Raccoon Valley RV Park

Yesterday we were all packed up, dumped, and on the road out of Defeated Creek COE park by nine in the morning.  It was a 158 mile drive through the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains to get just north of Knoxville.  Lots of ups and downs in this state of Tennessee!  One portion of I-40 was rough enough to pop the clock I have attached to a cabinet with super Velcro right off of the wall.  I’m getting kind of used to crashing sounds as I drive in this state.  This one really gave me a start though as it came crashing down on the dashboard and bounced around a bit.  Oh well, that happened just about the time I passed into the Eastern Time Zone, so I would have had to take it down anyway to change the time.

About four hours later, I arrived at Raccoon Valley.  This is an Escapees Park which means you have to be a member of Escapees to stay here.  Since I’m a lifetime member, that wasn’t a problem.  The park looked pretty full, however, as I stepped into the office/clubhouse.  You can’t make a reservation at this park so you may have to boondock for a night until there’s an opening.

After having spent Wednesday on the Upper Cumberland Quilt Trail, the first thing I noticed in the clubhouse were all the quilts hanging on the walls.  I don’t know for sure, but I would assume they were made by fellow Escapees.  I was hoping to get a site and take advantage of the ‘Stay and Play’ feature that is available here on certain sites.  That means you pay for 15 days at check-in, and get to stay for 20 which averages out for a 50 amp site at just over $12/night.  That also gets me through the 4th of July.    A site was available, so I took it and about melted setting up camp.

The pics on the top level of the collage show the sites.  On the left, are the short term sites.  Notice the trees providing shade?  On the right are the ‘Stay and Play’ sites.  One little tree, and not anywhere near my site.  I’m two sites down the row from the tan and rust shower building.  It’s kind of like being a sardine in a can that is being processed in a pressure cooker.  I’ve certainly become spoiled by my refuge and COE park locations.  It’s also my guess that there is not a level site in the park.  It’s located on the side of a hill.

Now on the plus side, there is a swimming pool and a fenced doggy area.  Can you believe that all Emma does here off leash is take a leak, dump, and then lay down?  Uf-Dah.  I was hoping she would run and run and run and use up some of that pent up energy, but the most invigorating thing she has done is chew some of the grass!  Being an Escapee Park, I also have no worries about rowdy characters carrying on all night.  It’s very quiet and peaceful.  It also gives me the chance to leave the rig in a place I’m comfortable with while I drive up to Indiana next week for Robyn’s retirement party.

                                                           Thursday’s sunset at Defeated Creek.

I was able to find a kennel today so Emma will be taken care of while I’m gone.  Doing that and ten days worth of laundry in the Splendide about took up my day.  I was sure to wash all those new bras I bought last week so my trip up north will be an ‘uplifting’ experience! 

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy