Waldorf Salad

Recipe courtesy of www.campingcafe.com

Serves 6 

Ingredients
2-3 apples, cubed, Gala, Golden Delicious or other variety
1/2 cup walnuts, halved
1/4 cup yogurt
1/2 cup mayonnaise
zest and juice from 1/2 lemon
fresh ground pepper
1 tsp honey or granulated sugar
2-3 celery ribs, sliced into 1/2 inch slices
1/4 cup golden raisins or dried cranberries
1/4 cup seedless grapes (red grapes, prefered)

Directions
Start by combining the apples, celery, nuts, and raisins in a bowl. Next combine the yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, lemon zest, honey and pepper in another bowl. Just before serving pour the dressing over the apple mixture and toss thoroughly. Set aside in refrigerator until ready to serve.

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WHAT MAKES A "GOOD" RV PARK?

by Tom Gonser 10/2011 (courtesy of www.rversonline.org)

[Ed Note 10/2011: We initially published this in the late 1990s, and with minor revision is as valid today as it was lo those many years ago.]

RVers are a friendly sort of people. They enjoy making new friends, talking about their rigs, and inevitably sharing their opinions on the "best" RV parks they've visited. We've long wondered what the common characteristics of the "top" RV parks might be. And while we don't claim to have the perfect prescription, we believe there are certain qualities among RV parks which seem consistently to be on everyone's list of favorites. These are based both on our own observations, and on the many comments we've received from our RVers Online friends. We offer it as a a compendium of observations and suggestions which we hope will be of value to the growing number of RV park owners and managers whom we've been pleased to welcome as guests and participants at this site.

We think it's important to provide a bit of focus on the scope of what we're describing. We're purposely not attempting to include full time or extended stay RV destinations -- primarily the Snowbird parks across the southern tier of states. There the measure of attraction seems strongly tilted towards "planned activities", and the park's unique "social structure". We are likewise not focusing on RVers whose annual mileage is low, and whose average stay is measured in weeks or months. Instead, we mean to describe the preferences of RVers who enjoy traveling to many different regions, and who find themselves often staying at one RV park only one or a few days at a time.

Let's look at just what makes an RVer conclude that this is a park that surely deserves a return visit:

First Impressions: As the saying goes, there's no second chance to make a first impression. How true that is in the context of RV parks! What happens when you first walk into the office? You either have a feeling of being genuinely welcome; or you immediately have the sense of just being another statistic. Sure, there's a form to fill out. We understand that. But is the person behind the desk just asking rote questions and putting raw data into boxes? Or was there first a warm greeting, and during the course of the adminstrative formalaties perhaps some discussion about where you're from, and all the interesting things there are to do and see where you've just arrived?

This "first impression" thing simply cannot be overstated. Once you're all signed in, have your park map in hand, and headed to your site, an RVer begins "seeing" this new and unfamiliar park through either the lense of a "good" feeling, which tends to make everything look just a bit nicer; or through the more critical lense of a less-than-welcome feeling derived from the sign-in process. Whichever feeling the RVer has will cause him or her to see the park in either a more or less favorable light.

Site spacing: Do the sites offer a sufficient feeling of "space"? Is there ample room on either side of the RV for that pleasant feeling of "light and air"? Or do the sites look more suitable for RV storage...? We understand that RV park owners must make a tradeoff between site size and revenue when they design their parks. Obviously the larger the individual sites, the fewer revenue producing units there will be. Typically only public RV parks (national, state, or county) are not bound by such concerns, and are thus able in many cases to offer RV parks with enormous distances between sites. We understand that. But where the park design has resulted in sites which preclude any sense of privacy because of an unacceptable spacing, it's not one we're likely to see for more than one night. And surely not again on the return trip. With the increased size of RVs these days, a park which is not designed to accommodate at least some "big rigs", or units with sliders, is ensuring a diminishing clientele as time goes by.

Site landscaping: Is the site to which you've just been assigned aesthetically pleasing? Perhaps a tree, some shrubbery, or a neatly maintained plot of grass? Is the site reasonably level, so that there's no need to use an armful of blocks and chocks to ensure that when you look out of your window the world is right side up? Is the surface, whether gravel, concrete, blacktop or "other", something that will help avoid ruined inside carpeting in case it rains? Is the space for your slider thoughtfully planned? How often we've seen sites which, while otherwise well designed, has an unnecessarily tall utility post that is right smack in the way of where a slider needs the space -- resulting in having to park the RV practically in the street at one end or the other of the site. It's always nice to have a concrete slab by the door, a fire ring -- or perhaps barbeque, and a table. But we'd gladly concede any of these for a positive reading on most of the other items we've mentioned. Finally, individual site landscaping is really an element of overall park design. We find parks which show a bit of imagination in avoiding the "parking lot look" to be much more pleasant in overall appearance. The availability of spacious common areas such as a large grassy field, a woodsy space with trails, or a stretch of beach -- also contributes to a pleasant environment.

Utilities: These are nice conveniences, and almost "expected" where the daily tariff tends toward the higher end. Yet we're aware of some parks, primarily state or U.S. parks, where there are no utilities save perhaps for a common water and sewer site. One of our top choices, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument comes to mind. But privately owned parks are ordinarily expected to have at least the "basics" -- water, power (usually 50 amps), and sewer. To us the sewer connection is the least important, as for a stay of one or two days, it's almost a waste of time to set up and take down all the gear. All too many parks have an amazing propensity to do something inconvenient in designing the utility connections. In some cases they are so far removed from the site that a normal 25' hose or electric connection won't quite reach it. Or worse, they are for reasons which defy all logic, on the wrong side, requiring stringing wires and hoses right through what should be the outdoor "patio" area.

Still other parks insist on placing the utilities on such high pedestals that they interfere with the increasing number of slide-out units that are coming into the parks. We don't consider cable TV to be essential, but for many it is a nice convenience. What RVers find annoying, however, is where they go to the trouble of hooking into the TV outlet only to find that either (i) the signal is so weak that it's amost impossible to see; or (ii) the park has included such a budget package of available channels as to make the offering virtually useless. The teaching point seems to be: If you're going to offer cable, make certain the signal is properly boosted and distributed; and for heaven's sake offer at least a reasonable selection of channels. 

Park Location: Just as an RVers opinion of his or her individual site is influenced in part by the total environment of the park, the opinion of the entire park will be influenced by where it is in relation to the outside environment. How many times has an otherwise "perfect" setting become otherwise when the first freight train seemed to roar right through the center of the park? A similar distraction can be caused by parks which are located too close to major streets or highways -- especially when little or no attention has been made to block the visual and audio effects of such busy thoroughfares. We recognize that RV park owners can't change the physical location of their parks, which of course makes that initial decision to acquire it crucial. However we've seen lots of parks which have succeeded in minimizing the awareness of nearby distractions of various types.

