Category: RV Campgrounds
Bits and Pieces – On the Road Again
October 15, 2012 by Professor95 · 2 Comments
While I love to write, our recent adventures have left little time for sitting down at the computer and keying up a blog. I have more ideas than hair on my head (BTW – I am not bald) but by the time the opportunity to write gets here I am too doggone tired from all of the day’s exciting activities and end up going to bed! Just to give readers an idea of what is going on, we left the zip code address in Virginia right after Labor Day. Since then we have traversed across North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and into Kansas. Our plans are to leave our current spot in Hutchinson and head south to Branson, MO, for a few days taking in many of the shows, exhibits, tours and having some just plain old fun. From there we may swing north again to Elkhart, IN, to see Amish Country and the birthplace of our RV. Since we are expected in North Myrtle Beach, SC, by November 1st for a two week stay with friends in our Cedar Creek RV Owners... [Read more...]
2012 National Parks Fall Foliage Guide
October 8, 2012 by Rex Vogel · Leave a Comment
As summer comes to a close, the bright blues and greens that characterize the sunshiny season are replaced by a deeper, more vibrant palette. But there are so many destinations to choose from, each with their own unique rainbow of fall colors. The National Park Foundation (NPF) wants you to get outdoors and enjoy one of nature’s most spectacular seasons in your national parks. In announcing the 2012 National Parks Fall Foliage Guide the NPF says, “These parks boast exceptional fall colors, however they represent only a few of the national park sites where foliage lovers can enjoy the spectacular spectrum of the season’s palette.” The list below includes information on region-specific flora as well as estimated timing on the peak of their colors: Nez Perce National Historical Park (Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington) Peak foliage times range across the rivers, canyons, prairies, and mountains of this park which overlaps four states. The short-grass prairies of White Bird Battlefield... [Read more...]
MYSTERY RV DOWSES FOR SALTWATER (or…. The Magnetism of the Ocean.)
September 12, 2012 by Professor95 · 1 Comment
Finding the “Y” shaped Willow Tree branch jammed up under the front steering gear of our RV didn’t come as a surprise. The Willow branch confirmed what I had always suspected – somehow the RV had a diving rod attached that steered us toward saltwater. For a number of years, our RV has predictably wandered toward an ocean beach – just like a dog tugging at a leash. It didn’t really matter where we were or where we actually planned on going – the beach would eventually end up as one of our destinations. So, here we are again – relaxing on the sand of a North Carolina oceanfront RV resort soaking up the still pleasantly warm September rays of sunshine. The sky is billowing with puffy white clouds surrounded by robin-egg blue and the ocean waters beneath are striped with hues of dark green and vivid blue. The Little Red Sun Shelter – Oscar & his ball – Summer Cottages high up on the dunes As I sit here under our little red pop-up sun shelter, I alternate... [Read more...]
Pine Mountain RV Resort to Host Rally Benefiting Our Fallen Soldier
September 11, 2012 by Rex Vogel · Leave a Comment
Pine Mountain RV Resort, an RVC Outdoor Destination vacation property, will host its second annual motorcycle rally called “Rollin’ Rumble Motorcycle Rally” from September 14-16. The event is open to the public, and a portion of all proceeds will go to Our Fallen Soldiers, a charity that aids families of soldiers who lost their lives in the line of duty, according to a news release. “We’re dedicated to helping the troops who have so bravely sacrificed for our country,” said Jim Anderson, general manager at Pine Mountain. “This fundraiser is very important to us because the money raised will help family members of those men and women who have given their lives for our country, and we encourage everyone to come out and support this worthwhile cause.” Currently the event has 30-50 vendors, including leather food accessories, soap, jewelry, and motorcycle accessories. Guests will also enjoy live music, great food, hot dogs, and drinks from local vendors, a raffle, poker run,... [Read more...]
Top 10 Scenic Drives in the Northern Rockies
August 28, 2012 by Rex Vogel · 2 Comments
If you are looking for an exciting vacation with beautiful views then consider exploring Forest Service lands in the Northern Rockies for beautiful landscapes, scenic byways, historic trails, and diverse wildlife. For sheer beauty and allure, few regions match the Northern Rockies. Discover a convenient new way to research and plan absolutely incredible Rocky Mountain travel adventures—the Top 10 Scenic Drives in the Northern Rockies. Beartooth All-American Road The Beartooth Scenic Road has 10,000 mountain lakes, 20 peaks reaching more than 12,000 feet in elevation, and 12 national forest campgrounds. Witness the rare transition of lush forest ecosystem to alpine tundra in just a few miles on the highest elevation road in the Northern Rockies. International Selkirk Loop All-American Road The public lands along the loop are home to the largest diversity of wildlife in the lower 48 states. Travel the Selkirk Range of the British Columbia, Idaho, and Washington Rocky Mountains to see... [Read more...]
