Visit to Chester State Park, South Carolina

Last week I was able to spend some time at Chester State Park. Sort of a vacation. I’d planned a different outing, but at the last minute couldn’t resist the thought of a few peaceful days at this beautiful getaway. That’s site # 4 you see above. Just about ideal. Flat; pull-through; solid surface; great view of the lake. Electricity and water, of course. Now, how can you beat that?

Oh, that’s the latest addition to the Aliner. A security light that turns on only at night, and then only when it senses movement near the Aliner. A “Mr Beams MB360.” Works like a charm. And only $20 or so.

The light runs on four D-cell batteries, so it’s pretty heavy. Had to place it with a combination of “extreme” Velcro, a supplementary hook, and a short length of bungee cord. it’s easy to mount and dismount with the passenger-side “A” down.

Now, have a look at this. A group of 4H students enjoying their annual camping outing.

Twenty-some campers with ten or so chaperoning adults, at least when I checked. They set up their tents and equipment down by the lake.

What a nice group of kids. Quiet, engaged in their activities, and not a sound from them after 9:PM or so. Gathered from four South Carolina counties. Camp Host Mr. Sonny told me all of their sites were clean as whistles when they packed up and left. And Mr. Sonny’s fussy about his campsites. Maybe there’s hope for this country after all!

Just a few words about the Park. Somehow, Park Manager John Wells and his assistant, Brandon Bowers, between them keep everything spic and span. Lots of personal investment from both of them supplementing what has to be a limited budget. And it shows.

Here’s an example of that personal investment. And initiative. The lake at Chester has a nice boat ramp. But last time I visited there weren’t any parking spaces long enough to accommodate trucks with their trailers attached. So John and Brandon recently carved these spots out with some borrowed earthmoving equipment!

Cost? Gasoline, a few more hours on the equipment, and a healthy investment of what OverHome we used to call “elbow grease” from John and Brandon. Another “high-bang; low-buck” project here at Chester.

Oh, and speaking of “high-bang, low-buck” projects, here’s another one. Look carefully at this trailhead. Give it a click so you’re able to see the rails and steps more clearly. Also notice the stone wall. That’s part of the original stone wall laid up by the African-American CCC Company 4475 that built this Park. Here’s a link to more information about their work.

Expensive, right? Not hardly. If I remember correctly, this trailhead is a local high school Junior ROTC group project. They supply the labor and materials. The Park provides the supervision and encouragement. Another means of stretching scarce Park budget dollars. I mean!

I could go on and on. But just a couple more examples. Click on the photo above. That’s part of the original Chester State Park sign. From the 1930s! Discovered while cleaning out a maintenance shed.

John and Brandon decided to rescue it, mount it on a background made of boards from the original building, and hang the completed display on the wall of the new office. Now, try putting old boards together to make a smooth mounting surface sometime! I look forward to seeing the sign hang in the new office.

Speaking of the new office building, here it is. Not the largest in the system, by any means. But space is allocated inside so they’ll even have room for a small retail section!

One other nice thing about Chester State Park is its proximity to the City of Chester. Chester’s one of those places in South Carolina that seems determined to take advantage of its history and heritage. There’s a lot to see, so try to save a full day to look around. Check the website link above for detailed information and events. Lots to learn, and wonderful food.

There’s a great Bi-Lo store nearby too. Just 3.7 miles. One of the biggest in the State, open 24 hours a day. Handy whenever you run out of milk, peanut butter, or other Life Essentials.

I’ve written before about the importance of Camp Hosts. Trish and Sonny Walker, now at Chester, are fine examples. As you might imagine, with so few personnel at the Park, they both stay busy as one-armed paper-hangers. But if you can catch them with a few minutes free be sure to ask about the surrounding region. Both were born and grew up nearby.

So they’re both great sources of information, and as helpful as can be. When’s the last time you had a Camp Host call to say you’d left a piece of equipment on your site, and that he’s holding it for you? Well, I got just such a call from Mr. Sonny on Friday.

So, thanks again to Park Manager John Wells, Assistant Brandon Bowers, Camp Hosts Mr. and Mrs. Walker, Sonny and Trish, and the latest staff arrival, Miss Kayla in the Office. You folks all made a wonderful vacation even better. Hope to see you again soon.

Camping at Sesquicentennial State Park, SC

Back on the road again. Well …. Not exactly on the road. But camping, anyway. Over at Sesquicentennial State Park just outside Columbia, South Carolina. Yes, yes, I know. I’ve been here dozens of times. Each time, though, I learn something different about this remarkable 1,600-acre property.

