Cuyhoga Falls, OH

April 2024

The total solar eclipse on April 8 was hard to miss. It seemed like every news outlet was talking about it for weeks leading up to the big day.

I had the opportunity to see the total solar eclipse in 2017 with one of my daughters, and I can honestly say it’s one of those experiences that has to be seen in person. Watching it on television just doesn’t compare.

My wife, Pat, wasn’t able to join us in 2017, and I really wanted her to experience this one. After all, the next total solar eclipse visible from the continental United States won’t occur until 2044. While I certainly hope to be around for it, I’ll be 88 years old by then, and traveling may not be as easy as it is today.

As it turned out, my brother lives directly in the path of totality in Ohio. I also happened to have a Delta companion certificate, so we booked a trip and flew out to visit him while taking in the eclipse.

Decatur, IA

April 2024

We literally blew into Decatur City, Iowa, for our first overnight stop on the way to Galveston, Texas. It was, without a doubt, the strongest winds I’ve ever driven in. At no point did I feel unsafe, but it definitely demanded my full attention. We made a couple of weather-related stops along the way to let the worst of the wind and rain move through before continuing.

We spent the night at Ted’s RV Park, and it turned out to be an excellent overnight stop. The sites were clean, easy to get into, and the staff was friendly and welcoming. The campground is only about a mile off the interstate, so there was some highway noise, but it certainly wasn’t enough to keep us awake.

There are two restaurants within walking distance of the campground, and we chose The Barnyard Restaurant for dinner. It proved to be an excellent choice, and we’d happily eat there again.

The next morning was still windy, although nowhere near as bad as the day before, so we packed up and continued our journey south.

We’ll definitely keep Ted’s RV Park in mind the next time our travels take us through the area. It makes a convenient and comfortable overnight stop.

Big Cabin, OK

April 2024

Day two of our trip to Galveston brought us to Big Cabin, Oklahoma, where I found a great overnight stop. Other than a couple of truck stops, there’s not much here—and for an overnight stay, that’s just fine with us. We were simply passing through.

The campground is easy to reach from both the interstate and nearby U.S. highways, making it a very convenient stop for travelers. The pull-through gravel sites are roomy, offer full hookups, and make arriving and departing quick and easy.

The folks in the office were friendly and welcoming, making us feel right at home.

Did I mention the price? It was only $30 per night, and if you’re a Good Sam, FMCA, or AARP member, you receive a 10% discount. That brought our total to just $27 per night, including taxes. It’s hard to beat that value.

Another nice feature is that the campground has a heavy-duty repair shop on the property. If your motorhome, tow vehicle, or other RV needs service while you’re traveling, help is just a few steps away.

If your travels take you through the Tulsa area and you’re looking for a convenient overnight stop—or even a place to spend a couple of days resting before continuing your journey—I would definitely recommend this campground. It offers good value, easy access, and friendly service, making it a place we’ll keep in mind for future trips. They don’t have a website, just look for Cabin RV Park on Google for their number.

Waco, TX

April 2024

Our trip to Galveston continued with a stop in Waco, Texas. What trip to Texas would be complete without spending some time exploring the city that Chip and Joanna Gaines helped put on the map?

To keep with the theme of our visit, I booked us into Magnolia RV Resort. I’m not sure whether it’s actually affiliated with the Gaines family, but it certainly gives that impression. Whatever the connection, it is one of the nicest RV parks we’ve stayed in.

The grounds are beautifully landscaped and meticulously maintained. The pool area is one of the best we’ve seen at any campground or RV resort. It’s thoughtfully designed, with plenty of tables, chairs, and shaded areas where you can escape the Texas sun. Many of the campsites also include shade screens to help keep your RV cooler, something I’m told is almost a necessity during the Texas summer.

The office and reception area looks like something out of a decorating magazine. From the moment you walk in, you feel relaxed and welcome. On weekends they even serve breakfast, which is a nice touch.

Galveston, TX

April 2024

We finally made it to our destination in Galveston, Texas. Other than the persistent high winds, we’ve really enjoyed our time here.

