Claire learns the joys of horse-riding with Uncle Dave Having made it north to NC, we were able to spend time with family over the first 2 weeks of June, exploring one park for the first time and returning to a park we hadn’t visited for half a dozen years.
Falls Lake State Recreation Area Falls Lake State Recreation Area
Having discovered a NC State park that was both conveniently close to Cathy’s sister’s house and miraculously had an 11 day stretch available, we took advantage of the time to visit with Cathy’s family. Falls Lake State Recreation Area has 2 campgrounds that would accommodate our RV. However, one, Rolling Hills, was closed for some renovations to the electrical service. It was actually because of the delayed reopening of this campground, that Holly Point had some openings that we could take advantage of. The park had been holding campsites for misplaced campers, but when their demands were satisfied the holds were released. And one of them fell right into our lap.
Having discovered a NC State park that was both conveniently close to Cathy’s sister’s house and miraculously had an 11 day stretch available, we took advantage of the time to visit with Cathy’s family. Falls Lake State Recreation Area has 2 campgrounds that would accommodate our RV. However, one, Rolling Hills, was closed for some renovations to the electrical service. It was actually because of the delayed reopening of this campground, that Holly Point had some openings that we could take advantage of. The park had been holding campsites for misplaced campers, but when their demands were satisfied the holds were released. And one of them fell right into our lap.
On our site at Holly Point campground We pullled into the campground on a mid-June day that had record high heat. As soon as we were connected to power, the AC went on. Unlike our previous stop, the site was nicely shaded (most of the campsites were), so that helped some with the excessive heat. But by early evening, the AC was still working hard to bring the temperature down. With only 30 amp service, we had limited our power usage to the AC and a few small devices. Despite our efforts, around 5pm the power went off.
Power problems Our Power Watchdog had detected low voltage and cut the power to protect the RV. After doing some checking on our own, we became convinced there was a problem with the power coming to the RV. The ranger on duty came to check it out, but he said any real diagnosis would have to wait until the morning. Luckily as the evening cooled, the low voltage readings subsided, and we were able to keep the power and the AC on overnight.
Sure enough, we were visited early the next morning by someone from maintenance, who checked out the power post. He could find no problems with the pedestal, and said the likely culprit was the overall drain on the grid, with us being at the end of the line. Since we arrived mid-week and the forecasted highs were moderating, we were likely to be OK until the weekend, when the campground would fill. He suggested we get the RV cool during the day and then turn off our power between 5 and 7pm.
Since we were gone several nights during that time, we enabled our control panel to WiFi so we could turn the AC on and off remotely. It worked great and we stayed cool for the rest of the week.
Sure enough, we were visited early the next morning by someone from maintenance, who checked out the power post. He could find no problems with the pedestal, and said the likely culprit was the overall drain on the grid, with us being at the end of the line. Since we arrived mid-week and the forecasted highs were moderating, we were likely to be OK until the weekend, when the campground would fill. He suggested we get the RV cool during the day and then turn off our power between 5 and 7pm.
Since we were gone several nights during that time, we enabled our control panel to WiFi so we could turn the AC on and off remotely. It worked great and we stayed cool for the rest of the week.
On the trail at Holly Point Campground The campground has a couple of swim beaches and boat ramps, along with a hiking trail that connects the 5 campground loops. Unfortunately, the lake had a “swim at your own risk” caution for higher bacteria counts, so we opted out of that. While exploring the campground, we took note of the other campsites, and saw few that we would not have been happy to take. Since the campground is so close to family and the work to upgrade the power is already underway, we will almost surely be back.
Harry shows Jason how to halter a cow. Family Ties
Falls Lake is in Wake Forest, NC, just north of Raleigh, and less than 10 minutes from Cathy’s sister, Grace. So our time there allowed us enjoy many evenings together and one delightful Saturday at our niece’s house with the extended family – and 5 calves that had come for a visit. The kids had fun feeding the calves which ranged in age from 6 to 10 months old. And, with varying success, they took turns leading one around on a halter. Andrew’s stint was brought to a sudden halt when a loud noise cause the calf to step on his foot. And Cathy even gave it a try. At one point, the calf went down on its front knees. Cathy was afraid she had broken its legs only to learn that this was the cow’s way of saying, “I’m done with this.” I guess passive-aggressive behavior isn’t limited to humans.
