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FISHTAIL View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
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Joined: 08 Jun 2011
Location: La Plata, MD
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Posts: 130 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: First real trip with the pod
    Posted: 24 Oct 2011 at 5:47pm
Thanks.  The weather was great, Saturday morning was overcast, but it cleared up before lunchtime and it was sunny and calm the rest of the trip. 

I've never seen a Casita...wouldn't mind checking one out.  What did roll into D loop was a pair of pretty cool airstreams.  One of them was tiny, and the other one was probably a 28 footer.  I would have liked to have looked at both, but didn't ever catch the owners.

The dog is ok.  My wallet isn't, but he'll be fine...

We had folks running past our site all weekend.  Dudley saw fit to get his hackles up and bark at every passer by, so we didn't have to many folks lingering.  He never used to do that until the kiddo was born, now it's pretty much constant. 

On a side note, we did have two separate couples come over and ask to check out the inside of the pod.  Had some folks taking pictures of it too.  It sure does attract some attention.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Oct 2011 at 2:39pm
Glad you had a good time!  Thumbs Up  The weather was supposed to improve for the weekend.  I didn't see the T@B but, I didn't go back in that area after moving on the first night. 
 
Before Shenandoah, I was at the Smokys and a couple from OK showed me their Casita.  It was very nice.  I was surprized that it's UVW (3200lbs) was more than mine (3018lbs).
 
I'm sorry to hear about the dog. Unhappy  I hope everything turns out ok.  Dixie was fine but, a handful the whole trip.  A few inconsiderate campers got her in "high alert" mode while at the Smokys (they seemed to enjoy being a PITA) and she never really calmed down the whole trip.  Elkmont is pretty but, that was my second and last trip there.  I'm going back to Cosby or Look Rock for future trips.
 
Tech- On Wednesday and, to a little lesser degree on Thursday I thought I was going to be blown off the edge in the campground.   Strong steady winds with 30-40mph gusts kept the camper rocking!  Maybe I should use my stabilizers from time to time. LOL
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podders Helping podders - pHp
podders Helping podders - pHp


Joined: 08 Jun 2011
Location: La Plata, MD
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Posts: 130 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Oct 2011 at 12:42pm
Our heater had a problem our first night there too...not sure what the deal was.  Got up, reset the thermostat, and it started working again.  No idea what caused it.

We had awesome weather for our stay though.  It was a bit chilly at night, but nothing a hot campfire couldn't fix.  My wife had it hot enough saturday night that it melted my pie iron. 

We got in about 4:30pm on the 21st and bugged out at noon on Sunday.  The only downer to the trip was that my goofy lab decided to eat a handful of rocks around the campfire ring Sunday morning, and is currently at the emergency vet.  We had no idea he'd eaten them until last night when he got x-rayed.  Aside from that snafu, it was a great trip.

So did either of you guys see the T@B trailer at the top of E-loop? 
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Joined: 29 Jul 2009
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Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Oct 2011 at 8:13pm
One of my favorite hikes is the scramble up Old Rag. Just be careful of wind gusts a the top... people have been blown over the edge in the past.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Oct 2011 at 6:24am
Some of you may recognize "Old Rag"
 
 
You might notice a "UFO" in the left hand sky.  Strange things seem to happen on my camping trips.
 
Also, wouldn't you know it.....I was confronted by, not one, but two wild ravenous beasts - right in the campground!  Well, they (very wisely) decided it would not be in their best interest to go "toe to toe" with ME....not even in their own backyard! Star
 
 
They continued on their way.
 
Actually, there were deer all about the place.  It was hard not to see several and one needed to use caution when driving.  I didn't get to see any bears. Ouch
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Oct 2011 at 7:53am
Originally posted by Leaflin

David and Fishtail
We took 'Leaf Pod' up to Shenandoah on the 16th, 17th and 18th. We were going to stay longer but the heater wasn't working.
We returned on the 20th for a hike in the bitter cold. I didn't see anyone in your site David and figured the rain and cold had shortened your stay.
We did fix the heater, mud daubers had build a nest in the combustion chamber.
 
Dog gone it!  We all just missed each other!  Ouch
 
I was there but, I didn't even set up in E189, I moved to C123....it was less crowded and the site was spacious and grassy (better for Dixie).  I arrived at about 3pm on the 18th - which turned out to be the best weather day.  It rained all day on the 19th with strong winds.  As you know, on the 20th, it was dry but cold and windy.  I don't blame you for leaving - you would have needed your heater.  Thursday morning, I ventured out at about 9am and the truck dashboard showed 37 degrees - I don't know how cold it got down to???  The temperature, combined with the strong winds, kept my walks short.
 
