25,000 McNugit Miles

Mother's Day Flowers @ Pocahontas

Jim and his big bro @Pocahontas SP

Caboose cabin @ Heavenly Acres

Jones Run Falls in SNP

Lewis Mountain Campground-SNP

Overlook on Skyline Drive-SNP

Catch Me Pops @North Bend Park

Wake-up View @North Bend Park

Fleet's Out @North Bend Park

Packed for Fun

Geezer's on SUP's @Philpott Lake

almost halfway mark on AT @ Greenbrier SP

my aunt's farm in PA

On The Road Again

Goose Point Light Station @Elk Neck SP

MAUCICCO #1

Damsel Fly Convention @James River SP

James River SP campsite

Tye River Overlook @James River SP

Janes Island SP sunset

Moon Rocket Launch @Janes Island SP

Paddle Break @Janes Island SP

Janes Island Campsite

Jim's Fix-It Shop

Sunset on Kerr Lake @North Bend Park

God Bless America @North Bend Park

Douthat SP campsite

my cousin has horses in her backyard!

Longaberger Basket HQ's

Kickapoo SP campsite

CICO #10

Hardy Lake SP campsite

A rude awakening by squirrel dropping acorns on our roof!

Clayton Lake SP

Our mountain in the clouds

Grandkids are the BEST!

little apple pickers

Crabtree Falls "playground"

We LOVE to camp @Kiptopeke SP

Kiptopeke SP campsites

Love is in the air @ Chippokes Plantation SP

Scotland Neck Ferry on the James River

Veterans Day @Chippokes Plantation SP

The Eagle Has Not Landed @ Medoc Mountain SP

warming of the feet @Medoc Mountain SP

Little Fishing Creek @Medoc Mountain SP

Bluff Loop Trail @Medoc Mountain SP

Construction Zone

Post-Christmas SUP

Sunset by campfire @Occoneechee SP

an owl of Occoneechee

moat of Merchant Millpond

my birthday gator

the gator & me

goats of Pettigrew SP

Pettigrew SP historic area

Lake Phelps @Pettigrew SP

put-in @Medoc Mountain SP

the Oscar rescue mission

He Is Risen, Indeed @ Medoc Mountain SP

Medoc Mountain campsite

Molly's Knob

ducks in our "backyard" @Hungry Mother SP

Farmhouse in the Fork

under cover teardrop

Martins Station @Wilderness Road SP

Natural Tunnel SP campsite

Natural Tunnel Panorama

Clinch River paddle

Breaks Interstate Park

Life on the Edge @Breaks Interstate

rough road ahead @Breaks Interstate

Smith Mountain Lake campsite

Smith Mountain Lake

Janes Island paddlers

Janes Island vista

Lums Pond sunset

Lums Pond campsite

our home away from home

Caledon SP

reach for the sky @Caledon SP

County Line Park

the "best campsite in the world" @ County Line

our newlyweds

Piney Woods @ 6:AM

Piney Woods campsite

July 4th kite flying

MAUCICCO #2

Kimball Point campsite

Kimball Point sunset

bald eagle on the beach

camping with caterpillars @James River SP

James River paddling

James River campsite

25,000 McNUGIT MILES


For the first 12,381 miles of our travels, please refer to “The 101 McNugit Nights”.
To see pictures, click on this link: http://the101mcnugitnights.shutterfly.com

As we continue our adventure, we pick it up at 12,381 miles and 102 nights.

Outing #36 Pocahontas State Park: Chesterfield, VA
May 12-15, 2013
292 miles / 3 nights
Even though it is Mother’s Day weekend, we opted for a camping trip. My boys all know my cell number anyway! We had been wanting to revisit Pocahontas, since our last visit was just an overnight pit stop. Had a great time hiking, biking, and SUP-ing the little lake. We also had a nice visit, and shared dinner with Jim’s older brother, who lives a mere 8 miles from the park.
Running Totals: 12,673 miles / 105 nights


