Category: Campgrounds & RV Parks
3 Snowbird RV Resorts Change Ownership
January 11, 2013 by Rex Vogel · 1 Comment
Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc. (ELS) acquired two properties in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas and Palm Creek Golf & RV Resort in Arizona has been sold to Sun Communities. Alamo Palms & Victoria Palms Resort Sold to ELS Alamo Palms ELS acquired two properties, Victoria Palms Resort and Alamo Palms, in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas. The two properties contain approximately 1,765 sites on approximately 175 acres for a stated purchase price of $25 million. The company funded the purchase price with available cash. Victoria Palms is an age-restricted, 1,122-site property with 270 manufactured home sites and 853 RV sites. Alamo Palms is an age-restricted, 643-site property with 293 manufactured home sites and 350 RV sites. The acquisition will compliment ELS’ South Texas portfolio of eight properties and 5,100 sites and further strengthen its presence in the market. Palm Creek Resort Sold to Sun Communities Palm Creek Golf & RV Resort, one of the premier operations of its type... [Read more...]
Do You Have A Backup Plan?
January 9, 2013 by Vickie Medley · Leave a Comment
I’m guessing that most RVers don’t have a backup plan should a catastrophic situation occur. Most of us don’t even like thinking about sickness, death or giving up privileges due to age. I speak from experience when I advise you to sit down and discuss calmly with your spouse/mate/significant other, what you want done should anything catastrophic happen to you. You won’t regret it because once you are in the midst of a crisis; it’s often difficult to think rationally. Knowing there’s been a discussion, and hopefully instructions written down, you can look at the wishes expressed long ago and move forward. The Pilot absolutely abhors conversations like this but knows that it’s something that we need to do periodically. While we thoroughly enjoy full-time RVing we are also realistic enough to know it can’t last forever. Our goal is to be ahead of the “Hang up the Keys” decision. We would rather go out on our terms than to be forced into a decision that we aren’t ready... [Read more...]
Camping Goals for 2013!
December 30, 2012 by Diane Berry · 4 Comments
It’s that time of year again; time to lay out our goals for the New Year. As many of you know, every year my family and I look back at our accomplishments of the year past, then focus forward and set some goals for the New Year. As I sit here at my computer, I am looking out and watching the snow fall, covering the ground with its glistening white magic. Even our little camper is covered, which brings me to some of the goals we have not met for the year. As I do every year, in this post, I would like to set some camping and RVing goals for the new year to give use something to “shoot for”, as it were. Our “Big Move” Last year, as some of you may know, our goals included selling our home in Wisconsin, closing the mental health clinic we have run for more than ten years and moving ourselves and all of our worldly good to the home we purchased in New Mexico. Another goal was to continue teaching college classes online at Kaplan University. I am happy to say, we accomplished... [Read more...]
Devil’s Tower National Monument, Wyoming…
December 27, 2012 by Dana Ticknor · 4 Comments
We are so incredibly blessed to be able to travel with our family during the winter. This fall, after leaving our home state of Montana, we took our time getting down to Texas, where we spent much of December. On our way south, we stopped at a few National Parks; NPs are kind of our ‘thing’. We are trying to stop at as many National Parks as we can; at each park the kids complete the educational Jr. Ranger program, and collect the badges they earn as we go (they are small and don’t weigh much at all!). So far, we have been to over 6 dozen of our NPs! This past fall, we came south out of Billings via I-90, and spent the night in Gillette, WY (we like short driving days!). We decided that we couldn’t be so close to Devil’s Tower, located in the upmost NE corner of WY, and not take the opportunity to check it off our long list of parks still to visit! It was about an hour drive (each way) from Gillette. On the way out there, one of the littles asked what it was;... [Read more...]
Start the New Year Off on the Right Foot with a First Day Hike
December 27, 2012 by Rex Vogel · Leave a Comment
With New Year’s Day just around the corner, people everywhere are zeroing in on their new year’s resolutions for 2013. Some will vow to add more exercise into their routines, and others will promise not to stay indoors as much. You can start the New Year off on the right foot, the left foot, or any foot by tackling both those resolutions at once and at the same time create a new family tradition by participating in a “First Day Hike” at a park near you, and together start off your year in a new direction. America’s State Parks announces that all 50 state park systems will sponsor guided First Day Hike Programs on New Year’s Day 2013. First Day Hikes originated over 20 years ago at the Blue Hills Reservation, a state park in Milton, Massachusetts. The program was launched to promote both healthy lifestyles throughout the year and year round recreation at state parks. State involvement has grown to the point where, for the first time in 2012, all 50 state park systems joined... [Read more...]
