Hello everyone! Here's a report from the KOA Pine Grove. Did you get the idea from my earlier post that we liked the place? It's very nice...lots of pretty landscaping..even at the sites there are flowers and plants. These owners are new (last July) and they have sunk a lot of $$$ into this place to make it look nice for their guests. They have a lot of employees...our guess for a number at any one time had to be about 20-25 yellow shirts throughout the grounds and in the store/registration. Everyone is so friendly...and Ookie was there at the desk (she is a Big Country owner so I invited her to the rally)...
Bathrooms....super clean!!!! ((For when hubby asks "you done with the toilet?" (prior to the big flush) and you aren't really, but you feel you need to be...))
Your escort to your site is by a person on a SEGWAY. They must have more than a dozen segways there...in fact, for $25 you can have an hour lesson plus an hour tour through the woods on your segway... Jim (hubby) is going to do that next time~!
We tried out the restaurant the first evening we were there. Good food. I got to spin the "wheel of chance" for free food or a % off...I got the "get a hug from a kitchen employee" spot...so the cook gave me a hug. He was clean, not greasy either!
The place is new. I mentioned this in my original post back in February. We think the campground existed before as Twin Grove but then these people bought the KOA franchise. There is much to do, with an activity sheet handed out upon check-in. The pool is very nice...so bring your suits (and sunscreen!)... there is a small amusement park for the kids (and kids at heart ahem! JB)... ferris wheel, ball bouncer, air slide...etc (see my pics)... plus an arcade gallery, mini-golf, a recreation building..(brush up on your ping pong skills, hubby and I have been practicing!)...arts and crafts for the kids...ceramics... so much to do there for families...there is a train also for the kiddies (and grown-ups) that goes around the campground. For 2 tickets (roughly $1.50) you get to ride around the campground and wave to everyone sitting out by their campers... a fun time for everyone!! Oh, I almost forgot...and a Dunk Tank!!!! Hmmm....
The area is not bicycle friendly as it's stone...not asphalt...good for rigs but not good for me who likes to bike... so you can leave your bikes at home...
We walked around to do an inspection of the sites and found everyone's site to be in good shape (except for one), but Ookie helped us exchange that site and we are good to go.
We have reserved the remaining pavilion available (good thing I asked when I did) so we will have a nice place for our potluck dinner on Sat. See photos of the "Clambake" pavilion..
There were fireworks there last night that rival ANY fireworks elsewhere. We had heard from Ookie that they were awesome...and they were!!!! This just goes to show that these owners are a class act.
We will have our Heartland name on the marquis for all to see....
Oh, I found 3 other Heartland owners (Ookie makes 4)... found a Sundance (from Pa), and 2 North Trails (one from TX and the other from York, Pa) All very pleased with their product..and no one had heard of the forum or that we have an owner's club...so, I gave them all Heartland business cards (that I got at the big rally) with the website on it and told them all about the "family" and how much fun the rally was in Elkhart. All were excited to learn about the forum and will check it out...in anticipation of making new friends and attending future rallies. I'm betting the one guy (Sean, with the North Trail) will stop in during our rally, even though he can't bring his RV at that time...just to meet everyone...
So, have I mentioned it all??? We liked this place so much we are going to reserve this w/e again next year..which is their holiday w/e with the fireworks...
I will post better directions (we found a shorter route for you north-bounders... soon...
Chat later!!!!