A Disney Campground for the RV Lifestyle

When you wish upon a star, your RV will bring you to Disney, no matter how far....
Did you know that Disney World in Florida has a campground where you can stay in your RV and still get the entire Disney experience? It's true! Disney’s Fort Wilderness is a great way for the young and the young at heart alike to enjoy all that this magical destination has to offer. 

Disney World is every child's dream and now it can be your comfortable and affordable reality.  Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort offers 4 different types of campsites, including new Premium Campsites, and they can accommodate everything from tents to 45-foot and longer vehicles, with a maximum of 10 guests per site. They also welcome your pets! After all, they’re part of the family too. Campsite guests with pet privileges may take their dogs to play in the off-leash Waggin' Trails Dog Park or walk the many on-leash trails. So that guests with pets can enjoy ample time at the Walt Disney World theme parks and destinations, day and overnight kennel care is available at Best Friends Pet Care.  

Since most of your time is spent at the parks, having your own home away from home is a great alternative to spending extra money on an elaborate hotel room that you may hardly even spend time in. And should you decide to take a break from the Disney parks and stay at the campground for a day, there’s plenty to do there too. Fort Wilderness offers a variety of on-site activities!  You can can ride bikes, go horse back riding, play tennis, enjoy a pool with water slides appropriate for all ages, join in the campfire sing-along with Chip and Dale, and The Hoop-De-Doo Musical Review - an old-fashioned dinner show that includes foot-stompin' music, nostalgic comedy and an all-you-care-to-eat dinner at Pioneer Hall. Taking a break from the park and spending time at the camp ground gives you the opportunity to meet fellow RV'ers and enjoy all the great company of the other campers that are there too.

Rates start at $46 per night, and campers can save on park admission by purchasing a "Magic Your Way" vacation package that includes a stay at Fort Wilderness. If you head down to Disney’s Fort Wilderness, we sure hope you’ll send us a photo or share your adventure with us.  We just love to hear about our RV Country friends adventures!

Happy Rving!

Thomas & Deborah - Home safe zoom zoom!

Monday August 15

Well, our sojourn has come to an end. With driving hard, yet sleeping when needed, we arrived in Fresno late Monday night. It was quick trip home, but nevertheless enjoyable. "Oh look, that's where we ate breakfast 2 1/2 weeks ago!" Zoom. "That's where we changed the trailer tire!" Zoom. "This is where we slept on the way out!" Zoom zoom and before we knew it we were taking the Chestnut exit of Highway 99.

Even though we didn't really settle in, the Holiday Rambler Scepter was a beautiful coach that had a soft quiet ride. The floor plan was different than most, with the fridge right behind the driver and a little hallway along the side of the restroom to get to the rear bedroom. Two full-length windows were there that gave the center of the coach an airy, open feeling. Another option we appreciated was the Aqua Hot. If you're looking into purchasing a new or used motorhome, we'd sure try to get that along with the other amenities we mentioned earlier on the Monaco Executive.

Anyway, aside from having a couple of tires failing on the trailer, the trip was smooth and carefree, all 20 days. (On a side note, Thomas and others have noticed a problem with trailer tires: they age quickly, come apart, or go flat easily. This can be resolved by putting light truck tires on your trailer instead of tires designated "trailer use only". This works for 18-wheelers and it has solved all our tire problems.)

Our dog and cat were sure glad to see us; it's good to be home. It's been a pleasure logging our trip, and we hope you benefited from traveling with us. The folks at Paul Evert's RV are great people; we love working with them. See you out on the road or in the camping spot.

Take care and God bless,

Thomas and Deborah

Thomas & Deborah - Road Trip Wrap-Up

Sunday August 14

We're Thomas and Deborah, and because we're friends of Curt Curtis, the general manager of Paul Evert's RV Country, we are able to combine our vacation with delivering a motorhome to Wisconsin. Click on our names to gain access to our previous blogs.

On Saturday, August 13, our days on the bike finally came to an end. Over the past 12 days we put on about 1700 miles and made it all the way around Lake Michigan along with many enjoyable side trips. The best part, is that we're still in one piece. Riding street bikes is dangerous; there's no getting around it. There's nothing between you and all those potential accidents but a bit of leather. Compound that cold fact with bad weather, road construction, traffic, and we're just thanking God we're safe. Dangerous, yes, but definitely worth the risk at our age. We rolled in to Madison and were happy to see all our friends from Paul Evert's. In yet another rain storm, we moved from the bike into the motorhome.

