VIDEO: Parlez-Vous RV? Long Long Honeymoon in QUEBEC!

When visiting different places, travel “experts” tell us to visit museums, tour historic buildings, and generally behave like obedient fourth graders on a field trip. Our Long Long Honeymoon approach, for better or for worse, has always been a little different… Read more

Marvel at the Extreme Tides of Canada’s Bay of Fundy

General Info: Fundy National Park, in southern New Brunswick, Canada contains two distinct environmental systems. The Bay of Fundy marine coastal environment features salt marshes, tidal flats and rocky shores. The park’s interior is part of the Caledonia Highlands plateau, featuring pine forests, deep river valleys and bogs. Download the park brochure PDF to learn more about the area.

The Bay of Fundy sees the biggest tidal changes in the world. At the head of the bay, the difference between high and low tide can be 16 meters–that’s the height of a four-storey building!

The park is a wilderness area so visitors must take care of their personal safety and be mindful of natural dangers.

Hours and Fees: The Headquarters Visitor Reception Center is open daily in summer from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in spring and fall. In winter the reception center is only open from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Wolfe Lake Information Center is open from June 26- August 23 from
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

A daily entrance fee of CAN$7.80 applies to each adult (ages 17 to 64), CAN$6.80 for seniors (age 65+) and CAN$3.90 for youths (ages 6 to 16). A group rate of CAN$19.60 covers two adults and up to five children all traveling in the same vehicle. Season passes are also available.

Activities: Fundy National Park hosts loads of outdoor recreational activities the whole family can enjoy. There’s the tamer activities of golf, tennis and lawn-bowling (equipment rentals are available), or the more strenuous pursuits of hiking and mountain-biking. There are picnic and playground areas for families with small children. Fishing and boating can be had at the several lakes and rivers in the park. Bird-watching and swimming are also pleasant pastimes in the park.

If you’d like to learn more about the area during your visit, a number of guided beach walks and evening campfire programs will give you an inside look at the park’s natural splendor.

Weather: The park straddles two climate zones: that of the Bay of Fundy and Southern New Brunswick. On most days, there is a noticeable difference between the two zones in the park. When the interior areas are 22°C, the coastal areas can be 6°C colder (that’s a difference of about 11°F)! Southern New Brunswick has warm summers with slight fog and cold, snowy winters.

Camping Info: The park features four pet-friendly RV campgrounds with gravel or grass RV sites. These campgrounds open for the season in May-June and close in September/October. Handicap access, full hookups, dump stations and bathrooms with showers are available. Maximum site length is 50’ for some pull-thrus. Bundles of firewood can be purchased for $6.80 each. Nightly camping rates range from CAN$15.70 to CAN$35.30 depending on type of site. See the Trailer Life Directory for details about RV camping in Fundy National Park.

If you’re from New Brunswick or have visited Fundy National Park in the past, please chime in with your stories and tips! Your insights can help others have a fantastic trip.

Revel in Flowering Meadows and Towering Forests in BC

General Info: Mount Revelstoke National Park in southeastern British Columbia protects a portion of the world’s only inland temperate rainforest, nurtured by the warm, moist climate. The steep, rugged Columbia Mountain range is distinct from the Rockies and the Coast Mountains, and is blanketed with stands of old-growth red cedar and hemlock. The beauty of Mount Revelstoke’s meadows full of spring wildflowers inspired a group of townspeople from Revelstoke to lobby for the creation of the park in 1914. Learn more about Mount Revelstoke’s cultural and natural history.

Since the Meadows in the Sky Parkway is a narrow, mountain road with 16 switchbacks, trailers and motorhomes are not permitted. You can park your RV .5 km up the Parkway from the Trans-Canada Highway interchange (watch for signs indicating the Nels Nelsen Historic Area). If driving your toad up the Parkway to the summit isn’t convenient, you can take the shuttle bus from the parking area at Balsam Lake to the summit from 10:00 a.m. to 4:20 p.m. Or, if you want to stretch your legs a big you can take an easy stroll or a longer hike from the Balsam Lake area to the summit area instead.

