TrailBlazer Magazine - July 2015 by TrailBlazer Magazine

JULY 2015 ■ $2.00

A M E R IC A ’S

OLDEST CI TIES Hail to the Chief: Presidential Libraries

JULY 2015 TRAILBLAZER

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JULY 2015 TRAILBLAZER

WHAT’S INSIDE

VOL. 37 ■ ISSUE 6

JULY 2015

Columns

Features

5 Message from Marguerite

20 America’s Oldest Cities Historic Hotspots to Visit

9 Tech Topics 48 Ask RV Bill

Across the Country

36 Hail to the Chief – Presidential Libraries

59 4 Paws on the Road

Lifestyle 18 Updates and Upgrades 28 TrailMix: Celebrating America's Independence

Calendars 10 Preserve Events 14 Local Events ▲

63 Club Calendar

30 I Knew I Was A Trailblazer

Regulars

32 Out n’ About

58 Crossword Puzzle

34 On The Road:

50 Member Deals

62 Sudoku Puzzle

Lorraine Jordan

America's Oldest Cities Though specific choices, dates, and occupation are often debated, there’s no arguing that the United States has several cities and towns that have been continuously inhabited for many centuries. Travel with TrailBlazer as we highlight a few.

46 Who’s in the Kitchen with TrailBlazer? 66 On Location Pennsylvania! With so many camping options in Pennsylvania, the agenda for day trips and things to see and do outside the campground abound, so we’ve highlighted some “don’t miss this” opportunities centering around the campgrounds’ locale. Hershey (PA)

▲ Hail to the Chief When it comes to the history and memorabilia of the United States, presidential libraries across the country are pure gold to travelers.

JULY 2015 TRAILBLAZER

▲

速

Camping is

Always Better with Friends!

YOU receive a $25 Visa速 PrePaid Card when your referral purchases a Thousand Trails Camping Pass!

Plus! Your referral also enters YOU into our 2015 drawing for a chance to win these great prizes:

GRAND PRIZE

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

SECOND PRIZE

4 Nights in Las Vegas, San Francisco or Orlando ($2,000 value)

THIRD PRIZE

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*Details andTRAILBLAZER qualifications for participation in this promotion may apply and are set forth on page 62 of this magazine. JULY 2015

▲ Oakzanita Springs (CA)

MESSAGE from MARGUERITE

y now I am sure many of you have viewed or listened to our new Thousand Trails Anthem. For those of you yearning to sing along all summer, I am sharing the lyrics to our song below. For those who have not yet seen the video or heard the song, please visit our website at ThousandTrails.com. I guarantee it will bring a smile to your face! A thousand trails. A thousand sunsets. A thousand steps up to that summit. A thousand things you haven’t done yet. Just waiting on you to get out the door. A thousand fish you could be hookin’. A thousand s’mores you could be cookin’. Forget those chores. You should be bookin’ down the road because it’s time you found what you’ve been lookin’ for. In the sun of the Florida Keys, up in those Oregon pine trees, under the stars in that Sonoran Desert sky. Zip line the California coast. Spearfish the Gulf of Mexico. Soak in a hot tub sippin’ cold ones every night.

And if the folks back home get jealous, just tell ‘em, “Hey, we’re sorry fellas!” You’re welcome to come out and see us. You’ll find us somewhere pretty close to paradise. Down with the RVs, warm breeze, jeans with ripped knees, flip flops, horse clops, good times non stop, yurts and cabins, covered wagons, if you need me I’ll be in the back road trippin’est, burger flippin’est, swim suit drippin’est, Hey Mom look at this, place the good Lord’s ever let me see. A Thousand Trails for you. A Thousand Trails for me. A Thousand Trails for you. A Thousand Trails for me.

Marguerite Nader President & CEO

To see the video of the Thousand Trails Anthem, please visit: thousandtrails.com JULY 2015 TRAILBLAZER

w w w .trailb laze rm agazine .ne t C REAT IV E DIREC T O R Mark Slattery EDIT O R tbeditor@equitylifestyle.com GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Mindy Drexler, Susie Bue C O NT AC T U S TBeditor@equitylifestyle.com ADV ERT ISING SALES TBads@equitylifestyle.com M ISSIO N ST AT EM ENT TrailBlazer provides exclusive news and information for the members and guests of Thousand Trails Family of Resorts. Each issue enhances the recreational lifestyle of its readers through a lively mix of camping and travel features, resort profiles and product features. TRAILBLAZER (ISSN 0747-2293) is published monthly except bimonthly Nov./Dec. and Jan./Feb. by MHCTT Memberships, LP, c/o Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc., 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.

T RAILB LAZER M AGAZINE Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 800 Chicago, IL 60606 www.trailblazermagazine.net NEW SU B SC RIPT IO NS 1-877-252-9320 PRINT ED IN T HE U SA

T HO U SAND T RAILS RESERV AT IO NS Call: 800-288-7245

Canada: 228-497-3594 April 1 to August 31 Mon. - Fri. 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CST September 1 to March 31 Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST

V ISIT W W W .T HO U SANDT RAILS.C O M ST ARS AU T O M AT ED RESERV AT IO NS 800-859-STAR (7827)

ENC O RE RESERV AT IO NS

▲ Chesapeake Bay (VA): Our 5-year-old son and chocolate lab enjoying the Piankatank River on Mother's Day weekend – Jenny Parker, Portsmouth, VA

Now Win $50 EACH Issue! Pics from the Parks Photo Submissions Do you have a winning photo from your visits to our properties? We’d love for you to share it with us and what’s more, your submission will now be entered into our photo contest. each issue! Winners will receive a $50 Visa® Gift Card. Each issue we will select ONE “winning” photo from the submissions received (all submissions must be received by midnight on the last day of the month). Winning photo will be posted on the TrailBlazer website as well as in the magazine. Photo submissions should include a brief description, including location of your photo, your name, city and state and sent to:

TrailBlazer_photos@equitylifestyle.com or mail to:

Equity LifeStyle Properties Attn: TrailBlazer Photos Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 800 Chicago, IL 60606

877-570-2267

V ISIT W W W .RV O NT HEGO .C O M Remember! Thousand Trails members get preferred rates at Encore RV resorts.

Emailed photos should be high resolution. Photos are not returnable and become the property of Equity LifeStyle Properties and may be used for publication on company websites and promotional purposes. One winner will be selected EACH month from submissions received. The winner will be announced in a future TrailBlazer issue and on www.trailblazermagazine.net.

JULY 2015 TRAILBLAZER

PICS FROM THE PARKS

▲ Idyllwild (CA): This is a picture of my family on a hike at the Thousand Trails campground in Idyllwild, CA. – Courtney Nicholls, Camarillo, CA

▲ Lake of the Springs (CA): We recently purchased a new RV and the first place we went was Thousand Trails’ Lake of the Springs resort in Oregon House, California. This is my son David looking out at the lake during a hike we took. Great place to fish! – Alan Olsen

▲ Wilmington (OH): This is my grandson and his friend. My family has been members since 1986. My son grew up enjoying Thousand Trails and now my grandson does too! – Jill Pritchard Spring Valley, Ohio

JULY 2015 TRAILBLAZER

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JULY 2015 TRAILBLAZER

TECH

TOP CS:

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

by Paul and Kerri Elders

This month, we’ll take a look at a few quick tips to help you make the most of your RV's space, so you can optimize its handling characteristics on the road. We'll also give you a few useful reminders that should be on your “To Do Checklist” before you pull out of any campsite. It’s all too easy to forget something simple and end up with a repair bill you never expected. But, not if you plan ahead! Let's get with it!

Cut Excess Weight: Never overload your RV beyond the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) recommended by the manufacturer. Overloaded RVs are very difficult to handle in challenging weather and unpredictable road conditions. An overloaded RV not only stresses the driver and passengers, it also stresses the suspension, the engine, and the brakes, all of which we depend upon for our safety. Always remember to balance the load in your RV, top to bottom, side to side, and front to back. Keep heavy items low, and keep weight distributed as evenly as possible across all loads. Take into account the location of the water tanks, fuel tanks, engine, and, if you have a residential size refrigerator, heavier appliances when packing. Also remember that areas with slideouts are “heavier” than those without. Never overload the back end; it will cause the front end to be too light. Unevenly distributed weight and shifting loads can cause accidents. Always secure all cargo, inside and out.

You're a Pilot, Too: Many RV mishaps are caused by simple forgetfulness: leaving doors unlatched, awnings unlocked, antennas up, or electric steps deployed. We’ve all done it, especially as “newbies.” But it’s really easy to avoid trouble,

if you create a simple step-by-step checklist for yourself, just like jet pilots do. Conduct a two minute walk-around inspection before hitting the road, and you've got the problem licked. Here are a few things you might want to add to your list:

If you’re carrying a toad, be sure to inspect your hookup. Double check brake lights and signal light hookups, make sure the steering wheel's unlocked, the emergency brake is off, the transmission is in “neutral,” and the doors are locked.

Get a weather report and have a general idea of your route for the day. Check your gas gauge. Take a quick look under the rig. See any fluid leaks? Check oil, transmission, coolant, and windshield wiper fluid levels. Visually inspect tires and wheels. Make sure signal lights, headlights, and emergency flashers are working properly.

Lower all antennas. If you have a portable satellite dish, make sure you've stowed it. Make sure all storage bay doors are not only firmly closed, but locked. Now, take the time to inspect the pathway your RV will be taking when pulling out. Watch for low hanging limbs, utility poles, small trees, decorative fences, drainage ditches, and simple issues like potholes, broken glass, etc. And, don’t forget your lawn chairs!

Make sure the oven is off, the stovetop burners are off, appliances are unplugged and stowed, and all cabinet doors and drawers are closed and latched. Make sure the microwave door is firmly closed and locked. Check that the shower sprayer is properly stored and that the shower door is firmly latched. Raise all blinds and lock in place; close all windows. Secure all electronics and stow all remote controls. Make sure slideouts are properly closed. Close or latch all interior doors, including closet doors. All water should be off, as should the water pump. Turn off the heater and air conditioner, if appropriate. Latch the refrigerator door. Turn off all lights. Verify that all water and sewer lines have been disconnected and properly stowed and that your blackwater valve is securely off. Doublecheck that electrical cords, electrical jacks, and any TV or other cables are unplugged and stowed. Be sure that leveling jacks are retracted and blocks properly stored. Make sure the awning has been closed and properly locked. It’s usually a good idea to turn off propane bottles.

Secure Your Stuff: If you have electronic equipment, consider Thumb-Lock fasteners (“TV Grips”) to “lock them down” during travel. Originally designed for the Navy, Thumb-Locks are made of plastic and the base of the Thumb-Lock secures to the countertop with its own adhesive. The top portion of the Thumb-Lock attaches to the bottom or side of the item to be secured. As the name implies, you simply use your thumb to lock the item (such as a computer monitor, TV, printer, etc.) into place on the countertop. If you want to move the item, you can easily unlock it. This helps prevent “rough road” accidents that can result in a computer monitor or printer that bounces off your countertop and onto the floor. Thumb-Lock fasteners are available online at Amazon.com and may even be available at your local RV supply house. Best wishes for a happy, healthy, and fun-filled summer; let's get out there and make some memories that will last a lifetime!

JULY 2015 TRAILBLAZER

JULY events AND

Activities and Events – On-Site

ACTIVITIES

For a complete listing of events at the preserves, please visit www.thousandtrails.com to view our Theme Weekends directory.

WEEKEN

Find Your Trail

ThousandT

rails.com

2015 TT Theme

Weekends V10.indd

4/2/15 6:20 PM

TT 46th Anniversary & Member Appreciation

Happy 46th Anniversary, Thousand Trails! Folks will be celebrating all across the country on July 18 with food, contests, and much more! Don’t stuff yourself too much with that tasty BBQ at Turtle Beach Fish Camp (CA), there will be a cake eating contest. Get creative with your cake decorating skills for the turtle themed cake baking contest. What a way to celebrate! There’s also a celebration at Wilderness Lakes (CA) plus craft making and family movie night. Cherokee Landing (TN) is ready to fire up the grill with y’all to enjoy some good food and friends and show appreciation for its great members! Rondout Valley (NY) will be celebrating with crafts, games, an evening corn roast, and s’mores, and don’t forget to sign up your family for the Poker Walk at the Store!

Christmas in July

From July 24 to 26, Santa Claus is coming to Natchez Trace (TN), and is also making a stop at Grandy Creek (WA) and Yukon Trails (WI)! Sing carols, decorate cookies, and enjoy a musical gift exchange at Pio Pico (CA), too. Christmas in July is a hilarious and fun twist on a classic holiday. Join the folks at Little Diamond (WA) for White Elephant Bingo, a wagon ride under the stars, and toy drive for Toys for Tots – just because it’s July doesn’t mean the Christmas spirit has to go away in the summertime!

JULY 2015 TRAILBLAZER

All events, times and dates are subject to change.