The coach we selected, out of the few that needed to be taken back to Fresno, is a 2008 Holiday Rambler Scepter. It’s a beautifully crafted coach with many amenities similar to the Monaco Executive we drove east. This time, however, we can’t afford a leisurely pace that allows us to enjoy our time in the coach—school begins for Thomas Wednesday morning. The FMCA show in Madison ended Saturday evening. Hammer down.

It was a good show with many people now enjoying their new or pre-owned RVs, but the sales team, and Deborah and I are ready to return home. The drive is made easier knowing that every mile brings us closer to our family including the grandkids and dog and cat. We love to travel, but we also love our home. We met a couple from California last week who lived in their Holiday Rambler along with their 14 year old calico cat. She didn’t mind living on the road a bit and would periodically beg to be taken outside on her leash to be walked. Upon returning to the coach she’d find a warm spot to settle in for the next several hours. With a nice RV, life on the road can easily become life at home as well.

Thomas & Deborah - From Pizza Pies to Butterflies!

Thursday August  11

Rain, rain, rain since we last wrote. Sunday we left our hotel in Kalamazoo, MI, under cloudy skies, and before we got out of town had to park under a drive-up teller and don our rain gear. Driving was tolerable until it began to pour so much we couldn’t see, couldn’t stop, or navigate. We left US 131 to take refuge in the small Michigan town of Three Rivers.  A kind patron of the pizza parlor pulled up the weather on her iPhone and after lunch the rain had abated enough for us to continue to Chicago. Shortly after we pulled up to our hotel in Chicago the sky opened up again. We didn’t let it stop us from going up to the observation deck at the top of the John Hancock building. The best part of the day, however, was dinner at the Oven Grinder. It’s a little hole-in-the-wall across the street from where the St. Valentines Day Massacre took place. It was recommended to us by some fellow motorcyclists from Chicago. Their pizza is more like a pot pie and everything was delicious and expertly prepared. Another biker eating there with his family insisted we sample his pre-meal flatbread. A GREAT dining experience, and again, it began to pour just as we arrived.

The following day, after a visit to the Museum of Science and Industry at the former Worlds Columbian Exposition of 1893 we set out for Milwaukee, Wisconsin… in the rain. We stayed just outside at a La Quinta Inn for a frugal $61 for the night. We were more than ready to call it a day.

Tuesday, however, the weather was glorious, and before leaving for Madison, we visited the Miller Brewery and Milwaukee County Zoo where a butterfly exhibit was held. We went into a small aviary, careful not to step on anything, and cavorted with some 500 butterflies. You actually have to be inspected before leaving to check for any hitchhikers.


Wednesday, we loaded the bike into the trailer and drove to Elkhart, Indiana, where we dropped off a 2011 Monaco Knight to have the refrigerator exchanged at the request of its new owner. What a nice place! Very friendly people along a beautiful riverfront setting.

A must-see is the Ruthmere house built in 1910 and exquisitely restored/preserved. We also made the short trip to Middlebury and Goshen. In Middlebury we toured the Jayco RV factory. Forty-five percent of the workers are Amish, and they take great pride in their workmanship. (Yes, Indiana, along with Pennsylvania, has a large Amish community; the stores even have hitching posts!) It’s the largest family-owned RV assembly plant in the U.S. and was founded by Lloyd J. Bontrager on his family farm in 1968. They now employ 1200 very dedicated individuals. 

Jayco RVs are available at Paul Evert’s RV Country, of course!

Thomas & Deborah - Museums galore!

Saturday August 6

We woke up  to rain this morning, but fortunately have decent rain suits for riding. We suited up in the hotel room and made our way the 20 miles or so to Kalamazoo, MI. We visited the Air Zoo, an indoor air museum that was the nicest we'd ever seen. Deborah isn't much on war machines, but even she had a great time learning in such a beautiful environment. After a couple hours there, we rode the 15 miles up to the Gilmore Car museum in Hickory Corners. What an amazing collection in an awesome venue. We've seen many auto collections, but this was one of the best. The cars are displayed in several resstored barns. There's a recreated dealership and gas station as well. Highly recommend to anyone traveling in south-central Michigan.

