A FIVE-PART BLOG

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to our E-mail Digest or RSS Feed. We will then send you the stories that are posted each day in an e-mail digest. We use a service called Feedburner for delivery of these emails. You will receive an e-mail from Feedburner after you subscribe and you must click on that email to activate your subscription. Thanks for visiting and enjoy all the information! RV.Net Blog AdminBy Barry Zander, Edited by Monique Zander, the Never-Bored RVers YORK AND THE HOGS — As today’s title suggests, there are five parts to today’s blog, beginning with our discovering an interesting area to visit when you’re traveling in the Northeast.  The place is York County, Pennsylvania, between Harrisburg and Baltimore.  It proudly calls itself Another "Hog" owner arrives at the factory. No photos are allowed in the production plant. “The Factory Tour Capital of the World.” Before going further about all that’s available in that area, I’ll start out by saying that the only tour we took was the Harley-Davidson motorcycle factory.   Realize that technology is not high in Monique’s sphere of interests and I’ve never longed to straddle a “Hog,” but whattaplace! The robots that paint and form parts are magnificent.  The workforce’s devotion to producing a precision product is inspirational.  Everything on every motorcycle that goes through the stations is checked and rechecked all along the assembly lines. Most of the... Read more

IN THE SHADOWS OF SHENANDOAH

By Barry Zander, Edited by Monique Zander, the Never-Bored RVers A continuing saga, which I call “Micro-Blogs” … In the uplands, the trees were just starting to come into their spring greenery.  In the valleys, the bright yellow forsythia, white and pink shrubbery and wildflower blossoms and lush green everywhere kept us enchanted for mile after mile (much akin to fireweed in the Yukon Territory). Looking out from Skyline Parkway at the Blue Ridge Mountains So Babcock, West Virginia, was a pleasant enough state park, but it wasn’t in its glory when we visited in mid-April.  Nor was Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park, one of the most visited national parks in America.  The rhododendron bushes were leafy but have not yet bloomed, so we missed out on their rich hues, but the Shenandoah Valley is a place of beauty. Once we arrived at Shenandoah River State Park, Virginia, we were surrounded by healthy forests that we always enjoy, sprinkled with colorful trees, butterflies and the beautiful Shenandoah River. This valley is a tourist’s paradise, with its abundant caverns open to the public.  We picked the most renown, Luray Caverns in Luray, for a trek underground.  We seem to gravitate toward caves in our travels, having gone underground in at least a dozen and maybe closer to two dozen — that makes us expert cavern tourists. Far beneath the surface of the Earth is an enchanting lake, seen in Luray Caverns in Virginia A vintage Mercedes-Benz in Luray's... Read more

SURPRISE, SURPRISE, SURPRISE – HAMPTON, VA

By Barry Zander, Edited by Monique Zander, the Never-Bored RVers A continuing saga, which I call ‘Micro-Blogs” … From our campground at Hampton, Virginia, we walked the historic olde streets of Yorktown and visited battlegrounds.  We took in Williamsburg, recreated to show what life was like in the days before American Independence.  And we drove down to Jamestown, where it all began for Europeans arriving in the New World. That was two days of being injected with American history, and, honestly, it brought to life what I had learned so many years ago about the founding of this country. But, there’s more!  Before hitchin’ up and movin’ out of Hampton, we thought we should take a few minutes to see the Town of Hampton.  On our way over the scenic Hampton River Bridge next to downtown, we spied Scenes from Hampton's International Children's Festival something going on in town – looked like a festival.  No way to pass that up. That’s when we walked into a highlight of our trip – the International Children’s Festival.  Dozens of booths manned by locals native to or who have spent time in countries around the world.  The people dressed in the traditional attire of their countries were doling out information to children (and parents) about each of their countries. Each child had a passport to get stamped as they learned at least a smattering about each country, its geography, culture, products and more.  We saw native costumes and heard music from... Read more

