It reminds me of my younger years, the family planning a trip from Charlotte up to Advance, NC to head to Thousand Trails for an Easter Weekend get-away. This time however, it’s not in a camper, it’s not in a tent, but it is in a cabin! Thousand Trails rents out several small cabins along the lake or throughout the preserve. Since I didn’t get the RV yet, I did want to get up to the campground with the family regardless. Easter was one of those times which we generally went camping growing up, and I figured what better time than doing this now when my nieces are young? It was a quick decision, not completely spur of the moment but one which happened pretty quick in the last few weeks. Everyone agreed. I just wish my oldest brother was closer so he could join in. Soon enough though!
Check in time is at 2pm, I was able to get here just before lunch so I had time to roam around the campground, join just in time for the Easter crafts and activities at the lodge. The cabin wasn’t quite ready to check into, so I thought I would head up to the Adult Lodge to get online and do some work for the day. However, walking up to the lodge I read the sign “As of March 2017, the Adult Lodge is closed for renovations”. Bummer! Up to the Family Lodge it is. I peeked inside the lodge to find progress being made – it appears new flooring will be going down, some fresh paint, and updated décor. No estimated timing on that completion. This sounds like a fantastic opportunity to take a quick tour around a few of the camping loops and check out some camping sites, campers, and RVs. That’s just what I did, and wow – there are definitely some nice RVs up here. It is quite busy, packed, and full of every possible type of RV you can think of – from Air Streams, mini Streams, pop-ups, Million Dollar RVs, Drop in Campers, and Fifth Wheels, you have every type imagined.
After touring the loops, I took a walk up the hill to the Family Lodge. I stopped to help a young girl driving a golf cart trying to carry a bicycle while driving the golf cart. It not only looked bad, it was bad. I helped her load the bike on the back of the golf cart so she wouldn’t hurt herself or anyone else. Then, into the lodge I disappeared.
In the lodge, I was very happy to see the Country Store (a room full of everything you can imagine – from supplies, drinks, food, RV supplies, games, clothes, and yes – even Cotton Candy Ice Cream!) was now officially open until November. And, just across the hall from the Country Store, the Kitchen is open. Now, this kitchen I remember from the 80’s as serving pancake breakfast on Sundays and maybe being open once or twice otherwise. It’s actually full of crazy surprises – open most of the day and nights, full of great sounding food. This is going to be fantastic to not have to go into town and buy a bunch of groceries for the short weekend! Take a look at their menu:
Thousand Trails Menu
I know where I’ll be eating breakfast this weekend! Yes, it does take the fun out of it, but for a short weekend visit I think this is just what’s in store for us. A friend of mine collects smashed pennies, and you wouldn’t believe it, but yep! Smashed Penny Machine straight ahead. Just outside of the video game arcade and next to the pool table and ping pong table. How can I possibly not get a smashed penny to take to her?
Finally, after a bit of wandering around, I was able to get into the cabin. Cabin #7 that is, right along the Lake. The cabin seems quite cozy, but a nice table to get a few more hours of work squeezed in. The whole cabin as a whole seems a bit small but I’m sure it’s going to be just fine. A few trips in from the car to get linens, towels, and the snacks/drinks loaded up and I’ll be on my way to closing this laptop lid, riding my phone of nasty work responsibilities, and chilling, relaxing, just waiting on that Easter Bunny to come hoppin’ down the trails.
Before I get too far into work, and then take a break, I wanted to share a few quick photos, below. Here is the view for the weekend, I think this will do!
Pictures from the cabin:
My nieces were able to enjoy a well organized Easter Egg hunt but unfortunately did not find the golden egg (worth $50!) Here are a few photos:
Copyright 2017 RVworking
