A Resort Getaway - Lake Paradise Resort

We always camp in state parks, Corps of Engineers parks, or in one case, a county park.  This past weekend we decided to try camping in a resort.

Lake Paradise opened in the 1970s as a private campground and cabin resort that required a membership.  Recently (within the last couple of years, I think), the resort was sold and the new owners have made it a public resort.

Located just east of Lone Jack, MO, the resort is boasts more than 500 campsites, from primitive tent sites to full hookups for RVs.  There is a restaurant, a laundry room, shower house, several "comfort stations" (restrooms), a small arcade and a banquet/party facility available for rent.  The park also includes a wi-fi hot spot, mini golf, an archery range, shuffleboard and a baseball diamond.  There are several fishing lakes and what is said to be the largest outdoor pool in the state, as well as a park store.

We really enjoyed the rural setting and felt as if we were much farther than an hour away from the city.  The weather was wonderful, much cooler than it has been on recent trips, and we were actually able to have a campfire this time.  I don't know if the burn ban has been lifted statewide, but it had been lifted at this park. 

Unfortunately, the pool was not open.  The extreme heat and size of the pool make it difficult to keep chemically adjusted.  This really didn't matter to us, but it would have been a big disappointment for Kat if she had been with us.

Our site had two picnic tables, and a third in back that may also have "belonged" to us.  What a luxury that would have been back in the pop-up or tent camping days!

Overall, the park was very quiet.  There were plenty of folks there, but none in our immediate vicinity.  Some areas of the park appear to have full-time, or at least full-season, campers.  We had a pretty creek bed just outside our back window; it would have been prettier had there been water in it.

Again, this weekend was about getting away and relaxing.  Contrary to the park brochure, we were able to access the internet from our campsite (instead of just at the hot spot), so we spent a good deal of time online.  I was glad for this because I'd forgotten my recipes and was able to find them all online.  Shane spent some time fishing and messing around with the guitar ("playing" would be a stretch at this point).   I was able to spend some time crocheting.  We both got some reading time in, and we attempted to view the Perseids meteor shower, but with very little luck. 

Now that the heatwave is over, I'm thinking about cooler weather.

We didn't leave camp from the trim we arrived on Friday afternoon until we checked out around 10:00 on Sunday morning.  The early checkout time was a drawback, but we definitely plan to come back next year if we can determine that the pool is open for Kat to enjoy.

Parked at Lake Paradise Resort
Lone Jack, MO
August 10-12, 2012

The Food - August 10-12, 2012

When Kat isn't with us at camp, we tend to eat spicier food and/or foods she doesn't care for.  Here is what we ate this weekend:

Friday p.m.:  One-Pouch Feast, home-canned potatoes fried with onions, Caramelized Sweet Corn and Zucchini

Saturday a.m.:  Bacon-Tomato-Cheese Crescent Rolls, additional bacon

Saturday noon:  Smoked sausage on buns, chips, dip

Saturday p.m.:  Spicy Grilled Shrimp,  leftover side dishes from night before

Sunday brunch:  We had planned to try the restaurant in the resort, but when we drove by, it didn't appear to be open, so we ate at the Country Pride Restaurant at the TA Truck Stop in Oak Grove, MO.  While it wasn't bad, it wasn't anything to write home about.

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Parked at Lake Paradise Resort
Lone Jack, MO
August 10-12, 2012

Join Us On The Road

Welcome to Haphazard Homestead On The Road!

We've been a camping family for years, working our way up from tent camping, to a pop-up trailer and then to a pull-behind hybrid travel trailer.  Although our camping adventures span back to the mid-90s, this blog begins with the recent purchase of our 5th wheel camper.  The first few posts will be back-dated to reflect this.

We're still a few years from retirement, but something we think we'd like to do is spend our retirement years as full-time campers, traveling to (and perhaps working at) parks and resorts across the country.  Until then, we plan to get in a lot of practice.

If you're wondering how any of this ties in to our Haphazard Homestead blog, you'll find that while we're camping, we continue with many of the same frugal, green, and healthy habits we have at home.

I hope you'll enjoy joining us On The Road.