TrailBlazer September / October 2020

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2020 • $2.00

Journey to the Pacific Northwest Explore Walla Walla wine country, one sip at a time Natural Beauty in Washington and Oregon Cinema Under the Stars

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Invite Your Friends www.trailblazermagazine.net CREATIVE DIRECTOR Mark Slattery GRAPHIC DESIGNER Kenzie Greene MISSION STATEMENT TrailBlazer provides exclusive news and information for the members and guests of Thousand Trails Family of campgrounds and resorts.

Each issue enhances the recreational lifestyle of its readers through a lively mix of camping and travel features, campground profiles and product features.

TRAILBLAZER (ISSN 0747-2293) is published by MHC TT Memberships, LP, c/o MHC Property Management L.P., Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60606. An annual subscription is $20. Periodicals postage paid at Chicago, IL and additional offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to TRAILBLAZER, 2325 Highway 90, Gautier, MS 39553. Canada Post Publication Mail Agreement 41461526.

YOU receive a $25 Visa® Virtual Reward when your friend purchases a Thousand Trails Camping Pass!

Your referral also enters YOU into our 2020 drawing for a chance to win these great prizes:

TRAILBLAZER MAGAZINE Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 800 Chicago, IL 60606 tbeditor@equitylifestyle.com TrailBlazermagazine.net

GRAND PRIZE

NEW SUBSCRIPTIONS Visit www.trailblazermagazine.net and click on the ‘Subscribe’ tab to easily subscribe online today!

7-Night Cruise or Trip to Hawaii ($4,000 value)

PRINTED IN THE USA

THOUSAND TRAILS RESERVATIONS Call: (800) 288-7245 Canada: (228) 497-3594 Mon - Fri 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CST ThousandTrails.com Remember! Thousand Trails members get preferred rates at RVontheGo.com (877) 570-2267 RVontheGo.com

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*Details and qualifications for participation in this promotion may apply and are set forth on page 61 of this magazine.

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SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2020

WHAT’S INSIDE

VOL.55 • ISSUE 4

20 Walla Walla, Washington

regulars lifestyle

38

#100daysofcamping 8

Member Deals 54

Crossword Puzzle 60

Sudoku Puzzle 61

Preferred RV Dealer List 62

28 Updates and Upgrades

tips & topics

32 Virtual Tours at myMHcommunity.com!

Tech Topics 52 4 Paws on the Road 53 Preparing for a Fall Trip 56

Totally Tourist In the Pacific Northwest SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2020 • $2.00

Journey to the Pacific Northwest Explore Walla Walla wine country, one sip at a time Natural Beauty in Washington and Oregon

5 Message from Marguerite 10 I Knew I was A TrailBlazer:

The Wanderpreneurs 14 An Iconic Northwest Brand 30 Cinema Under the Stars

34 Naturally Northwest 46 Recipe: One Pot Chili 48 On the Road with Samantha Brown

Cinema Under the Stars

On The Cover: Pacific City RV Campground SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2020 TRAILBLAZER

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La Conner RV Campground, WA

MESSAGE FROM MARGUERITE It’s crazy to think we’re already nearing the end of the summer months and transitioning into fall. This past summer has reminded me even more about the value of the outdoor lifestyle. With so many changes in our day-to-day lives this year, one thing has remained a steady constant: the ability to get outdoors. As RVers, I don’t have to tell you how wonderful outdoor recreation is, or how simple it can be to turn your day around with a quick hike or walk. For as long as you’ve been embracing this lifestyle, you’ve also been embracing these outdoor activities. These activities have allowed you to remain socially distanced while also staying busy and doing things you love.

The summer season brought new challenges not only to our customers, but also to our staff. Each day, I heard stories about how our staff continued to put the safety of our guests and customers at the forefront of their decisions. The activities our customers have come to know and love were reevaluated, and a new program was developed, again with safety and social distancing in mind. Our Cinema Under the Stars program was launched at a number of locations and became a success, allowing our guests to enjoy an outdoor movie theater experience at some of their favorite campgrounds, with ample space and large screens. I am so appreciative of all of our on-site teams working together to ensure a fun and safe environment for all of our members and guests throughout the season.

That said, the fall is the perfect time to keep traveling and road-tripping. This issue of TrailBlazer is all about the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. From the natural wonders of Oregon to a highly thought of wine region in Washington, your “must-see” list is sure to grow after reading a few of these articles. We were also able to catch up with travel expert Samantha Brown from the PBS show “Places to Love.” She shares her stories from a family RV trip and talks about the current day roadtripping and staycation trend. There are a few funny moments from her first RV adventure that are sure to remind you of your own first couple of trips in the RV. I have loved seeing all of your #100DaysofCamping photos throughout the summer months. I encourage you to keep sharing your photos with us, even after the summer ends. It’s so great to follow our members on their travels and adventures, however big or small they may be. A love of RVing and outdoor travel is what unites so many of our members and guests, and seeing it through these images truly shows that. I hope you continue to stay healthy and enjoy the great outdoors.

Marguerite Nader President & CEO

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WANT TO BE A

LUCKY WINNER? Our winner for September/October is...John and Keri Knorr from Moses Lake, WA! They were camping at Crescent Bar, in Quincy, WA, when they were given the news!

Thousand Trails is offering members the opportunity to win a $1,000 American ExpressÂŽ Prepaid Gift Card When you pay your annual dues for 2020 in full, you will be entered into our monthly drawing for a $1,000 American ExpressÂŽ Prepaid Gift Card.

There will be one drawing/one winner each month from January through December 2020. In addition, once you pay your dues in full, each time you camp at a Thousand Trails campground in 2020, you will receive an additional entry into the drawing. The drawings are limited to persons who are of legal age. The drawings will be held at our corporate office on the 10th day after the end of each month. Winners will be notified by mail, phone or in person if camping at a Thousand Trails campground. The odds of winning will depend on the number of entries, but are not expected to exceed 1:100,000. Winners are responsible for federal and state taxes on the award. You may also enter the drawings by printing your name, address, day and evening phone numbers, and email address on a 3" x 5" piece of paper and mailing it to the Sponsor in addressed, stamped envelope. You are limited to one mail-in entry which must be postmarked by December 15, 2020. This promotion is sponsored by MHC Thousand Trails Limited Partnership, Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60606.

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That’s a wrap for

#100DaysofCamping!

Each year, we celebrate the 100 summer days in between Memorial Day and Labor Day as the official #100daysofcamping. This year, we made a few changes to make #100daysofcamping more accessible wherever you are. We loved following along on your camping adventures throughout the summer and can’t wait to see where you go next!

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I Knew I Was a

TRAILBLAZER FEATURING

The Wanderpreneurs This issue, we are featuring The Wanderpreneurs, also known as the adventurous Lauren and Aaron Grijalva and their kids, Casen and Calista.

TB: How long have you been camping and RVing?

Who introduced you to it?

Tell us how it all began.

TW: We became full-time RVers without any camping or RVing experience 16 months ago! It was intended to be a one year trip around 10

the US, but we quickly realized we wanted this lifestyle to be permanent.

We knew two families who were full-time RVers and were so inspired by their travels. The Brewers and the Stifters showed us how fun it could be to RV full-time with kids. We were tired of the hustle and bustle of “regular life” with school, work, and extracurriculars, and wanted to take a different approach and live a slower paced, more intentional life. We have grown so much closer as a

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family in the last 16 months!

We are able to work on the road as we work remotely, building and creating content for websites, and we homeschool (or “roadschool”) our two children, Casen (7) and Calista (6). We all love adventure and travel, so we feel right at home on the road!

TB: How did you first hear about Thousand Trails?

TW: Our friends, the Brewers, raved about

Thousand Trails and how it allowed them to travel and save money. They also told us that we would meet a ton of other families if we stayed in Thousand Trails parks. We’re a very social family, so this sounded very appealing! We started with a Thousand Trails Camping Pass to try it out, and fell in love with Thousand Trails, quickly upgrading our membership to enjoy going park-to-park with a larger booking window.

TB: What is one of your fondest camping memories? How about one of your fondest TT memories?

TW: One of my favorite camping memories was while staying at Tahoe Valley. We were there with friends, and about 20 of us got together with all of our kids and went on a bike ride to the lake together.

We rode about eight miles and then stopped by a brewery on the way back to the park! We were quite a sight to see riding all around town! One of our favorite Thousand Trails parks is Peace River in Wauchula, Florida.

Spending time with my kids finding treasures in the river like fossilized shark teeth and stingray barbs was such an adventure!

One more favorite memory in a Thousand Trails park

was being at the beautiful Rancho Oso in Santa Barbara, CA. As we were on a walk one morning, we realized there was a brand new colt in the field! We got to see him just hours after being born as he wobbled to stand and walk. We absolutely loved seeing all the animals during our time there.

were very close. We startled the mom by our presence and she ran up to our trail, blocking our path. I feel like we waited forever for her to move so we could pass! For awhile I thought we were going to have to make our own trail through the woods and leave a different way through the brush! Quite a memorable experience!

