Category: Family Weekend Trips
Camping with Kids II
November 15, 2012 by Cynthia Baum · Leave a Comment
Petting zoos, swimming pools, water parks, play structures, and so many more amenities are offered at numerous KOA campgrounds across the nation. These Kampgrounds of America (KOA) are the ultimate family-friendly campgrounds that also have unbeatable specials, such as camp one night, get the next night for free. This is an especially common promotion at the local KOA we frequent. One of the local Moms groups I am involved in actually plans their bi-annual camp outs around this exact deal. It turns into a weekend-long play date! With fun teepees to sleep in and lots of other family-friendly options, including an exhilarating zip line, cozy cabins, and some kid-friendly play structures such as climbing walls, parents can look forward to taking their kids camping at such sensational campgrounds. Knowing how important it is for kids to get outdoors with their parents, KOA’s have even been known to offer free camping just for kids for a given weekend. For example, this year for... [Read more...]
First Backpacking Adventure Continued…
November 14, 2012 by Cynthia Baum · 4 Comments
When I left off with our very first backpacking adventure, we were just turning in for the night. Picking up where I left off… My family of four all slept in one queen-sized sleeping bag that night—not the best idea we ever had. With the two adults on the ends and two little ones in between us, we didn’t keep each other warmer, as we had originally thought. Instead, we just didn’t have enough room and were waking each other up all night, with even the smallest of movements. The air inside the tent was so cold that any skin exposed (which was basically just our faces), was frostbitten. Even sleeping with all of our snow clothes, hats, gloves, and jackets still on, inside the sleeping bag, we were still freezing! By morning, we were all a bit grumpy, tired, sore, and frozen-stiff. While cooking our oatmeal, we got some hot dogs in a pan, ready to go on the stove next, with an inch of water just barely covering them. By the time the oatmeal was cooked and ready... [Read more...]
Camping with Kids I
November 13, 2012 by Cynthia Baum · 1 Comment
Camping with kids these days? Where do you like to go? Adults with kids living in the home are more likely to go camping than those without kids, according to the 2012 American Camper Report http://www.outdoorfoundation.org/pdf/research.camping.2012.pdf. This makes complete sense to me since having kids of our own; we try to go camping as much as we can each year. We have always loved camping, even before kids we would go at least once a year. But once we had kids, we realized just how important and fun it is to spend time outdoors, camping with our kids. Some of my very best memories as a kid are from the annual camping trips we took with my extended family. Most of the families who went in those days had pop-up tent trailers and many came from LA and even further south so they usually wanted to escape the heat, crowds, and come to the beach; we always met up at Leo Carrillo State Beach (on the beach side). The week we spent camping with the family always ended up being a solid... [Read more...]
Thank You Veterans
November 11, 2012 by Diane Berry · Leave a Comment
This year on Veteran’s Day, my brother in law, Dennis, was visiting with us for the week. While Veteran’s Day had never meant too much to me as neither my husband nor I have served in the military, it meant a great deal to Dennis. A veteran of the Vietnam War, Dennis wears a cap proudly proclaiming his service most places he goes. Therefore, we thought it only appropriate that we should take him to visit this country’s first Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial during his visit. And, what better time to visit than ON Veteran’s Day. Dennis had no idea that such a memorial existed in our nearby little town of Angel Fire, New Mexico. In fact, most people have no idea this place exists. The memorial was constructed from 1969-1971 and opened in 1971 by Dr. Victor Westphall and his wife, Jeanne. The couple had purchased the 800 acre Val Verde Ranch in Angel Fire in the 1960’s with plans to build a resort there. Nestled in the lovely Moreno Valley between several mountains, it was a lovely location... [Read more...]
Flip, the Stranded Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle Returns to Texas
November 11, 2012 by Rex Vogel · Leave a Comment
A juvenile female Kemp’s ridley sea turtle named Flip by her rescuers will soon be returning home to the Texas coast. Flip will be transported by plane to Houston, Texas. After her arrival, SEA LIFE Dallas aquarists will transport Flip to ARK (Animal Rehabilitation Keep) in Port Arkansas, Texas. (Source: Sea Life Scheveningen Aquarium) Kemp’s ridley sea turtles are the smallest and rarest sea turtle species and one of the most critically endangered species. Flip was found injured and cold, stranded on the shores of Monster (near The Hague, Holland) by visitors to the beach, on December 10, 2011. She was weak, wounded, and had sand in her eyes. Animal Rescue transported Flip to SEA LIFE Aquarium Scheveningen to begin a long rehabilitation process. SEA LIFE aquarists treated her injuries and washed the sand out of her eyes. Flip started to swim later that day. She weighed 1.84kg (4 pounds). Flip was estimated to be two years old and she turned out to be female. On January 9, 2012, the... [Read more...]
