RE: 321 TN to campground
The road is kinda curvy in places, but it's travelled everyday by people pulling TT's, motorhomes, tour busses and tractor trailer trucks.
RE: Gatlinburg
Jtroop1 - I am not really sure. We were there several weeks ago and I believe there was a sign at that exit that said "Last exit", but then again, the signs out of Knoxville said "Closed at NC Border". If you are planning to go in July, I don't think it will make much difference. They are supposed to have I-40 back open in a couple of months.
Just keep checking on the I-40 opening and then call the campground prior to leving home if I-40 hasn't reopened.
RE: Disney World Park attendance
I found this info on the web - it doesn't give the DAYS, but it does give you an idea about attendance.
Here are some questions that get asked a lot about the Walt Disney World® Resort. If you can't find the answer to your question, please call (407) WDW-MAGIC (939-6244)† or e-mail us.
Q. What are the busiest and least busy times of the year?
A. Although special events and promotions may influence Theme Park attendance levels, the following list highlights historic attendance trends throughout the year:
Lowest Attendance: January (except New Year's Day) until just prior to Presidents' week in February
The week following Labor Day until just prior to Thanksgiving week
The week following Thanksgiving until the week prior to Christmas
Moderate Attendance: After Presidents' week in February through early March
Late April through early June (except Memorial Day weekend)
The first part of Thanksgiving week
Highest Attendance: Presidents' week in February
Mid-March through Late April ("Spring Break")
Memorial Day weekend
Mid-June through Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day and weekend
Christmas week through New Year's Day
RE: Popup vs. Small TT
OK, here are my thoughts on your dilemma.
1. Popup is MUCH easier to tow - lighter, usually shorter - is your vehicle capable of towing a TT?
2. Popup must be opened to pack and to unpack - a TT is much easier to pack/unpack.
3. A TT will give you a "feeling" of security. Not sure that it's much safer, but it will make you feel more protected.
4. A popup is easier to store - a TT takes up more room and is larger.
5. A popup usually doesn't have bathroom facilities - TT usually has a bathroom.
6. Popups normally don't have all the kitchen appliances - TT normally do.
7. Popup setups take around 45 minutes/1 hr - TT setup is usually 15 minutes (at least our timing).
8. A popup doesn't have much storage space - TTs have more storage, according to what brand you purchase.
9. A popup usually retains pretty good resale value - TT's may loose more value quicker.
Having said that - I could probably produce really good arguments for both, but as I age, I really appreciate not having to do setup/takedown of a popup in the rain. My bed in the TT is so much more comfortable. I have really good storage in my TT and know where everything is (usually), so I don't have to hunt through tubs for stuff. I have my own bathtub and pot to use!! I know who's been in there and what they've done. In my TT, it's easier to cook in rain, wind or otherwise lousy weather.
That's my opinion, anyway.
RE: Great Smoky Jellystone
I have never camped there, but "happycamper" camps there quite often and LOVES it. She says it is the best campground she has ever camped in. I know they have reservations for Easter. You might to PM her - I know she has lots of pics of the place.
RE: 3 season insulation in light weight Rv's
We have an '07 Rockwood 8317SS with heated tanks, enclosed underbelly and we camp up through Thanksgiving each year then beginning again in March, and have been in 20 and 30 degree temps with no problems. The floors are cool if you are barefoot, but with socks, it is OK. We usually have the furnace set on 62 and we also run an electric heater to supplement that. During the day with temps in the 40's, the furnace seldom comes on. At night, it will come on a few times, but not too many.
Bristol Race in 2 weeks
Just saw on the news that the first campers have arrived at the Bristol Motor Speedway to get in line. Campgrounds open next week!!! There were at least 5 campers there that were shown on TV.
That's dedication!!!
RE: Bristol, TN in two weeks! Is this the best detailed route?
We have had LOTS and LOTS of snow around here. In 2 weeks, we may still be getting snow. Today was our warmest day since the middle of December and it got up to 50!!! Yoooohoooo! Now, it's back down into the 20's at night. Hope it warms quite a bit before the race weekend.
Be sure and spend lots of $$$ while you are here - we appreciate all the tax dollars we can get here in VA.
RE: R/V Parks in St. Paul, Virginia Area
Weather here in May SHOULD be decent and nice. There may be a day or two when it gets cool, maybe in the 50's, but it should be around 70 most days. The evenings get cool, probably into the 50's and a jacket will feel good. I say that, but with the weather we have had this year so far, who knows what will happen. We have had snow in early May, but it melts pretty quickly.
