RV tales fron Near & Far

As every Chinook Rally comes around I look to see what cool places along the route I can visit. Many of you have done this for years. It is somewhat new for me and the chance to learn and experience always gives me a rush. Especially if I get to fill in a few new states on the map!

Heading out from Maryland, my usual first day, five hour ice-breaking drive, stops in North Carolina. I lived in Charlotte for three years in the late ‘80s. Love the state. Kerr Lake or Jordan Lake are my best stops to launch a road trip. Can usually get one of my favorite spots for sunset on the lake if I reserve early enough.

As I troll Instagram and Facebook I copy and keep links of places I may want to visit someday. I organize them in Google Keep by states, sometimes by categories. It helps me figure out routes and possible stops along the way. This rally helped me check Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Kentucky off my state's visited map.

Often what states have to offer is a surprise. North Alabama has almost 60 waterfalls. Kentucky is home to the largest cave system on earth. On some of my saved places I’ve done homework. Other times I just wing it along the drive.

My background as a journalist motivates me to share video, photos and observations on social media. I try to share tips on how to get there, what you’ll see, costs and pitfalls. I usually post these on the Chinook Facebook pages and my personal FB and YouTube @tvsmurphman.

This trip I scoped out some free, first-come, first-served campsites in the country’s newest national park, New River Gorge. I stayed at a Cracker Barrel in Beckley, West Virginia and drove to investigate in the morning. Free does not equal desirable. The “Army Camp” site was 2+ miles in on a paved then gravel road past houses. For a while a neighborhood dog stood guard to prevent me moving. When I finally got to the site, it was nice enough, but primitive. The river was nearby, but not worth the bumpy drive in. The “Grandview Sandbar” site had an easier drive in, but the narrow hill down with no turn around looked too much for Cecilia to take on. I’ll be skipping stays at these campsites.

Chasing waterfalls, exploring caves, hiking to stone natural bridges, gazing over scenic overlooks and quiet, stargazing by the fire are part of what makes hitting the road in the Chinook so appealing.

There is good and bad to be found along the road. All of it is an adventure.

Take some pics of the cool places you and your Chinook visit. Email to me with some background to include in our next newsletter. Email to: chinooktrailblazer@gmail.com

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Rich

Welcome to the first Blog entry about Chinook RV History!

Chinook RVs are featured in a 2023 "Mortons on the Move" article highlighting the successful early beginnings, great recession demise, and historic resurrection. "Morton's on the Move" is a website dedicated to RV travel of all kinds. Read the article and be inspired by this visionary RV brand.

Included is an early Chinook RV promotional video

2024

January - Rally was cancelled due to storm damage. March 4-7 - Rivers End Campground, Tybee Island, GA June 3-6 - Sun Retreats Seashore, Cape May NJ Oct - Sun Outdoors Pigeon Forge TN

2023

January 23-26 - Lazy Daze RV Resort, Tampa FL January March 20-27 - Biloxi Bay RV Resort, Biloxi, MS May 8-11 - Branson Lakeside RV Park, Branson MO (Joint East-West) Oct 16-18 - Carolina Crossroads RV Park, Roanoke Rapids, NC

2022

January 17-20 -Flamingo Lake RV Resort, Jacksonville FL March 7-10 - Rivers End Campground, Tybee Island GA June 6-9 - Outer Banks West-Currituck Sound KOA, Coinjock, NC June 6-9 September 26-29 - Hagerstown/Antietam Battlefield KOA Williamsport, MD

2021

April 26-29 - Spring Lake RV Resort, Crossville TN June 7-10 - Poncho's Pond, Ludington MI October 4-7 - Strafford/Lake Winnipesaukee KOA, Strafford NH

2020

January 20-23 - Live Oak Landing RV Resort, Freeport, FL - Nita Wilkinson April - - Spring Lake RV Resort, Crossville, TN - postponed until 2021 June - - Poncho’s Pond, Ludington, MI - postponed until 2021 October 12-15 - Misty Mountain Camp Resort, Greenville, VA - CCC Board

