Sampson state park NY and Niagara Falls ON wine Escape rallies

Departed home in GA 29 Aug after Dr appointments for VA and stopped at Kings Mountain state park campground near York, SC for the night on the way to VA. Didn’t get to tour much, we were in the travel to the kids house mode, but the campground loop we stayed at was empty! No problem getting showers. Visited Greg and Ela and our Grandkids for a few days. Departed the kids house in Barboursville, VA on 5 Sept for Little Buffalo state park near Harrisburg, PA for the night, since that was about halfway to the Sampson state park rally in NY. Headed for Sampson state park on the 6th, and met Fred and Dora in their Casita along the way. It was cool because we were on intersecting highways, got within CB range of each other, and then both got to the same intersection at the same time. We all stopped to see the Little League hall of fame in Williamsport. Free admission for all with my ID card :-) Sampson state park has a museum and lots of wineries nearby. It used to be a Naval training base, and an Air Force base. Had a great time there at the rally, and visited a couple of wineries in the area. The museum is certainly worth a visit if you're nearby. Sept 11th we then headed to Watkins Glen state park for 2 nights. Hiked the beautiful gorge and would like to visit there during the annual old time racer parade. Continued to Letchworth state park on 13 Sep (park was voted best in Nation in 2015) and met up with Ann and Joe who were in their tent for 3 nights. Friday the 16th we headed to Niagara Falls Riverside Park for the Niagara Wine Escape rally with Ann and Joe. Got lots of rain on Saturday during the potluck. Rode the Horatio Hornblower from the Canadian side Sunday and had a great time visiting the falls. I think that the Canadian ride into the falls is a bit more exciting than the American side, the lines were shorter, and it cost a little less due to the favorable exchange rate. The Niagara wine Escape rally is a fun rally with lots of fun Canadians and their Bolers. Bolers look a lot like Scamps and this year there were 2 Scamps including ours. There are also several Escape travel trailers there, which is what the host Alf owns. Monday the 19th we left for Hickory Run state park in PA, and the next day headed for Dover DE. Hickory Run seems to be a great campground for hiking and scenery, but again, we were in travel mode and headed to Dover as soon as we got up. Stayed 2 nights with Ann, then 2 nights with Reg, then headed to VA on the 24th in time for Ela’s birthday. Left Greg and Ela’s Monday the 26th and headed all the way home since it was raining where we were going to camp.

North, to Alaska!

