Getaway 13

ISSUE 13

WEST VIRGINIA KENTUCKY KANSAS UTAH

www.industrye-news.com

Your complete Guide to experience the fun of Camping and RVing

RV Tips & Tricks, Recipes, Campgrounds & State Parks

THE CHILDREN ON THE SOFA DILEMMA

Welcome!

Welcome to our next issue of GetawayUSA. This is a FREE monthly online magazine that promotes the great oudoors by going camping. Whether you go tenting or RVing, Getaway will show you state by state, the wonders and enjoyment of this fulfilling pastime, including the vast array of accommodation options available.

This issue features West Virginia, Kentucky, Utah and Kansas. Each issue we will bring you four new states along with all you need to know about exploring this great country.

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Lots of advice for modern parents provokes debate. But ask whether today's children spend as much time playing outdoors and exploring nature as previous generations did, and you'll find little disagreement: They don't.

Across the nation, worried parents tell stories of neighborhoods where children are neither seen nor heard.

"I speak all over the country and it's a concern that comes up all over," says Harvard psychology professor Susan Linn, director of the Campaign for a CommercialFree Childhood. "There is a growing movement of parents who are concerned and are trying to figure out how to get their kids outside."

Rosemarie Truglio, a Sesame Workshop vice president who has butted heads with Linn on the subject of marketing licensed characters, agrees with her fully on this topic. Episodes of this year's "Sesame Street" will focus

on nature, she says, because preschoolers' lack of connection with it has gotten to be of critical concern.

"Children have that sense of awe and wonder," Truglio says. "We need to have parents encourage them to be outside and to engage in activities so that they are using their senses."

But even parents who love the outdoors say it's difficult.

Kristin Eno, founder and director of Little Creatures Films, produces videos about children interacting with nature. "My work is all about nature," she says, "and there are days when I might be here with my 14-month-old and have no time for going outside."

"But every time I do go out with her, I'm glad I did," she says. "You see this peace when she's outside."

ByMelissa Rayworth and Jennifer Forker

Full Time RVing...

Full time RVing has become a popular choice for folks going into retirement as the travel bug amongst baby boomers has struck!

They are joining the recreational vehicle crowd in large numbers.

When deciding how to plan your retirement, boomers might consider this option because they can travel at their own pace, more easily travel with their pets, enjoy the sites they may have missed when they were too busy to travel during the working years, and they can rest and relax at any location they desire.

If full time RVing is going to be how to plan your retirement, then be sure it is a lifestyle you have tried and enjoy.

When Hilga and I first decided that RVing would be something we would do in later years, and that was when we were in our twenties, we decided to rent RV's first to be sure that full time RVing would be something that we would enjoy.

So, we started ten years ago we rented a twenty eight foot, Class A gas RV. We traveled in it for three weeks.

We had never driven one before, nor knew anything

about how the RV systems worked. Fortunately, the RV rental company gave us a complete walk through of the RV, and a twenty four hour number to call if we had any questions.

We put thirty five hundred miles on the RV on that first trip, and we had a blast!

Everything worked so well and it was easy to drive, even for Hilga. We were hooked!

RV Cooking Show visits Moab, Utah, prepares hearty Crockpot Ham 'n Bean Soup Utah has been blessed with magnificent scenery – complete with red, orange and yellow-hued rock formations, bubbling brooks and rapid rivers, and some of the most spectacular views one can imagine. I suppose that’s why RV travelers will find a concentration of terrific National and State Parks in Utah offering everything from mountain biking to fin hiking to river rafting and more.

If you’re part of our traveling posse you know your RV Cooking Show friends like to ring out every drop of adventure from their travels. That means enjoying every single view, trail, petroglyph and photo opp that presents itself. That also means we get mighty hungry.

In this episode of the RV Cooking Show we’ll explore Moab, Utah and its surroundings…but not before we put a Crockpot full of ham ‘n beans on for dinner. While we explore, supper will be cooking and we’ll return to a fragrant, delicious, couldn’t be easier dinner. And don’t forget the green Jello! Enjoy!

By Evanne Schmarder

Recipe courtesy of RVCS friend Kathy Waddell of

www.computerscrapbooktraining.com

Ingredients: 1 pound dried navy beans (or other beans of your choice) 1 smoked ham steak (precooked - bone-in okay - found in the meat case) - cut into pieces 1 cup (1 large or 2 small) bell peppers - green and red work great - diced 1 small onion - diced 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/2 t thyme - optional salt/pepper How-to: The night before cooking: Rinse the beans removing any foreign matter (pebbles, etc.). Place beans in Crockpot and cover with water. Place lid atop the Crockpot and allow the beans to soak overnight.

Visit the RV Cooking Show episode page: http://bit.ly/bjd5ll for the rest of the how-to’s on preparing this easy, satisfying Crockpot Ham ‘n Bean soup. It’s delicious!

