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2015 Fall RV Route South Snowbird RV Route to Florida I-87S (The Adirondack Northway) to |
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(*) asterisk indicates a Passport America Campground) |
1. Oneonta, New York (80 miles from Albany, NY, 233 miles from Plattsburgh, NY, 229 miles from Concord, NH) *Susquehanna Trail Campground 4292 New York 7 Oneonta, NY 13820 (Closes for the Season in October) Phone: 607.432.1122 I-88, Exit 13 Not more than a mile off I-88, Exit 13 in Oneonta, NY this Passport America campground is our choice for an overnight stay on this route - or longer for a jumping off point to visit Cooperstown and other attractions nearby. The very pleasant and hard-working owner makes it a stop we look forward to. They do have pull-thru sites with water, sewer and 30A electric (FHU). Be sure to mention you are a PA member when you phone for a reservation. We're told there is a local pizza place that delivers so ask the host when checking in. Find good fuel stops at Exit 12 and Exit 15. Our Review, Directions, Off-Season Alternate and Video 
2. Jonestown, PA (211 miles from Oneonta, NY, 326 miles from Alexandria Bay, NY, 496km from Niagara Falls, Canada) Jonestown/Hershey NE KOA 11 Lickdale Road Jonestown, PA 17038 Open Year-round Phone: 800-562-2609 I-81, Exit 90 We overnight at this campground regularly mainly because it is so convenient to I-81. The price is more than we usually like to pay but throw in the amenities like free cable, fair WiFi and a decent cafe that will deliver lunch or dinner to your door and it works for a night. Each site is a pull-thru with concrete pad and full hook-up (FHU). It’s an easy drive to visit Hershey Park from this campground or they do offer a free shuttle bus ride (Summer Season) to Hershey Park when admittance tickets are purchased from their office. There is also a large truck stop for fuel at this Exit. Our Review, Directions and Video |
3. Mt. Jackson, VA (185 Miles from Jonestown, PA ) *Shenandoah Valley Family Campground 168 Industrial Park Road Mt. Jackson, Virginia 22842 Open Year-round Phone: (540) 477-3080 I-81, Exit 269 Not the most sociable and cheerful staff but again a convenient stopover just off I-81. The sites are gravel pull-thrus with 50A and FHU. They will honor Passport America for one night only - and not on weekends - and no other club’s discount if you plan to stay more than the one night. They have a small cafe on site but we do not use it. The campground is convenient to Shenandoah Caverns, a local weekend flea market and the Route 11 Potato Chip Factory which we have enjoyed visiting. We have also made a day trip from the campground to travel part of the Blue Ridge Parkway and a visit to the Shenandoah National Forest. It makes an interesting loop starting East of New Market and exiting the Blue Ridge Parkway at Front Royal and then back to the campground. There is a smaller gas station at this Exit but a larger Truck Stop at Exit 267. The Denny’s at Exit 267 serves pretty good food. Our Review, Directions and Video |
4. Mount Airy, NC (253 miles from Mt. Jackson, VA) *Mayberry Campground 114 Bunker Rd Mount Airy, NC 27030 Open Year-round Phone: 336-789-6199 I-74, Exit 11 Mayberry Campground is located on a part of the former 2,000 acre farm belonging to Chang and Eng Bunker, famous Siamese twins of the 1800’s. The twins – forever conjoined – had a prosperous farm as well as 2 separate and prosperous families. They married 2 sisters and had 21 children between them. They kept 2 separate homes, alternating 3 days at each home. Mayberry Campground has over 100 gravel sites with both back-ins and pull-throughs, full hook-ups, 30 and 50 Amp, free WiFi and free TV cable at every site. There are 2 catch-and-release ponds (no fishing license needed) and a Bunker homestead on the property that features tours on some weekends. We have enjoyed dinner at “The Copper Pot," 123 Scenic Outlet Lane, Mt Airy (336) 352-4108. Real Southern home-cooking served by cheerful ladies with North Carolina accents so thick you almost need an interpreter. Good food and Great people – the feeling is real hometown friendliness. We also tried a new lunch spot suggested by the campground and backed by many good reviews on the Net. It’s called "Little Richard’s Smokehouse BBQ," 455 Frederick St, Mt Airy (336) 783-0227. We like BBQ and have sampled it in nearly every State East of the Mississippi. This place is our new favorite for BBQ done right. Tender and juicy – slow cooked over hickory coals for 16 hours and truly finger lickin’ good. The sides are homemade as well. For sides we both tried the mac & cheese and turnip greens accompanied by a large basket of hush puppies. They have a soft drink – new to us – called “Cheerwine” which is cherry flavored and also tasty as were the warm blackberry cobblers we had for dessert with vanilla ice cream (of course!). We can also recommend Tlaquepaque Mexican Restaurant & Grill at 2123 Rockford Street. It’s a small restaurant with a talented chef. Both of our meals, traditional Mexican combos, were really delicious. There is much to see and do in Mt Airy, the birthplace of favorite son - Andy Griffith. Visit Andy Griffith’s “homeplace” at 711 East Haymore Street. Less than a mile away you’ll find “The Snappy Lunch” still making the “famous pork chop sandwiches”. It’s next door to “Floyd’s Barbershop” and “Opie’s Candy Store.” Just a little farther down Main Street you’ll find “Wally’s Garage” and “The Courthouse” with a recreation of the jail set office and cells we remember from The Andy Griffith Show. That’s also the place to sign-up for an “Andy Griffith Squad Car Tour” of Town in a vintage Mayberry Police Car like Barney and Andy drove. Not far away you’ll find the “Andy Griffith Theatre” and the Andy Griffith Museum where they have hundreds (perhaps thousands) of artifacts and memorabilia from Andy’s career on stage, TV and in the movies and as a singer and comedian. The Museum’s lower level has an exhibition of material from Eng and Chang’s life as well. Our Review, Directions and Video |
