RE: Best Shows and Dining in Smokies
Thanks so much you guys, you are giving me some great ideas I would have never thought of...I'm hoping this will be a trip she has fond memories of when she is out of the country...
Have any of you ever done the hummer/ rafting trips??
Just wondered how those were..
thanks again and keep it coming pleaseeeee! :)
RE: Thank you to the lady at Jordan Lake Poplar Point CG
It was getting dark and we asked her if she shouldn't be heading back to her site. She said no, that she didn't care if her father was worried or not. Just about then a car approached which was her father coming to look for her.
I shudder to think what possibly could have happened to this girl had she happened upon "bad" people rather than us...
Good points Denise....I'm wondering though...if she was trying to stay away from some bad people....sometimes those types of conversations are warning signs of parental abuse.
I watched the program the other day where the daughter was cut out of her tent and stolen by a serial killer in montana back in the 70's..Not saying this to scare anyone, but I do think that to many people take their childrens safety for granted..(not saying this against you niki, I probably would have done the same thing as you did), I'm not just talking about campgrounds, talking about anywhere..
I have seen some really lax security in some of the campgrounds we have stayed at and I dont think just because someone boasts of a secure campground that people should assume it is.. anyone can walk through the woods and around the guard houses very easily..
Watch your youngins!!
RE: Castaways Update
The total for 5 nights for 2 adts, 3 children ages 12, 14 and 16 with tax was $495.00.
:E wow, I have been following the thread and thought we might try it out sometime....but....
Is this place right on the beach? It seems awfully expensive..
Thanks for the heads up!
RE: Thank you to the lady at Jordan Lake Poplar Point CG
Thank HEAVEN for people who are Saints and see a situation and move
quickly to help!
I know if it had been my daughter I would have been just like you and probably forgotten in the frenzy also, but I'm sure the lady knows
how totally grateful you are!
We certainly live in different and strange times, who in their right mind would give a child a map and send her on her way, good grief people, ever read the story of the good samaritan? I think as campers (and GS members especially) we need to keep a watch out for each other, it doesnt take much usually to help when someone is in need, especially a child..
I'm so glad that this one has a happy ending, because so many dont.
God Bless you and your entire family..
Best Shows and Dining in Smokies
Hey all,
Wasnt sure where to put this....we are headed to River planation
next month and was wondering what some of you smokie-holics think are
some of the best shows and places to eat?
We had to cancel trip to South Dakota for several reasons and want the
daughter to see some Americana before she re-locates with the Navy for Spain for 2 years :(
Give me your best stuff!
Thanks all, Happy 4th of July and God HAS Blessed America!!!
RE: West Virginia Campgrounds
Hi Jim,
We stopped at an overnite called summer wind in Dawson...it is just a field, but full hookups and right off I-64...nothing fancy but worked for us..I believe it is 20 or so miles off of the 77 split (but dont hold me to that)..
Older fellow running the place was very nice and helpful..
Hope that helps some...thats about the only place we overnited at along 64..
good luck!
RE: Any campground owners here?
Not to discourage you...but there is NO way I would ever do this..
I had a small shop for a while and its not only the hours but
just the stress is enough to make you crazy..you are talking taxes, salaries, illnessess, dependability, accountability, honesty..
I think the worse part of it is, that no one will take ownership of
it like you will and they will walk away at quitting time to go about their lives and you will be stuck there to keep things going unless you are incredibly lucky and have dependable and honest help.
I hate to sound so pessimistic, but I wish someone would have drilled me with this kinda stuff first I might have reconsidered it all.
It was not a good experience for me and looking at all the small business out of business, I dont think I am just speaking about just my experiences..
the thought of being in business for yourself is the best part of
entire operation, everything else is what kills it for you..
Maybe you should go and work at it for someone else for a while to see
how it goes and then decide...I think someone else on this thread suggested that also...
JMO...good luck on whatever you decide.
RE: Inn The Woods campground, Hocking Hills Ohio
This is the kind of place to AVOID!!!!!!!!!!!They might get the idea if no one shows up.
Sad thing is since they market as a "Christian" campground I know tons of people who flock (like sheep) to things like that just because it's labeled Christian. They're willing to pay more for the word "Christian" in the title. With some of the biggest churches in the US in Columbus (Vineyard, World Harvest, Grove City Naz, etc) they will stay in business easily.
that is not necessarily true; Its easy for most Christians to read between the "lines" with most christian businesses; however....that being said, you have to admit that most establishments that label themselves as christian do hold to a higher standard of ethics, so maybe it is worth it to some to pay the extra pricing.
I remember a story from the Bible about Jesus tipping over tables of money because people were making money in his name. It's a gimmick and nothing more, why else label your business in that way? Why not just label yourself as a campground with high standards? Because like I said before, I know tons of people who will blindly flock to places like that and overpay for everything. It's like the guys in high school at youth group who pretended they were gonna be preachers so the girls would go out with them, all the church girls wanted to be a pastors wife.