Why the museums? Well, as mentioned before, Thomas is a high school English teacher, but prior to college he worked with his father for ten years running a small trucking business. He's very handy working on everything from computers to toilets. He spends much of the summer fixing up old cars or improving their home on 5 acres in the foothills.

Deborah is a retired school teacher. She chose to quit working full time when the first grandchild arrived seven years ago. She's an avid reader and philosopher who loves to learn. Her real passion in life at this time, however, is being closely involved in the lives of her children and grandchildren.

On to Chicago.

Thomas & Deborah - Nebraska flat lands

Saturday July 30

All this flat land of Nebraska and Iowa is a nice break from the Rockies. About dusk last night we ran through a swarm of some winged Nebraskan insect. It covered the windshield and nearly blinded us from finding the North Platte Walmart. (OK, even in a 44’ Monaco Executive, Walmart still makes for a convenient sleeping pad, and they’re everywhere. Some local ordinances, however, have disallowed spending the night. Be certain to look for signs, or better yet, check with the management.)

This morning we knew we would have to wash the windshield before driving much farther. Next door we found the Tornadoes 16 and Under, a local female sports team offering a “donation only” car wash. To see their eyes when we pulled up to their little buckets of soap was quite likely the highlight of the trip. “It’s free, right?” Thomas asked. “Uh, free-will donation…” one of the girls stammered. There was certain relief when we explained we just needed the front washed. Great group of kids and sponsors.

Another bonus of North Platte, NE was the Bailey Rail Yard of the Union Pacific. It’s the largest in the world, so they constructed an observation tower for the general public. The yard encompasses 2,800 acres and sorts some 3,000 rail cars a day. Well worth the stop.

Only about 350 miles to go. We should be in Manitowoc, Wisconsin tomorrow afternoon.

Thomas & Deborah - Road trip bucket list!

Friday July 29

Deborah here. We are having a blast! If you haven’t gone on a road trip before you simply MUST add it to your bucket list. Really… Never, ever had so much fun… ever. We slept blissfully on the Comfortaire mattress that came with the Monaco Executive, enjoyed a delicious breakfast, then headed off to cross the majestic Rocky Mountains. We’ve cruised, and traveled round the world, yet never have enjoyed ourselves more than sitting side by side watching God’s glorious creation pass by our window.

We crossed into Nebraska shortly before dusk and enjoyed the open plains and corn fields as we ate a light dinner in the coach. Then off again to drive a bit farther and feast upon the golden hues of the setting sun. Spectacular day indeed!

The photos really can’t do justice to the splendor of the Rockies. This is a great way to see the country; it’s like having a luxury apartment on wheels. (At the risk of sounding corny, they really do sell fun at Paul Evert’s RV Country!)

Tomorrow we continue across the Great Plains. Remember: add a road trip to your bucket list.

Thomas & Deborah - On the Road!

Thursday July 28

Hi again. We're Thomas and Deborah and we're on our way to Manitowoc, Wisconsin in a 2006 Monaco Executive. Please see our first blog for an introduction. More about us later, but we've completed our first full day on the road. The 550 miles today added to the 240 we covered Wednesday evening puts us in Green River, Utah. It's been a leisurely pace. Beautiful scenery, beautiful drive.

We've delivered coaches about 10 times for Curt and Paul Evert's RV Country and part of the fun is learning each coach and its accouterments. I've grown to appreciate many, like the interactive cruise control, or Smartcruise. It matches the speed of the vehicle in front of you. I wouldn't leave it on all the time because it can get confused, but on a two-lane road, when we couldn't pass for many miles, it perfectly matched the pace of the truck in front of us and I sat back and enjoyed the ride. It would be awesome if you were traveling with someone; you wouldn't have to keep adjusting your cruise to match theirs.

Another of my favorites is the HWH Computerized Leveling system. Press a button and the air suspension does the rest in seconds--flawlessly.

But my all time, can't-live-without option is the Aladdin. It's just what a former truck driver techno-geek loves. This system gathers information from everywhere and delivers it to the video screen by the steering wheel: temperatures, transmission performance, power output, cruise control set points, speed, tank levels, even compass heading. It has answers to a thousand questions.

Regardless of what we're driving, however, a road trip is a wondrous way to suspend time. We've been gone a little over 24 hours and already feel we've been on vacation for weeks. Travel; it makes life last longer, in a good way.