TB: Any funny camping/ RVing stories?

TB: What type of camper are you/what equipment do you use? What do you prefer and why? (ex: fifth wheel, RV, tent, cabins, etc.)

TW: While camping near Yellowstone National Park, we ran into a situation with a mama moose with her two babies. We were on a bike ride in the campground and all of a sudden realized we weren’t alone! The moose

Photos Courtesy of The Wanderpreneurs

TW: We have a 2016 Coachmen Chaparral 390QSMB, which we absolutely love. Our kids

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TB: Where have you gone that you wouldn’t have otherwise, if it hadn’t been for your Thousand Trails membership?

TW: Florida was always our vacation destination before we became RVers, and we had only visited the beaches there. We RVed in Florida all winter and were able to visit so many other beautiful Florida destinations we had never heard of! Since we have the Trails Collection, we were able to stay at Crystal Isles in Crystal River, FL, and visit Three Sisters Springs, where we got to swim with manatees! It was an incredible experience.

have their own bedroom with a door and plenty of storage, we have our own bedroom with a door, and the entire family can enjoy our large living room with tons of floor space for family game nights. We love all the space we have in a fifth wheel as well as the high ceilings. We feel we made the best decision with our RV choice and wouldn’t trade it for anything! We absolutely love our home on wheels.

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TB: What is your favorite part of the outdoor lifestyle?

TW: We love the smell of campfires at night and people grilling out in the late afternoons. The relaxed atmosphere of a campground coupled with the friendliness of RVers is simply where we want to be. It’s where we feel welcome and home.

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TB: We want to know when you knew you were the consummate camper, a true TrailBlazer. Can you finish this sentence?

I knew I was a TrailBlazer when...

TW: I knew I was a TrailBlazer when people started asking ME for advice! For the first 6 months (at least) we felt like the new kids on the block, and were always asking advice. Now we feel like pros and are happy to share advice and experiences wherever we go!

TB: If you could leave a piece of Thousand Trails history behind so that campers 50 years from now will remember what it was like to camp in this decade, what would you leave and why?

TW: I would leave behind the description of how RVing with Thousand Trails in 2019 changed our lives.

We have met our “family” in these parks and have experienced what life is really all about. ¾

Check out thewanderpreneurs.com to follow more of their Trailblazing adventures!

Instagram: @the.wanderpreneurs Facebook: @thewanderpreneurs

Photos Courtesy of The Wanderpreneurs

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The Northwest’s Iconic Outdoors & Active Lifestyle Business Columbia Sportswear

By Lynn & Cele Seldon

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Anyone who loves the outdoors knows the iconic Portland, Oregon-based Columbia Sportswear Company. Founded in 1938 as the Columbia Hat Company in the outdoorscrazed city where the Columbia River (the largest river in the Pacific Northwest) flows through town, after making its way westward from Canada’s Columbia Mountains and Oregon’s Columbia Gorge, the company’s brands are sold across the country and the world, including approximately 90 other countries and counting.

In the past 80-plus years, the company has grown into one of the largest outdoor and active lifestyle apparel and footwear companies in the world. In addition to the Columbia®

brand, Columbia Sportwear Company owns the Mountain Hardwear®, SOREL®, and prAna® outdoor brands (see: Other Columbia Brands on pg. 19) All of Columbia’s brands have gained worldwide recognition for their innovation, quality, and performance in Mother Nature, as well as affordable pricing.

The company takes pride in crafting active lifestyle gear that’s fortified with industryleading technologies and tested in their own backyard.

Their apparel, footwear, and accessories reflect their Pacific Northwest heritage and indomitable spirit. As their website states: “While our gear is available around the world, we’re proud to be based in the Pacific Northwest, where

Photo Courtesy of Columbia Sportswear Company

the lush forests, snow-covered mountains, rugged coastline, and wide-open spaces serve as our playground. This is where we hike, fish, hunt, camp, climb, shred, paddle, golf, run, and just enjoy the fresh air with friends.”

With almost 9,000 full- and part-time employees, Columbia designs, develops, markets, and distributes a wide variety of outdoor and active apparel, accessories, and equipment.

Along with robust traditional retail store sales, the company also has more than 120 outlet retail stores, 21 retail stores, and four brand-specific e-commerce websites (see: Resources on pg. 19).

The company is committed to protecting the environment

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for future adventurers. They use responsible practices to create innovative and enduring products that empower people and help sustain the places they love. The company gives back to communities and uses ethical sources for their product materials, helping preserve the environment and encourage people to spend more time outdoors.

Columbia and its sister companies have a history of being at the forefront of innovation, starting with the launch of the first Bugaboo™ parka in 1986, which revolutionized the way alpine skiers and other winter sports enthusiasts dressed.

Performance Fishing Gear (known as PFG) launched in 1995 and is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. In 2013, Columbia’s Omni-Freeze ZERO clothing line won National Geographic Adventure’s “Gear of the Year” award. In 2017, Columbia launched a revolutionary eco-conscious gear line called OutDry Extreme ECO to maximize outdoor performance in any condition, while minimizing environmental impact.

Everyone who has used Columbia clothing and gear over the years remembers beloved Gert Boyle, who became well-known in the outdoors community thanks to Columbia’s ads featuring tough-as-nails “Ma Boyle.”

The memorable campaign was undoubtably one of the most successful in the history Photos Courtesy of Columbia Sportswear Company

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Photo Courtesy of Columbia Sportswear Company

of the outdoor industry, with Gert calling it, “…a brilliant advertising campaign that made millions believe I was the toughest mother in America.”

Gert’s long love affair with the Pacific Northwest and the company her parents founded began back in 1937 when Gert’s parents fled Nazi Germany, settling in Portland, and purchasing a small hat manufacturer in 1938. The business eventually passed from Gert’s father to her husband, Neal, and then to Gert herself in 1970, when she went from housewife to executive overnight after Neal’s sudden passing.

Gert helped Columbia grow into the company it is today.

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Her autobiography, “One Tough Mother: Taking Charge in Life, Business, and Apple Pies,” was published in 2005 (she sports a “Born to Nag” tattoo in the cover picture). It remains a classic read for those who love Mother Nature and, specifically, Gert’s beloved Pacific Northwest. In the preface, she writes, “This is not one of those memoirs where someone recounts in great detail everything that ever happened to them in their life. Rather, this book is just like me – short and to the point.”

Though she passed away in 2019, Gert’s “One Tough Mother” persona lives on in the Columbia brand. Her legendary perfectionism (“It’s perfect. Now make it better.”) and the high standards she held for herself

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and others still guide Columbia today. Gert’s son, Tim, has served as the chief executive officer of Columbia since 1988 and reassumed the role of President in 2017. His son, Joe, joined Columbia in 2005 and has served in a variety of capacities of increasing leadership and responsibility, before being promoted to Executive Vice President, Columbia Brand President, in 2017.

Of Columbia today, Joe Boyle says, “We create enduring, iconic, and innovative products that enable people to enjoy the outdoors longer. We combine our approach to product creation with our commitment to our consumers, communities, and the environment.”¾

RESOURCE Visit www.columbia.com for information about their clothing, gear, and more, including lots of ways to buy their many outdoor-oriented offerings.

OTHER COLUMBIA BRANDS In addition to the Columbia® brand, Columbia Sportwear Company owns three other outdoor brands:

Photo Courtesy of Columbia Sportswear Company

Mountain Hardwear® Premium apparel, accessories, and equipment designed to meet the high-performance needs of mountaineering enthusiasts and other outdoor athletes, as well as consumers who are inspired by the outdoor lifestyle.

SOREL® A footwear company that has evolved from a men’s winter utility boot brand into a premium, durable, and design-driven footwear brand for fashion-savvy women, as well as men’s and youth utility footwear. prAna® Stylish and versatile active lifestyle apparel and accessories designed and manufactured with an emphasis on sustainable materials and processes, with a focus on consumers whose active lifestyles include activities like rock climbing, yoga, watersports, hiking, and adventure travel.

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WALLA WALLA, WASHINGTON: WORLD-CLASS WINE AND AGRITOURISM

By Lynn & Cele Seldon

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Photos Courtesy of Visit Walla Walla

Located on the drier side of the Cascade Mountain range and on the same latitude that passes between the Burgundy and Bordeaux regions of France, it’s no surprise that the Walla Walla region has become a wine tourism hotspot in the Pacific Northwest. Located about four hours east of both Seattle and Portland, the unofficial capital of Washington wine country hosts more than 120 wineries spread across 3,000 acres of the Walla Walla Valley, giving other American wine regions a run for their money.