As you were at/passing the registration building, had you looked towards the A, B, C, drive, you would have seen me.  I was in the 3rd site on the left.
 
I thought about leaving Fishtail a "Hello" message on the message board, but forgot to do so.  It sounded like the weather was going to be much better for the weekend.
 
I left Friday morning, the 21st.  Drove away from the dump station at 8:10am and pulled in my driveway at 9:07pm....13hrs!  I didn't stop to eat or anything....just gas and a couple of "Dixie" stops.  I intended to overnight about halfway home but, I just kept driving. 
 
Glad you got your heater sorted out.  Bugs seem to like to get into those things.
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Joined: 19 Nov 2009
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Posts: 24 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Oct 2011 at 7:29pm
David and Fishtail
We took 'Leaf Pod' up to Shenandoah on the 16th, 17th and 18th. We were going to stay longer but the heater wasn't working.
We returned on the 20th for a hike in the bitter cold. I didn't see anyone in your site David and figured the rain and cold had shortened your stay.
We did fix the heater, mud daubers had build a nest in the combustion chamber.
Leaf-Pod 173
97 Ford Explorer
http://www.leaflin.net
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Oct 2011 at 4:59am
Originally posted by Leaflin

I suggest you get a map and rate the sites you like for the next time.  LOL I always do this..."scout" out the "good" sites for the next visit.
A-69 looks good. It is in the generator free zone which to me is a plus.  I prefer the generator free sites, also.  With dual batteries, I just don't need to use one.  Plus, it makes for a more peaceful stay.  Ya gotta love these guys with gensets that sound like Top Fuel Dragsters! LOL Pig
Which way are you going when you leave?  Nothing "set in stone" yet.  I've been playing with Mapquest and I could go a couple of ways - North and eventually pick up 70 West to Indy or South and West going thru West Virginia, Kentucky and then to Indy.  The latter has a KOA about exactly 1/2 way, just West of Charleston, WV.  Mapquest says about 6.5 hours but, it would probably more like 8 with the extra fuel stops and an occasional "Dixie" stop.  I like WV but, (on the secondary highways) one can really use up a set of brake pads quick.
 
 
 
 
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Posts: 24 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Oct 2011 at 9:07pm
Originally posted by David

 
Thanks! Smile  You were one of the ones who made me decide on Big Meadows, this time.  Also, thanks for the info about the tunnel.  I tried to get site E-185 (I referrred to your previous posts) but, all the ones right on the AT were taken.  I settled for E-189...I hope it's OK. 
 
You're welcome Smile
 
We had E-189 last time. It's a large site and a bit unlevel but most of them are.
One good thing is it isn't as windy as the outer ones.
I'm glad you didn't get E-187. The table and fire ring end up on the drivers side of your trailer.
I suggest you get a map and rate the sites you like for the next time.
A-69 looks good. It is in the generator free zone which to me is a plus.
Which way are you going when you leave?
 
Leaf-Pod 173
97 Ford Explorer
http://www.leaflin.net
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Oct 2011 at 7:46pm
Originally posted by Leaflin

Originally posted by David

Sorry we all couldn't meet up!  Maybe next year we could throw something together????  It would be nice to meet a few other forum members.
 
I haven't been to Shenandoah since 2007.  I was going to go last year but, ended up just staying longer at the Smoky's due to the weather.  Big Meadows is going to be a new one for me.  I've driven past it 2 or 3 times while driving on Skyline Drive, but never went back to look.  I just guessed it was a...well...BIG MEADOW!  I'm a tress and mountains sort of guy.
 
If anyone has any hints/tips as to a good route/exit to take - I'll be coming up 81.  When I have stayed at Loft Mountain, I just came in the South entrance of the Park.  I seem to remember a low tunnel somewhere on Skyline but, I can't remember if it is North or South of Big Meadows.  (They caution RVs) 
 

I think you are going to love Big Meadows. Don’t let the name fool you as the elevation is 3,500 feet. The land was cleared to house the CCC when Skyline Drive was being built. A lady I visit in a local assisted living facility served food to the workers and was the first civilian to officially cross the drive.

The tunnel is at Thornton Gap, north of Big Meadows. I believe the clearance in 12’ 8”. We have been through it with and without risers, no problem.

Our favorite site is E-185 because of the fantastic view. At night you can see the lights in the valley. It does get rather windy on the sites overlooking the valley.

Enjoy!

 
Thanks! Smile  You were one of the ones who made me decide on Big Meadows, this time.  Also, thanks for the info about the tunnel.  I tried to get site E-185 (I referrred to your previous posts) but, all the ones right on the AT were taken.  I settled for E-189...I hope it's OK. 
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