Thomas & Deborah - Departure Day

Wednesday July 27

Yesterday we wrote about planning a road trip, and we’re about to see how we’ve done. These excursions Deborah and I take for Paul Evert’s RV Country are logistically challenging because we must plan three trips before we leave home.

We begin with a nice long road trip in a luxurious roomy Monaco; this year it’s a 44’ Executive, one of the best. We’ll spend 4-5 days working our way across country listening to books on CD, sightseeing, and watching the landscape go by in opulent comfort. The leather, ceramic tile, Corian countertops, and fine woodwork are of a quality that exceeds our home (remember, I teach school for a living). It’s a relaxing, pampered life with many easy miles covered each day.

Once we get to the Monaco Pre-rally, however, all that comfort comes to an end. Within minutes of arriving, we move out completely. The pre-owned coach we drive will serve as the sales office at the rallies, and the sales staff is all too eager to move in. Most of our belongings go in a large box stowed in the show trailer. We go from royalty to minimalists and begin life on our Honda Valkyrie with very little luggage space. Deborah is very proud of the fact that she fits clothing for 12 days in a saddlebag half the size of a piece of carry-on luggage. The GPS, tourbooks, toiletries, tools, and rain gear all need to be carefully tucked away into very small spaces along with our clothes. We’ll cover far fewer miles in a day and avoid the interstate if at all possible.

At the end of the FMCA rally we’ll return to Madison, load the bike into the show trailer, and begin the third leg of our endeavor: another road trip back home. This year will be a marathon sprint because of the late date; I have to be back for the start of school.

We’ll keep you posted on how we manage… these blogs are about to get MUCH shorter.

Thomas & Deborah - Preparation Day

Tuesday July 26

Well, one more day and we’ll be hitting the road; we’ve been planning for several weeks now, and prep time is almost expired. Road trips typically require pre-planning: thinking through the entire trip and determining what you’ll need. Maintenance? Itinerary? Route? How much does one plan for? Traveling can be uncomfortable and difficult due to lack of pre-planning. A little practice, however, and skillful pre-planning makes road trips less stressful and well worth the time.

It’s possible to over-plan and under-plan, and every traveler must find a balance. Insufficient planning can be disastrous, like running out of money! Plan too much and the rigidity and over-packing take the fun out of the trip. I take along tools, just in case, but I must settle for a small, portable collection of the absolutely necessary. Conversely, Deborah and I don’t make reservations for the night. We like flexibility. We enjoy the adventure of not knowing. Granted, a few times we’ve had to drive later than we preferred or settle for noisy truck stop parking, but for us the freedom is worth it.

There are strategies that can make planning a trip much easier. A checklist, for example, to avoid leaving something behind. Another helpful strategy is to have a travel bag always packed with necessities; that way one need only remember the one travel bag instead of a dozen items. I have a road bag that I bring on every road trip: flares, jumpers, first aid kit, gloves, multi-tool.

An RV is a like a huge travel bag, for us. We keep our 5th wheel stocked with dishes, cutlery, games, toiletries, etc. We can leave for a three day mini-vacation with little more than locking the house, putting the dog in the truck, and backing up to the trailer. We’re off within an hour, and the RV becomes our home where we know there’s a clean comfy bed wherever we end up parking for the night.

Tomorrow, we haul our carefully thought-out collection of necessities down to Paul Evert’s RV Country, load it all into the Monaco Executive and head out. We’ll let you know where we end up sleeping…

Safety First in RV Country

Before you set out on your next adventure, be sure to keep a few things in mind. It may seem obvious to some, but to others the height of an RV often goes overlooked. Some drivers accidentally drive under an overpass without enough clearance because they forget about the height of the vehicle. Keeping your RV's height handy is a good idea, as well as knowing the clearance to the upcoming bridges and tunnels along your way. An atlas can sometimes help with this, as can some GPS units. While there is currently no phone app for this, we were able to find a website that does list low clearance bridge heights that may be helpful to you.

Another item to keep in mind is maintenance. Yes, it's sometimes a pain to get your RV into the shop for its maintenance check, but an RV that's well maintained is less likely to give you problems along the way. You can even start by doing a small check on your own, such as checking headlights, brake lights and turn signals and making sure your tires have the correct air pressure and sufficient tread depth. Our service department can do a more in depth checkup, such as inspecting your belts, brakes, and engine.

You'll also want to make sure you have a plan in case you do break down. Always carry a cell phone, and it's a good idea to leave your travel plans with someone back home. Have plenty of food and drink on hand in case you're stuck on the side of the road for awhile. A good roadside assistance program is good to consider as well.

