Antique & Classic Runabout Boats A

Many of us appear to be drawn to things old: antique and classic cars, antique furniture and of course classic runabout boats. We stumbled upon this collection in Luka, MS just south of Savannah, TN. We were attempting to locate the boat rental office at Safe Harbor Aqua Yacht. Parking on the upside of the hill we entered the first building having misunderstood the signage and stumbled into Captains Choice Pickwick. Apologizing for the intrusion, and glancing about the large showroom something caught our eye-numerous antique runabouts in perfect condition. Asking permission to look at them we were momentarily joined by the owner Sam Evans, a gregarious fellow and experienced boat captain. And we met his beautiful and accomplished wife, also a certified captain. Some people are esoteric collectors, i.e. numismatics; Sam is a collector of classic runabouts. 

His friend in Savannah has an amazing collection of outboard motors. We had the opportunity to view them at The Outpost which is a famed ‘village’ grouping of a restaurant and shops on Route 128 that serves the best BBQ west of Charleston. The classic runabout pictures are self-explanatory-enjoy. Go to  www.rickpicks.com to view Sam’s complete classic boat collection and for other reviews, critiques and essays with links to area attractions and a more detailed reviews as well reviews of restaurants, etc..

Triangle Park, Dean Park Historic District, Fort Myers, FL

 

A beautiful little Park within the Dean Park Historic District in the city of Fort Myers created to honor the memory of John Dean who developed in 1916 this now historic neighborhood. These pictures are of the Triangle Park decorated for Christmas by the Dean Park Historic District Owners as well as other Dean Park events. The pictures span years and are sporadically updated. Go to www.rickpicks.com for other reviews, critiques and essays with links to area attractions, etc.

Eagle Nest Hidden Lake RV Park, Garrison, TX

Eagle Nest Hidden Lake RV Park, Garrison, TX is a small rv park developed by the owners of a large land tract off Hwy 59 not far from Nacogdoches. The affable Texan owners, Renee & Don purchased this property with the express purpose of establishing a B&B in their home located down the hill overlooking a beautiful 14 acre pond. The rv park came later and sits on the top of the hill overlooking their stocked pond with a covered dock. This park is still a work in progress and is awaiting some refinements to the sites themselves. There are two cabin rentals and canoes and paddleboats for rent. On the top of the hill sits a steel butler building, nicknamed ‘The Nest’, originally envisioned as a focal point for weddings and social gatherings. Renee indicated that they are considering changing the purpose to incorporate a café in the near future. Note, that this building is not open and does not have bath/shower, nor laundry facilities. More specifically they have a beautiful gazebo on a concrete apron and walkway tastefully landscaped overlooking the lake which has become a stylish setting for weddings. They are also adding additional rv sites to the expansive land tract on the hilltop. 

The gated entrance from Hwy.59 is framed by flowering crepe myrtles that leads to the rv sites just ahead to the left. Upon entering it was obvious that our size, 13’ height, was too large and we heard the trees scraping against the coach (no damage nor scratch marks fortunately). A day later when the owners stopped by to chat we mentioned this to them and they were appreciative of the constructive criticism. The next day the trees were trimmed up and back-what a positive response!.

As mentioned the level sites are still a work in progress regarding the fill and gravel; the FHU is new and standard with water spigots supplying good water pressure. The 50 amp service was stable and allowed us to draw a continuous 60 amps without issue. Again, another rv park cognizant of the need for broadband WiFi; the signal was 95%, -35dBm (more than adequate to stream quality music and HD movies with no buffering nor stuttering). Our OTA (over the air antenna) received several  HD channels form nearby Nacogdoches and Lufkin.

Our trip was taking us from eastern LA to Galveston via I20, to Hwy.79, and then Hwy.59 which is a good 4-lane state highway (part of NAFTA Corridor Highway System). Nacogdoches was a good midway stop-over, and for several reasons.  Nacogdoches has evolved into the motorcoach capitol of eastern Texas and we  relieved our curiosity by visiting several of the motorcoach businesses and manufacturers. However, the area has more to offer than just kicking tires at motorcoach sales offices. Historic Nacogdoches, the oldest town in Texas, provides an interesting venue of shops and restaurants within a compact footprint along brick-paved streets. As with many small western and midland communities businesses are open only Thursday-Saturday. In addition there are restaurants and a fine dining (mid-century décor) experience in Nacogdoches as well as historic sights to visit.

