was no problem seeing the satellites.

This is an outstanding campground for those traveling north and south on Highway 69 or east and west on I 40.

2019 – Beagle Bay RV Park – Sarcoxie, MO

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We were invited to serve as speakers for a series of services at Mt Vernon, MO Church of the Nazarene and this RV park is right down I44 from the church. First, I’ll tell you the good things about this campground. It is very convenient to the interstate. The sites are all pull-through, full hookup, and (I think) all 50 amp. The roads and sites are pretty good gravel surface. Most sites are reasonably level. There’s a pool that appears to be maintained, although it was unused during our October stay. There’s a laundry that seems to get plenty of use. I had a clear view of the sky for the eastern Dish satellites although the shady sites would likely make it difficult if not impossible to get satellite TV from many of the sites. Our Verizon signal was solid. One unique feature of the campground is that nearly every site has porch swings installed.

The close proximity to the interstate is both a good and a bad thing. The sound of traffic never ceases. After a while you tend to tune it out, but, of course, the closer you are to the front of the campground the louder it is. It appeared to me that overnight guests were generally put in sites that put the main building between them and the interstate – a wise move. The campground, in general, just feels tired. I saw a worker painting and, honestly, there’s a lot of painting needed. The bathrooms were clean enough but had a funky smell – a mixture of old plus musty.

Several sites are occupied by longer term residents – mostly working people who get up every morning and return in the evenings. Their campsites are generally orderly and we had no negative impression of them at all. The campground workers were friendly and helpful.

Most travelers stop off just for an overnight and this campground is quite suitable for that: right on the interstate, pull through sites, easy in and out. This is far from our favorite campground, but we’d stay at it again without any hesitation.

2019 – Shortstop: 2019 – Stanton-Meramec KOA Journey, MO

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The Stanton-Meramec KOA in Stanton, MO makes no claims of being a destination campground. It is just a minute or two off of I 44, a handy place for travelers who just want a FHU spot for the night before continuing their trip on the Interstate. There’s a store with restaurant, a pool, and a doggie park. Also, Meramec Caverns is nearby. The camp area is “T” shaped with the main section being a row of pull through sites set up for bigger rigs. The other section is set up for smaller rigs or tents. Also there are several rental cabins scattered around.

As I said, this isn’t a destination campground. On one hand I’d say it serves it’s purpose. However, there are a few negatives. First, the campground is, in my opinion, overpriced for what you get. Second, the sites are very close together side to side. Third, the sites have a slight slope front to back, making it hard to level a motorhome like ours.

We had a good Verizon signal and no problem getting satellite TV.

Having said all that, for this trip, this KOA was in the right spot for us to break up a longer move. Had it not been for that we would have stayed elsewhere, but being so close to the interstate and at the half-way point for this relocation this campground suited our needs just fine.

2019 – Bo Wood CoE – Sullivan, IL

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We wanted a nice campground near Decatur, IL and, even though this one was a bit farther than we wanted, we couldn’t have been much happier with a campground than we were with Bo Wood CoE Campground at Sullivan, IL. We often tell people that Corps of Engineers campgrounds are our favorites and this one is a great example of why we say that. The sites are very large, level, and spacious. In fact, I’d say that the theme of this Shelbyville Lake campground is “big.” There are actually multiple campgrounds on the property that vary in amenities from electric only, to water-electric, to full hookup. While a few sites in the “older” section offer a lake view, most are either in the woods or in open areas away from the lake. The large “new” section has many FHU sites, including several huge pull through sites. The property also has a boat ramp and two fenced in dog play areas.

I think you could have parked four motorhomes the size of ours on our back in site. In the mornings we had more sunshine than we wanted, but by late afternoon we were in the shade. If we had any complaint about our campsite it was the big oak tree that dropped acorns on us from time to time. Judging from the ground cover, we actually missed the worst of the bombardment.

My Verizon signal was pretty good and I was able to get satellite TV without much trouble. No doubt it would be nigh on to impossible in many of the more wooded areas of the campground.

