15 May 2024 - Arrived at Camp Atterbury Indiana - Whitaker Place FamCamp

 

This morning at 0719 hrs we pulled chocks at Scott Air Force Base FamCamp and after a brief visit to the dump station to download our two grey and one black sewer tanks, we headed out the gate and made our way towards Indiana.  It was overcast but dry quite a ways and then rain off and on.  We took Hwy 4 north to I-70 and then NE to Indianapolis. 

Illinois in the rear view mirror

<Updated> We stopped a couple times for pottie breaks and to check my phone, and we noticed our home automation system, promptly at 0552 hrs Central Time this morning, right on queue, lowered our flag to half staff in honor of  Peace Officer Memorial Day.  As we enjoy our vagabond lifestyle, there are those many times behind the scenes that keep us safe. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week.   As I write this at 2224 hrs Easten time, our flag has returned to the top.  I missed the memo from our Governor ordering the flags to be at half staff until sunset on 18 May, so I promptly lowered it again and updated my Google Calendar to raise on the 18th at 2032 hrs CDT!  

  

Back to our trip, past Terre Haute, basically once we hit Indiana,  I-70 deteriorated big time and I wondered how much suspension we would have when we stopped.  Those that have never towed a good sized rig may not realize how bad many of these roads are.  It is a whole different experience than riding along in a car with a soft suspension.  Overall our highway infrastructure is suffering and there is no quick fix, unfortunately.  

From Indianapolis we took I-465 around the south side of the city and then I-65 south to Camp Atterbury.  281 miles and 6 hrs 15 minutes travel time.  We processed through the main gate and then a quick stop at the Lodging Office who manages the FamCamp reservations before heading to the campground, called Whitaker Place.  We have stayed here multiple times before, and will again.

This is a great FamCamp and we enjoy staying here.  It is very well maintained with friendly staff and good amenities.  Pulling in here today reminded me of pulling into Volk Field WI where we used to train in the Air National Guard all the time.  But there are very few troops here right now.  These places are quiet but when units deploy here to train, they get crazy busy!  During the Gulf War these bases were used to do final training before the troops deployed overseas.  Right now things are really quiet.

Beautifully mowed and maintained

Widely spaced full hookup sites

Gravel sites but nice patio area and tons of room

So we found our beautifully mowed (jab, jab) site in the absence of the camp host, but he followed shortly after and gave us our receipt, the key to the laundry facility (which is free of charge) and a friendly welcome!

We set up quickly and as we finished, another Alliance Paradigm pulled in.  As they waited for the camp host I greeted them.  They are Ed and Sylvia Hudson from Tennessee in their Paradigm 340RL, staying here just one night on their way to Elkhart area and the Alliance Rally that we are also headed for.  Ed is a Navy Chief Petty Officer retiree and it was great talking with them.  Doreen gave them one of her Alliance embroidered dish towels.   We will undoubtedly talk more with them at the Rally.

After dinner we took Liberty on a walk about the base.  We passed Camp Atterbury's beautiful chapel which we have visited before.  

Next door is their great USO club.  We visited this facility last time also and they welcomed us, including Liberty, with open arms!  Such a great asset for the base.  

We passed their nice swimming pool but it is not open yet, likely not until Memorial Day we are guessing.  We hiked around their modern barracks and classroom facilities.  This place can undoubtedly support literally thousands of troops.  First class and well maintained! 

 

Back at the campground I checked out the laundry facility and they have four washers and four dryers, again, free of charge and hidden behind a locked door to keep out everyone except campground residents (we have our key).  Doreen will do up anything we have ready tomorrow before we head north to Elkhart.  

The only bad news today is I ran out of my new favorite spicy pickles.  Folks, you have not lived until you try these little devils!  We may have to see if we have any Texas Ally's who have not left for the Rally yet LOL!

No huge plans for tomorrow other than last bit of laundry, fueling the truck, and reviewing the route to Elkhart.  OBTW, the WNBA Indiana Fever and our Caitlin Clark plays New York Liberty tomorrow night!