Do you love to travel and love to eat? So do we! That’s why we created Great Getaway Grilling – an e-Cookbook free with your online subscription to the RV Cooking Show.

Head over to www.RVCookingShow.com and sign up to join our virtual campfire. It’s how we roll.

RV Cooking Show host and fulltime RVer seeks stimulating conversation on road travel, tasty RV kitchen tips, simple dishes as souvenirs and menus as memory makers. Loves to travel. Loves to eat. Enjoys virtual and real campfires, destination dishing and great grilling. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter ...it's a delicious adventure!

CAMPING WITH KIDS

By Jenn Muller

d n u o r a Horsin IN KENTUCKY

YOU WONT WANT TO LEAVE Exploring Kentucky is discovering all the things you know about, and all the things you don’t. It’s experiencing more than 500 horse farms, and touring the famous Bourbon Country distilleries.

Visiting the state’s worldrenowned natural attractions, lakes and rivers and state parks -widely considered the best in the entire country -- and tasting the local dishes at off-the-beatenpath dining landmarks.

It’s viewing Civil War battlefields, international museums and innovative art galleries.

So c’mon. If you’re looking for one of the best places to go on vacation, discover the authentic, history-rich, mouth-watering, awe

inspiring and affordable vacation ideas of Kentucky.

Cities and Towns - The rich Bluegrass State heritage. The big city downtown attractions. The unique culture of bustling art communities. Experience the unique character of our cities and towns that make Kentucky …

Kentucky.

Kentucky From the rolling bluegrass-covered hills of legendary Horse Country and the grandstands of America’s most storied thoroughbred racing tracks to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and worldrenowned outdoor adventure, visit Kentucky and experience the unbridled spirit that runs wild in the Bluegrass State.

Extreme adventure on raging white-water rapids. For exciting on-water activities,

navigate your way through beautiful Kentucky scenery.

Kentucky Regions - Kentucky offers four distinct regions, each offering their own culture, characteristics and traditions.

From caves to bourbon to horses, come inside and discover the diversity of the Bluegrass State.

Tours, Byways and Trails - Where will the roads and trails of Kentucky lead you? Almost anywhere you want to go!

Come inside, explore our cities, towns and regions, discover our incredible one-of-a-kind attractions, learn about our unique traditions and culture, and absorb the unabated energy that can be seen, heard and felt in everything from metropolitan nightlife to our small town festivals and events.

Touring

Around

The only park of its kind in the world, the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington is a working horse farm/educational theme park and equine competition facility dedicated to man's relationship with the horse.

Set on more than 1,200 acres in the heart of Kentucky's famous Bluegrass region, the park features nearly 50 different breeds of horses at work and at play.

Kentucky is home to many unique places and attractions that can’t be found anywhere else.

Abraham Lincoln’s Birthplace National Historic Site Hodgenville Built at the location of Lincoln's birth the solid marble, neoclassical monument houses the symbolic cabin of Lincoln's birth. Be sure to see the audiovisual presentation in the Visitor Center and the Sinking Spring where the Lincoln's drew their water. Site now includes Abraham Lincoln Boyhood Home at Knob Creek.

Butcher Hollow – Loretta Lynn’s Birthplace Paintsville Home of country music divas Loretta Lynn and Crystal Gayle.

Churchill Downs Racetrack Louisville

The Worlds Most Legendary Racetrack. Churchill Downs is one of the most hallowed shrines in American Sports, and since its founding in 1874, has hosted the nation's top Thoroughbreds in competition for some of the sport's largest purses. On the first Saturday in May, the sports world's spotlight shines on Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby, known as the "Greatest Two Minutes in Sports." The Spring Race Meet runs from the last Sunday in April through the first Sunday in July. The Fall Race Meet runs from the last Sunday in October through the last Saturday in November.

GETTING AROUND THE STATE Louisville Slugger Museum Experience history-in-the-making as you stroll through the factory where world famous Louisville Slugger baseball bats, the official bats of Major League baseball, are made. Home of the World’s Biggest Baseball Bat. Muhammad Ali Center Featuring two-and-a-half levels of interactive exhibits and captivating multimedia presentations, the Ali Center carries on Muhammad’s legacy and inspires the exploration of the greatness within ourselves.

Includes an amazing five-screen orientation theater film, historical Civil Rights era media footage, an

byways of Horse Country and discover where racing champions are born and bred.

interactive timeline of Ali’s life, video-on-demand of Ali’s fights, hands-on boxing fun, Howard L. Bingham and LeRoy Neiman exhibit galleries.

Taste your way along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and tour our many “spirited” bourbon distilleries. Take a scenic drive through the tree-canopied

Travel back in time along the Native American Trail of Tears.

Find off-the-beaten-path adventure on more than 1,500 miles of backpacking, hiking and ATV trails in Kentucky. Or let the music do the talking on the Kentucky Music Trail.

