When people think of small campgrounds, it’s tempting to think of quiet places with limited amenities.

But such preconceived notions quickly fall apart when one visits Johnson Creek RV Resort in Ingram, TX . That explains why Johnson Creek RV Resort won the  “Small Park of the Year” Award from the Texas Association of Campgrounds last week for the second year in a row.

Johnson Creek RV Resort

In addition to offering 100-foot long pull through sites with free wireless Internet and cable television service, Johnson Creek offers a variety of elaborate facilities for weddings, rallies and other special events.

Built amid a former pecan orchard on a scenic bluff overlooking Johnson Creek, the 50-acre park has a house on site with formal dining rooms and kitchen facilities as well as an outdoor dining and reception area that is shaded by a massive oak tree.

While the parks serenity is a big draw it is perfectly situated just 10 minutes from Kerrville and only 30 minutes from Fredericksburg,

The park also has a Western-themed chapel that looks like it was built in the late 1800s, complete with wood floors and pews, which is frequently used for Sunday services as well as wedding ceremonies.

Johnson Creek RV Resort ChapelJohnson Creek RV Resort Chapel Interior

The park also has a Western-themed rally hall and saloon, which is used for weddings, rallies and other special events with large groups of people. The interior of the rally hall is lined with fake furnished storefronts, which make it appear if you have stepped back into the days of the Old West.

Johnson Creek RV Resort Rally Hall and Saloon

Park co-owner Lisa Cauthen says the Western-themed décor is very popular with her guests, particularly those who come from out of state and want to savor the look and feel of the Old West while visiting her Hill County resort.

Lisa Cauthen and her husband, Tom, started building Johnson Creek RV Resort in 2005. The Cauthens had previously spent more than 20 years running various businesses, including a scuba diving store, a health club and a mobile home park in Huntsville, Texas when Lisa started asking Tom about some of his fondest memories.

“He told me how much he loved camping with his uncle when he was growing up,” said Lisa, who had similarly fond memories of camping growing up with her own family.

But after visiting the Texas Hill Country, the Cauthens found the area too much to resist. So they sold their Huntsville businesses and built Johnson Creek RV Resort, which they opened in October 2005.

In addition to receiving the small Park of the Year award from the Texas Association of Campground Owners, Johnson Creek has also received two 5W ratings from the Woodall’s North American Campground Directory for having top quality RV and recreational facilities. The 5W rating, which Johnson Creek first received in 2006, is the highest rating given by the Woodall’s directory.

The Cauthens live and work at the RV resort with their daughter, Delanie, who helps with tours, works in the office, waitresses during catered dinners and helps out with game nights.

For more information on Johnson Creek RV Resort & Park, please contact Lisa Cauthen at (800) 933-6578 and visit www.johnsoncreekrvresort.com.

Johnson Creek RV Resort & Park is a member of the Texas Association of Campground Operators, which publishes and distributes the Texas RV Travel & Camping Guide each year in addition to organizing awards competitions for its affiliated parks using outside judges. For more information about the 2012 directory or for statistics involving the latest camping trends in Texas and New Mexico parks, please contact Brian Schaeffer at (817) 307-0129 or visit www.texascampgrounds.com and www.texascabinrentals.net.

Georgetown Motorhome

Component:

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)Potential Number of Units Affected: 1,468

Summary:
 FOREST RIVER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 GEORGETOWN RECREATIONAL VEHICLES BUILT ON A FORD STRIPPED CHASSIS, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 15, 2010, THROUGH NOVEMBER 29, 2011. THE GEAR SHIFTER’S CABLE MAY BREAK AT THE ATTACHMENT TO THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL SELECTOR ARM ASSEMBLY MOUNTED ON THE STEERING COLUMN. IF THE CABLE BREAKS, THE TRANSMISSION GEAR INDICATOR IN THE GEAR DISPLAY IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL REMAIN IN THE FIRST GEAR POSITION REGARDLESS OF THE GEAR SELECTED.

Consequence:
 AN INCORRECT GEAR INDICATION IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INCREASES THE RISK THAT A VEHICLE IS LEFT IN GEAR, SUCH THAT THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL LEADING TO A CRASH OR INJURY TO A BYSTANDER.Remedy:
 FOREST RIVER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR ARM ASSEMBLY AND THE CABLE ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE. FOREST RIVER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED A NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FOREST RIVER AT 1-574-295-8749.

Notes:
 CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

CROWLEY, Texas, May 14, 2012 – It’s not too late to book a campsite, cabin or cottage for Memorial Day weekend.

At least 11 Texas campgrounds and RV parks still had availability for the holiday weekend as of Friday.

“We sent out an email blast to over 350 of our affiliated campgrounds, RV parks and resorts in Texas and 11 responded right away to tell us they still had vacancies for Memorial Day weekend,” said Brian Schaeffer, executive director and CEO of the Texas Association of Campground Owners (TACO).

Most of the parks that still have campsites, cabins or cottages available can be booked through TexasCampgrounds.com orTexasCabinRentals.net. But the association is also providing phone numbers and individual websites for these parks as well. They include:

• Austin Lone Star RV Resort, a Carefree RV Resort in Austin, (512) 444-6322 or  www.carefreervresorts.com
• Bay RV Park in San Leon, (713) 298-7088 or  www.bayrvpark.com
• Chimney Park RV Resort in Mission, (956) 585-5061 or  www.chimneyparkresort.com
• Fig Tree RV Resort in Harlingen, (956) 423-6699 or  www.figtreervresort.com
• Hill Country RV Resort & Cottage Rentals in New Braunfels: (830) 625-1919 or www.hillcountryrvresortnb.com
• Mockingbird Hill RV Park in Burleson, (817) 295-3011 or  www.mockingbirdrvpark.com
• Sandy Lake RV Resort, a Carefree RV Resort in Carrollton, (972) 242-6808 or  www.carefreervresorts.com
• Tejas Valley RV Park in San Antonio, (210) 679-7715 or  www.tejasvalleyrvpark.com
• Travelers World RV Resort, a Carefree RV Resort in San Antonio, (210) 532-8310 or www.carefreervresorts.com
• Treetops RV Resort, a Carefree RV Resort in Arlington, (800) 747-0787 or  www.carefreervresorts.com
• Valley Gateway RV Park in Edinburg, (956) 381-1883 or  www.valleygatewayrvpark.com