The first and very evident fact is that we have several of what we consider "Favorite Spots", some military, some State
Campgrounds as well as a few private parks.
Although it is natural that more will be said of those 'favorites', it woujld be totally unfair to review only those
we found favorable.
Military Camps:
Round Pond at West Point Military Academy New York:
An absolutely beautiful campground located 1 mile up the hill from West Point Military Academy,
this park surrounds a 'round pond' of about 4 -4 1/2 acres which is not only gorgeous,but where paddle boats and fishing are
available to the novice as well as the seasoned angler.
The Park is about one mile off the main road which makes for a quiet park. Although there
is no sewer hook-ups, there is a 'honey wagon' upon request.
It is a very easy trip down the hill to visit the base for exchange, commissary, hospital,etc.
visits. It is equally easy to make your way to the 'Orange Line' and take a trip into the city.That is exactly what we did.
The train let us off at the Smithsonian, where we spent the day touring the various buildings of this agust ediface. We had
a great time, and want to return... of course.
U.S. Naval Academy - Annapolis Maryland:
A wonderfully small campground just across the bridge from the school. It
has Exchange and Commissary, with hospital on the school grounds.
We really liked Annapolis! There are so many deer running free on the base that you literally
have to stop for the heards at night! It is off the main road so it is quiet and it is very clean. The price is right too.
In August of 2006 when we were there the cost was only $8 per night, for full hookups. It is a great spot to use as a base
camp when doing the touristy things in the area.
Charleston AFB, South Carolina:
What's not to say about this great RV Park? It is clean, well kept, Full Service and close to
all the attractions.
We found the rates reasonable and set up at the AFB as our base of operations to see the sights
of the 'south'. We were there in the fall of 2006 and the weather was cooperative. We found lots of information available
at the MWR office concerning the local attractions. Charleston is a "Must See".
The RV Park is located close to the Main Gate of the base, and convenient to the amenities.
There are full hook-ups even in the over flow area.
Kings Bay NSB, St. Mary's GA
One of our very favorite spots, King's Bay is a pearl!
One of the cleanest FamCamps we have ever visited. Another plus is that there is no long term
stays allowed. Thirty days then you must leave. This keeps the park from becoming a dump.
We were there in the late fall of 2006 during their anniversary celebration. We loved the food
and the music, but most of all the commaradarie. While we were there, we were surprised by an unwelcome visitor. There was
a 4 1/2' Diamond Back Rattler just outside the door of my motor home. It served as a reminder of the surroundings, and tht
we must keep a very good eye on our small dogs.
Sigbee RV Resort Key West FL.
Definately one of our favorite spots. This well appointed and centrally located RV Park is an
oasis in a sea of high costs. Everything in Florida is high cost, and when you get to Key West, the cost is even higher (
$90 per night as some RV Parks). Staying at Sigbee and using the other base facilities is a great way to enjoy the southern
most point in the U.S.A.
Key West itself is a barrel of laughs. I have never laughed so much at people in my entire life.
Duval St. is Wall to Wall people, wall to wall gays and transvestites, wall to wall drunk gay and tranvestite people. I have
actually witnessed two drunks trying desperately to hold each other up while walking on Duval St.
The base itself is a good buy, although there are draw backs. The park is so busy during the
'season' that guests must rotate out of the full hook up spots at 21 days, and must work a rotation back into another spot
as someone else rotates out. I prefer the plan that only allows a 30 to 45 day stay period. That way, everyone gets a shot.
Although Conch are prevelent, be careful of Shelling on the beaches. It is against the law to
take a shell out of the water and illegal to posses a shell that is home to a live creature of any kind.
Late autumn 2006 was the time of our visit, and although the havoac of Katrina was still evident,
the place was a small piece of paradise for the two of us. The weather was great for the entire stay, and there was always
plenty to do down town.
Blue Angels Rec. Area Pensacola Fl.
Another spot that Vicki and I designate as one of our favorites.
The facility is clean, clean and clean. The RV Park sits across a tarmac from a beautiful placid
bay that offers up the absolute best sunsets that I have ever seen.
There is a good Mexican Restaurant down the street, and the base is not too far from any sight
seeing that you might want to do.
The RV Park is far enough back and away from the main roads that you never hear any traffic
noises.
NSA New Orleans
I definately want to visit 'Nawlins' again, but am not too crazy about the RV Park at the Navy
Support Base. There is green grass behind all the sites, and the roadway is gravel. There are no trees (perhaps
a leftover from Katrina), don't know. The base has all the amenities and they are all within spitting distance from the RV
Park, but it just seems to me that New Orleans Navy is just a little too proud of their facility, and charge a little bit
too much.
The facility has full hookups at each site.
Kirtland AFB, Albequerque NM.
Kirtland is another spot that is okay as a stop over, but that is about I can say for
it. It is cold, really cold at night (at least at the time of year we were there), and there are enough coyotes
looking for the bunnies in about twenty warrens that you don't want to take your small animals out for a walk.
Not all spots have full hook ups, but enough do that there should not be a problem.
It is located on base, so the amenities of a base are there and offer easy access.
Again, a little pricey for what they have to offer.
Sea Breeze NAS, El Centro CA.
Located in the middle of the desert, Sea Breeze is a place to warm up, and perhaps visit
the Colorado River.