Stay safe out there RVers, and happy traveling!

An Ice Cream Tour for the RV Lifestyle

You scream, I scream, we all scream for ICE CREAM!  It's a special dessert outing that has become a family tradition for many (Let's go out for ice cream!), and even the grown ups feel like a kid when they're licking a cone. So many flavors to choose from... Will it be a cone or a bowl?  Two scoops or one? Sprinkles or hot fudge? To help you decide, how about taking the family on an ice cream tour this summer? You’ve done the usual RV stops at National Parks, so this summer treat yourself and the family to a childhood favorite! Here are five fun places you can adventure to a la mode:

Hansen Dairy in Hudson, Iowa  

Owned and operated by the Hansen family since 1861, the Farm Fresh Dairy offers guests a hands-on tour of the working farm and dairy. You can request for the tour to be hands-on, meaning in addition to the regular activities, you can also feed a calf, milk a cow by hand, make homemade butter and pet a wallaby.

Tours are available Monday through Saturday all year long, but visitors are encouraged to come late March to early November, and be sure to make an appointment. If the complimentary ice cream isn't enough, you can also visit Moo Roo in Waterloo, just nine miles up the road. That's Hansen's retail store, which includes their complete dairy line, ice cream, soft-serve, ice cream pies and cakes, and their Moo Roo signature chocolate cake roll with ice cream.

Ben & Jerry's in Waterbury, Vermont  

Scooping it since 1978, Ben & Jerry's is still “living the dream of making the best possible ice cream in the nicest way. They also offer a tour through their Waterbury Factory. The tour begins in the Cow Over the Moon theater with a company history moo-vie. Find out how two childhood friends, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, turned a $5.00 correspondence course on ice cream making into a very successful business that shares its success with its employees, & the community & has fun doing it! At the end of the tour visitors are taken to the flavor room to sample the flavor of the day! Mmmmmm! There are outdoor activities as well. You can visit the cows in the pasture, the Flavor Graveyard (where retired flavors have gone to rest) and plenty of space for picnicking.

They  are open seven days a week, year ‘round except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas and New Years Day, but you’ll want to visit their website for seasonal information such as hours and tour information.

Boulder Ice Cream in Boulder, Colorado  

 Started in 1992, this all natural ice cream became popular almost over night! There’s often a 20 minute wait just to get in the door and that’s not the only exciting fact about this ice cream shop – they use all organic ingredients, making them green! 

“We make every effort to minimize our footprint on the planet as we create our products. We strive to be a "Leave no Trace" facility.”  They have over 150 flavors and even offer additional flavors per request! Popular flavors of their organic ice cream include Island Coconut, Mexican Chocolate and Green Tea. The tour is free, but you do have to make an appointment.

Homeland Creamery in Julian, North Carolina  

Homeland Creamery is owned and operated by Chris and Jayne and David and Terry Bowman. They are the sixth generation of farmers on the same homestead that have operated this dairy since the 1930′s. They believe that children should have the opportunity to learn that our food (including milk) is produced on a farm and is not just a product of the local grocery store.

On the Dairy Tour…Your actual tour (about 1-1/2 hours) will be divided into several stages, starting with a hayride (20 min.). You will see a beautiful view of the family farm & crops from the cows in the pasture to baby calves being bottle fed, and get a first-hand look at the milk parlor. The group will get a better understanding of how milk gets from the cow to the grocery store.  Of course, the tour ends with a sample from their own creamery-made ice cream.

While no weekend tours are available, the farm is open Monday through Friday, with tours beginning at 10 a.m. Admission is $6 a person, ages 2 and older. You will need to call to make a reservation.

Hilmar Cheese Company in Hilmar, California

Don't be turned away by the name of this one -  this cheese company, founded in 1984, also has a very cool fun experience for you. Request the Family Fun Ice Cream Activity and you’ll find yourself creating your own homemade individual frozen dairy dessert. Basic ingredients for vanilla ice cream are put in "magic jars." Director of education and public relations at Hilmar, Denise Skidmore, says “It’s really fun, if you end up with a milkshake, obviously you've done something wrong. This experience is all about learning the old-fashioned process."

For more information on tour hours you’ll want to visit their website.

