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Head North for Fun-Filled ELS Resorts
April 24, 2013 by Good Sam Team · Leave a Comment
Break out the flip-flops, because summer is almost here. Make the most of the season with your family by creating lifelong camping memories. The warm summer breeze brings with it the smell of campfires, children’s laughter and a sense of freedom that only a camping vacation can offer. ELS resorts have everything you’ve been looking forward to all winter long. With two resorts on picturesque Lake George, guests can enjoy amazing Adirondack views coupled with endless family fun (and yes, that includes your four-legged family members too). Lake George Escape and Lake George Schroon Valley are jam-packed with amenities for the whole family to enjoy. Features include*: • Free shuttle to Lake George Village and Six Flags Great Escape • Mini Golf and Arcade • Woodland Grill and Country Store onsite • Boat, Canoe and Kayak Rentals • Tennis, Basketball, Horseshoes, Volleyball and shuffleboard • Daily activities and events all summer long * Amenities vary by resort A Maine Attraction The... [Read more...]
Great Escapes in the Beaver State
April 24, 2013 by Good Sam Team · Leave a Comment
When it comes to state parks, Oregon has an embarrassment of riches. RVers can choose from 53 parks in the state park system, 31 of which take reservations. Explore several of different environments that have made Oregon famous. A great place to start is the state’s stunning central coast. Head to Beachside State Recreation Site, a few miles south of Waldport and north of Yachats. This small, exquisite destination campground sits alongside miles of broad, sandy beach that makes the park perfect for kite flying and beach combing. Every site is mere seconds from the beach, which makes the park perfect for watching storms, sunsets and whales. The park has 32 electric sites, including two accessible electric. For reservations, call 800-452-5687. Head north along the coast and check out Cape Lookout State Park, which can be reached by traveling an hour and a half west of Portland through the scenic Wilson River pass. Along the way, stop and enjoy waterfalls, scenic views and some great fishing. A... [Read more...]
Attention RV App Users: The New Good Sam Camping App is now available to download!
April 24, 2013 by Good Sam Camping · 10 Comments
You can now get more parks in the palm of your hand. The new Good Sam Camping app for iPhones, iPads and iPod Touch devices combines the Trailer Life Directory RV Park Finder and the Woodall’s RV and Camping Copilot into one indispensable tool for the RV traveler. The new Good Sam Camping app gives users access to more than 14,000 RV parks listed in the new 2013 Good Sam RV Travel Guide and Campground Directory. If you already have the Woodall’s RV & Camping Copilot or the Trailer Life RV Park Finder apps, simply launch your current app and follow the simple updating instructions. To get the new app for your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch, you can visit the Apple App Store and download to your device. With an additional 2,000 campgrounds at your fingertips, the Good Sam Camping app gives you complete information on RV parks in the United States, Canada and Mexico, including the 2,100 Good Sam Parks that offer a 10% discount to Good Sam Club members. Users can also look up 100 Camping... [Read more...]
We asked “What piece of advice for the new RVer would you share about living in an RV?” You said…
April 24, 2013 by Good Sam Camping · Leave a Comment
Lots of sage advice and wonderful anecdotes were shared. Read on…whether you’re new to RVing or consider yourself an RVing guru, you’ll find something helpful or maybe will have you nodding with a smile! (Have one piece of RVing advice you’d like to share too – go to our Facebook page and post your own! If you haven’t ‘Liked’ us yet – do it now!) “Electric frying pan and heaters. Don’t use your propane use their electricity. And get walkie talkies instead of having to shout at each other or use hand signals backing up.” Jay Myshkowsky “Stay off the interstates when possible. Take the back roads and really see the country!” Karen Frevert Knorr “Relax, take your time and ENJOY!” Stan N Sharon Rowlands “A smart phone is not only useful as a GPS, but when you are parked you can use it for weather warnings. I set mine for the area we are staying at and if we should be asleep and there is a warning it will ring a specific ring I set... [Read more...]
Ocean Lakes: Sprawling Family Fun on the Atlantic
April 24, 2013 by Good Sam Team · Leave a Comment
Upon arriving to Ocean Lakes Family Campground in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, guests quickly realize why the park has earned a slew of awards from the campground industry, including RV Park of the Year in the Mega Category from the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds. Situated on more than 300 acres along one mile of white, sandy beach, the park offers lots of activities and amenities for the guests. The park’s own two-acre recreation complex beckons with its own pool area with sun decks, a game center, miniature golf course with a fisherman’s wharf theme. A cafe with a patio area takes care of hungry guests. There’s also the Camptown Center, which features the Sandy Mart store, where guests can stock up on needed supplies. Do a wash at the Sandy’s Soapy Suds and Fluff n’ Fold laundromat, catch at show a the Center Stage and or get together with fellow guests at Sandy’s Meet ‘n’ Eat. Don’t let the campground’s sprawling size intimidate... [Read more...]