Outing #37 Heavenly Acres Campground: Stanardsville, VA and Lewis Mountain Campground in Shenandoah National Park
May 24-28, 2013
491 miles / 4 nights
You would think we should have learned by now, that it is nearly impossible to get a last minute campsite on a holiday weekend! Our original intent was to revisit the site of our “honeymoon” from 37 years ago, Loft Mountain Campground in SNP. Unfortunately, we were turned away at the park entrance- all campgrounds FULL! Luckily though, we secured the next to last campsite at a nearby private campground. Turned out to be a cool campground that has several old cabooses, converted to camping cabins. We used Heavenly Acres as our base camp, and drove up to SNP for day trips filled with some great hiking to waterfalls, and peaks. Back at our campsite, we were serenaded by thousands upon thousands of 17 Year Cicadas. They were everywhere! Once the SNP campgrounds emptied out on Monday, we were able to get a campsite at the nearly deserted Lewis Mountain Campground. And of course, we hit the Wayside at Loft Mountain for one of their delicious Blackberry Shakes. Yummy!!!
Running Totals: 13,164 miles / 109 nights


Outing #38 North Bend Park: Boydton, VA
June 21-28, 2013
284 miles / 7 nights
Our favorite lake in Virginia, we discovered it is a great deal to rent the Piney Woods Group Area, split the fee with our core group of camping friends, and then we all invite more friends and family. Always a good time, paddling, SUP-ing, floating, playing games, and sharing meals.
Running Totals: 13,448 miles / 116 nights


Outing #39 12 Days of Camping
July 20-31, 2013
1385 miles / 11 nights
We began our trip by spending the first night at Goose Point Park, a COE campground on Philpott Lake in Bassett, VA. Our original intent was to camp at Fairystone State Park, but once again, without reservations, we were turned away from a full campground. It actually worked out for the best, since Goose Point was a much nicer, emptier campground! We got some hiking in, and also paddled across the lake, to the next day’s camping destination, Salthouse Branch Park. We met up with our teardrop trio buddies at Salthouse Branch Park in Henry, VA for the next 4 nights. Lots more paddling, and exploring of other campgrounds on the lake. We always enjoy our little group of friends! Our 6th night was spent at Greenbrier State Park, in Boonesboro, MD, enroute to my Aunt’s Pennsylvania farm. The Appalachian Trail runs through this park, so we were able to do some nice hiking here. We spent 4 nights with my Aunt, camped out in her driveway, and made good use of our time there by replacing some windows in her 150 year old farmhouse. On our return trip home, we camped overnight at Elk Neck State Park, in North East, MD. Another nice MD state park, we took a sunset (turned to after dark!) hike to Goose Point Light Station. The next day, before leaving, we saw the lighthouse from a different perspective, after a nice long SUP paddle to it’s location.
Running Totals: 14,833 miles / 127 nights


Outing #40 1st Annual MAUCICCO @ North Bend Park: Boydton, VA
August 9-12, 2013
284 miles / 3 nights
Taking our inspiration from the Camp-Inn Camp-Outt, we decided that the Piney Woods group area of North Bend Park would be the perfect location for hosting an east coast gathering of Camp-Inn aficionados. The name MAUCICCO is derived from Mid-Atlantic Unofficial Camp-Inn Community Camp Out! In attendance, we had 3- 550’s, a 560, a T@B clamshell, a Scotty, an awesome home-built, and a hammock, for a total of 16 people, along with a couple of drop-in day visitors. Weather was great, in spite of a lone thunderstorm, just before the Saturday evening pot-luck. Thanks to everyone who came out! Our hope is that this event will grow in the years to come. More info on this event can be found in other sections of this forum.
Running Totals: 15,117 miles / 130 nights


Outing #41 James River State Park: Gladstone, VA
August 24-27, 2013
403 miles / 3 nights
Another one of our home state favorites, James River has some really nice campsites, good hiking trails, and the beautiful James River for tubing and kayaking.
Running Totals: 15,520 miles / 133 nights


Outing #42 Janes Island State Park: Crisfield, MD
September 6-9, 2013
275 miles / 3 nights
Always in search of new campgrounds, we discovered Janes Island, on Maryland’s eastern shore. A nice find, but, be forewarned, the bugs here can be brutal in the warmer months. We scored with one of the best campsites in the park, waterfront with a sunset view. Best of all was the unexpected moon rocket launch from Wallops Island, 25 miles due east of the park. We paddled out in the bay, on a clear, moonless night, close to midnight. As we sat, waiting in the darkness, we could hear other paddlers out there that had the same idea! It was an unforgettable experience to see that rocket lift off. Our Camp-Inn friends, Chris & Mindy also joined us for the weekend, and we had a great time paddling the water trails together.
Running Totals: 15,795 miles / 136 nights