There may be no better way to see the countryside, experience the culture, taste the food, hear the music and meet all of the wonderful characters of Kentucky than on Kentucky tours, trails and byways.

KID BUSINESS Continued from Page 7 Some kids are notoriously difficult to feed, even with all the amenities in a modern kitchen and the best of pre-processed, boxed “kid food.” Camping is a wonderful opportunity to encourage that sense of adventure and branch out a little in the nutritional department.

Now is not the time to insist on a balanced diet, you can bat nutritional clean up when you get home.

What kid doesn’t like packaging up a little piece of hamburger and few slices of potatoes and carrots in tin foil and poking it down into the coals of a campfire to cook? Is there anything that says “childhood camping trip” like Jiffy Pop burned slightly over a campfire?

Make use of that picnic table and keep a supply of “drive by” food on deck for kids to snag on the run between swimming and bug catching.

Remember your goal: to make the kids fall in love with camping and have fun!

Break out the hotdogs and roasting sticks, gorge yourselves on marshmallows and teach the fine art of creating that perfect brown shell.

Don’t forget to pack a few “comfort foods,” flavors that will be very familiar and comforting to a child who is beginning to feel a little out of his element… just in case.

Click here!

Let's Go Camping

By Jeff Crider

Private Campgrounds offer an increasing variety of Fun

A recent study by Kampgrounds of America, The Coleman Company and the Outdoor Foundation of America estimated that only 15 percent Americans camp, which is astounding given that camping remains the most affordable vacation option.

But campgrounds affiliated with GoCampingAmerica.com aim to change that statistic, and they’re doing it partly by offering rental accommodations as well as a combination of fun family activities that you simply can’t find anyplace else.

No longer limiting themselves to canoe and kayak rentals, many GoCampingAmerica campgrounds now have inflatable floating trampolines as well as floating and landbased water slides. Others offer guided nature walks, horseback riding, ropes courses and ziplines ranging from 300 to 800 feet.

Activities range from zany cardboard boat races to family Olympics games, scavenger hunts and outdoor cooking competitions. Some parks even offer hot air balloon rides, while others offer wine tasting events and children’s classes in Yoga. Many also offer concierge-like services and can provide you with discount coupons to nearby attractions.

“You really can use private campgrounds as base camps for exploring nearby attractions or simply stay at the park and enjoy the activities, entertainment and recreational amenities that they have on site,” said Paul Bambei, president and CEO of the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds, which hosts the GoCampingAmerica travel planning website.

Bambei added that many private campgrounds are

extending their activities programs well into September and October with fall festivals as well as Oktoberfest and Halloween-themed events.

About a third of the campgrounds affiliated with GoCampingAmerica.com offer rental accommodations, including RVs, park model cabins, cottages and yurts and safari tents.

“Many of our affiliated parks have cabins and luxury park models with clean sheets and full size kitchen appliances, so you can cook you own meals and keep your meal costs under control,” Bambei said.

At some GoCampingAmerica campgrounds, you can even spend the night in furnished tree houses, covered wagons, tipis and trains.

PREVIOUS ISSUES

Getaway to WEST VIRGINIA

ALMOST HEAVEN- WEST VIRGINIA Autumn is a magical season in the Mountain State when leaves change, sometimes seemingly overnight, from the lush green of summer to a variety of eyecatching fall hues.

This time of year also brings about perfect conditions for outdoor recreation like whitewater rafting, riding ATVs, golfing and zip lining. Fairs and

festivals, including Bridge Day, the West Virginia Breeders Classic and the West Virginia Pumpkin Festival, offer great opportunities to enjoy fun, food and foliage in settings you will only find here in West Virginia.

Lifestyle

Mountain State, a variety of locations, including the TransAllegheny Asylum and Moundsville Penitentiary, offer “haunted� tours that are guaranteed to chill and thrill.

The Fall

Haunted Attractions And, for those brave enough to explore the darker side of the

The backdrop to all this fun, and the reason so many visitors come to West Virginia each autumn, is

Join Us!

There are many reasons West Virginia is called the outdoor recreation capital of the East.

Here you’ll find everything you need for a great outdoor adventure.

From world-famous whitewater rivers to challenging mountain bike terrain and extensive trail systems, to great skiing, hunting and fishing, West Virginia’s outdoors are yours to discover.

because the Mountain State has some of the best fall color in the country.

West Virginia is a four-season destination, but there is definitely something extra special about fall,” said Tourism Commissioner Betty Carver.

“Because we have such a variety of elevation – high peaks, low valleys and everything in between – foliage in each area of the state reaches its peak at a different time, which means you can see great fall color somewhere in West Virginia from late September through the end of

Waking to the West Virginia mountain skyline is an amazing way to start your day. Whether you want to take in a breath of fresh air in the great outdoors, kick back and relax in a state-ofthe-art home on wheels, or find the wilder side of life, West Virginia’s camping adventures are limitless.