Restrooms: Though most RVs are reasonably self contained, the typical RV shower still seems more suited to sardines than people. And the bathroom facilities are often cramped as well. This puts a premium on pleasant and clean park facilities which are both easily accessible (i.e., reasonably close), and of sufficient size to accommodate a full park without appearing to turn the washrooms into those typical of a crowded football stadium at halftime. It's always wonderful to find a facility which is complete with colors, tile, individual private shower/dressing room combinations, and the like. But realistically, the most crucial element is cleanliness. Not "sort of" clean -- but unquestionably clean and fresh. "Modern" is of course nice. But we've seen less-than-new facilities which had fresh paint, colorful window treatments, and other tasteful trimmings which made it a superb facility. It's hard to imagine a more significant "negative" about an RV park than sub-standard maintenance of the washrooms. We're always pleased to find that the facility includes soap dispensers and paper towels, making it unnecessary for us to drag towels and soap back and forth every time we use the washroom.

Internet Friendly: Anyone who has visited this site before knows what we think about this one. We think all RV parks need to offer a quality WiFi signal, and we believe it should be part of the daily rate. WiFi signals that only "sort of" reach most of the park are inadequate; and download speeds that are less than 500 Kb are also inadequate. Reliability is crucial, and the park needs to know how to make a quick fix if the signal for some reason goes down. Parks that opt for a fee based system should provide some reasonable provision for the overnight guest, such as the first hour free. Outside vendors to RV park will offer a rate of $30 per month, but may charge $12 for just one overnight visit. That's entirely unacceptable, and will drive traffic elsewhere.

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Grilled Chicken Wings

Recipe courtesy of www.campingcafe.com

Ingredients
Chicken wings, preferably fresh not previously frozen
salt and pepper

Directions
Sprinkle chicken wings with salt and pepper and let stand while you light and heat a charcoal or gas grill. 
Heat the grill to medium and grill wings turning often to avoid burning. 
Wings are done when meat is no longer pink and juices run clear.
Serve with buffalo sauce or other dipping sauce

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PBJ S'Mores

Recipe courtesy of www.campingcafe.com/

Ingredients
Graham Crackers
Milk Chocolate Squares
Crunchy peanut butter
Raspberry jelly
Roasted marshmallows

Directions
To easily assemble these smores spread peanut butter on an even number of graham cracker halves and raspberry jelly on the other.  Place the chocolate squares on top of the jelly side then top with roasted marshmallows.

Then dive in an enjoy!

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RV ROAD COURTESY: HELP THEM PASS!

by Tom Gonser 04/2011 (courtesy of www.rversonline.org)

Sometimes it seems we need to be driving a car to fully understand some of the reasons many drivers will do anything possible to avoid being in traffic behind an RV. Sometimes the urge is so great that motorists will take almost any risk to avoid being in that position.

There’s of course the issue of RV size, which prevents the motorists immediately behind from having a clear view of the road ahead. There’s not much we can do about that one. However the most serious problem derives from the fact that most RVers realize that they require more time to stop; need to approach corners with a bit more caution; and in some cases lack sufficient power to climb hills at highway speeds. In general, RVs therefore tend to be a bit slower on the highways. Other motorists know this, and that’s why they will too frequently take unnecessary risks to get past the RV that’s just in front of them -- often heading a line of several cars just waiting for the opportunity to get past, and back to what for them might be a more normal highway speed.

We drive frequently between our primary residence in Bend, Oregon, and our small second home on the central Oregon coast in Florence. It’s really a beautiful drive of about four hours. But the highway is not an Interstate; and for the most part it’s two lanes. There are a number of places where the highway is designed to provide drivers with an opportunity to keep traffic flowing at a reasonable speed. These are “passing lanes” -- a stretch of perhaps only a few hundred yards to as much as a half mile where there are two lanes going forward -- the perfect time to get past that RV, occasional piece of farm equipment, or slow moving truck.

Unfortunately what happens here too often reflects poorly on us as RVers. Thoughtless RV drivers often see that comparatively straight stretch of roadway ahead and tend to speed up at that point. As a consequence perhaps only one or two cars in what has now become a long line of waiting cars is able to get by before the sign appears saying “Passing Lane Ends”. Perhaps one or two more cars race to squeeze by as the two lanes merge back into one, often creating yet another unnecessary and dangerous situation. With the safe passing opportunity now gone, the RV seems to slow again as the road becomes narrower and with more curves ahead. Probably this RV driver is not intentionally trying to see how many cars can be trapped behind an RV on a mostly two-lane road. More likely this RVer is simply thoughtless and terribly inconsiderate of others traveling in the same direction. But whoever it is surely is giving all RVers a bad name -- and we need to stop it.

We've driven our own RV on this same roadway many times. And even though we’re usually traveling close to the speed limit, and have ample power to pull the hills with the four-wheelers, we’re extremely aware of traffic that builds up behind us. Whenever we reach one of those passing lanes, or see a long stretch of straight roadway ahead that will permit passing, we SLOW DOWN to permit the cars that wish to drive faster go by safely. Not just some of them -- all of them. It never “costs us” more than a few seconds, and clearly it is greatly appreciated by the drivers behind us.

The bottom line here is a simple one. Let’s all be more thoughtful about those potential passing situations when we’re driving our RVs. Most RVers truly are careful and cautious drivers. But too often we are not thoughtful about the image we create for all RVers when we fail to take advantage of such easy opportunities to be good citizens of the roadways...

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Easy Campfire Pepperoni Pizza

Recipe courtesy of www.campingcafe.com

Ingredients
1 or more prepared pizza crust - like Boboli™
Pepperoni
Pizza Sauce (Contadina™ makes one in a plastic squeeze bottle - perfect for camping)
Mixed Italian cheeses
Olive Oil
metal tongs
heavy duty tin foil
optional:
crushed red pepper and Parmesan

Directions
Prepare grill or campfire for indirect cooking.
Brush top of prepared pizza crust with a little olive oil.
Place directly on grate oiled side down and cook for a minute or 2 until golden - careful not to burn it. Remove from heat.
Place crust bottom side down on a double layer of tin foil.
Cover crust with pizza sauce.
Top sauce with a generous amount of cheese - you're camping calories don't count.
Place pepperoni on top of cheese.
Cook on prepared cooking area of grill or campfire for 2 - 6 minutes depending on temperature of fire.
Pizza is done when cheese is melted.

Additional Tips:
Careful not to burn the bottom of the crust.  You may have to adjust the pizzas position over your fire.

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COUNTY RV PARKS -- AND MISSED OPPORTUNITIES

by Tom Gonser 07/2012 (courtesy of www.rversonline.org)

During recent summer RV travels we had the good fortune of staying in Howard Miller Steelhead Park, a visionary project created by the Washington State’s Skagit County Board of Commissioners. The RV park is near Rockport, Washington, along the banks of the Skagit River. The park offers 39 very nicely spaced RV sites with full amenities (water/power/sewer), has both paved roads and RV parking sites, and is attractively landscaped and maintained. The park is designed to accommodate today’s longer, wider RVs. It’s the type of park one finds intending only to stay overnight, but can’t resist staying for a longer time.

