RE: Diesel fuel I-95 in Maine
I agree that if you can top off in NH, you will save some money compared to fueling up in Maine. There is a TA truckstop in Greenland, NH. Exit 3 off of 95, only a few miles before the bridge into Maine. IMHO, an easier on/off compared to dealing with Route 1 in Portsmouth, NH. Have a good trip!
RE: Empty campground...
The previous owners (Ron & Anne Gilbert) were on the premises and oversaw the day-to-day operation of DB. Every time we went back we saw tangible evidence of reinvestment in the business - upgraded bathhouses, new facilities, etc. No seasonals.
Drummer Boy was bought out by a corporation around 2006 or 2007. Many sites now long term or seasonal and cluttered with the usual junk. The CG in general was not as well-kept as it had been. On our last stay there (2007) we had electrical issues at our site (and we only need 30 amp) and repairs were not all that speedy. Counter/registration clerks were all adolescents with little in the way of people skills, let alone basic courtesy.
I'd rather patronize a family-owned CG like Gettysburg CG. It is run the way DB used to be. JMHO
I agree 100% ! The Gilberts (friends of my Father) were at the front desk or riding around looking at everything. You could see it in the staff and the condition of the CG.
Robert Adams and his wife, the owners of Gettysburg CG, take that same pride. It shows in the shape of the CG and how quick things are resolved. I am lucky to call Robert Adams a good friend and he has been that since he bought the CG. He talks to everyone to make sure they are happy and wants their input on what would make his CG better.
I agree 100% with this statement. We reserved a site @ Gettysburg campground for July 22-26. Upon arrival, we were greeted warmly. Unfortunately, the site we were assigned was too small to accomodate our trailer. Rob took us around in his golf cart and showed us all of our site options. Once we picked a new site, he reached into his pocket and refunded me the difference in price from the brookside site I had originally booked. Very honest.
When we were opening the trailer, we found that in transport our glass bifold shower doors had shattered. Again, it was Rob to the rescue, allowing us use of a shop vac to clean up the thousands of tiny pieces of glass. I can also attest to the cleanliness of the campground facilities. We desperately needed to do laundry. Their laundry facility was spotless. If we are ever in the Gettysburg area, we would not hesitate to stay there again.
RE: Mount Washington, NH with young kids?
There are a few easy hikes off of the Kancamagus such as Sabbaday Falls, Rocky Gorge and Lower Falls...off of West Side Road in N. Conway, the hike into Diana's Baths is a fairly easy one as well. I've been to all of them with my kids (9 & 6) and they had no problem hiking in. No swimming at Sabbaday Falls. You can swim/wade at the others. Have a fun trip.
RE: Mt. Washington, New Hampshire
Hi - yes - cooler on Mt. Washington (it's 6,288', not 10,000, tho...). You mentioned you have a dog - so I believe Glen Ellis is out - at least in the past it was no pets there... ST
Correct. Glen Ellis does not allow pets unless you are seasonal.
RE: New York/New England Campg'd Suggestions Desperately Needed
Danforth Bay in Freedom, NH. Awesome facilities and close enough to the White Mountains that you can do day trips from the campground if interested. Check out their website and the Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce for info on the area.
RE: Rhode Island
If your into history, check out Fort Adams State Park in Newport. You can kill two birds with one stone and spend the day at the beaches in Newport or Middletown as well. I grew up in RI and have to agree with other posts, Onleyville is an armpit and although the NY system hot weiner is a RI tradition, who wants to walk around site seeing with indigestion all day? Have a Del's or a coffee milk instead. If you like good beer, Union Station or Trinity brewhouses in Providence are good lunch/dinner spots. Newport Vineyards if you are more wine people...Have a good trip.
RE: Mt. Washington, New Hampshire
Check out Eastern Slopes, Glen-Ellis, Saco River and the Beach Camping Area. Glen-Ellis would be the closest. The Beach is the most basic of the bunch. All of these campgrounds are on busy Route 16, tons of restaurants, shops and other services. Have a good trip!
RE: Old Orchard Beach, Maine
Powderhorn is ok. They have a couple pools and hot tubs. The sites are pretty close together as are the other campgrounds in OOB. They do have a large number of seasonals. If your looking to spend most of your time on the beach, Paradise Park is a much closer walk to the beach.