Gourmet Italian Guest RV Cooking Show

Italian food has become standard fare here in America. It seems everywhere you visit you’ll find Olive Garden or even a Pizza Hut. But look a little harder and you’ll discover establishments serving delicious, authentic, makes-magic-in-your-mouth Italian with recipes passed down from generation to generation. That’s exactly what I found during my stay at Flying Flags RV Resort in Buellton, CA. In fact, I was looking for a celebrity chef to film a show with me. Luckily for all of us, the resort’s manager, Dan Baumann, is a bona fide foodie and had just the man for me – Chef Giorgio Curti of the famous Santa Ynez eatery Trattoria Grappolo. Upon hearing the news I did what every fun-loving RV Cooking Show host would do – planned a party!! But instead of filming in Studio A (our Jayco 5-er) Dan graciously offered a big, beautiful park model cottage. Nice! In this episode – Gourmet Guests – you’ll enjoy the fruits of our labor. Chef Giorgio prepares 3 absolutely amazing dishes for us: a seafood pasta, grilled sliced beef with arugula and a burrata citronella salad. Amazing! And don’t shy away, they only sound fancy and complex. Chef Giorgio specializes in easy and elegant. He made these terrific dishes “rustic” in honor of our outdoor lifestyle. Served up with some fine Santa Barbara County wine – Mosby Dolcetto for one – it was a fabulous feast that you don’t want to miss out on. Sure enough,... Read more

Grand Circle — Treasuring the Moments and Set-Backs

By Barry Zander, Edited by Monique Zander, the Never-Bored RVers A few days ago, Monique and I completed a whirlwind, unforgettable tour that took us to most of the “must-see” places in the Grand Circle of Utah, Colorado and Arizona, with a peek into New Mexico.  We saw a lot and still had opportunities to be in nature, along with Monique’s brother and sister-in-law from France. In a blog early in our trip, I wrote a piece about why I take numerous photographs, emphasizing that I then delete more half of them, keeping the rest for memories and other future uses.  I was expecting at least one comment from among our nature-loving readers suggesting that I spend less time with the camera at my eye and more time savoring the views.  Just because no one questioned that doesn’t mean I don’t have an answer. During our 35 days on this trip, we saw an incredible number of scenes that are already bringing back fond memories only a few weeks later.  I’m not one of those National Geographic-type photographers who spends weeks in one spot waiting for the perfect sunrise or a mountain lion ravaging an elk.  I like to take a few shots of what I see and move on. Yet, when I find a vista that speaks to me … that has some quality that whispers, “Stop, sit, stare” … I usually obey that loud whisper.  During our recent travels, as we hiked into a canyon in Capital Reef National Park, I perched on a rock at the base of a cliff and looked at the 180-degrees of escarpment... Read more

RV Cooking Show Interviews Two Oil Barons, Creates Two Delicious RV Recipes

Baked Goat Cheese Salad and a Walnut Honey Sauced Brownie featured in this Local and Luscious Food, Fun & Friends at Flying Flags episode Perhaps you’re like me…perfectly paired with my love to travel and my love to eat is my curiosity and love of learning. I suppose that’s why folks like us travel, vacation and explore like we do. Not too long ago I was fortunate enough to be able to visit with two dynamic women that play a major part in the Santa Ynez Valley culinary scene – I call them the ‘oil barons’. For this Food, Fun & Friends at Flying Flags episode called Local and Luscious I was searching for a premier olive oil maker and came across Theo Stephan, founder of Global Gardens, and her amazing gourmet collection of oils, vinegars and more. Long story short, that lead me to the Solvang Farmers Market and Mary Jane Edalatpour of La Nogalera Walnut Oil. Both ladies are a foodie-force to be reckoned with and create some spectacular oils! In this RV Cooking Show episode we’ll learn a bit about their groves and their oils and make two show-stopping dishes…one to start the meal and one to finish it. After visiting with Theo we’ll prepare an easy and elegant Baked Goat Cheese Salad with a simple vinaigrette. We’ll take Mary Jane’s walnut oil for a spin with our Walnut Honey Sauced Brownie after stopping by her organic walnut grove. Watch the Local and Luscious episode and visit my website to print the... Read more

Great Outdoors Month

Are you planning a camping trip this month? June is National Great Outdoors Month, which is a wonderful time to enjoy fun outdoor activities with family and friends. Presidential recognition of Great Outdoors Week was begun in 1998 by then-President Bill Clinton. Since 2004, Presidential proclamation of Great Outdoors Month has come annually, celebrating a variety of important events and actions that occur during the month. The 2011 Presidential Proclamation states in part: “America’s vast and varied outdoor spaces are a source of great national pride, and we have long strived to protect them for future generations. Our lands and waters provide countless opportunities for exploration, recreation, and reflection, whether in solitude or with family and friends. During Great Outdoors Month, we renew our enduring commitment to protect our natural landscapes, to enjoy them, and to promote active lifestyles for ourselves and our children.” Great Outdoors Month highlights the benefits of active fun outdoors and our magnificent shared resources of forests, parks, refuges, and other public lands and waters. Media attention to the proclamation triggers actions by millions of households and prompts public discussion of important issues linked to outdoor recreation, including volunteerism, health, and outdoor ethics. Additionally, the majority of governors issue proclamations declaring June as Great Outdoors Month in their states, and many take further actions ranging from Governor’s... Read more

Give Dad an Atlas for Father’s Day! (He Doesn’t Have to Know You Got it For Free!)