We stayed at the Galveston Island KOA Holiday, and it proved to be an excellent campground. The grounds are beautifully maintained, the staff keeps everything running smoothly, and the campsites are spaced far enough apart that you don’t feel crowded. The pool area is clean and inviting, and the campground offers organized activities almost every day.

The only disappointment was the Wi-Fi. Basic service is included, but we found it too slow for much more than checking email. They do offer a premium internet option for an additional fee, but we ended up using our mobile hotspot instead. Considering the campground wasn’t very busy during our stay, we expected a little better performance.

One of the campground’s biggest advantages is its proximity to the beach. It’s less than a quarter-mile from the campground entrance, making it easy to enjoy the Gulf whenever you like.

The biggest drawback for us was the location in relation to Galveston itself. The campground is about 20 miles from the city, so every trip for groceries, shopping, restaurants, or sightseeing involved a bit of a drive. There is a Dollar General about 12 miles away for basic necessities, and the campground store stocks a limited selection of everyday items, but for anything more you’ll want to plan on driving into town.

If you’re the type of camper who enjoys relaxing at the campground and taking advantage of the amenities, this is an excellent choice. If your plans include spending a lot of time exploring Galveston, just be prepared for the extra drive.

Galveston itself has a tremendous amount to offer. We especially enjoyed wandering through the historic district, where the beautifully preserved architecture provides a glimpse into the city’s rich past. Other attractions include the Johnson Space Center, the Galveston Railroad Museum, harbor tours, and the USS Texas, which is scheduled to reopen for public tours in 2025.

Shopping ranges from unique local boutiques to larger retail stores, and there are restaurants to suit every taste.

Two of our favorites were The Star Drug Store, located in the historic district. Its old-fashioned lunch counter, good food, nostalgic atmosphere, and reasonable prices made it a memorable stop. We also discovered The Galveston Bagel Company, a popular local spot that was bustling with customers. After one of their outstanding bagel sandwiches, it was easy to understand why.

Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed both the campground and our time exploring Galveston. It’s a destination we would happily visit again, especially during a time of year when the Texas winds are a little less enthusiastic!

Denton, TX

April 2024

Our first stop on the trip home was Denton, Texas, and it turned out to be a very interesting travel day.

Towing our fifth wheel through both Houston and Dallas was more challenging than we expected. Major construction projects were underway in both cities, and the signage often left us guessing which lane we needed to be in. Even though it was a Saturday, traffic was backed up as if it were a busy weekday commute. I was certainly glad we didn’t have to tackle those roads on a Monday morning.

We spent the night at the Denton KOA, and it was exactly what we needed after a long day on the road. Like most KOA campgrounds we’ve visited, it was clean, well maintained, and easy to navigate. The sites were spacious enough for an easy setup, allowing us to relax, get a good night’s sleep, and be ready to continue our journey the next morning.

One added bonus is that the campground is adjacent to a large RV dealership. If you’re traveling through the area and need parts, supplies, or service for your RV, this would be a very convenient place to stop.

If your travels take you through the Dallas–Fort Worth area and you’re looking for a comfortable overnight stop, we would definitely recommend the KOA Denton, Texas. It was just what we needed after a long day of driving.

Cameron, MO

April 2024

This was another overnight stop on our way home. Unfortunately, the weather had taken a turn for the worse overnight, and the forecast called for more of the same. Rather than spend another day dealing with rain and storms, we decided to put in some longer driving hours and head for home.

We stayed at the Love’s RV Stop in Cameron, using one of their RV sites. We had stayed here the previous year and found it to be a convenient place to spend the night.

The biggest surprise this time was the price. The nightly rate had increased by $10, bringing it to $50 per night. In my opinion, that’s getting a little expensive for what is essentially an overnight parking spot.

That said, the sites are easy to access, the hookups are good, and the Wi-Fi worked well. The downside is the traffic noise. Being part of a busy truck stop, there’s activity throughout the night, so don’t expect a quiet camping experience.

I’m still a fan of the convenience that Love’s RV sites offer when you’re just passing through an area. They’re easy to get into, easy to get out of, and provide everything you need for a night’s rest. However, at the current price, I’ll probably take a closer look at other campground options before making future reservations.

