Blog entries

Silver Gypsy: Galleta Meadows

SHARLENE MINSHALL — Wed, 16 May 2012 07:00:00 +0100

As part of my San Diego County trip, I ventured out one evening at dusk to explore Borrego Springs. Imagine suddenly coming upon creatures who once roamed this earth eons ago, mammoths, wild horses, and giant sloths, scattered among thRead More...

Calaveras County Adventures!

Dave Helgeson — Tue, 15 May 2012 07:00:00 +0100

In the May 2012 edition of RV Life magazine there is an article entitled “Afloat in a Gothic Cave“. The article covers Natural Bridges where a stream travels through sections of a cavern providing a great place to cool off during a hot California Summer. Those of us with a sense of adventure can swim or float right through the hillside! If you need a better visual of what awaits you check out a short video here. If you are looking for even more adventure and a convenieRead More...

Great Escapes: Arches National Park Part 1 of 3

Denise Seith — Mon, 14 May 2012 07:00:00 +0100

Many times it seems that the most striking natural beauty is found only at the summit of a steep mountain, the bottom of a deep canyon, or at the end of a rugged hiking trail. Not so at Arches National Park, near Moab, Utah. Although trails here can get you up close and personal to the prominent sandstone spans, many of the most amazing rock features are seen right from theRead More...

The 19th Hole: Flathead Valley Golf Association Renamed

Rick Stedman — Sat, 12 May 2012 07:00:00 +0100

Its name may have changed, but there is still the same quality golf to be found in the northwest corner of Montana. The Flathead Valley Golf Association has rebranded itself and is now officially known as the Northwest Montana Golf Association, a name change that took effect in March.

With 10 championship courses all located within a 45-minute drive, the Flathead Valley was voted one of the top 50 golf destinations in the world by Golf DiRead More...

RV Travel Tales: Professional Volunteers

Arline Chandler — Fri, 11 May 2012 07:00:00 +0100

My job as a writer affords me the opportunity to meet numerous interesting individuals; some of whom have exclusively chosen volunteerism as their Workamping lifestyle. When Lee and I met Ken and Patti Marsh as they served as interpreters at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, we discovered that they are indeed professional volunteers. We also nRead More...

Odor-Free Holding Tanks

Healthy Traveler — Thu, 10 May 2012 07:00:00 +0100

One of the downsides of owning an RV is dealing with the black and gray water tanks. A self-contained system is a beautiful thing, but at some point, you will have to remove the wastewater and clean the tanks. This dirty chore must be done, but there are ways to make it a little less miserable.

Hose Matters

The drainage hose for your holding tank can become a disgusting meRead More...

Silver Gypsy: Lost Graves

SHARLENE MINSHALL — Wed, 09 May 2012 07:00:00 +0100

I don’t know about you but I have always been enthralled by cemeteries and during my full-time RVing years, I stopped to visit them and say hello to the inhabitants although it was unlikely I would have known any of them unless I was in MicRead More...

Drive Your Own Vehicle on "The Road" in Denali

Dave Helgeson — Tue, 08 May 2012 07:00:00 +0100

Denali National Park and Preserve has one road, simply called the Denali Park Road, and is the main avenue for visitors to see and experience the park.

The road is 92 miles long with the first 15 miles of it being paved. That paved portion, leading from the park entrance to Savage River, is open during the summer for public (non-commercial) vehRead More...

Great Escapes: Canyon de Chelly National Monument South Rim Drive – Part 2 of 2

Denise Seith — Mon, 07 May 2012 07:00:00 +0100

More than 700 prehistoric ruins have been found in Canyon de Chelly National Monument. Constructed between the 11th and 13th centuries in alcoves high above the canyon floor, it is still unclear why the ancient ancestors of the Navajo, the Anasazi, built in such inaccessible locations. Perhaps it was to avoid floods or evade enemies? No one knows Read More...

The 19th Hole: New Gear Review - The Cleveland Classic Driver

Rick Stedman — Sat, 05 May 2012 07:00:00 +0100

Equipment manufacturers keep pushing the limits. Recently introduced on the market was the Cleveland Golf Classic Driver. Available in 270 or 290 grams, the company’s Ultralite technology ensures that the Cleveland Classic is among the lightest drivers available on the market. For non-mathematicians, 290 grams equates to 10.22 ounces while the 270 gram weight club translates to a mere 9.52 ounces. Hence, the potential increased club speed.

Happy May Day, a day late. The cacti are blooming profusely and the Palo Verde trees are thick with beautiful yellow blossoms.

YouRead More...

Boondocking With Colorado Wildlife

Dave Helgeson — Tue, 01 May 2012 07:00:00 +0100

While researching online for a future adventure I came across the following, “Perhaps the most underutilized and least crowded of all Colorado camping areas are those found on what are known as state wildlife areas. These properties were primarily purchased to provide habitat for wildlife, but many offer first-come first-served camping.” That was enough to peak the interest of a boondocker like me that is always on the look out for new haunts. Further investigation revealed Read More...

Great Escapes: Canyon de Chelly National Monument South Rim Drive – Part 1 of 2

Denise Seith — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 07:00:00 +0100

Few places on the Navajo reservation are as historically and spiritually significant to The Dineh, or The People, as the Navajo call themselves, than Canyon de Chelly (pronounced as 'de-shay'). This national monument in northern Arizona is comprised of 130 square miles of Navajo tribal trust land, but is operated by theRead More...

The 19th Hole: Featured Golf & RV Resort: Cherokee Springs in Southern Utah

Rick Stedman — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 07:00:00 +0100

Cherokee Springs Golf and RV Resort in Hatch, Utah, is situated on a 500-acre ranch that is surrounded by state and forest service lands. Located a two-hour drive northeast of St. George and four hours south of Salt Lake City, Cherokee Springs is surrounded by great national parks, including Zion National Park, Bryce National Park, and the North Rim of Grand Canyon. Read More...

RV Travel Tales: The World Comes to Silver Dollar City’s Doorstep

Arline Chandler — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 07:00:00 +0100

Imagine visiting Russia, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Mexico, Hawaii, Australia, and Ecuador—without a passport. That’s what Lee and I did in mid-April when Silver Dollar City near Branson, Missouri, hosted these countries—or states—at America’s Largest International Festival. Five new shows topped the schedule; each one representing aRead More...

Safe Food Storage and Preparation in an RV

Healthy Traveler — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 20:57:40 +0100

Food poisoning can strike anywhere, especially at a campground. Undercooked meat, vegetables that aren’t washed and condiments that warm up too much can leave you with serious stomach misery. Fortunately, there are some easy steps you can take to stop food-borne illnesses from ruining your vacation.

Water Filter

A water filter is incredibly affordable and easy toRead More...

Silver Gypsy: Gifts and Mysteries

SHARLENE MINSHALL — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 07:00:00 +0100

Mother’s Day isn’t until May 13 and we don’t normally send gifts to each other in our little family of 7 but my oldest daughter sent me a beautiful pair of garden gloves and a hat to match. The glovRead More...

Desert National Wildlife Refuge

Dave Helgeson — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 07:00:00 +0100

For snowbirds and the rest of us in the cool cloudy Northwest that choose to fly (in our RVs) to the sunny Southwest, there is a great migratory stop along the way just north of Las Vegas accessible by either Hwy 93 or Hwy 95. It is the Desert National Wildlife Refuge the largest in the continental United States. The area was esRead More...