The Takeaway: Eagle Nest Hidden Lake RV Park is a relatively new rv park located on an expansive hilltop with the owners B&B down by the 14 acre pond replete with canoes and paddleboats. The park is a work in progress and promises to be a destination campground in an area populated by otherwise boorish rv parks. The owners are receptive to constructive criticism and responsive to guest’s suggestions. Standard FHU providing stable 50 amp service and exceptional broadband WiFi. Numerous area attractions, motorcoach sales&manufactures, historic district, and quality restaurants will entice the guest to spend time at Eagle Nest Hidden Lake RV Park. Go to  www.rickpicks.com for other reviews, critiques and essays with links to area attractions and a more detailed review of this park as well as reviews of restaurants, etc.

River View RV Park&Resort-Redux, Vidalia, LA

 

River View RV Park&Resort, Vidalia, LA is one of two campgrounds located along the great Mississippi River Road sitting inside the levees on the Mississippi  River bank. Headed north on MS Route 61 we pass thru Natchez crossing the Mississippi River on State Road 425 into Vidalia. A quick turn down Magnolia St., up and over the levee and River View spreads to the left and right offering splendid views of the Mississippi River tows as they pass by and of the Natchez-Vidalia Bridge linking the two towns. This is one of two of our favorite river parks and for several reasons. First, River View sits directly across from the high bluffs of Natchez, MS, a town lost in a time warp of restored antebellum mansions and homes. The summer residence, due to the ‘cooler’ weather high above the Mississippi River, of plantation owners who operated farming operations in the rich fertile bottomland of Vidalia, LA. Second, the close-up view of constant River traffic from River View sites is unparalleled. 

As discussed in a previous review the campground is well laid out, offers spacious real estate between sites, and includes the amenity of a clubhouse, pool and hot tub. The bathrooms, showers and laundry rooms are all very clean, neat and tidy located in the clubhouse/office building. The location is relaxing sitting on large expanses of manicured lawn watching the barges carry cargo up and down the Great River. 

Both sides of the campground provide concrete pads (some with grass sites) with standard FHU, stable 50 amp service and improved WiFi with 95% signal and -36dBm to enjoy streaming movies in HD. Our OTA (over the air antenna) received several channels in HD. At 45’ plus tow vehicle we had no difficulty navigating to our site and any trees are trimmed back and up so our 13’ height was not an issue. 

Although not a resort in the true sense of the word the owners have drastically improved the WiFi so as to make outdated cable and satellite superfluous, and have also invested in grounds keeping and maintenance. This is a clean and neat park on the banks of the Mississippi River. 

Along the River bank and running thru the campground is the 1.5 mile Vidalia Riverwalk, a concrete walking, jogging, and bicycle path that runs under the Natchez-Vidalia Bridge, past Vidalia Riverfront Park, the Vidalia Conference&Convention Center, the Vidalia Concert Hall and terminating at Clarion Suites. This offers a unique exercise opportunity along with the beautiful vista of the high bluffs of Natchez, the bridge and river traffic. And plan to spend enough time here to enjoy the restaurants (unfortunately a top BBQ joint downtown, Pig Out Inn, has closed) and remarkable walking tours of historic Natchez. 

The Takeaway: River View RV Park&Resort offers never ending entertainment watching tows move up and down the River. The manicured lawns and expanse between sites contributes to the Sawyeresque atmosphere as one lounges in the pool and hot tub overlooking the great Mississippi River. Historic Natchez sits across the River to be explored. WiFi is exceptional, and unique in its broadband quality which many parks have yet to install; this 21st century amenity is a necessity to millennials. Go to  www.rickpicks.com for other reviews, critiques and essays with links to area attractions and a more detailed review of this park as well as reviews of restaurants, etc.