Activities and Events – On-Site

Rockin’ Out Weekends Nothing says “summertime” like an outdoor concert. Seaside (OR) will be enjoying the classic rock 'n roll sounds of Storm’n Norman the evening of July 31 for the annual Seaside Rock’n S’mores Weekend party! Don’t miss the Oregon Trails Banjo Weekend at Seaside (OR) on July 24-26.

Three performances are scheduled for the weekend and you’ll surely have your toes tapping and hands clapping to the tunes of The Banjo Group. Tranquil Timbers (WI) will be throwing it back for the 80s/90s Rock Party and Game Show Weekend on July 31 to Aug 2.

Make sure you dress like a rock star for this one! Maybe bluegrass is your style? The folks at Idyllwild (CA) will be having a Bluegrass Weekend on July 18-20, all performances are in the amphitheater. You can even bring your own instrument and join in!

Chill Out

It is HOT out there! Chill out with the folks at Las Vegas (NV) on Saturday July 18 for the Sno Cone social – they will be serving up original sno cones! There will be a pool party, slip n’slide, and water balloon/water gun fight on Saturday at Forest Lake (NC) and at Lake of the Springs (CA). Russian River (CA) will host a Summer Splash River Float event and they’ll even be prepared to get soaked at Lake & Shore (NJ) where there will be water balloon battles, squirt gun fights, and the biggest splash and speed slide contests from July 30 until Aug 2. When it comes to beatin’ the heat, make sure you’re having fun!

Some events may require a participation fee.

JULY 2015 TRAILBLAZER

Activities and Events – On-Site

Off to the Race Weekends Start your engines! These TT campgrounds are Off to the Races in July. The Annual Wooden Car Races will take place at Mount Vernon (WA) on July 11 plus a special performance by Shane Cobane as Elvis! The friendly people at

Bay Landing (TX) encourage you to get the sand between your toes – build sandcastles and launch your cardboard boat at the beach for the annual Boat Regatta. It’s Hot Wheels Weekend at Lake Conroe (TX) on July 25. Just bring your

Man’s Best Friend

controlled cars to race and gear up for the golf cart games and races. At the end of the month, Scotrun (PA) will host dancing, Jelly bones, and NASCAR watching.

Our pets love summertime, too! So, bring your dog to Cultus Lake (B.C.) for Hot Dog Weekend from July 18-20 where there will be a Thousand Trails International Doggy Show. “Best of Show,” "Best Dressed,” “Most Well Behaved,” and “Most Agile Doggy” will win prizes! At Bend/Sunriver (OR), there will be bird-house and bird feeder making event, plus gummy worms to eat for Bird Brain Weekend on Friday and on Saturday, the Sweet Bonnie Gayle Band will provide live entertainment in the Lodge. Don’t forget about Whalers Rest (OR) who have a Gone to the Dogs Weekend. Bring your dogs for the Puppy Parade and costume contest, or try your paws at the agility test. There will be Bow Wow Bingo on Saturday evening that weekend.

JULY 2015 TRAILBLAZER

Activities and Events – On-Site

Get Weird

Do something a little different this summer at these campgrounds! On July 18, join the folks at Ponderosa (CA) for Cosmicon, featuring out of this world games and prizes! Test your skills on Smear the Alien, Flying Saucer Toss, Saturn Ring Toss, plus making your very own “alien buddies.” July 10-12 is Civil War Weekend at Little Diamond (WA). Come see the living history demonstrations, parade, infantry, cavalry, and artillery demos. It’s a whole weekend of the unknown at Twin Mills (IN), which will be hosting a Mystery Weekend July 25-27. Bring your inner curiosity because this will be one of the most interesting events all year and you won’t want to miss it! It’s getting wacky at Indian Lakes (IN) from July 10-12 for Wacky Backwards Weekend. On Friday there will be a movie and free popcorn at the Pavilion and Saturday, put your clothes on backwards for some wacky games.

Tasting Festivals

Octoberfest comes early this year at Tranquil Timbers (WI) for Germanfest/Octoberfest Weekend July 24-26. Join in for brats, buns, and soda and you bring your favorite sides to share. There will also be bingo, wagon rides, crafts, bean bag and horseshoe tournaments, plus more! Saturday night come and dance to the Polka Band! The last weekend of

the month, July 31 - Aug 2, the folks at Arrowhead (WI) host the Wisconsin Winefest Celebration. There will be wine tasting for adults, a glow in the dark parade for the kids, an ice cream social, and a community volleyball game in the sand pit. Don’t miss the Fourth Annual Taste of Camping weekend at Pine Country (IL) on July 31 - August 2.

RV dealers will display brand new and used RVs plus various RV supplies. Wine and microbrew tastings, plus a special performance from Roger “Hurricane” Wilson, and demonstrations by the Dutch Oven Diva are not to be missed!

CALENDAR events

July 4 4TH OF JULY - ROCK THE DOCK!

Activities and Events – Local

LOCAL

La Conner (WA)

Celebrate our nation’s birthday in La Conner! There will be an old fashioned parade, picnic in Pioneer Park, music by the Geoffrey Castle Band, fireworks, and a beer garden.

visitskagitvalley.chambermaster.com Week of July 4 LOGGERODEO The City of Sedro-Woolley is proud to present Loggerodeo. Held the week of July 4, the Loggerodeo is Washington’s oldest 4th of July celebration featuring logging contests, parades, carnival attractions, fun run, and a must-see rodeo.

loggerodeo.com Sundays in July GREAT MUSIC IN GILKEY SQUARE Every Sunday in July there will be activity in Gilkey Square, alternating between a live band and an open market. Located at the intersection of Morris and 1st in La Conner, WA.

▲ STP - Photo courtesy of Bob Harbinson

Chehalis (WA)

July 11-12 36TH ANNUAL SEATTLE TO PORTLAND BICYCLE CLASSIC (STP) This 200+ mile rally winds through the beautiful and scenic countryside of western Washington and Oregon and right through the middle of our city of Chehalis/Centralia. It is the largest two-day bicycling event in the Pacific Northwest, last year hosting 10,000 registered riders from 7 countries and 45 states.

cascade.org/node/6801 Fridays: July 17, 24, & 31 MUSIC IN THE PARK AT RECREATION PARK/PENNY PLAYGROUND July 17 - Veotberg Family July 24 - Borrowed Time/ Third Stage July 31 - New Blues Brothers All shows are from 7-9:30 pm. Bring your own chairs and blankets. Food from Jeremy’s Farm to Table will be available.

Idyllwild (CA)

July 4 ROTARY CLUB’S 14TH ANNUAL 4TH OF JULY PARADE

lac onne rliv e .c om

Refresh your summer by joining all of us up here on the mountain on North Circle Drive as the Idyllwild Rotary presents the 14th Annual 4th of July Parade. This year will be even more spectacular than ever with over 75 parade entries. Our very own American Legion Color Guard will open the event to the cheers of viewers that come up for cool fresh air, an incredible time, great food, games, and fun in the wisping pines.

portal.clubrunner.ca/7196

Ponderosa (CA)

July 11-12 THE ANNUAL LEMON LILY FESTIVAL Get educated about the threatened native Lily, Lillium parryi, and help educate the public of the Lily’s relevance to Idyllwild. There will be performances from The Penny Royal Players, demonstrations at Pioneer Town, Lemon Lily Tea & Taste fundraisers, and much more!

www.lemonlilyfestival.com

July 4th ANNUAL FAMILY BLAST AT EL DORADO COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS Bring your coolers, propane BBQs and your dancing shoes to the El Dorado County Fairgrounds. Enjoy kid’s activities, food and beverages, live music, hay mazes, arts & crafts, free kid’s contests and games, inflatable bounce house and slides, fireworks, and much more! Please leave your pets, charcoal BBQs and glass containers at home.

e ldoradocountyfair.org/blast.html

JULY 2015 TRAILBLAZER

All events, times and dates are subject to change.

CONCRETE 4TH OF JULY PARADE Come to the 4th of July parade, bring your chair, and join the fun! Grab candy and learn about our awesome town.

concrete-wa.com/events/

Pio Pico (CA)

July 4-5 LET FREEDOM RING WEEKEND Celebrate the 4th of July Pio Pico style. There will be entertainment, lawn games, pool games, decorating contests for bikes, carts, pets, and people. Join in on the 4th of July parade. End the weekend with a big screen movie outdoors.

July 12 SUPER WILD SNOOZE Family Overnight Adventure at the Living Coast Discovery Center! Kids and adults can enjoy a oneof-a-kind experience that includes a full evening of activities, animal encounters, movies, and cozy indoor camping. Come explore the new critters of the Living Coast Discovery Centerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Super Wild exhibit after dark.

thelivingcoast.org

Long Beach (WA)

Wilmington (OH)

Start your Independence Day celebrations off with fireworks over the port in Ilwaco on July 3. Continue the festivities with the Annual Old Fashioned Parade on the afternoon of the 4th in Ocean Park. Finish the day with the fireworks show over the ocean at the Long Beach approach.

Enjoy eight days of action in July with live entertainment, harness racing, an antique tractor pull and a demolition derby. If you enjoy animals, be sure to catch the Junior and Senior Fair Shows of cattle, sheep, hogs, rabbits, chickens, horses, and pets. Discover what a great county fair is like.

July 3-4 INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION

July 15-19 SANDSATIONS

July 11 - July 18 CLINTON COUNTY FAIR

clintoncountyfair.org

Enjoy a weekend full of sand sculpting and artistic amazement. Artists ranging from amateur to professional flock to the beach to showcase their sand sculpting skills. Sandsations is great fun for the whole family. Free hot dogs in the afternoon!

sandsationslongbeach.com

All events, times and dates are subject to change.

JULY 2015 TRAILBLAZER

Activities and Events â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Local

Grandy Creek (WA)

WANT TO BE A

LUCKY WINNER? Lucky winners,

Gary & Karen Nelson from Atco, New Jersey

were camping at Lake and Shore when they were presented with a $1,000 gift card!

Thousand Trails is offering members the opportunity to win a

$1,000 Visa® Prepaid Gift Card

To earn entries into our monthly drawing, simply pay your 2015 dues on time and camp at your favorite TT Preserve. When you pay your annual dues for 2015 in full, you will be entered into our monthly drawing for a $1,000 Visa® Prepaid gift card. There will be one drawing/one winner each month from January through December 2015. In addition, once you pay your dues in full, each time you camp at a Thousand Trails Preserve in 2015, 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 preserve. 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, 2015. This promotion is sponsored by MHC Thousand Trails Limited Partnership, Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60606.

JULY 2015 TRAILBLAZER

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time you took part? Call now, and a patient, knowledgeable product expert will tell you how you can try it in your home for 30 days. If you are not totally satisfied, simply return it within 30 days for a refund of the product purchase price. Call today. • Send & Receive Emails • Have video chats with family and friends • Surf the Internet: Get current weather and news • Play games Online: Hundreds to choose from! Call now toll free and find out how you can get the new WOW! Computer. Mention promotional code 100700 for special introductory pricing.

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Updates & Upgrades

A Jersey Gem...

Chestnut Lake Located in Port Republic, Chestnut Lake provides the ideal home base for exploring all the attractions of New Jersey, Atlantic City, New York City, and Philadelphia, as well as the many great beaches of the Jersey shore. Our recent upgrades provide even more reason for you to plan your summer vacation today!

JULY 2015 TRAILBLAZER

For your summer fun, we are excited to highlight the recent upgrades at Chestnut Lake:

Encore's Mays Landing

• Updated landscaping

Lake & Shore

• New playground equipment

Sea Pines

• Expanded beach area and fountains • Updated office and registration

Encore's Echo Farms

• Expanded pool area with updated deck and new pool furniture

Chestnut Lake

y e s Je r

JULY 2015 TRAILBLAZER

A M E R IC A ’S

OLDEST CI TIES H is t o r ic

H o t s p o t s t o V is it A c r o s s t h e

C o u n t ry

By Lynn & Cele Seldon

JULY 2015 TRAILBLAZER

Though specific choices, dates, and occupation are often debated, there’s no arguing that the United States has several cities and towns that have been continuously inhabited for many centuries. Of course, Google searches will reveal various – and varied – lists “ranking” America’s oldest cities, thanks to occasionally fuzzy records when it comes to founding, changed town and city names, and abandonment that starts continuously occupied status all over again.

▲ Balboa Park San Diego, California

JULY 2015 TRAILBLAZER

Most lists of historic cities using the “continuously inhabited” filter consistently include historic hotspots like: St. Augustine, Florida; Jamestown, Virginia; Plymouth, Massachusetts; and San Diego, California. Though there are many other historic destinations worth exploring, we’ve chosen to highlight these four to provide geographic, historic, and diverse attractions.

