RV Parks Scoop - Cross Creek Camping Resort (Delaware, Ohio)

Our plans to try and connect with friends at Lexington Horse Park just didn’t come together. For one there was a large event (The Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event) going on in the park consequently, the campground was full. Also, it was between campgrounds in which we were going to stop for the night. Therefore it would have meant we had one very short days drive and one very, very long days drive.  As we left Renfro Valley we thought maybe we will surprise them and just show up. Well, it was our surprise when we got 2 miles from the exit and traffic was backed up waiting to get into the horse park to see the day’s events. Sorry Nancy and Betsy maybe next time. We honked as we went by. Did you hear us!!!!

We have made Cross Creek Campground one of our planned stops for many years. The first year we stopped we met our good friends Don and Sandy here and the rest is history. The campground is about 6 miles off I-71 in Delaware which is just north of Columbus, Ohio.

The entrance road to the campground is paved with rumble strips so slow going is the name of the game. All interior roads and sites are gravel with grass between them. Most sites have 30/50 amp service with water and sewer. When we connected to the power source there was no 50 amp service. So having a 75 foot power cord comes in handy, I just connected to another site. I called to let them know, someone was there to fix it in no time. There’s no cable TV at this park but we were able to get at least 20 over-the-air stations maybe more. Wi-fi is available for free throughout the park but we could not get on. The park staff is very friendly as are the permanents. We have found this consistently with each visit that's why we keep coming back.

The whole days drive and even setting up was done in the pouring rain. Yes, I am still in my shorts and t-shirts and loving this cool weather (48 degrees). Tonight it’s suppose to go down into the 30’s. Halleluiah!

RV Park Scoop - Renfro Valley RV Park (Renfro Valley, Kentucky)

Before we left Georgia behind we had to pick up some pecans. Everyone knows that Georgia is known for their pecans, peaches, and Vidalia onions. Moses, the man behind the pecan stand was a real business man. We picked out what we thought were the two bags of pecans we were going home with. Nope, Moses made us a deal on 4 bags of pecans. With smiles on our faces (including Moses) and less cash in our pockets we were all happy.

Every state has its own challenges, whether it’s the mountains of Tennessee or dust storms of Texas. What is pretty consistent across the board are the terrible drivers. Yes we have our fair share in Canada but on the I-75 there seems to be way too many. There are so many people from Canada and different US states, that are all trying to get home in one day. So, in saying that, people are crazy on the road, cutting me off and stopping on the on ramp in front of me instead of accelerating. These are just to name a few. I’ve also noticed that if it is race weekend (NASCAR) people seem to drive like they are on a race track.  So the moral of the story is you have to have eyes up your butt.

As we approached our stop for the night we were feeling good so we decided to push on another 30 miles or so. What a score. We found the most amazing RV park in what I thought was the middle of nowhere. It’s just off the I-75 at exit 62, 45 miles south of Lexington and 135 miles north of Knoxville. As we were ready to exit, all the traffic started to slow down. We crept along then the traffic came to a complete stop right in front of our exit. Fancy that! Another score!

I had never heard of Renfro Valley let alone the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame. Once we registered, got set up, had something to eat, I decided to go out and explore. The campground is part of the Renfro Valley Entertainment Center and is equipped with all the amenities. The interior roads and sites are all gravel with grass between each site. All sites have 30/50 amp service along with water, sewer, and cable TV. There is no Wi-Fi at this park.

Our site...trees are just starting
to blossom

This is about 1/3 of the campground...got to love the
hills of Kentucky

Within walking distance of any given site is live country, gospel, and bluegrass music along with a shopping village and historic cabins. They also have a full service restaurant on the premises. As I was walking around all I could smell was smoked ribs. Too bad I just ate.

