Lord Alfred the Airstream Update No. 017

 

 Melton Hill Campground

near Lenoir City, TN

From the Vista Recreation website: Melton Hill Dam Campground is located at TVA’s Melton Hill Dam in Loudoun County, TN. The campground is upstream of Melton Hill Dam on the south bank and has a 10-15% slope with three roads tiered up the hillside. Immediately adjacent to the campground is a public boat ramp, day use, picnic and swim area. An overlook is located on the outskirts with picnic tables and benches. 

 

For the past few years, this has been a favorite stop-over place for us when we can get one of our favorite spots below the hill...

From Wikipedia: Melton Hill Dam is a hydroelectric dam on the Clinch River just south of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, United States. The dam is operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority, which built the dam in the early 1960s to extend the Tennessee Valley's continuous navigation channel up the Clinch as far as Clinton and to increase TVA's overall power-generating capacity. The dam impounds the 5,470-acre (2,210 ha) Melton Hill Lake, and is the only TVA tributary dam serviced by a navigation lock. The dam and associated infrastructure were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2017.

 

My dad worked for TVA as a hydro-electric engineer so I always enjoy being around the dams along the river. Melton Hill has steps going into the lake which always brings back some of my earliest lake memories from when we lived in Chattanooga when I was two years old...

 

Melton Hill campground is a pretty place, clean and neat, located just off the interstates [actually between the I-75 and I-40.]

It's easy in and out [if you're on the lowest area] 

and we've always enjoyed being there until this month - 

It's lost it's luster for us as we had 4-5 teenage boys driving back and forth on the lake road [between us and the tent campers] revving their motors and stopping and starting over and over again. We asked the camp hosts if there was a gate to keep them out - and no, they are not allowed to close the gate [?] There are signs that say campers only... They told us to call the sheriff if we had any issues.

I videoed them as they went by and they finally left.

Needless to say - we were not comfortable staying there knowing anyone could come into the campground and cause trouble...

We had booked a two night stay this time, 

but as we left to go see the cows we decided to not go back.

It makes me sad, because other Vista Rec campgrounds 

have gates and enforce the campers only rule...

My take:

Great campground, except for the safety issues...

Bathrooms were clean enough - However, during this visit there was no door / curtain on the shower in the ladies room...  Internet is good -

Lord Alfred the Airstream Update No. 016

Davidson River Campground

Pisgah National Forest

 Brevard, North Carolina

[known for their white squirrels, apparently -]

From their website: Davidson River Recreation Area offers camping and outdoor activities for the whole family. The campground boasts several loops of shaded campsites, as well as access to hiking trails, fishing spots, waterfalls and several nearby attractions within Pisgah National Forest. It lies just four miles west of the town of Brevard and less than an hour from the city of Asheville. The facility is open year-round and is located in Pisgah National Forest at an elevation of 2,150 feet. The surrounding land boasts mile-high peaks, cascading waterfalls and slopes thickly forested with hardwoods and conifers. 

Campsites are organized into eight loops and some are adjacent to the water. Sites are mostly shaded and equipped with picnic tables, tent pads, lantern posts and campfire rings with grills. The facility also provides hot showers and restrooms with flush toilets in each loop. Campers can purchase ice and firewood on-site.  

Nearby are several natural and cultural attractions within close proximity to the campground. Sliding Rock, Looking Glass Falls and the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway are among the more popular sites. The small town of Brevard offers various amenities and services, and visitors can take a trip to Asheville to visit art galleries, shops and restaurants.

 

  After a full day of seeking waterfalls - up and down - and all around - and up and down these beautiful mountains of North Carolina, we were more than ready for a relaxing evening outside of a vehicle - ha.

We all had a late lunch together near our friends' hotel then 

headed downtown Brevard for a treat or two -  

 

Brevard is a sweet little collage town that has lots of boutique shops and coffee places... We were happy to find the Kilwin's Ice Cream and Chocolate shop where we enjoyed delicious ice cream at a table nestled in a little alley away from the sun...