Just Wild

Wonderful Almost Heaven in West Virginia

Lifestyle

GETTING AROUND THE STATE Geocaching Techno-geeks can lose themselves in pursuit of "treasure" – actually, quite modest trinkets – through geocaching, a high-tech version of an old-time scavenger hunt that uses Global Positioning System (GPS) devices. This modern day treasure hunt will take you through some of West Virginia’s most scenic locations.

Rock Climbing From north to south and east to west, West Virginia rightfully earns the nickname “Mountain State.”

The only state tucked entirely within the Appalachians, it’s a rock climber’s paradise.

Experienced climbers and learners can test their skills at many of the state’s most popular sites.

have fun in downhill skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing or cross-country skiing at one of West Virginia’s fine resorts, cabins or lodges.

Golf Entertainment Regardless of your skill level, West Virginia has a golf course waiting for you.

With more than 100 golf courses throughout the state, West Virginia’s fairways are a great place to try your luck at a hole-inone.

Winter Sports During a few months out of the year, the Mountain State becomes the winter wonderland of the East.

Offering one of the longest snow seasons in the region, enthusiasts

Whether it’s music, drama, dance, or action, West Virginia’s nightlife features elements to put you on the edge of your seat—or on your feet, clapping your hands.

The choices are endless—from a melodious performance by the state’s symphony orchestra, to an exciting reenactment of the infamous Hatfield-McCoy feud.

You could join in on the rhythm of a square dance in a restored barn or watch a horse or greyhound cross the finish line at one of our many racetrack and gaming resorts.

RV Sites

Cabins Come enjoy our Woodallapproved spacious campground!

Our 44 acres of unspoiled woodlands are settled in the middle of an old-growth forest.

Spring and summer find us wrapped in rolling green hills overlooking valleys bursting with life. Come fall, the more than 30 varieties of trees explode with color, delighting the eyes of visitors.

A walk along our two marked nature trails allows you glimpses of the many birds and mammals that make their home with us.

We’ve seen deer, squirrels, wild turkeys and even the occasional bird of prey. Our park has a caught and release pond and all sites a shaded.

We have a playground and all the regular campground yard games.

Close to Frank Lloyd Wright's Kentuck Knob and Falling Waters, Deep Creeek Lake in Garrett County Maryland, as well as Cooper Rock State Park in West Virginia,.

White water rafting , plus we offer winter stays if self contained trailers, no bathhouse.

Local Hunting and Ice Fishing , and close to many Ski Resorts.

A fun, family campground close to everything you want to do in Western Maryland and West Virginia!

Phone: 304-379-4612 Rt. 3, Box 233-AA Hazelton, WV 25625 www.pinehillcampground.com pinehillcampground@gmail.com

The Wonders of

Birding

By Joe Elton

When you think of state parks - swimming, hiking, biking, fishing and picnicking are all things that come to mind. More and more, I see people wildlife watching and birding.

Recently I played chauffer and camera man for my wife Patty and her “birding mentor” Wendy Ealding. Wendy has traveled the globe adding species to her life list. She has a great ear and eye for this recreational pursuit. I might see a yellow bird – but Wendy sees the eye ring, the markings on the throat, wings, belly and head and she identifies if it is breeding plumage or not.

Wendy and Patty have a passion for birding like some have for running – it’s a daily obsession. I find that it’s a great deal of fun being in the great

Magnolia Warbler

outdoors with those who have this level of experience, talent and passion.

Remarkably, they make it fun for a novice birder like me and don’t seem to mind dragging me along.

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Last weekend was a good day for birding as weather conditions had migrants on the move. While we visited the Amelia Wildlife Management Area, there were birders in the next county visiting Powhatan State Park on the Historic James River – a park that has been acquired and master planned and is under construction.

I saw a terrific report from one birding enthusiast -

ALL STATES HAVE SO MUCH TO OFFER “Migration really picked up this past week. We were able to get out to Powhatan State Park on both Wednesday and Friday.

Grasshopper Sparrows, Eastern Meadowlarks and Blue Grosbeaks greet us in the fields as we drive in. Indigo Bunting's and Prairie Warblers sound off and Bobwhite are calling non-stop right next to our station.

This week we had a surprise sparrow, a Lincoln's Sparrow, definite learning experience in Sparrow ID. We added Northern Waterthrush and Magnolia Warbler to the list. Turkeys are gobbling and there have been many frog and snake sightings.”

This spring Smith Mountain Lake State Park in central Virginia placed a webcam on a structure placed in the lake to attract nesting Ospreys.

sometimes known as sea hawks, fish hawks or fish eagles. They are large raptors, reaching more than 24 inches in length with a wing span of 70 inches. They are brown on the upper part of their body and predominantly grey on the head and underside. They have a distinctive black eye patch and black on their wings. Check out the nest pair at http://www.virginiaoutdoors.com/arti cle/more/3622 - the chicks should be hatching soon.

