Updated Details of My Winter Travel

Preliminary thinking as to time, mileage & locations.  Lengths of stay at each location planned to have entire trip take 56 days away from home.  All that is needed now is to determine the worst weather in the Northeast....a crap shoot.

A look-see at what one fella thinks:

Doesn't Look Good Does it?

Day 1-2: - 369 miles - 6 hours 18 minutes. Overnight stay at Cherrystone Family Camping Resort on Cape Charles, VA:  http://www.cherrystoneva.com/

Day 3-8: - 516 miles - 7 hours 40 minutes. Travel over and through the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel (RV's $19.00) to South Carolina.  Stay with/at Roger & Wendy's in Bluffton SC and/or Hilton Head Harbor RV Resort & Marina or on Sun City premises.

http://hiltonheadharbor.com/site.php

Days 9-14: - 258 miles - 3 hours 47 minutes. 
Nova Campground in Port Orange, FL

http://www.novacamp.com/index.html

Days 15-21: - 210 miles - 3 hours.  Del-Raton RV Park.  http://www.goodsamcamping.com/travel/campgroundsandrvparks/generalinfo.aspx?cgid=300007066  The ZERO rating for restrooms, of course, of no concern for me, VC

9.4 miles - 14 minutes to Jim & Missie

9.2 miles - 13 minutes to Scott & Kori  Would you believe .8 miles and 2 minutes from each other?

11.miles - 20 minutes to Norma in Boca Raton.   How nice is that?

Days 22-28: - 157 miles - 2 hours 50 minutes.  To Florida Keys: Grassy Key RV Park, Marathon, FL; site of the Dolphin Research Center; Photos for Sara  http://www.grassykeyrvpark.com/

    http://www.dolphins.org/

Reverse the trip for my travel back home.  If sites are that nice, I'll book the same sites for my trip home.

Total time away: 56 days; less if I don't stay as long in each location.  More time will be devoted to visiting friends mentioned above. 

Winnie Gets a Checkup

Today, I traveled 80 miles to Camping World, the dealership in Kingston, from whence Winnie was born.  I may have mentioned in an earlier blog that there were a few things I didn't think were "right" for a new RV and wanted them checked out before any warranties expired.

1.  In the water service center, I could not turn the plastic fresh water valve from the "tank fill" position to the "normal"  position.  I didn't want to force anything.  As a result, I've been unable to fill the tank with fresh water;  with water hookups available at campsites, this isn't really an issue unless I'm "boondocking" (camping without hookups).  Drew from the service department used the force necessary to show that it worked as expected.

2. All of the exterior storage compartment doors (except one) have to be slammed (a couple of times) in order to stay shut.  Well, once again, Drew, steps up and proceeds to shut them nice as you please with minimal effort.  The situation here was akin to hearing that funny noise in the engine of your vehicle or the problem with the TV that seems to disappear once you either bring your car in for service or the TV repair fella finally arrives for the house call and everything works perfectly.  For ten minutes he and I took turns opening and closing the one pesky compartment and each time he did it, it worked.  Each time I tried, it had to be closed a couple of times before it caught.  It should have been captured on video.  Conclusion?  It's the design of the coach so deal with it.

3.  With two ceiling vents located right under the AC unit in the rear, one of them barely seems to be blowing; there's and unequal force blowing cold air into the coach.  This was another item on my list that was minor but was addressed because of a warranty.  Drew agreed that there's a difference and fetched another tech from service, Bob, to check it out before he wrote up the concern for Winnebago.  Conclusion?  After taking photos, they'll submit and request Winnebago's team to see if servicing is necessary or is it simply another design flaw.  There are three other vents that do the job of cooling off the interior of the coach just fine.

4.  I wanted to know if the amount of pressure being applied to the brakes was normal.  They seem very "spongy" to me and require a lot of pressure.  Perhaps after driving the Caddy, they do "feel" different but, as it turns out:  Yes, it's normal.

So, after an hour spent addressing these minor issues and feeling satisfied, I set off for my return trip back to Cross River.  But first, a fill-up and the local QuickChek gas station.  Much to my delight, diesel was selling for $3.79 (vs. $4.20+ around here).  Having kept notes on mileage and gallons purchased since I bought Winnie, I was delighted to see that I am getting 16.29 miles to the gallon; way more than I had hoped for.