Grapes and, ultimately wine, found their way to southeastern Washington in the mid-19th century. French fur trappers, who knew good wine and had settled just outside of Walla Walla in Frenchtown, recognized the perfect wine-making winds, warm days and cool nights, and minimal rainfall of the area, and thus quickly planted grapes. Not to be outdone by their European neighbors, there were also Italian immigrants who brought their winemaking knowledge and skills to the area around the

same time. They also planted grapes and began making homemade wine. Some of these original and historymaking vines can still be found in the region.

The Idaho gold rush of 1860 helped the area become a bustling trade center but, when the rush ended, economic sights were set further to the west in western Washington and, specifically, Seattle, slowing down the development of the area.

Other challenges around the turn of the century included

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Photos Courtesy of Visit Walla Walla

characteristics of the Walla Walla Valley terroir. With these humble beginnings, Walla Walla wine country was truly born.

In 1984, Walla Walla Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA) was officially established and, with just four wineries and 60 acres of vineyards, the region’s wine country was off and running.

This wine region is included within the larger Columbia Valley AVA and extends partly into the northeastern corner of Oregon. The Walla Walla Valley AVA has the second highest concentration of vineyards and wineries in Washington State, behind the Yakima Valley AVA, with cabernet sauvignon, syrah, and merlot grapes being the most widely planted varietals. the Northern Pacific Railway bypassing Walla Walla, historically severe frosts, and Prohibition – all but wiping out the area as a burgeoning wine region.

Fast forward to the 1970s, when a one-acre plot on the Leonetti family farm transitioned to grapegrowing and became the first commercial winery in 1974. The Leonettis quickly became known and loved locally for their rich and robust cabernet sauvignon, merlot and – as an ode to their Italian ancestors – sangiovese and aglianico.

Not far behind were Woodward Canyon Winery in 1981 and L’Ecole No. 41 in 1983. Also family-owned and -operated, Woodward Canyon has focused on quality over quantity, with their age-worthy cabernet sauvignons, Bordeauxstyle blends, merlots, and chardonnays. L’Ecole No. 41 is now a third-generation family-owned artisan winery located in Walla Walla’s historic Frenchtown School – as an homage to the pioneer viticulturalists – and produces exclusive wines that showcase the unique

Other wineries of note include: Seven Hills, known for their single vineyard cabernets and merlots and housed in downtown Walla Walla’s historic 1904 Whitehouse-Crawford building; Three Rivers, with a barrel room and cellar spread over 14,000-square feet of space and surrounded by 16 acres of lush grounds; Basel Cellars Estate Winery, which features a 14,000 square foot lodgestyle guesthouse available for weekend getaways or events and produces all of its wines on-site in a 9,600 square foot subterranean

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space which once housed a car collection; Spring Valley Vineyard, a limitedproduction, estate-grown winery helmed by French winemaker, Serge Laville; and Doubleback, a fourvineyard premium winery owned by former NFL quarterback, Drew Bledsoe, producing exclusively highquality cabernet sauvignon; and dozens more.

Naturally, with so many wineries and vineyards, varied guided wine tours are very popular in the Walla Walla area. From sedans to SUVs, vintage cars to limos, eBikes to the über-green Tesla Model 24

X 90D, private aircraft charters, and walking food and wine tours, there are more than a dozen ways to leave the driving to others (which is highly recommended when tasting wines).

With a mild climate and rich soil, Walla Walla’s fertile agriculture has contributed to the region becoming known as Washington’s breadbasket.

In addition to grapes, the area is also well-known for its wheat, apples, asparagus, strawberries, and famed Walla Walla sweet onions.

With such an abundance of agriculture comes an abundance of gourmet food, which can be found

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throughout the region at farmers markets, roadside stands and u-pick farms, cheese mongers like Walla Walla Cheese Company or Monteillet Fromagerie, dozens of wine shops at many of the wineries, as well as independent stores like The Thief Fine Wine and Beer, delicious chocolates and confections at Bright’s Candies or Petits Noirs, restaurants, food trucks (don’t miss “Walla Walla Food Truck Night” the first Monday of the month from April to October), and annual events like “February is for Foodies” and the “Walla Walla Sweet Onion Festival” come July.

Photos Courtesy of Visit Walla Walla

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Some of the more popular restaurants in the area include: international fare at Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen; handmade pastas and rustic Italian specialties at Passatempo Taverna; local art, fine wine and French cuisine at Brasserie Four, authentic Mexican dishes like pozole and Mexican lasagna, along with classic tortas, burritos and tacos at Grandma’s Kitchen; brunch at Bacon & Eggs; and for those 26

in need of a beer, local brews and elevated pub grub at Big House Brew Pub. If the stunning wineries and vineyards have given way to wanting to explore the great outdoors, the Walla Walla region won’t disappoint.

Options abound in town and around the area for walking, hiking, and cycling in more than 17 public parks, as well as more than 20 miles of trails at Bennington Lake

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Recreation Area, not to mention the Blue Mountains to the east. The Walla Walla region is considered the road cycling capital of Washington with miles of farm roads meandering through the lush rolling vineyards and wheat fields. Heading west toward the Columbia and Snake Rivers – Walla Walla means “place of many waters” after all – water sports abound for boating, fishing, paddling, or stand-up paddle boarding.

Photos Courtesy of Visit Walla Walla

Along the east bank of the Columbia River, the artificially constructed wetlands of McNary National Wildlife Refuge is a birders Mecca amongst its sloughs, marshes, and waterways.

Further south along the east bank is Wallula Gap, a gorge-like opening carved into basalt cliffs by massive floods during previous ice ages. And, for something altogether different, head north of Walla Walla for the majestic waterfalls of Palouse Falls State Park.

Travel to the Walla Walla region is equally appealing in the winter months when winter sports are king. Downhill skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing can be found at Ski Bluewood southeast of Walla Walla or at family-friendly Spout Springs Ski Resort just over the state line in Oregon’s Blue Mountains.

Whether it’s world-class wines, wonderous scenery, wild to mild outdoor adventures, or a taste of the Walla Walla sweet onion, it’s easy to raise a glass to the Walla Walla wine region.

Just let someone else do the driving.¾

World-Class Wine and More For more information, visit www.wallawalla.org.

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UPDATES AND

UPGRADES

The teams have been hard at work on a number of updates and upgrades across the country. This issue, we’re highlighting a few of the biggest projects and developments!

Mt. Hood Village Welches, OR The teams at Mt. Hood Village have been busy with a number of upgrades! The lodge at Mt. Hood Village received a face lift with a beautiful fireplace and fresh paint, lightening up the space and allowing guests to fully enjoy the space as it was intended. Additionally, the Hemlock Meadow section now features 50 amp service, and graveled pull through sites with beautiful mountain views.

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Orlando RV Resort Clermont, FL The work at Thousand Trails Orlando continues! Our teams have been working hard to bring all of our members and guests 160+ brand new RV sites, two upgraded sparkling pools, a revamped putt putt course, brand new basketball and volleyball courts, and a brand new playground. We’ve appreciated your patience as our teams have been moving this project forward and we can’t wait for everyone to see the final product.

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Under The Stars MOVIES IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS!

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We brought camping to the movies!

Throughout the summer season, a number of our locations participated in the Cinema Under the Stars series. Our locations are known for their onsite activities, and we wanted to ensure a safe, socially distanced event in the great outdoors. Cinema Under the Stars is an outdoor movie theater experience available at a select number of locations across the country. With screens ranging from 16-to-20-feet and professional level sound systems, guests are able to enjoy the silver screen while doing what they love most: camping!

The size of these screens and the strength of the sound systems allow our onsite teams to plan a fun and socially distanced activity for all of our guests. Movie goers are encouraged to space out, leaving at least 6 feet of space between each group. Movies start after sunset for the best viewing experience. Many of our locations choose to show movies that match our theme weekend, to tie everything together.

Have you attended a Cinema Under the Stars event?

We’d love for you to share photos of the event to our Thousand Trails Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram channels!

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Open new doors

LEARN MORE ABOUT

OUR VIRTUAL TOURS 3 Easy Ways to Explore our Quick Move-In Ready Homes VIRTUAL SHOWINGS

VIDEO TOURS

3-D TOURS

Our sales associates are ready to schedule an appointment for a private virtual showing at your convenience.

Video walk through tours of select home models are available online or upon request.

We invite you to enjoy a virtual walk through of our stunning model homes with our Interactive Model Home Tours.

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to a great community lifestyle.

Take a Virtual Tour and Make It Yours!

Learn more at or Call (800) 274-7314 SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2020 TRAILBLAZER

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Naturally Fun in the Northwest

By Joan Rykal

Combined, the states of Oregon and Washington have over 100 mountain ranges. Plus, there’s the Pacific coastline, which stretches from northern Washington on down to the southern edge of Oregon, and all the quaint coastal towns and endless miles of beaches in between. Toss in the over 30 state and national forests, a combined total of 8 national parks, more than 1700 miles of hiking trails, and the countless lakes and rivers, and you’d be hard-pressed not to find something naturally fun to do in Washington and Oregon.

