Category: Holidays on the Road
Patti’s Saga of an RV Rookie: Christmas Eve Salad, Tlaquepaque style…
November 28, 2011 by Patti F. · 2 Comments
Mexico is enduring its share of challenges; the border conflicts are terrible , and it may seem at times as if the bad guys are winning down there. I pray this all changes, for I love Mexico. I have been there over 25 times, mostly alone, always safe, always cared for, always adopted by the people (I once toured the mainland with my parents in a huge Class C: it almost spelled the death of familial love but that’s for another blog). While I can’t fix Mexico’s problems (or our own country’s, for that matter), I can tell you about a Christmas salad I had in Tlaquepaque, Mexico, and why I loved it even though it was nowhere near Christmas, as in June. First, you have to be able to say Tlaquepaque. Work with me people: Tah- lah -kay -pah kay. See, wasn’t that easy? Tlaquepaque is a little artists’ enclave about 10 kilometers from Mexico’s second largest city, Guadalajara. It has a cool “vibe” and a wonderful market-style center with a Spanish colonial feel: we’re... [Read more...]
Patti’s Saga of an RV Rookie: Does he/she want an iPad or bear spray for Christmas? And your wallet says what about that?
November 14, 2011 by Patti F. · 3 Comments
I hope that heavy feeling in your chest doesn’t portend heart trouble, but rather, is the resultant pressure that comes from knowing December is around the corner. Yes, “tis the season of “What am I going to get him (her, them) for Christmas?” which can carry its own weight. Sometimes the expectations of Christmas feel like a worrisome burden; of course, that misses the whole point of a holiday established around an event filled with grace, love, and forgiveness. But that’s another blog… For now, let’s look at Christmas gift ideas for RVing, and in general: Categories: Costs an arm and a leg and Doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. Costs an Arm and a Leg: #1 Ipad: they’re shockingly cool to have in your RV (or anywhere) and can do everything short of conceive children for you. Soon, I bet they’ll have an App for that. The iPad includes its own e reader; I love reading in bed with the back light (that my Nook doesn’t have). #2 Nook, Kindle or some other great e-reader.... [Read more...]
Bring your home with you this summer…on a budget
May 23, 2011 by Rex Vogel · 1 Comment
“Get your motor runnin’ Head out on the highway Lookin’ for adventure And whatever comes our way Yeah Darlin’ go make it happen Take the world in a love embrace Fire all of your guns at once And explode into space.” Cruising Scenic Utah Highway 12 in a Diesel Pusher motorhome. © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved It could be the theme song of every RVer, though it’s not likely what Steppenwolf had in mind when they recorded Born to be Wild in 1968. Recreational vehicles continue to grow in popularity. For the most part, seniors remain the driving force behind the market, although young families are showing increasing interest in having an RV for family vacations. The pull of the road and the freedom that comes with it is what attracts most recreational vehicle owners—and despite the cost of fuel, it’s a relatively cheap way to go. And when you look at the cost of RV ownership over time, it’s still one of the most reasonable vacation options there... [Read more...]
The Annual Pilgrimage to Chimayo–Part 1
May 11, 2011 by Diane Berry · 2 Comments
During Easter Week this year, we happened to be traveling through New Mexico listening to Taos, New Mexico’s solar radio station (for those interested, it is the most powerful solar radio station in the country and plays a wonderful eclectic collection of interesting music. I often listen to them while at home in Wisconsin as well at www.ktao.com). During the broadcast, a comment was made about the annual “Pilgrimage to Chimayo” occurring during Holy Week. The Chapel Grounds Intrigued, and looking for something new to explore, we inquired at the Visitor’s Center in Taos, NM about what the pilgrimage was all about. The woman we spoke with explained that every year during Holy Week, people make the journey to Chimayo, New Mexico from wherever they happen to be, Taos, Santa Fe, Albuquerque, even Colorado and other parts of the country. The pilgrimage is typically completed on foot; the day the journey begins depends on the individual’s starting location. As Chimayo is approximately... [Read more...]
Family of missing Alberta RVers searching for closure
May 1, 2011 by Rex Vogel · Leave a Comment
It’s been more than nine months since Lyle and Marie McCann went missing during a road trip from their home in St. Albert, a northern suburb of Edmonton, Alberta to visit family in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley. The McCanns, both in their 70s, were last seen July 3, 2010 fueling up their motorhome at a gas station in their hometown of St. Albert. Their credit card has not been used since they bought that gas. Their burning RV was found two days later in a campsite near Edson, Alberta, about 120 miles west of Edmonton. The registration was pulled out of the motorhome before it was destroyed by fire; the documents showed that the McCanns were the owners. On July 10, seven days after they left their home, the McCanns failed to meet their daughter, Trudy Holder, in Abbotsford, B.C. She contacted RCMP to report them missing. That’s when RCMP first linked the missing couple to the burned RV. Alberta Mounties admitted they botched the early stages of the investigation after... [Read more...]