Outing #43 North Bend Park: Boydton, VA
September 13-16, 2013
409 miles / 3 nights
Meeting up for a second time, with friends from our boy’s Pony baseball days, this trip started off rather eventfully for all of us! First off, halfway to the park, we realized that Jim’s bag of clothes had been left at home. We had to turn back to retrieve them, and once back on the road, we get a phone call from our friends, informing us that they are having mechanical problems with their trailer. Talk about all things working together for good! Since we are now behind them, we find them in a parking lot, on the side of the road. Handyman Jim, with his bag of tools, analyzes that they have a burned out wheel bearing. Unable to make repairs on the road, they limp back towards home to find a shop that quickly makes the repair, and they are able to join us later at the park, before dark even! We still managed to have a fun weekend of paddling, biking, and catching up!


Outing #44 The Road to CICO #10
September 22-October 2, 2013
2630 miles / 10 nights
Ever since getting our Camp-Inn, and joining this forum, we have always dreamed of attending a CICO gathering, so #10 seemed like a good place to start! There were people and places we wanted to visit along the way, so we took a couple of days to get there. Night #1 was spent at Douthat State Park, in Millboro, VA, where we were able to enjoy the beautiful scenery while hiking it's trails. Night #2 was spent camping in the yard of my second cousin, in Ohio. It was our first face-to-face meeting, after connecting with each other through Facebook. Our grandparents were siblings, and it was very special to meet her and her family, and share family stories, realizing our similarities, passed down from our common ancestors. Night #3 was a quick stop-over at Kickapoo State Park in Oakwood, IL, and then on to the CICO in Mauston, WI. Once we arrived on Thursday, and started to meet people from the forum, it felt as if I had been reading a really good book, and now I was finally meeting all of my favorite characters! We had such a marvelous time, that we decided to extend our stay an extra night, along with a few others who did the same. We went away with good memories, and a host of new “friends”! Stops on the way home included Hardy Lake State Park, in Scottsburg, IN and Claytor Lake State Park, in Dublin, VA.
Running Totals: 18,834 miles / 149 nights


Outing #45 Crabtree Falls Campground: Tyro, VA
October 11-14, 2013
471 miles / 3 nights
Our annual Columbus Day weekend camping trip with our #2 son’s family and friends. The mountain was in in the clouds the entire weekend making it just drippy enough to be a nuisance. Thank goodness for the Northern Breeze, it’s awnings, and several well placed tarps! Of course, the sun came out as we were packing up to leave on Monday. Still a good time with family and friends, in spite of the dampness!
Running Totals: 19,306 miles / 152 nights


Outing #46 Kiptopeke State Park: Cape Charles, VA
October 25-27, 2013
59 miles / 2 nights
Our first time camping at Kiptopeke, just a short distance beyond the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, on the eastern shore of Virginia. We were participating in the Between the Waters Bike Tour with our friends J&A, and Chris & Mindy (from the forum), so we thought we would use Kiptopeke as our base of operations. We had to set up in their RV section, which is not nearly as nice as the tent section. They seem to waver from year to year on their policy of whether to let camping trailers into the tent sites. Let’s hope they reconsider the policy in the future. A hike down to the beach provides beautiful sunset views over the Chesapeake Bay, and the WWII concrete ships, an attraction of the park.
Running Totals: 19,365 miles / 154 nights


Outing #47 Chippokes Plantation State Park: Surry, VA
November 8-11, 2013
124 miles / 3 nights
Another nearby campground, another holiday weekend, Veteran’s Day. We took the free Scotland Neck Ferry, across the James River, and parked at Jamestown Settlement, the trailhead for the Virginia Capital Trail. Biked the trail to a ways beyond the Chickahominy Bridge and back. We also paddled on the very windy James River to reach a quieter creek. We had to fight a crazy headwind and waves on the return trip, and I swear, as soon as we pulled the canoe out of the water, the wind ceased! We had to laugh at our bad timing! The park also sponsored a flag cremation ceremony, put on by the local VFW. Best of all, our #3 son called to tell us he was going to propose to his girlfriend, that very night. They both called us later on that evening, to share their happy news. Looks like we’ll be planning a trip to Nashville for a May wedding!
Running Totals: 19,489 miles / 157 nights


