Building a Small RV Park - Year 2

[Jim]

Last year was busy as Trish and I got a crash course in Design, Development, Operations and the End Of Year Shutdown of Deer Springs RV Park. And here we are, 2.5 months away from opening for our second season. I want to continue documenting the improvements we make, but the original thread is HUGE and it's probably a good idea to put some distance between it and future developments, upgrades and changes.

Yesterday was cold but we forged on with the new cement pad at site 8. It's 15' x 55', 6" thick with steal rebar throughout, poured over a base of Crush-N-Run rock that was the original parking pad for last year. So the foundation is very strong and the cement will have a good 2.5 months to cure before the first guest pulls in. Here are a couple of quick pictures that Trish shot.

I can't take much credit for the actual pour or the finishing as I'm the guy with his hands in his pockets, lol.

 

[GlampDaddy]

Looks good, Jim! Are you still planning to add margarita machines to each of the gazebos?

 

[Neemer]

I'm the guy with his hands in his pockets

That’s a pure power position, Jim.

 

[Jim]

Looks good, Jim! Are you still planning to add margarita machines to each of the gazebos?

It doesn't look like it Buddy. Got to divert the money to the landing strip. Maybe next year?

 

[J&JD]

It doesn't look like it Buddy. Got to divert the money to the landing strip. Maybe next year?

If you are building a landing strip for @Neal , you just did. If he’s any good, that aircraft he flies can land on your new cement pad, seriously!

 

[John K4SGR]

Jim, I will split a parachute plane with you. We can take off and land on that pad!

 

[Voyageurs]

Looks like it is coming together. Consider contacting Tesla and see if they will furnish a couple of level 2 EV chargers in a common area. Might be a nice revenue stream there.

Good luck with the project.

 

[Jim]

Jim, I will split a parachute plane with you. We can take off and land on that pad!

That sounds like one of those "hold my beer" moments!

 

[Jim]

Worked on the railings around the pavilion. After we finish painting, there are counter tops that sit on top of the outside rails, that when finished, will make a swell place to sit and watch the game or have dinner, or just enjoy an evening drink while looking out over the park.

Unfortunately, we had to scrap the pellet smoker plan. After joining the RecTec forum, complements of TJ&LadyDi, I got a crash course on how these things work. And they're fine if you know what to expect and how to operate them. But I can't count on everyone having that knowledge, and burning down the park and setting the woods on fire is a really bad idea. So we're going with a charcoal BBQ instead. I'm waiting on a price from a welder in town who has done some work for me in the past. Besides, one of the benefits of having "The Dragon" is it generates charcoal, which I can provide to the people using the pavilion BBQ.

The pizza oven arrived yesterday. It's not a high dollar oven but it'll give me an opportunity to see the value a pizza oven has to the park. If it turns out to be a really big deal, I'll probably spring for a nice one. But I'd hate to drop a bucket load of cash on one that only gets used a few times each year.

 

[Russsilber90]

It doesn't look like it Buddy. Got to divert the money to the landing strip. Maybe next year?

Need 2200 ft for landing strip

 

[Headhunter]

Looking good Jim. Are you putting concrete pads on the other sites as well?

HH

 

[Jim]

Looking good Jim. Are you putting concrete pads on the other sites as well?

HH

Yes indeed! But I have to let the park fund it, so I won't be able to do it all at once. So probably a coupe each year. But when they're all done, it'll be awesome!

 

[Jim]

Need 2200 ft for landing stripView attachment 10711

Can't you just land on the highway out front?

 

[Jim]

Took all day to manhandle the slabs, cut them to size, install and shim them properly. Tomorrow I will take a belt sander to them and hopefully get a coat of stain on before dark. The slabs have been drying for about 5 years and are going to be nice when finished out.

 

[John&Andrea]

Very nice, looking good.

 

[Jim]

Very nice, looking good.

Are you guys going to make it out here for a few days this year?

 

[John&Andrea]

Oh yeah, October for now. We may get there before if your not full. We have no trip plans July - September as of now. We are looking forward to it.

 

[Jim]

Oh yeah, October for now. We may get there before if your not full. We have no trip plans July - September as of now. We are looking forward to it.

Just so you know, October is one of the most beautiful times, what with the colors and all. But that being said, it's also a desirable time, and we are already 70% booked. If you can, I'd shoot for June or July. The weather is great and the trees are all green. Just a great time to visit.

See ya!

 

[Jim]

Since we had to abandon the Pellet Grill idea, I'm leaning toward this bad boy. Uses wood, which we have a lot of, lol, and I really like the whole concept of how it works. Check it out and opinions are appreciated.

 

[sheridany]

Meat and fire...I am in. That is a fantastic versatile grill. I want one. Thank you for trying to spend my money.