Go Leaf Peeping Now, Before It’s Too Late

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 AdminAhhh, wonderful fall. The waning warmth from the sun brings a welcome chill from summer heat, migrating birds start heading to their southern range, and deciduous hardwoods begin turning red, orange, and yellow heralding the leaf peeping season. Sugar maples give up the green for eye-popping reds, orange and brown tones come to the stately oaks, and white-barked aspens put on a display of vivid yellows and golds. But if its aspens that trigger your camera finger, take your pictures now, as aspens from Arizona to Colorado to Idaho are falling by the tens of thousands. Read more  Read More →

Rustic Camping in the Berkshires

General Info: The Berkshires in the western half of Massachusetts are a perfect destination for admiring the fall foliage. Beartown State Forest near the town of Monterey offers numerous outdoor pursuits amidst the rustic natural scenery of the southern Berkshires. Hours and Fees: The forest is open daily from sunrise to sunset all year. A $5 fee per vehicle is charged from May through mid-October. Campground office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. For more detailed visitor information contact the park office at (413) 528-0904. Activities: The Appalachian National Scenic Trail runs through Beartown State Forest, so grab your hiking shoes and explore the miles of spectacular wooded scenery year-round. Keep your eyes open for deer, bobcat, and other wildlife (including the park’s namesake, the black bear). Adjacent to the Appalachian Trail, Benedict Pond covers 35 acres of pristine water for swimming, boating and fishing. *Note* there is no lifeguard on duty and only non-motorized boats are allowed in the pond. The 1.5 mile Benedict Pond Loop Trail is an easy nature walk in any season. Depending on the time of year, you’ll see flowering shrubs and wildflowers, fall foliage or crisp white snow banks. In the winter months you can explore the park via cross-country skis, snowshoes or snowmobiles. Several brooks, beaver ponds, and a rich deciduous forest are year-round accessories to the park’s glorious wilderness appeal. All Terrain Vehicles are allowed during daylight hours... Read more

VIDEO: Green RVing with tomorrow’s explorers

It is easy to get caught up in what it takes to be a Green RVer. There are discussions of solar panels, wind turbines, alternative fuels and tire pressure. There are discussions about recycling, vehicle weight, gas mileage and sustainability but the true encouragement, if not solely for the next generation of RVers, the true passion behind Green RVing is the planet we will leave behind for our children and grandchildren. Read more  Read More →

Fabulous Fall Birding at New Jersey’s Great Egg

General Info: Great Egg Harbor National Scenic and Recreational River, near Atlantic City in southeastern New Jersey, sits within the Pinelands National Reserve. The 129-mi. river system starts as a trickle in Berlin, NJ then gains 17 tributaries before meeting the Atlantic Ocean at Great Egg Harbor. Hours and Fees: Entrance to the park is free. The corridor is open daily, but hours vary depending on which part of the river you want to visit. For visitor information call (215) 597-5823. Activities: This is one of the best places on the East Coast for birding! You’ll see warblers and other migratory species in spring and fall. Hawks come through the Cape May area each fall, so take a look at the fall birding guide for tips on what to see when and where. You can also enjoy biking, hiking, boating, canoeing and fishing. The best stretch for canoeing is the 22 miles between Penny Pot County Park and Atlantic County Park at Lake Lenape. Stop by the Warren E. Fox Nature Center, the park’s headquarters, for nature displays, brochures, and maps. The staff on hand can answer your questions, and there are restrooms in the building as well. Don’t miss the live animal displays of native critters you may encounter on a nature walk through the woods. Located at Estell Manor Park, 3.5 miles south of Mays Landing on Route 50. Weather: Expect typical northeast temperatures and conditions with four distinct seasons. Camping Info: You can stay at an RV park in the nearby town of Hammonton,... Read more

The Jewels of Fall Camping (Part 2 of 2)

Last week we looked at the jewels of Fall camping in the north eastern climates.  This week, we will explore the events and attractions found in these areas that only occur in the autumn.  While there are literly hundreds to choose from, we will only touch on several around the country.   So let’s see what and where some of these are.       Ontario Canada See the fall colors in all their splendor on the unique Agawa Canyon Tour.  This popular tour is a day trip via train through the Agawa Canyon.  The canyon, and much of the 228 mile round trip journey, is only accessible by rail.   It operates from downtown Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and runs north to the canyon and returns.   Depending on the weather, the best time to catch the most brilliant autumn colors is between the last two weeks in September and the first week of October.  Reservations are a must during this period as it is very popular.  Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario is located just across the bridge from Sault Michigan at the most northern part of I75. There are several RV parks in the area including a KOA.  Here’s a link to the canyon event. Website: Agawa Canyon Quebec Canada A short drive north from Montreal will bring you to the Laurentians, a mountainous region that comes alive with the fall colors each year.  Mid September ushers in the fall season in this picturesque area.  Many towns and small villages can be found, each with their own special character and weekend fall events.  As mainly... Read more

