Join the Conversation!
Most Recent RV And Camping Blog Posts
Hiking in the Orilla Verde–Part 2
May 16, 2012 by Diane Berry · Leave a Comment
On a recent spring trip to the Taos, NM area, we discovered the Orilla Verde (or Green Rim) Recreation Area, along the Rio Grande Gorge. In the mood for a hike, we selected the La Vista Verde Trail for our venture as it promised a beautiful view of the Rio Grande Gorge. It did not disappoint. The trail was well-marked and easy to follow. From time to time, we were able to glimpse the big river running well beneath us now. The view was impressive. The dramatic cliffs are lava flows exposed by the rift in the earth created by the North American continent pulling apart, literally below our feet. Most people assume that the Rio Grande cut the gorge, but actually there is wide rift in the earth created by the continental plate pulling apart and the river is cutting a channel through that existing rift. Regarding wildlife, on Vista Verde Trail, there are big horn sheep on the Taos Pueblo land on the opposite rim of the canyon, which you can see if you sit there long enough. We did not sit and... [Read more...]
DANCING WITH THE STARS
May 15, 2012 by Professor95 · Leave a Comment
Mary and Alan live just outside the city of Richmond, VA, in a nicely manicured suburban neighborhood. Alan works for the State Government and Mary works in Medical Records for a local hospital. They have two children, a boy and a girl ages 9 and 11. Both children, Bobby and Suzie, attend a local elementary school and stay at an after school daycare until their parents get home from their jobs. It was the typical busy Monday morning at the hospital for Mary as she entered a rising pile of patient information forms into her computer. Her closest friend at work, Karen Karnes, was babbling about how excited she was for the coming long weekend and their family plans to go camping at Big Meadows in the Shenandoah National Park. Camping? Mary shook her head in wonderment as to why anyone in their right mind would want to go off into the woods and sleep on the hard, cold ground. Thoughts of a camping trip she had made with her big sister some twenty years back when they ended up sleeping,... [Read more...]
Southern Hospitality at Its Best!
May 15, 2012 by Guest Blogger · Leave a Comment
Here at EZ Daze RV Park, located in Southhaven, Mississippi, you will find yourself welcomed with southern hospitality at its best! From the moment you arrive, you will find everything you need. Our sites are spacious with plenty of room for your big rig so that you can spread out and be comfortable. Take advantage of our refreshing pool and relaxing hot tub. EZ Daze’s luxurious marble showers are such a change from the common camping experience. Make an appointment with our massage therapist, so you can melt away the anxiety and stresses of the road. We have a 24 hour laundry room, or you can arrange for your laundry to be done while you are here. Our roads are paved, and each site is concrete with full hookup of utilities, cable television, wireless internet and a picnic table. EZ Daze RV Park is centrally located between the Tunica casinos, Snowden Grove ball fields and all Memphis attractions. While the more well-known attraction of Memphis, TN may be Elvis Presley’s... [Read more...]
Visit The Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island, British Columbia
May 15, 2012 by Melissa A. Trainer · Leave a Comment
Do you enjoy visiting local display gardens when you are traveling hither and yon? Indeed, they can be a great way to see local flora and fauna. They are also fabulous locations in which to gather some regional knowledge and history and to gain a better understanding of the local climate. If you are visiting Vancouver Island, British Columbia this summer, then you might consider a visit to The Butchart Gardens, which is located about 14 miles north of Victoria. Once a bleak limestone quarry pit, the 55-acre garden was started by Jennie Butchart in 1904. Jennie’s husband, Robert Pim Butchart, was a pioneer in the cement industry. After the limestone was depleted from the land near their house, Jennie decided to convert the useless pit into beautiful productive gardens. Those gardens are now known as The Butchart Gardens and to this day remain a family owned private garden open to the public. If you are visiting with children, rest assured that the children will be entertained... [Read more...]
Land of the Standing-up Rocks: Chiricahua National Monument
May 14, 2012 by Rex Vogel · Leave a Comment
Filled with extraordinary rock formations, the Chiricahua National Monument in southeastern Arizona is a wonder to behold. The standing stones: The Chiricahua terrain is marked by striking rock formations © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved The word “Chiricahua” may be derived from the Opata Indian word for turkey—wild turkeys are common in the area. Chiricahua Mountains is designated by the American Bird Conservancy as a Globally Important Bird Area. With 12,000 acres of shapely hoodoos and weird rock formations, Chiricahua National Monument boasts fantastic hikes, scenic lookouts, and the historic Faraway Ranch. The visitor center is loaded with information on the wildlife, birds, geology, and history of the area. A favorite Chiricahua experience is driving to the top of the winding, eight-mile-long main road, Bonita Canyon Drive, which is flanked with overgrown trees and beautiful scenery. Twenty seven million years ago a massive volcanic eruption shook this land. One thousand times... [Read more...]