Two Harbors, MN

May 2024

We made another trip to Burlington Bay Campground in Two Harbors, Minnesota. It has become one of our favorite campgrounds—if not our absolute favorite. It’s hard to beat the view overlooking Lake Superior, especially when it’s less than a three-hour drive from home.

It was only 47 degrees when we arrived, but the sun was beginning to break through the clouds, and we knew it wouldn’t take long for things to warm up.

One of the things we enjoy most about Burlington Bay is the peaceful atmosphere. Although Two Harbors is a popular tourist destination, it still feels like a small, rural town. Being retired gives us the luxury of visiting during the week, so we avoid the weekend crowds. Since most schools were still in session, the campground was especially quiet, making it the perfect place to relax.

Unfortunately, our plans hit a small bump in the road. My e-bike battery had failed earlier in the month during our trip to Galveston. Our dealer loaned me a replacement while working with the manufacturer to replace the original battery. Unfortunately, the replacement wasn’t much better. It lasted only about a mile before it died. After putting it on the charger, it indicated a full charge in just 15 minutes—not a good sign. I gave it one more try, and this time it made it about two miles before quitting again.

Thankfully, we had packed our hiking shoes, so we adjusted our plans and hit the trails instead. We love our e-bikes, but battery problems can quickly change your plans. Replacement batteries aren’t something you can usually find sitting on a store shelf, and they’re far too expensive to keep a spare just in case.

One thing we can always count on is the friendliness of the local people. During our previous visit, we met a woman while walking to a restaurant for dinner. What started as a simple greeting turned into a 20-minute conversation. Encounters like that are one of the reasons we enjoy coming back.

The rest of the trip was exactly what we had hoped for—relaxing, taking in the scenery, and enjoying a few hikes along Minnesota’s beautiful North Shore.

If you’re looking for a campground with spectacular Lake Superior views, a convenient location, and plenty of opportunities for hiking, biking, and sightseeing, I highly recommend giving Burlington Bay Campground a try. I think you’ll enjoy it as much as we do.

West Salem, WI

July 2024

We spent the Fourth of July weekend at Lake Neshonoc Campground with a group of friends. The weather didn’t exactly cooperate, with frequent rain throughout the weekend, but we made the best of it and still had an enjoyable time together.

The campground itself is clean, well maintained, and the campsites are a good size. We were traveling with our 39-foot fifth wheel, however, and getting into our assigned site was a challenge. While the site was plenty deep enough for our RV, the road was very narrow. With trucks parked across from our site, we couldn’t complete the maneuver until one of the neighboring campers moved their vehicle. There were several other sites nearby that would have been much easier for a larger rig to access. In our opinion, the campground could do a better job of matching campsite assignments to the size of the RV. It wasn’t the best way to start the weekend.

One thing we weren’t thrilled with was the reservation process. When booking online, you don’t get to choose your campsite. Instead, the campground assigns one as your arrival date approaches. Personally, I’m not a fan of that system, especially once I’ve become familiar with a campground. We all tend to have favorite sites based on ease of access, proximity to friends, or nearby amenities. If we return, we’ll definitely call the campground directly and discuss our site assignment before arriving.

The campground has two swimming pools, although one was closed during our visit. Several seasonal campers told us they had heard it would not be repaired, leaving just the main pool. We did use that pool, and it was very nice, featuring a large heated pool, spacious deck, and covered pavilion. With more than 250 campsites and a campground geared toward families, it was understandably very busy throughout the holiday weekend. Personally, I think keeping both pools operational would better serve campers, but I certainly don’t have to balance the campground’s budget.

One thing we really liked was the campground’s location. It’s close enough to town that you can easily bike there for groceries or forgotten supplies. There’s also access to local bike trails, although you’ll need to ride along the shoulder of a highway for about a mile before reaching the trail system.

Despite being nearly full for the holiday weekend, the campground was surprisingly quiet. There are quite a few golf carts, and our site happened to be on one of the main routes leading to the pool. As a result, traffic past our campsite was fairly constant during the day and occasionally a little annoying, but it quieted down nicely in the evening.