Outing #48 Medoc Mountain State Park: Hollister, NC
November 22-24, 2013
268 miles / 2 nights
Introduced our camping buddies, J&A, and Chris & Mindy, to another of our favorite places to camp. Hiking, paddling the creek, and eating home-made Dutch Oven pizzas by the campfire were the highlights of the weekend. Also got a great shot and video of a Bald Eagle, perched and then flying right over us, while paddling the creek.
Running Totals: 19,757 miles / 159 nights


Outing #49 Our friend’s lake house on Lake Gaston: Valentines, VA
December 26-28, 2013
236 miles / 2 nights
Our last outing of the year, helping some good, longtime friends frame the renovations on their vacation home. Their kitchen was non-existent, so we cooked from our McNugit galley. It was frosty cold, but that didn't stop me from taking the SUP out for a paddle in their cove.
Running Totals: 19,993 miles / 161 nights


Outing #50 Occoneechee State Park: Clarksville, VA
March 22-24, 2014
304 miles / 2 nights
Camping Kick-Off for 2014, it has been a long, cold winter, and we have been itching to go camping! For the first night, we had our favorite waterfront campsite, but by the second day, it proved to be far too windy to appreciate the view. We quickly packed up and headed to a more inland site. Best thing we could have done, out of the wind, and an owl encounter at dusk. We could hear their calls, and then two of them swooped over our campsite to perch in a nearby tree. I was able to get a short video of them, flying away, on my iPhone. Very cool! We hiked the trails, several times, even in the rain on the last day. Grateful for our rain gear!
Running Totals: 20,297 miles / 163 nights


Outing #51 Merchants Millpond State Park: Gatesville, NC
March 28-3, 2014
127 miles / 3 nights
Camping on my birthday weekend, with friends. We had a lot of rain, and somehow, of all the campsites we had to choose from, we picked the one with major drainage issues! We ended up with, literally, a moat around our camper! We still managed to hike and paddle in the rain. Best of all, we had an up-close alligator sighting. Big boy was sunning himself (when the sun finally made an appearance on Monday), and we got some excellent shots of him.
Running Totals: 20,424 miles / 166 nights


Outing #52 Pettigrew State Park: Creswell, NC
April 3-6, 2014
210 miles / 3 nights
We had been wanting to try this tiny campground for a while, so with good weather in the forecast, off we went! It’s a swampy place, to avoid in the warmer months, but no bugs on this trip. There is a great historic area of the park, with a plantation house, and slave quarters. They give a free guided tour, that is well worth the time. Paddled on the crystal clear Phelps Lake, and hiked the trails. Met some other campers/paddlers and we helped each other with shuttling our vehicles, so we could paddle the Scuppernong River together.
Running Totals: 20,634 miles / 169 nights


Outing #53 Medoc Mountain State Park: Hollister NC
April 18-22, 2014
266 miles / 4 nights
Our annual Easter camping trip with our teardrop trio, has us returning to Medoc Mountain SP. Chris & “Oscar” joined us as well. We paddled, hiked, and shared meals. The best thing about being your own boss, is being free to stay an extra day, when the weather is so nice! And, so we did!
Running Totals: 20,900 miles / 173 nights