May 11 - Aug 13 2016 Alaska trip. This page is still under construction since we revised our original itinerary based on weather as we went. I'm actually compiling this in Jan 2018 but it snowed and the comment book is outside in the truck. Needless to say, we loved our trip to Alaska on the Alaska highway going up, and the Cassiar highway coming back. Fabulous trip, starting from Sharpsburg GA, and spending the first night at our friends John and Rebecca’s house. They gave us some tips as they have made this trip a couple of times. Next stop was Roy’s fish fry rally at Shakamak state park in IN the next day. Headed across IA (Fishermans corner COE, then NE (Offutt AFB FAMCAMP and Lake Ogallalla SRA, then Riverside Park in Scottsbluff, NE. Riverside park was within view of Scottsbluff National Monument which we visited the next day, as well as a nearby state park that boasts the tallest lighthouse in Nebraska! (Also the shortest, and only lighthouse in Nebraska). Lander City Park in Lander WY was a free campground with water taps and toilets, plus free dump at the city lot a few blocks away. Headed to Gros Ventre campground (FCFS) (Grand Tetons NP) for a couple of nights to have a place to tour the Grand Tetons and Jackson WY. Saw several mooses and a few right in the campground. Next we headed to Yellowstone NP (had 4 nights reservations at Bridge Bay) and got there just before the Memorial day crowds. Stayed at Lewis and Clark caverns state park in MT and toured the caverns, then visited our former neighbor Diane in Whitefish for a couple of days, parking the Scamp behind her house. Whitefish is not far from Glacier National Park so we headed there. Snowfall kept the "Going to the sun road" closed, but we could drive partway up. Crossed into Canada at Roosville, and they actually had us get out of our Scamp while they searched it. They probably thought I had a gun since I recently obtained a concealed carry permit. Headed to Tunnel Mountain campground at Banff NP and saw Scamp friends Craig and Josie while there. Had reservations at Banff but didn't really need them this early in the season. Toured Banff area for a few days before heading North again. Lots of good hiking trails surrounding the Banff area, definitely visit if you get the chance. Headed to Wilcox Creek campground near Icefields Parkway and had a great site for the night (FCFS). Walked to the Icefields glacier. Headed to Jasper NP (Whistler CG) for a few nights, where we had reservations we made a couple days before we got there. June 8-9 Dawson Creek 5 hours (Kiskatinaw Provincial Park North) ($18 night) (Swan Lake provincial park South near Tupper)(Stop and take a photo at the intersection in town where the highway begins. Visit the historic buildings at Pioneer Village and check out the Dawson Creek Tourist Information Centre.) The Kiskatinaw curved wooden bridge is a great place to take a picture of your camper, it's right outside the campground. June 9-10 Fort Nelson (5 hours) Toad River lodge in Toad River?(Good eats at the Shepherd's Inn, about 75 miles out of Dawson Creek. Stop at the Fort Nelson Heritage Museum. Fort Nelson also used to host a Visitors Program. Check at the Visitors Bureau across the road from the Heritage Museum.) June 10-11 Liard Hot Springs (4 hours) June 11-12 Watson Lake (3 hours)(visit the Alaska Highway Interpretive Center next to Signpost Forest. See if you can find the Casita sign we put up in the Signpost Forest. The Northern Lights Center is across from the Signpost Forest. It is about as close to seeing the Northern Lights you can get unless you go up late in the year.) (Head up the highway toward Teslin. Stop at Rancheria Falls. CAUTION! Watch for bears here, especially in the dumpster! In Teslin, stop at the Yukon Wildlife Gallery. Visit the George Johnson Museum, just out of Teslin on your left. June 12-13 Johnsons Crossing (4 hours) (Skagway was scheduled but deleted from trip) June 16-18 Whitehorse (3 hours)(The SS Klondike stern-wheeler and the McBride Museum. There is a walking tour of Whitehorse. Get a brochure at the Visitor Center in downtown.) The Whitehorse WalMart has a "welcome campers" sign with a map showing where to park. There is a gas station right here with a free dump and free fresh water. Also a Canadian Tire store which is always a treat for the guys! Stop at the Braeburn Lodge for the biggest cinnamon roll you've ever eaten. June 18-19 Pelly Crossing June 19-21 Dawson. We passed through Dawson and crossed the Yukon on the ferry so we could get a campsite at the Yukon River campground. Yukon territory campsites cost $12 CAD per night and provide free firewood. We walked back to the ferry to visit Dawson and spotted some friends from the South crossing in their two Olivers! Once you arrive in Dawson City, visit the Klondike Visitors Association