The advantage this trip is that it’s only about three miles from the house. Just across Two Notch Road (That’s U.S. Route One for you non-South Carolinians). Good place to get back into the swing of RV camping after being confined to quarters for a while.

Now, Sesqui is smack dab in the middle of South Carolina’s Sandhills environment, with its fascinating vegetation and animal life. A great place to visit and to camp. But the Sandhills environment presents special challenges for park managers and their maintenance crews.

Imagine trying to maintain unpaved roads and campsites here. Well, somehow they manage. I took the photos above this morning. Yesterday it rained cats and dogs here. A real frog-strangler. Not every campsite is this level and smooth. But most are. Remarkable! Crews were already out early this morning, clearing drains, removing all signs of the storm.

I’ll stop bragging on Sesquicentennial now, but have to encourage you to come by. If you haven’t been here in the past seven years or so, do come back to have a look around. I think you’ll be pleased with all the changes.

Camp if you’re able. RV or Tent. If you can’t camp, come by to hike the trails, use the dog park, or just walk around. Stop by the office to see the exhibits that Park Naturalist Stacy has prepared. Sign up for one of her programs if you have the time. You’ll learn a lot.

Oh, a couple of important developments. I’ve got to find out more about these. But have a look at the new picnic tables above. I think there are three new areas like this. Notice the extended section of the nearest table. Ideal for folks using wheeled vehicles. And that new concrete pad is solid as a rock. Somebody must’ve won a grant! If you’re planning an event and would like to use one of these picnic areas, be sure to make a reservation. They’re being heavily used already.

You long-time readers may recall me moaning about plant life taking over Sesqui’s Lake. Discouraging my ElderKayaking. Well, look at this! The whole lake is like this now. Aquatic plants are restricted to just one small section.

And the fish are back. Now, we all know that you can’t rely on Park personnel to describe how good the fishing is in their Park’s lakes. These folks assure me, though, there are plenty now here at Sesqui. Some of them real lunkers.

So there you have it. Sesquicentennial State Park. A great place to RV or tent camp; a great place to visit. Come on by the next time your travels take you near Columbia, South Carolina.

“My Tracks” A Useful SmartPhone App for ElderHikers

Health has restricted me to quarters for the past few weeks. Nothing serious, as it turns out. So, more travel coming soon! Hopefully.

In the meantime, those of you who carry smartphones, be they Androids, iPhones, or whatever, might have a look at “My Tracks.” Click here for more detailed information.

It’s free to download and, best of all, simple to use. When you begin a hike or walk, just remember to open the app on your WhatEver phone, select “Record Track” and you’re on your way. When you arrive at your destination, open the app again and select “Stop Record.”

That’s it. Your route will be outlined on whatever map you use on your phone with A and B flags marking the beginning and end. You can zoom in for a close-up of each section of the route, or zoom out to place your route in a larger context. You also can view your route against a satellite or a Google Earth background.

I used My Tracks for a while before realizing it also provides detailed statistics. Distance, speed (average overall; average moving) and even changes in elevation. I’m sure there are other features. But I have yet to read the manual.

Oh, another useful feature is the ability to export each “track,” and to send others a link to the map and statistics. Great for bragging about long, speedy walks over hill and dale. Your “braggee” doesn’t need the My Tracks app to see your accomplishment either. It comes up in their regular web browser.

Click here for an example of an exported “track.”

I’ve downloaded dozens of apps since getting my Droid X smartphone a while back. Most have been free. Some cost a few dollars. Yet I use regularly only a dozen or so. “My Tracks” is one app I use daily. It’s a winner. Price is right too. Give it a try, and let me know about your experience.

Visit to Oconee Point Corps of Engineers Campground, SC

Last week I visited Oconee Point Corps of Engineers Campground on Lake Hartwell for five days. Making the reservation, I thought this would be a first visit. Not so! Been here before. Must be getting old. Oh well. Beats the alternatives.

Oconee Point has 70 RV campsites. Every one of the campsites is right on the water. Well, with the exception of the two permanent sites for the Campground Hosts.

Click this link and have a look at the interactive map the Corps has prepared for this campground. Remarkable. A photo of every campsite with just a click of the mouse. Wouldn’t it be nice to have such a map for all campgrounds. Especially in our State Parks. Must be an expensive project, though.

Oconee Point is a terrific place to park your RV if you’re planning to complete a long writing project. Or if you bring along a boat. It’s also a great location from which to visit sites of interest in surrounding counties.

Pendleton is just 10 miles or so away. And those are interesting miles, along two-lane highways that will give you a nice look at the surrounding countryside. The Pendleton District Commission now has the Hunter’s Store building open. Here’s a link to a description of the ceremony. Take time while you’re there to look at the remarkable exhibits they’ve created.