Opportunities Realized -- and Neglected

We’ve seen other highly successful RV parks developed by county governments, port authorities, or other local governmental entities. But they are remarkably few and far between. Much more common is to find a plot of ground owned by one of these governmental units that has superb potential to attract the traveling RVer -- but no one has connected the dots to see the valuable potential for developing the property as an RV Park.

We have a home in Florence, Oregon. Just down the coast from us is Winchester Bay. There the local port authority, which had a prime plot of unused real estate, developed an available waterfront parcel into one of the most attractive coastal RV parks along the Oregon Coast. This formerly dormant piece of real estate has attracted thousand of RVer visitors into the Reedsport/Winchester Bay area during seasonal months, bringing a very significant economic stimulus to the surrounding area. The park was developed with the assistance of a well-known RV park design consultant.

Closer to home, the port authority that controls a parcel of land with similar potential in Florence, OR has let its real estate asset continue as a completely outdated rudimentary RV park that is only partly paved; has completely inadequate site spacing; offers marginal amenities, and fails to attract the high-end RV consumer that has discovered far better RV accommodations just a half hour south in Winchester Bay. While the RV facility at the Florence port property has contributed somewhat to the economy of the superb historical business area within walking distance, it falls incredibly short of its potential to tap into the economic stimulus that would come by following the example from its neighbor to the south.

But the Story gets Worse

Unfortunately the worst-case scenario is by far the most common: A country or local governmental authority owns vacant real estate with outstanding potential for development as an RV park -- and either does not recognize the potential, or fails to take the initiative to make the development happen. What’s particularly striking about this failure is that local governments often hold real estate parcels that have offer exceptional opportunities to attract RVers, whether it’s fishing, hiking, bird watching, golfing, biking, or access to near by recreational opportunities. With the right business strategy, a properly designed and managed RV park can be the source of a significant new revenue potential for local businesses. One would think in this age of scarce resources for local governments there would be a far higher state of awareness of such potential options.

In some cases a privately owned RV park may already be available. But usually that’s not the case. Moreover, because county (and other local) governments often own real estate at a carrying cost well below market value, it has the option of designing an attractive RV park with large and widely separated sites -- something that’s highly valued by RVers, and seldom found even in the best of privately owned RV parks. In our view the failure of county and other local governmental units to both see and evaluate this economic potential is resulting in an amazing loss of economic opportunity to the local communities that are impacted by this lack of vision.

Caution: It’s not a Slam Dunk

While there are an incredible number of “lost opportunities” out there, waking up to the potential for RV park development is only Step One in the process. Surely not every vacant parcel is a suitable candidate for development as an RV park -- though that conclusion surely cannot be reached without first being alert to that possibility. RV parks always have issues relating to to a variety of factors, including seasonality, location, recreational opportunities in the surrounding area, and topographical considerations. And it would be unrealistic to expect a county government to be skilled in making such an evaluation. Typically this will require pursuing the opinion of an expert qualified to evaluate the business potential, as well as assist with the park design and management. There are a few such qualified individuals out there, and we have indicated one source of that consulting expertise elsewhere at this site. The initial contact and general consultation should cost nothing; and any fee commitment should only be incurred where further evaluation appears justified.

There are numerous considerations known to experts about the feasibility of building an RV park on vacant property owned by a local government. From our perspective, among the most significant would be the potential to attract large numbers of RVers for the economic benefit of the local community. The benefit is not only in the fees generated by RV guests, but by their economic interaction with the surrounding community. These folks purchase fuel, groceries and supplies; and they thoroughly enjoy dining out at the local restaurants, and participating in local attractions and events.

This outcome is optimally achieved with a park that will attract RVers willing to pay a daily rate associated with spacious RV accommodation that is usually only found at thoughtfully designed parks on public lands. In virtually all cases the facility should be designed for short-term stays; and neither invite nor permit the property to be used for quasi-residential purposes. Unfortunately this mistake has happened all to often -- even though it’s easily avoidable with a properly designed management scheme.

If it Appears we Lament...

That’s probably an accurate assessment. We could name countless locations where we have seen potentially outstanding opportunities lie dormant. Dormant either because the local government officials were oblivious to the options for development; or in some cases despite the needed recognition the inexcusable lack of motivation to move such a project forward for a careful and objective investigation. There is much more that we could add to this short article. But the thought of going further into specifics for the benefit of so many ears that are turned the other way simply does not justify doing so here. Should there be county or local governments that genuinely want to consider possible next steps, we would be more than happy to point out a few logical first steps.

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Professional RV Driving Tips

by Tom Gonser (Updated 10/2011) (http://www.rversonline.org/RVOADrivingSchool.html)

Some years ago when we purchased our first diesel pusher we concluded that not only finding "the right rig for us" would enhance the experience, but also ensuring that we knew how to operate thenew coach competently and safely. We'd had an earlier brief exposure to some of the professional drivers who comprise The RV Driving School, and had just enough interaction with them to appreciate there still was much we could learn about driving. We've taken editorial positions which support more driver training for RVers, and now it was going to be our turn to be on the receiving end of it. [Note: While the RV Driving School has changed ownership since we took our training, it appears their current offerings continue much the same.]

We contacted the RV Driving School, and arranged to take their full two day course. One of the available locations was near Palmdale, and that would be near where we planned to be on our travels. So we signed up for the course -- not just Stephanie, but very much both Tom and Stephanie. We've both shared the driving time fairly evenly, and have several hundred thousand accident free RVing miles. But particularly with our new coach, with systems which were unfamiliar to us, it seemed prudent that we should take the plunge and make sure we were as competent as possible to be piloting a 30,000 pound motorhome for the extensive travels we're contemplating during the next several years.

On the morning of our first day our instructor, Jerry Ray, came to the park they'd recommended to us, the Californian RV Park in Acton, CA. We'd known Jerry from crossing paths multiple times at the annual Life on Wheels Conference in Moscow, Idaho. We'd both taken his one hour classroom presentation; and Stephanie had spent a bit of time in a short behind-the-wheel practice session. While those experiences were helpful, we knew they would be no substitute for the full course. And we were right.

After recording all the statistical information pertaining to our drivers licenses, registration, insurance, etc., we started at the very beginning. At our request, Jerry skipped nothing on the assumption we certainly would "already know that". [In fact, I think he was a bit surprised at how little I really did know about the coaches mechanical systems!] We started with a walk around the rig, and at even this very first step we learned some important things we probably should already have noticed. For starters, Jerry pointed out that the coach we'd just taken delivery of at the factory came with some tires not having valve caps. It's kind of a little thing you don't focus on when taking delivery of a massive machine. But it can be important. Jerry pointed out that the caps actually prevent particles of material from getting into the valve, potentially causing them to fail. He also mentioned that when getting new ones, to be sure to get the chrome type with "o" rings inside. These apparently help retain air in the event of a valve failure.