Kloesel’s Steak House & Bar: Moulton, TX
February 21, 2011 by Rex Vogel · 2 Comments
Blink and you’ll miss Moulton—but that would be a mistake. Kloesel’s Steak House in Moulton makes a great lunch stop on the way to the “little brewery in Shiner”.© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved On a recommendation we received while in Luling we made a lunch stop at this sidetrack town 10 miles north of Shiner on Texas 95. Incidentally we were on our way to tour the “little brewery in Shiner”. Turn west off Texas 95 onto Moore Avenue, and see what I mean. Moulton (pronounced MOLE-ton) prospered in the 1880s as the railroad and Czech and German immigrants came to town. Today, the town of some 1,000 people quaintly blends Old World style and Old West flavor. Kloesel’s Steak House During the past 40 years, Harvey and Diana Kloesel have turned a former grocery-café into a popular eatery. The Kloesels charbroil choice steaks. Other fare ranges from fettuccine to blue-plate specials, plus luscious pies and cheesecakes. Harvey and Diana started their restaurant business in July... [Read more...]
Bluebonnets, Chicken Fried Steak, and Deer
January 24, 2011 by Hoby · 3 Comments
(Photo Caption: Hill Country Winery) One other stopping point on our way from New Mexico to South Texas is the Texas Hill Country. We always enjoy our stay in this part of Texas because there is so much to do—and it is close to San Antonio and Austin. When in the Hill Country there are a few things that, at least in my opinion, must not be missed. The first three of these things are food…Chicken Fried Steak, Barbeque, and Barbacoa. While these are served in other places, the Hill Country seems to make them better than other locations. Of course, you can always find incredible German food by visiting Fredericksburg, and you should always stop at the many wineries you will come across. Another thing to watch for in the Hill Country are the wildflowers; many wildflower festivals happen in various cities across the area, but since the Bluebonnet is the state flower, it is important to recognize the Bluebonnet Festival in Burnet, Texas (Burnet is recognized by the Texas state legislature... [Read more...]
REARRANGING CHRISTMAS – How We Make it Work for All of Our Children!
December 23, 2010 by Professor95 · 1 Comment
Our children fit into the category of “Grown and Gone”. We have two boys and two girls that have gifted us with seven beautiful grandchildren. They not only have us, but another set of parents commonly referred to as “in-laws”. (I have often wondered if that made us “out-laws”?) As many younger campers realize, having an expanded family can often create more than a little stress around Christmas. Mom and Dad still want the kids to be at home Christmas Eve to wake up to gifts and filled stockings Christmas Morning. The excitement and expectations displayed by the grandchildren bring pleasant memories back to the grandparents. Our family gathered together for an "early" Christmas. When it is all said and done, it seems that the ones who feel the most left out are our grown children. They want to establish their own Christmas traditions with their own children – and this does not necessarily mean going to one of their parent’s homes. We solved the problem... [Read more...]
Last Minute Christmas gift ideas for RVers
December 21, 2010 by Rex Vogel · 1 Comment
It’s that time of year again. The Christmas countdown has begun! With care, poinsettias should retain their beauty for weeks and some varieties will stay attractive for months. © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved While the holidays bring with it lots of love, time spent with family and friends, good food, and more, it can also bring stress. Trying to find that 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! With the big day almost here, many of us are. Here are six last minute gift ideas. Campground Directory Woodall’s Publications Corporation, produces numerous publications for RVers including a comprehensive campground directory. Now available for purchase, the 2011 North American Campground Directory includes more than 310,000 updates and changes. New in the 2011 Directory are updated GPS coordinates and physical address in select listings, full-color ads throughout the book, full-color state and provincial... [Read more...]
‘Tis the season for Christmas lights
December 15, 2010 by Rex Vogel · 2 Comments
‘Tis the season for Christmas light displays. Below is a selected list of ten of the best places in the U.S. Sunbelt to see Christmas lights and other seasonal displays. No guarantee, but they’re all worth a look—and don’t forget to pack your digital camera and tripod. Alabama Theodore Bellingrath Gardens Magic Christmas in Lights Dates: November 26-December 31, 2010; closed December 25 General information: Stroll through 3 million sparkling lights and over 928 displays throughout the 65-acre Garden estate. The Bellingrath Home is decorated in its holiday finery and poinsettias encompass the Gardens. Nightly choral performances held on the South Terrace. Admission: Magic Christmas in Lights Only $12.00; Magic Christmas in Lights and Bellingrath Home Tour $20.00; tickets available for purchase online Directions: Located 20 miles southwest of Mobile; from Interstate 10, take exit 15A (Hwy 90 West/Theodore exit). Travel approximately 2 miles and turn left at the Bellingrath... [Read more...]
