Fountainbleau State Park

We visited Fountainbleau for Memorial Day weekend.  We've been here once before last year when we rented a camper.  It was very crowded this time around, due to the holiday weekend.  We were in spot 68 this time around.  I chose this spot because it was right beside the bath house, I would not choose it again.  There are a couple of reasons why.

The spot is on a corner of two roads, it's about 50ft from the bath house.  It's nice when you need to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night (we don't #2 in our camper unless it's an emergency), but the amount of children that cut through our campsite was crazy.  We've always taught ours to be courteous and not cut through the middle of someones camp, I just think it's rude.  Also, we have a large German Shepard and she gets really excited when kids run close to our camp.  There was also a large tree right off of the pad that wouldn't allow us to extend the awning all the way out.

Of course, the kids had fun riding bikes and playing on the play ground.  The splash park was shut down the entire weekend for some reason.  Sign said it was undergoing maintenance but we never saw anyone working on it.  They did swim in the lake a little and did some kayaking, that is until the small alligator ran everyone out of the lake.  We ran into some old friends that had their grand kids with them that were about the same age as ours so they stayed busy the entire time.

We like cooking and eating at the camper when we camp.  Sometimes, depending on where we are, there are exceptions to that.  Fountainbleau is one of those excepts.  There is a little meat market on Hwy 190 called Saia's, it's about 3-4 miles back west of the entrance to the state park.  They have some really good shrimp poboys.  The sandwich is stuffed with so much shrimp that they just pour out everywhere, and you can't beat the price for $6.99.  If you are ever in the area you should really check them out, they also sell fried chicken and other types of poboy sandwiches.

One of our favorite things to do here is ride around at night and count deer.  Although we didn't see nearly as many as we did our first trip here we did see a bunch.  I think we counted thirty something this trip along with many rabbits and squirrels.  There were also signs of wild hogs.  We didn't see any but they had been in our campsite before we arrived, grass was pretty torn up.

We enjoy camping pretty much everywhere we go, although we are still very new to this and haven't been many places yet.  Sitting around the camp and looking at the amount of people that were at this state park on Memorial Day weekend got us talking and thinking.  I don't know everything that goes into operating a state park, but I just can't understand why Louisiana State Parks are in such turmoil right now.  They have gone up on fee's and I can't see anything that has been improved at Fountainbleau since we were here a year ago, with the exception of the splash park being broke down.  The campground was completely booked solid all weekend and you couldn't hardly get a spot on the beach with the amount of people that come in and buy day passes.  Where is the money going?  It's sad when you can go right across the line into Mississippi and pay cheaper rates with full sewer hook ups.  Camping really can be a great experience for families.  We truly have enjoyed our short time camping adventures and hope to have many more to come.

We'll be headed out on our next trip to Big Lagoon State Park in Florida at the end of June.  Until then.....Happy Camping!!

Buccaneer State Park

This weekend we stayed at Buccaneer State Park in Waveland, MS.   We were in site #95 in the Blackbeard Loop.  The loop was small and our spot was a little tricky to get into but we had plenty of room once we got the camper situated.  The site had full hook up, including sewer, a BBQ pit, and picnic table.  There was no fire pit but there was a spot where people had been burning so that's what we used.  The sites in our loop weren't to close together but they have some in other loops that are pretty close.  The one right across from us (94) would be another good one, much easier to back into and has some shade but hardly any grass.

Although the pool and water park were closed we still had lots of stuff to do.  They have a disc golf course that the boys really liked, a pretty good sized playground, and some hiking trails.  They also have an arcade, laundry and camp store by the pool area (none of this was open while we were there).  The bath houses were in decent shape, pretty old but seemed to be well maintained.  They don't have anyone at the gate house 24/7.  We had someone playing extremely loud music our first night there.  At about 11pm we tried calling the park to have someone ride over and speak to them but kept getting a busy signal every time.  Finally had to go ask if they could turn it down a bit, which they did.  Quiet time is from 10pm-6am.

There is also lots of stuff to do around the area.  Saturday we went to the beach for a bit, water was still kind of cold but manageable.  There is also a nice fishing pier about 4-5 miles east of the campground.  We went for a bit Saturday night but all we caught were hard head cats.  It was still fun just being out there fishing!  The campground is not far from town so if you forget something there is a Walmart there along with some other grocery stores and fast food places.  To the west of the campground is the Silver Slipper Casino for any gamblers out there.

All in all we had a good time.  Of course, as it always is, time goes by to fast and the trip was way to short.  I would like to go back when the water activities are open and see how all that is.

What's your idea of camping?

Just a little discussion on what your thoughts of "Camping" are.  We are still VERY new to the RV camping scene.  The wife and I used to tent camp a lot but this is our first endeavor with a travel trailer.  When I see a campground on Facebook or Online I like to read the reviews and see what other people think.  Sometimes I just sit back and laugh to myself at some of the comments.