We also learned as we made the outside circuit that the aluminum wheels we have are superior to steel wheels primarily because they are not suseptable to hairline cracks. On our coach the four outside wheels are aluminum, but the inside dual wheels are steel. Jerry suggested they be inspected when the wheels were being rotated.

We learned still more about checking the fluid levels in the axles, and about watching for rust spots or streaks coming from under the wheel lug covers. The latter apparently suggests a lug nut which is not properly tightened down.

After picking up a raft of pointers about the daily "walk around", we came aboard and had a very detailed discussion of the coach's air brake system -- something that was new to us. We'd heard that in Canada RVers who operate rigs with air brakes are required to get a special endorsement to their drivers license -- which apparently requires taking a certain number of hours' instruction and passing a test. We now learned that DOT regulations require each driver of a commercial truck equipped with air brakes to perform a series of "tests" of the system each day before pulling onto the road. We were about to learn what those tests were, and how to perform them.

While we will not here go through each of the procedures we learned, suffice it to say the tests are relatively easy to perform, and provide a comprehensive check that ensures both the service brakes and emergency brakes are functioning normally, and there are no leaks in the system. With Canadian authorities seeing this as being of such importance as to require an endorsement to a driver's license, and our own Department of Transportation mandating these tests each and every day for commercial truckers, we think it's essential that all RVers with air brake systems learn how they work, and how to perform the required tests to ensure they're in good operating condition. An article by Bob Gummersall posted elsewhere at this site provides an excellent overview on this subject.

Before hitting the road, our final check was on the setting of the mirrors. The coach is equipped with mirrors on each side comprised of an upper flat mirror, which is electrically controlled by the driver; and a lower convex mirror, which needs to be manually set. Since Stephanie sits closer to the wheel than I, of course we need different settings for the flat mirrors. We found, though, that the convex (wide angle) mirrors could be set to accommodate both of us without change. We took considerable time setting the mirrors for each of us this first time, mostly to ensure that we were seeing precisely what we were supposed to in them. We learned that what we were seeing in the top third of the lower mirror should also be visible in the lower third of the top mirror. Like much of the course we're here describing, this requires "doing it", not just reading about it. Suffice it to say the flat mirrors are essentially to judge distance, while the convex mirrors are for "the big picture", or wide field of vision. The convex mirrors would show a car passing on the right which would be entirely invisible in the flat mirror; but the flat mirror would provide a true perspective of when we'd passed another vehicle by a sufficient distance to make it possible for us to cross back into our original lane. But the examples go on and on...

Once we'd completed our pre-trip inspections and checks, we were ready for some over the road learning. For the balance of the morning we essentially made right turns, and then left turns. But these were carefully measured turns. With Jerry's help, we were each able to identify a reference point in our coach which, when used as the signal to initiate a sharp turn, would ensure the back wheels would consistently clear and track neatly around a corner. The same was true in making left turns, though of course the reference points were entirely different. In each case we were able to track the rear wheels behaving precisely as intended as we made turns into increasingly narrow lanes. While this of course will take more practice to perfect, it provided a superb method for us to gauge precisely how to make tight turns.

After a short lunch break, we were back on the road. Before putting some polish on the right and left turn techniques, we had of couple of interesting surprises. Finding a wide, deserted street with unlimited visibility and virtually no traffic, Jerry asked me to do the following: Accelerate the rig as fast as it would go -- and when he gave me the word, pull up on the emergency brake. I thought about this for a minute, then nodded my agreement to give it a try. We looked around the coach to make sure nothing would go flying if we really skidded to a sharp stop. This accomplished, I turned on the emergency flashers and "floored it". Something approaching 15 tons roared to life as the powerful Cummins 350 powered the rig at a surprising rate of acceleration. Had Jerry forgotten to give the word? It seemed we were now going far to fast to activate the emergency brake -- but just then, the word: "STOP"! I pulled up sharply on the brake handle....and what followed was highly instructive: We came to a very fast -- but smooth -- stop. This, we were told, is precisely what would happen if we ever had a severe air leak: The emergency brake would automatically come on as the pressure reached a critically low point. There would be a warning, though, when the air pressure dropped to a point that was nearing the "trigger" point. So if those warnings should ever occur, we'd want to get the rig off the road as quickly as possible. 'Cause when it stops, it STOPS. And that's where it's going to stay until repairs are made.

The next maneuver went in the opposite direction. First we parked in the very center of a wide, long, deserted street. Jerry asked me to put on the emergency flashers as a precaution (we could have seen any possible traffic for at least several hundred yards). Then I was asked to back the rig for a couple of hundred feet in a straight line. With no close curb, this seemed at first like a tall order. I didn't mind attempting it, as with both the mirrors and backup camera, visibility was quite good. And common sense of course keeps one at a very slow speed. But we got a pointer that would ensure I went precisely straight back. Jerry asked me to pick out an object a couple of hundred yards to the rear in my left (flat) mirror. Then he asked that as I slowly backed up, I keep that reference point precisely aligned with the side of the coach (in the mirror). By doing so, I was able to back confidently as straight as a string. We did the same using a reference point in the passenger side mirror. It worked just as well, but was slightly more difficult -- simply because as we were learning it's easier to use the left mirror than the right mirror because the driver's side mirror is closer.

The balance of the afternoon we drove pieces of the nearby freeway, learning some tips on getting on and off the freeways, changing lanes, passing, and maintaining a safe distance behind the vehicle ahead. That latter "tip" was only one of several "rules of thumb" which had a numerical value: Keep 1 second for each 10 feet of RV length or portion thereof (for us that's 4 seconds) behind the vehicle in front of you to ensure you have room to stop in an emergency. Other rules of thumb numbers we learned during our training exercises included:

To keep brakes cool coming down long steep descents, try to stay 3 seconds "off" the brakes for every 1 second of brake application (though better is to descend primarily using the engine brake and gears).
To ensure clearance from a parallel object (such as another vehicle on your right when you're starting a left turn from a stop signal), you'll need 1 foot of separating distance for every 3 feet (or portion thereof) of overhang distance from the rear wheels to the back of the rig.
While going downhill, if your rig accelerates more than 5 MPH in 5 seconds, you need the next lower gear.
The next day we started off with a review of what we'd learned on Day One. This included some more tight right and left turns. All was going well, so we were off for some new training grounds. The "obstacle course" we'd take this time would be up, over, and down a winding mountain road. I was particularly interested in this piece of the experience -- less based on apprehension of driving the winding grades, but rather on learning to use the Allison tranny as efficiently as possible. Our last rigs have all been 5 speed manual transmission trucks, and the six speed automatic was a new experience. I learned I'd want an uphill gear which would always provide the ability for at least some acceleration. On the downhill run, the objective would be to use the service brakes as little as possible, relying on a combination of the engine brake and a proper gearing selection. If our downhill run was accerating more than 5 mph in 5 seconds, we'd need the next lower gear. One nice thing about doing it in our own rig was that we were able to determine our coach's approximate "target" RPMs for this type of uphill and downhill exercise.