And when we say naturally fun, we mean activities that involve nature’s playground as the entertainment venue.

Many tourism sources call

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the Pacific Northwest a yearround playground. Hiking, biking, kayaking, swimming, fishing, skiing...the list goes on and on for fun of the natural kind whenever you visit these two gems of the Pacific Northwest. Here’s a quick bucket list for outdoor adventure when visiting Washington and Oregon.

Naturally Oregon Stand-up Paddling in Bend: Back in 2014, Outdoor Magazine named Bend as the world’s best stand-up paddleboard (SUP) getaway, citing the Deschutes River as an optimum spot to SUP. The snow-capped Cascades provide paddlers with fabulous scenery.

Explore Mt. Hood National Forest: From day hikes to zip-lining and winter fun,

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including skiing, tubing, and snowboarding, it is a wonderland of fun. You can also choose to drive one of several scenic byways to take in the unparalleled beauty of the area.

Horseback Ride along the Beach: There are plenty of outfitters in the Pacific City area that will set you up to enjoy the beauty of Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area atop a horse. The rugged coast and the sandy dunes never looked better.

Other outdoor adventures could include snowshoeing in the Deschutes National Forest, fat-tire biking the Central Coast and the Florence Dune Exploration, or a ride on the Mt. Hood Railroad, which takes you through the valleys of the Columbia River Gorge.

Mt. Hood, OR

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Naturally Washington Hike Skyline Trail: Located in Mt. Rainier National Park, this hike is a 5.5-mile loop of moderate difficulty.

Rewards include the beautiful wildflower views, bubbling streams, and the incredible view from Panoramic Point.

See Snoqualmie Falls: This stunning 270-foot waterfall, which is also a significant source of hydro-electric power for the area, is a mustsee. Hike or walk the shaded trail for prime viewing or take in the view from the 36

convenient observation deck just off the parking lot – watch out, though, you will get wet from the waterfall’s spray!

Fish in Leavenworth: There are plenty of places in this beautiful spot of Washington state to toss in a line. Check out the Icicle River for salmon or the Wenatchee River for steelhead. Fly fishing is the name of the game here.

Stroll the Long Beach Boardwalk: The Long Beach Peninsula is one endless

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stretch of beach, and a great way to explore it is to take a stroll on the boardwalk, which stretches about a halfmile along the beach. This is not your typical boardwalk – instead, the Long Beach Boardwalk is a serene stroll offering glimpses of shorebirds and even a whale or two!

Other outdoor adventures could include a whalewatching cruise, a trip to the San Juan Islands, and white-water rafting the Wenatchee River. ¾

San Juan Islands, WA

Snoqualmie Falls, WA

Long Beach Boardwalk, WA

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Seattle, WA

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Totally Tourist in the Pacific Northwest

By Joan Rykal When it comes to ideal places to visit that will satisfy just about everyone in your travel group, the Pacific Northwest fits the bill. It has some of the best when it comes to the great outdoors with plenty of mountains and beaches for activities like hiking, biking, water sports, and beachcombing. It has cool cities like Seattle and Portland as well as the lesserknown but definite must-see locations, such as Bend, Oregon, and Leavenworth, Washington. There are museums and markets, brew pubs and wine trails, historic

sites and natural wonders, all waiting to be seen.

Let’s play tourist and see what you should see and do when visiting Washington and Oregon.

Washington The city of Seattle, while not the capital city of the Evergreen State, is the largest city in Washington.

Nicknamed the Emerald City because of its abundance of year-round greenery, Seattle offers plenty when it comes to tourist attractions.

Built for the 1962 World’s Fair, the Space Needle is an observation tower soaring 605 feet into the sky. Visitors can travel to the observation deck, some 500 feet into the tower, and see panoramic views of the city.

Pike Place Market has the distinction of being one of the oldest, continuously operated Farmers Markets in the U.S. Opened in 1907, the market continues to offer visitors an experience like no other. From fresh fish purveyors (don’t miss the flying fish “show”) to

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produce, fresh flowers, spices and herbs, antiques, and vintage clothing, it’s all here.

The name of this don’t-miss attraction, the Museum of Pop Culture, doesn’t leave you wondering what you’ll find here. The focus here is exactly that…pop culture with permanent and traveling exhibits dedicated to pop culture icons like Nirvana, Jimi Hendrix, fantasy films like The Wizard of Oz and Harry Potter, and Marvel’s gang of superheroes.

If you want to experience a little bit of Bavaria without leaving the country, take a day trip (or stay for several days) to Leavenworth, which is about a two-hour drive from Seattle.

Leavenworth is a Bavarianstyled village that has more charm than you can imagine.

There’s a reindeer farm, a nutcracker museum, wineries, distilleries, and breweries, and all kinds of outdoor fun including hiking, fishing, and biking.

Washington State oddities (think: roadside attractions) can be found around the state and if you’re willing to take 40

the drive, don’t miss the Hat n’ Boots in Seattle’s Oxbow Park. Yes, they are exactly that – a hat and boots but the hat is a 44-foot-wide cowboy hat while the boots are 22-feet tall. Head to Chehalis to see a giant yardbird. Built as largerthan-life black bird mascots in 1969 for a home improvement chain store, you can find one of the remaining mascots at the Yard Birds Mall in Chehalis.

How about a giant frying pan?

Head to Long Beach and see this 9-foot by 6-foot culinary tool. Looking to offer up some prayers for a safe and successful road trip? Check out the Wayside Chapel in Monroe, big enough for eight people to “Pause, Rest, and Worship” as the sign outside the chapel reads.

Seasonal Tourist: Don’t miss Leavenworth in December when it transforms into a holiday wonderland with thousands of twinkling lights and a full schedule of merriment. Another must-see is the Skagit Valley in April when the fields are awash with thousands and thousands of blooming tulips and the area hosts the Annual Tulip Festival.

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Skagit Valley, WA

Downtown Leavenworth, WA

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Portland Japanese Garden, OR

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Downtown Bend, OR

Oregon Portland has gained a reputation in recent years as one of the hippest towns around, probably thanks to its bookstores, coffee shops, and craft breweries. And, aside from these friendly, welcoming venues, there is more to Portland than reading, eating, and drinking!

Opened in 1892, the Portland Art Museum is the oldest art museum on the West Coast. Collections include Asian and European art as well as Native American and Northwest Art.

If you prefer to view your art outdoors, consider the Portland Street Art Loop Hike, a roughly 3.5-mile hike around the city to view the amazing works of street artists. Visit oregonhikers. org/field_guide/Portland_ Street_Art_Loop_Hike to see a map and locations of the more than 30 unique and colorful murals.

If you wanted to be transported to another world, and a serene one at that, spend a day at the Portland Japanese Garden.

Set on 12 acres, the Portland Japanese Garden provides

visitors eight unique gardens to enjoy including the Tea Garden with an authentic Tea House, the Zen-focused Sand and Stone Garden, and the Strolling Pond Garden, which is the largest garden, complete with a Moon Bridge and koi fish.

If a smaller city is more to your liking, check out Bend, a picturesque little town located on the banks of the Deschutes River. Bend is an outdoor lover’s paradise, but don’t think that’s all Bend has to offer. Indoor attractions can include the High Desert Museum, a history and

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culture museum about North America’s high desert country and its people. For shopping, restaurants, and entertainment, check out Bend’s Old Mill District, the site of two former lumber mills that has been transformed into a bustling mix of boutiques, eateries, galleries, and music venues.

Another self-guided option for scenic fun includes the Roundabout Art Route where you can view over 20 public art pieces in Bend. The Bend Visitor Center has maps of the route.

Oregon roadside oddities include the 31-foot Paul Bunyan statue in Portland, the Peterson Rock Garden and Museum in Redmond 44

(just outside Bend), which is a rock collector’s vision come true with its quirky replica statues of the Statue of Liberty, among others.

Then there’s the Octopus Tree in Tillamook, a centuries old Sitka Spruce that looks oddly like the eight-armed sea creature. Of course, the Oregon attraction not to be missed is Haystack Rock, which can be found at Cannon Beach. This 235-foot sea stack is one of the most iconic images of the Oregon coast and literally millions of photos have been taken of the rock from sunrise to sunset providing an amazing shot each time!

Seasonal Tourist: Don’t miss Lincoln City’s Fall Kite Festival that includes a sky

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full of colorful kites as well as kite-flying and kite-making demonstrations or the Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest each June. A spring visit must include Florence’s annual Rhododendron Festival held each May that pays tribute to the hundreds and hundreds of blooming rhododendrons along the Oregon coast this time of year. ¾ Note: In the current COVID-19 climate, please check to see if any of these locations are open or operating under abbreviated hours or have partial closings of attractions and facilities due to the pandemic.

Cannon Beach, OR

Photo Courtesy of Explore Lincoln City

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Who is in the kitchen with

TrailBlazer?

