TrailBlazer Magazine - July 2016 by TrailBlazer Magazine

JULY 2016

Seattle

America’s Northwest wonder

Seattle

America’s Northwest wonder

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$2.00

LUCKY WINNER?

WANT TO BE A

Lucky winners,

Jose and Ramona Concepcion from Patterson, NJ were camping at Chestnut Lake, NJ when they were presented with a $1,000 gift card!

Jose and Ramona Concepcion surprised by the Chestnut Lake staff

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 2016 dues on time and camp at your favorite TT Preserve. When you pay your annual dues for 2016 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 2016. In addition, once you pay your dues in full, each time you camp at a Thousand Trails Preserve in 2016, 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, 2016. This promotion is sponsored by MHC Thousand Trails Limited Partnership, Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60606. 2 JULY 2016 TRAILBLAZER

VOL. 38

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WHAT’S INSIDE

ISSUE 6 /// JULY 2016

lifestyle

Message from Marguerite

14 TrailMix: New England National Scenic Trail 18 I Knew I Was A TrailBlazer 25 Tech Topics 30 Mt. Hood Tiny House Village Grand Opening 40 On the Road: Axel & Ash

features

32 Seattle, WA – America’s Northwest Wonder

46 Ask RV Bill 59 4 Paws on the Road

Unique neighborhoods and historic districts, iconic and lesser-known attractions, new offerings, varied dining, lots of water-based pursuits, and more, all combine to make Seattle and beyond one of America’s most unique destinations.

66 #100DaysofCamping

calendars 8

spotlight

On-Site Events

12 Local Events 62 Club Calendar

20 Ticket to Ride North Carolina Ferries

regulars

North Carolina’s RVer-friendly ferries can be a convenient and enjoyable way to spend time traveling along the coast.

Pics From The Parks

48 Member Deals

26 Big Time RV The RV industry has gotten into the game with several RV reality shows on a variety of channels, including one that has struck a chord with many RV owners Big Time RV on Travel Channel.

44 Who’s in the Kitchen with TrailBlazer?

58 Crossword Puzzle 60 Preferred RV Dealer List

63 Sudoku Puzzle

JULY 2016 TRAILBLAZER

R U F O R Y IENDS E T I V IN

YOU receive a $25 VisaÂ® PrePaid Card when your friend purchases a Thousand Trails Camping Pass!

ENTER

TODAY!

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

Your referral also enters YOU into our 2016 drawing for a chance to win these great prizes:

SECOND PRIZE

THIRD PRIZE

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

Free Dues for 2017 10 Winners Selected ($4,000 value)

or visit THOUSANDTRAILS.COM *Details and qualifications for participation in this promotion may apply and are set forth on page 64 of this magazine.

MESSAGE from MARGUERITE The month of July…bring on the summer barbecues, family picnics, outdoor concerts, Fourth of July celebrations and a good oldfashioned summer road trip. I recently read a few articles that referred to the resurgence of the American road trip. With lower gas prices, more Americans plan to hit the road this summer. This was evident this past Memorial Day weekend where AAA indicated that more than 38 million Americans traveled, the second highest travel volume on record and the most since 2005. For those of us who remember packing up the station wagon each summer and hitting the road, we can definitely vouch for the memories that were made during those cherished family vacations. From the always entertaining car games to potentially bizarre roadside attractions, I’m excited to see the resurgence of such a great travel tradition. Now more and more of us, including younger adults, are looking for a vacation that provides adventure and memories to last a lifetime. The authenticity and simplicity of a road trip provides the perfect venue for quality family time without day to day distractions. Whether you’re traveling down the historic Route 66 for all of

▲ Leavenworth, WA Photo courtesy of Just Five More Minutes

its 2,400 miles, or simply taking a quick two-hour trip for a much needed weekend getaway, the feeling of vacation starts the second you hit the road. Your summer road trip, the ultimate adventure, has begun! We continue to welcome new families to our locations across the country. They are embracing the outdoor lifestyle, either by RV or other rental accommodations. With RV sites and a number of rental options available, we’re open to both types of road tripper: the tried and true road warrior RVers, and those who are traveling without an accommodation in tow. So, whether you are packing up the car or RV, make your plans early, chart your route, have your camera or smart phone ready, and prepare to start creating memories that will last a lifetime! Authentic family and friend time awaits!

