As part of the not-so-risk-free trial for transitioning towards the full-time RV lifestyle, a shakedown trip just isn't enough. So we now go on our first real trip: One week in North Carolina. To get there, though, a travel day, or in our case days, is needed.
As was mentioned in the previous trip, driving with the RV is quite a bit different from just driving a car, or even a pick-up truck without something in tow. However, the fuel costs were quite exorbitant. Merely going approximately 650 miles one way made quite a dent on the pocketbook for fuel. And that's with the mistake of both filling AND splashing the tank in a high priced state. There wasn't much of a choice because of how much of the trip was done there, but some clever planning can help. Know what states are relatively cheap for gas, and try to do fill-ups there, with large or small splashes elsewhere.
The traffic was quite the interesting dynamic. When you have one person who hates heavy traffic, a driver who thrives in it, an easily anxious pup, and then add an additional 25 feet of length to the back, you can have an interesting travel day. Usually you want to avoid rush hour times on your trip if you can help it, but why not experience the Capital Beltway during the evening peak, even if it's only for masochistic tendencies? Surprisingly enough, the pup did just fine with it, but you really must have potentially different habits when driving with a trailer. You're not going to be able to weave through traffic, so commit yourself to a lane. Try to get a feel for how things flow. Make sure you allow for more room from the guy in front of you, but be ready for "that driver" who will cut into the spot and slam on the brakes. Also be sure there's enough room in the back before you switch lanes. And don't get too annoyed if everyone's passing you; you're not necessarily going to be able to get up to full highway speed when pulling, and some states will have a lower limit.
With our first trip came our first "boondock", courtesy of a popular gas and travel station chain. We filled up to make sure we were a customer, and were able to secure a spot in the lot to park for the night. Needless to say, the trailer was quite warm on the inside, despite a cool breeze outside, and the shock of southern workers turning on the heat and wearing sweatshirts in 60 degree weather. Opening some windows to get the air flowing certainly helped, and although it wasn't as comfortable as a few times during our car camping days, we made it work.
Posting here from North Carolina, it is a bit on the hot side, but a very nice place, and a great journey to get here. More on the area will come in a later post, but for now, remember to follow your internal compass.
We're here on the first trip of our RV adventure, in beautiful Johnston County of North Carolina. When many people visit this state, they're likely to go to the Outer Banks along the coastline, the Research Triangle of Raleigh-Durham, the Blue Ridge Parkway, or even Charlotte. However, there are some hidden charms here that you may find interesting.
Situated along Interstate 95, Johnston County is home to the cities of Benson, Clayton, Selma, and Smithfield. This is the same Smithfield that serves a brand for America's favorite pork, ham, and food products. North Carolina is historically famous for its tobacco crop, with several major brands of tobacco products bearing the names of cities in the state. If you head over to Kenly, you could visit the Tobacco Farm Life Museum, which pays tribute to not only tobacco, but farm life in the southeastern part of the country. Johnston County was also the birthplace of the famous mid-20th century film actress Ava Gardner, nominated for several film awards and once wife to Mickey Rooney and Frank Sinatra. Ms. Gardner lays alongside her family in Smithfield, and a museum in town pays tribute to her life and accomplishments.
If American history is your cup of tea, you could head down to the southern part of the county, to the town of Bentonville. This was the grounds for North Carolina's largest battle during the waning days of the American Civil War. As General Sherman marched north to meet up with General Grant after his famous "March to the Sea", it was in this town in March of 1865 where he attempted to merge with the forces of Generals Slocum, Howard, and Mower, in the process facing Generals Johnston, Bragg, Morgan, and Hardee in a three-day battle. The battlefield is able to be visited in a driving tour which takes you around the grounds, supplemented by additional information and testimonials of what happened during those days.
Next time you head through North Carolina, consider making a stop in Johnston County. Let us know some of your favorite places if you've been here before, and remember, as always, to follow your internal compass.
Our trip to North Carolina has been a wonderful first trip thus far. As part of the trip, we had a welcome surprise arrive at our doorstep: Visitors! Quit looking up, because we're not talking about extra terrestrials. Some family stopped by, so we decided to host!
We've had people stop by during our shakedown, but for the first time, we invited a couple of the younger members of the family to stay with us. Normally, this would test our ability to entertain outdoors, but the weather wasn't cooperating whatsoever. This is where we were glad we brought what we did. As with any trip you take, be sure to prepare for any possible contingency. Somehow with us millennials, any contingency is possible. The kids were thoroughly entertained with our game closet, we had some good snacks, and even without any sort of electronic equipment, it was a fun time!
The biggest lesson learned about the visit was the test on our space. For those who have seen the rig, even if it's only a floor plan, you'll know it isn't that large of an area. We had been using the bunk as a bit of a storage locker, but all of a sudden it needs to be used for sleeping. Luckily it wasn't packed to the brim, so use of the dinette was a good swap once we were ready to pack it in for the night. The good news is that we have learned a lot about what we do and don't need with us. The desktop computer and monitor aren't needed any longer, now that we have a TV monitor and intend to get a few more Raspberry Pi computers we can either hook to the TV, or have a touchscreen.