Mark My Words: Mark Nemeth
April 24, 2013 by Good Sam Camping · Leave a Comment
Hi, folks. I’ll cover some common RVing questions this month and share some tips on window and roof sealing. I hope you are enjoying the spring weather! Remember to submit your RV questions to woodalls@escapees.com! Mark: Would you know where we can get a list of makes of vehicles that are safe to tow without having to use a dolly? Thanks, Joan Hi, Joan: There is a comprehensive list of vehicles that can be towed 4-down (without modifications) available at Motorhome magazine’s website. See www.motorhome.com and click on “Resources” / “Dinghy Guides.” Many vehicles with automatic transmissions can be towed this way without modification, and most are supported by at least one tow bar manufacturer for baseplates and adapters. Also, vehicles that are not listed as towable-4-down can often be modified with either a transmission lube pump or a driveshaft disconnect. Remco makes lube pumps for most vehicles, and their website is at www.remcoindustries.com/Towing/, or you can call... [Read more...]
A Smarter Way to Hit the Road with Microsoft Streets & Trips
April 24, 2013 by Good Sam Camping · 1 Comment
Technology continues to make road trips better. USB power adapters for all our gadgets, thermoelectric coolers for food and beverages and affordable cameras that can withstand being dropped in the parking lot or dunked in the pool are helping keep travelers comfortable and connected. Streets & Trips 2013 makes it easy to create inspired, customized travel plans with your computer.But there’s one technology that helps travelers plan a great trip even before putting the pedal to the metal: the map and travel planning software from Microsoft, Streets & Trips. Cover all your bases Microsoft Streets & Trips 2013 is designed for planning the perfect road trip from start to finish. The 2013 edition features an updated user interface designed for easy viewing, adds 150,000 more miles of roads in North America, and includes more than 2.5 million points of interest with online ratings and reviews for restaurants and other businesses. Routes, directions and stops are just the start... [Read more...]
Sequester Delays National Park Openings
April 23, 2013 by Professor95 · Leave a Comment
If you are planning on an early camping trip to one of our many federally funded National Parks, it will be a good idea to check and see if the campgrounds are open. You may also find a delay in the opening of visitor centers and picnic areas. The sequester that recently kicked in is already having a significant impact on the Shenandoah National Park on the Skyline Drive which runs from Afton Mountain to Front Royal in Virginia. Other National parks, such as Yellowstone, are also cutting back and delaying campground openings and removal of snow from park roads that allow access. Shenandoah National Park is delaying the opening of campgrounds from 1 to 4 weeks depending on their location and normal visitation numbers. They will also be cutting back on seasonal hiring and eliminating some programs. All of this is due to a 5% reduction in funding. For a park that has a $12.5 million dollar budget, this translates to $625,000 in cuts. One of the major programs designed to improve the... [Read more...]
Top 10 Most Visited National Parks & National Park Week
April 23, 2013 by Rex Vogel · Leave a Comment
More than 282 million people visited America’s national parks in 2012, an increase of more than 3 million over 2011. It was the sixth highest annual visitation in the history of the National Park Service, despite nearly 2 million fewer visitors as a result of park closures caused by Hurricane Sandy. Since 1916, the National Park System has recorded more than 12 billion visits. There are familiar park names in the Top 10 lists. Gateway National Recreation Area in New York lost nearly 1.2 million visitors from 2011 because of Hurricane Sandy yet still made the Top 10 list of most visited National Park Service sites. Most Visited Places of the National Park System (2012) 1. Blue Ridge Parkway (15,205,059) 2. Golden Gate National Recreation Area (14,540,338) 3. Great Smoky Mountains National Park (9,685,829) 4. George Washington Memorial Parkway (7,425,577) 5. Lake Mead National Recreation Area (6,285,439) 6. Lincoln Memorial (6,191,361) 7. Natchez Trace Parkway (5,560,668) 8. Gateway... [Read more...]
Top Culinary Campgrounds & RV Parks
April 22, 2013 by Good Sam Camping · Leave a Comment
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: John Sullaway Content Editor Good Sam RV Travel Guide and Campground Directory 805-667-4194 jsullaway@goodsamfamily.com Top Parks For Food Lovers Chosen by the Good Sam RV Travel Guide and Campground Directory Not content to fry up burgers at their campsites, some RVers venture out to sample cuisine served up at local food festivals, farmer’s markets or compelling restaurants. A recent survey by RVAdvice.com revealed that 86 percent of RVers try the regional dishes when they travel. Fifty-six percent of those sampled say they’re willing to travel up to 25 miles for a good meal, while 32 percent said they’d trek up to 50 miles to satisfy their taste buds. To help hungry RVers find parks close to some of America’s top culinary hot spots, the editors and consultants of the Good Sam RV Travel guide and Campground Directory have compiled a list of the Top RV Parks for Food Lovers for 2013. Featuring RV parks from across North America, the list is tailored... [Read more...]