along the Yukon River for info, "Must see" attractions include Gold Dredge #4 (guided tours by Parks Canada, eh!) Diamond Tooth Gerties Gambling Hall (show & slots), and Dawson City Museum - make sure to watch the "City of Gold" film. You may consider taking a walking tour of Dawson City. June 21 We left Dawson for Chicken, AK, and crossed back into the USA at the Northernmost customs station in the USA. Friendly customs guy offered to take our picture. Very smooth new highway for about 7 miles, and then we hit the worst gravel of the trip on the road to Chicken on the top of the world highway. A few miles before reaching Chicken we spent the night at Walker Fork campground, which I think is National Forest, cost was $5 with our senior pass and free firewood! You can pan for gold for free across the highway from the campground, host can provide gold pans if needed. June 21-22 Tetlin Junction/Tok After Delta Junction is Rika's Roadhouse. Good place for a bite to eat, but tour buses stop here too. Stop at the Knotty Shop for Alaska gifts. North Pole is next....visit Santa Claus House. In Fairbanks, there is a lot to see & do June 23-25 Eielson AFB FAMCAMP June 23-25 Fairbanks Tour the University of Alaska Museum of the North. If you are into museums, you could easily spend at least a half day there. Take in a ball game of you'll be there during solstice and watch the 2nd baseman adjust his sunglasses at 2 AM. There was a Farmer's Market on the weekend. Pioneer Park is another "must see." Take in the Palace Theatre & Saloon "Golden Heart Review" about life in Fairbanks. Take in Sunday brunch at Pike's Landing. Sit on the deck overlooking the river unless the mosquitoes are bad. June 25-26 McKinley Park June 26-29 Denali June 29-30 Wasilla/Palmer. Tour Palmer (stop at the visitor information center) and learn about the Creampuff Pioneers. Visit the Musk Ox farm outside of town. June 30-2 Elmendorf/Anchorage. Great market on the weekend in downtown. The city used to offer free bus tours of the port. Check at the visitor bureau in downtown for info. JULY JULY -2 Elmendorf/Anchorage JULY 2-4 Seward. Don't even think about going to Seward over the 4th of July! Stops along the way? Portage Glacier for sure. In Seward, walk around downtown and visit the Alaska SeaLife Center (built with BP $$$ after the grounding of the Exxon Valdez). Camp on the beach, operated by the city of Seward JULY 4-6 Homer Spit. After Seward, head back toward Anchorage, but at Tern Lake, turn left and head to Soldotna and Kenai. Fish the Kenai River. Camp at Fred Meyer or one of the local RV Parks. Head to Homer (watch for moose along this stretch) stopping at all the little towns along the way, especially Ninilchik. Homer is one of our favorite places. Camp on the spit. Visit the Salty Dog, Pratt Museum, and Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center. Downtown Homer has a few breweries and art shops. Souvenirs are available at the Safeway store and on the spit. Look for the eagle's nest near the city owned dump station across from Safeway. JULY 6-10 Valdez. head to Valdez, on the Richardson Highway. Stop at the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve Visitor Center. Take the "loop" through Copper Center. From Thompson Pass into Valdez it's all downhill....literally. Did you stop at Bridal Falls for a photo?? I highly recommend taking the all day Stan Stephens Glacier tour of Columbia & Meirs Glacier. You may have to wait a day or two for a seat, as this is a very sought after tour and there are a lot of tourist in the summer, especially from foreign countries. If you stay at Bear Paw RV Park, they can book your cruise and you can walk to the dock from camp. The cruise, while pricey, well worth the money. Visit the Valdez Historical Museum. Lots of little touristy places in Valdez. JULY 10-12 Tok JULY 12-13 Destruction Bay JULY 13-15 Whitehorse JULY 15-16 Watson Lake JULY 16-18 Cassiar JULY 18-19 Hyder. Hyder, AK and watch the bears. Visit the Toaster Museum in Stewart, BC. JULY 19-20 Burns Lake JULY 20-21 Prince george JULY 21-23 Red Pass (Jasper) JULY 23-25 Banff JULY 25-28 East Glacier JULY 28-29 Great Falls JULY 29-1 Rapid City (Custer etc) AUGUST AUGUST 1-3 Badlands AUGUST 3-4 Sioux Falls AUGUST 4-5 Kansas City AUGUST 5-6 St Louis AUGUST 6-7 Paducah AUGUST 7-9 Nashville AUGUST 9-11 Chattanooga AUGUST 12 Home (give or take 2 or 3 weeks) One Provider trailer tire had steel belt showing on the way back, so placed spare Loadstar on. It had been wearing on outer edge, first noticed on way up and rotated/balanced in Montana, but belt came through on Icefields parkway on way back. These were the M rated Providers, tire amazingly kept together though. Installed Carlisle 205/75R-14 D rated tires after this trip. 14,123 miles total, 1014.8 gallons, 13.9 MPG, approx 12,000 on Scamp.