No matter what state you’re traveling in – all 50 states have great state parks that offer spectacular opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. I’m partial to Virginia’s diversity made possible by its three distinct regions – mountain, piedmont and coastal.

We have it all from the Alleghany Highlands and Blue Ridge Mountains to the historic rivers of

Ospreys are magnificent creatures that resemble the American Bald Eagle in their nesting habits and their reliance on open water to fish for their dinner. Ospreys are

Garter Snake

Indigo Bunting our central piedmont and then the great coastal plain with its Atlantic Ocean shoreline. Did I mention the largest estuary in North America – the Chesapeake Bay – it’s all so very cool. Come visit.

Utah

OUTDOOR PARADISE

PLACES TO SEE IN UTAH National Parks With Five National Parks and Monument Valley, Utah is America's national parks capital.

Our parks include: •Arches National Park •Bryce Canyon National Park •Canyonlands National Park •Capitol Reef National Park •Zion National Park

•Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park.

These national parks are located close together, allowing visitors to experience them all in one trip.

Whether you choose to visit just one or two, or to take a Grand Circle swing through them all, your trip is certain to be unforgettable!

Lifestyle Temple Square Temple Square in Salt Lake City, is Utah's most popular tourist destination.

Part of its appeal lies in its accessibility: three city blocks in downtown Salt Lake City contain nearly 20 attractions related to Mormon pioneer history and genealogy, including the Salt Lake

Join Us!

Welcome to Utah, paradise for outdoor enthusiasts! From National Parks to ski resorts and golf courses, beautiful Park City to historic Temple Square, sunny St George to bustling Salt Lake City to tranquil Lake Powell, Utah will surprise you with its variety.

Come find out why Utah vacations keep people coming back year after year.

Gather your family, pack your bags, and let us help you plan your Utah vacation.

Temple, the Tabernacle, and the Family History Library. This means that visitors can see all or

these attractions in a relatively short period of time.

Dinosaur National Monument, in northeastern Utah, shelters more than 2,000 dinosaur bones exposed in a 200-foot-long sandstone wall.

The site was discovered in 1909 by paleontologist Earl Douglass. Over 350 million tons of fossils, including full skeletons and previously unknown dinosaur species, were excavated.

Whether you come to ski or snowboard "The Greatest Snow on Earth," to mountain bike Slickrock in Moab Utah, to take a summer whitewater rafting splash down Cataract Canyon, or to visit the Old West with a tour of outlaw hideouts and stickups, Utah has adventure waiting.

Another Day

in paradise Get into the Great Outdoors

Utah takes its name from the Apache word for the Navajo, or Yuttahih, “one that is higher up.” Europeans mistakenly thought this referred to the peoples who lived higher up in the mountains than the Navajo, so they called these high mountain-dwelling people Utes. Today, Utah’s Shoshoni, Goshute, Ute, Paiute and Navajo (Dine’) peoples continue to thrive on the lands of their ancestors.

The Goshute, Navajo, and Paiute occupy lands in the desert regions of the state and adopted cultures relative to that region. The Shoshone and Ute culture was similar until they acquired the horse and adopted a mountain plains way of life, which enabled them to expand their range and hunt large game animals.

Utah’s five distinct American Indian cultures honor unique heritages that may be found among the state’s many sacred places, dwelling sites, rock art locations and museum exhibits.

Because most of Utah’s resorts lie in such close proximity to each other, it is easy for visitors to ski several resorts during one vacation.

Golfing In the Salt Lake Valley alone there are over 40 golf courses, with 30 more less than one hour's drive from downtown.

Course designs range from high elevation tracks along the Wasatch foothills, staid parkland courses more than a century old, stunning lakeside courses and famed desert courses in Southern Utah.

With public course green fees averaging $35.00 (including cart), Utah is home to the best golf value anywhere.

Whether you’re a novice or expert, looking to ski immaculate, corduroy-groomed slopes or bottomless, deep powder, Utah resorts offer it all.

Crossroads of the West Collectively, Utah’s resorts are home to 26,000 skiable acres of the most accessible terrain in North America.

Skiing Utah is home to 13 world-class ski resorts, 11 located within an hour of Salt Lake City International Airport.

Utah is known worldwide for its Greatest Snow on Earth®, with an average of 500 inches of the lightest, driest powder blanketing Utah’s pristine slopes each winter.

A place where the cowboys and girls are the real deal and ranching is still a way of life.

Yet, Utah’s ranch scene has plenty of interesting surprises.

So come “cowboy up” in rustic or civilized style in this authentically western state!

Lifestyle

GETTING AROUND THE STATE Festivals Come celebrate with us! Every year Utah brings the world together through a variety of festivals celebrating cultural diversity and the human spirit.

This has always been a land of contrasts, from the Utah Arts Festival, showcasing local, national and international artists, to Snowbird’s Oktoberfest celebrating Germany’s finest food, beer and music. It’s about family and friends, with a little cultural flavor thrown in to keep things interesting.

