Category: Family Camping
Are You Ready for a Snowbird Tax?
February 13, 2013 by Rex Vogel · Leave a Comment
The governor of a northern state is proposing a snowbird tax on residents who live 60 days to just under six months in the state. Minnesota in winter (Source: minnesota.publicradio.org) Spend most of the year in Florida, Texas, Arizona, or another Sunbelt state, and a snowbird smack down could be your new reality. Governor Mark Dayton of Minnesota is proposing a snowbird tax as part of a larger tax grab by proposing to increase Minnesota’s personal income tax rate to 9.85% from 7.85% on income above $150,000 for singles and $250,000 for joint filers. Minnesota’s income tax rate would be the country’s sixth highest. Dayton tells snowbirds that since you’re rich, you can pay more. It’s time snowbirds paid their fair share! Dayton, a Democrat, proposed the idea last month when announcing key parts of his proposed $37.9 billion budget. He made a similar proposal last year that was defeated by the then-Republican-controlled legislature. The plan would purportedly raise... [Read more...]
De Soto National Memorial, Florida…
February 13, 2013 by Dana Ticknor · Leave a Comment
Just yesterday, the kids and I took a little drive and spent the day at a wonderful National Park! Located just south of Tampa, FL, the De Soto National Memorial is a beautiful location to spend an afternoon! While the park does not cover a large acreage, the grounds are beautiful, and offer a lovely walking path (which is wheel-chair and stroller friendly). De Soto National Memorial is a park dedicated to educating the public about, and preserving the details of, Hernado De Soto’s 4 year, 4 thousand mile trek on a quest for fame and fortune. Because De Soto NM’s peak tourist time is snowbird season, right now is the perfect time to visit! The park offers 10 different ranger-led talks, featuring a different topic each hour, on the hour. While we were at the park for 5 hours, we were only able to attend 2 talks, and wish that we would have had time to listen to more! The first ranger program that we attended was on diseases, and why the Indians were decimated by European... [Read more...]
Another Winter Family Adventure
February 10, 2013 by Diane Berry · Leave a Comment
In my last post, I wrote about an opportunity for winter family fun, cross country skiing at the Enchanted Forest Cross Country Ski Area near Red River, NM. Another ideal outdoor family fun opportunity takes place in Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado each year over Martin Luther King Jr. weekend. This year, the 40th Annual Chama Chili Ski Classic and Winter Fiesta was held from January 19th-21st . My husband and son spend early winter preparing for the 52K American Birkebeiner Ski Race in Hayward, Wisconsin held the last Saturday of February. Ryan will be completing his 2nd Birkie and Terry, his 32nd in 2013. The support crew and food wagon As part of their training schedule every year, they like to combine regular weekend ski workouts with at least one additional ski race to achieve the optimum training effect. Therefore, it was with great delight that we learned of the Chama Chili Ski Races happening just north of Chama, NM in southern Colorado. However, it was not just a... [Read more...]
Top 10 Things Every RVer Should Know about Full-Timing
February 6, 2013 by Rex Vogel · Leave a Comment
The large and well-equipped recreational vehicles now available to consumers can be quite luxurious. You may have been tempted by the idea of living like a nomad and taking to the road full-time. Traveling in an RV can save you money that would otherwise be spent on mortgages, home repairs, home owner’s association fees, and yard maintenance. Gas-Powered Luxury Class A RV with Island Kitchen, Bar, & Wine Rack 37 foot. to 38 foot Class A Motorhomes However, there are 10 key things to consider before purchasing a recreational vehicle and making the switch to full time living in an RV, according to a Pedata RV Center news release. 1. Fuel Costs The heavy chassis and construction materials require a powerful engine for recreational vehicles large enough for comfortable full-time living. This translates to fairly high fuel usage. Many full-time RVers only occasionally travel, spending most of their time at their favorite RV campgrounds. 2. Insurance If your RV is both your home and primary... [Read more...]
A Winter Family Adventure!
February 3, 2013 by Diane Berry · Leave a Comment
Outdoor family fun need not stop when the weather grows colder, or even when the snow flies. Over the holidays this year, we had the distinct pleasure of enjoying the company of all three of our grown children for an extended period of time. In addition to enjoying all of our usual holiday activities, such as playing games, putting puzzles together, cooking, eating and shopping, we had the pleasure of engaging in another favorite pursuit in a new place: cross country skiing. Enchanted Forest Clubhouse/Warming Hut Loving the outdoors, we have long enjoyed the winter activities of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the colder months, near our cabin in northern Wisconsin. Far from there this winter, however, we sought out a new place to enjoy these activities and happened upon the Enchanted Forest Cross Country Ski Area in Red River, NM. We were not disappointed. The girls skied with me Located on NM Highway 38 just 3.5 miles east of Red River, NM, just below the summit of Bobcat Pass... [Read more...]