One area where we felt the campground could improve is pricing. Most campsites were over $100 per night, which is a little higher than we’re accustomed to paying.

One unexpected highlight of the weekend was the Fourth of July fireworks display. The Rice family—whether they own the campground or are longtime seasonal campers, we’re not sure—sponsored an outstanding show. It lasted nearly an hour and featured professional-quality fireworks that far exceeded the typical neighborhood displays. It was a wonderful surprise and a great way to celebrate the holiday.

Overall, we had a great weekend with good friends and wouldn’t rule out returning. One feature we especially like is the availability of rental cabins. Since not all of our children own RVs, the cabins would make it much easier for the entire family to get together for a camping weekend.

Lake Neshonoc Campground is a good family destination with plenty to offer, and with a little planning on campsite selection, we’d be happy to visit again.

Osseo, WI

July 2024

We spent a three-day weekend at Stoney Creek Campground & Resort in Osseo, Wisconsin, and came away very impressed. It’s a large campground, but the thoughtful layout keeps it from feeling overwhelming. Instead, it feels like a collection of smaller camping areas, making it easy to get around and enjoy.

This is definitely a family-oriented campground. There are organized activities every day for all ages, and it’s obvious the owners have put a lot of thought into creating a fun experience for families.

The amenities are outstanding. In addition to a swimming pool, there’s a large swimming pond with floating play structures for kids to climb on and enjoy. Other activities include miniature golf, laser tag, cornhole, volleyball, a skate park, playgrounds, and a concession stand. If your kids get bored here, they’re probably trying!

Miniature golf and laser tag require an additional fee, but the campground offers an unlimited activity wristband. At $18 per person during our stay, it quickly paid for itself with just a couple of rounds of mini golf and one laser tag session.

The campsite rates are a little higher than average, but after seeing the size of the campground, the quality of the facilities, and how well everything is maintained, we felt it was money well spent. They also offer rental cabins for guests who prefer not to camp, along with golf cart rentals. At around $100 per day, we didn’t see much need for a golf cart since nothing was more than a comfortable walk away.

From the moment we arrived, it was obvious the staff takes pride in the campground. The people at the gate were friendly and welcoming, and the personalized map directing us to our campsite was a nice touch that made check-in quick and easy. Little things like that set the tone for a great stay.

Our group included five families, and everyone had a wonderful weekend. In fact, before we left, reservations had already been made for next year.

If you’re looking for a clean, well-maintained, activity-filled campground that the entire family will enjoy, Stoney Creek Campground is definitely worth a visit. I think you’ll enjoy it as much as we did.

Hinckley, MN

July 2024

We had one of the nicest Labor Day weekends for camping that I can remember! Normally, we avoid holiday weekends because of the crowds, but this year we decided to spend four days at Grand Casino RV Park in Hinckley. Even though the campground was busy, it never felt overcrowded, making for a very enjoyable stay.

One of the highlights of the weekend was having our daughter and her fiancé join us. In a large family, one-on-one time doesn’t happen nearly often enough, so we really appreciated the chance to spend a few days together. They brought their ATVs while we brought our e-bikes. After breakfast each morning, we’d head off on our own adventures before meeting back at the campsite for dinner and an evening around the campfire. Those conversations and shared laughs are what camping is all about.

Although we’re not much for gambling, we did have fun playing Bingo at the casino. Our daughter and her fiancé also tried their luck on the slot machines while we relaxed back at the campground.

The campground itself is excellent. We spent one afternoon enjoying the swimming pool, and throughout our stay we found the facilities to be clean, well maintained, and the staff friendly and helpful. Given how close it is to home, we’re seriously considering renting a seasonal site. It would make a great place to escape for a few days while enjoying hiking, biking, ATV trails, canoeing, fishing, swimming, and the many entertainment options offered by the casino.

