RVing with the Navy

CThere’s yet another option for RVers cruising through Southern California this fall—provided you have a military connection. The much-anticipated Seabreeze RV Resort opened in June, marking completion of a $4 million, six-year project at the Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, near Long Beach.

“As you can see, this is certainly a five-star resort, and one of the nicest, if not the nicest, military RV parks in the United States,” said base commanding officer Capt. Robert Fowler during the ribbon cutting ceremony. Base officials said the facility is deemed an RV resort rather than an RV park because it boasts first-class amenities and state-of-the-art technology.

According to Ray Quinto, an employee at the new RV resort, there are 85 full-service spaces there. Five service support facilities have been built to accommodate customers’ needs, including a bathroom and shower complex, laundry facility, group cabanas and barbecues, fitness walk/run trail and an RV wash bay.

Amenities within walking distance include a Navy Exchange Mini-Mart, restaurant and lounge located within a recreation center, park and picnic areas, sand volleyball courts, a full-service fitness center and a 27-hole golf course.

Seabreeze RV Resort is a few miles from Interstate 405 and conveniently near downtown Seal Beach and within easy driving distance of Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, downtown Long Beach, the Long Beach Aquarium and the Queen Mary.

A private beach is also nearby. Guests are welcome to visit Bunker 33, which is a restaurant, meeting place and recreation community center that features movies every Friday.

“The use of nearby golf courses is another benefit for those staying at the RV resort,” said Quinto. Located a few miles away are the 18-hole Destroyer Golf Course and its counterpart, the 9-hole executive Cruiser Golf Course.

Robert Nunn, the facilities’ PGA professional, said course amenities include a clubhouse, chipping and putting greens, a 27-station driving range and pro shop.

The par-72 Destroyer Golf Course, which measures 6,819 yards from the tips, is very challenging due to its 14 water hazards, including the 184-yard, par three 9th hole where you must carry over a very large pond.

The Cruiser Golf Course is a par-32 and measures 2,049 yards. Additional tees are available for those playing 18 holes of golf.

Another nice feature to enjoy while staying at Seabreeze RV Resort is the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge. One of the few remaining natural, undeveloped coastal areas of Southern California, the refuge comprises approximately 920 acres and is located entirely within the boundaries of Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach.

Thirty-three years ago, President Richard Nixon signed a public law formally establishing the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge, which is jointly operated by the Department of the Navy and the Fish and Wildlife Service.

Migratory birds like Canadian geese use the refuge as a stopping off point either to or from places like South America and the Aleutian Islands. The refuge also provides an important habitat for many endangered bird species, such as the California brown pelican, the peregrine falcon and Belding’s savannah sparrow.

For more information about Seabreeze RV Resort, call (562) 626-7106, or visit online at http://www.mwrtoday.com-/Sealbeach/news.htm.

The 19th Hole (and a few chip shots)
Chehalem Glenn Golf Course is the newest golf facility to open its doors in Oregon. In late July, Chehalem christened the initial nine holes of what will eventually be a 27-hole course. According to the director of golf Brandon Thompson, Chehalem offers stunning views of the surrounding Chehalem Mountains coupled with Oregon’s famous wine country. “There are a number of great wineries in the area,” he said of the Newberg location some 25 miles southwest of Portland.

Four sets of tees offer challenging golf for all levels of play. Chehalem Golf Course measures 3,500 yards. “Its rolling terrain and bent grass greens make this a good challenging golf course for all,” said Thompson. Green fees are a reasonable $19 during the week and $20 on weekends for nine holes.

Clearing has already begun on the second nine, according to Thompson. It will be ready for play in the spring of 2007. A few years after that, the final track of nine will follow. For information on Chehalem Glenn Golf Course in Newberg, call (503) 538-5800.

Big Boys Toys a fun show in Seattle you won’t want to miss. The Big Boys Toys & Travel Show will be held Oct. 28-30 at Qwest Field Plaza adjacent to Qwest Field and Safeco Field in downtown Seattle. Billed as a family-friendly show, Big Boys will focus on lifestyle products and services appealing to men.

According to event manager Tom Cade, exhibitors will offer the latest high-tech games and gadgets, home theaters, home improvement tools and products, outdoor grills, sports memorabilia, fine wines and premium cigars as well as information on resorts and travel destinations. Other topics of interest include golf schools and various destinations, fishing equipment, hunting lodges in Alaska, Canada and Montana as well as scuba vacations. There will even be a hole-in-one putting contest with a $10,000 grand prize.

“We’ll have products that are fun and interesting, and that appeal to a range of audiences, including families,” said Cade. “We want those attending the show to touch, feel and check what’s new in multiple product categories. It will be highly interactive—we want you to sit in a home theater, experience cooking on the latest outdoor grill or get a hands-on experience with the products you are most interested in.”

Though the show has a male-oriented emphasis, Cade said other Big Boys shows held across the U.S. traditionally appeal to all demographics, and show producers expect women and children to make up as much as 30 percent of attendees at this event.
For more details about the Big Boys Toys & Travel Show, visit online at www.TheBig-BoysShow.com.

And finally, if a trip to the Far East in on your agenda (sans RV), you might want to consider the following. Many Japanese golfers carry hole-in-one insurance because it is traditional in Japan to share one’s good luck by sending gifts to all your friends when you get an ace. The price for what the Japanese term an albatross can often reach $10,000!

Rick Stedman is an avid RVer, golfer and writer who lives in Yakima, Washington. He can be reached at rick.stedman@charter.net