And speaking of fuel, the price of propane has bothered me since being ripped off at Luposella's here in Montrose.  The campsite I'll be visiting come September 3rd ( Searsport Shores Oceanfront in Maine), supplies propane for $3.25/gallon, $19.00 minimum.  Guess they win the propane gas war.  My research showed Synergy in Cold Spring, $3.50 and Pidalla Fuel, north of Synergy in Cold Spring, at $3.90.

Update on my thoughts for future travel.  A winter itinerary, it seems, doesn't make too much sense when you figure the time of the year.  Cold blasts of air off the ocean?  Snow & ice on the road?  Till when?  Are campgrounds open for me?  I looked into the weather future using the Old Farmer's Almanac and came up with this:

For the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic: A cooler than normal winter with above average precipitation is currently favored. Snowfall is projected to be above normal.

So, instead of hopscotching down the Atlantic seaboard, I will probably drive directly to visit friends, Roger & Wendy (R&W) in Bluffton, South Carolina before heading further south into Florida; namely Daytona Beach Shores/Port Orange, Boynton Beach, and Boca.  The 846, 13 hour trip to SC will be broken up into two days with a stopover half way in Virginia Beach, VA, 410 miles and 7 hours away. Although I've been very lucky in the past regarding my "hobby" of driving folks to and from airports all through the winter, traveling during those months eliminates not only the winterizing of Winnie, but the elimination of worry and hassle of driving in bad weather, about flight cancellations and re-scheduling, and early pickups before snow plows or late night pickups waiting in the cold cell phone lot.

The BIG question remains: During which month(s) will it be?  The answer will develop as time goes on and more input is received.  Stay tuned.

In the Nick of Time

It was with a bit of reluctance that I cleaned up and packed Winnie yesterday, my last day at Croton.  The previous week was, in my mind, one of the best of the summer.  I cannot think of one negative aspect that would make me happy to get out of there.  Actually, the first day setting up and the last day breaking down, cleaning, and packing are always the "worst."  Balancing this reluctance was the thought that in just two weeks, I'll be headed out on an 8 hour trip to the Penobscot Bay region of Maine.  Searsport to be exact.  If you care to take a peek, click on the link, Searsport Shores Oceanfront Campground  and check it out.

As it turns out, I left "in the nick of time"--weather wise  There was some evidence on my Caddy here in the parking lot that it had rained overnight.  There's nothing I'd hate more than packing and wrapping anything w.e.t. only to have to open up very soon again for drying out.  I did feel bad for neighbors and friends, VC&G leaving them with this inclement weather.  Vicki always has the right attitude:  no problemo.  That's the time you curl up with a good book and good music.  She's now reading my copy of Silkworm. 

Today, I awoke to an overcast, threatening sky.  No sun. The temperature at 72 was most comfortable but today was "Mom's Day."  I try at least one day a week to run up to Fishkill, NY and bring my mother (95 years old) down to spend the afternoon with me.  Her rain cap and not the sunglasses will be the order of the day.  On the way home, we ran a few errands to "pick up a few things", something she can no longer do for herself (and sorely misses).  The big find of the day that put me right up there next to Jesus was finding a hard to find magazine featuring the "Jumble" puzzles.  We also picked up a LARGE PRINT Word Find booklet.  In addition, I made a trip up to the Verizon store in Wappingers with her to pick up a TV remote with large numerals....found it.  Between sister Judy and myself, we programmed it when I brought her back home tonight and she can get her 6 favorite channels.  She's in her glory.

Another BIG discovery made today.  On a hunch, I stopped in the Synergy Propane outlet on Route 9 in Cold Spring and inquired about LPG prices.  Much to my delight and surprise, not only will they fill my RV with it but the price is $3.509, and according to Donna who works there, that's been the price for the past year.  Thought I'd faint right then and there.  Why?  My last fill was at Luposella's in Montrose.  My 13 gallon on-board tank was only half full at the time but it cost me $70 to do it......$10.00/gallon.  Outrageous now as it turns out.  Winnie goes in for a look-see up in Kingston's Camping World (the dealership) on Wednesday, the 26th and I will stop and fill her up in Cold Spring.  $25.00 ought to do it.

And, finally, to end this mindless flow of my full day, I'll leave my reader(s) a hint on a future post I'm planning.  Soon to come:  "My Winter Itinerary Down the Eastern Seaboard" and how it came to be.

