|
|
| |
| Outdoor Adventure Information – Your Guide to Outdoor Fun | |
|
|
|
Hard Labor Creek State Park Earned Its Name
One afternoon during a trip across the country in our fifth wheel, we were racing the sun to an RV park before sunset. We were driving through Georgia and convenient RV parks near the highway were sparse. Hard Labor Creek State Park was near our path and reachable before dark. That evening we had very unpleasant lessons in maneuvering tight spaces in a park built years ago for much smaller RV's. Let me start by saying that Hard Labor Creek State Park near Rutledge, Georgia, is a very nice park with many activities nearby. The lots were all shaded with mature trees in a wooded setting. Our experience was soured only because we were in a 36' fifth wheel and the staff did not warn us about the tight conditions in the park, even though we specifically asked while making reservations. We called the park from the road and reserved the last open slot for the evening. We asked and they reassured us that the slots are large enough to accommodate the 36' trailer and truck. By the time we reached the park, the January sun was close to setting and left us with just enough sunlight to set up camp. The park seemed inviting with large trees next to all paths and over the campsites. As we drove further into the park, the road narrowed to the point that only about a foot remained on each side of the wheels. Evidence of vehicles going off the pavement were recorded by many deep gashes in the asphalt. Parts of the pavement were broken off along the edges almost everywhere. Taking great care to stay on the pavement, we towed the RV over very narrow roads deeper into the park. Our slot appeared unoccupied, but a slip of paper attached to the board indicated that it was reserved by someone else. We called the office to let them know that our slot was already taken. They apologized and graciously offered us their truly last slot-the handicapped space. In most RV parks the roads are loops, allowing entrance on one side and exit on the other. This road was not a loop, but it did have a small circle on the end for turning around. As we pulled up to the turn-around circle, my heart sank when I saw how small it was and that the middle was full of trees. I was convinced that we would not be able to turn around. Backing up was not an option either-that section of the road was several hundred feet long, hemmed in by trees on both sides. I got out of the truck and walked around the circle to get a better look. On one side of the circle a steep, wooded hill descended down to the lake. On all other sides trees and vehicles made for a narrow passage. Having no other good choices, I decided that we can probably make the turn by going off the pavement in a couple of places. A small audience of campers looked on, wondering how we are going to get out of this predicament. With my wife's assistance outside, I managed to make the turn by dragging the left wheels of the RV through the mud. At this point we should have considered ourselves lucky and left the park. Assuming that it could not get any worse, and needing full hookups for the night, we drove to the handicapped slot. The handicapped slot was deep and wide, but the entrance was obstructed by large, decorative boulders and trees. After numerous attempts of going around the obstacles in reverse, we backed the trailer into the slot. By the time we hooked up all facilities it was completely dark. A neighbor walking his dog stopped by to tell us he was watching as we were backing in the trailer, and was surprised we got it in. He was in a smaller RV now, but in the past he has brought his 30' trailer to Hard Labor Creek and felt it was a challenge parking it. In the morning we got an early start, but first had to deal with getting out of the slot. Exiting had its own challenges due to the obstructions in front of the entrance and railroad ties bordering the sides. No matter how we positioned the trailer in the slot, we were unable to clear about two feet of the railroad tie. In the end we used scraps of lumber to build up a small ramp so we could tow the trailer's left wheels onto the railroad tie and down the other side. As you can imagine, we happily left this park behind. If you are considering RV camping in Hard Labor Creek State Park with a 30' or longer RV, call ahead and reserve one of the few pull through slots. If those are not available, please re-consider, unless you are an expert at maneuvering in tight spaces and don't mind a bit of "hard labor". Charles Kerekes is a fulltime RVer traveling the US with his family and maintains the ChanginGears.com RV web site.
