I'm in the minority here, I think, in staying in rest areas and truck stops and parking lots more often than CG's... that's why I bought a "fully self-contained" unit to start with. In the past five years+, I've stayed in GG's less than a dozen nights, all but one for a rally or other 'meetings' with someone.
I use my own facilities. But it's not for sanitary reasons, or shyness; heck, I shared three showers with 100 other guys for four years in the Navy. I just don't like walking thru the CG when I'm not awake .
Jim, "Why isn't there mouse-flavored cat food?
'06 Tiger CX 'C Minus' on a Silverado 2500HD 4x4, 8.1 & Allison ('Loafer's Glory'); '07 Forester 2.5 ( the 'HANDBSKT'); '95 Toyota SR5 V-6 4x4 pickup, ARB locker, Bilsteins, Warn hubs & M8000, etc;
'94 968, M030 swaybars ('DOPPLER')
The very first time I refused to use the CG facilities, was near the north rim of the Grand Canyon. I was too tired after hiking to travel on and most CG's were full. The facilities were a collection of port-a-potties and the shower had no roof, the sinks were outside. In 93 degree heat, a well used port-a-potty is not a nice place. They had full hookups and I wanted my a/c.
Then there are times, I just don't feel like taking the walk, that's why I have a B.
Noticed that many mention using the campground showers and facilities "if they are clean". Even if they do not appear clean, it makes a difference on how you prepare yourself before using the facilities. I wear flip flops and do not remove them in the shower, wear minimal clothes with only a key in the pockets, bring along a broom handle for hanging the clothes (also serves many other uses), and a roll of toilet paper (if prior investigation shows the need), and park reasonably close if you forget something. It usually requires a drive through to locate and inspect the facilities before parking. I believe the campground is wrong.
I'm afraid I WOULDN'T stay at a campground without facilities. We always use the showers and rest rooms on-site as opposed to those in the rig, unless it's the middle of the night. I find it makes for less dumping hassles, less holding-tank capacity hassles and less, um....odorous hassles in the motorhome.
Boondocking is a different story, of course, but if I'm paying for a site at a campground, I want the facilities.
Campground facilities are a must for us. Have to laugh sometimes with the way campgrounds are set up. The facilities are by all the elec and water sites and none near the tent sites. huummm whats wrong with this picture.
To Terryallen, Yes, we were in the Steele Creek area, stayed at Steele Creek Campground. The "elite" place was Optomistic RV Resort. The guy was nice and did not discourage us from staying there, we just decided against it due to the hike to the bathhouse. It appears that most "B's" like to have the option, as we do. If I were a campground owner in this economy I think I would want to broaden my market base, especially 12 miles from an Interstate highway and with so much competition nearby. Thanks for so much good feedback, especially liked the advice about how to prepare for inadequate bathhouses. I have a big metal S-hook that I carry in my shower bag to help with showers with no clothes hook but the broomstick sounds more versatile.
As long as we're adding hints about public showers, I have to tell my favorite: I always take a small bathmat with me. The most detestable thing about CG showers is stepping out onto a cold, wet cement floor! and yes, I wear flip-flops, but eventually you have to take them off and dry your feet. When you have a nice thick little mat, it is SO much nicer.
lizzie wrote: To Terryallen, Yes, we were in the Steele Creek area, stayed at Steele Creek Campground. The "elite" place was Optomistic RV Resort. The guy was nice and did not discourage us from staying there, we just decided against it due to the hike to the bathhouse. It appears that most "B's" like to have the option, as we do. If I were a campground owner in this economy I think I would want to broaden my market base, especially 12 miles from an Interstate highway and with so much competition nearby. Thanks for so much good feedback, especially liked the advice about how to prepare for inadequate bathhouses. I have a big metal S-hook that I carry in my shower bag to help with showers with no clothes hook but the broomstick sounds more versatile.
Steel Creek is pretty good. It does get hot there in the summer. well except for the water. The water NEVER EVER gets warm. Shoot. It never even gets up to cold. It is always FREEZING. When it is in the 90s. You can feel the cold from the water, Before you get in.
They have a saturday night dance in the pavilion. It is always full.
We go on up the mountain in the summer where it is cooler, and don't need AC. Several nice CGs up there.
Come back, and explore.
Heathertee2002 wrote: As long as we're adding hints about public showers, I have to tell my favorite: I always take a small bathmat with me. The most detestable thing about CG showers is stepping out onto a cold, wet cement floor! and yes, I wear flip-flops, but eventually you have to take them off and dry your feet. When you have a nice thick little mat, it is SO much nicer.
I wear my flipflops to the shower, in the shower, and back to MH. I only take them off and dry my feet off at the MH.
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