Winding Down....for now

What a nice, final gesture Mother Nature had given me this morning as I sat and continued my reading of The Silkworm.  There it was, 'outta da blue', landed right on the book and voila, let me take a couple of shots.  "The butterfly is a multicultural symbol of the beauty of Nature, appearing in numerous examples of nature scenes of many artistic styles. Butterflies are included as elements of these scenes because they most effectively represent all positive characteristics of Nature." --Ronald A. Gagliardi, edited by Dexter Sear.  Their significance when landing on a person is open to many cultural traditions, superstitions, and meanings.  For me, it stopped by to ask how I enjoyed the past week of incredible weather as tomorrow, Wednesday, will be my last day here.  It did receive a hearty thank you for providing such an experience.

I enjoyed a visit from friend, Dina, who loved Winnie and its amenities.  A walk to the tip of Croton Point added to the pleasures of the afternoon.  

 
Sights along our walk to the tip of Croton Point Park

Abandoned Wine Cellar on the once Underhill Estate

Looking east at Metro North train headed south for NYC

We disturbed a hawk who took flight

A rotting tree; an ecology study in itself

Later this afternoon another visit from (River House) neighbors, Bob & Barbara G and John & Cathy F.  They, like Dina, got to see VC & G's Allie, the mansion next to Winnie, the "cottage", 

 

Well, tomorrow marks the end of my second stay here in Croton.  The list of things to do to prepare for my departure has become a routine: packing screened tent, Coleman Road Grill and tank, awning cleaned while retracting, black water tank emptied followed by the discharge of the gray water tank along with the flushing that follows each discharge.  Slides for the couch area and rear bed engaged, hoses and sewer line disconnected, drained and stored.  I will drive my Caddy to the storage area in Cross River and meet sister, Judy, who, in turn, will drive me back to the RV site so I can then drive Winnie back to Cross River.  Once Winnie is back in her storage area, there will be more work to do before saying goodbye:  Perishable foods, both in refrigerator/freezer and pantry must be removed; bedding, and electronics and anything else that is needed and part of my apartment scene.  I must keep in mind that two weeks from now I will once again be on the road; this time north to Searsport Shores Oceanfront Camping to visit my cousin John P. while he's at his summer cottage on Penobscot Bay, Maine.  I am looking forward to that trip.

 http://www.goodsamcamping.com/travel/campgroundsandrvparks/generalinfo.aspx?cgid=970000569

Later that evening, I will drive back to Croton to pick up camping neighbors, Trish & Craig who will join me in a trip to Samurai for a sushi dinner. 

Travels with .....

Charley  No, the other one; Me, Charlie.  A most appropriate gift given by friends Diane & Ed from "back home" (The River House, 12.6 miles north from my present location.)  They came all the way for a delicious dinner consisting of a London Broil on the grill, baked potato with cheddar cheese, macaroni salad, sauteed mushrooms, the sweetest corn on the cob,  and cornbread.  For dessert, peaches over all-butter pound cake with whipped cream.

Ed & Diane

I eagerly anticipate reading my next book.  Comoran Strike, in The Silkworm, by JK Rowling, is nearing the solution of a murdered author, the wife of whom engaged his services.  The House of Thunder, by Dean Koontz will have to wait.  

More eagerness lies waiting in my taste buds anticipating the opaque garnet color with ripe red fruit, oak, and vanilla aromas to be offered by their next gift: 2012 Robert Mondavi's Private Selection Cabernet Sauvignon from the Central Coast.  Wine tasting notes indicate that on the palate, it’s light-bodied, smooth and easy with plum, cherry and vanilla flavors. 

Thank you, Diane & Ed; an after dinner visit from neighbor and friends, VC and George,  who stopped by.  More dessert?  How can that be?  Any room left?  Well, this is what's left of VC's pie. Recipe available upon request.  After two simple steps, 20 minutes on the grill and it's done.

A glance back at today.  A mid afternoon visit from friends, Pat & Marty who enjoy meeting Winnie and the quiet beauty of the Croton RV Park.

5 Empty RV sites next to me

And across the street!  Very Quiet!!

Tomorrow?  More visitors.  See you at 1:00 pm.  Pleasant dreams.