The Sundance Film Festival, held

considered the premier U.S. showcase for American and international independent film.

The Utah Shakespearean Festival is Tony Award-winning, named “America’s Outstanding Regional Theatre” in 2000.

Glenn Dicterow, Concertmaster of the NY Philharmonic, has described Park City and the International Music Festival as one of the most “magical” spots on Earth for chamber music.

The Utah Arts Festival has attracted more than two million people, 4,500 performances and 3,600 artist’s displays for over 30 years running!

Kids Paradise Come play in Utah’s natural playground of state and national parks, mountain resorts, whitewater rivers, fishing lakes and streams and the coolest rock formations on the planet. Or if your youthful interests lie beyond Utah’s earthen adventures, explore dinosaur museums, amusement and water parks, zoos and resorts.

Deaf Timberfest a Big Hit at Jellystone Park in Pennsylvania From Pittsburgh Tribune-Review When Ron Markel attended the world pro lumberjack event 15 years ago, he noticed that there were no interpreters and thus no way for deaf people to participate.

“We decided to found our own world deaf lumberjack (event),” he said in sign language.

Markel, a logger from Williamsport, Md., helped to found the Eastern Deaf Timberfest, a four-day event held this year at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park in Mill Run in Fayette County. More than 1,000 deaf people were expected to participate by the end of the weekend.

Participants compete in activities including logging contests, water log-rolling, chain saw competitions, ax throwing, pole climbing, darts and horseshoes. The event also featured a Mr. and Ms. Timberfest competition as well as entertainment and activities for children.

This is the 11th Eastern Deaf Timberfest, which started as a yearly event and now is held every two years. It’s held at various locations across the East, and this is its first time in Western Pennsylvania. The event is organized by a committee of volunteers, and

it’s held every other year at a different campsite.

On Timberfest off years, a family camp is held.

The vast majority of participants are deaf, Markel said, though a few hearing children of deaf parents participate. Markel and the other participants spoke through volunteer interpreter David Wright of Orange County, Va. “I am proud of 1,000 deaf people. Deaf power,” Markel said, as he used his hand to cover his ear, then pumped his arm in the air.

As Markel signed, participants nearby practiced climbing a tall wooden pole while others tried their hand at cutting through a hefty log with a chain saw. In both events, participants compete for the best time.

At first, many deaf people didn’t know how to use the tools for the event, Markel said, but they’ve learned and become experts.

Markel, who serves as the event’s logging assistant director, attends workshops and courses to learn about safety guidelines.

“It is completely run by the deaf,” Marie Ann Campbell, the event’s chairwoman, said.

She said she finds Timberfest exciting.

“If it wasn’t for Timberfest, we wouldn’t have the time to be with our friends,” said Campbell, of Charles Town, W.Va. Attendees travel from Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio and even the West Coast, she said.

Participants either stay on the campgrounds or at nearby hotels.

Rick Colosimone traveled from Ottawa, Ont., and called the event a “heartfelt” one, full of “warm friendship.”

Bruce Hubbard, one of the founders, said he knows of four other similar events in the nation. Campbell calls him “grandfather of the Timberfest.”

Beth Hortie, executive director of Eastern Deaf Timberfest, said the event brings everyone together talking about wood, relaxing and sharing in fellowship with one another.

“It’s our leisure, recreation activity,” Hortie said.

Come and Stay at Statesville East I 40 Winston - Salem KOA Campground OLYMPIC SIZE POOL | FISHING LAKE JUMPING PILLOW | VOLLEYBALL MINI GOLF | PLANNED ACTIVITIES

We're located close to the junction of several main travel routes, with easy access on and off the interstate.

The Statesville East KOA is set on 30 acres of rural countryside and is the perfect setting for a peaceful retreat. You'll enjoy North Carolina camping at its most relaxing!

When you arrive, you'll find us happy and able to accommodate all campers, with up to 70-foot pull-through sites for Big Rigs to tent campers.

No RV? No problem! Our cozy cabins with a half bath offer comfortable accommodations in any weather.

While staying with us, you're close to several of North Carolina's top attractions. From our KOA, it's easy to take trips to Carowinds theme park, Lowe's Motor Speedway, NASCAR Race shops, the North Carolina Zoo, Historic Old Salem Moravian Village, or Lake Norman for a day of fishing and boating.

Tired of driving?

Stay and relax by the fishing lake, play a game of mini-golf, have fun in the arcade room, or take a dip in the Olympic-size swimming pool with sun deck, all right here at our KOA. Our playground features North Carolina's first Jumping Pillow, while other activities include volleyball, badminton, horseshoe pits and basketball.

Thank you, Jocelyn, Randy, Jocelyn Michelle & Tim your hosts.

During the summer, take part in themed weekends and planned family activities. We have lots of fun with our Midway 200 race, Christmas in July, and bananasplit ice cream socials.