RE: Camping with a newborn
Both our daughters went camping when they were weeks old and a full-blown week at the beach for Thanksgiving when they were 3 1/2 months old. A snugglie or some type of carrier for the baby was a must-have for us when we were camping. I used it occasionally around the house, but a lot on trips. Kept baby snug and warm and I was not too stressed out about having to carry them around or leaving them in the camper. (We had a popup with the first one and a hybrid with the second one.) Baths were done in large pots that were placed on the table - we have pics of both of the girls in our big lobster pot.
A stroller, the snugglie, and a bed for them to sleep in (we used our pack-n-play were the only specialty items we took along. They slept in the blanket sleepers at night and all was well with the world.
Have a great time.
RE: Silverado/Sierra owners
I have a Silverado and my noise was coming from the front windows. I installed the plastic window coverings that keep out the rain if the window is down about an inch and that got rid of the rattling sound. I just had to install a new one - somebody broke the one on the passenger side and the noise was driving me crazy. Had to buy a pair since I couldn't get just one. I think they were about $40/pair at Autozone or Advance Auto.
RE: Thinking about Savannah, GA....??
We go to the area several times each year, but we go to Hunting Island State Park. It's hard to get reservations - have to make them about a year in advance, but it's worth it. It is about halfway between Savannah and Charleston. You can be either place in an hour. Wonderful place.
RE: R/V Parks in St. Paul, Virginia Area
Good luck!!! I don't really know where Rich Valley is, but it's not around St. Paul. I live about 20 minutes from there and he is right, there aren't really any RV Parks, but.... Ok, that was a bit sarcastic, but St. Paul has about 1,000 residents (maybe) and any campground that is open all year long is full of campers with people working at the power plant. There are a few that are seasonal campgrounds that will be opening here soon. April 1 is the date that most of them open, but with the weather we have had lately, it may be a little later. We have had snow on the ground since Dec 18th with it STILL falling.
Camp Bethel - in Wise, about 30 minutes away from St. Paul. They have several full hookups.
Bark Camp Lake - between Norton and Coeburn. Very private, wooded, in the Jefferson National Forest. No hookups. Might be pushing to get a 40' with a toad up there - it's on top of the mountain and the roads are curvy.
Flag Rock Recreation Area - a very nice, nice campground, but it is on top of another mountain and we have a hard time getting our 33' TT up there.
The Country Boy Campground is an old drive-in restaurant that has been turned into a camping spot - it is about 45 minutes from St. Paul, but does have full hookups with cable.
Natural Tunnel State Park is further away, but is a really nice campground with water/electric only, but a dump station on-site. It is outside of Duffield and about an hour away from St. Paul.
If you were to stay in the Abingdon/Bristol area - you are looking at about a 45 minute drive. There are several campgrounds in that area - Sugar Hollow Park is a favorite of mine, but it has water/electric only.
You can PM me and I can give you some more specifics.
It's a beautiful area and I am always glad to show it off.
RE: Cell phone number
Call your phone company and see if you can put a block on your phone from that number. Otherwise, just don't answer it - let it ring. Nobody says you HAVE to answer if you don't know the person on the other end.
RE: Gatlinburg
I-75 to I-40 East, take the last exit before the road closing on I-40, Exit 432 (Hwy 25,70,411). Just a ways down that road, you will turn left following Rt 411 (Newport Highway). This is a 2-lane, curvy road but it is used everyday by semi-trucks, RV's and buses going to Dollywood). We were pulling a 33' TT and had no problems at all. You will follow this road for about 8-10 miles, passing the Bush Bean Factory. Make sure you keep following Rt 411. There are some curves when roads run off to the right. Don't follow them, but continue on 411. Newport Road changes into Dolly Parton Parkway. You will come into a more populated area and enter Sevierville (there will start to be traffic lights). Turn left onto Veterans Boulevard which later becomes Middle Creek Rd. Follow this road and you will pass Dollywood and Splash Mountain and KOA and when it dead-ends, you will be at traffic light #7 in Pigeon Forge. Pine Mountain RV Park is (right) and left at light #6, Twin Mountain is to the left as well as Foothills and Alpine Hideaway (ligth #10).
Hope this helps - if you are going somewhere other than Pigeon Forge, let me know and I can adjust the directions.