You’ll be rewarded at the summit with beautiful photography opportunities, picnicking areas and mountaintop hiking and strolling. The historic mountaintop firetower also serves as a good subject for closer inspection and keepsake family photographs. Download the park map PDF to get a lay of the land.

Hours and Fees: The welcome station kiosk is staffed from mid-June to the “August long weekend”—if you’re Canadian please comment below to tell the Yanks what and when that is! During that time period the kiosk is staffed daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Parkway hours in August are 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. In the fringe seasons in May and early June, and September and early October, the parkway is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Check with the kiosk staff for closing times during your visit, as the parkway gate is locked at closing time.

A daily entrance fee of CAN$7.80 applies to each adult (ages 17 to 64), CAN$6.80 for seniors (age 65+) and CAN$3.90 for youths (ages 6 to 16). Season passes are also available.

Activities: Hike the Giant Cedars trail, where ancient Western Red Cedars tower above you, or take the Skunk Cabbage trail for an introduction to the temperate wetland, a birder’s delight! These boardwalk trails may not be open if there are bears in the area or if snow has damaged parts of the trail structure.

You’ll most likely see any number of wildlife from the trails in this rugged wilderness park, from squirrels and hoary marmot to chickadees and water pipit (and dozens of other bird species). Remember that no matter how cute and small all animals should be respectfully viewed from a distance, and never fed. Read the park’s wildlife safety notice for pointers about dealing with wildlife.

Weather: The greatly varied topography of the region makes for generally unpredictable weather. It could be raining hard in one valley and sunny in the next valley over. Snowmelt and wildflower blooming can vary by a matter of weeks, but on average the last of the snow melts off the summit by mid-July. Prepare yourself for quickly changing conditions by bringing extra layers of breathable clothing, sunscreen, and sunglasses (even on cloudy days).

Camping Info: Since there are no road-accessible campsites in the national park, set up the RV just outside Mount Revelstoke at Canyon Hot Springs Resort LTD. It’s a Good Sam Park with 62 grass RV sites measuring 25×55’ for back-ins and pull-thrus. All sites have water and electrical hookups only (15/30 amp), but a dump station is available. You can also browse through the Trailer Life Directory for info on several RV parks located in the town of Revelstoke.

If you’re from British Columbia or have visited Mount Revelstoke National Park in the past, please chime in with your stories and tips! Your insights can help others have a fantastic trip.

Lakes and Vineyards Abound on One Tank through British Columbia

British Columbia is known as Canada’s outdoor playground. The southernmost part of the province tends to be a bit more temperate year round, making it ideal for golfing or strapping on those hiking boots to explore the many trails that wind through BC’s incredible wilderness areas. In winter, there’s no better place to enjoy the snow than British Columbia. In fact, Vancouver is the site for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games! This one tank excursion from Woodall’s will give you a nice introduction to the diversity of British Columbia’s attractions.

Revelstoke
For a different view of BC, start a ways off from the well-traveled areas of Vancouver and the province’s capital of Victoria. The scenic town of Revelstoke, which is situated quite close to Mount Revelstoke National Park, will set the tone for the rest of this relaxing trip. There’s an abundance of fishing to be had in any of the several freshwater lakes in the area, and the hypnotic natural beauty of Revelstoke can be enjoyed via a network of hiking and mountain biking trails. After a day out in the woods, you may want to take a rejuvenating soak in the local mineral hot springs. Locals swear by their restorative powers. While in Revelstoke, a place of interest to history buffs is the Revelstoke Railway Museum, which features exhibits about Canada’s first transcontinental railway. The nearby Revelstoke Dam offers tours of their massive facilities, which are considered among the largest hydroelectric plants in North America.

