Made it to Blue Springs Lake Campground

 We made it to the Blue Springs Lake Campgound, where we have been a few times over the past few years.  Tomorrow we see my cousin Cassie, sister of Donald...both have been blogged about over the years.  We planned on just one night, but the Hurricane put a hold on that.  Not sure where we are going, our route, our timing....but by Friday morning we will have a better idea.

More info in the future, along with pictures.  It is nearly 9 pm and I am beat...so tomorrow will have more info, more pics.

A Week at Blue Springs Lake, Lee's Summit, Missouri

 At Blue Springs Lake, Lee's Summit, Missouri

 

We came here for the week due to Ryan's graduation.  It is the second time we stayed at Blue Springs Lake Campground, and in this our last blog from the area, I am sharing pictures from a sister lake, just to the south, called Jacomo Lake and Flemming Park.  

There are two campgrounds in this area which are also part of the Jackson County Parks System.  

Between the three campgrounds there are nearly 140 RV campsites, with the price ranging from $25-$42, depending on full hook-up or just water/electric, and 30 amp or 50 amp.  The $42 ones are at Blue Springs Lake, and they are 50 amp, full hook-up, on concrete pads.  Although Friday evening through Sunday morning were a bit busy, the park was quiet, and we really enjoyed our site.

With two lakes, separated by a major road, there has to be a marina on each lake to handle the numerous boats that use the lake.  I saw a number of fishing boats, speed boats, and a few kayaks...and it isn't even May yet.

 

The weather ranged from ideal, to wind and rain, and our coldest night was around 38 degrees...but most nights were high 40's to low 50's.  We never needed our A/C, and one day we needed to have our heater on nearly all day.

 

It seems that I have always had family in the area here, it seems I have been coming to the Independence area all my life so I feel very comfortable about driving around the area.  Despite that, I did take the long way home from when I had dinner with Ryan Tuesday night, but I did not feel lost at all.  We did have a nice visit with my cousin Cassie and her husband Rick who lived with Aunt Vera until her passing recently.  Tomorrow (Monday) we head out to the southwest, having reservations in Phoenix starting Friday.

 

Blue Springs Lake, Lee’s Summit, MO

At Blue Springs Lake Campground, Lee’s Summit, MO

We left the Casino near Joplin around 11 am…had to wait for a guy with a huge 5th wheel empty his tanks…after he talked to a guy for five minutes who wanted to know about how he pulls his 5th wheel a commercial 18-wheeler type truck.  Well, we were not in a hurry, and after he finished dumping his three tanks (two grey tanks) he came over and talked to us too.  By 11, we were on the Interstate, and by 2, we were pulling into Blue Springs Lake Campground…where we had to wait while a guy unhooks his tow vehicle at the check-in lane…the guy manning the booth apologized for that.  Again, no problem, who is in a hurry these days anyway?

  

  

Around 5:30 I took a ride around the lake to get some picture.  We were just here back in September, but the spring look is a bit prettier than the early fall September look.

  

Especially the Redbuds…they really contrast with the green of the fresh spring trees…

…or against RV’s here in the campground.  Hope to have dinner with Ryan tomorrow or Wednesday…graduation is on Friday and the whole family will be here.  Looking forward to that for sure.

Family Visit and Blue Springs Lake Campground

At Blue Springs Lake Campground, Lee’s Summit, MO

Back in 1991 when I took a job in Arkansas, mom and dad followed very quickly by moving from California to Independence / Blue Springs Missouri area where they had friends, and mom had two brothers, two sister-in-laws, nieces and nephews living nearby.  Now, mom and dad live back in California…and only one sister-in-law is left…Aunt Vera.  I have shown pictures of my cousin Donald a few times…he and I are the same age…this is his mother.  Don’s sister Cassie has lived in the area since the 1970’s, and her and her husband Rick sold their home recently and moved in with aunt Vera who is 92, still climbs the stairs a few times each day, and has lived independently since Uncle Harold, a Pearl Harbor survivor, died in 2002, shortly after attending the 60th anniversary of the attack with a honor trip back to Pearl Harbor.  It was nice to see Aunt Vera and Cousin Cassie, her daughter Allison and Allison’s three children…sorry that Rick had to work, but as a bonus, my oldest brother’s daughter Kathryn and her husband Dallas, a Jackson County Fire Fighter, were able to meet us there.  Before long, 3 hours had come and gone...and we were gone again without any pictures.  Gotta remember to take that camera to these events!
 

Blue Springs Lake is a 720 acre reservoir located near Lee’s Summit, west of Kansas City, south of Independence. It is located in Fleming Park, a public park in Jackson County which also contains Lake Jacomo, another 900 acre lake which is right up against Blue Springs Lake.  There are two campgrounds in Fleming Park, both administered by the Jackson County Parks and Recreation Department, which also operates a third campground nearby called Longview Campground along Longview Lake.  All three campsites have a combination of full hookups ($33) or electric/water ($25) or tent ($21) with water nearby, and there is a slight discount for senior citizens.  (We are paying $31 per night for full hookups)  All campgrounds take reservations, but we are outside of the busy season, and easily got in without one…but there is no extra cost if you do reserve, which can be done through the Park and Rec website.

Most RV sites are very deep, and can handle any size of a RV.

Some, like the one above, have two sites right next to each other…great for camping with a friend…not so great if you don’t know your neighbor because they are like “right next to you”.

Here is an example with a large Class A motorhome in a full hookup spot.

Although there are no sites with direct access or views of the lake, it is a short drive in either direction to get to the lake.  There is also a boat marina located at all three lakes, and there are also picnic shelters, and Blue Springs Lake has a swimming beach, and lots of fishing at all three lakes.

+ 

Here is a playground which is close to our campground.