Visiting Prince Edward County
April 21, 2013 by Canadianladybug · Leave a Comment
One of the beautiful place you can visit in Ontario is definitively Prince Edward County. The place is renowned for its sand dunes but there is more to this region that you can imagine. Prince Edward County is located in Southern Ontario at the eastern end of Lake Ontario. It is an island community less than 270 square miles with more than 500 square miles of shoreline. Over 100,000 visitors visit this region of Ontario every year. The most popular attraction is Sandbanks Provincial Park which attracts most of the visitors. Sandbanks Provincial Park also organized explorations for their visitors. We went to an exploration to see what kind of plants and bugs we could find in the area when we were there a few years ago. However, as I mentioned above, there is more to this area. If you take the time to explore the country roads you will come through historic towns and villages, farms and vineyards, artists’ studios and antique shops which are located along the... [Read more...]
A Spring Camping Adventure
April 21, 2013 by Diane Berry · Leave a Comment
The pond skimming course RVers looking for a place to go in early spring should think about northern New Mexico. There is much going on and, if you are enjoying the amenities of the Taos Ski Valley, you may camp or park your RV in the large upper parking lot of the resort. As a recent example of things to do and see in this area, the 2013 ski season at Taos Ski Valley ended with a bang on Sunday, April 7th. To celebrate the end of a great season, the Ski Valley, with the help of several sponsors, held the Bud Light Pond Skimming Championships. Participants were to descend a hill of snow using any means necessary to skim across an 80 foot pond of ice cold water. Motorized vehicles were prohibited and points were given for the best costume. Having heard of this event in the past but never having had the opportunity to actually witness the festivities, Terry and I made plans to attend. We were not disappointed. Every participant was adorned in a costume of one kind or another. Several skiers/snowboarders... [Read more...]
Camping with Kids Part II
April 20, 2013 by Cynthia Baum · Leave a Comment
The best thing to do, before the packing even begins, is to lower your expectations. Take a deep breath, relax and realize that no matter what happens (or doesn’t, for that matter), this is going to be a fun, memorable adventure for you and your family…especially for your kids. :) With that said, here are a few more pointers that have certainly helped me in the past when camping with my kids: Pack extra clothes- Not only will you want to layer your kids, like you do yourself when camping, you will also want to make sure you have plenty of extra outfits on hand (just in case). Kids fly through outfits faster than normal when camping. Between the amount of time they are spending outdoors, to the lack of being able to fully baby proof while camping (meaning things are much more accessible for curious little hands), and also just from the sheer enjoyment of yummy treats, such as s’mores. Let’s face it, they’re messy and very sticky!! Also make sure... [Read more...]
Camping with Kids Part I
April 19, 2013 by Cynthia Baum · Leave a Comment
Camping with Kids Part I (Tent, RV,Cabin, Teepee, Under the Stars, Etc) Whether you are venturing out for the first time with your own kids or you are bringing along the grand kids with you for a camp out, this comprehensive guide should help you have a more successful camping trip. Happy, content, and well-rested kids, helps provide a more restful, relaxing, and less hectic camping experience for the adults. Camp at kid-friendly campgrounds-you will want to have plenty of options to fill their daytime hours, whether you enjoy hiking, swimming, biking, petting zoos, water parks, playgrounds, horseback riding, etc. Pack a bed (cot, pack and play, etc) and/or sleeping bag for each kid- You may think that since they sleep in your bed with you at home, they will do best sleeping with you while camping. While it may seem like a good idea at the time, sharing a sleeping bag with your little one–even the zip-together bigger sleeping bags– can make getting a good night’s... [Read more...]
RV Parks that Spice Up the Menu
April 19, 2013 by Good Sam Team · 1 Comment
RVers can work up a healthy appetite during their travels. Nobody knows this better than RV parks that operate restaurants on their properties. These parks offer the best of both worlds: a great place to spend the night and good meals right on the premises. In Hatch, Utah, RVers making the trip between Bryce and Zion national parks often stop at the 63-site Riverside Resort and RV Park, home to the Cactus Cowboy Restaurant. The owners of the park estimate that 80 percent of guests amble over to the restaurant to sample menu items like the Outlaw burger, a 12-inch-tall specialty that’s the most-photographed thing at the park. Convenience also plays a big role at the Narrows RV Park in Princeton, Oregon, where RVers can nosh on buffalo burgers, fries and pies at the Narrows restaurant adjacent to the 41-site park. And in Grand Rivers, Kentucky, Miss Scarlett’s Restaurant is one of the main draws at Exit 31 RV Park. The restaurant serves up bison steak, hot browns, open-faced roast beef... [Read more...]
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