Caravan from CT!!!!!!!

[pjpoppins]

Do you guys 1) book campsites and make sure you arrive to them? 2) drive til ready to stop and try to find a site somewhere close to the highway? 3) park at a truckstop/walmart/etc. and just pass out for the night? Staying at a site seems like it might be fun and make the trip more enjoyable yet also a chore. I would think it would be a pseudo-setup. Obviously you have to unhook but I wouldn't be putting the mat out or anything for a 12-16 hour stay.

 

[peg110]

We just drive to a spot where we can pull over and take a break in the camper. I know others are more concerned about safety and while I agree that you want to be safe, we have never had an issue. It's not like we pull over in a rest stop (or truck stop or walmart) and stay for 12 hours. Usually, it's a 5 - 6 hour stop. Enough to "Re-Energize" get a bite to eat (and more coffee.... Lots of Coffee! ) and then get back on the road to finish the trip. For us, getting off the highway and driving an the "extra miles" to a campground (plus costs) just don't seem worth it. That's us though. Others are just as content to to do that.

Even if I were to go to a campsite for the Rest/recovery before I continued (12ish hours), I don't see me "Disconnecting" the camper for such a short stay unless there is a very specific need. I would just keep it connected. For us the only real advantage of a rest break at a campground for the drive is the convenience of hooking up to shore power which then allows our AC (and microwave) to work. It hasn't been much of an issue for us though as of yet.

 

[jbrostek]

Since our trips are usually January and February, we always stop at a campground. And due to the time of the year we are usually de-winterizing on the first stop of the trip. Since our route and travel time is pretty well known we usually book our campsites about a month ahead. Just to ensure we have large enough sites for the night.

The last big trip I took in the summer I still used a campground, but since we where trying to get as far towards the destination as possible, we just stopped in when I was worn out and looked for an open site in the after hours list.

 

[KristinU]

We've always stayed at campgrounds (with reservations) on the way down and back, but I've been intrigued by parking lot boondocking for a few years. I've always been too nervous to try it until last winter on our way back home when the convenient CGs in PA were all closed for the season...so we tried a casino for our first foray and it worked out great! Since then we've done it twice more at a Walmart and I think we'll plan on doing it from here on out unless it is really hot and we need the AC on or something, though we could run our generator for that, but sleeping with it on isn't my cup of tea.

Way back as newlyweds we got burned not having a hotel reservation for a wedding a state away (back when we lived in the midwest, where a state away is a day and not an hour ) so we've always felt the need for reservations and not rely on the "fly by the seat of our pants" approach. But now with smart phones and technology to research locations for boondocking (or available campsites), we've backed off a little on our rule to always have reservations. However, reservations for our final destination - absolutely!

 

[PaHunter]

We've always stayed at campgrounds (with reservations) on the way down and back, but I've been intrigued by parking lot boondocking for a few years. I've always been too nervous to try it until last winter on our way back home when the convenient CGs in PA were all closed for the season...so we tried a casino for our first foray and it worked out great! Since then we've done it twice more at a Walmart and I think we'll plan on doing it from here on out unless it is really hot and we need the AC on or something, though we could run our generator for that, but sleeping with it on isn't my cup of tea.

Way back as newlyweds we got burned not having a hotel reservation for a wedding a state away (back when we lived in the midwest, where a state away is a day and not an hour ) so we've always felt the need for reservations and not rely on the "fly by the seat of our pants" approach. But now with smart phones and technology to research locations for boondocking (or available campsites), we've backed off a little on our rule to always have reservations. However, reservations for our final destination - absolutely!

If you were traveling up Interstate 84 exit 26 is Promised Land State Park, it has campground facilities open all year.

 

[KristinU]

If you were traveling up Interstate 84 exit 26 is Promised Land State Park, it has campground facilities open all year.

Thanks, but we were still down on 81, not too far though since we ended up at Mohegan Pocono Downs. We also tend away from state parks for overnights after being gated out of one in SC that we had a reservation at. We got lucky with a seasonal guy coming home and letting us in, but after that we go for commercial CGs if we are arriving late...or now just Wally World or a casino!

 

[peg110]

Mohegan Pocono Downs.

Almost right in my back yard.

There is a SAMS club and Walmart in this area (Wilkes-Barre PA) too and they are always "Host" to a variety of RV's and Tractor Trailers. Walmart is right off the exit and Sams Club is just down the road from Walmart.

 

[KristinU]

Almost right in my back yard.

There is a SAMS club and Walmart in this area (Wilkes-Barre PA) too and they are always "Host" to a variety of RV's and Tractor Trailers. Walmart is right off the exit and Sams Club is just down the road from Walmart.

Are you talking the Walmart on Airport Road in Hazle Township? That's where we've stayed twice since the casino - on the way down and back to Raleigh and Pigeon Forge in April. On the way down we were with over a dozen other RVs!

 

[peg110]

Are you talking the Walmart on Airport Road in Hazle Township? That's where we've stayed twice since the casino - on the way down and back to Raleigh and Pigeon Forge in April. On the way down we were with over a dozen other RVs!

No Highland Park Blvd in Wilkes-Barre (Exit 168 off of I-81) Get of the exit and a quick left and Wal Mart is on the right. Go past Walmart down the hill and Sam's Club is on the left.

