Reservactions....

I was just doing setting up a few reservations for summer / fall fun. Reservations in general seem to be more available than 2 years ago. Are we seeing a reduction in "covid campers"

We can reserve 6 months in advance in Indina, and as of today there are about 75 camp sites at one of the "jewell of the system" parks there are ~400 sites on labor day weekend.

Doing a "random sample" of weekends in the june/july time frame, there were still sites available....

Frankly, I'm encouraged....maybe the "rudies" are realizing that camping is a bit of work? I hope so...I miss being able to reserve with just a 2-3 weeks notice. I doubt we'll get back to that level any time soon....but maybe the "cencus" is dropping to a point were competition for a camp site isn't that fierce...

 

In this case yes, I was looking at Brown. It really is a jewel of a park --- especially if you can get way in the back on the ridges. Becuase of family obligations, I'll be going north numerous weekends of the summer but in past years we've been to brown for 75% of our outings.

My observation on facancies goes beyond a specific park though. Or at least it felt that way. I'm wish I had access to the metadata. I'd love to eliminate confirmation bias.

You're not from Indiana are you? I only know of 1 other CI in Indiana --- Indianpaolis, down near broadripple...I didn't examine the Indiana map when we picked up in November....

If you're in the area, we need to have a mini-gathering

 

That’s a good to hear, because I need to get my act together and make some reservations for the summer.

 

I'd get started regardless....Easier <> Easy

 

Thats where we usually wind up as well. We were there in October or early November of '20. In '21 we didn't have any kind of camper, so we didn't get out much last year after about June when we sold our bounder. I'm looking forward to going back....This year, we'll be at Potato creek (another great park, in a different way) Learned to bring a leaf blower on that trip -- we couldn't find the pad

As for Brown, we usually to all the way to the back, favoring the "Right" turn by the bath house. I think those sites are just a little quieter and more level. Honestly, there is a bad site in the whole park as long as you realize the main drive is busy, and there are places where the concentration of people is just higher.

My only complaint about the park, is its "too big" -- the 4 mile drive to the camp store from the back end of the park is a little rough. We've gotten pretty self reliant, and usually don't forget much. Typcially -- just for firewood. But even there I try to bring USDA certified wood from outside. Its generally cheaper and better quality.

Australia - I hope things go well there. I assume things have improved in terms of livability, I have not paid much attention to the current state of affairs, but I know things looked pretty unlivable months ago. Its great to hear people are able to travel again. How many hours is the trip?

2 years ago, I was scheduling a trip to Bengaluru India. 36 hours from door to door, assuming everything went according to plan. Then 16-24 hours of meetings over 5 days...then back on the plane to come home. I might have been able to work it into two weeks, to give myself a weekend of sightseeing. One of my colleagues surely would have hosted me. No way I could drive there. But due to business decisions since, I couldn't justify the trip now, nor would I want too.

Do you joint your tearjerkers events? I know Indiana chapter USED to be VERY active. Heck, Crossroads gathering essentially took over a whole park for a weekend with teardrops. Unfortunately, most of the tearjerkers in generaly have "upgraded" and it really doesn't have much to do with tearjerkers any more. Its kind of sad after seeing it in the glory days. I can't blame anyone though, I was one of those who went big only to go right back to where I started.

Maybe he gas prices will re-invigorate the small campers again. Its not the campers themselves, but the camaraderie and friendship that comes with owning such unique little campers and traveling as a pack. Now that everyone has gone big --- there just isn't the drive to get together...so what you have left is just a small clique of friends gong camping together.

 

My parents live just few miles from potato creek, and even as a kit going for a sunday drive through the park was a routine and common event for us. As I kid I remember dyin' to know what the 'familiy campground' was --- we couldn't go back there since we didn't camp....now I know

I hear they are planning to build an Inn at the park now as well. I'm a little worried that they will damage the natural beauty. Apparently it will have a lazy river and other water park features....I dunno how I feel about it. If they do hopefully they re-dress and extend the paved bike trails to get from the campground too it, they need some love. It MIGHT be nice to have a breakfast place to go too...although I still think I'll prefer "Tom & Lin's Kitchenette" in South Bend....

You mention Clifty -- also a fantastic park --- have you had the opportunity visit Turkey Run? The camp ground is unremarkable in every way. However the park's trail system is stunning! Go on a week day if you can, when the crows will be less. I can't recall the trail number (I think 4) runs through a gorge where the water has cut a 15 foot deep steep walled creekbed through the standstone. They actaully had to build ladders to climb -- its is TRUELY rugged and worth the trip itself. But its a very popular attraction...

I don't envy the trip -- I absolutely hate commercial flying. I am a pilot, its not flying. Its being treated like a criminal from the moment you park your car until you leave the airport grounds. The 24 hours in-air is a whole other complication. If you are fortunate enough to afford Business Class its better. The flight I used to have to make somehat routinely from Indianapolist to Frankfurt had a price tag of $8000 on it. Not my money - I was glad to take it. After that though, don't think I can fly coach internationally again...

Don't get me started on "normal". If you have eyes to see...but if you don't...and that's all I will say for the moment.

 

I've camped twice in Indiana. The first time was a 3-week cross-country camping trip in July 2015 from Napa, CA to Boston, MA with my wife and three younger kids. We stayed at Grandpa's Farm near Richmond, which was a small operation with some activities for the kids. Super fun. Stopping at the nearby Air Force Museum in Dayton, OH the next day was a highlight of the trip.

The second camping trip through Indiana was two months later in September 2015. I drove the Mustang solo from Napa, CA to Long Island, NY for a conference, camping along the way with a tent cot. Made it coast to coast in 4 days on the way there, and did it in 3 days on the way back (a fast-paced trip I'd always wanted to try, but my wife never wanted to do that much driving in such a short period...this conference provided a great opportunity). Anyway, on the way there, I had the pleasure of camping at Pokagon State Park in northeastern Indiana. I was amazed at how beautiful this park was. I intend to head back at some point and do some more exploring when I have more time.

 

What a cutie! Dad's going to have a problem on his handes in a few years

We've been to almost all of the parks in Indiana. I actually found that I was not aware of a couple of obscure parks. I'll be adding those to my reservation list. I kind of want the 'badge' of honr saying I've stayed at ever park in Indiana...

Pokagon -- you been there in the winter? One of these years, I want to ride the toboggan run. Its never worked out where I could. It looks like a hoot. I've not been there in the Summer for spent any time outside of the campground. My biggest fault is once I get settled in, I don't necessarily like to get out much --- I need to work on that. If all you see are the camp site it doesn't matter that much where you are.

Pokagon is near some great car museums, and a museum dedicated to....of all things...wind mills. MAY BE this will be the year