I Lied

My last post began with a quote: It is said that you never know how great a day is until it's over.  As it turns out, that's not quite true.  That day wasn't the greatest, today was.  How can you keep topping the day before with beautiful weather?  Have I timed this week perfectly with the weatherman?  Will it always be this way?  I hope my travels take me to other campsites as nice as I have enjoyed thus far.  Today, Sunday, at Croton Point Park was just as perfect as anyone would want: low humidity, a slight breeze, clouds enough to give alternating periods of shade and sun....but that's what I wrote the other day.  Add to all that good stuff the fact that it's quiet here.  Someone's AC running is about as noisy as it gets.  Kids yelling and screaming?  Sure; the playground is a couple of roads west of me but isn't that what family camping is all about?  Mom and pop relaxing back at the camper with the little ones whooping it up with others at a playground.

Enough about weather.  If you've ever experienced a "great day", you know what I'm talking about.  My day was punctuated with a visit from my mother and sister, Judy.  They've seen Winnie before but today's visit was for some cookies and coffee.  Mom loved the peaceful serenity of the campsite;  Interestingly, she wondered why she's never heard of or saw the popularity there seems to be in RVing and motor homes in general.  Was it because I now have one that it's all coming together?  Judy liked it also but has difficulty understanding the mentality of the true RVer; some of whom live year round in a motor home.  They actually came at a perfect time.  The surrounding campsites (7) are vacant.  Only the long term folks like Trish and Craig and Joe and Linda are here.  Because of work schedules many campers spend their weekend here and are gone by Sunday.  Maybe tomorrow will see new arrivals.  One family pulled in this evening behind me.  Mom, dad, and three kids (who love lacrosse) and camping in a fifth wheel.

Clouds are thickening but the sun continues to shine.  There's no mention of rain.  Sorry, but I don't have new photos to post and right now.   I'm in the mood for a bowl of soup.  I'm keeping it light these days and will pause to enjoy a light dinner.  Maybe more later.  

Then again, maybe not.  Instead I retired about 11:30 and finished a few more chapters of The Silkworm by J.K. Rowling.  Coming up on the last chapters of this whodunit novel with multiple suspects and motives.  I think she does an excellent job in developing her characters.  I enjoy getting to know each and every character complete with their idiosyncrasies and why they could be the #1 suspect or not but, in the end, you are incorrect.

Tomorrow I prepare for a visit with and dinner for Ed & Diane.  It will be the first time they get to see Winnie.  Ed & Diane live in my builging--on my flooor--and is my backup fella for airport trips that I am not available for or have a conflict with other jobs.  More about that tomorrow.  Good night.

The End of Another Day

It is said that you never know how great a day is until it's over.  As days move along and blend one into another, that's the thought that continuously runs through my mind.  What a day!  What was special about it?  Nothing earth-shattering, no one incident; it was just a beautiful day.  I awoke to very chilly temps, probably in the mid 50's.  Tonight temps will drop to the low 50's.  Yet as the day wore on, the temps rose, the sun peeked through puffy clouds and the fall weather "feel" required a sweatshirt.  By mid-afternoon, off it came.

Friday at any campsite sees much activity.  For one RVer it marks the end, while for another it marks the beginning.  Maybe that why I like arriving and leaving on any other mid-week day.  Big rigs leave and bigger ones seem to arrive.  Many cause one to sit back and marvel at how and why someone would gravitate to such extremes.  What decisions went into choosing this one or that; this size of that; what must it have cost?  How could they possibly drive it?  As expected, the owners are "on in years;" no youngsters here driving those rigs; retired with no children (more likely with grandchildren they have the pleasure of spending time with).  Sometimes the big one become too much for the owner.  The fifth-wheelers have the most trouble.  One couple arrived two sites away from me around 7 pm and spent the next hour trying to back their 40 foot rig onto their site.  Back and forth he went, turning left then right but...never seeming to get it right.  Thank goodness two sites on the opposite side of the street were vacant affording him more maneuverability.   Throw into the mix the fact that it's a husband/wife effort.  Now the tension mounts.  Directions and instructions are given but not always heard or heeded.  And after goodness knows how long it took to get here, tired and irritable, it takes it's toll.  In this particular instance, after that hour, they're gone....even after the wife got into the pickup to try her hand at it.