One Pot Chili Recipe (From alyonascooking.com)

INGREDIENTS

INSTRUCTIONS

1 1/2 lbs ground beef

1. In a large pot fry beef and drain excess fat. Add in the onion & garlic and sauté until soft.

1 onion, diced 4 cloves garlic, crushed 2 cans kidney beans, drained & rinsed 1 (28 ounce can) diced tomatoes 1 (6oz) can tomato paste 1 (4.5oz) can green chilies 3 cups chicken broth (or water and 2 teaspoons of chicken bullion powder)

2. Add in all the spices, beans, chilies, tomatoes and broth and bring to a boil. Then reduce heat to med-low and simmer for 30 minutes, uncovered.

3. Garnish with shredded cheddar cheese & sour cream. Serve with corn bread.

SPICES 2 Tbsp chili powder 1/2 tsp salt

TOPPINGS!

2 tsp cumin

SOUR CREAM

1 tsp dried oregano 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper 1 tsp hot sauce 1 tsp sugar

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SHREDED CHEESE SPRING ONIONS

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Photos Courtesy of Sam Brown

On the Road with

Samantha Brown

By Lynn & cele seldon

Whether you spend life on the road for pleasure or work, it's nice to have the comforts of home as you travel the highways and byways.

TrailBlazer checks in with folks who spend a fair amount of time on the road to see just what makes their home away from home.

This month, we caught up with renowned travel expert and Emmy Award-winning television host, Samantha Brown.

Known for her warm, engaging personality and her ability to convey the true character of the people and places she visits throughout the world, Samantha Brown has been inspiring wanderlust since her television journey first began with Travel

Channel’s “Great Hotels.”

In 2018, Brown’s beloved “Samantha Brown’s Places to Love” television series was nominated for three Emmys and won two – for Outstanding Host for a Lifestyle, Children’s or Special Class Program and Outstanding Travel and Adventure Program.

The third season of “Places to Love” aired on PBS earlier this year and is sponsored by AAA – The Auto Club Group, Rocky Mountaineer, and AmaWaterways. Season three highlights classic American destinations like Maine (where Brown enjoyed local lobster), the Florida Keys (including a visit to The Turtle Hospital in Marathon), Texas (featuring tasty barbeque at Pecan Lodge in Dallas), and Arizona

(including a visit to Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home, Taliesin West, in Scottsdale). More recently, Brown teamed up with AAA for their “WellTraveled with AAA” podcast, where she shares insights, stories, and tips to help listeners with their travels.

A few years ago, Brown and her husband, Kevin, rented an RV in the Pacific Northwest (with their adventure-loving twins, Ellis and Elizabeth, in tow), resulting in a popular “Places to Love” segment that Brown still loves sharing.

Along with a link to the popular Oregon RVing show, which aired in 2018 as the final episode in season one, Brown’s website (samantha-brown.com) also has several RVing stories, including, “America’s Greatest

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Destinations for Traveling by RV,” “Nearly Everything You Need to Know About RVing,” and “9 Mistakes that Newbie RV Campers Make.”

Brown says, “What could be a better season finale than ending with an allAmerican family RV road trip throughout the state of Oregon? I’ve always wanted to do an RV trip, and especially while the kids are still young.”

Of the RVing experience, Brown says, “For once, I didn’t approach getting from point A to B with an attitude of seriousness and resolve,

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but instead to my family’s enjoyment, totally lightened up. There was something about the RV experience that truly made me ready for the adventure.”

notice. There was no packing and unpacking. No need to go back to the hotel for naps; the hotel and your car are one. And, getting around is really half the adventure.

We caught up with Brown during the taping for season four of “Places to Love,” which is scheduled to air in 2020.

When did you take your RV trip and where did you go?

What was the make and model of your RV? It was a Winnebago Minnie Winnie. It was the perfect size for our trip. We loved it! For us, RV travel offered so much flexibility. As a contained unit, we could pivot at a moment’s

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It was August of 2017 and the resulting season one show aired in 2018. On this trip, we explored Hood River (including the famed “Fruit Loop” drive and the Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum), Fossil (where the family was introduced to ranch life and

Photo Courtesy of Sam Brown

How old were your twins when you took the trip and what did they think?

assistance), including travel planning through their expert travel planners.

They were four at the time and they’re now seven. They loved it. They thought it was hilarious that every time we left a campsite, we’d forget to secure stuff and it would go flying everywhere.

It happened every time and they started looking forward to it.

Do you have any special recommendations for RVing with children or grandchildren?

fossil hunting), the Painted Hills (John Day Fossil Beds National Monument), and Bend, Oregon (where they enjoyed the family- and RVerfriendly atmosphere at famed Bend microbreweries).

I think most RVers already know this, but…Slow down!

Don’t try to see too many things or do too much sightseeing. Plan on doing half of what you think you’d want to do.

Would you RV again?

Who drove?

Oh, yes!

Move over, Clark Griswold…

There’s a new mom at the wheel! Er, more accurately, there’s a new mom riding shotgun, trying to figure out how to read a map while dad drives. We’re Brooklynites, so we don’t drive much. I really wanted to try it, but we were so focused on shooting the show.

Can you tell us a bit about your work with AAA? It’s a great sponsorship and partnership. My father gave me a AAA card when I was 18 and I’ve been a member ever since. I don’t think people realize everything AAA can provide (beyond their famed roadside

You’re taping for your fourth season of “Places to Love,” which has won two Emmys and has a huge following. Tell us more.

People often say I have the greatest job in the world and it’s true. I’m really excited to transport viewers all over the globe, from Europe to my home state of New Hampshire, and introduce them to the people and places that reveal the soul of each destination. We just finished recording a season four show in Quebec City, which was wonderful.

How do you view travel in the wake of COVID? I think it’s made everyone ardent travelers who are chomping at the bit to go somewhere and reconnect with friends and family. But the reality is COVID will keep us closer to home, doing a lot of one-tank trips to places in our home state or bordering states that share the same Phase openings and restrictions. And, we’ll go back to the way my family always did our road trips and that is with a cooler of bologna sandwiches, lots of fruit, and bags of chips!. ¾

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TECH TOPICS RVing is a great adventure and there’s always something new to learn!

By Paul and Kerri Elders This month, we’ll look at adjustable hitches, give you a surprising cooking tip, provide some hints on safe toad towing, and give you some insight on your blackwater system.

Ready? Let’s get going!

Adjustable Hitches: A great option for RVers who pull tag-along trailers is an adjustable hitch. A wide

variety of styles are offered by companies like Rhino, B&W, Andersen, Reese, Curt, Trimax, Rapid Hitch, and others. These multi-ball hitch adapters insert into standard hitch receivers and can give you easy access to a variety of ball sizes and hitch heights with a quick adjustment. This type of customizable-on-the-fly setup lets you easily pull your travel trailer, boat, utility trailer, ATV trailer, etc., without having to have separate dedicated trailer hitch mounts for each.

Several different designs are available; some use a simple rotating receiver with different sized balls mounted on it; when you want to change sizes, just rotate and clip in place. Other designs use a locking channel design; the ball assembly is inserted into a heavy duty lock and groove mechanism. Ball height is easily adjusted by sliding the ball assembly within the channel to the desired height and locking in place. Designs vary, depending on the manufacturer. See more at your local RV Service Center or online at merchants like Amazon.com.

Always remember to properly accommodate the load of your trailer. Generally speaking, you want to use a hitch height that permits a level hookup, while transferring about 60% of the weight load forward of the tow vehicle’s rear axle. If you overload your tow vehicle by putting too 52

much weight on the hitch with a too-low hitch height, you’ll make handling more difficult (especially on curves and when cornering).

This also significantly increases your stopping distances and the weight on the tow vehicle’s rear wheels.

On the other hand, if you don’t shift enough weight onto the tow vehicle, your towed trailer will be harder to handle and more prone to whipping and swaying. Balance is the key to a safe and easy ride.

Carefully review all hitch and loading instructions you receive with your trailer and any hitches, and always use safety chains.

More Toad Tips: Lots of motorhomers carry a vehicle in tow just to have a runabout readily available for sightseeing and quick trips to the store. But that mobility comes at a price – you have to learn to care for that extra passenger! Keep an eye on the little toad whenever you’re pulling it down the highway, and remember that a low or flat tire on the toad usually won’t be noticeable from the motorhome’s driver’s seat. Make a habit of stopping every two to three hours to stretch your legs and check up on the condition of your little toad. Perform a tire check on the towed car each time you take a break. Walk around the vehicle and inspect it carefully, checking to be sure that the tow bar’s pins are in place and that the cables are secure. And don’t even try to back up when the toad is hooked to the motorhome! You can permanently damage the tow bar, and a bent bar will negatively impact future towing performance. If you have no choice but to back up, it’s always best to unhook the toad and back both vehicles out separately, then re-hook the toad to the motorhome.

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RV Toilets: Most RV toilets are marine-type, often with two pedals: one for dumping and flushing, the other for filling the bowl with water. There are several drain valve additives that can be used to keep the toilet’s valve lubricated.