Hiking in the Orilla Verde–Part 1
May 13, 2012 by Diane Berry · 2 Comments
On a recent spring trip to Taos, NM, we discovered the Orilla Verde Recreation area, just north of the town of Taos, for the first time. Named for the vegetation which forms a “Green Rim” (i.e. Orilla Verde) along the Rio Grande Gorge, we checked out the trails as we were in the mood for a spring hike. After looking over our options, then chose the La Vista Verde Hike which promised a beautiful view of the Rio Grande Gorge. After taking the road into the Orilla Verde Recreation Area, we by-passed the first trailhead for the Petaca Point hike and headed about half mile further down the road to the La vista Verde Trailhead. Beware that the road gets a bit more difficult to travel, beginning to wind down the mountainside, once you pass the first trailhead. Meghan leading the way We started our hike at 1:22 pm and took our time, stopping to take a multitude of pictures on the way. Meghan was with us, having decided the week before break that she “really miss[ed] hiking,” though... [Read more...]
It’s An Easy Drive to Mount Rushmore From Beaver Lake Campground
May 13, 2012 by Guest Blogger · Leave a Comment
Beaver Lake Campground, in the heart of the Black Hills of SD, is just 3 miles West of Custer on Hwy 16. There are spacious, shaded camping sites that will accommodate the largest RV down to any sized tent. Located on 20 acres of Pine-covered hills, they have a variety of modern cabins and tipi’s. They have cable, free DSL & Wi-Fi, a 360′ Waterslide ($) and heated pool, C-Store and immaculate restrooms. Even the drudgery of laundry becomes a much more pleasant experience with a choice of two spotlessly clean laundry rooms on site. A new Recreation Hall is perfect for reunions or other large groups. They cater to families and pet owners. Nearby is Custer, the oldest town in the Black Hills, with its picturesque downtown area of arts and crafts galleries and a variety of excellent eateries. You’ll never find a wider Main Street in the USA – planned to be convenient for the old team-drawn freight wagons that lumbered into town in the 1800′s. Nature’s... [Read more...]
Delicious Picnic Venues!
May 11, 2012 by Melissa A. Trainer · 1 Comment
So, have you had any fabulous picnics while traveling the highways and byways of our country? We have dished up some fun meals while cavorting around with our kids. When we lived in Alaska, we spent a lot of time daytripping and camping during the summer. I soon learned that I always had to travel with picnic fare—many remote areas of Alaska lack amenities so I became the “fast food” resource at hand. I always packed a cooler with sandwiches, yogurts, fruits, chips, cold water etc. These “cooler picnics” were simply family-friendly fare–nothing super luxurious or outrageous. Over the years, we have also learned how to source local foods, such as berries, salmon, apples and oysters, and then enjoy those local foods at a beautiful venue in the area. This does, admittedly, take some planning and scouting around, but it so worth it! This morning, however, I was writing a blog post for Amazon’s Al Dente blog and while doing research on the Hog Island... [Read more...]
Prado Regional Park – Camping and Outdoor Activities Galore!
May 11, 2012 by Guest Blogger · Leave a Comment
If you’re looking for a scenic camping area that is close to Southern California’s finest attractions, Prado Regional Park in Chino, CA is YOUR place! With 75 full hook-up RV sites, you may camp with views of the 60-acre lake or find yourself nestled among the shady trees. There are ample picnic areas with grills and fire rings, hot showers and restrooms and best of all, this park offers a multipurpose building with a fully equipped kitchen for your family reunions or special events. Prado also offers several covered picnic shelters, some that hold up to 400 people. Prado is only a short ride from Disneyland, Universal City Walk, The Fender Museum, and the Ontario Mills outlet shopping mall. But if you don’t want to leave the confines of the park you may find year-round fishing in a 60-acre lake, an 18-target disc golf course, a zero-depth water play park and universal playground for the younger set. For older children and adults the park offers horse and pony rentals... [Read more...]
Creole Nature Trail All-American Road
May 9, 2012 by Guest Blogger · Leave a Comment
On a sunny day, it’s good to just grab a few snacks, find a wide brimmed hat, dig out the old sun block and sport a huge pair of sunglasses in hopes of discovering something beautiful and natural along the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road, near Lake Charles, Louisiana. Take Exit 20 off Interstate 10 and follow Hwy. 27 south toward the Gulf of Mexico. The Creole Nature Trail All-American Road is a 180-mile driving tour through fertile marshlands, several wildlife refuges and along Louisiana’s Gulf Coast. Here outdoor adventure and abundant wildlife are waiting for you in their natural habitat. The Creole Nature Trail All-American Road has now been brought to life with the GPS Ranger™ Handheld Video Solution and Smartphone application for visitors. The free app can be downloaded at the iTunes App Store or Android Market, and the GPS Ranger™ Handheld Unit can be rented at the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau free of charge. As soon as you step... [Read more...]