We did have one rather unusual experience that still makes us smile. After Pat guided me into our campsite—we had to back in, as all of the sites are back-in sites—we started setting up. A woman in the site behind us came out to mow the grass around her campsite, which seemed a little unusual since the campground handles the lawn maintenance. She made a couple of passes within inches of me without ever looking up or acknowledging us. Her husband stood nearby looking a bit uncomfortable but never said a word. It was one of those odd camping moments that gave us a chuckle later. Thankfully, we also had wonderful conversations with our other neighbors and even enjoyed visiting with her husband during the weekend.

That little incident certainly didn’t put a damper on the trip. We had beautiful weather, enjoyed cooking every meal outside on the Blackstone, and simply relaxed together.

We’ve always enjoyed our stays at Grand Casino RV Park, and after this trip we’re even more convinced it would make a great seasonal campground for us. Whether we become seasonal campers or continue making weekend visits, we’ll definitely be back.

Lanesboro, MN

September 2024

Our friends Joe and Kathy, with whom we do a great deal of camping, belong to a motorcycle group through their church. The group enjoys weekly rides throughout the riding season, along with one or two longer multi-day trips each year. They’ve invited us along several times, and we’ve always had a wonderful time. It’s a great group of people who enjoy riding, good conversation, and plenty of laughter.

This year’s destination was Eagle Cliff Campground in Lanesboro, Minnesota.

We’ve camped here before and continue to be impressed. The campground is very well maintained, offers generously sized campsites, and even has hotel-style rooms for travelers who don’t camp. That makes it a great choice for groups where not everyone owns an RV.

The weather cooperated, the roads were beautiful, and everyone had a great time. There’s nothing better than spending a few days doing something you enjoy with people who share the same interests.

The Lanesboro area has something for just about everyone. The Root River offers opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, and tubing, while the Root River Trail provides miles of scenic biking. The town itself is full of unique shops, excellent restaurants, an ice cream shop, a brewery, and a community theater, so there’s never a shortage of things to do.

One of the highlights of this year’s trip was an Amish tour that many members of the group took. The tour lasted about three hours, and judging by the conversations afterward, it was one of the favorite activities of the weekend.

Eagle Cliff Campground continues to be one of our favorite places to stay, and we’re already looking forward to our next visit.

Two Harbors, MN

October 2024

For our final camping trip of the season, we headed back to Burlington Bay Campground in Two Harbors for another relaxing midweek getaway. It’s become one of our favorite places to unwind before putting the RV away for the winter.

To our surprise, the campground was completely full. That’s something we hadn’t experienced before on a Tuesday through Friday stay, but it was peak fall color season, so it’s easy to understand why.

If you’re planning a trip to Two Harbors, I highly recommend stopping at the Two Harbors Visitor Information Center, located right on Highway 61 next to Burlington Bay Campground. We make it a point to stop there every time we visit.

The woman who works there is an absolute delight to talk with. She’s incredibly knowledgeable about the area and genuinely wants visitors to have the best experience possible. On one of our previous trips, she told us about a special event at Split Rock Lighthouse that wasn’t widely advertised. It was intended more for local residents than tourists and featured live music, good food, and the opportunity to experience the lighthouse without the usual crowds. It turned out to be one of our favorite memories of the North Shore.

This visit, she was just as enthusiastic. When we mentioned that we didn’t mind exploring gravel roads, she eagerly marked several scenic routes where the fall colors were at their best. While Highway 61 offers beautiful views of Lake Superior, it’s not necessarily the best place to experience Minnesota’s spectacular autumn colors. Following her recommendations led us to some breathtaking scenery, and Pat captured some wonderful photographs as the forests made their annual transition toward winter.

Every time we visit the North Shore, we’re reminded why we keep coming back. The scenery is beautiful, the people are friendly, and there’s always something new to discover.

If you’re thinking about camping in the area, Burlington Bay Campground is an excellent choice. Just be sure to plan ahead, as campsites often book months in advance during the busy season. If your schedule is flexible, it’s also worth calling to ask about cancellations. Even when the campground is full, the sites are laid out well enough that you never really feel crowded.

It’s one of those places that keeps calling us back, and I’m sure it will continue to be one of our favorite campgrounds for years to come.