As we approached one rather narrow corner, Jerry was telling us to learn to "read" some of the unwritten signs on the road. As an example, he pointed to the guard rail we were nearing. It was in pretty ugly shape. Why? Reflecting on that momentarily we correctly answered because this narrow, blind curve had seen its fair share of vehicles scraping the guard rail attempting to avoid cars coming from the other direction. While there were no signs with words, this one seemed to say quite plainly that we'd better approach this curve slowly, and be especially watchful for traffic coming from the other direction. Reading this type of "sign" is something we'd not previously considered -- but it makes a great deal of sense.

Stephanie drove back over the same hill, at first somewhat apprehensively. It wasn't going up that bothered her -- it was the anticipation of coming down. When I'd been on the descent, Jerry kept asking me if the speed I was going, which was determined in large part by the gear I'd selected, was "comfortable" for me. In each case I said yes. As Stephanie started down, Jerry again queried whether she was "comfortable" at the speed she was driving. She quickly shifted down one gear below the one I would have chosen, and then declared herself "comfortable". This was an interesting teaching point: The "right" gear for Stephanie was different than the "right" gear for me, because the "comfort zone" was really the determining factor. I was getting even more information to reinforce the conclusion that the "right" way to drive depends in part on who's driving!

With the mountains now tamed, we turned to a subject I'd been waiting for -- backing into an RV site. While I was used to accomplishing this chore, it was too often a story of trial and error. And as far as Stephanie was concerned, if the gear was "reverse", the driver was "Tom". She was quite certain there was no possibility she'd ever be able to back the rig into an RV spot.

But the techniques we'd learn would prove that "certainty" completely wrong. For starters, we'd need to know where the rear wheels were by using the mirrors. Mind you, we can't really "see" the rear wheels in the mirrors. But, as we learned, we could find a reference point on each side of the rig which is visible, and which would help us to know where our rear wheels were when we were backing. In our case, there's a side light just above the rear wheels on each side. So by checking the position of each of those lights, we'd know approximately where our rear wheels are.

Learning to back is clearly a "show and tell" kind of thing, and is best done in one's own rig. Suffice it to say we learned to go forward just past the end of the rig; to go straight back until our rear wheels were just abeam of the point we wanted to pivot around. Then we'd take advantage of the ease of electric mirrirs, and adjust the flat mirror down so that we had a clear view of the ground near the corner we'd be going around. At that point we'd start our turn, keeping it just "sharp" enough to "follow" the imaginary line we'd set up for making the corner. The mirror was a crucial tool for this, but by using it effectively we both found we could track an almost perfect radius into the selected spot. Jerry used some pylons to simulate the width of the street we'd be turning from, and the width of the site we'd be backing into. While we did the reverse turns both from the left of the site, and from the right of the site, we quickly learned why we'd prefer backing around from the left. Again, this is a learn-by-doing, and not a learn-by-reading technique...

We took turns doing the backing exercise until we both felt quite comfortable with the technique. We also recognized that it will take practice to approach perfection here, and Stephanie now looks forward to doing just that. What a change!

Our final "stage" was driving the busiest of the urban streets in the Palmdale/Lancaster area. We were directed, quite purposely, onto the very types of streets we would ordinarily avoid. With frequent traffic lights, very narrow lanes, and lots of speeding traffic we learned to simply take our time, use common sense, use our mirrors extensively, and watch for traffic trying to sneak past on the right. On one occasion I found myself in a left turn lane, waiting for the light to change, when another large motorhome pulled up alongside on my right. They were not more than 18 inches away. We didn't know what the traffic light sequence would be -- but as it turns out I got a green left arrow and the motorhome on my right still had a red light. We're not talking big wide streets here, and my left turn needed to be started fairly soon. I was acutely aware that if I turned sharply left the back end of our rig would be right into the side of that stationary motorhome. So I inched forward slowly, giving the light enough time to let the motorhome go straight ahead, and then executed the turn. What seemed surprising, in hindsight, is that the driver of that other motorhome obviously had no idea that by stopping so close to a left-turning rig he'd just set himself up for an accident.

By the end of the second day we both felt we'd learned a great deal; but that the real benefit of what we'd just learned would really only be fully realized if we continued to practice what we'd learned. Driving a rig of this size is serious business. And we think most RVers would find there is a lot to learn about how to operate their rigs safely. With more big rigs sharing the roadways these days, quite frankly we hope more of them will take the time to learn how to drive them properly. And if they don't, we hope they won't be driving anywhere near us!

[Ed Note: The driving tips included above are but a small portion of what learns by actually taking the type of professional RV driving course -- and are no substitute for taking the course!]

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5 Unforgettable RV Parks in Colorado

There’s so much to discover in an RV rambling along Colorado’s scenic roadways, which are dotted with breathtaking overlooks, charming mountain towns and remote hideaways. Start discovering these hidden gems with our list of five Colorado RV parks you won’t soon forget.

Ridgway State Park

Once you take in the sweeping views of jutting peaks, lush forests and sparkling, blue waters, you’ll know why the nearby town of Ouray is nicknamed the “Switzerland of America.” Spend some time on Ridgway State Park’s reservoir, which is five miles long and a popular place for wakeboarding, waterskiing, windsurfing and boating. The park also features volleyball courts, sandy beaches, 14 miles of hiking trails and nearly 90 picnicking sites.
Where to Stay: Dakota Terraces Campground is the only campground in the park that offers year-round RV camping sites, complete with electrical hookups, shared water and a dump station.
See Nearby: Box Cañon Falls, Ouray Hot Springs Pool, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, San Juan Skyway

Roosevelt National Forest

Escape the crowds and experience rugged wilderness in Roosevelt National Forest, where rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking and wildlife viewing await. This forest is also where you’ll find Cache La Poudre River, Colorado’s only designated National Wild and Scenic River, where you can fit in a peaceful afternoon of fly-fishing or an action-packed rafting trip down Class IV rapids.
Where to Stay: Fort Collins/Poudre Canyon KOA is located less than an hour away, in nearby LaPorte. The RV park comes with electrical hookups, Wi-Fi, cable TV and a seasonal swimming pool.
See Nearby: Red Feather Lakes, New Belgium Brewery, Cache La Poudre-North Park Scenic Byway

