Category: Family Day Trips
What’s So Special About Hatch, NM?
September 30, 2012 by Diane Berry · 2 Comments
Why, the Chiles, of Course! This year marks the first year we have been in Taos, NM during the months of August and September. About the middle of August, we started to notice an unusual phenomenon that, at first, we did not understand. In the produce department of every grocery store in town, large piles of sacks began appearing, labeled “Hatch.” Perplexed, we looked a bit more closely at one of the sacks and noticed they contained green chiles. But what was the significance of Hatch? Upon further investigation, we were informed that Hatch was THE place in the world to grow the famous New Mexico green chiles, which made the infamous New Mexico green chile sauce. But what was Hatch and what made it the only place to grow chiles? Hatch is a small community (2007 population was 1600) located off of I-25 in the southwestern part of the state between Las Cruces and Truth or Consequences, NM. It was born from an extension of the Santa Fe Railroad Company in 1880 and began as an adobe post... [Read more...]
Top Fall Color Hotspots in National Forests
September 26, 2012 by Rex Vogel · 2 Comments
Fall colors are about to burst all over the country and the U.S. Forest Service wants you to get outdoors and enjoy one of nature’s most spectacular seasons in your national forests. “Autumn is a wonderful time of the year to plan a trip to see the beauty of your national forests,” said Tom Tidwell, Chief of the U.S. Forest Service in an agency news release. “As tree experts, we have incredible resources on our website to help you plan a great adventure this fall season.” From coast to coast, state and local economies are boosted because of the fall season and for many rural communities, fall color tourism is a major source of revenue. Hotels, restaurants, and local shops rely on the influx of dollars generated by fall visitors. For example, the New England area receives an estimated $8 billion in local revenues annually due to fall activities. Throughout the Midwest, millions of visitors hit the road to enjoy the sights. In the West, the mountains provide destinations filled... [Read more...]
Birding Hotspot: Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge, NM
September 1, 2012 by Rex Vogel · 2 Comments
UFO sightings may have put Roswell, New Mexico, on the map, but at nearby Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge, strange creatures are more than visitors. Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge offers a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities. Visitor Center can be seen in the distance. © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved They inhabit odd sinkholes, playa lakes, seeps, and gypsum springs fed by an underground river. Straddling the Pecos River the Refuge consists of an assortment of water habitats. Numerous seeps and free-flowing springs, oxbow lakes, marshes and shallow water impoundments, water-filled sinkholes, and the refuge namesake, Bitter Lake, make up these unique environments. Scattered across the land are over 70 natural sinkholes of different shapes and sizes. Created by groundwater erosion these water habitats form isolated communities of fish, invertebrate, amphibians, and other wildlife. Located where the Chihuahuan Desert meets the Southern Plains, Bitter Lake National Wildlife... [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...]
Hello Helena (that’d be in Montana ;)…
August 22, 2012 by Dana Ticknor · 1 Comment
Growing up in an area, one often takes for granted the unusual and interesting destinations and activities of the locale. We often don’t take advantage of and enjoy the sites and sounds that are right in our backyard, but reserve such tourist-y behavior for when we are on the road. Such was the case with us. Until this summer. We have been on the road for 3 years, and while we spend our winters playing tourist in some much warmer states than our beloved Montana, we come home for the summers and find we fall right back into the everyday routine, forgetting that there were/are fabulous things to do right here at home too! Recently, I vowed to take a day each week and DO something. It didn’t have to be big, but it did have to be something special – something that ‘visitors’ do – something that my kidlets would think was fun and unusual. At first, we would find ourselves traveling out of town for our Tribe Trips as we call them, but then it hit me that there... [Read more...]
50 Things To See or Do See in Your RV Before You Die
August 20, 2012 by Rex Vogel · 1 Comment
You might have read it or flipped through it or seen it on a shelf and thought, “I should pick that up.” The first thing many visitors notice about the Alamo is its small size, especially when compared with the buildings of the surrounding city. © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved It’s the national bestseller, “1,000 Places to See Before You Die.” The list, which includes everything from Asian sailing excursions to African horseback riding sites, might be mouthwatering to the wannabe world traveler. For most, however, the financial ability to travel the world simply isn’t there. But have no fear. Sometimes the best adventures are those in your own backyard. Here, in alphabetical order, are 50 things to do or see in your RV before you die: Acadia National Park, Maine People have been drawn to the rugged coast of Maine throughout history. Thanks to the robber barons that used the park as a private playground in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the... [Read more...]