And - oops - Craig and I halved 

our apple for dinner later that night - lol 

It was delicious too!

As it says above - our campground was in the Pisgah National Forest -

 a beautiful area... 

with bear warnings EVERYWHERE -

Our site was tucked down a bit of a driveway - 

again, SO PRETTY!

The only issue was that there was ZERO cell / internet service

... unless you stood at the end of the drive and held your phone just right - then you might be able to get a text. And y'all know - we've shared before, that we want to be available for Craig's mother to call us when needed... 

So this was something we had not prepared for -

After our showers we snuggled in for the night and read a bit while listening to thunder storms all around us. But nary a drop of rain on us...

My take:

This campground reminded me of Parksville Lake [also in a National Forest] - 

only LOTS bigger. 

Zero cell service... clean bath houses...

We never saw a live white squirrel...

But we DID see a bear - sadly, dead on the side of the road 

as we headed out of town....

So there's that -

Lord Alfred the Airstream Update No. 015

 

The Great Outdoors RV Resort

 Franklin, North Carolina

From their website:

 Our resort is surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest and is nestled at the base of the Great Smoky Mountains. Enjoy a leisurely drive or motorcycle ride along the Blue Ridge Parkway on one of the many mapped rides in our area. We are located about two-hours north of Atlanta, an hour south of Asheville, and close to Cherokee.

The Great Outdoors RV Resort has 63 full hookup sites with 30/50 amp electric. We offer a range of sites that that can accommodate everything from a small Airstream Basecamp travel trailer to the largest motorhome or 5th wheel. There are also 3 cabins for our guests without an RV.

Our event center features two full kitchens, restroom facilities, wide-screen TV, a WII entertainment system, and a sun deck overlooking the pool area. Watch the sun set and relax! We now offer SpaceX Starlink Wi-Fi for all your streaming or working needs. Come stay with us and enjoy all the Franklin area has to offer!

We enjoyed our drive up to Franklin, NC

taking our time to stop along the way -

 

We enjoyed a late afternoon meal in Murphy before heading on to our campground - just 4miles from our friends' hotel...

The gravel sites were not impressive to me... but the neatly paved roads and exceptionally well-kept grounds were.

 

And the pool was WONDERFUL.

It was late afternoon when we arrived so there just a few people around 

[and they soon left to go have dinner.] 

EVERYONE we met - staff and guests - were so very nice 

and friendly, and helpful! 

We enjoyed cooling off and relaxing in the pool 

and then sat and read poolside until after 8 pm -

The campground has some small hills, but we could easily walk to and from the pool, bath house, and community fire pit area - all of which is beautifully maintained. 

 

Some people we met at the campground

 were there for the summer... 

others were vacationing for a week, 

and some were just traveling through - like us.

The next day we drove into town - 

Franklin, NC

even though NOTHING was open on this Monday morning -

 

We still enjoyed seeing some fun murals and shops we WISH we could've gone in...

They have a nice looking green way,

 

And this sculpture right in town was pretty cool!

Here's the info:

My take:

I would definitely stay in a Great Outdoors RV Resort again. 

Everything about it was wonderful.

We might consider taking Aishling back and staying a few days...

Lord Alfred the Airstream Update No. 014

Harrison Bay State Park

Chattanooga, TN

BACK STORY:

More than a few months ago, I scheduled a little outing to 

visit with some Scottish Highland Cows!

The reservation was for 4, so we asked some friends to join in - 

We were all over the place about lodging, camping, going on to another camping event, etc... Friends are NOT campers. [Anymore.]

A few weeks before our reservation, 

another friend found a waterfall trail that looked fun...  

so we decided to take #LordALfredtheAirstream on this excursion - he's really not been out much for the past year...

Craig did a wonderful job cleaning him up - testing ALL the things - spraying for any [possible] spiders - making sure he could handle the trip, ETC.

The plan was to stay in Franklin, NC and Brevard, NC 

but at the last minute Craig was able to snag a water spot at Harrison Bay so we added an extra day on the way!