Lake Pueblo State Park

With its vast stretches of water and 60 miles of shoreline, Lake Pueblo is a scenic spot for all kinds of recreation, whether you’re into jet skiing or hiking. The steady breeze along the lake is ideal for a day of sailing or windsurfing, and anglers will find plenty of trout, bass, walleye and crappie to reel in. Mountain bike or walk through the park’s extensive network of trails, where you’ll see 200-year-old juniper trees, wildflower covered hills and an array of wildlife, such as beavers, snapping turtles and burrowing owls.
Where to Stay: Arkansas Point Campground's RV park is located near the south boat ramp, and it offers amenities like flush restrooms, coin-operated showers, laundry, electricity and a dump station.
See Nearby: Sangre de Cristo Arts & Conference Center, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Garden of the Gods, Cave of the Winds

Rifle Falls State Park

Named after its cascading waterfalls, Rifle Falls State Park is a picturesque escape, featuring limestone caves, easy hiking trails and accessible fishing areas along East Rifle Creek. Enjoy an alfresco lunch at one of the 10 picnic sites, which are all close to the falls and surrounded by lush foliage.
Where to Stay: Rifle Falls State Park Campground has 13 drive-in RV sites, which include electrical outlets, picnic tables, fire rings and shared water hydrants.
See Nearby: Grand Mesa Scenic Byway, Glenwood Hot Springs, Palisade

Pagosa Springs

Flanked by two national forests, Pagosa Springs has a quaint, small-town feel with plenty to offer in terms of outdoor pursuits. Explore the backcountry trails of the San Juan Mountains, discover one of the area’s roaring waterfalls, browse charming boutiques and museums in downtown Pagosa Springs, or unwind in the therapeutic heat of the natural hot springs. 
Where to Stay: Sportsman’s Campground is located 20 miles northwest of Pagosa Springs and offers 32 full hook-up RV sites, with perks like a fire pit, Wi-Fi, TV channels, laundry facilities and a playground.
See Nearby: The Springs Resort & Spa, Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Navajo State Park

- See more at: http://www.colorado.com/articles/5-colorado-rv-parks#sthash.eY0iZ3bg.dpuf

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RV Crazy: America's Best RV Parks: Hit the Open Road in a Recreational Vehicle

by Jennifer Plum Auvil

The lure of the open road and the comforts of home come together when you're traveling in a recreational vehicle, or RV. But before you hit the road, there are a few things you should understand about RV parks.

Not all RV parks are created equal. Campers can find RV parks in state and national parks as well as privately owned campgrounds. And the quality varies from budget to swanky. Chain campgrounds like KOA and Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Campgrounds operate around the country and offer some continuity from site to site.

More rustic campgrounds may offer little more than a parking spot, while other spots offer facilities including water and electricity hook-ups. On the higher end, more luxurious sites offer RV visitors access to pools, restaurants, free WiFi and business facilities.

Intrepid travelers exploring the country in an RV will want to put on the brakes and stay for a while at these parks and campgrounds around the United States.

Durango RV Resort
Red Bluff, California
The Durango RV Resort is a high-end escape with 174 sites on the Sacramento River. All sites are equipped with Powerhouse Pedestals that provide electricity, high-speed WiFi and cable television. Meet fellow travelers by the pool, in the clubhouses or at the outdoor fireplaces. Pamper your pooch with a run at the 45-acre dog park followed by a scrub down at the self-serve automatic dog-washing station.

Boyd's Key West Campground 
Key West, Florida
Featuring oceanfront campsites located just a few minutes from the action of Key West, Boyd's is a great way to experience this favorite Florida hot spot. Boyd's boasts a pool and beach area as well as conveniences including bathrooms, a marina and free wireless internet. The camp has 250 sites and does get crowded, especially when all sites are reserved. But you can't beat the location which is just a few miles from the fun on Duvall Street and downtown Key West and easily accessible by city bus or cab.

Horse Thief Lake Campground 
Hill City, South Dakota
Horse Thief Lake is a no-frills, family-owned campground with rustic charm and a convenient location near many of South Dakota's natural wonders. Buffalo roam in nearby Custer State Park and herds of wild mustang run through the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary. Mt. Rushmore is just 12 miles away while Crazy Horse Mountain and the Mammoth site are a short drive. The campground itself is a quiet respite from the nearby activity and offers fire rings at each site, a shop for basic goods and a small heated pool.

Rivers Edge RV Park 
Fairbanks, Alaska
Sleep under the midnight sun in this well-appointed RV park in Fairbanks. There are 190 sites, but the resort maintains a peaceful vibe with plenty of room for guests to spread out. There's a network of walking and biking trails to stretch your legs and the resort's restaurant, Chena's, serves 3 square meals a day. When you're ready to explore Fairbanks, there's no need to unhook the RV. Hop on a shuttle bus to nearby attractions including the Riverboat Discovery cruise, Pioneer Park, the Trans Alaska Pipeline and the historic downtown area.

Yosemite Pines RV Park 
Yosemite, California
While there's RV camping available inside Yosemite National Park, the campgrounds are primitive, with no hook-ups. If you're looking for more amenities, the best option is to set up camp outside of the park. Yosemite Pines RV Park is just 22 miles from the park and offers premium pull-through and back-in sites. This family-friendly resort has a gold mine where kids can pan for gold and a petting farm with alpacas.

Zion River Resort 
Virgin, Utah
Just 13 miles from the south entrance to Zion National Park, the Zion River Resort is popular with tourists and snowbirds who put down more permanent roots in the winter. This RV resort has full hook-ups, concrete parking pads, grills and free WiFi. After exploring the red sandstone cliffs at Utah's first national park, you can also use this campground as a base for day-trips to explore Bryce Canyon National Park and the north rim of the Grand Canyon.

The Shady Dell RV Park
Bisbee, Arizona
Shady Dell is an RV park with a twist -- if you can't bring your own RV to this corner of southern Arizona, you can find one here. This resort is home to 9 lovingly restored antique trailers. These charming stationary trailers include a 1949 vintage Airstream, a 1947 Tiki bus alongside an outrigger tiki bar and the fancy-pants 1951 Royal Mansion complete with a full-sized bed, breakfast nook, private bathroom and leopard carpet. Dot's Diner is a classic greasy spoon that serves homemade breakfast and lunch. A limited number of spots are available to park your RV if you're on the road and in the mood for some classic kitsch.

http://www.travelchannel.com/interests/road-trips/articles/rv-crazy-americas-best-rv-parks

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How Dangerous Camping Can Be

Camping is fun for the whole family but be aware of the risks and take steps to protect yourself and your family. Safety should be the most important facet of your camping out trip here are a few things to think about on your next camping excursion.

When you first get to your camping spot, spend a while and look the place over. Take care to look for items like smashed glass and other trash that might cause a problem. It is good personal manners to leave the campground in a better condition than when you found it, but numerous people don't live up to that high standard and you may end up being caught with the the trash left by others. Take a little while to clean up the camp site before you set up your tent. Scout the area for any dangerous obstacles such as rocks or sticks that could be a tripping hazard. It's essential to keep your camp site neat and clean to head off avoidable accidents.

