Mammoth Goes Birding…and stuff, Day 20

Sunday, April 27

It was sad to leave and not get to see the birding boardwalk anymore. But there were no birds at the RV park except robins and finches and a few gulls on the water.  I walked Molly down to the edge this morning and saw a really big bird that flew like an eagle; he landed near the gulls. I didn’t have the binocs with me, of course.

The drive for the day was absolute hell.  Interstate 80 thru Indiana was rougher than an earthquake. At first it was just a little rough in spots, then constantly rough, then slightly better with spotty areas of horridness.  It didn’t clear up until 20 miles or so before our exit.

We arrived at the Indianapolis KOA which wasn’t really very close to the city of Indianapolis, and that was fine with me. It was right behind a Camping World, but it was tucked into a heavily wooded area with a creek running through it.  Unless you went jogging, which of course I did, you wouldn’t know there was a Camping World there.

Instead of trying to jog around the park, Molly and I took the entrance road out to the street and back, twice. It was adequate exercise for the evening.

If ever we’re passing through this area again, I’ll stay at this KOA.  The dog park is huge, with benches and shady trees.  Our site was way down at the end and nobody was near us, so it seemed spacious. Might not be so great if the campground were full. But compared to that other place we stayed at in Indianapolis, this place is almost a state park.  (The other place was like an RV concentration camp.)

Review: KOA near Indianapolis. $61
Extremely nice KOA and (off season) not all that expensive
I tend to avoid KOAs because although they call themselves Kampgrounds, they’re really nothing but RV parks--usually crowded; the sites are cramped; and you pay a lot for the privilege. But this one was really nice in spite of all that. Maybe it helped that it was the last week in April. And  a Sunday night. There were only a very few other RVs and none at all down at the end we were at.  I don’t remember the site number but it was a pull-thru site near the dog park.

They had a big, grassy, shaded dog park with a water hose. Nice!

I didn’t check out the playground or other amenities.  Everything worked, including friendly folk at check-in, utilities, and convenience to the Interstate.  I’ll definitely stay here again if I’m in the area…despite Interstate 80 westbound through Indiana which is the roughest road I’ve ever driven on.  Stay at the KOA; avoid the Interstate.