Blue Angels homecoming and Big Lagoon state park FL

Big Lagoon State Park, Pensacola, FL. Blue Angels homecoming airshow. We arrived on Veterans Day and made it to the Friday night show, and then came back for the day show the next day. Impressive, but no A-10s (my favorite airplane) flying. We had a nice shaded spot at site 19, and would go here again just to take a break. We just hiked the trails on our last full day and relaxed. Met Ray and (Re)Voe here, they own an EggCamper. The park has kayaks and canoes for rental, and places to launch your own kayaks. Beautiful weather and sunsets. The Navy Blue Angels museum on NAS Pensacola is worthy of a visit any time, and can take a full day or more since it is so interesting.

Raccoon mountain TN, Southern Belle river cruise in Chattanooga TN, Rock City, and Cloudland Canyon

Raccoon Mountain, Chattanooga, TN. This trip was to catch a “fall colors” river cruise on the Southern Belle in Chattanooga. The colors weren’t quite ready yet, but the scenery was still good. This weekend happened to also be the “Head of the Hooch” rowing regatta with hundreds of rowing sculls competing. Busy waterway. We visited the Chattanooga Choo-Choo and trolley, and visited Rock City. We both used the shower in the Scamp on this trip since we had full hookups. On the way home, we drove to Cloudland Canyon state park, and walked part of the rim trail. Beautiful campground! The colors were better here, and I also went to the floor of the canyon and then back up the 400 plus stairs to see the waterfalls. Looks like a good place to camp.

Land Between the Lakes, TN. Piney campground LBL rally 1

Land Between the Lakes, Dover, TN. This was a fiberglass campers meetup, and our first rally after buying our Scamp. Several Scamps (mostly 5’ers) and 2 Casita’s and 2 A-Liners (Dennis the host bought his A-Liner) attended and camped at Piney campground. Dennis was instrumental in giving us advice which helped us pick a Scamp vs an A-Liner (he has one of each). We toured Fort Donelson National Battlefield (Union’s first big victory under young US Grant) and learned how to cook on a Dutch Oven. Colors in the trees were turning a pretty color. Campground was nice, but crowded with kids on school break that weekend. Visited the Lodge cast iron foundry in Pittsburgh, TN on the way up, and bought some cast iron of course!

Unicoi state park, Helen, GA with Greg and Ela

Unicoi state park, Helen, GA. Our Grandkids were visiting, and we still had our pop-up camper, so we took both campers here to camp with Greg and Ela. They have "buddy sites" at many of the GA state parks where you can get two sites together. Greg built a campfire both nights, and the guys hiked to Helen along the 3 mile trail, while the girls drove. We hitched a ride with the girls on the way back. Brady hiked all but about 1/2 mile. Helen is a town that mimics a Bavarian Oktoberfest type of town, and they have German restaurants and an annual Oktoberfest celebration. Swam in the beach area of Unicoi lake and also hiked up to Anna Ruby falls. Ela wanted to stop and look at BIG campers on the way back so we stopped at Camping City. They had a buffet at the Unicoi lodge while we were there, with all you can eat trout available! Yummy!

Foster reunion, Tickfaw state park LA, Coleto County park TX, Galveston Island state park TX, Lackland AFB, Cajun RV Biloxi MS

Headed to the annual Foster family reunion in Victoria TX. Marilyn's Mom's name was Foster, so it's her side of the family. We stayed at Tickfaw state park in LA the first night, then Coleto Creek county park in Victoria, TX 2 nights, where they held the reunion. Tickfaw was about halfway between our house in GA and TX, and they have a small but fun water park area for the kids. You can also kayak or canoe in the adjacent river. It sure was nice having our own air conditioned place to stay before, during, and after the reunion! After the reunion, we headed to Goose Island state park in TX for 3 nights (inner site 1st night had too many skeeters there so we moved to beach site next 2 nights). The area with trees has lots of shade, but it also blocks the breeze that keeps the mosquitoes at bay. The sites along the water had a constant breeze and the mosquitoes stayed away. They have shade shelters over the picnic tables. We had a sidewall split on the left rear Dakota tire, replaced free at Sam’s club. We then parked 2 nights in Marilyn's sister Debbie’s driveway in Floresville, TX, and then a week at Lackland FamCamp with full hookups so we could visit Marilyn's family in San Antonio. Headed to Galveston Island state park via historic TX revolution back roads for a night, then took a free ferry from Galveston and headed to Cajun RV campsite in Biloxi, MS for a night. Toured Biloxi before heading home.