St. Augustine, Florida By the time the first English settlement was founded in the New World in Jamestown in 1607, the city of St. Augustine in what is now the state of Florida had been thriving for more than 40 years. Founded by Spanish explorer Pedro Menendez de Aviles in 1565, Spanish influence and history is still evident throughout the city today. Anytime is a great time to visit historic St. Augustine, but 2015 is especially appropriate, since 22

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the city is celebrating its 450th anniversary with a wide variety of special events. Located in the Visitor Information Center, the exhibit, Tapestry: The Cultural Threads of First America, is a signature St. Augustine 450th Commemoration exhibition that shares the story of three intertwining cultures – Hispanics, Africans, and Native Americans. After stopping by the Visitor Information Center for Tapestry and to make plans for exploration (including frequent trolley tours and horse-drawn carriage rides), the Colonial Quarter is a great place to start. Situated in the heart of downtown St. Augustine, this is a two-acre living history museum that recreates the city’s past through authentically costumed historic interpreters and buildings and displays depicting European history from the 16th to the 18th century. Highlights also include a 17th century watch tower with great views and

refreshments (think sangria!) and food at Taberna de Caballo, a recreated Spanish tavern. The Colonial Quarter’s watch tower overlooks the waterfront Castillo de San Marcos, which is a massive fort that took more than 20 years to build (1672-1695). America’s oldest masonry fort and the nation’s first national monument, Castillo de San Marcos helped protect the burgeoning city and Spain’s treasure fleet from pirates and the English. Nearby, the Mission Nombre de Dios Museum, the towering Great Cross at Mission Nombre de Dios, and Our Lady of Le Leche Chapel are also worth visits. El Galéon, the authentic replica that traversed the coast 500 years ago, is back at its North American homeport in Matanzas Bay at St. Augustine Municipal Marina and it’s open for tours through mid-July as part of the St. Augustine 450th Commemoration, which culminates September 4-8, 2015, with many more events.

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St. Augustine, Florida Photo courtesy of Sean Pavone

apart from each other on Island Drive and the Colonial Parkway: Historic Jamestowne and Jamestown Settlement. Operated by Colonial National Historical Park and Jamestown Rediscovery (on behalf of the nonprofit, Preservation Virginia), there’s much to see at Historic Jamestowne on the banks of the James River. Known as “America’s Birthplace,” Historic Jamestowne’s grounds include an excellent Visitor Center, gift shop, and various sites in Old Towne and New Towne, much of which has been revealed thanks to historical research and careful excavations.

Near downtown, other historic attractions await. The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park commemorates the founding of La Florida by Spaniard Ponce de Leon and the first St. Augustine settlement in 1565 (including boat works, cannon firings, and exhibits demonstrating early Spanish life), plus the explorer’s legendary search for the Fountain of Youth. Out toward the Atlantic Ocean, the possibilities include the St. Augustine Alligator Farm, Anastasia State Park, St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum, and – further south on the coast – iconic Marineland.

Thanks to Preservation Virginia’s efforts and the work of many, Old Towne features the original site of 1607’s James Fort, remains from the 1600s Church Tower, 1907’s Memorial Church, the fascinating Voorhees Archaearium Archaeology Museum, statues of Pocahontas and Captain John Smith, dining at Carrot

Tree Kitchen in the Dale House, and more. Past the towering Tercentenary Monument, New Towne features brick replicas that mark various excavated foundations from the expanded settlement, including warehouses, Swann’s Tavern, rowhouses and other abodes, and early governor’s properties. Along with regular guided tours by park rangers, archaeologists, or costumed interpreters, visitors following in the footsteps of Smith and Pocahontas may encounter “settlers” and other historic figures, as well as archaeologists who are continuing to uncover the America’s early history. Nearby and still part of Historic Jamestowne, the Glasshouse of 1608 features artisans demonstrating glassblowing techniques from the 1600s, with a small shop selling their wares. Administered by the Commonwealth of Virginia, Jamestown Settlement is a stateoperated living history ▼Jamestown Settlement, Virginia Photo courtesy of Lynn and Cele Seldon

Jamestown, Virginia Without doubt or debate, Jamestown (or Jamestowne, as it was once known) is one of America’s most historic places. The 1607 founding of America’s first English colony and the centuries to follow are proudly on display at two Jamestownarea destinations just a mile

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museum located near the original settlement site. The story of Jamestown’s founders and immigrants and Virginia’s original inhabitants is told through modern gallery exhibits and historical interpretations in outdoor settings, including a recreated Powhatan Indian village, replicas of the three ships that landed in 1607, a colonial fort, and a riverfront discovery area (seasonal) that highlights waterway transportation and commercialism. A visit starts with the docudrama film, “A Nation Takes Root,” and continues with a “great hall” that takes visitors on a journey from 1600 to 1699 – when the capital of Virginia was moved from Jamestown to Williamsburg. Through over 500 artifacts, displays, and more, three major sections of exhibition galleries show pre-17th century Virginia, the relationship between Virginia’s colonists and the native Powhatans, and the political, social, and economic development of Jamestown in the 17th century. Next, the Powhatan Indian village features historical interpreters growing and preparing food, processing animal hides, building dugout canoes, making tools and pottery, and weaving plant fibers. A path leads to a pier with recreations of the three ships that carried the original settlers to Virginia in 1607 – the Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery – including historical interpretation of the four-anda-half month voyage. Palisaded James Fort is the final stop and is a recreation of the settlement as it was from 1610-14, including dwellings, a storehouse, the governor’s house, an Anglican church, a court of guard, and historical interpreters firing muskets, forging metal objects, making meals, and more.

Chatham Lighthouse, Cape Cod Photo courtesy of Cole Long

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Plymouth, Massachusetts

The South Shore is known for its scenic coastline, quaint villages, and impressive lighthouses.

Plymouth, established when the Pilgrims arrived in the area in 1620, will forever be the one of America’s stepping stones to our nation’s past. The Pilgrim story, and that of their Native American neighbors, is told in colorful detail at museums and attractions, including Plimoth Plantation, Pilgrim Hall, and numerous historic houses. The footpaths, trails and streets of “America’s Hometown” continue to welcome newcomers as they did four centuries ago. Plimoth Plantation is a re-creation of the Pilgrims’ English settlement in the early-1620s. Related sites include a Crafts Center, a Native Wampanoag Homesite, indoor exhibits, and, at State Pier, Mayflower II. In Downtown Plymouth, visitors will find a reproduction 1636 – era working Grist Mill. A variety of free and guided walking tours are available on Plymouth’s quaint streets. Other area exhibits include: Fuller Craft Museum in the City of Brockton, Hull Lifesaving Museum in the seaside Town of Hull, Scituate Lighthouse on Boston’s South Shore and – September and October weekends – King Richard’s Faire, where visitors (many in medieval costume) find themselves in very realistic “Merry Olde England,” with knights, jousters’ wenches and victuals fit for a king. Plymouth County has a wealth of natural resources as well: State Parks, salt- and fresh-water beaches, and scenic parks and

marshlands. Deep-sea fishing excursions are available from a number of harbors. With 24 golf courses, some designed by the world’s finest course architects, the county is well known as a golfer’s destination. Daily seasonal whale-watch cruises or daytrips to Cape Cod, narrated harbor and Cape Cod Canal tours blend well with contemporary art museums. The South Shore Natural Science Center in Norwell is an educational opportunity that families and nature lovers will enjoy. Explore our historic coastline and proud maritime heritage. Take a driving tour on our Back Roads or enjoy lunch or evening dining overlooking Cape Cod Bay. The South Shore is known for its scenic coastline, quaint villages, and impressive lighthouses. Visitors will find museums sharing the history of lifesaving or the Irish Mossing industry, not to mention centuries-old homes converted into restaurants that now offer seaside dining. And, speaking of dining, the Plymouth area features a variety of restaurants specializing in fresh seafood, including Rock Bottom Seafood, Wood’s Seafood, and Dinatale Seafood. In 2020, Plymouth will begin the celebration of its 400th anniversary. However, there’s no need to wait until then to visit one of America’s most historic cities. ▼ Provincetown, Massachusetts Photo courtesy of Andres Garcia

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on the west coast of what would become the United States. It also represents San Diego’s Hispanic heritage from 1821 to 1872, when Mexico gained independence from Spain and took over the area. The six-block park features Mexican lore and historical sites presented through museums, preserved and restored adobe and wooden buildings, shops, and restaurants.

▲ San Diego's Balboa Park

San Diego, California Known as the birthplace of California, the city of San Diego and all of San Diego County are steeped in west coast history. First “discovered” in 1542, which is celebrated at Cabrillo National Monument on Point Loma, San Diego’s history is easily explored. San Diego was home to Native Americans long before European explorers landed on the coast. Today, there are 18 Native American reservations in the county – more than any other county in the United States. The Barona Cultural Center & Museum and Cupa Cultural Center are both great places to explore this part of San Diego’s history. Portugal’s Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo sailed into San Diego Bay under the Spanish flag in 1542. Visitors to Cabrillo National Monument are awarded with panoramic views of the city, ocean, and mountains. Along with the monument, there’s a visitors center and exhibit hall for learning more about the landing and more. Each September, the annual Cabrillo Festival celebrates the explorer’s time and legacy, with a collaboration of Native 26

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American, Mexican, Spanish, and Portuguese culture, activities, and events, including the reenactment of Cabrillo’s fleet landing in San Diego Bay. Spanish colonization brought many missions to San Diego County. Out of 21 established by Father Junipero Serra of Spain, the first and largest can be found in the county. Mission San Diego de Alcala was originally located in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park as Father Serra’s mission in the state and was relocated to its present Mission Valley site near the San Diego River in 1774. Highlights of a tour can include the original chapel, the mission’s museum, and the oldest known cemetery in California. Other missions include Mission San Luis Rey (the state’s largest mission), Santa Ysabel, and Assistencia de San Antonio de Pala (better known at Pala Mission). San Diego’s Old Town is where visitors will witness the living legacy of California’s birthplace at Old Town San Diego State Park. This was the city’s first “downtown” and marks the site of the first Spanish settlement

Old Town highlights can include: a tour with state guides, Casa de Estudillo (one of the most famed original adobe dwellings), Casa de Aguirre Museum (home to one of the city’s wealthiest merchants and later a school for Native American children), Whaley House; Heritage Park’s seven picture-perfect homes and the city’s oldest synagogue, and historic Plaza del Pasado, where restaurants like Jolly Boy Restaurant and Saloon and Casa de Reyes feature dishes derived from historic Ranch California recipes and stores stocked with merchandise reflecting the park’s place history. San Diego’s “new town” is called the Gaslamp Quarter and it was established by Alonzo Horton in 1869 near the growing city’s

waterfront. The area eventually attracted brothels, saloons, and gambling halls late in the century, leading to a red light district called, “The Stingaree,” which was outlawed in 1812. Today, visitors can enjoy walking tours, the William Heath Davis Historic House Museum (the neighborhood’s oldest surviving structure, which was shipped around Cape Horn and assembled in San Diego in 1850), and the historic Horton Grand Hotel, a Victorian charmer next door to Ida Bailey’s famous brothel and scene of the “Great Raid” in 1912 that marked the downfall of the red light district’s reputation. Next, the waterfront community of Coronado also has lots of San Diego history to explore. The famed Hotel del Coronado was the largest hotel in the world when it was built in 1888 and, today, the grandeur of the Victorian age is showcased in the hotel’s Museum Market, including historical displays and photographs showing the hotel’s construction, romantic past, and old Hollywood connections (including its role as the backdrop for “Some Like it Hot”). Along with varied area

walking tours, there’s the excellent Coronado Historical Association Museum of History and Art on Orange Avenue, Coronado’s main thoroughfare. San Diego’s Balboa Park is the largest cultural complex west of the Mississippi and the largest urban cultural park in the nation. It’s often referred to as the “Smithsonian of the West,” with the possibilities including the San Diego History Center, the San Diego History Museum, and several guided tours. San Diego’s East County includes the mountain community of Julian, which was the heart of San Diego’s mining days from the mid-1800s to the closing of the mines in the 1920s. Along with self-guided walking tours of quaint Main Street and beyond, modern-day Julian explorers will enjoy the Julian Power Museum and the Eagle and High Peak Mine, one of Julian’s first mines. San Diego’s major military heritage can be explored throughout the city. The options include: the decommissioned USS Midway (home to the USS Midway Museum), the Military History

Exhibit at the Carbrillo National Monument, the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum (the nation’s only Marine Corps aviation museum), the Veterans Museum and Memorial Center, and Fleet Week each fall, including the Miramar Air Show and the famed Blue Angels. Along with the Hotel del Coronado and the Horton Grand Hotel, several other historic hotels and inns are well worth a visit. Dating back to 1827, Old Town’s Casa Bandini was reconstructed into The Cosmopolitan Hotel after a multimillion-dollar restoration in 2010. Originally opened in 1910, the U.S. Grant in the Gaslamp Quarter emphasizes its early-1900s wood, marble, and artistic décor. La Valencia Hotel is perched atop La Jolla Cove, is known as “The Pink Lady of Jolla,” and has hosted the likes of Groucho Marx, Lilian Gish, and Mary Pickford. Plus, one-time mansions that are now historic San Diego inns include the Britt Scripps Inn and the Glorietta Bays Inn. All of these historic building offer a slice of San Diego’s rich history. ▼ Casa de Balboa Building

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TrailMix

Celebrating America's Independence Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the fireworks display, the BBQs, or just sheer patriotism, there is no shortage of ways to celebrate Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s independence. Thousand Trails and Encore RV Resorts have got a wide range of activities to celebrate, including cookouts, live music, fireworks displays, parades, and much more!