2019

January 28-31 - Flamingo Lake RV Resort, Jacksonville, FL - Disbrow April 1-3 - Colfax RVPark, Colfax, LA - Henderson July 15-18 - Quechee/Pine Valley KOA, White River Junction, VT - Cathy Rubin October 7-10 - Chincoteague Island KOA, Chincoteague, VA - CCC Board

2018

January 22-25 - Flamingo Lake RV Resort, Jacksonville, FL - Stamper and Gibson May 4-7 - Amanda RV Park & Event Center, Amana, IA - Day June 18-21 - West Canada Creek Campsites, Poland, NY - Norris October 1-4 - Asheville East KOA, Swannanoa, NC - Stamper and Gibson

2017

January 23-26 - Flamingo Lake RV Resort, Jacksonville FL - Winter Rally April 30-May 3 - East Asheville KOA, Asheville NC - Spring Rally June 19-22 - West Canada Creek Campsites, Poland, NY - Summer Rally September 25-30 - Branson MO - Joint rally with the Western Club - Fall Annual Rally

2016

January 18-21 - Flamingo Lake RV Resort - Winter Rally May 1-4, 2016 - East Asheville KOA, Asheville NC - Spring Rally July 18th – 21st - Pine Valley KOA, White River Junction, Vermont - Summer Rall October 2-5 - Nashville KOA TN - October 2-5

2015

January 11-14 - Ocala Sun RV Resort Ocala, FL - Fred Cummings March 29–April - Rivers End – Tybee Island, GA July 27–30 - Alpine Lake RV Resort –Corinth, NY - Cynthia Jones & Mike Sloop October - Cool Breeze (was Deer Creek), Galax VA - annual meeting

2014

January 28-31 - LAKE OKLAWAHA RV PARK, Ft. McCoy, FL April 27-30 - EMERALD BEACH RV PARK, Navarre, FL - Post rally *Gulf State Park June 23-26 - ELKHART CAMPGROUND Elkhart, IN October 5-8 - AMERICAN HERITAGE RV PARK Williamsburg, VA - Nita & Klaus Wilkinson w/Eileen & Russ Disbrow

2013

Jan 21-24 - Flamingo Lake RV Resort, Jacksonville, FL Apr 8-11 - Coastal Georgia RV Resort, Brunswick, GA June 10-13 - Seashore Campsites, Cape May, NJ October 7-11 - Nashville KOA, Nashville, TN-ANNUAL MEETING

2012

Jan 26-2 - Flamingo Lake RV Resort, Jacksonville, FL Apr 19-22 - The RV Resort at Carolina Crossroads, Roanoke Rapids, NC Oct 18-21 - Deer Creek RV Resort, Galax, VA, Annual Rally & Meeting SPECIAL EVENT: MEMBER GENERATED ALASKA CARAVAN PLANNED FOR JULY 2012!

2011

Jan 10-13 - Lazy Days Rally Park, Tampa, FL Mar 24-27 - Coastal Georgia RV Resort, Brunswick, GA May 17-21 - Cherry Hill Park, College Park, MD Oct 11-14 - EZ Daze RV Resort, Southaven, MS

2010

January 28-31 - Orlando South/Fort Summit KOA, Haines City, FL - Tom & Sue Jackson April 18-21 - Gulf State Park, Gulf Shores, AL - Dan & Maria Ashby - Russ & Eileen Disbrow July 18-21 - Deer Run RV Resort, Crossville, TN - Alvin & Arline Cantrell October 18-21 - Seashore Campsites, Cape May, NJ - Russ & Eileen Disbrow - Annual Meeting & Rally

2008

January - Lazydays Rally Park, Tampa, FL - Lazydays - Entertainment and great meals March - Ocala Ranch RV Park, Ocala, FL - Tom & Sue Jackson - Homosassa Springs State Park, Entertainment by our own Don Polly June - Peace Valley Campground, Murphy, NC - Tom & Sue Jackson Flags & Fathers Weekend September - Saltwater Farm Campground, Thomaston, ME - Steve & Naomi Seekins Dan & Zoe Bigley - Maine Mid-Coast Madness October - Myrtle Beach KOA - Harry & Ginny Bufkin - Eileen & Russ Disbrow Eileen & Russ Disbrow Annual Meeting & Rally, area touring and dinner at Thorny’s