From Lake Mead RV Park, Explore the Lake Mead National Recreation Area and Relax at the Village Hall
May 8, 2012 by Guest Blogger · Leave a Comment
What’s the closest RV park to Hoover Dam, has big rig, pull thru and back-in sites—some with incredible lake views—and offers all the bells and whistles you could possibly want in a superlative RV park including on-site Wi-Fi, cable TV (including Showtime), and a wonderful Village Hall for meeting and congregating with family, friends and new friends? It’s Lake Mead RV Village! Located near the shoreline of beautiful Lake Mead, Nevada—and actually part of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area (the country’s first NRA)—this friendly, spacious (115 sites) and accommodating Park is just what the Doctor ordered for rest, relaxation and recreation. Naturally, there are full hook ups, clean restrooms, warm showers and a 24-hour Laundromat on site. All sites have picnic tables and most have fire rings at the space. There’s also a well-stocked convenience store for groceries, toiletries, beverages, snacks and ice. Propane is available on site as well. Kick back and enjoy yourself... [Read more...]
Indulge Mom in Nature on Mothers’ Day
May 8, 2012 by Rex Vogel · Leave a Comment
Mothers have been revered throughout history, from ancient pagan celebrations to church holidays to present-day Mother’s Day. This year spend a healthier and happier Mother’s Day at a state, provincial, or nationalark. (Credit: tpwd.state.tx.us) Many countries throughout the world devote a day to honor their mothers. The tradition dates back to pagan celebrations in ancient Greece in honor of Rhea, the mother of the gods. In Rome, too, Cybele, a mother of goddesses, was worshipped as early as 250 B.C. In the 17th century, England celebrated a day called “Mothering Sunday” on the fourth Sunday of Lent. The tradition of Mother’s Day began in the United States was first suggested in 1872 by Julia Ward Howe, who wrote the words to the “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” as a day dedicated to peace. Although the holiday didn’t catch on at that point, Howe held organized Mother’s Day meetings in Boston, Massachusetts, every year thereafter. It wasn’t... [Read more...]
How to Recognize a Camping Mom
May 7, 2012 by The Campy Mom · 2 Comments
1. Her kids play in the dirt and she doesn’t even flinch. 2. She knows how to drive a RV and pitch a tent. Yep, she has skills. 3. She catches the biggest fish. 4. She’s an expert on sunscreen and hydration. 5. She’s a great cook, even in her outdoor kitchen (and don’t even get me started on her collection of vinyl tablecloths). 6. She has confidence, strength and a huge heart. 7. Her cool new ride is a bicycle. 8. Her fingernails are neat, but short- perfect for baiting a hook. 9. In her backpack she carries water, snacks and a small child. 10. She has a healthy glow and an easy smile. 11. Her wardrobe includes plenty of funky hats- perfect for the campground. Where can you find a camping mom? You can find her on Mother’s Day at her favorite campground where her family will be cooking up a delicious breakfast of blueberry pancakes and crispy bacon. And then they will allow her to spend the afternoon relaxing in a hammock (well, moms, I gave it a try anyway). Of course, not all... [Read more...]
Black Chasm Cavern Offers Unique Spelunking Opportunities
May 7, 2012 by Guest Blogger · Leave a Comment
Guests at the Jackson Rancheria RV Park can take the short drive to Black Chasm Cavern for the opportunity to see some of nature’s true wonders. Visitors to the cave are enchanted by a wide variety of formations including stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones and the vast arrays of rare helictite crystals, for which Black Chasm Cavern is justly famous. Above ground, kids love the gemstone mining at flumes right outside the Visitors Center. Everyone is guaranteed to find real gemstones, the perfect start to a rock collection. And do try the incredibly popular geode cracking too. Whether you are an easy walker or a strenuous adventurer, you can enjoy the sights here. There’s a self guided Zen Garden Hike plus a 50-minute guided Landmark Walk Tour which follows a series of environmentally friendly platforms, stairs and walkways, designed to give the best views of the cave without compromising the naturally pristine environment. This beautiful tour shows off some world class formations,... [Read more...]
TRIBUTE BANDS ADD SPARK TO NEWPORT DUNES’ FAMILY FUN 4TH OF JULY – NEWPORT DUNES RESORT AND MARINA
May 6, 2012 by Guest Blogger · Leave a Comment
TRIBUTE BANDS ADD SPARK TO NEWPORT DUNES’ FAMILY FUN 4TH OF JULY (All-Day Festivities Including Live Music, Aquatic Fun Park & Massive Fireworks) If you like rock music, Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort in Newport Beach will be the perfect destination this 4th of July. Sponsored by Visit Newport Beach, tribute bands honoring these legends of rock will take the stage as the Dunes carries on its half-century-plus summer tradition with all-day family fun festivities followed by one of the regions finest fireworks presentations. From 11 a.m.-7p.m., attendees can enjoy a number of fun activities including a dunk tank, bungee run, cake walk, limbo contests, inflatable jumpers and bounce houses. Also available for an additional cost are food, beverages and admission to the aquatic fun park known as Moe B’s Watersports (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) Among the attractions are two giant “icebergs,” a water version of a giant teeter-totter, a giant climbing apparatus, massive dome, floating lily pads,... [Read more...]
Read More Woodall's Family Camping Blog Posts >>
Browse Articles by Location
Find articles by location using our handy mapping feature!
