Stay Date: October 2006
Our Rating – REALLY UGLY - 1
If you’ve ever wondered what a FEMA disaster relief camp looks like, this is the place to visit, although I think a FEMA camp would be more organized. Checked in by a cigarette-smoking woman with the smell of an ashtray, our first impression set the table for this horrid campground. A small city of cheap trailers, with add-on rooms, blue tarps, inflatable palm trees and neon beer signs. Sites were grass and rocks, 30A only, with no sewer. The water smelled like sulfur, was undrinkable, and had the color of iced tea. Clear shot to satellite, no cable or WiFi, but you’re close enough to Cleveland to receive broadcast TV. Verizon cell and Aircard worked well. On leaving, there was no need for directions to the dump station, you could smell it everywhere in the campground. Made me wish I had a HAZMAT suit. It doesn’t matter what they charge per night, they couldn’t pay US to return.
Sunday, October 8, 2006
Monday, September 25, 2006
Deer Ridge Resort, Richmond IN
Stay Date: September 2006
Our Rating: 3 – UGLY
This is a predominately seasonal camper park, certainly not close to being a resort. On arrival, the drive was blocked by office personnel gabbing, and we had to ask them to move a car so that we could get through. Sites were gravel, rutted pull-thrus, with lots of weeds. Lots of big trees, impossible to get clear a shot of the satellite. Verizon cell and Aircard worked well. 30A only, no cable TV and poor broadcast quality, WiFi didn’t work while we were there. Owner/manager was rude, and refused to accept our CitiCard because he was having a dispute with them. I can’t think of one reason to stay here, and for $36/night there are better choices in the area.
Our Rating: 3 – UGLY
This is a predominately seasonal camper park, certainly not close to being a resort. On arrival, the drive was blocked by office personnel gabbing, and we had to ask them to move a car so that we could get through. Sites were gravel, rutted pull-thrus, with lots of weeds. Lots of big trees, impossible to get clear a shot of the satellite. Verizon cell and Aircard worked well. 30A only, no cable TV and poor broadcast quality, WiFi didn’t work while we were there. Owner/manager was rude, and refused to accept our CitiCard because he was having a dispute with them. I can’t think of one reason to stay here, and for $36/night there are better choices in the area.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
7th Ranch RV Camp, Garryowen MT
Stay Date: September 2006
Our Rating: BAD – 6
We really like the idea of what they’re doing, and recent reviews are more positive than ours. Our visit started badly with a dusty, washboard road for over a mile to get to the entrance. The lady in the office must have been new, she had no idea how to check us in and we had to help her. The sites are long gravel pull-thrus, tiered on a hillside. The area we were in was so steeply tiered that the driver side slide out storage doors almost hit the hill, and just getting set up was good exercise. No Cable, Free WiFi, no trees so good shot at satellite. No Verizon Cell or Aircard service. An interesting environment, with an emphasis on the Old West. Close to the Little Big Horn Battlefield, but nothing else in the area. $36/night is only reasonable if you’re visiting the Battlefield. 7th Ranch RV Camp
Our Rating: BAD – 6
We really like the idea of what they’re doing, and recent reviews are more positive than ours. Our visit started badly with a dusty, washboard road for over a mile to get to the entrance. The lady in the office must have been new, she had no idea how to check us in and we had to help her. The sites are long gravel pull-thrus, tiered on a hillside. The area we were in was so steeply tiered that the driver side slide out storage doors almost hit the hill, and just getting set up was good exercise. No Cable, Free WiFi, no trees so good shot at satellite. No Verizon Cell or Aircard service. An interesting environment, with an emphasis on the Old West. Close to the Little Big Horn Battlefield, but nothing else in the area. $36/night is only reasonable if you’re visiting the Battlefield. 7th Ranch RV Camp
Friday, September 15, 2006
North American RV Park, West Glacier MT
Stay Date: September 2006
Our Rating: Good –9
A great place to stay while exploring Glacier National Park. We were here after Labor Day, so it was not very crowded. Our site was fairly large because we had one at the end of the row; others are close together and would be uncomfortable. Fairly level gravel sites, good power and water hookups, free intermittent WiFi and clear shots to the satellite. A beautiful setting; mountains in the distance and good access to the park. Friendly staff and nice office/store. The daily rate of $38 is reasonable for the area and amenities, and the price drops to $33 after September 1st. North American RV Park
Our Rating: Good –9
A great place to stay while exploring Glacier National Park. We were here after Labor Day, so it was not very crowded. Our site was fairly large because we had one at the end of the row; others are close together and would be uncomfortable. Fairly level gravel sites, good power and water hookups, free intermittent WiFi and clear shots to the satellite. A beautiful setting; mountains in the distance and good access to the park. Friendly staff and nice office/store. The daily rate of $38 is reasonable for the area and amenities, and the price drops to $33 after September 1st. North American RV Park
Thursday, June 8, 2006
Lake Como Forest Service Campground, Darby MT
Stay Date: June 2006
Our Rating: GOOD – 9
A beautiful Forest Service campground in the trees near the magical Lake Como. Three
miles off Highway 93 on good paved roads, the campground has a number of pull-thru loops that easily accommodate a big rig. 30A power only, with water hookups & no sewer, but bring lots of hose as the hookups are not centrally located. Lots of large pine trees, very difficult to find a clear shot at the satellite, no Verizon Cell or Aircard, and no broadcast TV, but who cares? The sound of rushing water from the stream below the dam, the smell of the outdoors, and the deer that wander the campground provide enough entertainment. A short walk takes you to the Lake where you can fish, swim, or just stare at the Bitterroot mountains. Busy during the summer, but fairly easy to get a site when school is still in session. $16 a day for a hookup site, but only $8 with the senior “America the Beautiful” card (“Geezer Pass”).
