Cathy by the wildflower meadow planted at Occoneechee State Park Our travels since we left Florida have been organized around 2 commitments we made in the Spring. The first was a doctor’s appointment in northern Virginia at the end of June. So, we knew where we would end the month, we just had to work out where we would stop on our way north. But for the last 2 weeks of June, all of those stops were in Virginia. We’ve visited some state parks that are new to us, visited Pocahontas, and ended the month back at Lake Fairfax Campground in Reston VA.
These 3 were riding the trail near our equestrian campsite, and had several stories to tell about their re-enacting hobby. Occoneechee State Park
It’s all about the weekends.
Looking for a spot north of NC and south of Pocahontas, we were running out of options for the middle weekend in June – until we stumbled across some 100ft long pull-through sites with 50A electric. These sounded too good to be true. Of 11 sites, all but one were available for the weekend after we had to leave North Bend. They were in a nearby state park, Occoneechee, which was also on the large Kerr Lake Reservoir. So, what was the catch?
It’s all about the weekends.
Looking for a spot north of NC and south of Pocahontas, we were running out of options for the middle weekend in June – until we stumbled across some 100ft long pull-through sites with 50A electric. These sounded too good to be true. Of 11 sites, all but one were available for the weekend after we had to leave North Bend. They were in a nearby state park, Occoneechee, which was also on the large Kerr Lake Reservoir. So, what was the catch?
These campsites were in the Equestrian campground. We learned that we could reserve them even if we weren’t bringing our horse with us, but our reservation had to include a horse stall reservation for all of the nights of our stay. Since the combined cost of the site and stall were less than other state parks for the campsite alone, we jumped at it. Since we left our horse at home, the stall didn’t get a lot of use. We only had one neighbor in the campground for the weekend, but apparently they left their horse at home too.
Looks a little lonely - on our horse site at Occoneechee The campground had no shade, since it was basically a large gravel parking lot, but the power was good, and the nearby toilets were clean. We were over a mile away from the other 3 campgrounds, so the area was very quiet for our stay. There were also 3 different trails that led off from this end of the park, so we took some hikes to explore, passing several equestrians that were there for the day. We also made a longer trek back to the park’s office and visitor center to see some presentations for Youth Outdoors day, and review the museum’s offerings about the area’s history. And although we seemed to be on the very edge of reception, we managed to get cell service and internet, as long as we positioned our modem in just the right spot.
Debbie and Tom attend to some emergency maintenance Pocahontas State Park – back again
Our arrival back at Pocahontas coincided with 2 events that we hadn’t expected. The first was a chance meeting with Tom and Debbie who were stopping in for the night on their way east from travels in the midwest. Debbie called out to Cathy as she waited outside the office, or we might have missed each other entirely. We enjoyed catching up with each other as we were headed north at the beginning of our journey and they were at the end of their latest travels. Unfortunately, after we had said our goodbyes the next morning, we stumbled across them just pass the dump station, with Tom underneath the RV. Apparently, there was a problem with the driver’s side jack stands that was causing them to extend while underway. Luckily they caught the problem before any damage was done, and Tom managed to secure them for day’s drive, where they could be more permanently repaired.
Our arrival back at Pocahontas coincided with 2 events that we hadn’t expected. The first was a chance meeting with Tom and Debbie who were stopping in for the night on their way east from travels in the midwest. Debbie called out to Cathy as she waited outside the office, or we might have missed each other entirely. We enjoyed catching up with each other as we were headed north at the beginning of our journey and they were at the end of their latest travels. Unfortunately, after we had said our goodbyes the next morning, we stumbled across them just pass the dump station, with Tom underneath the RV. Apparently, there was a problem with the driver’s side jack stands that was causing them to extend while underway. Luckily they caught the problem before any damage was done, and Tom managed to secure them for day’s drive, where they could be more permanently repaired.