114 Midway DriveStatesville, NC 28625

Come see us anytime- we'll be happy to welcome you to our campground!

Statesville East / I-40 / Winston Salem KOA

800-562-8651 http://koa.com/campgrounds/state sville-east/

Click Here for Location Map

Using an RV Checklist on your Next Trip There are many different versions of these RV checklists available out there to use on your camping outings. They are extremely useful tools and once you start getting in the habit of using them on a regular basis, you will get through all of it easier. Most encompass the inside preparations and then the outside. Some even include mapping out your itinerary while you are having fun. The best words of advice I have seen are to study a few lists out there and make your own.

When looking at the outside, walk in a circle around the RV. Take the time to look at and tick off of your list: tire wear, tire pressure, propane tanks, plumbing tanks, siding of the RV, proper fit of doors, solid hitches, landing gear, brake lights, brakes, awnings properly stowed, check the fluids in the engine compartment, and inspect the tow package pieces.

This is a brief overview of what you can look for. All vehicles are different, so tailor your list to yours.

Inside, perform safety checks on all your electrical and alarms.

Replace batteries in smoke alarms and Co2 detectors. Test all appliances, heating and cooling, check all plumbing for any repairs needed, seals need looked at and possibly changed, open and close all vents to make sure they work for ventilation,load up kitchen goods, food, clothing, towels, blankets, and toiletries. Make sure that if you are packing cupboards and drawers, that

they are securely closed in the event of shifting while traveling to your destination.

It isn't just important to take care of what is going on in the RV. What about your home while you are gone? Some lists incorporate these things as well to keep you nicely focused, to remind you of them so you don't overlook something.

Think of things like your home alarm, who will take the call if the alarm goes off? Can you hold your mail at the post office?

Check the locks on your doors, pack any bills you may need to pay while away, arrange for lawn care, refill any prescriptions you may run out of before returning.

Depending on your length of stay away, prepare for issues that will come up and bring

means batteries, flashlights, lanterns, first aid kit, distilled water, propane, bulbs, oil, antifreeze, WD-40...perhaps add that section to the checklist.

Being prepared for the worst will allow you to enjoy the very best that your trip will bring. These checklists are to make it a simpler process to get you on the road and will become second nature the more you do it. Use one for a while and tweak it to your liking, then just create your own and stick to it.

You might be surprised at what defects you find...disaster averted! It is gratifying knowing your vacation could have gone very wrong but because you were proactive, it will be a very happy time in the outdoors.

By Bill Weston

TAKE A TRIP AROUND THE STATE Cattle trails, ranch rodeos, threshing bees and harvest festivals provide many events that highlight Kansas agrarian roots.

Take a trip home to the family farm, reminisce about the family farm or learn a lesson in how the food found on your plate all started on a farm. Enjoy the fresh produce or take in the sites

of a Kansas harvest time or all year-round at one the farm experiences across the state.

Ridin' and ropin and blazin' the trail! Take to the trail like the cowboys of lore at a real working ranch at one of Kansas' many ranching experiences.

Before Prohibition Kansas was one of the top grape producing

states in the nation. Visit one of our many vineyards and wineries to experience how Kansas is bringing back this industry in the heartland.

Take home some of your knew found knowledge of what it takes to bring the food from the farm or farmer's markets to your table with one of these delectable recipes using Kansas products.

This year, Kansas celebrates its sesquicentennial.

From John Brown’s Battle at Black Jack in 1856 until the Battle of Mine Creek in October 1864, Kansas’ future as a free state hung in the balance.

Getaway to KANSAS

Experience the stories of those who fought for freedom in the Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area.

Visit KS150.com for more information.

Around

& About Kansas has so much to see and do!

Enjoy a relaxing weekend exploring the wineries of Kansas, sampling favorites with names as colorful as the wine itself such as Heartland Sonata, Witch in a Ditch, Sunset Blush, Chat in the Dark, Chisholm Trail Dry and Land Rush White.

Kansas wineries offer a variety of wines from sweet to dry and red to white. Special varieties offered include spiced, sparkling or fruit wine. Try a port or icewine for a distinctive flavor.

Events are plentiful at wineries in Kansas. Find the perfect pairings of your favorite food and wine at a Winemaker's Dinner, entertainment in a Mystery Dinner Theatre or jazz among the vines.

If you want a more hands-on experience, roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty picking grapes off the vine during harvest.

Cowboys aren't just a thing of history books about the old west.

Today ranchers and cowboys still tend to herds on huge ranches located on the Kansas prairie.

Spend time as a ranch-hand doing chores or hop on a horse and take part in a cattle drive.

Then enjoy a meal at the

chuckwagon, before bedding down under the Kansas stars.

If you are looking for more comfortable accommodations many ranches provide a cabins and a hearty breakfast to start your busy day.