MIDWEST . . . . . . . . . . Celebrate the 4th at Yukon Trails (WI) with food, live entertainment, and LyndonFest, which is held every July in the town of Lyndon Station and features a parade, baseball, food, music, and fireworks. The folks of Sturgeon Bay will be celebrating with food cooked by the Pioneer Fire Department and spectacular fireworks beginning at dusk, all within a very short distance of Tranquil Timbers (WI) campground. Decorate your bikes and golf carts with red, white, and blue to join the parade at Arrowhead (WI). There will be a huge display of over 1,300 fireworks in Downtown Wisconsin Dells to celebrate July 4, located less than a 10 minute drive from the Arrowhead campground.

SOUTHWEST . . . . . . . . Country singer Chris Guenther will make an appearance at Desert Paradise (AZ) for the weekend long July 4 celebrations and in the nearby city of Yuma, there will be a prominent fireworks display. If you’re in San Benito (CA), you won’t want to miss The Hollister Freedom Rally in downtown Hollister and one of the biggest celebrations of American bikers. Expect everything from food, entertainment, and bike vendors, all there to celebrate biking and American independence. Maybe just keeping it local is your style and in that case, hang out at Lake Minden (CA) where it will be a full patriotic day of music, dancing, and fireworks, plus a craft fair right on the campground.

NORTHEAST . . . . . . . . There’s never a bad time to help out others. The folks at Rondout Valley (NY) will host their Annual Red Cross Blood Drive on the 4th. A pie eating contest and a live band are the main events for Independence Day celebrations at Sea Pines (NJ), but be sure not to miss the fireworks display at the Jersey Shore. The folks at Lake & Shore (NJ) will be heating things up in the evening with a nighttime 4th of July pool party, so you can get your swimming on before and after fireworks.

NORTHWEST . . . . . . . . Every July 4th, folks visiting Pacific City (OR) can attend the Clover Days parade in nearby Cloverdale, a parade led by “the most famous cow in town,” plus music, a classic car show, an art fair, and of course, fireworks in the evening. Maybe an AllAmerican classic celebration is more your style? Head to Leavenworth (WA) for a fun day of hot-dog eating contests, an apple pie social, and a decorating contest for “Most Patriotic Campsite.” Don’t miss a showing of the classic movie about a bunch of misfit kids playing the classic American sport, baseball, in “The Sandlot.” Celebrations are happening all weekend at Seaside (OR) - there will be a fireworks display on the beach on Saturday and live music from The T3 Band on Sunday.

SOUTHEAST . . . . . . . . . Located on the banks of the Yadkin River, Forest Lake (NC) is located just a couple of hours from Asheville, NC, where on July 4th, there will be more food, fireworks, bouncy houses, and patriotic activities than you can handle. At Green Mountain (NC), there will be a golf cart parade, cornhole tournament, back seat driver contest, and live band to celebrate the 4th. If you head to nearby Charlotte, NC, the U.S. National Whitewater Center will hold their fifth annual July 4th Celebration with two days of live music, food, fireworks and good times. by Annie Berman

JULY 2015 TRAILBLAZER

I KNEW I WAS A

TrailBlazer

TB: How did you first hear about Thousand Trails? CD: When we purchased our first RV, we received a free year from our RV dealer. We were instantly hooked and continue to use Thousand Trails today.

TB: What is one of your fondest camping memories? How about one of your fondest TT memories? CD: In Maine when our boxer Rocky had his first experience running on the beach and ran into the water. He loved it so much we took him to the beach everyday!! So far, Maine is our favorite place. It’s just so beautiful. We've been twice and plan to go again, but first we’ll go west. We are also talking about Florida for the winter. Being from Ohio, a lot of our RV friends that have retired go to Florida for the warm weather! ▲ Cathy Dominiak

This month, TrailBlazer would like to introduce you to Ed and Cathy Dominiak, two avid RVers who are eager to explore the United States! Once Ed retires later this summer, they plan to do just that!

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TB: How long have you been camping and RVing? Who introduced you to it? Tell us how it all began! CD: My husband, Ed, was four years from retirement and he wanted to travel the United States. He wanted to buy an RV and we purchased a used Class C. We loved it and last year we upgraded to a Class A and took off for Maine. We had a great time there last fall. We took our daughter and Rocky our boxer this time! We’ve had four years of camping fun. We have talked about seeing things we have never seen before, since purchasing our first RV.

TB: Any funny camping/RVing stories? CD: We enjoy sitting at the camp fire in the evening and talk about our exploring of the day. It’s also very romantic in the evening when it’s just the two of us.

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.) CD: We have a Class A and all the comforts of home, but we do grill outside. We upgraded from a Class C and for us, the Class A drives so much better than a Class C.

TB: Where have you gone that you wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have otherwise, if it hadn't been for your Thousand Trails membership? CD: Maine, Pennsylvania, and up until last year we took [the RV] to the race track when my husband raced. He will be retired in August and we can't wait to take off and explore! Ed had a 1969 Camaro and sold it last year to prepare for retirement and travel. He had drag raced off and on for 20 years and loved the mechanical part the most. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re hoping to visit Maine again. I also want to go to Nevada and the Grand Canyon again for sure. Colorado is another place I want to go, minus the snow!

TB: What is your favorite part about the outdoor lifestyle? CD: That we can sit outside and just be so relaxed. Also, the nice people we meet.

TB: Can you finish this sentence? I knew I was a TrailBlazer when... CD: I could go anywhere I wanted and see all the beautiful places.

Interested in featuring how you knew you were a TrailBlazer? Drop us a note at TBeditor@equitylifestyle.com and share your story with us today!

JULY 2015 TRAILBLAZER

Out n’ About by Joan Rykal

! a i n a v l y s Penn Hershey (PA)

The Keystone State, and one of the Thirteen Original Colonies, is also home to 11 fabulous camping choices in the Thousand Trails family. All the campgrounds are located in the eastern portion of the state with eight dotting the charming Pennsylvania Dutch countryside and three set in the scenic Pocono Mountains. With so many camping options, the agenda for day trips and things to see and do outside the campground abound, so we’ve highlighted some “don’t miss this” opportunities centering around the campgrounds’ locale.

PA Dutch Country The choice of campgrounds here includes Thousand Trails’ Circle M, Gettysburg Farm, Hershey, and PA Dutch, and Encore’s Appalachian, Robin Hill, Spring Gulch, and Sun Valley. And, of course, while the obvious choice for a day trip could include an Amish adventure, a chocolatelover’s dream of a visit to Hershey Park or the history buff's tour of Gettysburg National Military Park, we’ve found a few other things that might catch your fancy. Get Twisted: Visit America’s first commercial pretzel bakery in Lititz. The Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery opened in 1851 and is still operated by the Sturgis family. Visitors can not only tour the bakery and learn the history of pretzel baking but can also get in on the fun by twisting their very own pretzel. For tours and times, visit www.juliussturgis.com or call 717.626.4354. Get your Game on: Visit the Lancaster Archery Academy and get your group together for a rousing Archery Tag Party – a new sports craze

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that combines dodgeball, paintball, and archery skills (using foam-tipped arrows, of course). Please note a minimum of four players is needed and players must be at least eight years old. For more information, visit lancasterarcheryacademy.com. Sample the PA Dutch Cuisine: See what the fuss is all about and experience an authentic smorgasbord of Pennsylvania Dutch Cuisine. There are several choices including Shady Maple Smorgasbord in East Earl, Birdin-Hand Family Restaurant and Smorgasbord in Bird-in-Hand, and Good ‘N Plenty in Smoketown. Whichever you choose, be sure to bring your appetite as there is plenty to enjoy including chicken, turkey, dumplings, mashed potatoes, buttered noodles, soups, salads, and bakery fresh desserts including shoo fly pie! All Aboard: It’s all about the locomotives when you visit several trainthemed attractions in the Lancaster County area. Start with the National Toy Train Museum which features a massive toy train collection dating from the 1800s to the

present. Visitors can help operate any of the five train layouts by pushing a button. For information, visit nttmuseum.org. Move on to the bigger trains with a visit to the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania where you can see historic locomotives and cars. There is also an extensive collection of railroad artifacts on display as well as educational programs for all ages. Check out the museum’s website atrrmuseumpa.org for more information. Then there’s the Choo Choo Barn that features 22 model trains that intersect and wind through a 1700 square foot display. Visitors can see a miniature display of Lancaster County. Train enthusiasts will love the Strasburg Train Shop conveniently located next door. Visit choochoobarn.com for more details and museum hours and rates. Thomas the Tank Engine fans should mark the calendar for September 12-20 when this storybook favorite chugs along the Strasburg Rail Road. Children and families can take a 20 minute ride through the farmlands of Lancaster County on a train pulled by Thomas. Sir Topham Hatt will also be on hand for photos. For information, visit strasborgrailroad.com.

Scotrun (PA)

The Poconos Scotrun and both Timothy Lake North and Timothy Lake South share the scenic location of the Pocono Mountains. Aside from just basking in the beauty of your surroundings, many more experiences await you in this wonderland. Calling all Cowboys and Cowgirls: Come enjoy the thrill of the rodeo at the Pocono Rodeo, held Saturday nights through September 5. Events include Saddle Bronc Riding, Bull Riding, Barrel Racing, and Team Roping. Before the rodeo, enjoy some delicious BBQ and stay after the event for music and dancing. For information, visit poconorodeo.com. Ice, Ice Baby: Watch professional carvers work their magic on giant blocks of ice during a factory tour at Sculpted Ice Works in Lakeville. You can also see how clear ice is made during tour hours. Tours are Wednesdays and Thursday between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. but the company suggests you call in the morning to see what the schedule of carvings is for the day. Visit sculptediceworks.com for more information.

Be Wowed by the Waterfalls: In addition to Bushkill Falls, which is known as “The Niagara of Pennsylvania,” there are also Dingmans Falls, which are the second highest in the state and Raymondskill Falls which are the highest. For a listing of waterfalls and locations in the area visit800poconos.com.

The Best of the Wurst: Set aside July 18-19 to enjoy The Poconos’ Wurst Festival, a Polish and German themed event that features live music, traditional costumed dance performances, ethnic craft vendors, the Bier Stein Olympics and, of course, the best of the wurst as well as wieners, kielbasas, and pierogis. The event is held at Shawnee Mountain and more event information can be found at shawneemt.com. For detailed information about our campgrounds in these areas, visit www.ThousandTrails.com. For tourism information in these areas, visit discoverlancaster.com or 800poconos.com.

JULY 2015 TRAILBLAZER

On The Road 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 chatted with Carolina Road’s Lorraine Jordan...

A Lady of Tradition Hits the Road Quite simply Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road are well on the road to superstardom in the bluegrass world and beyond. Lorraine and her band took home three major awards at the Preservation of Bluegrass Music Association’s 41st Annual Bluegrass Awards in February. The band won Song of the Year for their hit, “That’s Kentucky,” while Jordan won for Female Vocalist of the Year (Traditional) and long-time Carolina Road banjo player, Bob Greene, won Banjo Player of the Year. “With so many great nominees, it is truly an honor to be recognized for doing something we love,” says Jordan. “We are especially grateful to be able to celebrate the work of the late Dixie Hall, who was a co-writer on “That’s Kentucky.” Affectionately known as the ‘Lady of Tradition’ in the bluegrass music community, Lorraine Jordan grew up around the style on the coast of North Carolina. Jordan has performed for more than 20 years and formed Carolina Road in 1998. She continues to be a driving 34

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force behind the band’s popularity and longevity as a consummate performer, songwriter, and show organizer. She now resides in Garner, North Carolina, near Raleigh. Jordan plays a ‘Monroe-style mandolin’ and is known for her hard-driving mandolin chop. “Being able to create great music and share it with others is our dream,” says Jordan.

Tell us a little bit about your home away from home. It’s a 1994 Prevost 45-foot tour bus. It used to belong to Amy Grant before I got it. There are five closets, two of which I use and the boys use the rest of them for their stuff. In the back room, there is a U-shaped couch with a TV and sound. Sometimes we use that room for meetings and music rehearsals before going on stage. On the sides of the bus you see that it says, ‘Lady of Tradition.’ This title was given to me by [the late] Miss Dixie Hall. She also wrote a song about it. It’s a very comfortable home away from home bus.

What's your favorite thing about staying on your bus versus a hotel room? I love to sleep late in the mornings. So one of my favorite things is being able to sleep in without having to get interrupted by room service or having to be up early to “check out” by a certain time. The band and I like to jam sometimes while on the road. We can easily do that on the bus. Hotels kind of frown upon “noise” while people are trying to sleep. If you know me, you know how much of a dog lover I am. I have two adorable 12-year-old Maltese: JD and Polly. With my traveling schedule I am not at home much. With having a bus to stay on, I can easily bring my travel companions with me and not worry about finding a pet friendly hotel while on the road. They love to travel just as much as I do. The boys and I are on the bus just like a family would be traveling down the road.

