Lake Kerr and Army Corps of Engineers

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While waiting to get some work done on the RV at our local dealer, Trish looked through a book featuring Army Corps of Engineer (COE) sites. She came home excited because there were a number of sites that looked to be near us.
We had first experience COE sites in the early 1970s and had camped at several. Back then, we had our VW Sportsmobile camper and often went camping with our great friend, Carol Morgan. Our camper then could sleep 4 people (very cozy) but we were younger, thinner, and it was all a great adventure. We have not camped at a COE site in years. After plotting distance and checking recreation.gov on-line, we decided to head to the nearest campground on the John Kerr lake in southern Virginia.
It was an easy run down I-95 to Petersburg, then SW on I-85. On our trip home from Florida in May, we had taken I-295 around Richmond and the pot hole, seams not sealed, and general disrepair of the road shook the RV so much that the outside mirror fell off and the motor scooter on the back had to be re-strapped as it was leaning dangerously. I-95 is (for now) a much better road, smoother and not nearly as crowded as we feared. One of our cats, Slinky, came out of her closet and started yowling as we headed South on 95. I started laughing and told her it was OK, we were NOT going to take the "bumpy" road. She continued to yell at us....until we got to the I-295/95 split and I headed straight south. Within 5 minutes, she quieted down, gave a couple of little yelps, and retired to her closet for the rest of the trip. Don't tell me cats aren't intelligent!!
We got to the campground and I had reservations for a non-electric site. The COE maintains about 5% of all sites on a first come-first serve basis. So I asked if any electric sites were available. Fortunately, there was one left. Because the weather forecast was for temperatures in the upper 90s and humidity also in the 90s, we were grateful to get the site. Cost for a site with electric and water was $20 per night; this was camping costs from the 70's!
The site was large and had a picnic table, fire pit, and a work table for preparing food plus plenty of room for the RV and a car could have parked in front. There was plenty of room between sites and we could only see 4 other campers from our RV. Woods were all around and because of the recent rains, mushrooms of all varieties were blooming. We were about 75 yards from the bath house and there were 4 flush toilets and 4 showers (including a handicapped stall) and bathrooms were clean and neat. Near the bath house was a small playground for kids.
But the real attraction was the lake. ALL sites were within 200-250 yards of a beach. We took the scooter out after getting set up and checked out the other campsites. North Bend has over 240 sites, with about 1/3 having electric. Had we taken a site without electric, we could literally have been sitting within 30 feet of the water! We've already scoped out the desirable spots for later in the year to camp and be able to swim all day and sit on the beach. There are a number of "established" beaches but unlike the state parks, these have NO lifeguards, no concessions, no rules, and, best of all, very few people. There is a floating boom defining the swimming area and a couple of posts at the outermost limit with the depth marked on them. There is a life saving ring on a board on the beach with a sign "For emergency use" and a note advising parents to have young children wear life jackets. They even have several courtesy life jackets hanging from a board to use on the honor system.
We hiked down a road no more than 200 yards, carrying our folding chairs and taking floating raft chairs and towels. We set up under the shade trees on the beach and waded in. The water was clear, warm, clean and the sight of sailboats on the lake, jet skis zooming by out in the middle, and pontoon boats drifting by delighted us. What a wonderful way to spend a weekend.
Our weekend consisted of sitting at the campsite reading, taking naps, and going to the beach whenever we wanted. We swam at noon, 3pm, and 8 pm as well as early in the morning. We ate simple meals and I split some fire wood left at the campsite and stood it up to dry so we could have a campfire on Saturday night. After dinner Saturday, we had our traditional campfire, made Smores and called Dave and Bonnie Lodge to say hi. It's become traditional that whenever one of us is camping , we call the other while eating smores to "rub it in". They had called us from Florida last fall so we felt justified in calling them back.
I took the scooter out on Saturday afternoon and rode to the nature/ecology center at the dam and looked at the exhibits, chatted with the ranger, and gathered some material on the area and the lake. It's a nice center for kids and will give them a great educational experience.
Our all too short weekend finally came to an end and we headed home on Sunday. We are excited about this lake and campground. Now we can't wait to re-visit or head to another COE camp ground. There is a book available listing the various sites. You can also go on-line to recreation.gov and find all kinds of great camping, boating, hiking, and picnic spots available from government agencies. The site can be a little tricky at times, but the information is current and you will always find a phone number to call if you want additional information.

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Photos

Shenango COE 1971
Camping in an open field with our VW Sportsmobile (on the right) with Carol (Morgan) Gatzke's bus on the left. As we recall, camping was primitive, but free....and fun.

Shenango 1972
By now we have added the distinctive tire cover on the front. We took John's sister and brother-in-law camping with our canoe and had a marvelous time. Still primitive and free....and fun.

Large campsite
Campsites were large, with 30 or 50 amp electric and water. All sites had a picnic table, fire pit and work table. Tent (non-electric sites) had large space for a tend on pea-gravel for drainage.

COE Beach
Simple, no lifeguards, and lots of sand and shade.

Parking near beach
If your camp site was too far, you could always drive to the beach. Our site was only 200 yards away.

Trish on noodle
We took large noodles to do water aerobics and to have fun in the deeper water.

Comments

[Carol Morgan!!! Who?]

Memories!
Hi John and Trish, Wow! that picture sure brings back memories. I was think that the place was Pymatuming reservoir on the Ohio PA. line. Where is Shenango? I remember the name but not the place! Ned and I just returned from a 9 day backpack trip to Isle Royal!!!! WE can STILL do it!! We hiked 25 miles with 38 pound backpacks and we saw a wolf!!! Really a rare special moment. Take care, Carol