Thanks!

When I started this blog five and a half years ago I never imagined I would still be blogging in 2018, mainly because I wasn't convinced I'd still be full-timing.  Back in 2013 there were way fewer resources for the newbie full-timer to rely on to get campground ideas than there are today.  Some of the ones I rely on most often are:

Freecampsites.net

Campendium

PassportAmerica

Ultimate campgrounds

Any of the above can lead you to great campsites and most of them give reviews of the campsites that are at least as detailed as the ones I provided in the Technically Homeless blog so I'm kind of redundant nowadays.  By now I guess you can see where I'm going with this post -- this is going to be my last entry, at least for a long while.  Google only charges me $10 a year to keep the blog up so I'll leave it up for at least the foreseeable future, there probably is some useful stuff in the last five years of posts that could help folks out but I won't be regularly adding posts anymore.

If you're just dying to read a camping blog you could go here:

Hitch Itch

where there are dozens of people blogging about their camping experiences (and here you thought I was the only one....awww!)

I'll say it one more time and I really mean it!

Thanks for reading!

Campground Review: Bo Woods Campground Sullivan, IL

I'm relocating back to Texas for my annual November truck license sticker and to vote.  Heading south from Chicago I stopped at the Army Corps of Engineers (COE) Bo Woods Campground on Lake Shelbyville south of Sullivan, IL.  For those who've never stayed at a COE campground, they are always very well kept campgrounds with lots of amenities that are extremely reasonably priced, especially if you have a Senior Pass that cuts the posted daily cost in half.

The Bo Woods boat ramp into Lake Shelbyville.

Bo Woods consists of over 140 spaciously laid out campsites, all with electric hookups and also several walkin tent campsites.  The campground has flush toilets, showers, a laundry and even a outdoor theatre.

The shower / laundry facility.

Here's the data sheet on Bo Woods Campground:

Hookups:                                             20, 30, 50 amp                                                                       

Fire ring:                                              Yes                                         

Water Access:                                     Yes                             

Fresh Water:                                        Yes                 

Trash Service:                                      Yes                 

Toilets:                                                 Yes (flush)                 

Showers:                                             Yes                             

Dump station:                                      Yes                 

WiFi:                                                    No                  

Level sites:                                          Yes                 

Laundry:                                              Yes                             

Store:                                                   No                                          

Pool:                                                    No                  

Shade:                                                 Yes                 

Verizon reception:                               4G. 2 bars                   

Internet reception                                2 bars

Cost:                                                    $18 / night ($9 / night with Senior Pass)

The outdoor theatre at Bo Woods.

The weather was perfect as I checked in to the campground so I decided to extend my stay to a full week, for a total stay cost of $63!  $9 a night for hookups is almost unheard of.

The Mini's campsite.

It was a great seven days at Bo Woods.  I wish I could always find COE campgrounds to stay at.  Usually they are fully occupied (especially on weekends and holidays) but if you can find one along your route it's worth checking on an opening.

Thanks for reading!

Campground Review: Wilton Campground Wilton, WI

As I made my way through central Wisconsin I decided to spend a couple days at Wilton Campground in the tiny village of Wilton, WI (Pop.503).

The campground is near a famous biking trail along a converted rail line.

Given the tiny size of Wilton the campground and it's facilities are pretty impressive.  It boasts a swimming pool (closed for the season when I was there):

The pool, covered for the winter.

A laundry with a washer / dryer combo:

The laundry thru the center door $2.50 wash $2.50 dry.

Twin sanded volley ball courts:

One of the 2 volley ball courts.

Along with a covered pavilion, a kiddie playground and a fenced softball field.

Here's the data sheet on Wilton Campground:

Hookups:                                             20 & 30 amp                                      

Fire ring:                                              Yes                                                                             

Water Access:                                     Yes (Kickapoo River)                                                

Fresh Water:                                        Yes                                                     

Trash Service:                                      Yes                                                     

Toilets:                                                 Yes                                                     

Showers:                                             Yes ($.50 for 4 minutes)                                            

Dump station:                                      Yes                                                     

WiFi:                                                    No                                                      

Level sites:                                          Yes                                         

Laundry:                                              Yes                                                     

Store:                                                   No                                                                  

Pool:                                                    Yes (Open Memorial day to Labor Day)                   

Shade:                                                 Yes                             

Verizon reception:                               4G, 3 bars                               

Internet reception                                3 bars

Cost:                                                    $7 / adult, $3 for electric per site

So using the above costs I camped at this great campground with electric for $10 per night, a great value! 

The park's fee sign.

My first night there was one other camper in the park, the second night I had the park completely to myself, I regretted having to continue on south towards Chicago.

The Mini's shaded site at Wilton Campground.

The park has an off-site attendant who comes by about 6 PM your first night there to collect the camping fee and offer plastic trash bags if you need them.  He cleaned the laundry, bathrooms and  showers promptly at 8 AM both my days there.

Like I mentioned I would have stayed at least a few more days at Wilton Campground if my niece's wedding outside Chicago didn't beckon.  Why turn down my own "private" $10 a nite campground?

Thanks for reading!