Traveling Easy with Travel Decks: Fall Tour 2020
Who doesn’t just love fall camping? Cooler temperatures bringing warm campfires, comfort foods that only happen with campfires, and relaxing fall colors was just some of the fun things of our Fall Tour 2020. While our ultimate goal was to introduce you to our newly redesigned Travel Easy Decks in person, we also enjoyed the opportunity to bask in one of our favorite activities; camping.
Our trip began with an amazing event with the Nature State Overland group in Arkansas. Rendezvous in the Ozarks was our first venture to Byrd’s Adventure Park in Ozark, Arkansas. Let us tell you, this will not be the last trip to Byrd’s. Between the awesome hospitality and friendly staff of the Rendezvous event and the picturesque beauty of Byrd’s, we look forward to introducing our friends to the group. Of course, the campsites are unimproved, even the ones with water and electricity so our portable deck is definitely coming too.
Of course, no trip to Arkansas would be complete without a stop at Bull Shoals Lake so, that’s were we headed next. A lovely stay at Lakeview Park in, from what we discovered, was the best site in the park. Some of the most beautiful sunsets are over the water. From our spot, we had a grand view. The beauty of the area didn’t fade either when it rained the entire night and day we were there. Luckily, we had our Travel Easy Decks out and could enjoy being outside despite the wet weather.
Next we headed to Memphis, Tennessee. Nothing like a nice afternoon walking around Beale St, catching some classic Blues, and learning things you didn’t know about Elvis and the extent of his influence. Was a great experience, one that was surprisingly enlightening. Having not known much about Elvis, in particular, the tour of Graceland was pretty neat and very enjoyable. The park we stayed in, T.O. Fuller State Park was covered in trees and unexpectedly quiet considering its close proximity to the city.. We do recommend stopping there should you find yourself in the area. However, the campsites are not exactly level so bring your Travel Easy Decks to create a comfortable place to set your chairs out on.
Camping at Barton Springs Lake in Normandy, Tennessee was super enjoyable. Again, we had a great view of a beautiful lake and were lucky enough to catch a lightening storm off in the distance that lit the grey clouds a gorgeous pinkish color. Lucky planning (on our part), this park is close to Lynchburg and everyone knows what’s in Lynchburg, right? Very interesting history of Jack Daniels in a very quaint town.
Normandy is another place were Travel Easy Decks fully shined as it rained pretty steady for several hours making messy spots everywhere. In particular, in front of and around all the “relaxing” areas of everyone’s campers. Our deck was the only comfortable place outside to sit and enjoy a warm cup of coffee. You should never allow anything like weather to mess up a relaxing start to the day. Travel Easy Decks help make sure it doesn’t.
In Alabama we found one of the most all-inclusive state parks that ever existed. Oak Mountain State Park, right outside of Birmingham in Pelham, had absolutely everything! Gorgeous golf course, BMX bike park, an archery range, equestrian area with camping, and a wakeboard park just to name a few. This park is huge! We drove 7 miles once inside the first gate before we came to our campground area. And we were another 1-2 miles from the “flipside” or other end of the park. The weather was so nice that we set our decks up, added a table and fully enjoyed the “office” we created for the day.
A surprising hidden gem, however, was LeFluers Bluff State Park in Jackson, Mississippi. Literally in the heart (it seemed) of Jackson yet secluded and well-hidden. Another campground where we enjoyed a wonderful lake view perfect place to do a little fishing and bird watching. Watch out for the largest acorns ever, though. We believe they were actually buck eyes but are not positive. Whatever they were, they were like mini boulders. We were happy to have our decks just so we didn’t twist an ankle walking in and out of the trailer.
Our next stop was a private campground just outside St. Francisville, Louisiana. Bayou Creek RV Park is usually full with long-term RVer’s who work locally but, due to Covid, Scott and Tracey had a spot available for us. Gracious hosts with one of the most level RV sites we have come across yet. Campgrounds built by experienced RVer’s are always a plus, Bayou Creek is just that. But even there, Travel Easy Decks were helpful. See, although the site was super level, it was covered with pebble gravel. The pebble gravel stuck to the bottom of our shoes. Thankfully, our Travel Easy Decks kept the pebbles out of the trailer as it knocked them off our shoes and back to the ground where they belonged. We are positive Scott appreciated us not taking his pavement with us when we left.
The home stretch of our tour took us to Marshall RV Park just outside of Marshall, Texas. Another privately owned campground with several long-term full-timers. The park is surprisingly quiet for as full as it is and the staff, Heath and Brittany are very friendly. Again, though, “improved” sites with full hook-ups are always upgraded once the Travel Easy Decks go down. Even with well manicured grass, our decks kept us from stirring up the hidden bugs like mosquito’s, chiggers, and ants. Making our evening time comfortable and itch free.
We look forward to heading out again soon. Hope to make one more trip before 2021 kicks in. Be sure to follow our Facebook page, @traveleasydecks, to find out where we’ll be next. You never know, we might be camping next door and we’d love for you to say “hi”!