Alabama RV Park - Mill Creek Park, Elkmont, Alabama

This is not going to be incredibly in-depth as my wife and I only stayed overnight on our way from Kentucky to Florida.

However, the tone can be set by our enjoyment of the setting as we entered Mill Creek Park, and, as the lady who owns the park, and sadly I've lost her card and cannot remember her name, told me that since a storm was approaching just to get set up before it hit and come by the office after it had passed.

To actually enter the RV park area, you have to pass over a walking/riding trail (accessible from the park), and through a hay field. If you want lights, camera, action, this is not the RV park for you. But, if you want a tranquil rest in the country, then you really need to visit these folks.

The WI-FI was pretty good, but, we were only able to get a couple of stations on our (antenna) TV. We did have a 50-AMP full hook-up pull through, however.

I always take Nadia The Dog for a morning amble, and it was very peaceful walking her past the hay field, and back by way of the walking path, which passes along the edge of the park.

Mill Creek RV Park has a quiet country ambiance, and my wife and I are already planning to drop back by for a longer stay at some later date.

I was able to get an excellent rate with my Passport America membership.

Normal rate is $32 a night, but, with our PPA membership, we stayed for $16.

By the way, if you like hiking, biking, birding, or just plain being in the country, Mill Creek RV Park may be just the place you're looking for.

By the way, if you check their Passport America listing, you will find a different set of directions than what your GPS will probably give you. These are the directions provided by the owner, and, they are definitely easier to navigate than the GPS ones.

Mill Creek RV Park
28861 Veto Road
Elkmont, Alabama 35620

E-MAIL: mlmc@hiwaay.net
PHONE: (256) 732-3686
GPS: 34.96871 N, 86.99246 W

Website

Oak Creek Campground, Walton, KY

Oak Creek Campground is possibly one of the best campgrounds you can find near Cincinnati, Ohio.

Located in Kentucky, just off of I-75, at Exit 175. Just take the road in front of the Flying J Truck Stop, and you will be led there. Be careful, however, the road is narrow and winding and the right turn to the camp entrance comes up fast around a curve, at the bottom of a hill, just before a bridge.

IF YOU ARE COMING NORTH ON I-71, DO NOT EXIT WHERE YOU SEE THE OAK CREEK CAMPGROUND SIGN. GO TO I-75 AND GO SOUTH TO EXIT 175.

This is because coming from that direction puts you on narrow, winding roads with crazy drivers. Additionally, coming that way, from I-71, there is a very hard left turn to the road the campground is on, and, as it happened the day I arrived, local drivers can be very unforgiving and thoughtless.

I accidentally came that way, and had to wait for a car to pull out of the road before I could turn. A driver behind me, rather than waiting, shot around me, temporarily blocking the turning car and causing dangerous situation.

Take the I-75 exit.

Oak Creek Campground is relatively secluded, although part of it lies close enough to a fairly busy road to pick up some road noise. As I type this, however, there is no noise from the road.

Although Oak Creek handles everything from tents to big motor homes and fifth wheels, providing reliable electric, water, a fairly decent WIFI, and a small selection of cable channels, they do NOT offer sewer. They will come and PUMP YOUR TANKS once a week, on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday.

The people are nice, and there is a small general store available with beer, sodas, snacks, and basic RV supplies.

They do have some games and family-friendly activities, mainly live music at various times, and, there is a playground for kids. They are a pet friendly rv park with the standard rules....no excessive barking, pick up after, etc.

They also have a swimming pool (outdoors and seasonal), and a recreation area.

Prices are reasonable, and, they do offer discounts for AAA, Explorers, and Good Sam members. It is a good idea to call in advance for reservations. When I called, they were booked for my original dates, but, the manager was able to offer an alternative, and offered a lower rate for booking a week than a smaller block of days.

The Oak Creek Campground website is at http://www.oakcreekcampground.com/index.htm

13329 Oak Creek Rd. ● P.O. Box 161 ● Walton, KY 41094 ● (859) 485-9131

Mesquite Oasis RV Park, Odessa, TX

On a recent trip, my wife and I needed to spend a night in the Midland/Odessa, TX area.

Since we were just passing through and didn't really partake of all that Mesquite Oasis RV Park has to offer, I can only pass on a lot of the info on their website.

However, what I CAN comment on is our personal experiences and impressions.

The first thing I DO want to say is that the people we dealt with, over the phone, and in person, were great! Mesquite Oasis is a family-owned RV park, and, although the family was dealing with the health issues of an older member of the family, they went out of their way to make sure we had a place, even having someone drive to the park to check us in on a Sunday when the office was normally closed.

They ARE pet-friendly, by the way and have a playground for the kids. Shopping is within reasonable driving distance.

If you have never been to the Permian Basin area of Texas, do NOT arrive expecting sweeping vistas or breathtaking landscapes. There are vistas, of course, but, you are in the middle of what many would consider a desert. You are also amid oil fields, and, Mesquite Oasis, while a nice place to stay, appears to be home to many who work in the oil industry in the area.

Still, while you won't find the rich and famous living there, you will find hard working families. Everybody I came in contact with during our short stay was friendly and helpful.

The facilities and amenities of Mesquite Oasis RV Park may be a bit basic, but, they are many, and, it is obvious that the owners are trying to do as much as they can to provide them for their guests.

There is a fitness room, computer, laundry, bathrooms and showers, and a recreation room, all accessible by coded entry, in the main building. There is also WIFI access in the park. Hint: Don't forget to get the password, like I did. Oh well. It was just one night and I survived without the Internet.

Mesquite Oasis RV Park has security cameras strategically placed and recording for the sole protection of residents at all times, as well as a Grounds Manager on site who checks the park and facilities periodically through the night.

One unique thing about Mesquite Oasis RV Park is that it boasts a "catch and release" pond, complete with ducks, which has a lit fountain after dark and places to sit for a picnic or just to watch the ducks.

No, you won't find royalty at Mesquite Oasis RV Park in Odessa, Texas, but, they will try to treat you like royalty.

Fees were quite reasonable, by the way. Sites are roomy with plenty of room for more than 1 vehicle and a front porch area. Sites are 40' x 90', appeared to be pull-throughs, and are equipped with 30 amp, 50 amp, and a 110 GFI as well as a hook-up for Direct TV.

Mesquite Oasis RV Park
7601 W 42nd St
Odessa, TX 79764

Website: http://www.mesquiteoasis.net

Phone: 432-381-2707
If no answer call
432-312-7829

Current Fees (I did get a military discount)

RV Site/Full Hook-up $35.00/day $210.00/week $750.00/month