Category: Family Camping
This Is The Year! Happy 2012!
January 1, 2012 by Diane Berry · 2 Comments
Some of you may recall a post that ran at the end of last year in which I discussed our family New Year’s tradition of listing accomplishments of the past year and goals for the new. We traditionally spend the week between Christmas and New Years vacationing at our little cabin in the northwoods of Wisconsin. In the days preceding the holiday, each family member makes a list of each and after eating a delicious dinner, we take turns reading, first accomplishments, then goals. Our little cabin in the northwoods We do not read our own lists, however. Each family member reads those of the next oldest member of the family. Our theory in structuring it this way was that the accomplishments of older siblings might provide motivation for the younger ones. We have been doing this for more than a dozen years and I think it has worked well. Accomplishments of the children might involve such things as being named captain of the Dance Team or making the “A” Honor Roll. Terry’s and mine often... [Read more...]
A News Flash on Alaska’s National Parks
December 29, 2011 by Melissa A. Trainer · Leave a Comment
Exit Glacier, Alaska When I checked my electronic inbox yesterday, I found an informative news release from John Quinley, who is the Assistant Regional Director, Communications and Partnerships, of the Alaska Regional National Park Service. In his release, Mr. Quinley reported that the Alaska region of the National Park Service saw about 2.32 million recreational visits in 2011. This was an increase of about 2% from 2010. The two parks with the largest increases for 2011 were Kenai Fjords National Park, which is headquartered in Seward, and Denali National Park. Both of these parks are on the road system in Alaska so they are fairly easy to access with a car, trailer, or RV. I have had the good fortune of visiting both of these parks with my children at my side. I first visited them during the summer of 2006. Our family camping trip to Denali was a highlight that summer and indeed my children still talk about it. Last July, we returned to Alaska and while we were staying in Anchorage,... [Read more...]
The Gift That Keeps on Giving
December 21, 2011 by Rex Vogel · 3 Comments
It’s that time of year again. The Christmas countdown has begun! While the holidays bring with it lots of love, time spent with family and friends, good food, and more, it can also bring stress—most from the gift exchange. Trying to find the perfect gift for someone can get frustrating. But if you’re still looking for gifts for the RVer in your life, you are in luck! To keep this manageable, it’s been parted out into two posts—each with five items. These are in no particular order, with no favoritism or affiliation to the actual products or vendors. So, without further ado here are five gifts that keep on giving: The National Parks: Our American Landscape A collection of over 200 stunning images depicting America’s national parks is a perfect gift for any RVer or lover of the outdoors. The book was originally released in 2010, but was released this year in a more affordable paperback version ($16.47 on Amazon.com). Texas State Parks Pass The Texas State Parks Pass is an annual... [Read more...]
More Miracles in Wisconsin…
December 18, 2011 by Diane Berry · 2 Comments
My previous post concerned the visions occurring in 1859 at the location that has become the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Hope, located one mile east of the town of Champion, WI. Many healings and miracles are reported to have occurred at the site of this vision. About 17 miles northeast of Green Bay, the grounds now consist of the chapel, rebuilt and enlarged again in 1942, as well as the convent, school, gift shop and an area know as “the crypt.” It is in the crypt area that a small altar is located, upon which a statue of Mary is situated. This is the exact location of the two trees between which Mary appeared. Also in the crypt is a statue of the Virgin Mary holding the body of the lifeless Jesus encased in glass. Behind the statue are numerous crutches, braces and canes visitors have left at the shrine, no longer needed. The statue in the crypt--at the location of the two trees Some of the more common reports include: –In 1954 a gentleman wearing a hearing aid participated... [Read more...]
Join the Christmas Bird Count
December 17, 2011 by Rex Vogel · Leave a Comment
With their binoculars, scopes, and gazes turned to the skies, birdwatchers are often far easier to spot than the feathered friends they search for. Join a Christmas Bird Count at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge on Monday, December 19, 2011. Pictured above Green Jay at Laguna Atascosa. © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved Birds have a unique ability to inspire and delight us. They connect us with nature, with the passage of seasons, and with each other. Birding is one of the most popular activities in the country. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 48 million Americans go birding each year. How about you? It is also one of the few activities open to all ages and levels of ability. The 112th annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is scheduled for December 14, 2011 to January 5, 2012. It is an early-winter bird census, where thousands of volunteers across the United States, Canada, and other countries in the Western Hemisphere, go out over a 24-hour period to count birds. Tens... [Read more...]