This should be done routinely, to prevent wearing out the seals (which will permit odors from the blackwater tank to vent inside the RV). Always keep at least ¼ tank of water in your blackwater tank before dumping any solids. This prevents a buildup of solids in the bottom of the holding tank and helps ensure a good flushing of the holding tank when you dump it. Use a small rinsing wand, as needed, to periodically rinse out the holding tank. Close the dump valves, add the proper amount of deodorizing chemicals or enzymes, add about an inch of water to your holding tank (by holding down the pedal on the toilet), and you’re back in business.

No Smoking Section: Some RVers find that whenever they do some serious cooking, like pan-frying a sizzling sirloin, they set off their smoke alarm. Some people have resorted to removing the batteries, but that can spell disaster if you forget to put the batteries back in and then need an audible warning of a real fire. What to do? Try this simple, yet ingenious trick. Stretch the open end of a rubber glove over the smoke alarm while you’re cooking that steak. When you’re finished, that rubber glove will hang like a bright yellow beacon, reminding you to remove it. And your smoke alarm will continue to safely serve its very important purpose without any false alarms.

Check out more tips & tricks on TrailBlazerMagazine.net

4 THE ROAD PAWS ON

By Jenn La Follette Traveling and Camping with Companion Animals

Hello Jennifer, My cat is indoors as we travel as full-timers and fleas have been an ongoing issue. I refuse to use poison in our home and am inquiring about a natural option.

I’m disabled and getting down on the ground to do major flea sprays is not an option. I just started using salt on the carpets as I hear it kills fleas. There must be an organic option that is more suitable for my cat and my limited abilities to move around my RV. My cat doesn’t even go outside; how did I get fleas in the RV? Thanks, RMJ Livingston, TX In general, fleas enter the home/ RV simply from us being outdoors, being around other animals, or around any other person who has animals at home (even if they do not have anactive flea infestation).

Somewhere along the line of your comings and goings, a hitchhiker flea hopped onto you, came into your RV, and made herself comfortable. Then, she laid her eggs, found a blood meal on your cat and the rest is, well, history.

Try wiping out these little critters by using essential oils. Strong odors like eucalyptus, lavender, spearmint,

cedarwood, peppermint, rosemary, and citronella work well as effective repellents. Garlic works, too, but the smell can be a bit overwhelming if you’re not cooking Italian food every day. Pick a fragrance oil that you can live with in a small space, such as in an RV. Mix a few drops into a small sprayer or add the oils to the salt mixture before you sprinkle it on the carpets and floors. You can also add a few drops to a spray bottle of water to spray your pet’s bed/carpet areas. Vacuuming several times a week will be the #1 most critical factor in killing flea eggs. Washing cloth materials several times a week for 2 weeks will help break the life cycle of newly hatching flea eggs that your vacuum missed. If you can wash the cat, use a natural flea shampoo. I fully understand this suggestion might be a major challenge for anyone as cats are not usually fond of being wet. Wash everything you can, as soap and hot water will kill fleas and their eggs. Use a flea-comb on your pet several times day & dunk any fleas in soapy water to drown them! If you want to simplify things with not having to locate oils or a sprayer and worry about mixing it all together, jump over to wondercide.com and order up their all natural Flea & Tick Spray for Pets + Home. I like the Lemongrass fragrance! The phone number for this Austin, TX, based company is 877-896-7426.

Wondercide is proven to be 100% effective in 24 hours after application at killing fleas in all stages of life and meets all EPA Requirements in third party efficacy testing.

Hello Jennifer, With so many of the new changes and restrictions happening all around us with Covid, I would like to begin paddle boarding again and allow my dog to ride with me. I just moved to the Prineville area of Oregon and I have access to lots of lakes. Gus is a 4-year-old, 28-pound terrier mix who listens well and is willing to “stay” on command. What

brand life jacket have you found to fit the best and what tips are there for being certain I’ve adjusted the device properly? I’m excited to visit the Bend/Sunriver TT on a more regular basis now that it’s within range.

Thanks for all your tips over the years!

I hope my question helps inspire others.

Be well, stay healthy, and thrive!

Anne and Gus B. Kudos to you for making the most in every situation! The Cascade Range is full of lakes you will love exploring.

Don’t miss Davis Lake & East Lake when visiting the Bend/Sunriver TT location. Bend Pet Express store can also help you get Gus properly fitted into a Ruffwear “Float Coat.” When adjusted correctly, one should be able to lift up on the top handle of the flotation device and all four paws come off the ground at the same time without the dog slipping backwards or forwards. The front paws will come up more as to lift her head up and out of the water. For more info on sizing or to order online, follow the fit chart link here: ruffwear.com/pages/float-coatfit-guide A Fun Fact to Celebrate: I had a surprise wedding during Covid on Mother’s Day! Our families thought that we went all out on decorating for a socially distanced brunch that included an acoustic guitar artist… then I walked out in my wedding dress! I am now the proud Mrs. Joel La Follette, and Ginger & Brie, my 2 Boston Terriers, Joel, and I are all happily living in West Linn, Oregon.

Email Jenn your questions and share your pics to JennSwope@gmail.com

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PREPARING FOR A FALL TRIP with Lazydays With the weather cooling down and a summer of travel coming to an end, the RV Experts at Lazydays RV are here to help RVers get ready for the fall with last-minute trip ideas, recommended maintenance, and more!

Fall is an ideal time for offseason travel due to the weather, smaller crowds, and types of trips unique to the season. Some great fall RV trip ideas include: PREPARING FOR A FALL TRIP Fall Foliage Trips: Take advantage of the change 56

in season with a trip to see incredible sights and enjoy outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, and canoeing. A few top destinations include the Deschutes River Trail in Oregon, Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia, the Adirondacks in New York, the Rockies in Washington, and California’s Eastern Sierras.

• National Parks: Fall is often the best time of year to visit many of the country’s top National Parks. Places

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like Yosemite, the Great Smoky Mountains, and the Grand Canyon National Park are great RV destinations. The fall foliage adds to their incredible beauty, and the weather tends to be quite favorable.

With the swing into the fall season, RVers will need to consider several factors when planning fall RV trips: • Weather: Depending on where you will be traveling, weather can have a significant impact on your trip. In states like

California, Oregon, and Arizona, forest/wildfire season can become especially nasty in the early fall. Forests and grasslands that receive little or no rain during the summer become quite dry and pose a high fire risk. Atlantic storm season peaks from August to midOctober and can produce some troublesome weather across the southeast. Make sure to check the weather forecast before heading out on your trip and prepare your RV accordingly if bad weather is possible.

• Post-Summer Wear and Tear: After a great summer of RVing, your RV may have incurred a few bumps and bruises along the way. While preparing for a fall RV trip, RVers should inspect their RV and take note of any possible damages from the summer.

Check for things like sun damage to the roof, significant tire wear, and a malfunctioning AC unit.

maintenance checks in order to keep their RV in great condition. Here are a few RV service recommendations as we head into the fall season: • Roof-Top AC Maintenance: Your RV’s AC unit works hard during the summer and keeping it in working order is still a priority in the fall.

Lazydays RV’s full-service rooftop AC maintenance begins with an inspection of the unit and includes filter replacement and repairs (if necessary).

• Tire Rotation: Besides your RV’s AC unit, the tires face a significant amount of wear throughout a busy summer. It is recommended that motorhome tires be rotated every 12 months to extend the life of the tires.

• Slide and Jack Service: RV slide outs and jacks operate best when serviced every 3-4 months. As part of our full slide and jack service, Lazydays RV service MAINTENANCE AND technicians will inspect, ACCESSORIES FOR THE clean, and maintain your FALL RVING SEASON RV’s slide outs and jacks Following a busy summer, to keep them in top RVers should make sure shape. These tasks include they’re up-to-date with annual inspecting all RV slide outs

to ensure they operate properly, lubricating slide seals and cleaning all RV jacks.

While it’s not winter, RVing in the fall requires a few extra accessories to cope with the weather. Blankets, fire starters, and warm sleeping bags are essential if you plan on boondocking or visiting a limited RV campsite during the fall. Games are great ways for families to have fun if the weather sours during a trip. For tailgates, a largefolding table, an extra cooler or grill, and a sun blocker are must-haves.

For the latest RV maintenance services, visit a Lazydays RV accessories and more store at your local Lazydays RV dealer. If you are looking to get your RV ready for the fall season, Lazydays technicians will inspect, clean, and maintain your RV. If you are in need of other services, schedule a service appointment at Lazydays by calling 866-531-6818. Make sure to keep tabs on the Lazydays RV blog for the latest tips on RV maintenance and news on popular accessories! ¾

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Join Us

FOR A ONLINE EDUCATIONAL MEMBERSHIP WEBINAR

On Thursdays at 3pm PST & 6pm EST thousandtrails.com/membership-webinar-rsvp

58

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2020 TRAILBLAZER

Ask how you can camp all year long with our Thousand Trails Camping Pass!