Sicamous
Leaving Revelstoke via Alaska Highway/Highway 1, head west for 44 miles until you come to the town of Sicamous, which is considered the houseboat capital of Canada (recent statistics claim more than 300 houseboats are rented in this area annually). It sits at the junction of the Shuswap and Mara lakes, providing plenty of opportunities for year-round outdoor recreation.

For more land-locked activities, the Eagle Valley Museum & Heritage Society allows visitors to take a peek at how things were back in the gold rush and logging days. The Enchanted Forest is a magical setting containing more than 250 hand-crafted fairy folk, gnomes and storybook characters that the kids in your life will love.

Vernon
Presuming you don’t get lost forever in the Enchanted Forest, when it’s time to leave Sicamous head south on Highway 97B. A beautifully scenic 47-mile cruise brings you into the city limits of Vernon. The town sits at the north end of the lush Okanagan Valley and is surrounded by three lakes – the Okanagan, the Kalamalka, and the Swan. With all this water, you can certainly find plenty to do in the summertime – kayaking, boating and fishing are among the many options that Vernon offers. Don’t miss the chance to tour through the Okanagan Valley’s wine country. According to various wine connoisseurs, the vintages that come from these local vineyards are some of the best to be found in all of Canada. The area is also home to some fine beachfront territory as well, so for those of you who fancy a bit of fun on the sand, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for.

Kelowna
Leaving the 97B, a little more than 30 miles on the southbound Highway 97 lies Kelowna, a quaint, cultured town with museums, shops, and excellent restaurants serving some truly incredible dishes. A trip through Kelowna during harvest time will give you a chance to pick some of the freshest, most succulent fruit. Depending on what time of year you visit, you’re likely to experience one of Kelowna’s many events; the Mardi Gras Street Festival and the Okanagan Wine Festival are particular favorites with locals and visitors alike. Starting in the late summer and running through the early fall, you can take part in the Parks Alive event, which offers music and attractions the whole family can enjoy. Best of all, it’s free!

Penticton
The final stop of Penticton lies 40 miles farther south on Highway 97. The town’s name is taken from a Native word meaning “place to stay forever,” and once you have a look around you’ll understand why. This city is highly regarded as one of the best family destinations in all of western Canada. The city rests between the Okanagan and Skaha lakes, which are ideal for swimming, or spending the day with a hook and line in the water. The awe-inspiring Skaha Bluffs are a natural wonder, and there are nearly 90 local wineries for the wine lovers in the group to spend a few days touring through.

Penticton has no shortage of events for locals and visitors alike: the Canada Ironman Triathlon is a grueling challenge that may be more fun to watch than to take part in, or you can sit back and let the music flow over you at the Penticton Hot Jazz Festival. Even though it’s thousands of miles from Graceland, if you’re in the area in late June don’t miss the Pacific Northwest Elvis Festival, a three-day celebration of the life and music of Elvis Presley – and what would such a fest be without impersonator contests? Penticton is definitely a place that knows better than to take itself too seriously – fun and adventure are in abundance here.

With several golf courses, vastly entertaining festivals, and ample opportunities to hike and bike along any one of several scenic trails, Penticton gives the vacationer a myriad of choices for relaxing and unwinding. One visit to this city and you’ll understand that the Native American tribes named it correctly – it’s truly a place you’ll want to stay forever.

There are so many stops along this route that it’s impossible to name them all here, but as you cruise along this scenic route, you’ll want to come back and explore. Don’t be afraid to wander off the beaten path – there’s so much more to see!

Where to Stay: The Oxbow RV Resort in Penticton has 69 gravel sites with full hookups (30 amps) near Skaha Lake. If you can’t make it that far before stopping for the night, try the Holiday Park Resort in Kelowna. It’s got 100 paved RV sites and room for big rigs.

New Passport Rule Now In Effect

If you plan to travel to Canada or Mexico this year, you’ll now need to take your passport with you.

The new rule requiring U.S. and Canadian citizens to present their passport when entering the United States at land and sea borders is now in effect.

