MacDill ??

Went back to MacDill again - was there last week (Oct/2015-- about half the sites are shut down for repairs still - anyone without a reservation goes into a muddy field with no hookups for $10 a night -

We find it very difficult to believe MacDill with all its full and long-term RV's -- and the mess they make of anyone that just wants a few days while traveling -- and then they close half the sites going into the busiest season --- now half its sites will re-open sometime in January earliest -- Maybe???

I was around for several days -- they claim 'rain has put us behind' -- well, guess what, never rained in three days and not one worker was onsite ... typical - find a reason to use as an excuse for missing deadlines -- NO trucks, NO workers, NO rain, and NO repairs ...

We've been to a lot of MCG's around the country - enjoy most all of them - MacDill could be a favorite, but we never have any luck getting a site -- and the office personal seem to have an attitude if you're not a "regular" -- We noticed that a bunch of years ago too - didn't go back for that very reason - now hit it for a convenient stop when recently passing that area, and it hasn't changed. Once again, we'll take ourselves out of that MacDill mix - not a place we'll put in our plans again. It's an awesome MCG and awesome area - but the staff attitude and policy there turn us off. Mostly say - "Well, that's just the way it is here" usually including a GRUMP in it.

Very unfair distribution of sites and availability, and almost the attitude if you're not one of the regulars, you're nothing -- even when it's with running all sites open - the attitude never changes -- unless you're one of the "good ole' repeaters."

MacDill stays pretty full much of the year - accept the hottest summer months -- but no matter the season or the status of repairs or the full campground -- the attitude never changes towards anyone that is not a regular --

Guess we will by-pass this year. Were only gong to stop for a few days to handle the annual vet business as we have a 'volunteer' gig in southern FL. Guess we will check out Mayport for a two night stay.

Just heard they opened "The Sandpit" to RV's. Don't know why it was closed.

And Monkey, it is those 'government' contracts that slow things way down. We've had two 500 room hotels go up in our area in the past year - and that thing at MacDill is how long in the making?

Yes - Mayport is a great CG - right on the water - two sections, one short stays, one longer. Also, if you have no luck there, you can try NAS Jacksonville - which is a nice CG as well. Half the sites are a bit rustic - but we like it there ... nice big commissary too.

monkey44 wrote: nice big commissary too.

Monkey, if you haven't been to NAS Jacksonville recently you might not be aware the Commissary/Navy Exchange complex is a big mess right now while construction is ongoing for a new Commissary. Much of the parking is also not available while this project progresses. It is not affecting the campground.

Last time we were at NAS-JAX - a couple months ago - they were rebuilding the parking lot at the commissary/exchange - told us it would be finished in two weeks.

No one said anything about a new commissary? The one they have there is fine, clean, large enough, and seems to operate effectively. It's not often crowded - we home-based out of JAX for four years (no longer) and we shopped JAX for most all our groceries.

I find it puzzling as we travel around the country, we hear in one ear that the feds are considering closing many stateside commissaries, while we watch brand new commissaries built in various areas. That's seems strange to us, and such a conflict when the brass talks so much about cutting costs, and then closing the buildings that are not even completely built yet.

Had to bypass Mayport as their Vet Clinic has hours only on Mon, Tue and Wed and we won't hit Florida until Thursday. Did mange to snag an appointment at JAX NAS for Thursday the 3rd so made reservations at the campground there. Staff was super when making the reservation.

Question though, as we will be coming in on I95 from the north, is it better to take I295 all the way around the west or is Roosevelt Blvd (US 17) an okay route?

By the way we rolled over our reservation at MacDill, hear things are still a bit of a mess.