Scrubjaysnest 2011 trip

[scrubjaysnest]

At present we will leave Fl about the middle of April and head up through GA, TN, KY, and points north any thoughts? Our preferred camping is dry or boon dock at National Forests, BLM. and COE. National Parks are second choice followed by State Parks. For starters we have eight or ten in Ga already picked out. One so far in TN and about a dozen in KY.
We would like to hear from those that have been through these areas. A note we tend to avoid interstates and use US highways instead.

Route? US 441 through GA to US 64 in NC to Chattanooga. TN 58 north and pick up US 27 around I-40. US 27 into KY then ...............

but, I use to backpack a lot in the Natural Bridge area in KY. (KY 11, though I'd recommend the Moutain Parkway.) Lots of NF camping areas. Pretty country and nice hiking, etc.

Another area that is nice is around the Rockcastle River areas. If you get further west in KY, the Mammouth Cave area has lots of nice backcountry camping. Not sure if you can pull a light trailer onto some of the ferries.

If you go the other way, Kingdom Come State Park is a great area. Not a National Park, but no interstates, either :-)

Sure would like to hear more about which NF campgrounds you are and will be using.

We've been staying mostly at the Florida State Parks (and the Everglades NP) while in Florida. But would like to explore the Eastern NF campgrounds more.

[scrubjaysnest]

Originally Posted by brulaz

Sure would like to hear more about which NF campgrounds you are and will be using.

We've been staying mostly at the Florida State Parks (and the Everglades NP) while in Florida. But would like to explore the Eastern NF campgrounds more.

brulaz:
Here is the list so far. I'll add this in word and pdf format with comments on the CG once we stay there.

GA stops
1. Stephen Foster SP if water levels are up.
2. Lake Sinclair USFS, Oconee NF
3. Oconee USFS, Oconee NF
4. Desoto Falls or Boggs Creek USFS, Chattahocchee NF
TN stops
1. Harrison Bay SP
2. Parksville USFS, Cherokee NF before Harrison bay?
3. Bandy, NPS in Big South Fork National River and rec area or Blue Heron on KY side.
Ky stops
1. Blue Heron?
2. Grove or Holly Bay USFS, Daniel Boone NF
3. S tree or Turkey Foot? USFS, Daniel Boone NF
4. Koomer Ridge USFS, Daniel NF: near Natural Bridge SP
OH stops

Originally Posted by scrubjaysnest

brulaz:
Here is the list so far. I'll add this in word and pdf format with comments on the CG once we stay there.

The DW and I are also planning a similar route during the late Spring - she has to retire first and then we'll be on our way. Looking forward to your comments and camp stays.

You already have a number of places to stay in Ky, but I'll add one that I just put on my list of "possibles" that you might like: Cumberland Falls State Park, near Corbin, Ky.

http://tinyurl.com/2cj5njf

The attraction, at least for us, is this description:
"... Imagine a wall of water falling 60 feet into a boulder-strewn gorge, a whispering mist that kisses the face and a magical moonbow visible on a clear night under a full moon. Known as the "Niagara of the South," the 125-foot wide curtain of water is dramatic day or night. But it's only at night during a full moon that you can see the moonbow, a phenomenon not found anywhere else in the Western Hemisphere!"
Not sure whether there is a moderate hike in order to get to the falls, but we like to think that we can still make it -

"Life is an adventure - make the most of it!"

[marshel308]

http://www.state.tn.us/environment/p...allCreekFalls/

Fall Creek Falls is a little off the beaten path but well worth the trip. Nice, wooded campground area, gorgeous scenery and lots of short day trails to walk, great golf course if you like, nice buffet restaurant at the inn; a lot like the
Great Smokie Mountains National Park without the crowds.

[scrubjaysnest]

Originally Posted by TravlinOn

The DW and I are also planning a similar route during the late Spring - she has to retire first and then we'll be on our way. Looking forward to your comments and camp stays.

You already have a number of places to stay in Ky, but I'll add one that I just put on my list of "possibles" that you might like: Cumberland Falls State Park, near Corbin, Ky.

http://tinyurl.com/2cj5njf

The attraction, at least for us, is this description:
"... Imagine a wall of water falling 60 feet into a boulder-strewn gorge, a whispering mist that kisses the face and a magical moonbow visible on a clear night under a full moon. Known as the "Niagara of the South," the 125-foot wide curtain of water is dramatic day or night. But it's only at night during a full moon that you can see the moonbow, a phenomenon not found anywhere else in the Western Hemisphere!"
Not sure whether there is a moderate hike in order to get to the falls, but we like to think that we can still make it -

"Life is an adventure - make the most of it!"

We were there about 18 years ago, nice place.

[scrubjaysnest]

attached is an up dated list. We set to arrive at Victoria Lk, a COE CG on Apr 29. The DW's little brother lives about 15 minutes from the CG which is located on Lake Altoona near Woodstock Ga. This is off I 575 on sixes road.
SORBA, the Southern Of road Biking Assoc. has set up some really nice mountain bike trails near by. I'm hoping the recent storms in the area doesn't have the bike trails closed.

[scrubjaysnest]

So far no major problems. At the max cold setting the AC unit was tripping the circuit breaker after about two or three hours. I spent about 2 days re doing wiring at the fish camp and that seems to have cleared up most of it. The original power for the fish camp is 100 amp service from the early 90's. This winter while over here fishing I may upgrade our little campground to 200 amp service and run 8 or 10 awg to each site.
Next stop is later today at Gen Coffee SP in Douglas GA.

[jimair1548]

If you haven't been to Cloudland Canyon SP in NW Ga., it is worth considering. It is about 30-40 min. south of Chatt. and has some beautiful vistas into a really deep canyon, good hiking, and nice facillities. You can look it up on Ga. State Parks website....jsw