Your opinion may differ from mine, but when I think of camping I think of the great outdoors.  I think of sitting outside in my chair, waving at people as they pass by, throwing a frisbee or baseball with the kid, fishing, riding bikes, and just overall enjoying the surroundings.  Yes, we have a T.V. in our camper but we try to only use it for "rainy days" or when going to sleep at night.  I do realize that every family is different have have different needs though.

I've seen pictures of people dang near packing their whole house for a weekend get-a-way, taking them two plus hours to set up camp before they can start relaxing.  I just want to back my trailer in, put my rug and chairs out, set up my flamingo's and other decorative items and chill!  Some of the comments I see on Facebook campground sites are funny to me. Things like, "Your concrete pad isn't perfectly level", "Your pool isn't big enough", "We saw a snake crossing the road"....I could go on and on but I'll stop there.  

I'm very happy that we finally decided to purchase our first RV.  I love spending the time with my family and would go somewhere every weekend if I could afford to.  I love being able to just relax under my awning and drink a beer if I feel like it.  Our trailer isn't huge, only 26ft, but it's perfect for what we need.  I don't want to spend every waking hour in our camper on a trip.  I've seen people pull up at their spot, set up, go inside and never be seen again the whole weekend.  I guess if that's how you want to camp then more power to you, but it just doesn't seem like camping to me.  

I'd like to hear what camping means to you.

New Tow Vehicle

Traded in for a new tow vehicle this weekend.  Who else pulls with a Tundra and how do you like it?

New additions to Reunion Lake

Check out the map and see the new additions coming to Reunion Lake in Robert, LA.  Not only the new lazy river but looks like putt putt golf, pickleball, basketball, and some new water activities.

Percy Quin State Park, McComb, MS.

Another weekend get-a-way and we decided to check out Percy Quin State Park in McComb, MS.  This is a nice park, not far from I-55, pretty easy to get to.  They have a variety of things to do including hiking trails, golf, fishing, boating and many other things.  We chose spot 61, had a little view of the lake.  Next time I think I would chose spot 60 if it's available, unobstructed view of the lake.

The park was nice, it was Easter weekend so it was full!  Bathhouses were clean and well maintained.  We had a pretty level spot at #61 but beware that some of these spots have very steep upgrades.  They had a nice little Easter Church Service at their little chapel across from the campgrounds.  The last picture is at the Dinner Bell in McComb.  If you've never eaten here then you must go try it!!  All in all we enjoyed it here and will be back.

Camper purchased, off on our first adventure.

Well, after the camping trip last year we still kept talking about purchasing. In March we found one that we really liked and couldn't pass up on the deal they were offering so we decided to bite the bullet and purchase our own camper.  We went out on a Saturday and looked at it and decided it was the one for us.  Went back Monday to do paperwork, picked up on Wednesday and were camping on Friday!!

This was the first trip in our new camper.  Reunion Lake in Robert, LA.  This is an RV Resort, not a state park and you can tell the difference.  They have only been open about a year and the place was really nice, highly recommend going there.  The spots were a lot tighter and not many shade trees (yet) but that's to be expected in this type of RV Resort.  The staff was wonderful during our stay, they meet you in a golf cart and escort you to your spot and check you in right there.  They have bracelets that you wear and they can be set up to where you can purchase straight from the bracelet.  Nice when you don't want to carry a wallet or purse around.  The bath houses were very nice.  All stalls had their own locking door and had a toilet, shower, sink and shelves in every one.

They have two pools, one for everyone and an adult pool with a swim up bar.  They are separated by a concessions stand which has staff members that come out to the pools and take orders.  They are currently adding on a lazy river with it's own swim up bar and cabana's, supposed to be finished May 2017.  They are also adding on more campsites on the other side of the lake.  They also have a dog park, camp store, arcade, restaurant and many other things.  On the day of your departure the staff comes around with a bag of donut holes.

We really enjoyed it here and will be visiting again.  Sorry for the lack of pictures, wasn't focused on creating a blog at the time :)

Relaxation!

BBQ Ribs anyone?

Baby Girl has to eat too!

Donut Holes!!

Beginning our adventure...June 2016

So, we've been looking at buying a camper for a few years.  We decided last year to rent one and see how we liked it before we made a purchase like this.  We decided on Fountainbleau State Park in Mandeville, LA for our first trip.  The park itself was nice and folks seemed friendly enough.  It has beach access on Lake Pontchartrain where you can swim and do some fishing.  There was no pool but they did have a splash pad that was pretty nice.  Also, there was a freshwater pond that you could fish in.  We saw many deer and wild hogs while we were there.

The RV spots are nice and spaced out pretty well.  We originally had a back in spot but changed to this pull through upon arrival.  They only have 5 or 6 spots with sewer hookup.  Bath houses were a bit old but pretty clean.  All in all we liked the park and will be back for another visit.