Still More Reasons to Love Texas Food
November 5, 2012 by Rex Vogel · 1 Comment
Texans take their food as seriously as they do their football. Many Winter Texans and other visitors to the Lone Star State have the good sense to agree with them—that Texan food is that of the gods. 1. City Market Barbecue fans head to downtown Luling to satisfy their craving for City Market’s succulent brisket, hot links, and pork ribs. © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved One of the great joys of RVing is visiting new places and making interesting discoveries. Another is just the opposite—revisiting those places that demand a closer look. Sometimes that second chance leads to a third—and a fourth. City Market in Luling, is such a place. The meat-market-turned-barbecue-restaurant started in 1958, and over the years has become a barbecue icon. This is the arguably the best barbeque in all of Texas which helps explain why Luling is perennially included on our Texas itinerary. 2. Lockhart: Barbecue Capital of Texas A short hop, skip, a jump from Luling is Lockhart, the Barbecue Capital... [Read more...]
Scuba-Certified in One Weekend?!
November 4, 2012 by Cynthia Baum · 2 Comments
Have you ever felt the jaw-dropping sensation of fear and excitement at the same time? Ever dream of what it would feel like to swim with sharks? If you are one of those people who is always up for a new adventure, try getting your Scuba Diving Certification! It is something that you can do over a period of time or you may opt to clump the classes and dives into one thrilling, action-packed weekend and just go for it! I, of course, chose the latter option. For my husband’s birthday, I decided to surprise him with a weekend away for the two of us to get scuba-certified together (something we have both always talked about doing one day). I found a great deal online (http://www.yelp.com/biz/badass-diving-rancho-cucamonga) and was able to get private lessons with a skilled PADI Scuba Dive Master for us. Just a short, picturesque drive away from one the best dive spots in California is the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort and Marina, where you can park your RV at one of their premier... [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...]
Best Kept Secret in Camping: Maricopa County Parks & BOGO
October 4, 2012 by Rex Vogel · 1 Comment
One of the best kept secrets in the World of RVing is campgrounds located in county parks! But where are they, and how do you find them? A delightful end to another day in paradise at Usery Mountain Regional Park. © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved Sometimes they’re located in Woodall’s and Trailer Life Campground Directory. Often times they’re not. County parks are often relatively small and off the beaten path. But if you’re looking for a quiet place to relax, do some bird watching, hike a near-by trail, or do some great sightseeing, it might be well worth seeking out some of these neat spots. A county park system worth checking out is Maricopa County Regional Parks in Arizona. The parks circle the Phoenix metropolitan area and all are within a 45-minute drive from central Phoenix. And unlike Arizona State Parks, no Maricopa County park has been closed or has suffered cutback in services. With 10 regional parks totaling more than 120,000 acres, Maricopa County Regional Parks... [Read more...]
RV Insurance Claims: Driver Inexperience & Forgetfulness
September 30, 2012 by Rex Vogel · Leave a Comment
First party insurance claims involving recreational vehicles can often be traced to driver inexperience and forgetfulness. (Source: claimsjournal.com) The majority of claims occur within the first 90 days of ownership or at the beginning of the season, according to International Insurance Group, Inc., an independent Arizona RV insurance agency. “This is due to the nuances and size of RVs. Most drivers aren’t accustomed to the wide angles, required clearance and space required to maneuver their rig.” Gradually, as RV drivers gain experience, the claims associated with RVs change, reports claimsjournal.com. Lenny Richileau, director of the specialty vehicle claims unit for Allied and Nationwide Insurance Companies calls them the “I forgot” claims. “Experience does not eliminate claims, but it seems to change the nature of the claim. With experience, claims are less about hitting the post at the gas station, taking out the top of the rig, trying to fit under an underpass with low... [Read more...]