MORE RESOURCES:
Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Visiting Whistler in Summer It is the end of the season for the year but a summer visit is preferred by many patrons who regularly visit the Twin Mountains. The whistler and Blackcomb rise above the valley and give a fantastic panoramic view. Book a Golf Package in Myrtle Beach for Golfing Fun and Great Times in the Sun Thousands of golfers flock to the Carolinas each spring and fall to enjoy some of the greatest golf courses in the country, and booking a golf package in Myrtle Beach is one of the best ways to experience what the area has to offer to devoted fans of the sport.Purchasing a golf package in Myrtle Beach not only provides visitors with great opportunities for golfing but can also make available the finest in first-class accommodations, great meals, and a chance to hear some of the area's best entertainment. Alaska - Brief Travel Guide WHAT TO SEE, TO DO AND WHERE: Mount McKinley is the highest mountain in North America (6,194 m or 20,306 feet), 150 miles from Fairbanks. Mountain climbing season is very short because of cold weather, strong winds and avalanche hazards. River Rafting in the Grand Canyon Rafting through the Grand Canyon is the experience of a lifetime. Viewing the canyon from along the rim is a stunning experience on its own, but it pales in comparison to the adventure of riding the river through it. Improving Your Aim If your aim is not good, or is not quite what you want it to be, there are several ways you can work to improve it. Most people can hit the target almost every time when they are not rushed in any way. Unforgettable Cape Cod Vacations: The National Seashore Gift Take a captivating trip through the Cape Cod National Seashore with miles of white sandy beaches, trails and hikes to take your breath away, and majestic dunes. Just keep reading and you can visit all those places right now. Shark Attacks! How Common are They? Where do They Occur? Last week in Australia, one man's day at beach could have turned into a disaster: He was attacked by a seven-foot bronze whaler shark while surfing about 100 yards out from Sydney's Bronte Beach.Fortunately, the man, Simon Letch, stayed calm and "shoved the board at [the shark] like a barge pole. Backcountry Safety - An Essential 10-Point Checklist The call of the wild can be seductive. The exquisite beauty of the wilderness, the incomparable solitude, the simplicity of life on the trail, and the rush of living a bit on the edge attract thousands of eager backcountry enthusiasts. A Torrent of Influences - Tourism in Goa Sun, Sand and Surf - an apt description for Goa? But Goa is much more. Ancient temples and old churches? Yes. Topographic Maps 101 The intricate details on a topographic map can be befuddling, even frustrating, if you are learning while out in the backcountry. But once you get familiar with the markings and symbols, reading maps will become a friendly aid, rather than a dreaded assignment. Alaska Hunting Guide WHAT TO HUNT AND WHERE: Alaska is a hunter's paradise. Hunting here can provide the full scope of experiences- from caribou to deer and moose, from grizzly and brown bears to wolves, from Dall sheep and mountain goats to muskox, from waterfowl to ptarmigan and several grouse species. Catch Another Falling Star Recently we stayed at a state campground in Michigan near a couple of lakes and the Kalamazoo River.The sites were large and wooded and secluded and it was soooooo relaxing to be there. 10 Tips to Planning Your Dream Road Trip Everyone has a travel dream. For many it is hitting the road for a relatively unlimited time, either here or abroad. Tent and Outdoor Gear Care and Repair TENT CAREYou should seal all floor seams and those seams on the rainfly. This will make the tent waterproof. Creative Camp Cooking For most people, outdoor cooking is synonymous with barbeque, but there are many other ways to cook outdoors. If you have been camping, you are probably at least familiar with the portable propane stoves which provide a burner or two similar to the stovetop burners you have at home. Lake Winnipesaukee - The Smile of the Great Spirit Lake Winnipesaukee is the largest and one of the deepest lakes in New Hampshire. Centered in the popular vacation area known as the Lakes Region it provides 4-season pleasure for millions every year. The Classy Way to Do WA Western Australia - South-West Coast driving holiday. Great Australian Road Trips Okay, so road trips in Western Australia might bring to mind punishing distances and dusty towns, and accidentally forgetting to fill up on petrol only to pass your remaining three days under the thin shade of a dead tree wondering if any car is likely to come your way. The Different Styles of Tents Available The dictionary defines a tent as 'a portable shelter usually of canvas or other cloth stretched over poles or supports and fastened to the ground with pegs and ropes'. That definition covers a wide variety of structures in many sizes, shapes and styles. The Pyramids of Giza The most famous Egyptian pyramids to be built are the Great Pyramids of Giza, located in the outskirts of present-day Cairo. There are over 100 Egyptian pyramids of various sizes, and over 50 more in neighboring Sudan. River Rafting in California River rafting is a major attraction in California. The most popular California river rafting destination is the mighty American River.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