For more information:
- CNN Article
- Yahoo News Article

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The RV Trivia Challenge No. 2

The Lug_Nut RV Trivia Challenge No. 2. If you did okay on the RV Trivia Challenge No. 1, you may be on the road to becoming an RV Guru.  Others may be settling into a well informed RV enthusiast while still some may well be slipping into an “RV For Dummies” candidate rating.   If you missed the first RV Challenge, here’s a link to it.   The RV Trivia Challenge Keep in mind, this is a trivia.  It is not based on one RV type rig.  So, regardless of your type of camping, there should be some things that are familiar.

Well. Let’s get at it!  Be sure to post your score, and or comments, in the comment box at the very bottom.  Good Luck!!!

The Lug_Nut RV Trivia Challenge No. 2

1) The hitch point of a 5^th wheel trailer pivots the tow and towed vehicle  …………

• A) At the rear most part of the tow vehicle
• B) Near, or over the axle of the tow vehicle
• C) It does not pivot, the trailer becomes part of the tow vehicle, similar to a bus

2) If your house battery bank was rated at 400 amp/hrs, how long should you run a 20 amp load on a fully charged bank?

• A) 10 hours
• B) 20 hours
• C) 40 hours
• D) 15 hour 30 minutes

3) What would the maximum output be of a 5000 watt generator operating in Denver Colorado?

• A) About 5000 watts
• B) About 5350 watts
• C) About 4225 watts
• D) About 4805 watts

4) What is meant by the term “3 way fridge”?

• A) It refers to a three door, side by side frig
• B) It has a fridge, a freezer and an ice maker
• C) It operates on 12 VDC, 120 VAC or gasoline
• D) It operates on 12 VDC, 120 VAC or propane

5) In the movie RV, staring Robin Williams, what was he and his wife’s character names.

• A) Bob and Jamie Munro
• B) Steve and Janie Roberts
• C) Dave and June Munro
• D) Bob and Jane Munro

6) At what RPM might you expect of a turbo charger turbine? Gas or diesel

• A) In excess of 5,000 RPM
• B) It’s driven by the engine, so it matches the engine speed
• C) 90,000 to 150,000 RPM and higher
• D) 15,000 to 20,000 RPM give or take 1,000 RPM

7) What is one of the advantages of having your tires nitrogen filled instead of plain air?

• A) You will never have a flat tire
• B) Nitrogen molecules are larger than that of oxygen, therefore it won’t loose as much pressure over time through the tire casing
• C) Faster acceleration due to the molecules of the nitrogen, similar to racing cars
• D) There are basically no advantages in today’s tires

When hooked up to full services for a long stay, the following is one of the acceptable black/grey valve configurations used.

• A) Both black and grey valves in the open position
• B) The black valve closed with the grey valve open
• C) The black valve open with the grey valve closed
• D) It does not matter if which or any valves are open or closed

9) You are driving your RV in Canada and come upon a bridge that has a weight limit of 15 Tonnes.  What capacity is this in pounds?

• A) 30,000 lbs.
• B) 42,454 lbs.
• C) 33,069 lbs.
• D) 27,054 lbs.

10) What is a Fantastic Fan?

• A) A person that supports the N.Y. Jets, even when they loose
• B) An electronic fan that keeps the windshield of a motor home from fogging
• C) A feature rich roof fan used in trailers, 5^th wheels and motor homes
• D) A fan that circulates heat, or cool, while the vehicle is moving

11) What is hydronic heating?

• A) Liquid, usually glycol, that is boiler heated and circulated to fan equipped heat exchangers
• B) A newer version of heat pumps that work well in mobile applications
• C) Hydronic is a trade name for a heat strip equipped reverse cycle air conditioner
• D) Hydronic heating is a land base installed heating system that is not suitable for mobile use

12) What year did the Dodge Cummins B series engine become fully electronic and went to four valves per cylinder?