Outing #54 Wedding Trip to Nashville
May 5-17, 2014
1771 miles / 12 nights
Destination, Nashville, for wedding of our #3 son, with a few detours along the way! We are still working on completing the TrailQuest incentive program, sponsored by Virginia State Parks, and this extended trip allowed us to visit 7 more parks! Our first stop was the newly opened Powhatan State Park, in Powhatan, VA to get our ticket punched. Later that day we arrived at Hungry Mother State Park, in Marion, VA. Here’s a bit of trivia: Hungry Mother is one of the six original Virginia State parks, built by the CCC, and opened on June 15, 1936! We spent two nights there, hiking, conquering the summit of Molly’s Knob, and getting some paddling done on the lake. We rented a lovely home for our family, Farmhouse in the Fork, in Leiper’s Fork, TN. While everyone else enjoyed the home, we slept in our McNugit, under the carport, not that we minded though!! I only wish we had planned on a longer visit, the setting was just so relaxing, and it was great having our whole family together. The wedding was wonderful! And if anyone is keeping count, that’s 3 sons married off, 1 to go! Night #6, we moved on to Bledsoe Creek State Park, in nearby Gallatin, TN. We would have gone further, but we wanted to seize the opportunity to visit an old Navy buddy of Jim’s, who is battling cancer. (After a recent stem cell transplant, he is doing great!!) We now have #4 son, in tow, for this portion of the trip. He just returned home, after 2 years in Korea, for the summer, and we are looking forward to spending this time with him. On our way to Natural Tunnel State Park, in Duffield, VA, we stopped in at Wilderness Road State Park, near the Cumberland Gap in Ewing, VA. Once again, our timing was a bit off. We missed the Raid at Martins Station Reenactment that was held there that weekend. We did get to walk around the village of tents and reenactors that were still remaining. Very interesting, might be worth another trip out there to get the whole experience. We spent 2 nights at Natural Tunnel. The tunnel and scenery were amazing, and we experienced a really long coal train going through the tunnel. We also had a nice paddle on the nearby Clinch River, and for once, I got to be a passenger in my own canoe, while my son paddled from the front seat! Next, we packed up, and after a visit to Southwest Virginia Museum, in Big Stone Gap, VA, we headed for Breaks Interstate Park, a jointly owned park, on the border of Virginia and Kentucky. The campsites were pretty rustic, and not very well managed, but the scenery was incredible, thus the reason is it is known as the Grand Canyon of the South. We hiked the most rugged trails we have ever experienced, but it was well worth the effort, just to be surrounded by the natural beauty. After 2 nights at Breaks, it was time to begin the last leg of our journey, with another 2 night stay at Smith Mountain Lake State Park, in Huddleston, VA. We arrived in the first substantial rain of the entire trip. Once again, the Northern Breeze proved useful. We quickly set it up, backed the trailer underneath and unloaded in the relative dryness. We set our son’s tent up under the REI Alcove, and everyone was snug and dry for the evening. We spent the next day hiking the trails, and paddling on the lake, with an early departure the following morning, to get home just in time for our grandson’s 6th Birthday Party. A good and memorable trip!!!
Running Totals: 22,671 miles / 185 nights


Outing #55 Memorial Day on the Road
May 23-June 2, 2014
1090 miles / 10 nights
Our trip begins with camping buddies, J&A, and Chris & Mindy, for 3 very buggy nights at Janes Island State Park, in Crisfield, MD. Didn’t reserve in time to get a primo waterfront site, so we had to transport paddle craft down to the canal, for the several paddles that we took. It was fun though, and we did a lot of exploring in the marshes, off of the marked trails. Wouldn't want to attempt this when the tide is going out, it's easy to lose your way, and then get stranded in those salt marshes! Our next stop was Lums Pond State Park, in Bear, DE. Surprisingly nice campground, with huge shaded campsites. We hiked around the pond, getting caught, fortunately near a picnic shelter, in a thunderstorm. We also had a nice SUP paddle with a beautiful sunset, over the pond. Spent 2 nights there, before reaching my Aunt’s farm, in Pennsylvania. We try to get there once a year so that we can help her with repairs on her 150 year old farmhouse. This time, it was replacing 2 windows in her living room, and making the cellar safer for her. An older cousin of mine, who I never really knew, arranged to visit at the same time, so we had a good time getting acquainted. We also celebrated my Aunt’s 90th birthday! We made an overnight stop at Caledonia State Park, in Fayetteville, PA, and managed to get a nice hike in, before departing for home.
Running Totals: 23,761 miles / 195 nights


Outing #56 County Line Park/ Kerr Lake SRA: Manson, NC
June 8-13, 2014
303 miles / 5 nights
We’ve had this trip planned, and these primo campsites reserved for months with our teardrop trio friends. Due to some family obligations, and much to everyone’s disappointment, J&A had to cancel at the very last minute. D&N still joined us at, what very well may have been, the "best campsites in the world”! At least that’s what we told J&A! We made sure we harassed J sufficiently by texting and sending him pictures of our escapades, several times a day! After all, what are friends for?!! Aside from a rather violent thunderstorm, that forced us to retreat to our vehicles in the middle of N’s birthday dinner preparation, the weather was terrific, and we had several nice canoe and SUP outings.
Running Totals: 24,064 miles / (ding ding ding) 200 nights!!