Don’t worry! We won’t tell dad that the brand new Woodall’s Atlas you got him was actually FREE with your purchase of a Woodall’s North American Directory. It will be our little secret. Plus, we’ll even discount the North American Directory to only $14.95 -that’s way below the cover price of $25.95, to make the deal really sweet! Visit Woodall’s Website to Order Now! 2011 marks Woodall’s 75th year in print! Order the commemorative edition for Dad today – packed with over 310,003 updates from the 2010 edition. Plus… with the purchase of the 2011 North American Campground Directory you can find out how to enter to win a 7-day Hawaiian Cruise in our 75th Anniversary Sweepstakes. Plus, dad will feel safe on the road with Woodall’s North American Atlas. With extensive coverage of the United States plus Mexico & Canada including highway types, exit numbers, U.S. National Parks Guide, drive times & distances and so much more. It will become the travel essential dad will want to keep in the RV at all times. Or geez – this is such a deal, just buy it for yourself! (Again, we won’t tell dad, we promise!) Visit Woodall’s Website to Order Now! Happy Fathers Day, from Woodall’s!  Read More →

THE GRAND CIRCLE PART III – THE OLD MORMON ROAD

By Barry Zander, Edited by Monique Zander, the Never-Bored RVers Saturday afternoon we arrived in Blanding, a dot on the map in the southeast corner of Utah.  Since pulling into the RV park, we have been buffeted by winds up to at least 45 miles per hour, and as I look out our trailer window, I see tumbleweeds shooting down the main street like billiard balls headed for a corner pocket. We’ve had two branches hit our roof.  Reports from neighbors are that these RV-rocking conditions have been going on for a week and the forecast is for more of the same –– so we have decided to take advantage of the First Law of RVing:  “If you don’t like where you are, move.” The plan is to skip Canyonlands and turn southward to lower elevations.  Luckily, Canyonlands doesn’t accept reservations, so we won’t lose anything by changing direction.  BUT, before we leave, I thought this would be a good time to tell you our story of “The Old Mormon Road.”  This goes back to our very early experiences in our RV life. FROM CAPITAL REEF TO BLANDING For more than four hours we “ooohed” and “aaahed” as we rounded each curve on what has to be some of the most beautiful scenery in America.  Utah Hwys. 12, 14, 24 and 95 across the bottom of Utah meander through Grand Staircase – Escalante National Monument and Capital Reef National Park.  My description and a picture or two cannot do it justice (but I will post a few photos anyway). After all those miles –... Read more

Money Saving Tips: Extending Your RV Travel Dollars

The latest Campfire Canvass survey of RV owners conducted by Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) revealed that 53% intend to use their RV more this spring and summer despite higher fuel prices, while 38% plan to use theirs the same amount and just 9% say they’ll use their RVs less. Of the respondents who plan to use their RVs more often, 65% said one of the reasons is to take more mini-vacations. A recent study indicates 53% intend to use their RV more this spring and summer despite higher fuel prices. Motorhome parked at Sliding Rock Overlook, Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Arizona. © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved Many RV owning families plan to take shorter but more frequent trips in their RVs. Sixty-three percent plan to spend five or more weekends in their RVs this spring/summer; 19% will reserve a seasonal site at a campground this summer and visit it on weekends. According to the report, 68% said they expect fuel prices to affect their spring/summer travel plans. Of those respondents, 61% said they’ll travel closer to home, 42% will travel fewer miles and 37% will stay longer in one place. These figures indicate that people are looking for inexpensive vacation options, and RVing leads the pack. RV owners love the RV lifestyle and rising gas prices won’t stop them from getting away. RV family vacations are, on average, 27% to 61% less expensive than other types of vacations, according to a study by international travel and tourism experts Collier’s... Read more

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