2007

January - Ocala Ranch RV Park, Ocala, FL - Tom & Sue Jackson - Laid back in “The Horse Capital of the World” April - Wales West RV Resort, Silver Hill, AL - Tom & Sue Jackson - Train rides, tours of USS Alabama, Foley, Fairhope and lunch at “Home of the Throwed Roll” – Lambert’s May-June - Peace Valley Campground, Murphy, NC Tom & Sue Jackson - Weekend Cookout October - Deer Creek RV Resort, Galax, VA - Tom & Sue Jackson - Annual Meeting and dinner at Mountain Surf & Seafood

2006

January - Lazydays RV Park, Tampa, FL - John McWaters - Three Peat March - Natchez, MS (Riverview RV Resort, Vidalia, LA) - John McWaters - Antebellum Homes June - Deer Creek RV Resort, Galax, VA - Ginny and Harry Bufkin - Mountain Breezes & Golf near the Blue Ridge Parkway October - Lookout Mountain KOA, Chattanooga, TN/Ringgold, GA - Tom & Sue Jackson - Aquarium, Lookout Moutain and the Trail of Tears

2005

January - Lazydays/Tampa, FL - Brad Locke - Repeat Performance March - Shwannee River, FL - Paul & Joan Thayer - Laid Back and Good May - San Antonio, TX - Dan & Christine Foulkrod - Fiesta Time August - Maggie Valley, NC - Fred & Evelyn Erb - R & R Time October - Myrtle Beach, SC - Brad Locke - 5th Annual Rally, Sun & Sand, Harry Bufkin - Reelected President

2004

January - Lazydays/Tampa, FL - Anne Payne - Great Food/ Showtime March - Macon, GA - John & Sandy Forbes - Cherry Blossom Festival June - Renfro. KY - Frank & Joyce Jones - Lots of Music/Brass Band October - Nashville, TN - Anne Payne - Grand Ole Opry, Harry Bufkin - President

2003

January - Ocala, FL - Tom Jackson - Frozen Flowers April - Casino Magic, MS - Anne Payne - Slots Frenzy July - Ashville, NC - Bill & Deanne McCormick - Biltmore/cool Summer October - Savannah, GA - John McWaters - 4th Annual Rally John McWaters - President

2002

January - Ocala, FL - Tom Jackson - First "Mini-Rally" April - Calaway Gardens, GA - John McWaters - Flowers and Fun July - Cherokee, NC - John McWaters - Unto these Hills Train Ride September - Yakima, WA - Trail Wagons/Chinook - Organize Western Region RV Club October - Outer Banks, NC - John McWaters - 3rd Annual Rally, Tom Jackson Reelected President

2001

January - Panama City, FL - L.B.Blanchard - Club Organized - Iris Dean, 1st President April - Stephen Foster St. Park, FL - Iris Dean - Direction & Bylaws June - Hiawassee, GA - John McWaters - N. Georgia State Fair / Pullybones October - Charleston, SC - Jack Robnett - 2nd Annual Rally Tom Jackson - President Oct. 2000 Pigeon Forge, TN - Trail Wagons - L.B.Blanchard - 1st Rally

Winter Rally March 2 to 5, 2026 Lake Oklawaha KOA 15991 NE 243rd Place Rd Fort McCoy, FL 32134 Phone 352-546-5500

Nature is the main attraction at this location: Lake Oklawaha sits between a 12,000 acre lake and the Ocala National Forest. People who were there before had high praise in particular for the large clubhouse. The campground told me there’s no kitchen but plenty of electricity. (I don’t quite know why the pictures from our previous rally show a full kitchen).

Prices for next year haven’t been set yet, but my one day deposit at the current rate was $65. That is 10% off the standard rate. KOA members can opt to take the 10% discount as a KOA discount, but you only get one 10% discount or the other: no double-dipping.

Make your reservations by phone. Tell them you are with the Chinook Camping Club and you’re coming for the rally. They told me they’ll make every effort to give us sites near the clubhouse.

Another thing you will hear me say a lot is that this location is isolated. Stock up on your supplies!