• A) 1989
• B) 2000
• C) 1998
• D) 2005

13) Cummins diesels in a motor home application are equipped with cold weather electronic starting aids, except the following model(s)

• A) ISM and ISX
• B) There are no exceptions, all are so equipped
• C) ISB, ISC
• D) Intake heating grids are optional on all

14) What is generally the highest overall height of a large class A diesel coach

• A) 11′ 6″
• B) 10′ +
• C) 13′ +
• D) 14′ +

15) How many types of camping recreational vehicles are there?

• A) 5 – Motor homes, Travel trailers, Truck Campers, Folding camping trailers and Conversion vehicles
• B) 6 – Motor homes, Travel trailers, Truck Campers, Folding camping trailers, Conversion vehicles and Tenting
• C) 2 – Motor homes and Trailers
• D) 2 – Motor homes and 5^th wheel trailers

16) When backing your rig into a campsite, on a lefthand approach, where is the optimum position of a spotter?

• A) Walking beside the driver window for either coach and trailer
• B) Driver side rear of the coach or trailer always in mirror view
• C) Passenger side rear on a coach and driver side rear on a trailer
• D) Center rear so both sides can be observed easily and communication by vocal or radio

17) How many Cummins series engines are available in today’s motor homes?

• A) 6
• B) 5
• C) 4
• D) 3

18) Newell Coach offers one of two transmissions in their vehicles.  They are?

• A) Allison and Twin Disc
• B) Allison and Borg Warner
• C) Allison and ZF
• D) Allison and PowerShift Corp.

19) Most large gasoline coaches today are powered with a 8 or 10 cylinder engine.  How many cylinder engine does a large diesel coach have?

• A) 8
• B) 6
• C) 8 to 12
• D) 12

20) Spartan chassis is found on………….

• A) American Coach, Tiffin and Newmar
• B) Monaco, Holiday Rambler and Newmar
• C) Fleetwood, Alpine and American Coach
• D) Rexdale, Tiffin, Newmar and Holiday Rambler

The answers can be found below.

Answers:

•1) B - Near, or over the axle of the tow vehicle

•2) A – 10 hours

3)  C – About 4225 watts

4)  D – It operates on 12 VDC, 120 VAC or propane

5)  A – Bob and Jamie Munro

6)  C – 90,000 to 150,000 RPM and higher

7)  B - Nitrogen molecules are larger than that of oxygen, therefore it won’t loose as much pressure over time through the tire casing

8)  B – The black valve closed with the grey valve open

9)  C - 33,069 lbs.

10) C – A feature rich roof fan used in trailers, 5^th wheels and motor homes

11) A – Liquid, usually glycol, that is boiler heated and circulated to fan equipped heat exchangers

12) C – 1998

13) A – ISM and ISX

14) C – 13′ +

15) A – 5 – Motor homes, Travel trailers, Truck Campers, Folding camping trailers and Conversion vehicles

16) C – Passenger side rear on a coach and driver side rear on a trailer

17) B - 5

18) C – Allison and ZF

19) B - 6

20) A – American Coach, Tiffin and Newmar

Your Score Rating:

20 Right – Move to the top of your class.  You are this month’s master RV Guru

18 Right – Excellent work.  You are a top rated RV Enthusiast.  Great going

16 Right – Good score.  You know your stuff

14 Right – Believe it or not, you are still above average

12 Right – You are smarter than the average bear

10 Right – Do you always just squeek it through?  Better brush up next time

8 – And Below – You are definately a good “RV For Dummies” candidate

So, how did you score?  Post your score and comments in the comment section below.  Good going!!!

With All Your Trivia   -   Lug_Nut    -    Peter Mercer

National Parks: Top 10 Natural Landmarks to see by 2010!

Top 10 North American Natural Landmarks to see before 2010

No, they’re not going anywhere, but with careful planning you could feasibly see them all by the end of next year (especially all you full-timers out there). I’ve chosen them at random from different regions of North America for their environmental and geologic variety. Think I left some out? Post a comment with your Top 10 parks!