I think the pricing of this place speaks volumes about its ethics--that it's willing to charge higher than the area norm for sub-par facilities and then lie about wood being restricted so you have to pay $10/bundle (small) from their own store. They must have missed a few parts in the Bible when they setup their business, or they just skipped over them.
Well, just to set the record straight, Christ was kicking the buyers and sellers out of the temple, the place of worship.
its always the sunday morning quarterbacks that misinterpret things and then start a flame war over nothing..
If people choose to pay extra for a certain type of environment so be it...Koa'ers do it everyday and they are not weakminded followers; they choose to go there and pay the extra...
People have to look at the establishment and decide for themselves whether or not they choose to spend their money there...
I dont think its fair or right that you label every Christian as a weakminded label follower, that is simply not true.
RE: Inn The Woods campground, Hocking Hills Ohio
This is the kind of place to AVOID!!!!!!!!!!!They might get the idea if no one shows up.
Sad thing is since they market as a "Christian" campground I know tons of people who flock (like sheep) to things like that just because it's labeled Christian. They're willing to pay more for the word "Christian" in the title. With some of the biggest churches in the US in Columbus (Vineyard, World Harvest, Grove City Naz, etc) they will stay in business easily.
that is not necessarily true; Its easy for most Christians to read between the "lines" with most christian businesses; however....that being said, you have to admit that most establishments that label themselves as christian do hold to a higher standard of ethics, so maybe it is worth it to some to pay the extra pricing.
RE: Purchasing Firewood at Campgrounds
Buffy,
I grew up in the area where you live but now live in western Ohio. Even though EAB has not been detected in the county where I live it is now quartanteed. Why? Because all of the counties around this one have had EAB detected in them. EAB has been found along I-75 from Toledo to Cincinnati and if you look at the infestation map, you will see that the detections have occurred at roadside rests, major exits, etc where travellers frequent (Walmart, restraunts). A detection was made at the roadside rest in Wapakoneta almost 2 years ago. They cut all of the ash trees within 1/2 mile but the EAB are still spreading.
If you look at US 23 from Toledo to Columbus, you can see the pattern of travel. The first place EAB was detected in central Ohio was at Delaware State Park. The only site in West Virginia is a campground. One can only assume a lot of this spread occurred because of firewood since EAB were first found in a campground.
I agree that RVers are not the only people transporting EAB. I have had people tell me that they know what ash looks like and that they can tell an infested tree. What do they have in their truck? Who knows, but in some cases it has to be ash. 10% of Ohio's trees are ash so once it gets in an area, it's virtually impossible to stop. A new systemic has been found that is 99% against EAB but a licensed person has to administer the treatment. The treatment consists of injecting the insecticide into the base of the tree with a needle. It is hoped that this may be a way to help stop the spread. Other possible solutions: genetically resistant ash, sterilized bait EAB released, a natural enemy (foreign wasp), insecticide and more to still be found.
According to regulations, wood can be transported if the bark plus 1/2" of wood is removed. We have a container of odds and ends scraps from milled lumber that we use when camping. We have found that local builders of storage buildings, homes, etc will let a person have those instead of throwing them in the dumpster. You might also be able to buy some of this type of lumber at the local DIY store. They will often bundle or just throw away the warped/split boards. No concern with EAB with this lumber.
Hey ag,
wow, out of 48 posts u were the only one that had a reasonable explanation other than "because they said so" LOL....
I do understand the situation, my beef is not so much about not transporting as it is the explotation of the prices that cg's are charging due to the fact that we cannot take any...what makes me even more frustrated, is that the SP's are just as bad if not worse and these sp's are the ones we are trying to help by not transporting...I think they could at least sell it at a reasonable price, i also think they would get more people responding positivly to the request and sell more firewood in the process..
Why does everything always have to be a struggle? lol....there is always someone out to make a killing over a catastrophe it seems...
RE: Summer Vacation!!!!!! - Where are you going?
We were planning a trip out West but because of fuel prices (unleaded is $2.30 a gallon) we came up with the idea to visit all 52 counties (municipios) in our state of Nuevo Leon in a four to six week period. We will consume less fuel, stay close to home and boondock the whole time. We will be leaving the second week of July.
Wow! You're paying HALF of what it cost in northern Calif for a regular gallon of gas! I'd stay in Mexico and enjoy your sights if I were you, too! Lucky you!!!
What the HECK is wrong with this picture???? We are soooooooooooo being fleeced in this country!!
RE: Gwynn's Island, VA
Looks like a very cute place...Only problem I see is the W/E only...That would
be rough especially for seasonals, but still looks like a cute place and a nice
trip to get away from it all!
RE: Summer Vacation!!!!!! - Where are you going?
We are going to Custer State Park in South Dakota, later in the summer to visit Mt. Rushmore......gonna take our daughter to see some of this great nation before she heads for a 2 year tour in Spain with the Navy :( :(:( ( can you tell mom not happy?)
