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Borrego Springs, CA

Saturday, June 16, 2012

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.

67 On the way to NC 201243About 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.  Smile  A site was available, so I took it and about melted setting up camp.

67 On the way to NC 201244

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.  Crying face 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.

IMG_8838

                                                           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!  Winking smile

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

24 comments:

  1. UPlifting is good. Glad you found a spot for the 4th. How is the temperature? We're looking for some cooler weather.

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  2. Welcome to East Tennessee. We've always enjoyed staying at Raccoon Valley, but have only stayed one or two nights at a time. After your trip to Indiana you might have time to visit the Museum of the Appalachia which is not so far from Raccoon Valley. We've never been, but have heard and read outstanding reports.

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  3. That's what I call making lemonade when you are handed lemons! Clock falls off the wall... you take the opportunity to change the time! Funny!
    Nice for you to be in a quiet spot over the big weekend.

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  4. Is that what it takes to have an uplifting experience! It's off to Kohl's for me! :-)

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  5. enjoy your 'uplifting' experience!..nice spot and a great deal..we may have to look into being escapees!

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  6. I guess for $12 bucks a day you can't have it all..

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  7. I haven't bought a new bra in years because I can no longer find the kind I like. Soon I won't have any to wear and will be a braless hippie!

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  8. Beautiful sunset shot.

    We just found Genie bras at Target, and for a bra it's not bad. And that's all I'm gonna say about that.

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  9. We stay in Raccoon Valley every time we pass through that area. Bella, our cat, loves the trail up the mountain. We too must look for a place for the 4th. Hope we aren't too late. Enjoy your stay!

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  10. Sounds like a good spot for what you need...Great to go see Robyn...and you found a place for Emma...Enjoy.

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  11. I'm envious of you. When we were there last month, the pool wasn't open. Figures. Hope you get a chance to cool off while you're there.

    Can't beat that price.

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  12. We were there last year but much too early for the pool. That Museum of Appalachia is worth seeing. We liked the park ok but not fond of parking on gravel and no grass in sight! We too love the COE parks.

    One thing we did like were the Sunday afternoon and Thursday night "Jam sessions" Lots of good blue grass and country music performed by the locals.

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  13. I had several good bras tucked away that I had grown out of. With my weight loss they are fitting nicely again!

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  14. Hope you enjoy your time here and don't get too fried out in the sun. We are at a COE park now and they are hard to beat.

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  15. Gee Judy, I think I could rename our country estate...Raccoon Valley II. I hope you have a safe trip North. I wish the timing were different so that I could drive down to IN to say "howdy"but I have to make a trip to Minneapolis to interview renters. Yuck!

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  16. Looks like they have a nice lending/exchange library there? That's one of the first things Bill & I look for. Too bad there aren't more trees, but then... maybe your dish will be easier to set up. (more lemonade?)... Enjoy!

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  17. Shade doesn't work all that well in those high humidity areas anyway - it is just hot! Grace does the same thing in the dog areas- sniffs, wets and dumps, then lays down by us. We have to get up and encourage her if we want her to run. Dogs are funny!

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  18. You are too funny, have a great stay, and enjoy the retirement party. Love your sunset shot. Will you be posting pictures of the quilts in the office, I for one would like to see them. Happy Sunday!

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  19. Doesn't look bad but I know about being close together. Maybe after a few visits to the dog park Emma will get the hang of it.
    Enjoy your stay.

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  21. Just for the record, I have trouble finding a bra that is both "uplifting" AND tolerable to wear...Whoever invented under wires should be make to wear on 24/7...Talk about being in a binder!!! Have fun at the party and take lots of your fabulous photos!!

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  22. I got a good laugh about your comment about changing time zones at the time you rolled into a new zone. It is a little like making lemonade out of a lemon.

    Enjoy your stay, I know I will enjoy your blogs. And your daughter is retiring????

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  23. I've never been to an Escapees Park, but that looks nice. I know what you mean, though, after having lots of room, it's hard to be so close to your neighbors.

    Katie does the same thing in a dog park, except she has usually pee'd and pooped on the way, so she just sniffs all the new smells. Won't run unless I throw a ball, and then it's like she's doing me a favor. :(

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  24. Same thing withAngel, dog parks are a waste for her.

    My clock is on Velcro, is digital, solar powered and changes automatically, I ordered it through Amazon, but it wasn't cheap!

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