One Sweet Stop…
December 15, 2011 by Dana Ticknor · 3 Comments
One of the reasons that we love to fulltime RV is that it gives us the chance to visit all sorts of places that we wouldn’t be able to see if we were just on a 2 week vacation. One of the places that we visited last week, here in northern California, was the Jelly Belly factory. I loved the Jelly Belly factory!!! Not because I love jelly beans, because, to be honest, I don’t much care for them – I’m an organic chocolate kind of girl . But, I am more than happy to buy all sorts of jelly beans for my family, who does love them, because they are made right here, in the US, from start to finish, and I love to support American Made (and I will admit to picking out a few pineapple ones for myself ! When we checked into our last campground, they gave us a flyer that highlighted local area attractions. One of those attractions was the Jelly Belly factory in Fairfield, CA – it’s address, for future GPS reference, is 1 Jelly Belly Lane . ... [Read more...]
Our Lady of Good Help–A Vision in Wisconsin
December 14, 2011 by Diane Berry · 2 Comments
Many of you know that, on our travels, my family and I love to visit sites of historical significance, as well as shrines and locations of significance to our faith and culture. Most of the ones we have seen have been located in the western part of our beautiful country. However, we recently learned of a significant site right near our home in a small corner of northeastern Wisconsin. This is the location of the only site in these United States that the Vatican has sanctioned as an official appearance of the Blessed Virgin Mary. An investigation was begun by the Bishop David Ricken of the Green Bay Diocese in 2009 to review the historical information of the Marian apparitions at this location, as well as the life of Sister Adele, the Belgian immigrant to whom Mary appeared in 1859. One year earlier, the Virgin Mary appeared in Lourdes, France, to a young woman named Bernadette. On December 8, 2010, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the Bishop gave official Church approval of the... [Read more...]
Planning Your Next Big Adventure!
December 11, 2011 by Diane Berry · Leave a Comment
If you are like me, the winter months represent prime time to be planning our escape(s) for the next camping season. But where to start? Below are a few ideas we typically use to discover a place where we will enjoy traveling and visiting the following year: My well-loved atlas! 1. I start with an atlas…or a map of the country. Generally, we first need to pick a direction. Sometimes this is easy. Many of you know we generally head west from our Wisconsin home. After doing so for a number of years, in the mood for something different, one year we decided to head east. That started one of our all time favorite two week summer RV trips; one we still talk about today! If you are like us and generally head for the same or a similar location, pick a new one, either exactly opposite of the usual or some variation of this. Sitting down with a map or an atlas can help you peruse attractions along the various routes and at least get headed out in a general direction. 2. Choose a time frame. Where... [Read more...]
Red Rock Country: Sedona
December 6, 2011 by Rex Vogel · 1 Comment
Sedona is an Arizona destination not to be missed—a must-see wonders. Sedona has developed into a center for traditional and contemporary arts and offers a variety of galleries, boutiques, and specialty shops. © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved Sedona easily makes the “A” list of RV destinations in the U.S. due to its rugged western appeal and colorful rock formations. Tourists come from around the world to absorb the natural wonders of Red Rock Country and Sedona, its centerpiece. Located at the base of Oak Creek Canyon, another scenic destination, Sedona is renowned for its stunning rock formations such as Coffee Pot Rock, Cathedral Rock, and Courthouse Butte, as well as its surrounding lush forests. Sedona is located in both Coconino and Yavapai Counties and is surrounded by Coconino National Forest. Sedona has developed into a center for traditional and contemporary arts and offers a variety of galleries, boutiques, and specialty shops. In 1950, surrealist painter Max Ernst moved... [Read more...]
Grandpa’s FireFork Is A Nifty Stocking Stuffer
December 4, 2011 by Melissa A. Trainer · Leave a Comment
Are you looking for a nifty stocking stuff for the outdoor enthusiast on your list? If so, then maybe you should check out Grandpa’s FireFork made by Light My Fire. A compact nifty gadget, the FireFork is a simple solution for cooking marshmallows, hot dogs and even fresh fish over an open flame. Large skewers can be awkward and cumbersome to store and carry. On the other hand, the compact Fire Fork, which was inspired by an innovative grandpa, easily fits into a backpack or even a coat pocket. Once the protective plastic cover is removed from the fork’s prongs, the two wire springs expand. By pressing the two prongs towards each other, the rings align and a stick can be shoved through. Hot dogs and marshmallows are then easily put in place on the prongs and held over the campfire. Another advantage of the forks is that, unlike randomly scavenged sticks, the prongs can be cleaned between uses. Priced at about $10 for a pack of four of Amazon, the FireForks would... [Read more...]