Our Rating: GOOD – 9
A beautiful Forest Service campground in the trees near the magical Lake Como. Three
miles off Highway 93 on good paved roads, the campground has a number of pull-thru loops that easily accommodate a big rig. 30A power only, with water hookups & no sewer, but bring lots of hose as the hookups are not centrally located. Lots of large pine trees, very difficult to find a clear shot at the satellite, no Verizon Cell or Aircard, and no broadcast TV, but who cares? The sound of rushing water from the stream below the dam, the smell of the outdoors, and the deer that wander the campground provide enough entertainment. A short walk takes you to the Lake where you can fish, swim, or just stare at the Bitterroot mountains. Busy during the summer, but fairly easy to get a site when school is still in session. $16 a day for a hookup site, but only $8 with the senior “America the Beautiful” card (“Geezer Pass”).
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Camp Roberts Famcamp, Paso Robles, CA
Stay Date: March 2006
Our Rating: REALLY UGLY – 3
It’s difficult to complain about a place that only charges $10 a night, and in California yet; but this place was a hoot! Drive into the WWII Army Post and take a trip back in time…..lines of two-story barracks on each side of an old parade ground, miles of tank tracks on rolling hills, and a Famcamp that hasn’t changed since Patton was a Lieutenant. We drove the 2 1/2 miles through the crumbling ruins to find a weed-covered field with power boxes on telephone poles. Then came the search for a spot that both the power and water worked. After three or four attempts in the rain, we finally found a spot in the weeds that had both working, and settled in for a five day stay. Five days of loooong drives to get anywhere made us realize that aside from the wineries (which were VERY expensive), there really wasn’t much to do. The staff in the office will tell you an urban legend that they’re going to build a new campground, but almost five years later nothing’s change. If you have to stay in the area, bite the bullet and stay elsewhere.
Our Rating: REALLY UGLY – 3
It’s difficult to complain about a place that only charges $10 a night, and in California yet; but this place was a hoot! Drive into the WWII Army Post and take a trip back in time…..lines of two-story barracks on each side of an old parade ground, miles of tank tracks on rolling hills, and a Famcamp that hasn’t changed since Patton was a Lieutenant. We drove the 2 1/2 miles through the crumbling ruins to find a weed-covered field with power boxes on telephone poles. Then came the search for a spot that both the power and water worked. After three or four attempts in the rain, we finally found a spot in the weeds that had both working, and settled in for a five day stay. Five days of loooong drives to get anywhere made us realize that aside from the wineries (which were VERY expensive), there really wasn’t much to do. The staff in the office will tell you an urban legend that they’re going to build a new campground, but almost five years later nothing’s change. If you have to stay in the area, bite the bullet and stay elsewhere.
Monday, March 20, 2006
Edwards AFB Famcamp, CA
Stay Date: March 2006
Our Rating: BAD –5
There’s a reason they test aircraft at Edwards AFB – if the aircraft falls out of the sky, there’s nothing but dirt and creosote bush to hit. After leaving the little town of
Rosemond, you drive a few miles to the sign that marks the beginning of the base. 12 miles later of lunar landscape brings you to the gate – then another 10 miles or so finally brings you to the base itself. The Famcamp is a self check-in, dusty area not far from the BX complex. Most sites are 30A only (great for the A/C out here in the desert), with a few 50A if you’re lucky. No Verizon cell or Aircard, limited dining (basically the BX food court and the bowling alley), but quiet at night. Mediocre museum at the base entrance, but a good NASA one farther down the flight line. Some interesting aircraft to watch during the day,and the $15/day cost is attractive, but once you’ve been here, you won’t want to come back. Say a prayer for the poor people who have to live here. Military or DoD ID required. Edwards AFB Famcamp
Our Rating: BAD –5
There’s a reason they test aircraft at Edwards AFB – if the aircraft falls out of the sky, there’s nothing but dirt and creosote bush to hit. After leaving the little town of
Rosemond, you drive a few miles to the sign that marks the beginning of the base. 12 miles later of lunar landscape brings you to the gate – then another 10 miles or so finally brings you to the base itself. The Famcamp is a self check-in, dusty area not far from the BX complex. Most sites are 30A only (great for the A/C out here in the desert), with a few 50A if you’re lucky. No Verizon cell or Aircard, limited dining (basically the BX food court and the bowling alley), but quiet at night. Mediocre museum at the base entrance, but a good NASA one farther down the flight line. Some interesting aircraft to watch during the day,and the $15/day cost is attractive, but once you’ve been here, you won’t want to come back. Say a prayer for the poor people who have to live here. Military or DoD ID required. Edwards AFB Famcamp
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