With four people and a pup in the trailer, we were definitely at our limit for moving around. Sure, they say this can sleep seven, but we don't know how you could do much else. Moving around with two fully grown adults and a pup is tough enough as it is. At least we were able to gather at the dinette for games and breakfast the next morning. With some advance notice and clever planning, two kids over again is something that is very doable for us. This also gives us confidence for when we're ready to expand our family.
So when you're out with the RV, don't feel like you can't entertain, because it's very much possible. Invite your family along so they can follow their internal compass.
Our first trip found us staying at the Hidden Haven RV Park in Pine Level NC, situated on US Route 70 just outside Smithfield. Since we're new RVers, why not stay at a brand new campground? Reviewing Hidden Haven at this point is a bit difficult; not necessarily because of our level of RV experience, but because the park is so new (and being constructed while we stay) that we have to factor in potential for what this place could be. However, we'll give it a go.
First, the grounds itself. The park is presently accessible on one side of a divided highway requiring a U-turn when arriving from the interstate, or through a co-owned trailer park with several relatively high speed bumps that would do a number to a rig's suspension or underside amenities. Potential points are given as the beginnings of road clearing can be seen from the business route exit off the highway. In addition, the "main roads" within the grounds are not clearly marked to help someone around without potentially pulling through an unoccupied site, or what could be interpreted as a "main road" but is blocked by equipment. The new entrance would potentially change this layout, so we recommend keeping it in mind for then. A greenbelt surrounds the grounds, which greatly helps quell noise coming from both the highway and the trailer park.
Second, the sites. Numerous pull-through and an assortment of back-in sites are available (160 in total when this was written; no tent sites), with numbering on one side of the control box and a system that could prove confusing to a driver who didn't receive a map at the entrance without signs at "street" entrances. The sites are level yet unpaved with loose stone similar to the "streets" and "roads" in the park, and a level mixture of grass and sand for other things. Pull-through sites have limited shade, especially with the connections being on what looks to be the north side of the rig in the presently developed area, but there are potential points given for a tree being planted at many of the sites, and plenty of room remaining to place a trailer's awning. Electric and sewer hook-up was easy, with the water faucets having a very short spigot that proved difficult for some standard hoses and connectors to be attached.
Third, the staff. Anyone who has heard of, yet rarely experienced, "southern charm" will find it at Hidden Haven. The staff was friendly, courteous, and accommodating, with visible smiles on their faces that one would expect when visiting any sort of establishment. This is not only limited to the family of owners; it extends to the cleaning staff and maintenance crew. The one recommendation I would make is to try to have a night/weekend/holiday host on the grounds, whether permanent staff or a work-camping couple receiving a site, to help with check in/out, quick fixes such as toilet paper running out or internet going completely down for a couple days, and peace keeping if necessary.
Fourth, the amenities. Because it's a new park, these are very limited when we stayed. With 160 sites, there is one code-locked bath house with three toilet and three shower stalls, one of each ADA accessible, for each sex. The house could use some motion detectors by the showers, as the automatic lights could go off on you during a long shower, and it's difficult to figure out how to get back to the other side to turn them back on. There is also one pavilion with a patio fire table and a couple of patio chairs. A farm exists in the back. No fire pits were seen. The owner had mentioned a fishing pond, dog park, and pool would be constructed to add to the potential for amenities. Wireless repeaters exist at about every utility pole to help with internet service, although it is fully open and unencrypted, with peak usages as one would expect campground internet to be.
Finally, the atmosphere. Hidden Haven is, for the most part, a quiet, safe, and well lit park. They are also friendly towards all dogs that stay with their human owners. Occasionally a boisterous family will stay, but everyone is very respectful of the surroundings. A municipal deputy was seen patrolling the grounds on one night, speaking to the commitment of the local constabulary. Not very many sites were occupied, which was surprising for a holiday weekend, but potentially owing to the fact that the park is very new and still under construction, as we only heard about the park from some locals. We were very happy to be able to check-in at an early time, given the proximity from our "night dock" point to the grounds, and the owners were willing to allow us to choose a more suitable site given the present state of the grounds. There are the obvious marks for construction happening while we're here, but given the cost of building anything like this, it's completely understandable to want to generate income, and we're happy to help them out.
Overall, we would give Hidden Haven RV Park about a 6 rating out of a possible 10 at the time the article is written. However, this place has every potential to receive a 9 or even a 10 rating once everything has been completed. We would definitely look forward to returning to see how the park has improved, should our travels bring us back to this location. We would also recommend this park to anyone who is looking to bring the RV to this part of North Carolina. All you have to do is follow your internal compass.
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