This new marker was dedicated while we were at Pocahontas. While we were visiting with Tom and Debbie, Park Manager Nate stopped by with an invitation to all of us to attend the next morning’s Group Camp 7 historical marker dedication. This camp had been built by the CCC, like the group cabin’s our project has been stabilizing over the past 4 years. It existed in the southern part of the park, and was used by African-American church, Y and scout camps for decades. However, for many reasons, the buildings fell into disrepair and were torn down. Through the efforts in recent years by park staff, the vibrant history of the camps held there was collected and told. (Our team had a small part in this process when, last fall, they helped identify the footers of the old cabins and described the buildings they likely supported.) As a result, an historical marker was approved and installed on the road near the camp. On this Tuesday following the Juneteenth holiday weekend, the transformative effect of these camps was remembered and honored, both by dignitaries and former campers. It was a moving ceremony, and we were glad we had the chance to participate. It was also an opportunity to meet some new members of the park staff.
Andi and Dave at Chickahominy We were able to connect with Andi (former Pocahontas volunteer coordinator) and her husband Max, who came for a visit and to see how the work on the cabins had progressed since their last visit a couple of years ago. This was also our first chance to check out the improvements since our last visit – new mattresses, new LED interior lights and the interior painting at Chickahominy.
Grandpa and Droz after some bathroom maintenance We also used our time at Pocahontas, of course, to see family. We spent a couple of days with Droz, one of which was buried in a (ahem) toilet repair. And we stopped in at Bonnie and Troy’s to see them and have a barbecue.
Troy and Taylor compare pictures of Bo
Glenora Trail at Lake Anna Lake Anna State Park
Pulling out of Pocahontas on a Sunday, we had a relatively short hour and a half run up to Lake Anna State Park, which is north and west of Richmond, close to Spotsylvania. For the first time since switching to T-mobile, we were not able to communicate using the phone while parking the camper. This led to some uncivil exchanges, but we managed to get parked without too much trouble. The more disturbing aspect of our arrival was the blocked entrance road with a sign that the park was full. As we both were thinking, “what do we do now?”, the officer asked us if we had a reservation. Assuring her that we did, she moved the cones aside for us to enter. Although the swim beach was packed, the campground was very empty, so we had little traffic to worry about as we made our way to the site.
Pulling out of Pocahontas on a Sunday, we had a relatively short hour and a half run up to Lake Anna State Park, which is north and west of Richmond, close to Spotsylvania. For the first time since switching to T-mobile, we were not able to communicate using the phone while parking the camper. This led to some uncivil exchanges, but we managed to get parked without too much trouble. The more disturbing aspect of our arrival was the blocked entrance road with a sign that the park was full. As we both were thinking, “what do we do now?”, the officer asked us if we had a reservation. Assuring her that we did, she moved the cones aside for us to enter. Although the swim beach was packed, the campground was very empty, so we had little traffic to worry about as we made our way to the site.
On a hike on the Railroad Ford Trail at Lake Anna. Lake Anna has just under 50 campsites in 2 loops, each with a bathhouse. The one in our loop also had a laundry. We explored a few of the trails, but opted out of the beach on this trip, although the admission price was included in our campsite fee. After a couple of night’s stay, we headed out toward Reston, making the wise decision to skip I95.
A few deer taking a drink in the creek at Lake Fairfax Park. Lake Fairfax Park
This was our 2nd visit to Lake Fairfax Park. It is a good home base for our doctor’s visit. The campground has several long, level sites that are easy to get into. We did forget that the sites didn’t have a water hookup, so that meant several trips back and forth with gallon jugs to fill the tank. Arriving the day before our doctor’s appointment, we enjoyed a gyro salad from our favorite Reston Kabob that night before we had to fast for our blood work.
This was our 2nd visit to Lake Fairfax Park. It is a good home base for our doctor’s visit. The campground has several long, level sites that are easy to get into. We did forget that the sites didn’t have a water hookup, so that meant several trips back and forth with gallon jugs to fill the tank. Arriving the day before our doctor’s appointment, we enjoyed a gyro salad from our favorite Reston Kabob that night before we had to fast for our blood work.
Our celebratory donuts. However, with our appointment and blood work behind us, we couldn’t resist a visit to nearby Duck Donuts to celebrate. With July 4th on the horizon, we would stay put for a week, enough time to visit friends and family and to enjoy the park’s fireworks. More about that in our next update.
Parting Shot
How often do you see rainbow-colored port a potties?
How often do you see rainbow-colored port a potties?