10. Crater Lake National Park, Oregon: Situated at the top of the Cascade Mountain Range in southern Oregon, the lake was formed when snowmelt filled the volcanic basin left over from the eruption of Mount Mazama more than 7,000 years ago. The picturesque lake is a deep, pure blue with two islands in the middle. At 592 meters, it’s the deepest lake in the U.S. and the 7th deepest in the world. Entrance is $10 per vehicle for a 7-day pass. Mazama Campground has 200 sites with running water, flush toilets, picnic tables and fire rings, but no hookups. The campground is open from mid-June to early October, weather permitting. See current facilities information.

9. Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky: The world’s longest cave network extends for more than 360 miles below the mountains in southern Kentucky and is home to many strange nocturnal creatures. Tours of the cave have been offered since 1816. Hiking and riding trails and the Green and Nolin rivers offer hours of outdoor recreation above ground. Mammoth Cave Campground has no hookups but each site has a fire ring, picnic table and a paved parking area. Full service restrooms and a dumping station are available. Each site costs $17 per night with a 14-day limit. View camping regulations. See for yourself why Mammoth Cave ranks #17 on the Good Sam Club list of “20 Trips Every RVer Should Take” (details in Highways November 2007).

8. Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba: The park sits 1500’ above the surrounding prairie countryside on a rolling plateau covered with aspen, bogs, grasslands and hardwood forests. Such diverse habitats attract more wildlife than any other part of the province, so you’re sure to have a sighting or two. Try your hand at any of a wide range of outdoor activities on land or water, then take a break and watch for moose, elk, bears, foxes and other critters (remember to keep your distance). The park is open year-round but the visitor centre is closed for winter from Oct. 13 to May 21. Wasagaming Campground has full service campsites for about CA$40 per night. See Camping Reservation Info.

7. Badlands National Park, South Dakota: Marvel at the craggy buttes and pinnacles of this strange land full of marine reptile fossils. Though it may look inhospitable, Badlands is also home to the largest protected mixed-grass prairie in the U.S., where four species of native wildlife have been successfully reintroduced over the years. Cedar Pass Campground offers level sites with covered picnic tables for $10 per night. No showers or hookups are available, but there is a dump station, flush toilets and cold running water. No campfires are permitted due to fire danger. Download the 2008 Visitor Guide PDF.

6. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Arizona/Utah: 1.2 million acres of beautiful red desert canyons and rock formations contrast with the brilliant blue/green water of manmade (often controversial) Lake Powell. You’ll be forever grateful if you bring a boat to this park (just leave the zebra mussels and quagga mussels at home) to cruise the slot canyons or enjoy a floating picnic while enjoying the scenery. You can also hike, bike, fish, and kayak. Just remember to drink lots of water to guard against the desert sun and heat. Also, be aware of flash-flood dangers during the monsoon season (mid-late summer & into fall). Entrance fee is $15 per vehicle, good for 7 days. Stay at one of the campgrounds operated by Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas, which offer full hookups and other amenities at sites of varying length (up to 50’).

5. Devil’s Tower National Monument, Wyoming: The tower stands 1267’ above the Belle Fourche River and is made of igneous crystalline rock columns, which reflect sound when small pieces are struck. The hard rock tower was exposed when surrounding sedimentary rock eroded away. Native American tribes have long held the tower to be sacred. It’s a popular spot with rock climbers and is a 2.5 hour drive from Mount Rushmore, Ft. Laramie and Jewel Cave. Camping costs $12 per night and vehicle entrance costs $10 per vehicle for 7 days. Sites accommodate RVs up to 35’ (big rigs should think of staying at Mountain View RV Park in nearby Sundance) but there are no hookups, showers or dump station, although running water and accessible restrooms are available in the campground and at the picnic area. See more camping info.

4. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan: Smooth sand dunes tower above the coast of Lake Michigan along the edge of such beautiful inland features as grassy bluffs, beech-maple forests and dozens of lakes and rivers. Visit the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center for all the information you need about fun outdoor and indoor activities in the area. Entrance to the park is $10 per vehicle. Stay at the Platte River Campground, (10 miles from the visitor center in the town of Empire) which has a variety of back-in and pull thru spots with electrical hookups. Full restrooms, trash bins and water spigots are located in the center of each loop, with a dump station at the campground entrance. Maximum 6 people per campsite and max trailer length is 35 ft. Sites are $21 per night plus a $3 fee if you make a reservation.

3. Banff National Park, Alberta: This alpine park in Canada’s Rocky Mountains was established in the 1880s shortly after discovery of natural sulphur hot springs by transcontinental railroad crews. Connected to three adjacent parks, the sum of the area was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in1984 for its awesome, varied landscape of alpine lakes, glaciers, waterfalls and majestic mountain peaks. Of the park’s 13 campsites, only Tunnel Mountain has full hookups and two others offer electrical only. Campsite fees range from CA$30-40 nightly based on type of services provided. The resort town of Banff has all the normal amenities (banks, grocery, postal service etc.) and also hosts the Banff Arts Festival in June-August.

2. Pinelands National Reserve, New Jersey: Covering 1.1 million acres in parts of seven counties in southern New Jersey, the area is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve that protects pine forests, farms, historical settlement sites, and scenic small towns. Two-thirds of the park is privately-owned, with about 700,000 people living within the park. Park administrators ask you to be mindful of private property and leave the park as you found it. A diverse landscape of bogs, hardwood swamps, dense forests and pine lowlands provide a home for many hundreds of plant and animal species, including many rare and endangered varieties. Stay at Turtle Run Campground in Wading River, NJ—in the heart of the pinelands yet close to Atlantic City and Long Beach Island. It’s a Good Sam Park with full hookups, free showers and RV sites from 35’-38’ long.

1. Everglades National Park, Florida:The park is the largest subtropical wilderness in the U.S. and protects many rare and endangered plants and animals. Located at the southern tip of Florida, it is open year-round but some areas may be closed during the rainy wet season (summer). You can hike, bike or paddle the myriad trails; have a picnic; go fishing or boating (only for the skilled helmsman), and camp out under the stars. Entrance is $10 per vehicle (good for 7 days) and camping costs $16 per night per site. Both Long Pine Key Campground (max 45’) and the Flamingo Campground (max 40’) accommodate RVs, but there are no hookups anywhere in the park. Restrooms have running water (Flamingo has cold water showers) and each campground has a dumping station. See campground rules PDF for more info.

The RV Trivia Challenge!

It’s time for the Lug_Nut RV Trivia Challenge.  Are you an RV Guru,  a fairly well informed RV enthusiast, or are you an “RV For Dummies” candidate?  Check it out and let’s hear how you score.

Alright, if you are up to the challenge, let’s see how you do.

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North & South of the Border – Same Question

In the opening 11 months of “Green RVing” the media interest in my North American adventure has been pretty demanding. The requests for interviews keep coming. I am continually inspired, witnessing the deep interest in energy conservation and independence. People seem generally moved to self-reliance and autonomy.

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Canada’s Lake Louise – An Elaborate Hoax?

A few years ago, a couple of employees at Yellowstone National Park played a classic joke on the tourists. They placed a large hand crank apparatus on top of a wooden box. Next they set the whole contraption in the vicinity of the world famous Old Faithful geyser, which always naturally erupts once per hour. Just as Old Faithful was ready to erupt, they began vigorously turning the crank. Voila! The geyser’s steaming hot waters spewed forth into the sky.

To their credit, the employees had finally answered that legendary Old Faithful tourist question: “How do you turn it on?” Alas, their employers were not amused. Some rather gullible tourists who witnessed the spectacle left convinced that the venerable geyser was a sham. The two guys got canned.

Upon viewing Canada’s stunning Lake Louise, I began searching for the crank and wooden box…

Airstream RV Blog #27 – Geez (Lake) Louise from Sean Michael on Vimeo.

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