Merry Christmas to All
December 22, 2012 by Rex Vogel · 2 Comments
It’s Christmas weekend, the most wonderful time of the year. Season’s greetings fellow RVers, campers, snowbirds, wanna-bes, birders, photographers, hikers, and everyone who loves the great out-of-doors…and all Woodall’s blog readers! Thank you for reading our camping blogs this past year! Best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a safe and happy holiday season. May the miracle of this wonderful season fill your heart with peace and happiness and bless your life throughout the year. As we approach Christmas Eve we’re on the Alabama Gulf Coast enjoying balmy Gulf breezes, discovering the beauty and diversity of the area, and indulging the palate in fresh from the Gulf shrimp, oysters, and native fish. For me, the ultimate experience of camping and RVing requires a camera. Without a camera I bring home memories. With a camera, I bring home a series of images of the memories that I can return to over and over and share with readers of my posts. Memories become more complete and... [Read more...]
Top Pet Friendly Campgrounds & RV Parks
December 15, 2012 by Good Sam Team · 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 Pet Friendly Parks Chosen by the Good Sam RV Travel Guide and Campground Directory An estimated 60 percent of RVers bring their pets along with them on their travel adventures, according to recent studies. And when it comes to selecting a campground, these travelers seek out RV parks that offer a wide range of pet-friendly amenities, from dog runs to trails for dog walking to flexible rules that allow their particular breed of dog. To help pet owners find the RV parks that open their arms to canines and other travel companions, the editors and consultants of the Good Sam RV Travel guide and Campground Directory have compiled a list of the Top Pet Friendly Parks of 2013. Featuring RV parks from across North America, the list is tailored for RV travelers seeking facilities that welcome pet owners with open arms. “Dog owners appreciate... [Read more...]
IT’S FINALLY HERE! (The 2013 Good Sam RV Travel Guide & Camp Ground Directory)
December 12, 2012 by Professor95 · Leave a Comment
The brown box dropped on my doorstep was a surprise. I thought, “What in the world is this, I’m not expecting a package?” I cut open the box. Inside was my new copy of the 2013 Good Sam RV Travel Guide and Campground Directory. I have been extremely anxious to see what this new book looked like. You see, it is not just a new publication; it is a brand new product. For years, I have purchased both the Trailer Life Campground Directory and the Woodall’s Campground Directory. While they were similar, they were not identical. I would find that one guide would have listings or information that the other lacked. Of course, I was somewhat partial to the Woodall’s Directory – after all, for the past three years my blogs have been published under the Woodall’s marquee. So, how is it that both the former Trailer Life and Woodall’s directories came to be combined? Well, both Trailer Life and Woodall’s are owned by the same parent company – and have been for many years. ... [Read more...]
Some Days Are Diamond: Florida Man Finds 1.95 ct. Brown Diamond
December 9, 2012 by Rex Vogel · Leave a Comment
The second-largest diamond found so far this year at Crater of Diamonds State Park was certified on the afternoon of November 28. Doug Lay holds his newly found 1.95-carat dark brown diamond. (Credit: Crater of Diamonds State Park) The 1.95-carat dark brown gem is about the size of an English pea, with a round shape and a pitted surface. 40-year-old Doug Lay, a certified nursing assistant from Hernando, Florida, discovered the coffee-colored gem around 1:00 p.m. while wet sifting in the East Drain, a trench along the east side of the park’s 37 ½-acre diamond search area. Lay is no stranger to diamond finds; he has found more than 30 over the past four years, but this is his largest find yet! Lay first learned about Crater of Diamonds State Park from his father, one of the park’s longtime diamond miners. “Dad’s been coming to the Crater of Diamonds off and on for about 17 years. Whenever I’m on vacation, I like coming to Arkansas to spend time with him, and we enjoy searching... [Read more...]
National Parks – A Kid’s Guide to America’s Parks, Monuments, and Landmarks
December 7, 2012 by Canadianladybug · 1 Comment
National Parks – A Kid’s Guide to America’s Parks, Monuments, and Landmarks By Erin McHugh Published at Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers About the book “During National Parks Week, we reaffirm our need to maintain connections to the natural world.” —President Barack Obama President Obama has shared his views that it’s important for all of our country’s citizens to acknowledge the value of the natural world around us. National Parks helps families explore that world—the diversity, beauty, and history found in our national park system. Arranged alphabetically by state, this fun-filled book tours more than 75 U.S. parks, monuments, and landmarks, from the rocky shores of Maine’s Acadia National Park to the ancient redwood groves of Northern California. Also included is a removable, fold-out collector map to house the 56 America the Beautiful commemorative quarters! Through fascinating text and hundreds of vintage-style illustrations and photographs, ranging from digitally... [Read more...]
