KOA at Flatwoods WV 03/04 --> 03/08/2016 - Part II

PART II

Good afternoon from Flatwoods KOA in Sutton, WV. This KOA is part of the Days Inn 200 room hotel back up on the hill.  For those who actually follow my printed itinerary or view it via the tab at the top of the page, you'll notice that the 3+ hour trip was to take me to Little Coal River Campground in Julian, WV.  That's where I arrived around 2:00 pm and found it empty and closed. Called the owner, Angela, who expected my arrival but apparently hubby, Jim, never got around to getting over to the campground to turn on water and electricity. I waited an hour and tried to use my propane run generator to provide the electricity for the heat but that didn't work out. Its erratic operation has been plaguing me for most of the trip and needs to be looked at. Add that to the "to-do" list.  There's a certified Cummins shop about an hour's drive north of here right off I-79 in White Hall, WV. It's on my way to Hancock, MD.  I called and made an appointment with Mr. Jim Burns tomorrow at 10:15 am.  Meanwhile, the campground itself was a big disappointment. It was bleak, small, run down, and appeared as if it were a roadside pull off or rest stop except it had the usual hookups of water and electricity....really rustic with no amenities other than the electricity and water.  It was depressing especially this time of the year and with the chilly, dreary day the thought of spending three nights there just didn't sit well. I was not at all concerned for my safety; the "atmosphere/ambiance" just wasn't there. But to be fair, based on reviews and comments I read, it's a very nice place in season with lots of nice things said about the accommodating owners.

After my frustrated hour, I took a quick, desperate look at my KOA camp book and voila, there was a year-round KOA Campground another 80 miles north in Sutton, WV.  I called, let 'em know I was coming and called Angela to tell hubby not to take off from his full time job to fix things here at the campground. Well, as I'm driving out, he's driving in.  We meet and greet and at the same time Angela's calling me to let me know he's on his way over. I felt terrible but after a little fast talking about my "predicament" (defective generator and low propane level) I was on the road again for another 90 minute ride to Sutton WV.

When I first arrived I had to stop at the hotel and sign in at the front desk. Got what I needed, assigned site #42 but before I left I went into Visions Restaurant  and treated myself to a real dinner.  As a guest at the campground I was allowed full use of all the hotel facilities. Alas, with no way to travel back up the hill from where the campsite was located except by foot, I had to pass. I could have tried but my hip would have said, Nay, Nay. When I leave however, Tuesday morning, I will stop by for their Continental breakfast, then head up north to have my generator serviced in White Hall.

Once again, when I arrived at my site 42, there were two other RVs already present, one of which was next to me on 43.  On the second day, I awoke and it was gone. Yesterday a big Class A pulled into that same spot and that too disappeared the next morning. Perhaps it was something I said? Did I push the envelope? Even today, the first RV I saw left and here I am all by myself. I'm not a sensitive guy but I didn't even see anyone to scare them off; I even showered. Okay, so when I get home I'll get a haircut. 

Some photos for you.

The road down from the hotel complex.

Plenty of empty sites. You can see the hotel on
top of the hill.

My only neighbor for the first two days.

Yes, they had two dogs and two kids. Wherever they went (walked) during the day, the
dogs yapped (not barked, yapped) the entire time. They were inside the RV and yet I still heard them.

Looking to my right I see this is the Mountain Lakes
Amphitheater

A 1,700 seat facility for summer concerts and cultural events.
Check its history: HERE

Gas fired with very real looking logs. Betcha very cozy on those
cool summer nights at a concert. Note my clever attempt to show
you where the gas valve is.

Front side, stage.

In the backside of the stage there is a small game room, bathrooms
and coin operated laundries. I opened the doors to show each.
The center door leads to back stage. $2.00/load. I did a load
while I showered in the men's room to the right

Bathroom/showers were immaculate and spotless,
a welcome sight after 5 hours on the road. By the time
I finished in here, clothes were ready for the dryer.

And, that folks, is about as exciting as it gets. If you need a laugh or a change of pace, allow me to show you the latest shot of my dining room table.

Geeze, I can't wait to get home. I've shown this before but now, there's more.
Thank you Diane & Ed
(I wonder if they took the bills and paid them for me.....nay, nay)

Today, Monday, is my last day here. Tomorrow I head further north and east to Hancock MD for 2 nights at Happy Hills Campground. The name is conjuring up some thoughts but I won't share them here.....yet.  Let's wait on that.

Till next time, thanks for reading.