Bo Wood is off the beaten track far enough that it is off the radar of people just passing through the area. It is easy to see, though, why this is a popular spot for the locals!

2019 – Horseshoe Lakes Thousand Trails, Clinton, IN

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This is our third stay at Horseshoe Lakes Thousand Trails, near Clinton, Indiana. This is a good spot for a quiet stay. If you like fishing, though, it’s a destination campground with several lakes of varying sizes. We’ve seen folks out trying their luck every day that we’ve been here. One lady told me that they had enjoyed a fish dinner made up of fresh caught fish from that day. It appears that there are fish to be caught at Horseshoe Lakes!

Other reviews are here

Since I’ve reviewed this campground recently, there’s no need for me to do much of a repeat review. Here are a few new photos of this western Indiana campground.

2019 – Daisy Barn Campground, Wilson, NY

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Daisy Barn Campground is located near Wilson, NY, right on Lake Ontario and not far from Niagara Falls. This campground is out of the primary tourism area but just barely, making it a quiet alternative if you are willing to drive 30 minutes or so to the Falls. Old Fort Niagara is just 10 miles away. Just down the road to the east is a nice state park and then the Wilson Marina.

Daisy Barn is a smaller campground with mostly long timers, many paying an annual fee and leaving their camper on their site even as they head south for the winter. The folks we met were friendly and used to travelers like us passing through their neighborhood.

We enjoyed the campground WiFi and had no problem getting satellite TV. My Verizon signal was about 2 bars and usable but not great. Daisy Barn Campground is the turn around point in our 2019 Adventure. Up to this point our moves have been in the east-north direction. From this point on they are in the west-south direction.

Most evenings people gather at the pavilion that overlooks the Lake to enjoy the spectacular sunsets. Honestly, that view is our favorite thing about Daisy Barn.

2019 – Tompkins CoE Campground – Lawrenceburg, PA

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We were at Tompkins CoE Campground at Lawrenceburg, PA in 2013 and were glad for an opportunity to visit this beautiful campground again. Since I reviewed the campground then, I’ll just do a brief review and post a few new photos.

It wasn’t especially by design, but we ended up in the same campsite as we were in when we were here six years ago. It is, though, a great campsite. No doubt, the spots along the lake are great sites, if you can’t get one of them, Knoll 17 is a good one. For one thing, it is one of the few sites that offers a clear shot at the Dish network eastern arc satellites. I’m guessing that the spots along the lake have a view of the sky, but aside from that, there aren’t many sites that do.

About half the sites are full hookup โ€“ the rest are water/electric only.
The campground is in a bit of a black hole for cell service. We had a 1X signal. That meant that a text message might get through and that’s about it. We found that if we walked along the lake to a spot closest to the dam that we got a usable 3G signal. Needless to say, if internet is important to you it might be better to find a different campground.

However, if you are looking for great Corps campground in a beautiful setting you’ll love this campground.

2019 – Gettysburg Farm Thousand Trails – Dover, PA (take 2)

grscott


We are just finishing up our second stay in as many months at Gettysburg Farm Thousand Trails near Dover, PA. Since I have done a couple of recent reviews of this nice campground there’s no need for me to do another at this time.

The main reason we returned here was that we needed a base of operations to attend a wedding 100 miles from here. I was graciously given permission to leave the camper unoccupied for a couple of days (something not normally allowed for traveling members of Thousand Trails).

This stay is, though, part of a bit of an experiment for us this summer. During our previous years a stay of longer than 11 days was unusual for us. We “land” for the winters and travel throughout the summer. This year we returned to south-central Pennsylvania, bouncing between the various Thousand Trails for just over six weeks. Considering that we enjoyed a couple of visits from family and then attended a wedding it worked out. However, one outcome of our experiment is that we think we’d rather, in general, keep to less-than-two-week stays. There’s no right or wrong in any of this. We’ve known some folks who move nightly or close to it. For me that would be like having a job. Touring fulltimers have to find the approach that suits them best. For us, 10-11 days gives us the right mix of sightseeing and “just-living” days.