Get Back to Nature Less Than an Hour from Atlantic City

General Info: Wharton State Forest in southern New Jersey preserves 122,463 acres of native pine barrens and wetland bogs. It is the largest single tract of land in the NJ state park system, sprawling across parts of Atlantic, Burlington and Camden counties. The forest also includes the reconstructed Batsto Village, the site of a former bog iron and glass making industrial center from 1766 – 1867. The village consists of 33 historic buildings and structures that are open for tours. Hours and Fees:Entrance to Wharton State Forest is free. There is a $5 vehicle fee to enter Batsto Village between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The park has two offices: the Batsto Village office (609-561-0024) is located on Route 542, eight miles east of Hammonton, while the Atsion office (609-268-0444) is on Route 206, eight miles north of Hammonton. Activities: Take a self-guided walking tour of Batsto Village by following the numbers on the village brochure, which you can pick up at the visitor center. The village museum, gift shop and visitor center are open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Mullica River offers excellent boating for electric motors, trailer launch, and car-top launch. Canoeing is permitted on the Mullica, Batsto, Wading and Oswego rivers. A launch fee of $10/day is charged on Mullica River between Memorial Day and Labor Day (inclusive). digg_url = 'http://digg.com/travel_places/Get_Back_to_Nature_Less_Than_an_Hour_from_Atlantic_City'; The Atsion Recreation Area allows swimming... Read more

The Jewels of Fall Camping (Part 1 of 2)

Fall camping in the north east, offers far more than just the majestic colors of the countryside foliage.   It’s one of the most enjoyable times of the seasons to be outdoors.  The fresh odor of the fallen leaves drifts through the woods as the trees rustle in harmony with the breeze.  The tall cold drinks from those hot summer days are gone, replaced now with a hot cup of coffee or a marshmallow laden hot chocolate. The image of RVing seems to be that of enjoying long hot summer days, swimming at the beach and sipping tall ice cold drinks.  Families together, enjoying laying in the sun or fishing in a lazy river on a warm summer afternoon.   Even the RV advertisements seem to project this lifestyle theme.   But, there are other great seasons for RVing. The fall weather brings many other advantages.  No more crowded camp grounds where reservations seem always booked.  Many camp grounds offer substantial discounts during off-peak season.    It gives one a chance to putter with minor maintenance or perhaps start waxing the coach, all in a much cooler climate.  A camp fire can be enjoyed longer by the whole family as the sun sets far earlier at that time of year.   Most of the mosquitoes, and of course all black flies, have packed up and left, adding to the evening’s uninterrupted delight.        Camping from the first of spring to well into the fall season lets you get more use out of your RV.  Whether you have a pop-up, 5th wheel trailer or a motor... Read more

Journey to Another World at Craters of the Moon

General Info: Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve, in south-central Idaho, preserves 1100 square miles of volcanic landscape including almost all of the Great Rift area. Backyard geologists will delight at the three lava fields, more than 25 cones and 60 lava flows—ranging in age from 15,000 to 2,000 years old. Big Cinder Butte is one of the oldest basaltic cinder cones in the world. History buffs will enjoy seeing part of Goodale’s Cutoff—part of the Oregon Trail. Read more  Read More →

Plenty of Outdoor Fun on One Tank in Idaho

One thing’s for sure: there’s a lot more to Idaho than just potatoes. The Gem State’s land mass stretches from Canada to the Nevada border and within those boundaries exists virtually every type of terrain. You’ll find rolling green hills, tree-covered mountains, and clear, unspoiled lakes in the north. The central section holds vast ranges of jagged peaks to be conquered by adventurous climbers. The southern part of the state offers unobstructed views of open vistas and developed farmland. If you’re in the market for a down-to-earth vacation escape, Idaho may be just what you’re looking for. Try this One Tank RV Trip from Woodall’s to get a sampling of the state’s diverse scenery and outdoor fun. Boise Start your trip in Boise, a metropolitan capital city that manages to retain a hometown charm. Browse through the antique shops, enjoy the green parks, catch a play at the local community theater, or tour the art galleries and museums. Several highly-rated golf courses are available in and around Boise, and there are ample opportunities to go rock climbing in the nearby mountains. Check out the view of the area during a hot air balloon ride! This popular and unusual sightseeing experience is offered by several outfitters in town. digg_url = 'http://digg.com/travel_places/Plenty_of_Outdoor_Fun_on_One_Tank_in_Idaho'; McCall Heading north on Highway 55, you’ll enjoy a journey through Idaho’s beautiful countryside on the Payette River Scenic Byway.... Read more

Acadia National Park aka Mount Desert Island

There are many national parks in the United States, but as Dimitri and Madolyn discovered and mentioned in their Trip Journal, 2008 Keys 2 Canada, Acadia National Park is considered to be one of the most beautiful of all the parks.  On the east coast in Maine, conveniently located off Highway 1, Acadia, or Mount Desert Island as it was first known, is complete with mountains, islands, forests and coastlines; a visual feast for the eyes.  Here is their wonderful posting. Acadia National Park itself is actually mostly island. Long ago, explorer Samuel Champlain saw the bald peaks of the mountains on the island, and was struck by the similarity of them to mountain deserts. Using this simile, he named the mountains l’Isle de Monts Deserts, which became over time Mount Desert Island. The lofty mountain Champlain was viewing and named the island after is Cadillac Mountain, which was named by yet another explorer named Cadillac, who also founded Detroit, Michigan. A few interesting facts about the island Park is that it was the first of any eastern national parks to be implemented east of the Mississippi River, and that Cadillac Mountain is the highest point on the entire Eastern seaboard north of Rio de Janeiro. While Acadia National Park has no single “pull” factor such as Old Faithful or the Grand Canyon, it does have a great deal charm, beauty and solitude that invites visitors to partake. It is merely an incredibly lovely and serene place to contemplate life’s... Read more

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