What are some favorite things onboard? While onboard, I like to call promoters to get future bookings and do other work-related stuff. I’m a big Facebook junkie, so I love catching up on Facebook while being on the bus. I also enjoy talking on the phone with my family and friends. The band and I like to write songs and practice music while going down the road.

Do you listen to music on the road? Of course! We play CDs from our collections of other bands and keep it on Old Country Show on Sirius XM. When we go through towns that have bluegrass stations, we like to call in and say hi. Currently, we are listening to a lot of Kentucky Headhunters and Eddy Raven, since we will be performing shows with them soon.

Photo Courtesy of carolinaroadband.com

Do you like highways or scenic routes?

Do you ever go camping as a vacation?

I think it's a little bit of both. During the spring, summer, and fall time, we love to take scenic routes. The highway can get a bit old and boring sometimes. When it’s really nice out and there is a scenic route to take, we take it. As for the winter months of traveling, just to be on the safe side with the crazy weather we mostly take the highway.

I used to have an RV and would go camping frequently. Bluegrass festivals remind me of the days I used to camp with my family. When camping and attending bluegrass festivals, the atmosphere is similar. You meet and mingle with new folks, take nice walks, and cook out. I would rather be camping than staying in a hotel. I can even take my motorcycle with me!

What's your favorite meal to enjoy onboard or on the road?

What are a few favorite destinations? Anywhere that there is no snow! We don’t like to travel in the snow because we are from the south and can't drive in it. For the winter, we like to travel south and for the summer we go up north. We love to travel to the western parts of the USA. We seldom get to visit, but we thoroughly enjoy visiting when we have the opportunity. Our favorite place to go is Cabela’s in Michigan. My boys just love that place! I love a good truck stop.

On the road, I eat most of my meals at Cracker Barrel and Bob Evans. I have thought of asking them for a sponsorship. I like banana sandwiches and tomato sandwiches as well. Quite often, fans bring us homemade meals, which I really enjoy. Several fans cook for us at festivals and let us take the leftovers to eat on the bus on the way home. We always keep the microwave busy on the way home. On the bus, our favorite snack is popcorn. I drink a lot of Diet Mountain Dew. My banjo player, Ben Greene, eats on the bus all the time. His favorite things to eat are canned tuna, sardines, and lots of smelly fish stuff.

Has anyone ever approached you in a rest stop or somewhere else and asked to see your rig? Oh yes! We are approached all the time. People ask us who is on the bus and we tell them Charlie Pride or Led Zeppelin. When the shock sets in, we tell them we are kidding. To learn more about Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road, visit www.carolinaroadband.com.

JULY 2015 TRAILBLAZER

Hail to the Chief Presidential Libraries Across The Country By Lynn & Cele Seldon

When it comes to the history and memorabilia of the United States, Presidential Libraries across the country are pure gold to travelers. Every president has been a trailblazer in one or more ways and presidential libraries devoted to past leaders of the United States make for interesting destinations – even if you voted for the other candidate. Our Presidential Libraries and Museums are national treasures where people of all ages can

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explore the Presidency and the American experience,” says Susan K. Donius, Director of the Office of Presidential Libraries at the National Archives and Records Administration in College Park Maryland. “The Libraries preserve the documents and artifacts of our Presidents and provide insight into the times in which these presidents lived and served our nation. This is a unique heritage that we invite everyone to come and discover.”

George Bush Presidential Library and Museum Photo courtesy of the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives and Records Administration JULY 2015 TRAILBLAZER

Presidential Libraries (including the Ford Museum) aren’t “libraries” in the typical sense of the word, where the traditional activities are the reading and lending of books and other documents. Located across the country, these treasure troves contain and present huge archives of documents, museums containing Presidential artifacts, ongoing public and educational programs, and varied informational websites for virtual visits. The concept of Presidential Libraries started during the second term of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who had a mass of papers and more he and his staff had accumulated over the years. Before Roosevelt, most presidential papers were destroyed, sold, lost, or simply ruined by poor storage conditions of the past. Historians and scholars convinced Roosevelt to preserve his memorabilia. He thus started a tradition that remains today: raising private nonfederal funds for a new facility and then turning it over to the United States to be operated through the National Archives and Records. Thus, Presidential Libraries and their contents truly belong to the American people.

▲ Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum – Photo courtesy of the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives and Records Administration

In 1950, Harry S. Truman decided to build a library to house his presidential papers as well and pushed for congressional action. Congress legislated an actual Presidential Libraries policy back in 1955 with the Presidential Libraries Act. Under this and later acts, more libraries have been established. Once completed, the private organizers turn over the libraries to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) to operate and maintain them. Until 1978, scholars, legal professionals, and Presidents dating back to George Washington’s day generally held the

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view that records created by the President and his or her staff when in office were the personal property of the President and that they were his or hers to take when he or she left office. The Presidential Records Act of 1978 made Presidential records that document the statutory, constitutional, and ceremonial duties of the President the property of the United States Government. When the President leaves office, the Archivist of the United States takes custody of the records. The Presidential Records Act made the continuation of Presidential Libraries as the records repository and the Presidential Libraries Act of 1986 required private endowments linked to the size of the facility and for a portion of these endowments to be used by the NARA to offset some maintenance costs. This often includes popular presidential shopping stops and varied dining.

There are currently 13 Presidential Libraries and Museums. In order of presidencies, they are: Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum in West Branch, Iowa; Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park, New York; Harry S. Truman Library & Museum in Independence, Missouri; Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home in Abilene, Kansas; John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston, Massachusetts; Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum in Austin, Texas; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum in Yorba Linda, California; Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum in Ann Arbor, Michigan and Grand Rapids, Michigan; Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum in Atlanta, Georgia; Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, California; George Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station, Texas; William J. Clinton Presidential Library & Museum in Little Rock, Arkansas; and George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas, Texas. From the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific, here’s an overview of Presidential Libraries and Museums across the country:

Kennedy’s life, presidency (19611963) leadership, and legacy alive. Permanent exhibits include: Campaign Trail; The Briefing Room; The Space Race; The Oval Office; First Lady Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy; and The Kennedy Family. “Highlights Tours” feature footage from the first televised debate, President Kennedy’s Oval Office rocking chair, doodles President Kennedy made during Cuban Missile Crisis meetings, a piece of the Berlin wall, and the handpainted closet doors from Mrs. Kennedy’s dressing room. Many special exhibits and events make each visit unique. There’s also the Museum Store, JFK Café, Harborwalk, and President Kennedy’s 26-foot sailboat, Victura (on display on the grounds from May to October).

Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum (Hyde Park, NY) Opened in 1941, this was America’s first Presidential Library and was the only one used by a sitting President. From the start, its mission

was to foster education and research on the life and times of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, as well as their continuing impact on America, through the museum, archives, education, and public programs. The permanent galleries reopened in mid-2013 to rave reviews. The new exhibits tell the stories of the Roosevelt presidency (1933-1945), beginning in the depths of the Great Depression and through the New Deal and World War II. Special interactive exhibits, immersive audio-visual theaters, and artifacts bring the “New Deal to a New Generation.” Highlights of a visit can include: touch screen experiences in the Oval Office at FDR’s desk and in his Ford Phaeton; ten “Confront the Issues” touch screens (like FDR’s health, the Holocaust, and Japanese American internment); Fireside Chat Environments; the Map Room; many museum collections, and much more. A temporary exhibit showcasing almost 100 presidential gifts given to President Roosevelt by governments, organizations, and private individuals runs through December 31, 2015.

▼ John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum – Photo courtesy of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives and Records Administration

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum (Boston, MA) Starting with the east coast and located at Columbia Point on Boston’s waterfront in a stunning I.M. Pei-designed building, the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum is situated on a 10-acre park landscaped with the shrubs, pine trees, and wild roses that are reminiscent of President Kennedy’s beloved Cape Cod. The facility features three theaters, period settings, and more than two dozen multimedia exhibits that bring

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Temporary exhibits and a busy special events schedule make for many repeat visitors. Along with more than 25 million pages of Jimmy Carter’s White House material and those of his staff, there are also approximately a halfmillion pictures and hundreds of hours of video and audio tapes.

William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum (Little Rock, AR)

▲ Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum – Photo courtesy of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives and Records Administration

Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum (Ann Arbor, MI and Grand Rapids, MI) Gerald R. Ford’s Presidential Library and Museum legacy is unique, in that there’s a “library” in Ann Arbor and a “museum” in Grand Rapids. Just 130 miles apart and sharing one director, both are well worth a visit. Situated on the North Campus of the University of Michigan (Ford’s alma mater), the Gerald R. Ford Library opened to the public in 1981 and collects, preserves, and makes accessible more than 25 million pages of memos, letters, meeting notes, reports, and other historical documents related to United States domestic issues, political issues, foreign matters, and more during the Cold War era. The 1974-77 papers of Gerald Ford and his staff form the core of the collection. Also opened in 1981, the Gerald R. Ford Museum wants visitors to participate in history and not just view it. Along with permanent exhibits (look for the soldier’s uniform and medals returned to President Ford after his decision to grant clemency to Vietnam War 40

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draft dodgers), temporary exhibits draw from the vast holdings of the Presidential Libraries system, the National Archives, the Smithsonian Institution, and other sources.

Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum (Atlanta, GA) Originally opened in 1986, the revitalized Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum reopened to rave reviews in 2009. Appropriately situated on Freedom Parkway near downtown Atlanta, the grounds include a Japanese Garden designed by Japanese master gardener, Kinsaku Nakane. The museum portion of this bustling attraction includes photographs and historical memorabilia from the Carter presidency (1977-1981). A permanent exhibit of major events during Jimmy Carter’s life and political career includes many photographs and interpretive captioning. One particularly popular exhibit is an exact replica of President Carter’s Oval Office, with gifts received by Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter also on display.

Located within the Clinton Presidential Center and Park (which also includes the Clinton Foundation’s Little Rock Office and the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service), the Clinton Presidential Library & Museum includes exhibits, special events, educational programs, archival collections, and research facilities. It’s become a stand-alone Little Rock destination. The museum’s permanent collection includes replicas of the Oval Office and the Cabinet Room, with exhibits that use documents, photos, videos, and interactive stations to highlight the events, ceremonies, day-to-day workings of the White House, the lives of the nation’s 42nd President and First Family, and the work of the Clinton Administration from 1993-2001. Highlights include: the Orientation Theater, the Inauguration, the Presidential Timeline, Protecting the Earth, Confronting Conflicts, Restoring the Economy, The Little Rock Nine, Preparing for New Threats, People’s Gifts, State Events, Life at the White House, Celebration at the White House, and more. The ground level also includes a Presidential limousine and an exhibit on the work of the United States Secret Service. There’s also the Clinton Museum Store and a renowned on-site restaurant appropriately named Forty Two that features seasonal and locallygrown ingredients.

Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum (West Branch, IA)

Starting with 57 brass sheaves of wheat (one for every country where Hoover helped with relief efforts over the decades), permanent exhibits and galleries include: Years of Adventure, The Humanitarian Years, The Roaring 20s, The Logical Candidate, The Great Depression, From Hero to Scapegoat, An Uncommon Woman (an ode to First Lady Lou Henry), Counselor to the Republic, and much more.

Now open for more than 30 years and having welcomed more than three million visitors to its Iowa prairie setting, the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum commemorates Hoover’s 1929-1933 presidency and more. It’s actually located in the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, which is a 187-acre park run by the National Park Service that preserves the natural environment of Hoover’s youth in the Quaker community where his renowned values formed.

Visitors will want to seek out the Belgian relief warehouse from World War I, the Inaugural Platform from 1929, the President’s fishing cabin, Mrs. Hoover’s dresses, and Suite 31A at the Waldorf Towers, where Hoover spent his last years.

President Hoover was an orphan who became a multi-millionaire mining engineer and humanitarian who suffered through the Great Depression to return to public life and much success. Once known as a scapegoat for the Great Depression, Hoover’s efforts in Europe and back home after World War II eventually made him a hero to many.

Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum (Independence, MO) The legacy of President Truman comes to life in Independence at the Harry S. Truman Library & Museum. All of the many major issues and events during Truman’s presidency are highlighted in a

Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum – Photo courtesy of the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives and Records Administration

▲

William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum – Photo courtesy of the William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives and Records Administration

core exhibition, “Harry S. Truman: The Presidential Years.” There are two “decision” theaters, enhanced audio and video programs, and many interactive elements, including: the Introductory Film, Taking Office, First Four Months, Decision to Drop the Bomb, Postwar Challenges, Europe 1947, Origins of the Cold War, Recognition of Israel, Decision Theater 1, Upset of the Century, Second Term, The Cold War Turns Hot, Decision Theater 2, America 1952, Leaving Office, Legacy Gallery, and A Living Legacy. “Harry S. Truman: His Life and Times” is another major permanent exhibit that covers the personal side of Truman and his family, including many personal objects from the collection and many letters between Harry and Bess Truman. Temporary exhibits are also excellent, with the current one, “Till We Meet Again,” commemorating the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II and Truman’s march toward the presidency (through January 3, 2016).