From the fossilized remains of an ancient inland sea and great explorers searching for gold to the establishment of the aerospace industry and suburbia history abounds in Kansas.

Its central location has made

Kansas a crossroads for generations. The trails that were the precursor to today' Interstate highways traveled through our state. The Santa Fe and Oregon Trails may have been the most famous for transporting people and cargo. Even mail traveled through Kansas via the Pony Express. Many forts were set up along their paths to help protect the travelers on their journey.

These trails gave way to railroads that crisscrossed the state creating many communities that people today call home.

GETTING AROUND THE STATE When kansas was frontier, the Santa Fe, Oregon and Chisholm trails carried travelers to exploration and adventure.

Today, hikers, horseback riders and bicyclists can enjoy plenty of modern-day adventure exploring the state's extensive and varied network of trails.

Hunting has a long a rich heritage in Kansas, offering some of the best upland bird, waterfowl and big game hunting in the country.

With 300,000 acres of public land and more than 1 million acres of private land open to hunters, the state offers an abundance of pheasants, deer, quail, turkey and geese.

Kansas waters are unsurpassed for fishing variety, whether you're angling for largemouth bass and saugers, or crappie, giant bluegill and other panfish. In addition to reservoirs and rivers, smaller fishing lakes are Kansas' hidden gems, sparkling oases tucked in the folds and creases of the prairie.

Count on the Sunflower State, if you love to camp. No matter whether you'd rather pitch a tent under a shade tree or park the RV on a full-service pad, you'll find comfortable and scenic spots to set up at lakes and campgrounds across Kansas.

Whether you like to play or watch, Kansas has plenty of sports opportunities for you to cheer about.

Casinos: All bets are on at a Kansas casino where you can test your luck on the tables or the slots.

College & Pro Sports: Kansas boasts some of the best tradition in the nation when it comes to our college athletics and our pro and semi-pro sports are as entertaining as they come.

Golf: It's tee time all the time during the Kansas golf season and you’ll only have to make a short drive from anywhere in the state to find a course.

Racing: If you feel the need for speed, Kansas has motorsports and horse and dog tracks to fulfill it.

Rodeo: And if the thrill of the rodeo is what you seek, we have that too.

Kansas is known as the breadbasket because of its

Lifestyle wheat production. The smell of fresh baked breads, pies or a host of other baked made from Kansas wheat welcomes diners across the state. BBQ, fried chicken and Kansas beef offers protein and to round out your meal, fresh vegetables can be found at farmers markets across the state.

Kansas is home to ten byways, two of which are officially designated National Scenic Byways.

In addition to the breathtaking surroundings, you’ll enjoy an abundance of activities and a variety of incredible terrain, wildlife and living styles. Each byway tells a story, and the stories in Kansas are as fascinating as they come.

TUTTLE CREEK STATE PARK Located near Manhattan in northeast Kansas, Tuttle Creek State Park offers visitors a broad variety of outdoor recreation possibilities and plenty of room to roam.

The communities of Manhattan, Wamego, Fort Riley, Olsburg, Randolph and Westmoreland offer nearby eating establishments and visitor opportunities. Tuttle Creek Reservoir, the state's second largest impoundment, offers 12,500 acres of water and approximately 100 miles of rugged, wooded shoreline to explore.

Four units (River Pond, Spillway, Fancy Creek and Randolph) make up the 1,200 - acre park. Electric and water hookups, a swimming beach, boat ramps, courtesy docks, and dump stations are available. Campgrounds contain 159 water/electric campsites, 8 electric/water/sewer campsites, 24 electric-only campsites, 7 electric sites with community water and 500 primitive campsites.

Nine cabins are offered at Tuttle Creek State Park. Each cabin offers a full kitchen with basic pots and pans, table service for four, a full bathroom, heating, A/C, covered patio, picnic tables, grill and fire-ring. Reservations can be made by contacting the park office or online.

Numerous nature trails, a mountain biking trail, and a scenic equestrian trail offer explorers a variety of routes to experience the

aesthetic Flint Hills environment.

Scenic picnic areas, an 18-hole disc golf course, volleyball courts, horse shoe pits, and conveniently placed restroom and shower facilities accommodate park visitors.

The state-of-the-art Fancy Creek Shooting Range is open the first and third full weekends of each month. A new archery range is not open at River Pond.

Tuttle Creek State Park 5800 A River Pond Rd Manhattan, KS 66502 County/Counties: Riley GPS: N39 15.445' W96 34.77' Contact Information Park Office – (785) 539-7941

Click here for a list of State Parks in the State of Kansas

Published by: Industry E News LLC PO Box 5068 Sevierville TN 37862 dennis@industrye-news.com All advertising enquiries: kelley@industrye-news.com 770 616 8175

Publisher/Editor: Dennis Macready Article contributors: Joe Elton, Evanne Schmarder,Bill Weston, Jenn Muller, Melissa Rayworth and Jennifer Forker.

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