5. Saint George, SC (266 Miles from Mt. Airy, NC) *Jolly Acres Campground 289 Horne Taylor Road Saint George, SC Open Year-round Phone: 843-563-8303 I-95, Exit 77 Located 6 easy miles off I-95 - we like it because it is out in the country - clean, quiet, peaceful and run by nice, friendly people. Becky owns the place and is always making improvements. She also raises champion Boxer dogs. They have pull-throughs, 30 Amp, good water, a dump station, propane and laundry facilities. Jolly Acres is usually nearly filled to capacity with Snowbirds during the Winter months but call ahead and Becky can normally fit you in for a night or 2. Other reasons we like this stopover is the Pilot/Flying J Truck Stop and 2 very good restaurants in Town: "Shug's Southern Soul Cafe," 5792 Memorial Blvd, Saint George, SC 843-563-2300 Owned and operated by Chef Noah Coleman and his wife. They know how to properly prepare the really good down-home Southern staples. They are open for lunch from 10-3 and for dinner from 5pm to 10pm but closed Sunday through Tuesday. There are daily specials. We both order the BBQ chicken special which comes with rice and collard greens. All cooked just right and oh so good. Niki says the sweet iced tea is just as good as she makes it. Desserts are made on the premises and we each tried a piece of cake – lemon for Niki and the chocolate cake for Jack. Delicious! A great meal for $30.59 with drinks and tip. "Skynyrd’s Grill & Sports Bar," 129 Motel Drive, St. George (843) 563-4112. Cozy sports bar restaurant with multiple TVs and a Jimmy Buffet atmosphere. Inside and outside seating with a pretty good-sized menu. Their burgers and sides get very good reviews. We ordered a shrimp and an oyster Po-Boy- one with a side of mac & cheese and the other with a side of “chippers” (homemade potato chips). The food and the service both were good enough to rate our 4 stars Our Review, Directions and Video |
6. Woodbine, GA (188 miles from Saint George, SC) *Walkabout Camp & RV Park 742 Old Still Road Woodbine, GA 31569 Open Year-round Phone: 912-729-4110 I-95, Exit 7 We have stayed at this campground before. The newest, young owners from “Down Under” had plans to make improvements and develop it into its full potential. The pace is slow. There is no drainage from the sites, grass covers the formerly gravel pads. We set up with rain water 2” deep on our site. I could not find the sewer as it was flush with the ground and also under water. The fire ants which I do remember from a previous visit attacked with a vengeance while I was setting up. They tend to make resultant life miserable for at least 3 or 4 days. The sites are so close you might have trouble extending your awning. The price is reasonable if you are a PA member but we will not be staying here again unless we hear they have made significant improvements. We did order pizza - delivered to the campground. “Katie’s Best Pizza” (912) 729-5550 makes a pretty good thin crust pizza 14” Deluxe @$19.07. Better stopover choices (rather than Walkabout) would be Golden Isle RV Park, 7445 Blythe Island Highway, Brunswick, GA I-95, Exit 29 which is 24 miles before Woodbine - a good place to camp and take a day trip to Jekyll Island. Our next choice would be Pecan Park RV Resort just off I-95 at Exit 366 in Jacksonville, FL. It’s actually only 24 miles South of Woodbine, GA. It is a resort with concrete pads, grass, pool and next door to a weekend Flea Market. You might enjoy the Budweiser Brewery tour also not so very far away. Our Review, Directions, Video and Alternates |
Brunswick, Georgia (167 miles from St. George, South Carolina) *Golden Isles RV Park 7445 Blythe Island Highway, Brunswick, GA Phone: (912) 261-1025 I-95, Exit 29 Easy off/on I-95 and convenient for a night's stopover or longer and a visit to Jekyll Island which is close by, Our Review and Additional Info |
Jacksonville, Florida (212 miles from St George, SC) *Pecan Park RV Resort 650 Pecan Park Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32218 Phone: (512) 396-0070 I-95, Exit 366 Our Review and Additional Info (*) Indicates a Passport America Campground and the road continues on - for instance - Woodbine to Tampa (230 Miles) Woodbine to Orlando (150 Miles) Woodbine to Miami (355 Miles) Woodbine to Fort Myers (325 Miles) NOTE: We also have a listing - by State and Route - of all REST AREAS heading South or North along this route: List of Interstate Rest Areas Southbound NY/Canada Border to Tampa, Florida List of Interstate Rest Areas Northbound Tampa, Florida to the NY/Canada Border Other Overnight Options: WALMARTS ALLOWING OVERNIGHT PARKING CRACKER BARREL (Bus/RV accessible) |
| SUMMARY OF OUR COSTS ON FALL 2015 TRIP: 2011 F-250 XLT Super Duty & a 2011 32' Excel 5th Wheel 10 days and 6 campgrounds- Total Miles:1,638.6 Towing Miles: 1,535.5 Gasoline: (Avg 9.48 mpg) Gallons: 174 Gas Cost: $380.07 Campgrounds: $257.17 Restaurants: $225.26 |