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▲ George Bush Presidential Library and Museum –- Photo courtesy of the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives and Records Administration

George Bush Presidential Library and Museum (College Station, TX) Located at Barbara Bush’s alma mater (Texas A&M University), the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum documents the nation’s 41st presidency (19891993) and much more through a wide variety of interesting permanent and temporary exhibits. Artifacts, films, photographs, documents, music, sound effects and interactive videos are all utilized to provide a perspective on President Bush’s life and work. The museum proper is divided into sections, including: Symbols of the Presidency, Family Traditions, World War II, Political Itch, Domestic Leadership; First Lady Contributions, Crisis Management, A Life of Service, and Before you Go (memento letters). Other highlights of a visit can include the Ansary Gallery of American History, the Presidential Pond, the Barbara Bush Rose Garden, the Bush Family Gravesite, a statue of George 42

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H.W. Bush, and Veryl Goodnight’s dramatic sculpture, “The Day the Wall Came Down.” Specific displays that are particularly popular include a World War II Avenger Torpedo Bomber, a 1947 Studebaker, a slab of the Berlin Wall, and replicas of President Bush’s Oval Office, Camp Davis, and Situation Room. A special section of the museum highlights First Lady Barbara

Bush’s humanitarian efforts. There’s also an ongoing schedule of temporary exhibits, including Conquering Cancer: A Commitment For the Ones We Love,” which runs through September 28, 2015.

▼ George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum – Photo courtesy of the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives and Records Administration

George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum (Dallas, TX) George Bush’s son, the 43rd president from 2001 to 2009, is commemorated just 180 miles to the north in Dallas. Exhibits, artifacts, documents, photos, videos, and more from the collection feature educational reform, the global war on terrorism, the financial crisis, and the spread of AIDS/HIV, to name a few. The signature element of the complex is 67-foot-tall Freedom Hall, which encases a 360 degree HD video wall that serves as an orientation to the facility and also depicts a montage of the nation’s presidents. The temporary exhibit gallery and the main lobby also present displays to complement the permanent exhibits. The unique Artifact Gallery rotates artifacts from the collection 360 degrees, allowing unique views of

some of the 43,000-plus gifts given to George W. Bush and Laura Bush. In addition, there’s a piece of steel from the World Trade Center, a fullsized replica of Bush’s Oval Office, and a pretty Texas Rose Garden.

Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum (Austin, TX) Dedicated by Lyndon Johnson in 1971 and located on a 30-acre site on The University of Texas campus, LBJ’s Presidential Library and Museum features an iconic 10-story building and a four-story Great Hall with a glass-encased view of the archives collection. The building houses more than 45 million pages of documents, 650,000 photos, and 5,000 hours of recordings from President Johnson’s career. Like many Presidential Libraries, less than 2% of the collection is typically seen in the permanent exhibits.

Johnson served as president from 1963 to 1969 and the core of collection consists of personal objects owned, used, bought or worn by the President and First Lady. Permanent exhibits include: Civil Rights, November 22, 1963 (the day President Kennedy was assassinated, The Legacy Gallery, Social Justice Gallery, The Oval Office, and March to Freedom. Unique items include clothing worn at the 1964 Inauguration, items and furniture from the Oval Office, the desk used for signing the 1965 Voting Rights Act, and much more. The Great Hall also includes a photo-engraving mural by artist Naomi Savage.

▼ Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library and Museum – Photo courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives and Records Administration

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▲ Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum – Photo courtesy of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives and Records Administration

Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home (Abilene, KS) Traveling to the multi-faceted Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home rewards visitors with insights into the life and times of Eisenhower and harkens back to a different time in the United States and the world. Originally dedicated on Veterans Day in 1954, the Museum proper was constructed of Kansas limestone and was built to house materials and objects related to Eisenhower’s presidency (1953-1961) and life. The Museum itself is divided into five major galleries: an introductory gallery; a changing exhibits gallery, a First Lady’s gallery, a military gallery, and a presidential gallery. Changing exhibits are extremely popular here, with two current ones running through 2016: World War II Remembered: Leaders, Battles & Heroes, and Be Ye Men of Valour: Allies of World War II.

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The grounds around the Museum feature much more. The Visitors Center, which includes a gift shop and introductory film, is situated on the site of the former Lincoln School, where Eisenhower attended elementary school. The 19th century Boyhood Home was occupied by the Eisenhower family until Mrs. Eisenhower’s death in 1946. There’s also a classic bronze statue of Eisenhower in his beloved World War II “Eisenhower Jacket.”

Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum (Yorba Linda, CA) In 2007, the National Archives and Records Administration opened the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, thanks to an agreement with the formerly private Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace Foundation. This landmark agreement gave the federal government and the public materials previously returned to President Nixon and his estate in the 1980s and 1990s.

Today, this Yorba Linda presidential destination is better than ever. Highlighting Nixon’s presidency from 1969 to 1974 and much more, the Library and Museum is on nine acres just 15 minutes from Disneyland. After an introduction showing vintage campaign films, news footage, TV appearances, and more, exhibit highlights in the permanent galleries include: an exploration of Nixon’s space program, including the telephone President Nixon used to call Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the

▼ Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum – Photo courtesy of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives and Records Administration

Moon, a replica of the East Room of the White House and the Lincoln Sitting Room in the living quarters, and the 1967 Lincoln Continental limousine used by Presidents Johnson, Nixon, and Ford. Special exhibit galleries have a variety of rotating exhibits. The grounds also include Nixon’s birthplace home, where he was born in 1913, and a restored Army One helicopter used by Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, and Ford.

Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum (Simi Valley, CA) Sitting on a hill with dramatic views of the southland, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum offers unique opportunities, like acting in a movie with Reagan using green screen technology, delivering the oath of office on the U.S. Capitol’s steps, setting the table for a state dinner, riding a horse alongside Reagan at Rancho del Cielo, and touring an Air Force One aircraft that served seven presidents and flew Reagan more than 660,000 miles to 46 U.S. states and 26 foreign countries. Renovated in 2011 to integrate hundreds of artifacts – 50% never previously displayed – and dozens of interactive displays, 18 new galleries pay tribute to the nation’s 40th president (he served from 1981 to 1989). The Air Force One Pavilion also includes a “Presidential Motorcade” of varied vehicles, a Marine One helicopter, and the Ronald Reagan Pub – the actual Irish pub from Ballyporeen, Ireland, that Reagan visited in 1984. The interesting galleries follow Reagan from the time he was a young boy, through Hollywood, Sacramento, the White House, and beyond. There’s even a replica of the White House’s South Lawn and yet another piece of the Berlin Wall.

▲ Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum – Photo courtesy of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives and Records Administration

Thus, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, Presidential history and so much more can be explored at these Presidential Libraries and museums. Hail to the Chief!

Know Before You Go: The Office of Presidential Libraries at the National Archives and Records Administration maintains a great website to help plan a trip to one or more Presidential Libraries and Museums: www.archives. gov/presidential-libraries/

JULY 2015 TRAILBLAZER

Who’s in the kitchen with

TrailBlazer? Researching is a lot of fun to combine my love of food with my love of history. The oldest inhabited cities in the America ranged from our Native American culture to the Europeans. The recurrent theme in all the cities was some stew or chowder or soup with corn. I wanted to find some interesting recipes that were historical as well as tasty! My recipes include something from the oldest city, Sky City, or the Acoma Pueblo (southwest US), to the east coast to encompass both Virginia and New England and of course, St. Augustine for Florida.

The Native American recipe is called Three Sisters: a stalk of corn that supports a bean plant and surrounded on the ground with squash. The St. Augustine is both a clam chowder but includes the Datil or Hot Pepper, owing to the Spanish/Cuban influences including tomatoes and potatoes. The Virginia recipes centers on a corn spoonbread. The Native American showed our ancestors just how valuable corn was in their diet. It sustained them though the long winters and could be dried, pounded and reconstituted with moisture and made into many

Three Sisters Stew (Vegan)

From sparkpeople.com

Setup: • 12 in camp Dutch oven • 12 coals underneath, 14 on lid to start • 12-15 to finish simmering

Ingredients: • 2 cups butternut squash cut into 1-inch cubes • 1 teaspoon ground cumin • Kosher salt, as needed • Black pepper, as needed • 2 tablespoons neutral oil, such as canola • 1 large yellow onion, diced • 3 garlic cloves, minced • 4 cups low sodium vegetable stock • 1 medium yellow squash, diced • 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, drained • 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained 46

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Lesley Tennessen, Dutch Oven Diva

www.dutchovendiva.com or visit my blog at dutchovendiva.wordpress.com

products. The New England cities found fish and corn in abundance, and so there is a Corn and Fish Chowder. I hope you enjoy this selection from the old cities and old cultures. Many of the foods we enjoy today are rooted in our own history!

Enjoy!

ssen

ne Lesley Ten

• 1 can Rotel tomatoes and diced green chilies • 2 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels • 1 tablespoon dried cilantro

Directions: Season butternut squash with cumin, salt and pepper. Heat oil in a Dutch oven or large heavy-bottomed saucepan over bed of coals until it shimmers. Add butternut squash, in batches if necessary, and cook, turning as needed, until lightly browned on all sides, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer butternut squash to a bowl and set aside. Add onion to pan and sauté, stirring occasionally, until translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Add garlic and sauté, stirring occasionally, until lightly colored, 2 to 3 minutes. Return butternut squash to pan, along with stock and yellow squash. Put the lid with the coals onto the Dutch oven and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer by removing 4-5 of the coals under the oven. Cook, covered, for about 15 minutes.

Light up another 12-15 coals to replace the spent coals. Use some lit coals under the oven and the rest on top. Add beans, corn, tomatoes and chilies and cook, uncovered, over medium heat until stew has thickened, about 35-40 minutes. Add cilantro and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Corn and Cod Chowder Adapted from Yankee Magazine

This milk-based chowder combines the sweet taste of corn with fresh fish for a meal that will warm you up any time of year.

Setup: • 12 inch camp Dutch oven

• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste

• 12 coals under the oven and 12 on lid to start

• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

• Finish with 9 in a ring under and 12 on lid

Directions:

Ingredients: • 9 slices bacon, roughly chopped • 3 medium leeks, washed and sliced thin, tough outer and top dark leaves discarded • 4 cups low-salt chicken broth • 1 bay leaf • 3 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cut into ¼ inch cubes • 2 cups fresh or thawed frozen sweet corn (about 3 ears) • 1 pound fresh skinless, boneless cod fillets (try the thicker loins) • 2 cups whole milk

In a Dutch oven over a loose bed of coals, sauté diced bacon until crisp and golden, stirring often. Remove with slotted spoon and reserve for garnish. Reserve half of bacon fat in pot; discard the rest. Add more coals to the bed to increase heat to medium, add chopped leeks to the drippings, and sauté about 10 minutes, stirring often, until leeks are soft and beginning to brown. Add chicken broth, bay leaf, and potatoes. Bring to a boil, then pull out some coals from the bed and simmer 10 minutes. Add corn and simmer 10 minutes longer. This is optional: Using a heatproof measuring cup, scoop out 2 cups of the soup; process soup in blender until smooth. Pour puree back into pot. Soup may be refrigerated for up to 24 hours.

• 1 teaspoon salt

What I like to do is take a potato masher instead to make a loose puree with some chunks of potatoes remaining. Make another batch of 24 coals to finish the chowder. When ready to finish, lay the fish fillets over the soup, gently push down to cover, and replace pot lid. Make a ring of charcoal with 1 in center, to bring mixture back to a simmer and cook 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Uncover, add milk, and then put onto the ring again to bring to a simmer again, but do not let soup boil (milk could curdle). Add salt and pepper to taste; remove bay leaf. Stir gently, then turn off heat; leave covered another 10 minutes. At serving time, flake fish with ladle. Serve in individual bowls garnished with reserved bacon bits and chopped parsley. Total Time: 40 Minutes Yield: 8 to 10 servings

Colonial Spoonbread

Adapted from Pallensmith.com

Ingredients:

Grease the Dutch oven with butter.

• 1 ½ cups boiling water

Combine the cornmeal, salt, and sugar in a mixing bowl. Add the boiling water and butter. Beat for about 5 minutes using a whisk or hand mixer.

• 3 teaspoons sugar • 1 ½cups milk • 2 tablespoons butter

Setup:

• 1 ½ cups cornmeal

• 10 inch camp Dutch oven

• 5 eggs

• 9 coals in a ring under the oven, 15-18 on lid to make a 350° oven

• ½ teaspoon salt

For those of you who aren’t familiar with spoonbread, it’s a creamy cornmeal pudding that rises like a soufflé. You can serve it with bacon for a savory side dish or you can easily turn it into a dessert with a topping of whipped cream and some of your favorite fruits.