Pretty neat shops

The Music Store which has been around since 1939

An old Gristmill 

Full service restaurant on the premises

Aunt Polly's House...the
oldest house in Renfro Valley circa 1817

How did this place get it’s start? Well I asked the same question and this is what I found out. It all started in Chicago in 1937 when a young man by the name of John Lair was listening to a new contraption called the radio. With his new love for music and entertainment John moved back home to the Renfro Valley and started the Renfro Valley Barn Dance. For two years the show continued on WLW radio in Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio. While this was happening the Big Show Barn was being built in Renfro Valley. Most locals figured the barn would turn into a future tobacco barn. What they did not know was in two short years there was a loyal following of the radio station. So on November 4th, 1939 the Old Barn doors opened and the announcer from WLW started to broadcast what became known as the Renfro Valley Barn Dance. They are now in their 76th year. If you like country music this is the place to come. It’s quite, small but has great entertainers.

The Old Barn

The New Barn

Unfortunately, we arrive a day early or we could have seen Loretta Lynn in concert. Other artists gracing the New Barn stage are Tracy Lawrence, Ronnie Milsap, The Oak Ridge Boys, Charlie Pride, Merle Haggard, Mickey Gilley just to name a few.

Site of the Bluegrass Festivals

A country singer entertaining the
campground

We have already decided that this place deserves a return visit. The area is alive with music and entertainment.

RV Park Scoop - Harvest Moon RV Park (Adairsville, Georgia)

Getting an early start is essential for us when travelling home. However, we are not the type of people that get up at 4 am and on the road at 4:15. We’ve all seen it. Most mornings I’m up at 5 making coffee, doing a few chores around the rig, and then I sit and enjoy the sunrise.

Our days drive was pretty much unremarkable. This year we decided to take the 285 around Atlanta instead of going right through it. That proved to be a wise choice. Not that we weren’t up for the challenge, you know me I’m always up for an experience. We have driven through Atlanta twice before and really didn’t care for it or should I say the drivers. Going around is maybe 10 miles longer but proves faster since there are no slowdowns.

People always ask me where I stop for diesel. Most RVers know that you just can’t pull into any gas station but non RVers don’t realize this. I usually hit the Flying J’s or Pilots. Where ever I see transport trucks getting diesel that’s where I can go. Then you have to watch the drivers pulling into the station as you’re pulling out because you know they are going to cut you off as they jockey for position to get gas. Sure enough Susan just got the words out of her mouth and someone cut me off. People, do you not realize I’m bigger than you are! Obviously not! Anyway we are back on the road again no harm no foul.

This trip home we are living dangerously. Why! Well, we decided not to make any reservations ahead of time just in case we wanted to travel at little further. Generally our rule of thumb on travel days is around 300 miles give or take. Our destination Harvest Moon RV Park is just over that mark. We have been here before and I have blogged/scooped on this campground so I won’t bore you again. I will say that nothing has changed since we were here last. We chose a pull-thru with 50 amp. Cable and Wi-Fi is included in the price which had a Good Sam’s discount. Cable worked great, Wi-Fi not at all. All in all a great park about a mile from the highway. We would definitely stay here again. 

RV Park Scoop-River Park RV Park, Valdosta Georgia

Our next overnight destination was River Park RV Park in Valdosta, Georgia. Here is my review or scoop on the park. The park is just off 1-75 at exit 18 in Valdosta, Georgia.  I chose this park because of its easy off easy on access to the highway. I hate venturing miles and miles away from the highway for just an overnight stop. Many KOA parks are like that and I guess that’s why we don’t stay at them.

We called ahead to make sure they had a site and sure enough they did. However, the woman was unsure as to where she was going to put us. Upon arrival the park looked virtually empty. Not sure what she was thinking. Oh well, she was not the most friendly person on the block. She gave me the entire rundown of do’s and don’ts which took a good 5 minutes. I almost felt like asking “can I go now”.

The Office

All interior roads are paved and in great shape. The sites are all paved but very very narrow. It was tough trying to get all four tires of the rig on the site. One side was on the other was off and sloping downhill. It took a few tries but we finally got it.  We also had the only site with overhanging tree limbs. What a pain….

Our site...with overhanging branches

All services (water, electric 30/50 amp, and sewer) were within easy reach of the rig. Cable TV was provided at no extra cost and worked great. I think we got close to 65 cable stations. The park also provided free Wi-Fi and I have to admit it was the best park internet I have seen.