Top 10 National Parks: Is Your List Better Than Mine?
August 14, 2012 by Rex Vogel · Leave a Comment
People like lists. No, check that, they love them. Particularly when they disagree with them and think they have a better list. So, here’s my personal Top 10 list of national parks. How does it match up with yours? 10. Canyon de Chelly National Monument (Arizona) Spider Rock, the unofficial symbol of Canyon de Chelly, is a sandstone obelisk that rises more than 800 feet from the canyon floor at the junction of Canyon de Chelly and Monument Canyon. © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved A comparatively little-known canyon, Canyon de Chelly has sheer sandstone walls rising up to 1,000 feet, scenic overlooks, well-preserved Anasazi ruins, and an insight into the present day life of the Navajo, who still inhabit and cultivate the valley floor. The northernmost and southernmost edges are accessible from paved roads—the North and South Rim drives. The South Rim Drive offers the most dramatic vistas, ending at the most spectacular viewpoint, the overlook of Spider Rocks—twin 800 foot towers... [Read more...]
Canadian Museum of Nature
August 6, 2012 by Canadianladybug · Leave a Comment
Back on July 1st, we decided to take advantage of the fact that museums in our former hometown were open for free. To celebrate Canada Day we decided to visit the Canadian Museum of Nature which has been revamped in recent years. I hadn’t set foot in that museum for over 15 years – not even it got reopened after the major renovations a couple of years ago. Knowing that we would be moving in a near future, we thought it would be a great time to discover the new and improved Canadian Museum of Nature. Though the entrance brought back memories of when I was younger, you can see that many things have changed. I was disappointed to learn that the famous bee hive was gone but quickly got over it when I discovered that the museum has done a great work with the presentation of its animal collection. We decided to start at the top of the museum and slowly go down as we explored the levels. The first exposition we went to was the birds. Via interaction and observation, we discovered... [Read more...]
The Magic of Ledoux Street
July 29, 2012 by Diane Berry · 1 Comment
Tucked away in a tiny corner of Taos, NM is Ledoux Street. This quaint and beautiful street, named after Paul Ledoux, one of the first French trappers to settle in Taos in the 1800’s, contains magic that is difficult to find in this day and age. Reminiscent of days gone by, the shops and galleries lining Ledoux Street are contained in some of the oldest buildings in the town; adobe structures that housed some of the earliest residents of Taos. These buildings are lovingly preserved and meticulously cared for. Landscaping is some of the best and most attractive around, replete with roses of all hues and brilliant black-eyed susans and Taos’ characteristic Russian sage. The town of Taos is centered around a plaza in typical Spanish tradition. However, the Taos Plaza has moved three times in the past. Ledoux Street was the second location of the Taos Plaza and is located just one block off the current plaza. It is a very charming street that boasts high quality museums, galleries... [Read more...]
Rent a Tent in Homer, Alaska!
July 22, 2012 by Melissa A. Trainer · 2 Comments
Rent a Tent in Homer, Alaska I spontaneously rented a car in Homer, Alaska last week. I hadn’t initially planned on renting a Forest Green Subaru while there, but when my plans abruptly shifted, I did, too. Hence, my husband called Adventure Alaska Car Rentals, a small family-owned and operated car rental company. Within an hour, Tammy was delivering a car to me at The Driftwood Inn. When I went to the car rental office to sign off on paperwork, I noticed some really cool Tepui tents in front of their shop. Army green and available for rent , these tents are far from ordinary because they attach to the roof of the car and elevate the camper off the damp bumpy ground! They are apparently quite popular and are easy to set up. You can rent them to attach to your car or you can rent a car and a tent together. Personally, I think they make a much more affordable alternative to renting a car and paying for a hotel. (Car rentals in remote parts of Alaska run about $95 a day and... [Read more...]