We were just down in Pigeon Forge in July. First time there. We are planning to go back to Dollywood in November this year as well. We were going to be going to Disney, but really the economics of it changed our mind. We love Disney, but a season pass at Dollywood is less than a 2 day pass. So we got season passes last time (Plus "Season" Cups for soda refills at 99 cents and a season popcorn cup too). So tickets are paid for. It's a shorter drive (less gas) and the campgrounds are much cheaper. HOWEVER, they don't even come close to Fort Wilderness. Again, it's a budget decision for us. I know others are struggling with choices like these too.

 

[KristinU]

No Highland Park Blvd in Wilkes-Barre (Exit 168 off of I-81) Get of the exit and a quick left and Wal Mart is on the right. Go past Walmart down the hill and Sam's Club is on the left.

We were just down in Pigeon Forge in July. First time there. We are planning to go back to Dollywood in November this year as well. We were going to be going to Disney, but really the economics of it changed our mind. We love Disney, but a season pass at Dollywood is less than a 2 day pass. So we got season passes last time (Plus "Season" Cups for soda refills at 99 cents and a season popcorn cup too). So tickets are paid for. It's a shorter drive (less gas) and the campgrounds are much cheaper. HOWEVER, they don't even come close to Fort Wilderness. Again, it's a budget decision for us. I know others are struggling with choices like these too.

Gotcha on the Walmart and Sams, will keep those in mind as well! Thanks!

I hear you on figuring out the best bang for your buck. And we really liked Pigeon Forge and the Smokies. It was our first visit and we will most definitely be back. We feel like we barely scratched the surface of the national park and we never even made it to Dollywood! PLus, I know there are nicer times to visit than April, but we tied it to a visit to Raleigh for a half marathon and a visit with my SIL and BIL. For Pigeon Forge we stayed at a pretty little no-frills campground in Sevierville called Up the Creek. Very convenient, but off of the main drag so a little more serene, and most sites back to one of the two creeks that border the property. We really liked it and will use it again. We'd also like to try Anchor Down sometime (rates about the same as the Fort, though!)

 

[PaHunter]

Thanks, but we were still down on 81, not too far though since we ended up at Mohegan Pocono Downs. We also tend away from state parks for overnights after being gated out of one in SC that we had a reservation at. We got lucky with a seasonal guy coming home and letting us in, but after that we go for commercial CGs if we are arriving late...or now just Wally World or a casino!

PA State Parks are open. PA does not charge for entrance into State Parks so some do not have gates to close off areas. But Wally world or the Casino are good also, plus at the casino you can grab dinner if you need to, or a drink.

 

[PaHunter]

Almost right in my back yard.

There is a SAMS club and Walmart in this area (Wilkes-Barre PA) too and they are always "Host" to a variety of RV's and Tractor Trailers. Walmart is right off the exit and Sams Club is just down the road from Walmart.

Almost in mine also. I have lived in the area since returning from the Army in the early 90's. Have lived up and down the Valley, from Hughestown to Hunlock Creek.

 

[peg110]

Almost in mine also. I have lived in the area since returning from the Army in the early 90's. Have lived up and down the Valley, from Hughestown to Hunlock Creek.

Born and raised in NEPA. (Tunkhannock). Also returned to the area after the 8 years in the Army (out in 1995) now I am in Plymouth PA looking to move more in to the country though. Too much crime and other stuff in Plymouth (and even the surrounding cities)

 

[pjpoppins]

I never thought of Mohegan (not the real one...the one in PA)...I'm gonna take off a Monday night around 6-7p and try to drive 5-6 hours. That would put me in that area unless I feel like I can make it further.

 

[peg110]

I never thought of Mohegan (not the real one...the one in PA)...I'm gonna take off a Monday night around 6-7p and try to drive 5-6 hours. That would put me in that area unless I feel like I can make it further.

I have never had to stay at the Mohegan Sun Casino. After all, I live in this area, but there is also a Super WalMart here as well. Always has lots of RVers in their lot. There is also, in the same complex, a Cracker Barrel, Red Robin, Starbucks, Party City, Chuckie Cheese, Liquor store, a Steak House (I think it's a Roadhouse), a Chinese Buffet, a Wendy's across the street etc... There is a Lot there and it's relatively easy on and easy off. I say relatively easy on/off because there is also the Mohegan Sun Arena at this same exit and if there is an "Event" (Hockey, concert, circus, or whatever..) then traffic can get heavy and slow. Still easy access though.

 

[KristinU]

I never thought of Mohegan (not the real one...the one in PA)...I'm gonna take off a Monday night around 6-7p and try to drive 5-6 hours. That would put me in that area unless I feel like I can make it further.

Have a great trip Pjpoppins! Safe travels!

We're still trying to decide whether we want to leave Friday night or Saturday morning for our upcoming trip. It will probably be a game time decision, but after reading your post and re-reading this thread I think I'm leaning toward Friday night so we at least get a few hours under our belts the first night.

 

[pjpoppins]

Awesome! What dates are you going?

 

[KristinU]

Awesome! What dates are you going?

We'll be at the Fort on the 22nd after stops in Savannah and Titusville

 

[pjpoppins]

We are checking in the 22nd also!

 

[KristinU]

We are checking in the 22nd also!

We will have to meet up to say hello!!!