It is now 9:15 pm and another trailer is in the process of backing into a site behind and two over from me.  In the darkness I can hear, "cut it left," "okay, c'mon back....keep coming."   These maneuvers throw me back 35 years when my little Ticonderoga pop-up would have to be backed into a spot.  After my initial trial by fire, I now smile to know that I eventually became proficient.  Would I or could I maneuver a 40' trailer now?  No, not on a bet, thank you..

Time to call it a day.  Thermostat is set at 69 and switched to "elec heat", so it'll be interesting to hear it kick in maybe during the night.

What? More rain for Winnie?

Yesterday, Wednesday 8/13,  

  I awoke to a torrential downpour that lasted most of the morning.  I did not like the thought of setting up later that day in the rain.  South of us got it big time;  13" in Islip I've been told including a death.  But by the time Winnie and I arrived here at Croton's RV Park, the sun was shining and after 1 pm it cleared nicely for the rest of the day.  After setting up and thanks to sister, Judy, I was able to use my Caddy to drive back home and pick up the refrigerated and frozen items I needed for the week.  I wanted to get the frig and freezer in the RV cold first.  Yes, to pull off that convenience, I drove to the campsite first with my Caddy and she met me here.  Together, we drove to Cross River to get Winnie.

After setting up, my first night's dinner was BBQ chicken with friends, Vicki & George, at their nearby campsite.  A special treat was having their 3 grandchildren, Summer, Cooper, and Savannah, there spending a couple of nights before they head back home to NC. 

Cooper

Summer

Savannah

Chef George's grilled chicken

Table setting by the kids

 Right now, Thursday, it's 65 degrees at 7 a.m. and the sweats are on.  The sun is shining and I'm meeting a friend for an 8:30 walk.  It's sunny and breezy.  Brrr.  I think it'll soon be bye-bye summer and time for ....uh...hmmm....what do they call it?  School?  Yeah, I think that's it....school.  Too bad.  For me and all retirees, it's called it an "endless summer."  Hee hee.

The two-mile walk over the top of Croton Dam was long overdue and beautiful:

 Completed in 1902, this architectural and engineering masterpiece is second only to the beauty that surrounds it.  The reservoir and the plush, green vegetation that goes right down to the water line all around its perimeter is captivating and mesmerizing.

Then there's the awesome power of water.  I have photos following major storms that show the awesome spectacle. 

This evening, I look forward to having granddaughter, Sara, visit for dinner:  hamburgers on the grill, macaroni salad, roasted potatoes w/rosemary, and corn on the cob.  Dessert will consist of a slice of pound cake with peaches and a spritz of whipped cream....for one more year, she's stuck with water or juice to accompany; And...at the last minute, a surprise guest appearance; her mommy & Bailey as well as VC & G.

 

5 Days and Counting

Once again the excitement begins to mount as Wednesday, August 13th approaches.  I will be returning to Croton RV Park on "Left Handers Day".  I am a proud member of the Left Handers Club (http://www.lefthandersday.com/ ) and when I took the Left Handers test to determine how much of a lefty I am, my score totaled 90%. That's "Seriously Lefty." 

"The Left-Handers Club was formed in 1990 aiming to keep members in touch with developments, make their views known to manufacturers and others, provide a help & advice line, to promote research into left-handedness and development of new left-handed items.

Since its formation the Club has gone from strength to strength with members all over the world and is highly regarded as the foremost pressure group and advice centre on all aspects of left-handedness."

In addition to the timeliness of the day, a number of additional items have been purchased to enhance my camping experience.  Accessories from either Camping World or Camco.Net will be added to Winnie:

A second tri-leveler ramp will allow me to be sure the RV is level on both wheels.  Although this has not been a problem in the past, I can detect the very slight incline while maneuvering within.

Packets and bottles of chemical deodorizers (Aqua-Kem) for the black holding tank and a bottle of grey water odor control will now be available for the grey holding tank

One project to complete will be the installation of a soft touch RV assist handle for the outside of the coach.  One of my RV neighbors will, no doubt, have a drill with the correct size drill bit for that job.

A States Sticker map will have to find a home inside or out of the RV; and 2 stickers will be added: NY & RI with ME to come in September.

A new sewer hose rinse cap will assist in keeping that hose clean and clear.

My menu is sketched in pretty much and I'll just need Tuesday for the shopping.

And finally, although I won't be needing it, my RV Ez-Pass transponder arrived and will be attached as directed.  There.  All set for places far and wide.  Big deal, eh?