 From their website: Harrison Bay State Park is a 1,200-acre state demonstration park developed by the Tennessee Valley Authority in the 1930s along the shores of Chickamauga Lake. Opened in 1937, the bay gets it name from the now partially submerged town of Harrison, Tennessee. Harrison Bay State Park offers 128 RV campsites as well as 27 tent-only campsites for every type of camper. A Camp Store is also available for last minutes essentials.

  

We think the water front sites are wonderful - 

And the sunsets are gorgeous! 

 

I love the concrete pads and fenced decks...

Some sites are small - but it was perfect for our little B190 -

A picnic table is provide...

 

We enjoyed sitting out with our morning coffee before we took the short walk up to the bath houses to shower and head out for the day -

My take:

We enjoy camping here - although we've never done more than a quick overnight. It's close enough to Chattanooga to stay here and enjoy all the things downtown has to offer! Bath houses are clean, internet is great.

We'll be back, for sure!

Lord Alfred the Airstream Update No. 013

 We're on the home stretch now - 

And still marveling over how much we have enjoyed our extended trip and day-to-day stops in #LordAlfredtheAirstream!

 

We make lots of little stops along the way as we travel - we enjoy thrift shops and small town shops ... and murals... although we don't always get a photo...

 

Our last night on the road was at the Memphis KOA Journey

and while technically it's IN Arkansas, it was within minutes of Memphis. 

 

This was a great little campground right off I-55

And I mean you take an exit that seems more like a side road and 

BOOP - there you are!

 

Look how close those semi trucks on the interstate are!

We were only there one night 

and think the transient campers are put up front...

 The next morning we were up early and crossing 

the mighty Mississippi in an effort to avoid rush hour...

 

And as a result we had smooth sailing through Memphis

[even with a disturbance on the side of the road

- which we found out later was a shooting!]

 

We were awfully happy to have a good southern biscuit for breakfast!

We've had a wonderful trip!

Memphis KOA Journey

an excellent campground - 

Very clean and nice with cafe on site -

EASY ON and EASY OFF the I-55 - lol...

We could hear the trucks at night, 

but I'm sure the sites in the back are more secluded.

We'd stay here again -

Lord Alfred the Airstream Update No. 012

YAY! 12 campgrounds with #LordAlfredtheAirstream!

 [For those curious ones: Update numbers are based on campground stays - not overnights or camping trips - if that even makes sense...]

We enjoyed our travel day and arrived in Branson just in time 

for a mid afternoon meal at Paula Dean's -

Lots of our travel days consist of a LATE breakfast and LATE lunch 

and then only a bed-time snack for dinner.

Do y'all do this too?

And with an all-you-can-eat meal like this one

I'm pretty sure there was no late night snackin' 

After dinner we got our scooters and rode all over town - 

We enjoyed seeing the new [standard shopping / souvenir] shops along the river 

 

And we also rode up the hill [AND DOWN] to walk through some of what appears to be more original shops in town - 

 

It's a VERY touristy town...

And might have been more fun if we'd had more time to explore a bit...

We headed out to our campground as the sun was going down.

The mountains /hills surrounding town were beautiful -

And we soon found that it appears if there was any possible way to build something on a plot of land - someone did it. ha.

The road to our campground was curvy - but pretty!

And the campground was nice -

We had to back up to the far edge to get level.

And there was a marina just down the slope, so we had a bit of a water view.

WE had a longer drive the next day, so we didn't hang out and explore town...

Got up early and visited Billy Gail's -

Made me think of breakfast [so many mornings] with my Aunt Gail 

when I was staying over with cousin Debby! 

But I don't remember her EVER making a 14 inch pancake - lol - 

We couldn't eat it all! [Plus it tasted like vanilla 

and that's a no for me - I know I'm weird!]

Table Rock Campground

Branson, Missouri

Clean

Good internet and cell service

Clean bath houses

CROWDED with sites very close to each other.