Life is better at the Campsite (mostly) – #34

“Life is better at the campsite”.  That saying can be seen on tote bags, coffee cups, T-shirts and other camping supplies.  I agree… mostly.

I have stayed in some beautiful campgrounds in different parts of the country. 

And I’ve stayed in some that are not so great.  In Middleton, Tennessee, the sites were  overgrown and weeds grew up through the cracks in the tennis court.  Sturbridge, Massachusetts was so muddy after several days of rain that I needed a ranger’s help backing in.  I just hoped I wouldn’t sink down and get stuck!

Tennis courts are in need of repair behind Margaret Grant Pool. BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS. August 6, 2013

A campground I really liked was Horseshoe Lakes in Indiana.  It was peaceful with lots of trees, foliage and water.  The mosquitoes liked it too, so I got out my electronic bug zapper.  I sure don’t mind seeing one of those irritating insects get zapped.

Another Indiana campground, in Thorntown, was close to the 1880’s homesite of my great grandparents.  I loved experiencing the long sunsets and seeing the same creek and fields they would have known well.  

A few Texas campgrounds had an abundance of rainfall, and their lakes were more than full.  Lake Tawakoni had a dock and walkways covered with water.  The sign says “No vehicles beyond this point” because golf carts usually drive along the sidewalk!

In Illinois, I camped at the state fairgrounds in Springfield to be near the Abraham Lincoln historical sites.  The campsite I chose was on blacktop with full hookups:  water, electric and sewer.   One morning, I opened my door and was about to step out when I saw my camping neighbor hosing down the pavement.  He sheepishly explained that there had been a “mishap” with his sewer hose and he was cleaning it up.  I looked more carefully at the color of the water running beneath my steps, under my trailer and on down the line of RVs and campers.  It was like a Cousin Eddie scene from Christmas Vacation. 

Fortunately, that afternoon there was a heavy thunderstorm that washed the asphalt clean.

A campground that I really enjoyed and made a return visit to was Gettysburg Farm in Pennsylvania.  Trailers and RVs camped on a working farm in the cornfields and with a variety of farm animals. 

Recently at one campground, an employee’s weed eater inadvertently tossed a rock into my back trailer window which immediately crackled and looked like this.

The maintenance supervisor and campground administrator assured me that they would cover the cost of replacement.  I’ve reinforced the window and will have the work done when I’m near the dealer in California. 

This is now much of northern Nevada looks. 

It was a wonderful surprise, then, to find this campground just west of Wells, Nevada.  Welcome Station is an oasis with lush, green lawns, huge shady trees, artesian well water and a clear flowing brook.  What a restful place to stay!

Frequently, birds or animal visitors make an appearance in the campground.  In Wyoming, Bambi and a friend came to dinner one evening.  Campgrounds by water usually have geese or ducks.

On my epic camping trip, I’ve stayed in dozens of campgrounds across the US.  Everywhere I go I meet friendly and helpful folks camping in tents, trailers, and RVs.  It’s the best adventure ever. 

Life really is better at the campsite (mostly).