Rainy Days & Camping

I woke up on Day Two, Saturday, to a drizzly, wet day.  Yet, I smiled and gave silent thought about how nice it was and how lucky I am to witness and participate in another day.  But that's what I do every day at home as well.   The big plus, if you've ever experienced it, is listening to the rain on the roof of a camper.  Mine is composed of Fiberglass and has a unique sound that I find soothing.  There was no wind or even a breeze, so I missed out on gentle sounds of bamboo outside my window....the gift given to me by MB and the girls from their trip to the DR. I will hope, however, that some sun will shine to help dry things off before I pack up on Monday morning.....like the awning and the table and bench cloths I put down for Sara and Dan when they arrived for dinner tonight.

Sara wasn't feeling up to par today, so it was a perfect day for her to lay low and rest in the coziness of her own place.  Going easy on dinner, she picked up some Chinese veggies and Udon noodles for me.  She brought the clams she had gotten the other day for her and Dan.   Although Dan had eaten earlier, they both cooked and ate them.

Tomorrow she would like me to stop by and visit her lab where she works.  I'm looking forward to that  That should be after 11 a.m.  and I'm already looking forward to the varied eateries they have in the campus area.  She let me keep her car once again, so, when she's ready, I'll drive to her rather than the other way around.  I think it's a long way between URI and the campsite.  She doesn't think so indicating that most things around this area are a bit of a drive.

And so, as another day draws to a close, I am enjoying checking my emails, plays Words With Friends with Wendy, Sue, and Cheri and Vicki, when she can find the time, and finishing with entering some thoughts into this blog...which is more of a diary for me vs. news for others.  Can't think of too many people who would be interested.  Today, I found a classical music station 95.9 FM and it's been relaxing and soothing music all day.    I will continue reading The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith, a.k.a. J.R. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter Series and be assured that I'll fall asleep while doing so.  Actually, I'm ready now and it's only 9:11 pm.

a.k.a. J.R. Rowling and
our hero, Cormoran Strike

At this point, friend, Vicki, would have entered her "Deep Thought for Today."  Bless her for going that extra mile to look up and pick something that is right on the money, appropriate, and thought provoking.  Me?  I'm past having "deep thoughts".  I guess I languish in  just being able to have ...."thoughts".... And, dear reader, have pleasant thoughts and dreams as well.  A peek of my future includes my next adventure.  I will join VC & George down at the Croton RV Park once again, side by side, at Site #36.  I've made reservations the week of August 18th through the 25th and, as usual, I'm looking forward to that week.  It will be good to see how Trish & Craig have come along with their new 5th wheel, "Tradition" as well as having visitors myself; friends and neighbors, perhaps even my own mother.  We shall see.

Speaking of weather.  The two most beautiful days of the RI included the 3 hour drive to the campsite on Friday and the 3 hour drive returning home on Monday.  What made the ride home particularly satisfying was filling Winnie with diesel:

At Wawaloam Campsite, West Kingston, RI

I left home about 10 o'clock to visit "Allie", Vicki and George in Buchanan.  Their one-year-old rig is magnificent.  It is definitely a step above "Gracie", maybe two or three. As expected, not everything is to the liking or satisfaction of the new owners but everything will be taken care of in good time.  The amount of storage inside and out is beyond belief.  I will wait till mom and dad are ready to show off the interior, so more photos to come.

Allie Arrives....

....Ready for Her Makeover

After my visit I then proceeded to pick up Winnie in Cross River, New York.  Three hours and 254 miles later, I met granddaughter, Sara, in the parking lot at Ryan Stadium near URI. We had lunch at the Burger Shack; a most delicious meal.  

Cali Burger

It is now 6:15 PM and I await Sara when, at 7:30, she will drive to the campground, pick me up, and proceed to Shogun.

Narraganset Roll (l), Chicken Tempura (r) 

Firecracker Roll                     

http://www.shogunri.com/Home

         

 

The Campground:  It is indeed massive boasting 300 sites; the site map below shows the many sites.  I am occupying site #40 with just water & electricity.  The dump station will be visited on the way out.  There are comments about the campground which appear in reviews and even one from Sara upon her arrival at the gate to pick me up.  I'll reserve my opinion till the end.  More photos will be added as they are gathered.