Denny & Lori’s Blog

Denny and I, and both kids LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to camp! Every September we head off to Cherokee, NC to visit Yogi in the Smokies, and always have the best time.

Since we love camping so much, I decided to compile a list of campgrounds in the Greater Chattanooga area, and closely beyond, so that we can easily get to their websites, or get contact information without having to search all over the house.

1. Best Holiday Trav-L-Park
   1623 Mack Smith Road
   Rossville, GA
   (706) 891-9766
2. Blue Water Campground
   220 Bluewater Campground Road
   Dayton, TN
   (423) 775-3265
3. Camp on the Lake
   10241 Highway 156
   Guild, TN
   (423) 942-4078
   http://www.camponthelake.com
4. Chattanooga South KOA I-75
   Ringgold, GA
   (706) 937-4165
   koa.com
5. Chester Frost Park
   2318 Gold Point Circle N.
   Hixon, TN
   (423) 842-0177
6. Cloudland Canyon State Park
   Highway 136 E.
   Trenton, GA
   (706) 657-4050
   gastateparks.org
7. Exit 33 Campground
   1675 Lauderdale Memorial Hwy. N.
   Charleston, TN
   (423) 336-1902
8. Golden Chain Campground
   8511 Hiawasee St. NW
   Charleston, TN
   (423) 336-3170
9. Harrison Bay Campground
   8411 Harrison Bay Road
   Harrison, TN
   (423) 344-7966
   stateparks.com
10. Kampgrounds of America
    930 Mountain Shadow Dr.
    Trenton, GA
    (706) 657-6815
11. KOA Campground
    648 Pleasant Grove Rd.
    McDonald, TN
    (423) 472-8298
    kampsite.com
12. Laurel Trails Campground
    136 Laurel Trails Rd.
    Monteagle, TN
    (931) 924-2738
13. R Haven Overnite Family Park
    7643 Highway 11
    Rising Fawn, GA
    (706) 657-8334
    rhavenfamilypark.com
14. Racoon Mountain Caverns
    319 W. Hills Road
    Chattanooga, TN
    (423) 821-9403
    raccoonmountain.com
15. Serenity Campground
    3680 County Road 165
    Mentone, AL
    (256) 634-3686
16. Sequoyah Caverns & Campground
    1438 County Road 731
    Valley Head, AL
    (256) 635-0024
    sequoyahcaverns.com
17. Shipp’s RV Campground
    6734 Ringgold Road
    Chattanooga, TN
    (877) 296-2064
    campingworld.com
18. Thunder Canyon Campground
    583 Thunder Canyon Drive
    Ider, AL
    (256) 632-2103

On the last full day in Oahu, we decided to take in the Byodo-In Temple, and take advantage of the four wheel drive!

Me at the Byodo-In Temple

Denny just rang the bell

Very Zenful!

La’ie Point - Hole in the Rock

Denny at La’ie Point - check out the spray!

Denny and the ride!

Me, Leeward Oahu

Denny, Leeward Oahu

Kaene Point

The Leaping Place - Sacred Rock at Kaene Point

Denny saying a prayer…

A final Hawaiian sunset

Today we set out for the South Shore, and then spent a short time in the ‘tourist’ trap, Waikiki and ate sushi.

Sandy Beach Park

The South Shore at Sandy Beach was going off!

We checked out the Halona Blowhole

It was really amazing to see!

Denny at Hanauma Bay

Today we headed off to the North Shore, and spent some time in Hale’iwa.

On the road to North Shore

Hale’iwa Rainbow Bridge

The official Hawaiian surf-mobile

Everybody jumps off this rock at Waimea Bay

The park entrance the Bonsai Pipeline - the best surf spot!!

Watch out for the waves - they are dangerous, right? I could NOT wait to see the break!

Um. FLAT?? Yes, THIS is the Pipeline!

We found a swing to play on right on the North Shore

Today we chilled a bit, and went to Kailua beach for while. After that we headed to Honolulu and spent a few hours at the Aloha Flea Market which is set up at the Aloha Stadium.

We needed to buy new luggage since what we brought we threw away because of size restrictions (we had to pay an extra $100 to bring it with us from Atlanta), and were on the hunt for a skateboard for Mark. We also wanted to grab a few souvenirs for the kids.

We ended up getting two decent size suitcases, a neat hawaiian ring for me, a pair of shades, and some shell lei’s to take home for all.

Sorry, no photos today.

Today we needed to take the bike back to Cycle City, so we took the scenic route to Honolulu.

It was another sweet day for a ride!

The back of the bike was a great spot to get a few shots of the Stairway to Heaven

Today we rented a bike from Cycle City, and were ready to ride. We got a Road King, and let me tell you - riding a bike that is NOT mine is NOT something I want to do again soon! The seat was so very uncomfortable, that it hurt to sit more than 10 minutes! The ride was amazing despite the pain in the butt.

Of course Kiko rode along

Headed into Diamond Head

Readjusting things

We visited the Veterans Center

We rode up Tantalus Drive up to Round Top - however, we had to turn around and go back down the way we went up because the road was closed on the other side

We stopped for a break at Chinamans Hat (which a few days later we Kayaked to)

THE beer of Hawaii, which was just fine with us!

Denny and Kiko at Kailua Beach

Me at Kailua Beach

Here are a few shots of our first day in Oahu!

This is the inside of our 4×4 - Kiko went everywhere with us (if you are wondering, I took him on the plane to squeeze because I HATE to fly)

I was amazed at the way the mountains look in Hawaii - the grooves in them were so cool!

The clouds sit low on the mountain tops in the morning.

We hiked the Ka’iwi Beach Walk to Pele’s Chair

Me at Makapu’u Point

Denny at Makapu’u Point

Makapuu Lighthouse

That time is rolling near, and I am sooooo excited! Denny and I will married one year the 12th of this month. We have had such a great year, and I intend to share more just after the big day!

I just wanted to post our plans since I will not be in front of this computer but for two more days. We will be leaving here this Thursday to drive the children down to Valdosta to meet up with their Daddy, where they will remain until the beginning of August - boo hoo (I will miss them so).

Shortly after dropping them, we have to turn right around, and head back to Atlanta, to be on time for our early morning flight to…. Oahu Hawaii!!!!!!

I am absolutely elated for this trip, as I have never been to Hawaii, and Denny has tremendous plans for us. He has rented us a 4Runner for our 9 day stay, rented a Harley for a day trip with the Honolulu Hogs and even booked a Luau!

We will be staying at the most beautiful little studio just 1.5 miles off of Kailua Beach. I will take tons of photos and have lots to share when I get back!