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There you have it, five fabulous farms serving it up frozen cream style. Embrace your inner child and indulge in the icy goodness, but not too fast – BRAIN  FREEZE!

Happy RVing!

RV Country Destination: Spring Fever

Spring break is over and it's back to the old grindstone... Only you find yourself unable to concentrate, restless, distracted. You're barely making deadlines. You, my friend, have a good old fashioned case of Spring Fever.  That beautiful RV sitting in your driveway is just calling your name, beckoning you to come home and get behind the wheel. “Take me away... Take me anywhere, just as long as we get away.”  You know you can’t take time off until summer, the kids have school, and you just took time off to visit the in-laws for Easter. And yet, it calls...

If what I just explained has YOU written all over it, then it sounds like a quick weekend trip is in order. And why not? No one ever said that an RV trip had to be a specific length of time. Surprise the family and get away for the weekend. Get out of that weekend-chore-yard work-housecleaning-laundry rut and go somewhere. Live in Boston? Go to Montreal. Yes, Montreal, Quebec. There’s all kinds of shopping and food and the kids will think it’s great that you took them to another country for the weekend. Live in Austin, Texas? How about trying Port Aransas, Texas for the weekend? You’ll find yourselves on the beach and maybe even shed that spring fever that’s been eating at you. In San Diego? Head out to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.  It’s the largest park in California and you can camp there. I could keep going with more destinations, but I think you get the idea. The point is to find a city near you that has something of interest, pack up the family and just go!

Happy travels and may you come back revived, refreshed, and re-focused!

Have GPS Units Made Maps and Atlases Obsolete?

It used to be true that anyone who was venturing off on a road trip would have to take a paper printed map to find their route. Then came the digital age and we had the option to go online to a mapping site, enter our destination and print out a route, or even a step by step set of instructions complete with distances from one point to the next. Now it seems that the most common choice for travel assistance are those handy portable GPS units.

GPS units, or Global Positioning Units, were originally created for use by the military, but are now widely used by the general public. With prices starting at less than $100, they have become very affordable and offer so much more to their users than just a road map.  In addition to providing current road maps, they can also help direct you to the nearest emergency services, food, gas, or lodging, as well as help you to adjust your route to avoid roadwork, accidents, and traffic jams. It is also helpful to have a pleasant voice directing you on what move to make next, rather than trying to read a map while driving, or relying on your co-pilot to feed you step by step instructions while they wrestle with a giant folding map the size of your vehicle's interior. Plus, have you ever tried to properly re-fold those maps? That's always good for a laugh!

Rand McNally has even announced that this June they'll be coming out with a GPS unit specifically designed for RV'ers!  It's called The TripMaker® RVND™ 5510.  In addition to the usual information, this unit goes beyond to give you height/weight restrictions, RV campgrounds, festivals and more, all designed for the specific type of RV you are using.  Click on the link above to learn more and pre-order.

So, if your vehicle didn't come with a built in GPS system, and you haven't yet made the leap from the paper map or atlas, now may be the time to check one out. No one wants to waste time getting lost... That's valuable time that you could be spending playing at your destination! Also, no printing on paper makes GPS units a more eco-friendly option.

An Interactive National Park for the RV Lifestyle

When you hear the term "National Park", most of us have a vision of ongoing acres of old growth trees, wildlife, and possibly a river, creek or a lake, but the Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado gives the term a brand new perspective. 

The Ancestral Pueblo people lived here some 700 years ago, and it's home to the nation's largest archeological preserve with over 4,000 known archeological sites including 600 cliff dwellings.  To really get the full experience of this park you’ll need a full day (or two) but the website is great, and offers suggestions on what you can do provided the time you have available. 

Even though there is education packed in with this adventure, your children will love this park.  Getting to climb a 32 foot ladder, crawling through a tunnel, and then seeing the dwellings carved into the sandstone is just an awesome experience.  Most kids don’t even realize that after a day spent exploring this wondrous treasure, they have just had one of the greatest learning adventures of their life! Your kids will even have the opportunity to become a junior ranger.

We think this is one unique National Park, and definitely one worth visiting!

Oregon's Scenic Columbia River Gorge

The Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area is famous for it's collection of stunning waterfalls... 77 on the Oregon side alone! From the majestic tourist attraction of Multnomah Falls (which is the second highest year round waterfall in the U.S., cascading a full 620 feet - see the gorgeous picture), to lesser known little falls (such as Punchbowl Falls, still beautiful at only 15 feet) that must be hiked to. All of these waterfalls reside within only about a 15 mile span, and can be reached by a nice, slow drive down the Historic Columbia River Highway. This scenic old route winds through some of the most awesome beauty in Oregon, and with so many waterfalls packed into such a small area, you can plan on spending at least a full afternoon here.