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I can’t say often enough that you must pay close attention to the directions how to get there. The most “direct” way according to GPS is down a truly un-navigable road. Last time two people needed to be towed out.

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Directions: Driving south: I-75 to Exit 368 (CR 318), turn left (East) to Hwy 441 (2nd red light) turn right . Turn left on Old 301 (200A), turn left on CR 316, follow signs and go through Fort McCoy and Eureka on CR 316. Cross over tall bridge to first road on left (160th Ave Rd), go about 11 miles to Lake Oklawaha KOA, on left.

Driving north: I-75 to Exit 358, turn right (SR 326) to Hwy 441/301. Turn left, go to second light turn right onto SR 329. To Hwy 200A (old 301) turn left (North) to CR 316. right on CR 316, go through Fort McCoy and Eureka. Cross over tall bridge to the first road on left (160th Ave Rd). Go about 11 miles to Lake Oklawaha KOA, on the left.

IF COMING FROM 95 NORTH PLEASE CALL FOR DIRECTION OR STAY ON HWY 19 SOUTH TO SALT SPRINGS. DO NOT TURN RIGHT (onto Rodman Dam Road) AFTER THE TALL CROSS CITY FLORIDA BARGE CANAL BRIDGE! YOU WILL TURN ONTO COUNTY ROAD 316 IN SALT SPRINGS. If you turn onto Rodman Dam Road, that road will turn into a dirt road.;

Fall 2025 Rally and Annual Business Meeting at Hagerstown / Antietam Battlefield KOA Sept 15-17 2025 Note that the dates for this rally have changed. Officially beginning on Monday Sept 15, the KOA will hold sites for us starting on the 14th since so many people have been arriving on Sunday lately. I’ve been working with Amanda but anyone can help you. Just be sure to let them know you’re signing up for the Chinook rally. Sites are a mix of full hookup and water/electric and prices vary accordingly.

Please call your reservations directly to the Hagerstown KOA at 301-223-7571 and tell them you’re with the Chinook Camping Club and that you’re signing up for the rally.

Do not place your reservation online, do not call the national KOA reservation number. Call the campground directly and you will be sure to get one of the sites assigned to our group.

Even more importantly, you’ll be sure to get the group discount.

Mark McCluski Rally VP

SANTA BARBARA, CA Rally 2025 (21ST Annual) Monday Oct 6 (In) - Friday Oct 10 (Out) Sun Outdoors Santa Barbara 100 El Capitan Terrace Ln, Goleta, CA 93117 805-879-5751

This fantastic resort is situated in Santa Barbara, where the Pacific Ocean and Ynez Mountains offer a spectacular setting and stunning backdrop for activities and adventure. You can enjoy fun amenities like a heated swimming pool, our amazing market that features camping & beach gear, souvenirs, local wine, and craft beer. Gather for our seasonal outdoor movie nights on the market lawn or explore trails on docent-led hikes. The Chinook Club has reserved sites for 4 nights for a total cost of $391.20 which includes the nightly rate, a resort fee, a Military Discount, and a special Managers Discount. Sites still available: 844, 846, 847, 848, 849, & 874. Please call the RV Park at 805-879-5751 and reserve one under Mary-Esther Chaverela/Chinook Club. Possible Chinook group activities include a tour of Old Mission Santa Barbara, wine tasting, and a city tour of Santa Barbara. Hope to see you there! Host - Mary-Esther Chavarela Jan Pavia-Colabella VP Rallies, 310-503-7914

Wyoming is a landlocked state in the Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It borders Montana to the north and northwest, South Dakota and Nebraska to the east, Idaho to the west, Utah to the southwest, and Colorado to the south. With an estimated population of 587,618 as of 2024, Wyoming is the least populous state despite being the 10th largest by area, and it has the second-lowest population density after Alaska. The state capital and most populous city is Cheyenne, which had a population of 65,132 in 2020. Wyoming's western half consists mostly of the ranges and rangelands of the Rocky Mountains; its eastern half consists of high-elevation prairie, and is referred to as the High Plains. Wyoming's climate is semi-arid in some parts and continental in others, making it drier and windier overall than other states, with greater temperature extremes. The federal government owns just under half of Wyoming's land, generally protecting it for public use.