I would definately visit again, but perhaps not stay too long. The reason for the short
stay is because of the continuous take off and landing training for the fighter wings stationed here. I can only thank God
that I was not here during the time the Blue Angels winter here.
Away from town, but not too far. Each site has full hookups, and WiFi access for free.
Del Mar Beach, Camp Pendleton, CA.
Part of the Camp Pendleton trio of RV Parks, it is my opinion that this is the worse
of the three.
The sites are small, and only a select number has full hookups. There are sites that
have been occupied for more than a dozen years by some who apparently have "grandfathered" rights.I'm sure that you can well
imagine the crap that can pile up around a 1970's travel trailer that has been parked in the same spot for twelve to fourteen
years! What the hell is the Marines thinking?
My take on Del Mar is "only in an emergency, or as a wayside on your trip someplace else" .
San Onofre Rec. Beach, Camp Pendleton, CA
The secondof the Camp Pendleton trio, San Onofre is a better
beach and a better bet than Del Mar.
All the sites are full hookup, but each site is graded towards the beach,
making it difficult to get your rig level. All of the beach sites sit with a front view of the Pacific Ocean, and weather
permitting, you can have a great day on the beach, so yes, I will probably visit San Onofre again.
The RV Park is across the freeway from Camp Pendleton, and on the ocean beach.
It is just a jump across I-5 to the amenities offered on base.
Lake O'neil Rec. Area, Camp Pendleton, CA
This is the best of the three Camp Pendleton RV parks. It is not on the beach,
and doesn't have an ocean view, but sitting back on a beautiful lake like it does makes it a bright spot along the southern
coast.
Lake O'neil has full hook ups as well as a selection of sites on asphalt that
have only electric and water. Both are worth utilizing.
The park is close to the exchange and commissary as well as the hospital and
gas station.
Vandenberg AFB, Lompoc CA.
Vandenberg AFB offers a great RV Park. It sets far enough away from the rest of the base that
it gives the visitor the feeling of almost being in a wilderness. The sites surround a large green meadow, and the camp is
very clean, and quiet.
Being on base, there are the expected amenities such as commissary, exchange, gas station, etc.
A great place to get away from the hassel of daily routines.
There is plenty to do on this huge base, including fishing in the lake. Be
aware that for the most part, fishing is catch and release.
Camp San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo, CA
This small and out of the way camp is a truly geat place to get away from it all. There
are only 12 sites and only four of them have full hookups. However, the other eight have water and electric, and there is
a dump station avavilable.
This gem is ideal for taking a break in your travels along the coast route. Kick back and rest
for a day or two before proceeding on. On a reserve training base just on the outskirts of the town of San Luis Obispo,you
are close enough to everything that you might need, and far enough away that no one will bother you.
Sharpes Depot, DLA French Camp,CA.
A wayside that is way busier than it should be. There are twenty sites here, all lined up in
a row. They all have fifty amp electric, water and sewer hookups now.
The biggest plus is the location (just off I-5 between Stockton and Manteca) and the price ($9
with an America the Beautiful Card). The Negatives are Location (about a block away from a huge dog food cooking plant
and next door to the Union Pacific Container Yard)and the fact that there is only a small shoppette on the base.
Beale AFB, Marysville CA.
A clean and well kept RV Park that is far enough removed from the rest of the base activities that it gives you the feeling
of being further out and away from the public. Being on base, there are the expected amenities, but there is more. There are
five small lakes that are on base for the angler in you, a movie theater, auto hobby shop, etc.
The downside, I guess is the price. the Air Force is generally really proud of what they have to market. But its not
too bad or I guess I wouldn't stay there.
Kingsley Campground, Klamath Falls Or.
Located on Klamath Falls Airport grounds, there are 10 sites all on parking lot asphalt. They all have full hookups.
A good place to stop over and rest for a day or maybe even two on your way up and into or down and out of East Oregon.
Cliffside RV Park, Whidby Island, WA
One of our most favorite spots. This is truly a jewel. Located on NAS Whidby Island and just outside of Oak Harbor, this
is a great place to go. There are Water and Electric sites only, but there is a dump station available.
This beautiful RV Park sits just above the beach over looking the San Juan Islands. The views are tremendous and the
weather is great for the most part. It averages about 50% of the rainfall experienced in Seattle.
Its 16 sites are in a park setting with well kept mowed grass. Oak Harbor is a great place to visit. We absolutely fell
in love with this campground.
Ft. Lewis Travel Camp, Tacoma WA
Another Gem of the Northwest. Ft. Lewis Army Travel Camp sits on a lake, with many of its 40 or so sites offering nice
views of the lake. There is fishing (local license required), and being on base offeres the expected amenities.
Holiday Park FamCamp, Camp McCpord Tacoma WA.
Holiday Park is one of those FamCamps that is a good stop over or Waypoint. Sitting in a grove of Eucalyptus, it is difficult
to tune in sattelite or antenna recoption on your tv.
If quiet is what your looking for, this be the place.
Pacific Beach RV Park and Conference Center, Copalis Beach WA.
Not as much effort goes into the RV Park as does the conference center, but it is still a clean and quiet place to visit
for a few days. There is a restaurant available as well as a shoppette. A little pricey for what you get, but still not
a really bad deal. The sites are clean and with plenty of room, all sites are full hookups and overlooking the beautiful Pacific
Ocean.