Falls Lake is in Wake Forest, NC, just north of Raleigh, and less than 10 minutes from Cathy’s sister, Grace. So our time there allowed us enjoy many evenings together and one delightful Saturday at our niece’s house with the extended family – and 5 calves that had come for a visit. The kids had fun feeding the calves which ranged in age from 6 to 10 months old. And, with varying success, they took turns leading one around on a halter. Andrew’s stint was brought to a sudden halt when a loud noise cause the calf to step on his foot. And Cathy even gave it a try. At one point, the calf went down on its front knees. Cathy was afraid she had broken its legs only to learn that this was the cow’s way of saying, “I’m done with this.” I guess passive-aggressive behavior isn’t limited to humans.
Some of the gang pose for a picture. All-in-all, we had a great stay and enjoyed the time together.
Bike cover with too much showing Covering Up
The bike cover had been designed and constructed 6 years ago for 2 different bikes and a different bike rack. While the cover’s material and construction were still holding up well, it was leaving the lower half of our bike tires uncovered, including the derailleur and chain, especially on Dave’s bike. Cathy had been putting off dealing with it, but while we were at Falls Lake, she had the time to try to fix the problem.
The bike cover had been designed and constructed 6 years ago for 2 different bikes and a different bike rack. While the cover’s material and construction were still holding up well, it was leaving the lower half of our bike tires uncovered, including the derailleur and chain, especially on Dave’s bike. Cathy had been putting off dealing with it, but while we were at Falls Lake, she had the time to try to fix the problem.
Now it covers everything! Searching through the available material on-board, she found only smaller scraps in grey and some longer ones in navy. Since Dave’s chain was already rusting and had links that were frozen, waiting to get more material seemed like a bad idea. So Cathy made do by piecing the scraps she had found into an additional 10” around the hem of the cover. Holding her breath on the Sunday before heading out again, she did a fitting and luckily it covered the bikes completely.
A few days later when she was digging a little deeper into her sewing supplies, she stumbled across a large piece of the grey material that would have made it easy to make the 10” skirt extension. Woudln’t you know?
And with the bikes now being consistently covered, Dave took some time to tune the bike chains and free up the frozen links. With some bike chain lubricant and some patience, he was able to get the links working again. So, we were able to take some bike rides around our next park – North Bend on the Army COE Kerr Lake Reservoir.
A few days later when she was digging a little deeper into her sewing supplies, she stumbled across a large piece of the grey material that would have made it easy to make the 10” skirt extension. Woudln’t you know?
And with the bikes now being consistently covered, Dave took some time to tune the bike chains and free up the frozen links. With some bike chain lubricant and some patience, he was able to get the links working again. So, we were able to take some bike rides around our next park – North Bend on the Army COE Kerr Lake Reservoir.
Kerr Lake North Bend Park and Campground on Kerr Lake
Our trip from Falls Lake in NC to North Bend was a short 60 miles on another scorching hot day, so we were glad the site was available early so that the RV wouldn’t be without AC for too long. While the site was long and level, and we had room to maneuver into it, the site angle required us to go down around an end loop and line up on our way out. We were grateful that the loop was empty or we doubted we would have made it around OK. Other than that, the only down side was the proximity to a dumpster that had a pretty overwhelming smell when the wind blew from the wrong direction.
Our trip from Falls Lake in NC to North Bend was a short 60 miles on another scorching hot day, so we were glad the site was available early so that the RV wouldn’t be without AC for too long. While the site was long and level, and we had room to maneuver into it, the site angle required us to go down around an end loop and line up on our way out. We were grateful that the loop was empty or we doubted we would have made it around OK. Other than that, the only down side was the proximity to a dumpster that had a pretty overwhelming smell when the wind blew from the wrong direction.
North Bend Campground Once parked, we had 50amp power and water, and a short walk to a nice beach. This time the only warnings were about the lack of lifeguards. For the first time in a long time, we dug out our swimsuits and enjoyed time in the water. North Bend has 4 campground loops, and the sites vary considerably in size. We saw many that were spacious and easy to enter, and others that were in the No-way category. As is the trend these day, all of the sites have to be reserved. The park has eliminated all of the first come/first serve sites that they used to have. So, as has been happening frequently this summer, we were only able to stay here Monday through Friday, since nothing was available on the weekend.
Bonnie Taylor and Troy at Lucky's We were now close enough to Emporia that Bonnie and the kids came for a visit one afternoon. It was a breezy warm day, great for swimming and a late afternoon ice cream.
Parting Shot
Not sure when this campsite will free up. Is that the same as the twelfth of never?
Not sure when this campsite will free up. Is that the same as the twelfth of never?