Before you go camping out make sure that you check to see if the location you are going to be camping in has any limitations on campfires. If the weather circumstances and lack of rain have made your camping place dry, you may find that there are limitations in using campfires. The restrictions are put in place to try to help prevent forest fires. When it's windy you may prefer to avoid a fire in the camp as the wind can make the fire to spread fast to different areas of your campsite. Make sure to always keep water handy to douse the flame and never go to bed without burying the fire first otherwise a camping out trip can quickly get out of control if you don't practice fire safety.

Constantly be sure to take a emergency first aid kit with you when you're camping out and keep yourself well hydrated. Try to find out if you may be susceptible to something, like to bee stings before you go on a camping out excursion. You don't want to discover that you're vulnerable to a bee sting when you're a good distance away from the nearest infirmary. If you have allergies or a potentially life-threatening allergic response to bee stings and such, make sure you have the proper medicine with you at all times. Before you leave home check to see what types of poisonous plants and creatures are in the place and be equipped to deal with them on your camping excursion should the need arise.

Camping out can be a time for making memories and having enjoyment. If you take the proper safety precautions when you goFind Article, you will find that your trip will go smoothly and worry free. Make sure to keep safety first and your excursion will go off without a hitch!

By Steve Millerman February 26, 2009

Preparing For Your Family Camping Trip

Looking for a way to vacation on a low-budget, then camping is one of the best ways to get outdoors and see the country while maintaining a low-budget. With the many ways one can do camping, from the comforts of home-like camping in RV’s to tent camping, there is forms of camping for everyone that will make that perfect vacation. Tent camping is very popular for the younger families. Tent camping can be a wonderful experience for the seasoned camper; however, it can be a disaster for the beginner.

Having an enjoyable and memorable camping trip means being prepared for all the elements that you might encounter. The things that can go wrong on a camping trip is countless, weather, bugs, bad bathrooms, uneven ground, bad food the list just continues. Having a good plan of action can eliminate many of these problems before they occur.

Most important, a camper with a good plan knows how to adjust to the unexpected elements that can be thrown your way. As hard as it may seem, you can always make the most of any situation. A camper that is prepared for the unexpected will surely have a better camping experience.

A camping check list is a must have. Where you will be camping, the weather conditions, and for how long will help determine the supplies you may need to take. Always pack to meet your basic needs first: food, shelter, and comfort. The shelter is one of the most important items to help assure your camping trip will be a success story instead of a horror story. Try to get a camping tent that is larger than needed, this will give you some additional space. A good tarp over the tent is a good idea to help protect you and your supplies in inclement weather. The camping checklist needs to be updated during and after each trip, for no two camping trips are the same? Its’ better to be over stocked with items, than need it and not have it.

When packing for your trip, let the kids pack all of their belongings. Everyone should have their own flashlight and games. Have them pack their small items in a duffel-bag with their sleeping bag. Once at the campsite encourage everyone to replace any item they use back where it came from. This will eliminate the next person from having to spend time looking for something that is needed. In addition, when packing the group supplies pack each room in separate containers, this way everything has its ‘own place. A good first aid kit is a must have.

Food is one of the most important items for an enjoyable camping trip. Once the family has decided on the type meals you will be preparing, you will need to decide on how to cook them. A good outdoor camping stove or outdoor camping grill will be needed. If you plan on cooking over an open camp fireScience Articles, a good cooking-grate is a must have.

Taking the time needed to plan your camping trip will increase the odds of your family’s trip being a wonderful experience and creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Article by: Larry West

Choosing the Right Camping Stove

There are several types of camping. Backpacking, car camping, and RV camping. Depending on the type of camping you are doing, determines the type of camping stove you will need. Outdoor camping stoves vary in size, weight, burners, and types of fuel used. Usually camping stoves that take up little room, are easy to set up, and tear down are the best. Also, the type of fuel plays an important part of selecting the right camping stove. A good camping stove should be able to support itself and the cookware placed on them with little to no chance of tipping over. The camping stove you select should be durable, reliable, easy to light, and perform well in all conditions you may encounter while camping.

Liquid-fuel stoves are generally a compact single burner stove that burns white gas, which is a form of pure gasoline that contains no additives. However, some liquid fuel stoves burn kerosene, #1 diesel, unleaded gas, and jet fuel. All these fuels burn hot which makes this stove ideal for the backpacker who camps in harsh weather conditions and high altitudes. Because none of these fuels burn clean, it is imperative that you keep the burner clean for the stove to perform as intended. Liquid fuel stoves come equipped with a separate tank for the fuel, a primer pump to create pressure in the tank, a valve to control the flow of fuel going to the stove where the gas is mixed with air so it can burn. To improve their efficiency most liquid-fuel stoves come equipped with a wind screen and to improve their stability they are equipped with wide supporting legs.

Canister stoves are some of the lightest and easiest stoves to use. There’s no pumping or priming, just turn the knob, light it and you have maximum heat. The heat will adjust from low to high with ease. Canister stoves burn clean on butane, propane, or a mixture of both resulting in very little maintenance. Butane burns hot, yet it does not perform well in temperatures below freezing, whereas propane works good down to zero degrees. Since these stoves connect directly to the canister the use of a wind screen is not recommended, due to it could cause heat buildup and create an explosion. Canister stoves by far are the best stoves for the backpacker that does not camp in extreme cold temperatures or high altitudes.

Propane stoves are available with single burner, duel burner, or one burner with grill.Propane stoves are best suited for the car camper and RV camper where size and weight does not matter. These stoves are ideal for the camper needing to cook larger meals or more than one type of food at the time. Most propane stoves come equipped with a wind screen, which will be helpful on windy days’. Also, some of these stoves can connect to a propane canister or propane tank. Best of allScience Articles, propane fuel is easy to find and use.

Article by  Larry West

Lyme Disease - Can It Do More Than Just Tick You Off When You Travel On Vacation?

Dorothy Yamich - April 23, 2009

What are the symptoms of Lyme disease?

Some of the symptoms of Lyme disease are the classic bull’s-eye red rash, fatigue or loss of energy, feeling sleepy, tingling and numbness, swollen and painful joints, memory loss, and  feeling like you are getting the flu.  Paralysis of the face is a less common symptom. 

Lyme disease can make your life miserable and cause you a lot of pain and suffering if it’s not diagnosed and treated right away.  The longer you wait before seeing a health professional allows this disease to progress quickly and it may not be possible to lessen it’s effects.

How is Lyme disease spread?

Ticks bite and feed on animals such as mice, other small rodents, and deer.  If any of these animals are carrying the Lyme disease bacteria, they can pass the bacteria on to the ticks.  When people are bitten by an infected tick they may contract Lyme disease.