Hoping to instill just a bit more Americana in her before she leaves lol...just to make sure she doesnt forget;) LOL...
Headed to Virginia this month to take in some of the Eastern Shore..
RE: Purchasing Firewood at Campgrounds
Once they discover an infestation, they remove every ash tree within a quarter mile.
The campground at Warren Dunes State park in SW Michigan lost 4000 trees and 9000 in the surrounding area.
Emerald Ash Borer at Warren Dunes
What a shame...and exotic bug it says, hard to tell how that happened..
My question is...what PROACTIVE steps are being taken to stop the bug instead of waiting for its destruction, then burning the forest..
I've watched over the last 3 years and see the problem areas growing, and all I hear is dont move the wood; so it seems that the after damage program doesnt seem to be working very well...
I think if we heard what proactive steps were being taken to stop the bug, that might help the whole situation a bit..JMO...
Maybe the SP's should adopt as a goodwill jesture; a free firewood (with a limit) to all campers, that might stop the problem of movement, especially if they are going to burn the trees down anyway...just a thought..
RE: Purchasing Firewood at Campgrounds
With this and a little country road driving or just find some downed wood, problem solved. Pay for itself in no time. 18v chainsaw Extra battery is also good idea. Dave
LOL Dave, I'm sure property owners would love that one! Although, after the storms we've been having, some might really appreciate it :)
RE: Purchasing Firewood at Campgrounds
Just a thought........but I'm wondering why they arent spraying or using a natural resource to control these problems other than the consumer...They spray farm fields, give animals antibotics and rub pesticides on them to keep the flies away, spray along the interstates to kill weeds, they have a spray of every kind in Lowe's etc...see my point?
Because the national forests comprise literally millions of acres here in the west, and there's absolutely no money to cover anywhere near to what it would cost.
Lynn
hmmmmm. billions of dollars in foreign aid, and no money for our own national forest....I dont buy that one..
There are not millions of acres here in the southeast and there seems to be a monumental problem here with the ash borer, and I honestly believe most are not moving wood where they are not suppose to (give or take a few); so that being said, is there nothing else that can kill them with other than burning?
Once again, here is the answer...I believe if the cg's and SP's would charge a REASONABLE AMOUNT for the firewood; this thread would not be here. I've been in enough campgrounds to know that most enjoy their campfires, its part of camping and these owners know it and they are exploiting the issue.....JMO...
RE: Purchasing Firewood at Campgrounds
MonaK - if you live in CO and spend anytime in the mountains you should know first hand what a forest pest - in this case MPB - can do to our natural resource. MPB is only one of many bad guys that get moved around the country - inter state ane intrastate.
So either take scrap lumber - or buy your wood locally and don't carry it around!
We most certainly do know about this pest problem. That is why we buy our wood locally and bring it with us on our camp-outs...and use it only when we camp near home.
Just a thought........but I'm wondering why they arent spraying or using a natural resource to control these problems other than the consumer...They spray farm fields, give animals antibotics and rub pesticides on them to keep the flies away, spray along the interstates to kill weeds, they have a spray of every kind in Lowe's etc...see my point?
The more I read this thread, the more I'm not buying that the consumer moving firewood from state to state to go camping is the only issue here.
As another poster put it, there are trucks and produce and every other kind of transport that criss-crosses this country every day carrying bugs and rodents from one end to the other...not only state to state, but country to country....
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.........:h
RE: Purchasing Firewood at Campgrounds
I've always felt that the sales of firewood within the cg's should be left to a civic group, such as boyscouts, lions, girlscouts, etc. Leave the profit out of it. Here in Mich with the borer its just another chance to price gouge.
Totally agree!!
RE: Purchasing Firewood at Campgrounds
My camping buddy swears banning the import of out of state wood is just a way to get more cash in the CG. He sneaks it in.
We have bought some good $5 a bundle wood before. One place/ barn near Gettyburg (RT116)sells a small wheelbarrow load for $5.
x2 it's a scam plain and simple. We bring it anyway and play dumb, really what are they going to do? Tell us to drive out of the area and dump the wood or we can't camp there? Lol. No prob, I'll go somewhere else.
Maybe if you'd take a look at the dead forests across the west, you'd reconsider. I think it's unconscionable to bring firewood into restricted areas.
:M
Lynn
Buying firewood at a campground isn't going to change a thing. Just like Illegal aliens, killer bees etc, there isn't a thing we can do about it. Now if you put up big screens on state lines and wash all vehicles before they cross the state line etc....Just the amount of insects etc. that hitch a ride on trucks, cars, produce etc...Now if we can put a halt on the illegal alien problem, you will make a believer out of me. Heck, they are sure alot easier to see than some little ash borer.
Very Good Point Weather....again, I wouldnt care to even pay the price if they would make it a reasonable cost for what you get.