Our Thousand Trails Camping Pass is offered by MHC Thousand Trails Limited Partnership, Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60606. This advertising is being used for the purpose of soliciting sales of resort campground memberships. This document has been filed with the Department of Licensing, State of Washington as required by Washington Law. Value, quality or conditions stated and performance on promises are the responsibility of the operator, not the Department. The filing does not mean the Department has approved the merits or qualifications of any registration, advertising, or any gift or item of value as part of any promotional plan.

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C r o s swo r d

Across

1 Malign 5 Soft Job 9 Man 12 Grant 13 Irish Nobleman 14 Guido's note (2 words) 15 Ohone (2 words) 17 Alfonso's queen 18 Moses's spy in Canaan 19 And other: abbr. (2words) (Lat.) 20 Pervade 23 Adjective-Forming (suf.)

24 Bundle 25 Abuse 30 Amazon tributary 31 Rom. province 32 Tumor. (suf.)

33 Ebb 35 Pretensions 36 Parrot 37 Myth. strong man 38"Battle Hymn of the Republic" writer 60

40 S. Afr. savanna 43 Orinoco tributary 44 Chicle Tree 48 Carriage 49"Arabian Nights" dervish 50 Loyal (Scot.)

52 _____ Rivera, CA 53 Berne's river

Down

1 School course (abbr.)

2 Brythonic sea god 3 N. Caucasian language 4 Save 5 Hall (Ger.) 6 Victory site of Nelson 7 Arabic (abbr.)

8 Footlike structure 9 Meloe (2 words) 10 Arm Bone 11 Semitic deity 16 Have (Scot.)

20 In the same place (abbr.)

21 Symbol of authority 22 Ebony (2 words)

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2020 TRAILBLAZER

23 Thus (Lat.) 25 Sheep’s cry 26 Amer. Cancer Society (abbr.)

27 Repose 28 W. Indian hog 29 Russian News Agency 31 Goddess (Lat.) 34 Female ruff 35 Ali 37 Subjion 38 Botch 39 Catholic book of feasts 40 Cranial nerves 41 Heroic 42 Tiber wolf 44 Juice 45 Field 46 Malay gibbon 47 Beer

SUDOKU

Terms and Conditions for 2020 Referral Promotion from page 2.

Answers can be found on page 65.

F i nd T h e Evergreen Tree An evergreen tree is hidden somewhere in this issue.

Send us a postcard telling us where you found it, and if your card is drawn you’ll win a $25 American Express® Prepaid Gift Card.

Barbara J. Lincoln - Walker Ferndale, WA

Found the tree on Page 30 of the Summer Issue.

Did you find the tree in this issue?

Send your entry (postcards only) to: TrailBlazer Evergreen Tree Two North Riverside Plaza Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60606.

Postmark deadline is October 15, 2020 and remember – the tree could be a different color and size.

For each Eligible Referral (as defined) through December 31, 2020, you will receive a $25 Virtual Visa® Reward Card. In addition, for each Eligible Referral through December 31, 2020, you will receive one entry in a drawing for the following prizes: (i) Grand Prize is either a trip to Hawaii or a 7 night Caribbean Cruise, valued at $4,000, that includes round trip coach airfare for two adults from the continental United States to either Hawaii or Florida, and one hotel/cruise room for 7 nights; (ii) Second Prize is a trip to either Las Vegas, San Francisco or Orlando, valued at $2,000, that includes round trip coach airfare for two adults from the continental United States to either Las Vegas, San Francisco or Orlando and one hotel room for 4 nights and (iii) ten (10) Third Prizes waiving payment of the winners’ annual dues for 2021, not to exceed $599 each. The trips do not include taxes, meals, beverages, transfers, gratuities, activities and other personal expenses. Prizes cannot be exchanged for cash. The drawing will be held at our corporate offices on or about January 7, 2021. The winners will be notified by telephone. The odds of winning a prize depend on the number of entries and are not expected to exceed 1:10,000. For this promotion, an Eligible Referral is a person who (i) purchases a new Zone Camping Pass from us between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020 and (ii) lists you as the referring member. This offer is only for members in good standing of Thousand Trails and its affiliates. Due to legal restrictions, (a) residents of AZ, FL, NV, and PA are not eligible to participate in the drawing and you will not receive an entry in the drawing for purchases made by residents of AZ, FL, NV, or PA, and (b) residents of AZ and PA are not eligible to receive a $25 Virtual Visa® Reward Card and you will not receive a $125 Virtual Visa® Reward Card for purchases made by residents of AZ or PA. We reserve the right to extend, modify, suspend, or terminate this promotion at any time for any reason; however, any rewards earned prior to the suspension or termination of this promotion will be honored. Employees of MHC Property Management, L.P. and its affiliates are not eligible to participate in this promotion. All local, state and federal income taxes are the responsibility of the recipient. Accordingly, we recommend that all participants consult a tax advisor about reporting rewards for tax purposes. We will issue the required 1099 to each participant and to the IRS when the total value of awards you are eligible to receive equal or exceed $600 for one year. This advertising is being used for the purpose of soliciting sales of resort campground memberships. This document has been filed with the Department of Licensing, State of Washington, as required by Washington law. Value, quality, or conditions stated and performance on promises are the responsibility of the operator, not the Department. This filing does not mean that the Department has approved the merits or qualifications of any registration, advertising, or any gift, prize, or item of value as part of any promotional plan. This promotion is sponsored by MHC Thousand Trails Limited Partnership, Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60606.

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PREFERRED RV DEALERS Check out member specials on parts, service, and sales by visiting our preferred RV Dealer partners listed here.

USA A&L RV Sales TN - Christiana, Johnson City, Sevierville, Columbia alrvsales.com A Great Outdoor RV Center TX - Canton • agorv.com Affinity RV AZ - Dewey, Prescott, Prescott Valley affinityrv.com Al’s Trailer Sales OR - Salem • alstrailers.com All Valley RV Center CA - Acton • allvalleyrvcenter.com Alpin Haus NY - Amsterdam, Port Jervis, Saratoga alpinhaus.com American Family RV VA - Chesapeake, VA - Salem americanfamilyrv.com Appleton Camping Center WI - Appleton • appletoncamping.com B&B RV CA - Anderson • bbrv.me Bama RV AL - Dothan • bamarv.com Baydo’s RV of Chehalis WA - Chehalis • baydosrvs.com Big Country RV OR - Bend, Redmond • bigcrv.com Blade Chevrolet RV WA - Mt. Vernon • bladerv.com Blue Dog RV CA - Redding ID - Coeur D’Alene ID - Post Falls NV - Las Vegas OR - Bend OR - Gresham OR - Medford OR - Redmond WA - Fife WA - Kennewick WA - Pasco WA - Spokane Valley bluedogrv.com Boat-N-RV NY - West Coxsackie SC - Ridgeland PA - Hamburg boatnrv.com

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Braun’s Fun Time Campers IN - Indianapolis • funtimecampers.com Browns RV SC - McBee • brownsrvsuperstore.com Camperland Trailer Sales TX - Conroe CT - Union FL - Leesburg, Jacksonville, Ocala FL - Saint Augustine IN - Clarksville SC - Myrtle Beach NC - Kings Mountain, Mocksville, Raleigh NH - Kingston, Merrimack PA - Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, MA - Raynham VA - Fredericksburg GA - Macon, Atlanta camperland.net Campers Inn FL - North Jacksonville Fl - Jacksonville GA- Richmond Hill campersinn.com Candy’s Family RV TN - Murfreesboro KY - Scottsville candyscampers.com Canopy Country RV Center WA - Ellensburg, Union Gap canopycountry.com Charlie Obaugh RV VA - Staunton • charlieobaughrv.com Chesaco RV MD - Joppa, Frederick, Gambrills PA - Shoemakersville • chesacorv.com Clear Creek RV WA - Silverdale, Puyallup clearcreekrvcenter.com Cleveland RV GA - Cleveland • clevelandrvsales.com Coastal RV VA - Carrolton • coastalrv.com Colerain Family RV IN - Albany, Indianapolis OH - Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus colerainrv.com Conejo Wholesale Auto and RV CA - Thousand Oaks conejowholesaleauto.com