 After we set up I went for a walk around the park. This is not a destination park although there seems to be a lot of permanent people here from out-of-state. At the back of the park is a large pooch park and the only bathroom/laundry room. The laundry room was clean as was the bathroom and shower area. The scary thing about the bathroom was the rat running along the floor when I walked in. Not good!

Pooch Park...I-75 in the background

Laundry Room

Bathrooms/showers..rat included

The park was very clean with lots of tree. Of course like every park their are trailers and then their are trailers.

Hard times 

Pretty park

Nice gardens

Because the park was close to the I-75 there was a lot of traffic noise. It did quieten down much later at night. Would I stay here again, probably! In saying that, there are other parks just north of Valdosta that look as good.

On The Road Home

Yes, we are on the road again but this time we are travelling north, way north. No, not the North Pole north. Although, after this past winter people back home are sure saying it felt like the North Pole. Yes you guessed it, we are homeward bound via the I-75. After saying goodbye to our friends, down the road we went, knowing we won’t be back here for at least 4 years.

Our first destination we decided would be Myakka River State Park which is only 100 miles up the road. We left Bonita Springs at 10 am and it was already 84 F. It should have been only a 1-1/2 drive but of course there was a traffic accident. It did not look all to bad just lots of bent fenders. We arrived and it was the fastest check in I have every done at any park. The dogs barely had a chance to get out of the truck to do their business.

After we got all set up and had some lunch I went out exploring. This park is like home to me since we have been here so many times. I’m not going to bore you with things I have already written about. Instead I will find something interesting. When I was out exploring the wind really picked up and there were a few rain drops. I found out later that several tornadoes and some severe weather passed through just north of us, in the St Pete’s, Tampa area. How lucky not to be driving through that.

We opted to stay in Myakka for 2 nights so I was up at the crack of dawn and out the door to explore Myakka. My first stop was the bird walk. Not much happening out there. I did see a mating pair of Sandhill Cranes with their young one. Also a wild turkey strutting his stuff. I made my way to the Myakka Trading Post where shorebirds and gators always hang out at the weir.

A young Sandhill Crane

A male turkey strutting his stuff for the female

A Dowitcher unsure whether its a long or short billed

I called it a short day since it was soooooooo hot all the birds, gators, and wildlife disappeared. I did see this lone deer going to walk across the road. Even it was hot, it was panting.

It was really hot

Our next stop will be Georgia.

Back to Bonita Springs

As Susan and I always say and believe …things happen for a reason. We have cancelled our trip to the north of Florida and Alabama to return to Bonita Springs for two reasons. First and foremost we sold our double wide park model in Bonita and have to close on or about 
1 April. It did not make sense to travel all the way to Alabama only to turn around and travel all the way back to southwest Florida to close the deal, empty the park model then turnaround again to start heading home. Even I’m not that crazy adventurous. The second reason has more to do with Susan hating the cold weather when she knows its 80 degrees in Bonita Springs and could be sitting by the pool drinking strawberry daiquiris.

So we arrived back in Bonita Springs on 22 Feb and surprised lots of people, namely Dave & Marilyn who were in the park model. However, it did not take long before our boat friends Murray & Laurel asked if we wanted to go out on the pontoon. Yes sirrey we sure did. It was a glorious day not too hot, a few clouds, and a slight sea breeze.

Dave, Marilyn, Holly(the wonderful Golden
retriever),Laurel, and Captain Murray

Before we left the dock one of the workers yelled over saying there was a manatee in the harbour. Sure enough there he/she was just lazing around like the gentle giants they are. Sometimes called sea cows because of their massive bulk they are graceful swimmers. A resting manatee can stay submerged for up to 15 minutes but when swimming they must surface every 3 to 4 minutes. Manatees are born underwater. The mother must help the calf to the surface to take that almighty first breath. While the calf drinks the mother’s milk, the adult manatee is a voracious eater. They can eat a tenth of their own weight every 24 hours. Their diet consists of grasses, weeds, and algae.  Protected by law, manatees are on the endangered list and face several challenges. These gentle giants are often killed or injured by motorboats going way too fast in the crowded waters. They can become entangled in fishing nets consequently causing them to drown. Manatees are air breathing mammals.