Part 3 – Big Trees State Park, Calaveras County, California – Exploitation of the Sequoias
June 30, 2012 by Traveler8343 · 2 Comments
My wife standing on top of the “Discovery Tree” stump.The photo really brings home what a massive tree it was. The “Discovery Tree,” top and bottom right. The “Mother of the Forest,” bottom left, as it appeared during exhibitions. Calaveras Big Trees State Park’s “Discovery Tree” is one of the first trees that were exploited to prove that this incredible grove exists. Located in the North Grove, the tree stump and what’s left of the its trunk have lain on the ground for over 150 years. The fallen trunk actually served as a bowling alley and bar during the 1850s. The stump of the “Discovery Tree” was used as a dance floor for a 4th of July 1854 cotillion. Felled in 1853, it measured 24 feet in diameter at its base and was judged by ring count to be 1,244 years old when it was cut down. The “Discovery Tree’s” stump, which is now bare, also once had a structure built on its flat surface. Used as a dance hall during the 19th... [Read more...]
Part 2 – Big Trees State Park, Calveras County, California
June 27, 2012 by Traveler8343 · 1 Comment
The Big Trees State Park contains two campgrounds with a total of 129 campsites, six picnic areas and hundreds of miles of established trails. Located in the Stanislaus National Forest, Big Trees S.P. has a water spigot near every site, but not close enough or compatible with the RVs city water connection (unless you have a “water thief” or serious plumbing skills to temporarily extend a hose over to the RV to fill the fresh water tank.). There’s also no electric or sewer hookups. Well, that’s not too much of a problem, you might be thinking, as long as they have a dump station, but they don’t (we were told that the dump station was “out of order.” It’s been that way for quite a while; coincidentally during California’s budget crisis, when parks were being closed to save money). We guess that it’s easier to tell campers that the dump station was out of order than to tell them that it was working, but no one was allowed to use it so that the... [Read more...]
Yosemite N.P. to Big Trees State Park, Calaveras County, California – Part 1
June 25, 2012 by Traveler8343 · 2 Comments
Our home away from home After eight months of towing our trailer across the country and leaving the idea of reservations in God’s hands, we ran out of luck – again. We had decided during the planning stage for this trip that we wanted to be free to stop and stay at whatever place caught our interest and not have to be bound to the calendar; having to be in a certain place at a certain time. What we did, though, was call Reserve America hours or days before our expected arrival time and try to pick-up on any cancellations or open sites that might be available. This procedure had served us well so far, although we did have to patch together several different sites in order to lengthen our stays at the more popular parks, like Bahia Honda in the Florida Keys and the Grand Canyon. This procedure didn’t work this time, though. We lost cell phone service shortly after leaving Las Vegas, Nevada and were incommunicado for over 200 miles of desert along Route 95 to Tonopah, Nevada.... [Read more...]
Hey Dad…Can We Go Camping this Weekend?
June 15, 2012 by Rex Vogel · Leave a Comment
There’s something about camping, from tent, tent trailer, and pop-up camper to diesel pusher and luxury fifth wheel trailer that makes it more than the sum of its parts. Hey, Dad, let’s go camping…to Arches National Park, Utah. © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved You’re not just looking for a place to spend the night or weekend or to hide out from the rain—you’re buying into a lifestyle. It’s taking in the fresh air of the great outdoors. The RV lifestyle is about freedom, and it’s a complete 180-degree turn from the hectic pace of everyday life. When you arrive at your campsite it doesn’t matter if the Yankees lost a double header or the Cowboys were defeated in overtime. It’s is a relaxing pleasure to park in a beautiful location and go fishing, take a walk, or simply relax by the camp fire. Camping is a great way to get to know your family better and to meet new friends. Once you get away from all of those distractions at home, you have a great opportunity to really... [Read more...]
Bear Attack Reported at Arizona Campground
June 1, 2012 by Rex Vogel · 2 Comments
An Arizona woman was injured this morning (May 1) when a bear ripped a hole in the tent where she, her husband, and their dog had been sleeping at Ponderosa Campground in Tonto National Forest, just off Highway 260 about 10 miles east of Payson. Grizzly bear attacks tent. (Source: Thomas J/travelooce.com) The attack occurred around 4:30 a.m. After tearing open the tent, the bear reportedly stuck its head in and clawed at the 74-year-old woman, leaving her with bruises and a laceration on her scalp. She was treated at Payson Regional Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries and released. The woman’s husband and dog were not hurt. A large adult bear had recently been seen hanging around the campsite dumpsters. A wildlife manager with Arizona Game and Fish Department visited Ponderosa Campground yesterday looking for the bear, but it was not found. A culvert-style trap was set. The wildlife manager talked to the campground host about precautions, and all campers were informed... [Read more...]
