TX GTG Oct 31 2012 - Canyon lake

[Birdie]

I am not sure that this will work, but it is the site where the pics for the Potter's Creek sites is located on Picasa. Try it if you want to see what they look like.

http://tinyurl.com/75srxsn

Let me know if this doesn't work for you.

[Sandersmr]

Birdie - thanks for sharing your pics. My site (92) looks to be real close to the water and I'm glad we are going to be there so late in the year since there are no trees at all around my site!!!

[Dawn309]

Thanks for the pics Birdie. I will show Mom. She's very excited about the gtg. I, too, am glad it will be later in the year because of the trees. The sites look really good. I know we're all going to have a great time.

[JudyJB]

I have done a little rearranging of my calendar and I think I can make this one.

I will probably come in on the 30th or 31st and leave on the 4th because I want to drive up the Natchez Trace and make it back to Michigan in time for some doctor and dentist appointments in November and to see my son and grandkids. Plus I have told an aunt and uncle I will join them in Georgia for Thanksgiving.

Now, I was going to take Site 98, but it is marked as handicapped. It looks like it is in the same area as some of you have reserved spots and there are a lot of them marked as handicapped. (I do have a sticker, but I really don't need it anymore.) Is it OK to reserve this handicap spot or one of the others in this area??

Any other suggestions for another spot if I should not reserve this one?? Please advise and add me to the list.

Judy Bailey

[Acadianmom]

Judy, when I was looking at the sites I think most of them said handicap. About the only thing that I can see that would make them handicap is that maybe they are paved. Hopefully Birdie will see your post and can answer your question.

Martha

[Readytogo]

Dom't know if I'm coming yet, but how do you get the senior pass? Do you have to get it at a Nationsl park (I just came from the Smokies). Can you get it when you get there? I forget I'm old enough for these things all the time! Wendy

[Travelinana]

Dom't know if I'm coming yet, but how do you get the senior pass? Do you have to get it at a Nationsl park (I just came from the Smokies). Can you get it when you get there? I forget I'm old enough for these things all the time! Wendy

Wendy, I got my golden pass while in the Smokies. I think we can buy a state park pass wherever we go. I'm sorry I missed you while in the Smokies. I kept hoping for the sun to shine wanted to go to Cades Cove but it was too rainy and foggy so came on home. I started to call you but thought you probably didn't come because of weather. I would have stayed to see you and Echo though.
I am thinking of making this gtg..

[JudyJB]

I ended up making a reservation for site #76, which is not handicapped and also has substantial shade. I decided the shade was important since I am from Michigan and can't handle the heat, if it ends up being very hot. I do have AC, but hate to keep it running and would rather be able to open windows.

I will arrive on Oct 30 and leave on Nov 4th.

[JudyJB]

Wendy, you can get the Senior Pass online or at the entrance to any national park, monument, or forest if there is a ranger present at the gate. You can also fill out an application and get it online, but there is an additional $10 fee for mail application.

Here is the web site: http://www.nps.gov/findapark/passes.htm

It saves you 50% on almost all camping and is well worth the $10. When you make online camping reservations, they DO ask for the number on your pass, so it would be worth it to get one before you make the reservations. There is a list of site locations where you can get one directly at the bottom of the page.

[longdog2]

Judy I am adding you to the list for the GTG. Many of the sites at Potters Creek are handicap accessible. It basically means that there are no steps between the paved drive and the picnic table area.

All the info on the Senior pass is good but it does have to be a national park where they collect admission. COE parks like Potter's Creek cannot issue the pass although you pay there because they were not included in the initial bill. They do, however, honor the pass.


The attendees list is on page 3 about the middle of the page.

[VickieP]

Many of the sites at Potters Creek are handicap accessible. It basically means that there are no steps between the paved drive and the picnic table area.

I agree with Colleen. All I have seen are paved, the difference is that some have steps to the picnic tables because of small hills or drops towards the water areas.

The reservation site says:
You are about to make a reservation for an ACCESSIBLE SITE.
This site is accessible for persons with a disability or otherwise limited physical mobility. If no one in your party has needs for an accessible site, you should not reserve this site unless this is the only site available at the time of your request.This accessibility alert does not apply to group campgrounds, group day-use shelters, cabin and lookout facilities.

My opinion (take it or leave it ) is that in this loop there are 38 sites, 20 of them are accessible and therefore perfectly acceptable for rental even if you are not handicap. In many parks there are only 1 or 2 handicap sites and I think this is just standard wording on the reservation sites.

[dpf]

I don't know if it's the same all over, but we used to camp in a first come first serve campground. One time by the time we arrived there was only one site left that was close to our group and it was a handicap site. The ranger told us that we could take it, but if a camper came who was handicapped we would be required to move to another spot.

[longdog2]

We are going with VickiP's interpretation. I think a lot of parks are more like what dpf is describing but Potter's Creek has done a great job of making most of the sites accessible. The nonreservable loops have just as many of the flat campsites and all the bathrooms have ramps with handicap toilet stall and two shower stalls which are both large. I can only vouch for the women's side, of course, but have to assume the men's side is the same.

[Dawn309]

I wasn't sure either when I made our reservations, but since Mom has handicapped plaquard and electric chair to get around, she qualifies and she's with me. LOL. I just need to take her to get her senior pass. Will need to do that before we hit the road.

[Bethers]

I don't know if it's the same all over, but we used to camp in a first come first serve campground. One time by the time we arrived there was only one site left that was close to our group and it was a handicap site. The ranger told us that we could take it, but if a camper came who was handicapped we would be required to move to another spot.

That's only true if another site is available. Having had to work with the handicap rules in both the motel/hotel business and in campgrounds, it's the same. IF all sites but one are taken, and the one is NOT an accessible site and someone arrives that needs it - the last person to have taken a handicapped site will have to move to make it available to the one who needs it. (If you don't have the handicapped accessible pass). If all handicap accessible sites are booked by people with the pass, the person wanting one is out of luck. If not, the one person without the pass will have to move. This is true in hotels and motels, also.

That said, I never had to move anyone. But we kept one handicapped room non-reservable until all other rooms were reserved when I managed the motels. Now, we had times we reserved it then someone from another room canceled or left early - we could have gotten stuck. But never did. And I doubt if the cg sees that often either. Especially from what's said here about how many sites they have. That said, I'd be one who wouldn't take the accessible site unless I had no other choice.