Moundville Archaeological Park, near Tuscaloosa, AL…
January 31, 2013 by Dana Ticknor · Leave a Comment
We recently spent 2 weeks near Tuscaloosa, AL, volunteering with a Samaritan’s Purse disaster relief build. While we were there, we stayed at the Moundville Archaeological Park, in Moundville, AR; about 20 minutes south of Tuscaloosa. The MAP is a small park, about 26 acres, that consists of a museum, ancient Indian mounds, replica Indian huts, beautiful walking paths, and a small campground. At the entrance to the park is a Orientation building, where you can speak with a park ranger, find park information, and watch a well-done, informative film on the park and surrounding area’s history. We really appreciated the film as we knew nothing about the area before we watched it. We found the staff here to be very informative and education oriented - when they found out that we homeschool, they gave us some information on the park, including some activity sheets for the kids, that made our stay much more interesting! The grounds contain over a dozen Indian mounds, built around... [Read more...]
Vicksburg National Military Park, MS…
January 29, 2013 by Dana Ticknor · 1 Comment
We recently had the opportunity to visit Vicksburg National Military Park in Mississippi, and while the cold, wet weather did dampen our visit a bit, we still thought the park was intriguing and beautiful. Vicksburg was an important location in the Civil War; the army that controlled Vicksburg pretty much controlled the Mississippi River and it’s important role as a vital supply route for the Confederacy. Located high on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi, Vicksburg had a commanding control over the ships passing beneath, all in gun range from the bluffs. Both the North and the South desperately wanted/needed to control Vicksburg, and the result was one of the bloodiest campaigns, and one of the most decisive turning points in the Civil War. Vicksburg was not an easy quest – it took her being under attack and then seige, from April of 1862 to July 4th, of 1863, before the Union could claim her as under Union control. While we were at VNMP, we chose... [Read more...]
Hit the Trail
January 28, 2013 by Canadianladybug · Leave a Comment
Hit the Trail From Education Outdoors About the game Can you be the first hiker to hike 100 miles in the new dice / card game “Hit the Trail”? “Hit the Trail” comes packaged in a mini backpack which includes 72 cards, 3 dice, and pencil. How the game is played: Deal 7 cards out to each player. Each player picks a card and lays it face up. (This is where the strategy comes in) Do you pick a lower point card or a higher point card? Youngest player then rolls the three dice – trying to match one of the die or combination of dice to their card amount which is face up. Each time the die/dice combination match the players card that is face up, the player gets to move the card into their “mile pile” trying to be the first to hike 100 miles. But, beware of getting caught with a “cooler card” – like the mother bear & cubs in the trail. If you get caught with one of the three cooler cards – you loose 10 miles. Other twists in the game include bonus rolls if the player’s... [Read more...]
The Forest in Winter
January 27, 2013 by Diane Berry · 1 Comment
Several weeks ago I wrote a post about hiking the Picuris Peak Trail with our son, Ryan, when he was with us this past summer. During the month of August our youngest daughter Meghan joined us and was interested in spending some time out of doors. More a biker than hiker, we decided to take Meg to the same trail for a bike ride along that forest road. However, the rutted and hilly roads that were simple to navigate when hiking proved much the opposite when operating on two wheels. After about 15 minutes, Meghan called it quits and proceeded to walk her bike back to the car. In my mind, that was to be the end of our time on that trail until the following summer; but I was mistaken. Open Meadow at the beginning of the trail In fall, Terry and I ventured out to that same area of the Kit Carson National Forest to cut firewood for winter. We found the forest road reasonably navigable in our Durango and also noted the abundance of 8-10 foot evergreen trees, suitable for Christmas trees. The day... [Read more...]
Camping with Pets
January 25, 2013 by Rex Vogel · 5 Comments
With more and more campgrounds accepting pets and offering on-site pet amenities, more pets than ever are being included on camping trips. Camping with Pets Camping with pets can be a very enjoyable experience for both owners and their animals with a little preparation and planning. While camping can be a very affordable vacation option, being able to bring pets eliminates the need for a boarding facility. Owners and pets can enjoy their vacation together, an experience that isn’t always available on other types of vacations, according to a New Hampshire Campground Owners Association news release. Sylvia Leggett, owner of Roberts Knoll Campground in Alton, New Hampshire, and member of the New Hampshire Campground Owners’ Association Board of Directors, has been camping with her three golden retrievers for many years. Leggett has noticed an increase in the number of campgrounds that allow pets, with many adding pet-friendly services. “That’s why many people camp, so they can be outdoors... [Read more...]
