Since we left Ohio in November of 2014, Other Half and I have camped at several “55 and Better” campgrounds. We are both on the ‘better side’ so it works. The “55 and Better” places tend to be more like communities than campgrounds. Our current location, Caliente Springs is in the community category.
It took me a bit to get accustomed to the feel of a community campground. It felt a bit like we were intruding on an established neighborhood. I got over it.
At Caliente the community part is made up of permanently parked park models. Many have porches, storage sheds, mountain views and the all important golf cart parking. They range in size from 700 square feet to about 1200 square feet. Just right for a downsized lifestyle. The permanent places are owned and resided in, owned and wintered in, or owned and rented out. The lots are leased.
There is a lot of coming and going here at Caliente Springs. This place is a hopping, well kept Snow Bird mecca.
The Snow Birds that show up in campers are parked along the perimeter of the community. That’s where the Big Rig is parked. There are a few permanent places interspersed with the rigs, and vice versa, but not many.
The unifier of the community and the campground are the Hot Spring pools. At first I thought “Hot Springs” was a marketing pitch but it turns out the pools are actually fed by underground ‘hot springs.’ Pretty cool.
The water is full of minerals and is beneficial in a lot of ways. At least that’s what the sign says. I especially like the third benefit listed. Other Half and I are conducting our own hot springs test by visiting the pools daily. Grueling research for sure, but somebody has to do it.