RTinVa

During times like this I try to look for the positive. First, I am certainly better off than those less fortunate than me. I have a good job that pays enough to enjoy the pleasures of RVing. Normally I find that I stay within certain named campgrounds that I know provide the benefits I am used to having. This may be a good time to help out the private campgrounds by experiencing what they have to offer. When traveling as a family in 1973 with my mom and dad we would pull up to campgrounds in the dark, set up, and go to sleep. I thought to myself, "How did my dad find this campground?" Some were campgrounds where the owner would have to come out of the house to greet us as my dad would drive to follow so he could point out the site. Often when the sun came up, we found ourselves in a quiet location with a lovely view of the countryside. I remember once we found ourselves next to a stream with rock cliffs all around us. As my brother and I walked down to the stream which was almost covered on the sides by mountain laurel we saw hummingbirds that were flying over the water back and forth. It was beautiful. Because we were working our way across the country with our pop-up tent camper we only stayed the one night. To this day I do not remember the state or the name of the campground (I was 13 years old at the time) but I am glad we stayed there and will not forget that campground. During times like these it can provide us the opportunity to explore our options. We should also remember that private campgrounds are owned by sometimes a single family who also need business to stay open. They may not be able to offer the "bells and whistles" that larger campgrounds have, they may have only one washer in the laundry room and a broken dryer, but what may offer is the opportunity to meet the locals. If we listen, they can tell you how to get around the area while avoiding the crowds, and maybe even the "sweet honey hole for you to throw a line". If you talk to them long enough, they may even tell you about the trail that offers a view of the mountains and sites that you would normally only see from inside the National Park.