Talk about “High Bang; Low Buck” projects! Those exhibits are fine examples. They provide lots of information without costing a fortune. The Commission also maintains a reference library there for public use. Be careful with that library, though, if you’re academically inclined. You’ll end up spending the day!

When you leave the Hunter’s Store building, step across the street to have lunch or dinner at Vaqueros Mexican Restaurant. What the heck? Go to Pendleton, South Carolina, for Mexican food? Just do it! You’ll thank me later. Somebody back in the kitchen really knows how to prepare Mexican cuisine. It’s the real deal. With Huge portions and very reasonable prices. [That’s Polite for cheap!] The building, by the way, started life as “The New Hunter’s Store.” So have a look around.

Pendleton is one of those towns in South Carolina, like Cheraw, that’s learned to take advantage of its rich history. Here’s an example. Their “Health and Heritage Walking Trail.

You’ll see colorful footprints like these all through town. Just another example of how a town with innovative management can leverage their scarce community development funds. I could easily have spent a week visiting Pendleton. Probably more. A wonderful place.

Back at Oconee Point Campground you’ll find those modern Corps of Engineers bath houses that are so nice to use. There are three or four of them, if memory serves. They’re clean, and have plenty of hot water for showers.

So there you have it. Another great place to park your RV in South Carolina. Bring along a kayak, or a boat. Or bring along a long writing project, like I did. You won’t be disappointed.

Bumgarner Camping Center Gives Aliner It’s Annual Inspection

Well! Bumgarner Camping Center in Lenoir, North Carolina, has a new home. Look at that! They’ve moved into a huge former Chrysler dealership right on Route 321. No longer on that side-street in Hudson you couldn’t find without directions from two long-time residents and a patrolman.

Same folks, though. Shannon and Angel Bumgarner. That’s Buddy you see behind the counter. With Chad Bumgarner, Jerry Sawyer, and their solid support crew handling pre-sale preps, service, repairs, and even the sort of general “wellness checks” I drive up for each year.

This is a wonderful RV dealership. I was surprised to see a few big Class A motorhomes on their lot. So I asked if they’d changed their line of business. No, those rigs are in on consignment, they assured me.

Bumgarners is still primarily a travel trailer dealership. One that knows, sells, and services travel trailers. Large and small. You won’t be treated like a second- or third-class citizen here just because you don’t plan to spend a few hundred thousand dollars on one of those rigs large enough to have its own zip code.

They have more room now, and therefore stock more of the parts and supplies that we all need. And some we don’t really need, but can’t resist when we see them on the shelf, or hear Buddy describe their virtues.

They also have a lot more room to service our trailers under cover. Four seasons out of the year. Space was a real problem over in Hudson. Not here!

I learned that Bumgarners no longer sells new Aliners. But they’ve replaced them with the Rockwood brand of folding hard-sided camper you see above.

These look a lot like Aliners, though they seemed to me to be better made. With a better selection of appliances. And even a lower price. When my beloved Mobile Studio finally passes on, its successor will be one of these Rockwoods. [Yes …. Buddy is a most persuasive person …. But still…. Look for yourself!]

I drive clear from Columbia, South Carolina, to do business with the Bumgarners, and am glad to do it. They provide a level of price, service, and reliability that reminds me of how business used to be conducted. Oh, and just in case the thought crossed your mind, I pay exactly the same prices at Bumgarners that you will pay. Special price breaks or payments don’t explain the enthusiasm of my assessment. They’re just great folks to do business with.

When you visit Bumgarners out on Route 321, be sure to ask to see the Vintage 1972 Cox camper set up in the showroom. This camper is a significant piece of RV history.

As Buddy explained, the Cox Company in Grafton was North Carolina’s only RV manufacturer. They’re no longer in business, unfortunately, but they produced a fine product in their time.

This is the smaller of their two models: the Cadet 220. It weighed only 415 pounds fully loaded, and could be pulled along behind most any car.

The Cox Company also made a somewhat larger model that accommodated a couple more people. In addition to the dinette table it came with an ice box and a stove for outside use. Top of the line!

After accepting this camper in trade last year they were persuaded to keep it for display by its near-perfect condition. Everything you see here is original. From the old-style canvas to the bedding. Cox added a single electrical receptacle inside, adequate to power a light or even a small fan. Oh, and the stabilizer jacks on all four corners were standard equipment.

So, be sure to have a look at this 1972 Cox when your travels take you in or near Lenoir, North Carolina on Route 321.