How can you reduce the chance of getting Lyme disease?

Some people do not have symptoms that show right away so prevention is always the best policy.  If you are traveling in the spring and summer months to or through areas where deer, mice, other rodents and animals live, the following are some things you can do.

If you are camping on vacation or holidays, you can limit the number of ticks around your campsite by reducing the brush and leaves debris.  Wear light colored clothing so you can more easily see these very tiny black insects and remove them before they attach to your skin.  Be sure you wear long-sleeved shirts and tuck them into your pants.  Also tuck your pant cuffs into your socks.  It is also a good idea to wear rubber boots as ticks are usually found close to the ground.  However, you can also get them in your hair if you brush against leaves on a low tree branch.  Wearing a light-colored, wide-brimmed hat may help.  Be sure to check your skin and scalp carefully as ticks can easily be overlooked, especially in your hair.  Applying a DEET containing insect repellent to your clothes and exposed skin, as well as applying the insecticide permethrin to your clothes will also help.

How can you remove ticks safely?

Ticks that have burrowed and embedded themselves under your skin can be removed with small-tipped tweezers.  Make sure that you do not leave any part of the tick under your skin.  Once the tick has been completely removed, disinfect the wound thoroughly with alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.  Keep in mind that you are not totally out of the woods yet, so to speak, as the symptoms can take several days, even weeks before they show.  Using tweezers is the best and safest method for removing ticks.  Do not try to remove any ticks using burnt matches, petroleum jelly, or alcohol as this will cause the ticks to release more of the bacteria into your blood stream.            

Please note that at the present time there is no vaccine available for Lyme disease.

According to the Center For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC) this bacterial disease is vastly under reported, perhaps by well over 100Psychology Articles,000 cases per year in the U.S. alone.  You can go to their website at cdc.gov for more information on Lyme disease.

Wilpena Pound Resort Camping

Clinton Bernat - November 13, 2010

For many who find happiness in outdoor camping or maybe searching for the best base to be able to explore freely Flinders Ranges in South Australian state, you'll surely have the best experience here.

Wilpena Resort Campground, to begin with, has with them caravan park amenities. Here, you could choose whether you'd like to stay isolated or you want to socialize with other campers. You have a choice here unlike other campsites. The location also provides powered sites that have plugs for one's comfort. The electricity that is running through the area is created locally via solar powered energy and generators. Electricity has been around for sometime now because of the resort’s high demand.

In case you have generators along with you, camping sites situated in the bushes exist in the vicinity. Here, you should decide where you could squat and spend the night inside a private spot. More campers can come if it's peak period. The chosen spot will obviously depend on your need to see a comfort room as well as the showers. You can walk or perhaps a brief drive will do.

Altogether, the place has 3 toilets and 3 shower block for the guest of numerous ages. A new shower for disabled person is currently operational. You can also do your laundry while in the area using a coin operated laundry machine.

The campground is very rich of old gums and native pines, additionally, management are intending to reconstruct the area where damages from overuse exist. Wilpena Creek's magnificence is flowing through the campground flanked by tall old gums. The creek is an excellent source of water for campers all season long, nevertheless the drought that was experienced in the area has a sure effect on it.

If you find some Kangaroos and emus roaming on the campsite, you shouldn't feed them. Take this into account if you don’t wish to be harassed by these animals. Also, human foods aren't proper on their behalf. Different species of birds are also abundant in the area. To discover nature more, walk down the creek and just enjoy nature at its best.

Photo junkies sees the majestic mountains, that are standing tall covering the campground, delightful. Morning light will show the glow to the mountain and when evening comes witness the tones and shadows the mountain creates.

The campground is where you should start if you decide to walk the trails nearby. Adventures on the ground vary according to the degree of interest that you might want. First, you should know what you are going to face on your adventure, and be aware of the details of it. A bus is also available that should take you on to the pound.

After having a long, exciting, and tiring day in your community, an excellent Wilpena Pound accommodation comes in handy. A fantastic spot to rest, delicious foods and maybe some wines will let you enjoy the place more.

To get more Wilpena Pound AccommodationFree Web Content, visit some websites and proceed reading some reviews and specifics of the area. You could also find other campsites that you could choose for the best Wilpena Pound camping experience.

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Camping - Family activity precaution

Jamie Hanson - March 15, 2009

Camping is a fun time for the whole family. It is a time to leave all of your troubles behind and reconnect with family and friends. Campfires, roasting marshmallows and sing-a-longs are the memories you’ll cherish for the rest of your life. That’s why it is essential to make your campsite a safe place for everyone. The campsite you choose is your home away from home. It should be a clean, safe place that is devoid of any debris or low-hanging limbs. And, choosing a site that is flat and level makes it easier to set up camp and park your RV. Once you’ve chosen the perfect campsite, there are a few safety precautions to keep in mind while setting up camp. The following tips can go a long way to ensure that you and your family have a memorable camping experience. 

• Check for potential hazards. Be sure to check the site thoroughly for glass, sharp objects, branches, large ant beds, poison ivy, bees and hazardous terrain. • Inspect the site. Look for a level site with enough room to spread out all your gear. Also, a site that has trees or shrubs on the side of prevailing winds will help block strong, unexpected gusts. 

• Build fires in a safe area. Your open fires and fuel-burning appliances must be far enough away from the tent to prevent ignition from sparks, flames and heat. Never use a flame or any other heating device inside a tent. Use a flashlight or battery-powered light instead. 

• Make sure your fires are always attended. Be sure you have an area for a fire that cannot spread laterally or vertically - a grill or stone surface is ideal. When putting the fire out, drown it with water, making sure all embers, coals and sticks are wet. 

• Dispose of trash properly. Remember to recycle - use the proper recycling bins if available. 
• Watch out for bugs. Avoid attracting stinging insects by wearing light-colored clothing and avoiding perfumes or colognes. 

• Beware when encountering wildlife. To ward off bears, keep your campsite clean, and do not leave food, garbage, coolers, cooking equipment or utensils out in the open. Remember that bears are potentially dangerous and unpredictable - never feed or approach a bear. Use a flashlight at night - many animals feed at night and the use of a flashlight may warn them away.

• Beware of poisonous plants. Familiarize yourself with any dangerous plants that are common to the area. If you come into contact with a poisonous plant, immediately rinse the affected area with water and apply a soothing lotion, such as calamine, to the affected area. 

Good Sam VIP cares about your safety -- before, during and after your camping trip! Plus, we want to make sure that your RV has the best coverage both on and off the road. That’s why we are pleased to recommend Good Sam VIP for all of your RV and auto insurance needs. With features, such as full replacement cost coverage and personal effects coverage, you’ll have the peace of mind you need to fully enjoy your vacation. Plus, by taking advantage of your exclusive Good Sam VIP rates, you could even save a little money along the way (new customers that have switched save more that $300 a yearFree Articles, on average!).

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