Pog IV The Beginning

[JIM CHALOUPKA]

It has previously been extoled and conveyed that the group had no leader!


---------size is everything------small is better----------


let the fun begin

[Jon Wehrenberg]

I'll take a ride and scope out Sevierville / Pigeon Forge / Gatlinburg campgrounds. I agree with the River Plantation recommendation Debi made.

From my memory I don't recall a lot of camgrounds that are friendly to big coaches in large numbers because in the area the terrain is pretty rugged. River Plantation is located on river bottom land and lays flat. It is a fairly new campground.

It will take a few days, but I'll post the results. The late October dates Ben and Coloradobus mentioned will be the dates I will focus on.

FWIW, this area has a lot of features similar to Branson in that it has theaters, outlet shopping, some great motorcycle riding venues, Dollywood, loads of amusement rides and other types of entertainment like helicopter rides.

[Gary & Peggy Stevens]

Jon, the River Plantation RV Park is a nice looking resort, from the web site but the reason I did not include it in one of my recommendations is, because it does Not have Paved Sites, nor paved roads they are all gravel.

If the Gravel sites, roads is not a concern for the group, my mistake.

Gary S

[JIM KELLER]

Gary It is not a "mistake" and we appreciate all that you are doing.

[rmboies]

[]River Plantation RV Park [/I][/B]is a nice looking resort, from the web site but the reason I did not include it in one of my recommendations is, because it does Not have Paved Sites, nor paved roads they are all gravel If the Gravel sites, roads is not a concern for the group, my mistake.Gary ]

Hey Gary, you are doing a FABULOUS job checking out locations. I only mentioned River Plantation because Truk had brought it to our attention. You are right, the sites are not paved. The road leading in is paved, there is a concrete patio next to each site, but the coach sites are gravel. How shortsighted is that for a new park???? However, the gal I spoke with just now indicated to me that they never have a problem staying full so what do I know

[truk4u]

It's gravel boys and girls, but very nice and had no problem accomodating about 30 - 40 Country Coaches when we were there a few years ago.

Check it out Jon Boy, we're waiting for the A-1 critique!

[Jon Wehrenberg]

I spent the afternoon cruising campgrounds.

River Plantation is booked solid. Period. It has the nicest facilities with a brand new meeting building but they are not able to even consider any groups this year.

Of all the campgrounds in the area only one seems capable of handling 50 to 60 (or more) of us. That one is Riverside RV Park www.riversidecamp.com and if we are serious about the Pigeon Forge / Gatlinburg area that one needs to be reserved pronto. The fall colors will draw a lot of visitors.

That campground has "paved" roads (we used to call them carpet coated) but the sites are gravel. Each site has a concrete pad under the picnic table near the coach door.

The pavillion is open. There is no enclosed meeting area.

The only other campground somewhat suitable was King's Holly Haven RV Park (no web site). They can accomodate31 coaches until 10/11 or after 10/28. This campground is much more in the center of the attractions in the area. It also only has an open pavillion for meetings or meals. Sites and roads are crushed stone.

My recommendation is to lock up sites in Branson and to not delay. We are requiring so many sites that not only are we limited in campgrounds to accomodate us, but we are really pushing it expecting six months to be an adequate lead time for reservations.

[rmboies]

[ My recommendation is to lock up sites in Branson and to not delay. We are requiring so many sites that not only are we limited in campgrounds to accomodate us, but we are really pushing it expecting six months to be an adequate lead time for reservations]

Jon, thanks for checking out the sites, it is quite the tourist area. I did call Willowtree outside of Myrtle Beach and they do have paved streets, pads, and she seemed to think accomodating 30 coaches in October would not be a problem. However, it is not in the Smokies it is at the beach. There are also a lot of tourist attractions in the area. The website is quite informative:

Willowtree RV Resort, SC http://www.willowtreervr.com/home.html

It should still be pretty warm there in October. Maybe Donna or Mango can chime in on the area since Donna is from Myrtle Beach??

It really doesn't matter to me where we have the eastern rally but the thought occurred to me that possibly Branson should be saved for a National rally since it is a little more centrally located? I bow to the powers that be

[JIM KELLER]

I spent the afternoon cruising campgrounds.

River Plantation is booked solid. Period. It has the nicest facilities with a brand new meeting building but they are not able to even consider any groups this year.

Of all the campgrounds in the area only one seems capable of handling 50 to 60 (or more) of us. That one is Riverside RV Park www.riversidecamp.com and if we are serious about the Pigeon Forge / Gatlinburg area that one needs to be reserved pronto. The fall colors will draw a lot of visitors.

That campground has "paved" roads (we used to call them carpet coated) but the sites are gravel. Each site has a concrete pad under the picnic table near the coach door.

The pavillion is open. There is no enclosed meeting area.

The only other campground somewhat suitable was King's Holly Haven RV Park (no web site). They can accomodate31 coaches until 10/11 or after 10/28. This campground is much more in the center of the attractions in the area. It also only has an open pavillion for meetings or meals. Sites and roads are crushed stone.

My recommendation is to lock up sites in Branson and to not delay. We are requiring so many sites that not only are we limited in campgrounds to accomodate us, but we are really pushing it expecting six months to be an adequate lead time for reservations.

Jon, Is Branson the same as Riverside RV Park ? Looks Great and centrally located.

[Jon Wehrenberg]

Jim,

The discussions have covered two separate areas. Branson, MO and Pigeon Forge / Gatlinburg, TN.

I would suggest all efforts to pick and reserve a site should be on Branson. I think after that rally the numbers of POG members will support east and west side rallies, with one national. It is clear from today's trip that when you say 50 coaches campgrounds have a hard time fitting us in. We really need to be working on a schedule a year out.

I do think for a spring 08 eastern rally we should be thinking about where and when right now, and in October we need to be considering the fall 08 rally.

I hope the western rallies include Las Vegas or San Francisco. That will be a good excuse to visit each.

BTW, this is just my opinion, but whenever a group member visits a campground that has all the desirable features and can accomodate a rally in April or October that information should be posted for consideration. None of the campgrounds I visited today matched Buckhorn, and only two matched Santa Fe, and one was in between Buckhorn and Santa Fe in features. The area however has plenty for everyone.