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2020 TRAILBLAZER

Country Camping Corner NC - Kings Mountain • countrycamping.com Crossroads Trailers NJ - Newfield • crossroadstrailers.com Cunningham Campers, Inc. IN - Jeffersonville • cunninghamcampers.com Dunlap Family RV TN - Knoxville, Chatanooga, Nashville KY - Bowling Green dunlapfamilyrv.com Economy RVs MD - Mechanicsville • economyrvs.com Ellis Travel Trailers GA - Statesboro • ellistraveltrailers.com ET Quality RV CA - Two locations in Yuba City etqualityrv.com FIFE RV Center WA - Fife • fifervcenter.com Floyd’s RV OK - Norman • floydsrvs.com Freedom RV WA - Liberty Lake • freedomrvusa.com Funtime RV OR - Tualatin • funtimervinc.com Gerzeny’s RV World FL - Nokomis• gerzenysrvworld.com Gibs RV Superstore OR - Coos Bay • gibsrvsuperstore.com Gloucester RV Sales & Service VA - Hayes • gloucesterrv.net Grand View Trailers Sales VA - Bedford • grandviewtrailersales.com Halterman’s RV WA - Arlington, Burlington • haltermansrv.com Hayden’s RVs VA - Richmond • haydensrvs.net Haylett RV MI - Coldwater • haylettautoandrv.com Hitch RV DE - Milford NJ - Berlin • hitchrv.com SC - Cloumbia Indian Valley Camper Center PA - Souderton • ivccrv.com Jeff’s Couch’s RV Nation OH - Hamilton • couchsrvnation.com Johnson RV OR - Sandy WA - Fife • johnsonrv.com Keystone RV Center PA - Greencastle • keystonervcenter.com La Mesa RV AZ - W. Phoenix CA - Sacramento, San Diego FL - Ft. Myers, Orlando, Port St. Lucie lamesarv.com Lakeside RV Sales SC - Anderson • lakesidervsales.com

Lazydays RV AZ - Tucson CO - Denver CO - Loveland FL - Tampa FL - Ocala MN - Minneapolis TN - Knoxville lazydays.com Marjon RV CA - Moreno Valley • marjonrvs.com McKay’s RV & Marine Center ME - Holden • mckaysrv.com Media Camping PA - Media • mediacamping.com Mike Thompson RV Superstores CA - Cathedral City, Colton, Fountain Valley, Santa Fe Springs mikethompson.com Mount Comfort RV IN - Greenfield • mountcomfortrv.com Northside Family RV KY- Lexington • northsidervs.com Opelika RV Center AL - Opelika • opelikarv.com Open Road RV Center WA - Arlington, Monroe openroadrvcenter.com Out of Doors Mart NC - Colfax • outofdoorsmart.com Patterson RV TX - Wichita Falls • pattersonrv.com Phillips RV Center MI - Mount Morris • phillipsrv.com PPL Motorhomes TX - Cleburne, Houston, New Braunfels pplmotorhomes.com Princess Craft RV TX - Round Rock • princesscraft.com Recreation Plantation RV Sales IL - Lynwood recreationplantationrvsales.com Roadhouse Camper & RV PA - Lake Ariel, Scranton roadhousecamper.com Roy Robinson RV WA - Marysville • royrobinsonrv.com Russ Dean Family RV WA - Pasco • russdeanrv.com RV City AZ - Huachuca City • rvcity.net RV Country AZ - Bullhead City, Flagstaff, Mesa, Showlow CA - Fresno NV - Laughlin NV - Sparks OR - Coburg WA - Buckley, Fife, Mt. Vernon, Bonney Lake rvcountry.com

RV General Store OK - Newcastle • rvgeneralstore.com RV’s For Less TN - Knoxville • rvforless.net RV Source TX - Bryan • rvsource.com RVs Northwest WA - Spokane • rvsnorthwest.com RV Value Mart PA - Lititz, Manheim, Willow rvvaluemart.com Sahara RV NV - Las Vegas • sahararv.com San Angelo RV TX - San Angelo • sanangelorvs.com Scott Motor Coach RV Center NJ - Lakewood • scottmotorcoach.com Seguin RV TX - Seguin • seguinrv.com Simi RV & Off Road CA - Simi Valley • simi-rv.com Sky River RV CA - Paso Robles, Pismo Beach, Atascadero skyriverrv.com Snyder’s RV VA - Virginia Beach • snydersrv.com Strickland Marine & RV SC - Seneca • stricklandmarineandrv.com Stoltzfus RV’s & Marine PA - West Chester • stoltzfus-rec.com Sunbelt RV Center TX - Belton • sunbeltrv.com Sundown RV Center CA - Atwater • sundownrv.com Super Deals RV Inc. GA - Temple • superdealsrv.com TAC RV NC - Moyock • tactrailerandrv.com The RV Factory Luxe Fifth Wheel IN - Elkhart • luxefifthwheel.com The Trail Center SC - North Charleston • trailcenter.com Tonie’s RV VA - Salem • toniesrv.com Toscano RV CA - Los Banos • toscanorv.com TravelTime RV TX - Sulphur Springs • traveltimerv.com Vancouver RV & Park Model Center WA - Vancouver • vancouverrv.com Vogt RV TX - Airstream of Dallas Fourth Worth Two other D.F.W Vogt locations vogtrv.com Waterdog RV OR - Dayton • waterdogrv.com Welcome Back RV Outlet TX - Athens • welcomebackrv.com

CANADA Wilder RV WA - Port Angeles • wilderrvs.com Action VR QC - Saint-Nicolas • actionvr.ca Camp Out RV ON - Stratford • campoutrv.com Canadream AB - Calgary BC - Vancouver ON - Toronto NS - Halifax QC - Montreal YT - Whitehorse canadream.com GO VR QC - Ange-Gardien • go-vr.com Horizon Lussier QC - Maryville • horizonlussier.com JCS Entreposage QC - Trois Rivières • entreposagejcs.com Kustom Koach RV Centre BC - Aldergrove • kustomkoachrv.com Lardner’s Trailer Sales SK - Saskatoon • lardners.com Le Centre du Vr Victoriaville QC - Saint-Albert • vrvictoriaville.com Leisure Days RV ON - Aylmer, Kingston, Pembroke, Smiths Falls, Sudbury QC - Buckingham, Gatineau, Sherbrooke NB - Salisbury NS - Truro leisuredays.ca Leisure Trailer Sales ON - Tecumseh • leisuretrailers.com O’Connor RV BC - Chilliwack • oconnorrv.com Ottawa Camping Trailers ON - Ottawa • ottawacamping.ca Roulottes AS Levesque QC - Châteauguay, Saguenay, Sainte-Hélène, Trois-Rivières roulotte.ca Roulottes Remillard QC - Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu roulottesremillard.com Véhicules Récréatifs JD QC - Sherbrooke • vrjdrv.ca VR Depot QC - Marieville QC - Vaudreuil-Dorion • vrdepot.ca VR Emond Plus QC - Sainte-Nicolas • vremondplus.com VR Prestige QC - Terrebonne • vrprestige.com VR Souliere QC - Lanoraie, Lavaltrie vrsouliere.com

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Answers: Crossword can be found on 60.

Start planning your fall adventure at

RVontheGo.com

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SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2020 TRAILBLAZER

Answers: Sudoku can be found on 61.

Branching Out...

Seeking a Safer Tomorrow

Help the Manatees, Adopt One Today!

Are you a Photographer or an aspiring Photographer?

Submit your high quality photos about your stay at one of our Thousand Trails Properties for a chance to be featured in TrailBlazer and our Social Media Pages!

Submit your work to tbeditor@equitylifestyle.com Please submit photos with a short description about your stay. Must be a Thousand Trails Member in order to be considered to be featured.

savethemanatee.org Photo Š Wayne Hartley

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2020 TRAILBLAZER

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HD TV TV That That Travels Travels HD With You You With DISH Outdoors Outdoors In In 3 3 Easy Easy Steps Steps DISH Call 1-877-894-6220 Call 1-877-894-6220

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Visit DISHForMyRV.com/Trails or call 1-877-894-6220 Visit DISHForMyRV.com/Trails or call 1-877-894-6220 *With the purchase of a DISH Solo HD receiver and DISH-compatible antenna. Offer limit one per customer. Must mention coupon code at time of order.

Not the validpurchase on previous Minimum programming requirement may apply. *With of apurchases.

DISH Solo HD receiver and DISH-compatible antenna.

Offer limit one per customer. Must mention coupon code at time of order.

Not valid on previous purchases.

Minimum programming requirement may apply.

View packages for complete details.

For Pay-As-You-Go service, all charges, including monthly programming, pay-per-view and equipment upgrades, 66 SEPTEMBER /failure OCTOBER 2020 TRAILBLAZER must be paid in advance; to pay by due date will lead to service disconnection within 24programming, hours. All prices, packages,and programming, features, View packages for complete details. For Pay-As-You-Go service, all charges, including monthly pay-per-view equipment upgrades, functionality and offers subject to change without notice.

State reimbursement charges may apply.

Additional restrictions apply. must be paid in advance; failure to pay by due date will lead to service disconnection within 24 hours. All prices, packages, programming, features,

Wherever your travels take you enjoy lifes’ delights with passion and

LIVE

All without worry, because if something happens and you need medical evacuation home then

LAUGH & Use your SkyMed membership card to pay the bill and

LOVE IT. ®

18 SERVICES

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SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2020 TRAILBLAZER

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LOVE USA

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