Like many, Memorial weekend was our first camping trip of the summer. We went just an hour from home in northern Indiana, enjoying the nearby state park and its natural attractions. And while the state park was full of campers, so were the surrounding private parks, which also offered their guests the options of water and sewage hookups, cable TV and Wi-Fi. And those who chose to stay at the private parks also were just minutes from the state parks vast biking, hiking and horseback riding trails, as well as the beach.
But because you aren’t the only one who wants to get away for the holiday – make your reservations early. The wonderful weather was an added boost to the unofficial opening summer holiday weekend and there were NO camping sites to be found! So, if you’re considering an RV park near a state or national park for the next holiday weekend, call NOW!
We made our reservations, along with other family, months in advance, so we just pulled in and set up. How nice that for once we were the closest to home. But I discovered that’s not always an advantage.
We were the last to arrive because of work that I could not do before 6:30 p.m. Friday. In addition, we knew we would be gone for several hours on Saturday because we had a wedding to attend. Still not a problem since we had the long weekend, and a wedding is a very important event!
However, Sunday brought sad news to my family and another trip home for me. My eldest – who decided to stay home – called me Sunday morning to let me know my dog had died sometime during the night. Now this is a dog who was 14 ½ years old and I could see him physically aging tremendously in the past few months, but you’re just never ready for it when it happens. And the fact that I wasn’t there when it happened has left me riddled with guilt.
My dog used to love camping and was a very good camper. He was a Keeshond and loved people. But the older he got, the more trouble he was having moving around, so camping wasn’t the top of his list any longer. Part of me wished we had taken him this trip and part of me is thankful he was home when he died. But hundreds of tears later, neither thought makes it any easier. I will miss my camping mate, my fuzzy buddy and my friend when no one else seemed to understand me.
Please tell me about your camping buddies. And, in honor of my buddy and for all of you who camp and travel with pets, here are a few parks that invite them in with you and are close to nearby public parks for outdoor recreation:
- In northern Indiana, just a few miles from Pokagon State Park is Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Barton Lake, Fremont, Ind. The park itself is located on a 100-acre lake with a pool and splash playground, waterslides, mini golf, boat rentals and five playgrounds. With 540 sites and 18 cabins, it can accommodate nearly any camper/RVer. Pets are welcome.
- In northern Georgia, Lake Nottely RV Park, Blairsville, Ga., is a relaxing stay and near the Appalachian Trail for hiking and sightseeing, in addition to numerous other area stops. The park has lake-view sites with full hookups, Wi-Fi and boat ramps and docks. It also has swimming in the lake, pond or ocean, along with hiking and biking trails. Pets are welcome.
- In St. George, Utah is McArthur’s Temple View RV Resort, where guests can enjoy Utah’s Color Country. Near Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon, the park offers 270 sites, some with full hookups. There’s also a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, exercise room and Internet connections. Pets are invited.
- Ardmore, Okla., is home to Hidden Lake RV Inc., where, in addition to large sites, Wi-Fi, cable and RV repair and service, you’re just minutes away from Lake Murray, Oklahoma’s oldest and largest state park. The park has a 5,700 acre lake with hiking and horseback riding. In addition, Chickasaw National Recreation Area, with its mineral spring and wildlife is also nearby. Hidden Lake welcomes pets.
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