• 1 tablespoon baking powder

Add the milk and beaten eggs, continue to beat for 5 minutes. Allow the mixture to cool then add the baking powder. Pour the mixture into the prepared dutchoven and bake at 350° for 35 to 45 minutes. Serve hot with butter.

Directions: Lite the coals. While the coals are getting ready, you have about 15-20 minutes.

JULY 2015 TRAILBLAZER

ASK

RVBILL

YOUR TECH QUESTIONS ANSWERED!

Q: My husband and I are new to RVing and find ourselves more interested in small campgrounds and remote areas than parks with hookups and Wi-Fi. But, staying connected out there is a challenge. I’ve heard of satellite Internet but not much else. What options do we have? Thanks, Serena Dionysus

Q: Bill, We have a 2003 37' Bounder. It has an “Overbuilt” tow package and wiring installed. What is the best dolly, tow bar, to tow our Buick Lucerne, front wheel drive? Cheers, Gerry and Karen Barnabe

A: Serena, my wife and I are with you as in addition to Thousand Trails Campgrounds, we love National Forest Campgrounds, State Parks and BLM land. Our first priority is tethering off our iPhone for data. When the cell service is bad, we rely on our cell phone booster by Wilson called the DB Pro indoor cellular booster kit with an exterior and interior antenna. It has pulled a signal when the phone alone could not. It works for data, as well. The DB Pro is on Amazon for about $350, item # 841262. Consider having two phone cell carriers- when one won’t work in an area the other network usually will. There are automatic Internet satellites available such as MOTOSAT, but they are expensive, can be blocked by trees and run about $90 a month. There have been a few times in the last 5 years as full time RVers where we had to drive to a nearby town to get WI-FI. All in all, the slight modification in how we connect works out in the end, even if we have to cycle into a coffee shop for a latte and use their Wi-Fi for an hour or so. The people we meet and wonders along the way always make the ride worthwhile. Best of luck!

A: Thanks for your inquiry. There are many dollies to choose from but personally, I prefer those made by Demco. The model, called “KarKaddySS” comes with surge brakes that eliminate the need for a brake control in the motorhome and are available with a powerful disc brake set up. RoadMaster makes the best tow bars and their All-Terrain tow bar has the best mechanism in the industry. I hope this helps.

Hi, RV Bill,

Yes, Bill, locating these smaller than normal pieces of furniture can be a challenge. I suggest that you begin looking at Camping World, www.lci1.com, and there is a place in Oregon that builds custom items that might best suit your needs, see www.daveandljs.com. I hope this is helpful to you and other readers.

I am trying to replace the dinette area of my RV with some component furniture pieces. I have only been able to find standard sized pieces and they are all too big. Do you know of companies that will make pieces to size for a project like this? Thanks for the help. Bill Ward

JULY 2015 TRAILBLAZER

GOT A QUESTION FOR BILL? SEND AN EMAIL TO AskRVBill@equitylifestyle.com

Hi Bill,

I've got an odd problem, which is probably not unique, and I hope you’ve got some great ideas to help out.

I really enjoy reading your column and pick up several tips from it each month. Your answer to Jeri Wiedemer on selecting a vehicle to tow needs a little clarification. Please remind your readers to always refer to a vehicle's owner’s manual before purchasing a tow. Jeep makes great vehicles to tow four-wheels down but not all Jeeps can be towed that way. One example is the Jeep Cherokee. One of the available transmission options can be towed four-wheels down and the other cannot. I remember meeting someone new to towing at a campground a few years ago. He had just bought a Ford Escape, towed it a few hundred miles, drove it 4 miles and blew the transmission. That was the year that Ford started using a CTV transmission for the Escape, allowing it to be towed fourwheels down. Unfortunately, this person had decided to save money by buying a one year older model that was a leftover. The $4,000 transmission repair was not covered under warranty because the vehicle was towed. Thanks for the great articles and keep them coming. Anthony DeCicco

A: Thank you for the helpful reminder, Anthony. I hope this helps the readers – Two heads are always better than one.

We recently returned from the southwestern states to our home and I once again faced my biggest challenge with our 26' Citation Supreme -- parking it in our driveway. Most people may not have an issue with parking, but I have to back the trailer in and up a 9% grade and park it there on-grade. I use a variety of transport trailer chocks, X-chocks, electric trailer brakes on, and tandem wheel levels to get it into place, then go through a two-stage liftdrop-lift process to get it level, and ensure it is as secure as possible (before releasing the electric brakes). When level, the kingpin is about 80" above ground, and I’ve found no kingpin stabilizer or something of that could be identified that could be used for increased stability and security. The method I use has the trailer level at a height that is within the extension specs of the Atwood front landing gear. Are you aware of any products on the market that can be used to help level and further secure the trailer on this incline? I have no options on alternate parking locations, as the municipality prohibits parking on the street, and off-site parking just won't work out. I understand it would be better to park it on a level surface, but everyone has their own situation that may impose limitations -- and this is ours to live with. Hope you can share some insight to improve the situation. Thanks, Don

A: Don, thank you for the question and your positive outlook on what sounds like a challenging situation indeed. I don’t know of any products that will help you with your the leveling problem. Fifth wheel jacks can only extend so far. You have a very unusual problem and manufactures tend to make products that will be widely used. As far as stability, there is a company called Steady Fast that makes the stabilizer that will help some of the rocking sensation. Because the front is so high it will not take out all of the motion. I'm not sure why you need it level but I suspect it’s to run the refrigerator. Perhaps you could leave the refrigerator off, not level a trailer, and put it in the street overnight to get the refrigerator cold before you leave on your trip. If you need a little extra help keeping the trailer from trying to slide downhill, perhaps you could drill into the concrete and set some chocks with pins down into the concrete to hold it in place. Let me know if you need further assistance. Thank you, Bill

JULY 2015 TRAILBLAZER

Member Deals

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CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Answers can be found on page 64.

t in Gear e ! G • Hats • Sweatshirts • T-Shirts

ThousandTrailsGear.com

e or m d an

• Koozies

Ac ross

30. Gelderland city

Dow n

1. Son of Loki

31. Stone chip

1. Nothing

5. Buddhist monk

32. Revolver

2. Father: Arabic

9. Amer. Expeditionary Forces (abbr.)

33. Kind of gypsum

3. King

35. Assistant

4. Stage direction

36. Wing 12. Alpine mountain 37. S. Afr. Village goat 38. Handle 13. King killed by Samuel 40. Asian 14. Recommended mountains daily allowance 43. Tattle (abbr.) 44. Aria (2 words) 15. Lush 48. No middle initial 17. Adjusted gross (abbr.) income (abbr.) 49. Star facet 18. Ahead 50. Afrikaans 19. Two-man flight 51. Office of 20. Jazz style Economic Development 23. Political action (abbr.) committee (abbr.) 52. Shallow receptacle 24. Allusion 25. Blanch

53. S. Afr. Fox

5. Hole 6. Bedouin’s cord 7. Numerous 8. Agent (abbr.) 9. Monkey puzzle 10. Border 11. Fall short 16. Newspaper 19. Arabic letter 20. Pronoun contraction 21. Roomy 22. Limp

28. Dravidian language 29. Noble (ger.) 31. Snow (scot.) 34. Guido’s note (2 words) 35. Awn 37. “The Jungle Book” python 38. River through Florence and Pisa 39. Cognomen 40. Three-banded armadillo 41. Conrad’s “Victory” heroine 42. Card 44. Choose

23. Veteral politician 45. Org. of Amer. States (abbr.) 25. Over (pref.) 46. Article (Fr.) 26. Knot lace 47. Bravo (sp.) 27. Island (Fr.)

paws ROAD

By Jenn Gehr

ON THE

Traveling and Camping with Companion Animals

Q: Jenn, Have you discovered

any holistic, topical flea solution or remedy that actually works? I loathe applying hazardous chemicals on my dogs and cats, we have 2 of each, and am looking for an at-home solution that is both safe and effective. Thank you, Brad and Sheila Hastings Ocala, FL

A: Your question is one that

I have been looking into for well over two years. Finding a natural product that repels both fleas and ticks for humans and animals is harder that one would think, as those pesky little critters are difficult to ward off! I would imagine if there were one “wonder concoction” it would already be to market and flying off the shelves. Alas, we are forced into the herbal kitchen of discovery and all I can say is, “thank goodness for the Internet.” Here is what I have found that works pretty well on both cats and dogs, alike. I urge you to read the entire article and seek to learn more about human grade diatomaceous earth and its many uses. (I love it for its ability to safely create an ant and spider proof barrier around the tires, jacks, water hoses and electrical cords of our RV!) Remember that the following remedy needs to be tested on the back legs (apply a quarter sized amount in one area and wait for 12 hours to see if a rash occurs) of the pet before using on the entire body to be sure there are no allergic reactions. Be sure to avoid placement on the delicate

areas around the eyes, nose and mouth. See www.healthy-holisticliving.com and join the Facebook page for more awesome tips at Mother Earth Living. This homemade flea powder recipe is holistic vet recommended! All ingredients and complete description of each organic add in may be found via the web link. Ingredients: • 1 cup Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth • ½ cup Neem Powder • ½ cup Yarrow Powder • 20 drops Eucalyptus Essential Oil (leave this out if you plan to use it on your cat) Directions: Mix all ingredients together in a shaker top container. The author suggested using a mason jar and drilling holes in the lid. After allergy testing the day prior, apply on your pets skin from head to tail when their skin and hair are dry. Work in the powder so it reaches the skin. Hand rub in the powder on the belly and legs, and avoid contact with the face. For more specifics on application and how often to use, go to the web link previously mentioned. My sensitive Boston Terriers had zero reaction to this holistic flea and tick treatment and the Neem Powder really helped their skin from becoming dried out from the Diatom Flour. This is great find I’m excited to share with our readers!

Q: Thanks for your helpful tips each month. I am considering giving the Lepto vaccine to our 4-year-old GSP, Scooter as we do play out in wildlife habitat areas on a regular basis. Any thoughts or suggestions on this topic? Be well, Danielle Slate Sisters, OR

A: Danielle, I love GSPs! After great consideration and consultation with my vet and other individuals in the dog world, I have decided to vaccinate both my dogs against Leptospirosis. While my dogs rarely visit a public dog park, they are out and about in nature every day where the disease could easily be picked up. Two very helpful web sites I found on this topic are www.leptoinfo.com and www.2ndchance.info. I suggest reading all you can to further educate yourself about this very prevalent threat and understand that it can be picked up in city and suburban areas as well as in more rural, wooded regions throughout the country. For best results, be sure to keep this vaccination separate from any other inoculations and remember to keep your pets appointment for the 3 week follow up booster. Thank you for your important inquiry! Email Jenn your questions and share your pics at TBPets@equitylifestyle.com

JULY 2015 TRAILBLAZER

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

Braun’s Fun Time Campers IN - Indianapolis www.funtimecampers.com Browns RV SC - McBee www.brownsrvsuperstore.com Camperland Trailer Sales TX - Conroe • www.camperland.net Campers Inn CT - Union; FL - Leesburg, Jacksonville GA - Macon; MA - Raynham NC - Kings Mountain, Mocksville NH - Kingston, Merrimack www.campersinn.com Campers Inn/PECO Campers GA - Tucker www.pecocampers.com Charlie Obaugh RV VA - Staunton www.charlieobaughrv.com Clear Creek RV WA - Silverdale www.clearcreekrvcenter.com

A&L RV Sales TN - Christiana - www.alrvsales.com

B&B RV CA - Anderson • www.bbrv.me

A Great Outdoor RV Center TX - Canton www.agorv.com

Bama RV AL - Dothan • www.bamarv.com

Affinity RV AZ - Prescott, Prescott Valley www.affinityrv.com Alpin Haus NY - Amsterdam, Port Jervis, Saratoga www.alpinhaus.com Al’s Trailer Sales OR - Salem • www.alstrailers.com American Family RV VA - Chesapeake www.americanfamilyrv.com 60

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Baydo’s RV of Chehalis WA - Chehalis • www.baydosrvs.com Big Country RV OR - Bend, Redmond www.bigcrv.com Blade Chevrolet RV WA - Mt. Vernon • www.bladerv.com Boat-N-RV NY - West Coxsackie; SC - Ridgeland PA - Hamburg • www.boatnrv.com

Conejo Wholesale Auto and RV CA - Thousand Oaks www.conejowholesaleauto.com Country Camping Corner NC - Kings Mountain, Matthews www.countrycamping.com Crossroads Trailers NJ - Newfield www.crossroadstrailers.com Curtis Trailer Center MI - Schoolcraft www.curtistrailercenter.com Economy RVs MD - Mechanicsville www.economyrvs.com Ellis Travel Trailers GA - Statesboro www.ellistraveltrailers.com

Lux-Liner LLC CA - Acadia Lux-liner.com

Scott Motor Coach NJ - Lakewood www.scottmotorcoach.com

McKay’s RV & Marine Center ME - Holden • www.mckaysrv.com

See Grins RV CA - Gilroy, San Martin www.seegrins.com

Media Camping PA - Hatfield, Media www.mediacamping.com Mike Thompson RV Superstores CA - Cathedral City, Colton, Fountain Valley, Santa Fe Springs www.mikethompson.com