A gentle giant

As we were cruising along the river you can’t help but notice some of the beautiful homes and some of the strangest looking water vessels.

Looks like an old snowmobile on pontoons

Lots of beautiful houses

We arrived at our destination which happens to be across the channel from Lover’s Key State Park. If you remember this is where Susan dumped her kayak and had to swim to shore. She still blames it on the dolphins.

Beautiful beach

Stopping to enjoy the area and to have a cold beverage

We hung around on the beach for a good hour but then all great things must come to an end. All in all it was a wonderful day spent out on the water with friends.

St Augustine

Lying on the coast and rich in history is St Augustine, a place we have driven by several times but never stopped. Being less than a hours drive away and looking for an adventurous road trip we decided on St Augustine and in particular the fort of Castillo de San Marcos. Before starting out we noticed several prescribed burns in the area and were thinking twice about going. After checking in at the ranger’s station we were reassured that they were miles away. Easy for them to say since prescribed burns use to be called controlled burns. That’s right controlled. Well as the story goes enough of these burns became uncontrolled leading to large areas being destroyed by an out of control fire. Hence the renaming “prescribed burn”. We decided to go anyway leaving our trust in the knowledgeable forest fire people that it won’t get away from them.

In 1513 Florida was claimed by Spain through the expeditions of Ponce de Leon. St Augustine was established in 1565 by Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles and was the oldest permanent European settlement in the continental United States. It was the political, military, and religious capital of the Province of Florida where Spain ruled for over 235 years. Spanish fleets would sail home from these tropical territories laden with sugar, tobacco, chocolate, pearls, silver, and gold. These products would bring high prices in Europe. Consequently, this made Spain the most powerful and envied nation in Renaissance Europe.

Recognizing the need for a permanent fortification, the construction of Castillo de San Marcos began in 1672 and was completed in 1695. It is the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States. This star shaped masonry fort was made from a stone called coquina meaning small shells. Because of the softness of coquina, cannonballs would sink into the structure rather than shatter or puncture it.

Star shaped masonry fort

The fort was built from coquina
meaning small shells

Susan standing on the only entrance to the fort

The four corners of the fort are protected by diamond shaped bastions. This allowed cannons in one bastion to create crossfire with two other bastions when under attack.

Standing on top of the fort

Looking out at Matanzas Bay

The flag that flies above the fort is known as The Burgundy Cross or the Cross of St Andrews. It became the flag of Spain after Philip of Burgundy ascended the Spanish throne. It was Spain’s flag from 1506-1785. Castillo was once white and trimmed in red to match the flag. It represented Spain’s claim and power over La Florida.

Flag of Spain  1506-1785

The fort is littered with several interesting artifacts and weapons of the time. One such weapon is a bronze 15 inch mortar cannon that was made in 1724 in Barcelona Spain. Its range was 1.2 mile. This particular cannon was captured by the United States during the Spanish American War in 1898.

Mortar cannon

After the siege of 1702 by the British in which St Augustine was burned to the ground, the Spanish surrounded the town with a wall made of earth and palm logs. It also included a wide but shallow moat. The only entrance into the city was from the north. Part of this wall, called the Cubo Line is present on the park grounds.

Part of the Cubo Line that surrounded the city of St Augustine

The Spanish kept the moat dry thereby allowing domestic animals to graze. However, during land attacks the moat could be filled with sea water by opening gates along the seawall. The embankment around the outside of the fort is called a glacis. It protects and shields the lower fort walls from cannon fire.

The walls of the fort surrounded by a moat

Spain held Florida until 1821 when serious Spanish American tensions led to its cession to the United States. In 1933 the fort was transferred from the war department to the National Parks Service.

After a great time exploring the fort our stomachs were yelling at us to feed me please. So away we go on the hunt for a quiet little restaurant preferably over looking the ocean. St Augustine delivered again. We found a great place not far away called South Beach Grill.

Great location

Nice view

Maui Maui fish burger...it was fantastic