Saturday, August 8, 2015

Coon Creek COE Campground Pt 2

We've heard about the COE campgrounds on Lake Shelbyville, IL for a number of years.  It hasn't been convenient for us to stay at any of them due to a number of issues, however it finally worked out for us this year.

I checked Reserve America to see if there were any full hookup, 50amp sites available for the time we wanted to be here and we lucked out.  The first three days we stayed in a reservable site since it was vacant.  



We really liked the campsite but had to move for the weekend.  We drove through the campground and checked all available sites and found two that were great.  FHU, 50amp and shade.  We chose the smaller of the two available since it was easier to park the motorhome.


When we arrived back at the campground last night, the entrance was blocked by vehicles and people trying to get a site for the night.  I don't know what the problem was but it seemed that nobody was getting anywhere.  I sat in line for a while and finally a Ranger came out and Gerry asked if we could go in via the exit lane.  He stopped traffic and we made the turn and finally were on our way.  I guess Friday is a busy night at Coon Creek campground.

The last couple days a camper back his huge pontoon boat on a trailer into the campsite next to us and then load up the boat with coolers, inflatable boats, people and every thing but the kitchen sink.  We were impressed how easily he backed the boat in and it was obvious he had a lot of experience.

   
 Later we drove around the campground to see how many people were here.  It wasn't as full as I thought it would be, but all the nice sites were taken.  Almost everyone had a boat and many sites had 10-15 people in them.  

We were surprised to see some large houseboats on the lake along with numerous pontoon boats, fishing boats and go fast boats.  

Large Houseboat

houseboat rental rates

60'x15' Sunstar    Fri-Sun   Mon-Thu   Fri-Thu   Mon-Sun 
In-Season: June 12, 2015 - Labor Day    $2045  $2045  $3020  $3020
Off-Season: Before June 12 - After Labor Day    $1350  $1350  $1895  $1895
 
2nd Large Houseboat

features

  • Sleeps 10 with privacy
  • 3 Queen size beds, 1 Full size bed, 1 hide-away Queen bed
  • 1 Full bath, 1 Half bath
  • Air conditioning / heating
  • Full 110 power (generator supplied)
  • Sundeck with table and chairs
  • Upper deck water slide
  • Fly bridge (upper deck steering)
  • Swim deck and swim ladder
  • Fully equipped kitchen
  • Full size appliances with microwave
  • Forward deck with outdoor dining
  • Gas grill
  • TV / DVD
  • I/O with V-8 power
  • AM/FM/CD/AUX stereo system
  • Depth finder
  • VHF radio



The people in the boats below were having a great time with a lot of shouting and activity with them moving from boat to boat.  There were a number of children jumping off the boat and swimming around.  It sure looked like they knew how to have a good time.


There were 10-11 people in this boat and it was really flying down the lake.  I was surprised it would go that fast with so many on board.  They were drinking and hooting it up as they came to the boat ramp.  Later on we were driving back to our site and they had loaded the boat on a trailer and most of them piled onto the boat.  They came around a corner on the wrong side of the road and almost sideswiped us.  Of course they were shouting and carrying on as they drove by.  I think they had too many adult beverages.


The water level is up quite a lot and it has affected the fishing here.  A couple guys had caught some crappie fish and were cleaning them.  One said they would be back in September when the fishing is much better.  Maybe by that time the water level will be down a little.

Overall it's been a quiet weekend so far.  Other than the boaters above, everyone has been polite and just enjoying themselves.  It's nice to see so many families camping and passing on the tradition.  The only negative thing is all the fires going on all the time.  We did the same thing when we were younger with cooking outdoors, marshmallows, etc and don't have a real problem with it.  Just turn on the a/c and close the windows until everyone goes to bed and it clears up.  Unlike the first site, this one in the trees has thousands of gnats and bugs flying around.  Note to ourselves, buy bug spray.

That was our quiet day here, how was yours?

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