ET Quality RV CA - Yuba City • www.etqualityrv.com Floyd’s RV OK - Norman • www.floydsrvs.com Freedom RV WA - Liberty Lake www.freedomrvusa.com Funtime RV OR - Tualalin www.funtimervinc.com General RV Center IL - Huntley MI - Brownstown, Mt. Clemens, Wayland, White Lake, Wixom OH - North Canton www.generalrv.com Gibs RV Superstore OR - Coos Bay www.gibsrvsuperstore.com

Out of Doors Mart NC - Colfax www.outofdoorsmart.com Patterson RV TX - Wichita Falls www.pattersonrv.com

Snyder’s RV VA - Virginia Beach www.snydersrv.com Strickland Marine & RV SC - Seneca www.stricklandmarineandrv.com Sunbelt RV Center TX - Belton • www.sunbeltrv.com Sundown RV Center CA - Atwater www.sundownrv.com

Phillips RV Center MI - Mount Morris • www.phillipsrv.com

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PPL Motorhomes TX - Cleburne, Houston, New Braunfels www.pplmotorhomes.com

Tom Raper RVs IN - Richmond • www.tomraper.com

Princesscraft RV TX - Round Rock • www.princesscraft.com

Hayden’s RVs VA - Richmond • www.haydensrvs.net Haylet RV MI - Coldwater www.haylettautoandrv.com

Recreation Plantation RV Sales IL - Lynwood www.recreationplantationrvsales.com

J&M Camper & Marine ME - Augusta www.jmcamper.com

Roy Robinson RV WA - Marysville www.royrobinsonrv.com

Keystone RV Center PA - Greencastle www.keystonervcenter.com

Russ Dean Family RV WA - Pasco • www.russdeanrv.com

La Mesa RV AZ - W. Phoenix, CA - Sacramento, San Diego FL - Ft. Myers, Orlando, Port St. Lucie www.lamesarv.com

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Paul Evert’s RV Country AZ - Bullhead City CA - Fresno NV - Laughlin OR - Coburg WA - Fife, Milton, Mt. Vernon www.rvcountry.com

R.B. Taylor & Sons VA - Lynchburg www.rbtaylorandsons.com

Lakeside RV Sales SC - Anderson

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Super Deals RV Inc. GA - Douglasville www.superdealsrv.com

Vogt RV TX - Ft. Worth • www.vogtrv.com Welcome Back RV Outlet TX - Athens • www.welcomebackrv.com Western Travel Sales WA - Lynden www.westerntravelsales.com Vancouver RV & Park Model Center Wa - Vancouver www.vancouverrv.com

RV City AZ - Huachuca City • www.rvcity.net RV’s For Less TN - Knoxville • www.rvsforless.net RV Value Mart PA - Lititz, Manheim www.rvvaluemart.com Safford RV VA - Thornburg • www.saffordrv.com

JULY 2015 TRAILBLAZER

3 Amigos

Adopt A Manatee® Friend … or Three!

Find The Evergreen Tree

An evergreen tree is hidden somewhere in this issue. Drop us a postcard telling us where you found it, and if your card is drawn you’ll win a $25 Visa Prepaid Gift Card!

Harold E Ackett of Payallup, WA

found the tree on Page 23 of the May 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

Terms and Conditions for 2015 Referral Promotion from page 4.

▼ Chevron

Trail – Photo Courtesy

of Michael McCullough

Region

Northwest

Oregon:

Shevlin Park

A five-mile Seaside Promen loop ade towering trees trail amid Take a smooth and the clear ride all waters of Tumalo the way to the Seaside Creek. It is perfect Aquarium for any level along this 1.5 of biking enthusias mile paved promenade t and is conveniently that offers located beautiful beach to the Thousand views. Take a break and Bend/Sunriver Trails’ enjoy the shops campground. and restaurants along the way. Thousand Trails' Seaside is nearby.

TB_May_2015_

V5.indd 23

Washington:

Bead Lake

Trail

A six-mile trek Willapa Hills Trail cedar groves featuring Minutes from and lake downtown views along Chehalis, this the shoreline trail is a of Bead Lake perfect country near ride that home to Thousan Newport, promises glimpses of d Trails’ Little Diamond Mt. campground. Rainier. Thousand Trails’ Chehalis is the place to make perfect camp if you’re planning this ride.

MAY 2015

TRAILBLAZ

4/9/15 4:12 PM

Postmark deadline is July 30, 2015 and remember – the tree could be a different color and size!

For each Eligible Referral (as defined) through December 31, 2015, you will receive a $25 Visa Prepaid Card. In addition, for each Eligible Referral through December 31, 2015, 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 roundtrip 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 roundtrip 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 2015, not to exceed $545 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, 2016. 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, 2015 and December 14, 2015, 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 Visa® Prepaid Card and you will not receive a $25 Visa® Prepaid 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 Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc. 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.

JULY 2015 TRAILBLAZER

y l l a R It's Time!

Palm Springs (CA)

Calendar

CLUB JULY 2015 Bounders United (BUTTN)

Northwest

TTN So Cal Weekenders

Wagonmaster will be Dick and Dena Iverson, contact information (360) 883-5839 or denaiverson@q.com Bounders United/TTN are TTN members who own Bounder motorhomes and belong to Bounders United. For more information, contact Darlene Spalding at (951) 741-3881 or email at wrkerbees@yahoo.com.

July 24-26...............Whaler's Rest, OR August 28-30............Thunderbird, WA Sept. 25-27.............. Leavenworth, WA October 23-25................... Seaside, OR Nov. 27-29.................... La Conner, WA

Aug 7-9 �� Idyllwild, CA Sept 11-13 ��Pio Pico, CA Oct 2-4 �� Oakzanita, CA Nov 6-8 ��Wilderness Lakes, CA Dec 4-6 �� Palm Springs, CA

We also have new contact people and email, phone numbers: WagonMaster Daphne Bailey (Oregon) (503) 590-8566, daphnebailey07@comcast.net. Secretary Dottie Michel (Washington) (360) 941-3126, ttnw_sec@yahoo.com.

We are a group of TTN members who meet once a month at Southern California preserves. All ages welcome; we have both working and retired members. No dues, just fellowship. Email: ttnweekenders@earthlink.net website: http://home.earthlink. net/~ttnweekenders/.

TT SINGLES Central California July 24-26 ��Snowflower, CA Aug 28-30 ��Snowflower, CA Sept 25-27 �� Morgan Hill, CA Oct 23-25 �� Lake of the Springs, CA Dec 4-6 �� San Benito, CA Contact Jane Davis at (209) 986-1088 or email to janedjd@pacbell.net; Becky Staffeld at (408) 253-6995 or email to bstaffeld@att.net.

Lewis and Clark TTN July 20-24.................... La Connor, WA August 17-21...................Paradise, WA Sept 17-21............. Bend/Sunriver, OR Oct 15-19........................... Seaside, OR Roger Beausoleil: President Lewis and Clark TTN chapter of FMCA. Contact person, Roger Beausoleil (503) 390-4753 or rogerabeau@msn.com

TT East Trail Buddies We are an FMCA chapter exclusively for TT Members. We have three rallies each year at TT preserves on the East Coast. For more information, please contact Club Secretary Peter Kamenik at (410) 287-8440 or email to trailbuddiestteast@gmail.com.

TT Travelers Southern California July 13-15........................ Pio Pico, CA Aug 3-5............................ Idyllwild, CA Sept 14-16..................... Oakzanita, CA Oct 5-7........................ Rancho Oso, CA Nov 2-4..................... Palm Springs, CA Dec 7-9..............Wilderness Lakes, CA Jan 11-13......................... Pio Pico, CA Feb 1-3..............Wilderness Lakes, CA March 7-9............Soledad Canyon, CA April 4-6................... Palm Springs, CA We meet Mon, Tues, Weds, mornings for coffee and those evenings for potluck and games. For more information contact Wagon Master Jeff Hazelton (503) 583-5426 or jeff@nocciola.com

TTWest/FMCA July17-19 �� San Benito, CA Sept 11-13 �� Russian River, CA Nov 13-15 ��Lake Minden, CA (rally follows FMCA West Rally in Indigo)

Members of Thousand Trails and FMCA meet at Northern California Preserves bimonthly. Contact Bob Litfin at (408) 226-6529 or email to clitfin@USA.com. Reservations are required two weeks in advance.

TT of Texas/FMCA Sept 11-13 ��Lake Whitney, TX New members must be a member of TTN and FMCA. Contact Connie Farrar at (817) 454-4612 or email to ttnfmcachapter@gmail.com. Our website is: ttnoftexasfmca.com. We also have a blog site: www.ttfmcaralliesandmore.blogspot.com.

JULY 2015 TRAILBLAZER

BOOK

REVIEWS By Lynn & Cele Seldon

Camper & RV Humor The Illustrated Story of Camping Comedy By John Brunkowski & Michael Closen Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. (www.schifferbooks.com) ISBN: 978-0-7643-4705-4 Be prepared to laugh as soon as you open the cover of this book. In the Introduction, the authors state, “RVs and RVing stand as classic examples of subjects that invite comedy – lots and lots of comedy – as we hope you will agree after examining the coming pages.” We most definitely agree!

Answers – Sudoku puzzle can be found on page 62.

John Brunkowski and Michael Closen took a unique approach to this book, where they illustrate varied camping comedy primarily through the use of illustrated or picture postcards. The book presents a large sampling of almost 300 postcards about camping and RVing, along with descriptive captions for every one of the illustrations that makes for great further reading. Every item in the book is from their personal collections of RV memorabilia, so they also include an estimation of the value of the item pictured. Other interesting Schiffer Publishing books by the authors include: Pictorial Guide to RVing; AIRSTREAM Memories; Amateur Radio Goes Camping & RVing: The Illustrated QSL Card History; and KOA and the Art of Kamping.

Answers – Crossword puzzle can be found on page 58 If you could not find the tree in our June issue, you were not alone. My apologies for leaving it out. It IS included in this July issue. Happy Hunting!

Mindy 64

JULY 2015 TRAILBLAZER

At Carefree RV Resorts, getting away feels like coming home.

20% off Midweek Rates To save 20% on July and August reservations, book online using code CFC20 for RV sites or CFR20 for rentals. New Jersey/Atlantic City Long Beach · Barnegat · 609-698-5684 Shady Pines · Galloway Township · 609-652-1516 Ontario, Canada Arran Lake · Allenford · 519-934-1224 Craigleith · Clarksburg · 519-599-3840 Deer Lake · Huntsville · 705-789-3326 Grand Oaks · Cayuga · 905-772-3713 Gulliver’s Lake · Millgrove · 905-659-7300 Hidden Valley · Normandale · 519-426-5666 Lafontaine · Tiny · 705-533-2961 Lake Avenue · Cherry Valley · 613-476-4990 Pickerel Park · Napanee · 613-373-2812 Sherkston Shores · Sherkston · 877-482-3224 Silver Birches · Lambton Shores · 519-243-2480 Trailside · Seguin · 705-378-2844 Willow Lake · Scotland · 519-446-2513 Willowood · Amherstburg · 519-736-3201 Woodland Lake · Bornholm · 519-347-2315

carefreeRVresorts.com Valid Sunday – Thursday only. Expires 8/31/2015. Based on availability, valid for standard sites only, not valid during holidays or special events, sites are limited and may sell out. Please make your reservation online today. JULY

2015 TRAILBLAZER

On Location

D A Y 0 S 0 1 of Camping 1. Get out and camp! 2. Take pictures on your camping trip. 3. Share your photos on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using #100DaysofCamping 4. Repeat steps 1-3 every time you camp this summer!

To book your next stay, call or visit our website.

1-888-443-7301

ThousandTrails.com

SAVE TODAY. VACATION TOMORROW. See how much you could save on RV insurance.

for your RV

geico.com | 1-877-434-2678 | local office

Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. ÂŠ 2015 GEICO

JULY 2015 TRAILBLAZER

NO ONE DOES IT BETTER

Thousand Trails Members Qualify For Association Discounts Attend A SkyMed Meeting For Details call 800-679-2020 for meeting locations

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IN AN EMERGENCY? SkyMed members simply call our toll-free number and speak to a caring SkyMed representative

24 SEVEN 365. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Hospital-to-Hospital Emergency Air Transport Vehicle & Vessel Return Visitor Transportation Transportation for Recuperation Nearer Home Commercial Carrier Medical Escort Flights

6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

Ground Ambulance Helicopter 100 Mile Waiver SkyMed Plus (Pet Return) Minor Children / Grandchildren Return Primary Driver Disability Physical Remains Return

800-679-2020

13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18.

www.skymed.com/thousandtrails

Escort / Companion Transportation Return Transportation After Recovery Incidental Expense Allowance Organ Retrieval Organ Recipient Transportation Global Emergency Travel Services