There are waysides, rest areas, picnic areas and parks throughout, but there is no RV camping available on this highway. However, should you mosey just a bit further through the Gorge on Interstate 84, about 14 miles from Multnomah Falls, you will come to the cozy little town of Cascade Locks, Oregon. Cascade Locks is situated along the beautiful Columbia River. This small town is deceptive, as there is so much to do! You can hike the Pacific Crest Trail, visit the newly unveiled bronze statues of Sacajawea and Seaman the dog and learn the history of this noted stop on Lewis & Clark's trail. You can stop by the Eastwind Drive-In for the best burgers and shakes, and the Port of Cascade Locks RV and Tent Campground will provide you with all the amenities you need, plus the most stunning view of the river and gorge you could hope for.

It is also located right next door to the local historical museum, as well as a huge, beautiful, park full of acres of green grass and a giant playground for the kids. Book a dinner cruise on the historic Sternwheeler, or take a stroll across the foot bridge to Thunder Island and let your kids and dogs run free and explore... There you will find the most beautiful view of the Bridge of The Gods and a new appreciation for all of natures glory.

RV Country Destinations: The Best National Parks To Visit In The Wintertime

Zion National Park, Utah
Winters in Zion National Park are beautiful and mild, allowing hikers to experience many of Zion's trails in the winter. Some of the paths that get little sun might be icy, so check with the Zion Canyon Visitor Center before heading out. Use common sense and turn back if trail conditions are unsafe. Crampons are used by many who like to hike in the winter. Cross country skiing and snow shoeing are the top winter activities.

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Bryce Canyon is even more beautiful in the wintertime! The casual visitor will enjoy hopping in and out of the warm car at the overlooks to see the striking contrast of white snow, red rock, and blue sky. However, for the more adventurous winter recreation enthusiast, many opportunities beckon. Before setting out on your adventure, stop at the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center to get up-to-date weather and safety information.

Banff National Park, Canada
The winter brings crisp, snowy days for tracking, skating, and alpine and nordic skiing. Visitors should always be especially careful of the wind chill. A temperature of -20°C on the thermometer may feel like -30°C with the wind chill. Regardless of the season, the temperature will fall about 1°C for every 200m of elevation gain.
After a day spent skiing, ice skating, or snow shoeing, be sure to hit the hot springs!

Olympic National Park, Washington
Hurricane Ridge is the place to be for outdoor winter recreation! Opportunities abound for snowshoeing, downhill and cross-country skiing, childrens' sledding and more. 
Miles of downhill and Nordic ski tracks are open late December through March, and a ski lift, towropes, and ski school are open 10am to 4pm weekends and holidays. Tubing areas for adults and children are open Friday through Sunday across from Hurricane Ridge Lodge.

Jasper National Park, Canada
Jasper is the largest and most northerly Canadian rocky mountain national park, part of a spectacular World Heritage Site. Comprised of delicate and carefully protected ecosystems, Jasper's scenery is none-the-less rugged and mountainous. In this special corner of Canada you can thrill to the thunder of Sunwapta Falls, enjoy the serene beauty of Mount Edith Cavell, connect with nature along 1,000-plus kilometres of trails, experience Athabasca Glacier up close or just resign yourself to a relaxing soak in Miette Hotsprings.


Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

Mount Rainier National Park is a popular place to enjoy winter activities. The mountain receives abundant snowfall and the scenery is spectacular. With the arrival of snow in late October, Mount Rainier's beauty changes and so do its challenges. Visitors planning to travel to the park in winter should familiarize themselves with winter travel tips, road status reports, and be prepared for potential winter hazards. 

In winter, recreational opportunities are numerous. A winter visit to Mount Rainier can include ranger guided snowshoe walks, Paradise snowplay, camping, snowboarding, and skiing.