Outing #57 North Bend Park: Boydton, NC
June 29-July 6, 2014
285 miles / 7 nights
July 4th camping with friends and family, once again we have rented the Piney Woods group area at North Bend. All of the usual lake activities, plus fireworks viewing for two nights, all around the lake. We also had to find a nearby pizza restaurant, with a television that was showing the USA-Belgium World Cup match (no matter how disappointing the outcome!)
Running Totals: 24,349 miles / 207 nights


Outing #58 2nd Annual MAUCICCO @ North Bend Park: Boydton, VA
August 7-10, 2014
287 miles / 3 nights
Well, we haven’t grown much since our first gathering- same number of camping units (8), one more person (17). Maybe the dog days of August keep people from attending? The weather was actually so cool, we spent most of a rainy Saturday gathered under the picnic shelter, huddled around a Campfire in a Can! We had some old faces, but mostly new faces: 4- 550’s, a T@B clamshell, a cargo trailer conversion, a Flip-Pac, and an amazing Home-built. We appreciated Tina & Jerry for traveling the longest distance, and for Jerry’s great photography. I think everyone had fun, so we’ll plan on #3, maybe around mid-June next time.
Running totals: 24,636 miles / 210 nights


Outing #59 Kimball Point Park/ Kerr Lake SRA: Manson, NC
August 18-22, 2014
291 miles / 4 nights
Solo trip, campsite right on the beach, on our favorite lake. Weather forecast was threatening rain, all week, but we went for it. We arrived in a downpour, a little disconcerting! After we got that out of the way, the weather was marvelous! We did a lot of paddling of canoe, and SUP’s. One especially long excursion was across the lake to another park in the Kerr Lake SRA system, so that we could do recon on future campsites. We have explored most of this section of the lake, time to try something new! Highlight of the week was returning on our SUP’s from a paddle, and finding 4 Bald Eagles on our beach, devouring a huge fish. I just wish I could have pulled out the camera in time for a few good shots, before they all flew off. They did return, individually, to pick at it, until a large juvenile snatched it up ,and flew off with it in it’s talons. Impressive!
Running Totals: 24,927 miles / 214 nights


Outing #60 James River State Park: Gladstone, VA
September 18-22, 2014
443 miles / 4 nights
We were eager to reach our 25K milestone, and this trip puts us over the top! We always enjoy our visits to this park, and this trip didn’t disappoint. We always like a challenge, so we kayaked both down AND up the river. The rocks and rapids are a blast!! We also hiked, and checked out some unmarked trails. On the trip home, we visited with Jim’s older twin brothers, in Chesterfield, VA. We hadn’t seen the oldest twin in 8 years, so it made for a nice mini family reunion! We spent the night camped in the driveway, and headed for home late the next morning.
Running Totals: 25,370 miles / 218 nights


At the time of this entry, we are well on our way to 250 nights. Come on now, you nice folks at Camp-Inn, it's time to create that 250 Night Pin that we’ve heard mention of!!!

 

Wow! Wonderful travelogue. Makes us itch to get the trailer and see the sites. Thanks for the reviews in NC campgrounds. Our youngest son is in Durham and we plan on visiting him in 2015.
Gina

 

Congrats on your huge milestone! We hope that you enjoy many more miles! We cannot wait til April to get our teardrop and begin accumulating nights and miles!

 

Hi Jim & Jamie,
Enjoyed reading your journal. Hope we can get together again soon. Thanks for sharing ideas and additions to your trailer. Sometimes I feel like I am copying you. But if it works why not! Installed dividers in the upper galley storage yesterday. Plan on adding the plexiglass shelving below the sink on the next good weather weekend. Retiring in June so we will also be able to stay the extra day when the weather is good.

 

Thanks Chris & Mindy!
And if you noticed, you two were mentioned several times, in our adventures! Thanks to Camp-Inn, we have gained some great camping buddies. Looking forward to June, and beyond!

 

Glad to have been part of your camping experience. We loved Maucicco gathering and meeting everyone from the area. See you guys sometime camping again.