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado 
Winter means snow in the Rockies and snow means fun! Snowshoeing and cross country skiing in the lower valleys, winter mountaineering in the high country, downhill skiing at Eldora and Winter Park, sledding and tubing at Hidden Valley. Access roads are kept open and provide the winter traveler with a panorama of the high mountains. In the Park, Moraine Park, Longs Peak, and Timber Creek campgrounds are open all year. Once the snows begin, Longs Peak and Timber Creek are not plowed, so you have to carry supplies to your campsite. Moraine Park is the only campground with water in winter. Park dump stations are closed.

Yellowstone, Wyoming

There is so much to see and do at the Nations most famous of National Parks. Why not go skiing, snow shoeing, or snowmobiling in the most beautiful of places! Winter dates, activities, rules, etc. can change unexpectedly. Always check at the gate or visitor centers for the most current information. A winter visit to Yellowstone National Park will give you lasting memories of snowy landscapes, steaming geyser basins, and incomparable wildlife viewing.  Remember,Yellowstone can be the coldest place in the continental United States in winter with temperatures of -30°F not uncommon, so be ready to bundle up! Way up!

Joshua Tree National Park, California 

Joshua Tree National Park offers visitors endless opportunities for exploration and discovery. October through May, call ahead and reserve a spot on the popular Keys Ranch guided walking tour. If solitude is what you are after, plan an all-day hike into the backcountry. If you would like to experience the desert from the seat of a mountain bike, the park offers an extensive network of dirt roads that make for less crowded and safer cycling than the paved main roads. Joshua Tree is a popular rock climbing area. Many visitors enjoy just watching the climbers in action. Winter brings cool days, around 60°F (15°C), and freezing nights. It occasionally snows at higher elevations. 

Yosemite National Park, California

Yosemite National Park, one of the first wilderness parks in the United States, is best known for its waterfalls, but within its nearly 1,200 square miles, you can find deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, a vast wilderness area, and much more.Yosemite is full of opportunity! Badger Pass ski area is home to the oldest downhill skiing area in California and offers downhill skiing and snowboarding from mid-December through March. An outdoor ice skating rink in Yosemite Valley (at Curry Village) is open from mid-November to mid-March.

Great Alaskan Escape for the RV Lifestyle

Fulltime Families has announced a caravan traveling to Alaska! In order for the trip to take place they do need a minimum of 10 families to participate, but we’re pretty sure that we can help them find that many plus some! Who wouldn’t want to go whale watching, pan for gold, have some great times at the campfire and share this amazing experience with old and new friends?! It’s going to be a once in a lifetime trip that no one will forget. The stories and pictures will be so much fun to share with people when you get back and who knows, this may even turn into an annual trip and each year and you may have more and more RVers joining you.

Here are a few details:

·  Requirements:

• There is a minimum participation of 10 families in order for this convoy to deploy and a 25 family max.
• There is a $100.00 administration fee due no later than April 15th 2011.
• Your adventure also includes a FREE 1 year membership to Fulltime Families.

·  Refunds and Cancellation Policy:

• If less than 10 families sign up before April 15th 2011, a full refund will be issued to all families that signed up and keep your Fulltime Families membership as our gift.
• If you wish to cancel your adventure, please do so before May 15th 2011 to receive a $50.00 refund and keep your Fulltime Families membership as our gift.

For more details and FAQ, be sure to visit Fulltime Families at http://fulltimefamilies.com/family-reunions/great-alaskan-escape/

RV Lifestyle Tips: RV Driver's License Requirements and RV Driving Schools

If you are new to the RV lifestyle, or maybe you're just considering becoming an RV enthusiast, you may be wondering if you are going to need a special driver's license to operate an RV. In most cases, the answer is no. However, there are some exceptions to that rule. The vast majority of RV's can be driven with a regular driver's license, but some states do require a special license for large RV's. In rare cases a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) is required. If you are told that you need a CDL, be sure to do a bit more research, because in actuality, very few non-commercial RV's fall into this category. If your RV meets one of the following criteria, check with your state for special driver's license requirements:

• Single vehicle or towable combination having a weight rating of 26,001 lbs. or more
• Towing a trailer with a weight rating of 10,001 lbs. or more
• Is longer than 40 feet
• Towing two units (for example, towing a boat behind a trailer)

 Click here for a summary of RV driver's license requirements in all 50 states.

Even if your state has no special license requirements, a good RV driving training course is always an excellent idea. After all, you are on a mission for enjoyment and adventure, and you will want to know how to best keep yourself and your family safe.  There are training courses available in many states, with more being added across the country, so no matter where you are, you should be able to find one that is convenient for you!