Marguerite Nader President & CEO

JULY 2016 TRAILBLAZER

Share your adventures in 3 easy steps!

www.trailblazermagazine.net CREATIVE DIRECTOR Mark Slattery EDITOR tbeditor@equitylifestyle.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER Mellissa Brosius ADVERTISING SALES TBads@equitylifestyle.com MISSION STATEMENT 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.

TRAILBLAZER MAGAZINE Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 800 Chicago, IL 60606 www.trailblazermagazine.net NEW SUBSCRIPTIONS Visit www.trailblazermagazine.net and click on the ‘Subscribe’ tab to easily subscribe online today! PRINTED IN THE USA

THOUSAND TRAILS RESERVATIONS Call: 800-288-7245

Win $50

EACH Issue!

1. Capture a photo of your trip at one of our parks. 2. Share with us at TrailBlazer_photos@equitylifestyle.com. 3. Check out next month to see if you’re a winner.

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). The 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

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.

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

VISIT WWW.THOUSANDTRAILS.COM STARS AUTOMATED RESERVATIONS 800-859-STAR (7827)

ENCORE RESERVATIONS 877-570-2267

VISIT WWW.RVONTHEGO.COM Remember! Thousand Trails members get preferred rates at Encore RV resorts.

▲ Lake Minden (CA): An angry black bird. – Norman Froggatt

PICS FROM THE PARKS

▲ Soledad Canyon (CA): Exploring the campground and cabins. – Boni Norm

▲ Wilderness Lakes (CA): First catfish catch! – Stas Andrzejewski

▲ Rancho Oso (WA): The famous “pink moment” at sunset. – Kristen Anderberg JULY 2016 TRAILBLAZER

ACTIVITIES

AND

Activities and Events – On-Site

JULY events Theme Weekends are special weekend-only events put on by the activities staff at your Thousand Trails campgrounds! Be sure to grab a copy of the 2016 Theme Weekends booklet and see all sorts of fun stuff happening at your campground this weekend! For a complete listing of events at the preserves, please visit thousandtrails.com.

Get Down by the Lake and Sandy at the Beach! Whether you’re building sandcastles on the beach or racing your RC boat on the lake, there’s plenty of beachside fun to be had at Thousand Trails this summer. Bring your boat out on the lake on July 9 and July 22-23 at Carolina Landing (SC). The RC Boat Races are back again at Lake Minden (CA) the weekend of July 15-18. Friday night features a Hot Dog Bar Potluck and RC boat races take place on Saturday and Sunday. Build sand castles and launch a man-sized cardboard boat at the regatta on the beach! There will also be a Fishing Derby at Lake Minden (CA) the weekend of July 22-23, plus a park-wide scavenger hunt and paddle boat races. Put your serving skills to the test at the volleyball game at Bay Landing (TX) the weekend of July 22-24. Join the recreation staff at Bend-Sunriver (OR) on July 30 for the Deschutes River Tube outing. Rent a tube (limited supply), bring your own, or buy one from the store. Free hot dogs, too!

Vegas, Baby! Think you’ve got Lady Luck on your side? Come find out at these gambling weekends at Thousand Trails! To celebrate the 47th anniversary of Thousand Trails, the folks at Rondout Valley (NY) will be hosting a Poker Walk at the store plus other cool games. Casino games, an auction, and maybe even an Elvis sighting at Green Mountain (NC) from July 8-10, plus live entertainment on Saturday night. Be sure to hang out at Colorado River (TX) on July 11 for Dice It Up Weekend. Bring your favorite junk food to share and join us for fun dice games. Join the folks at Little Diamond (WA) for some Vegas-style gaming the weekend of July 23-25. There will be Yahtzee, 52 card BINGO, dice bowling, poker chip guessing, and more. 8

JULY 2016 TRAILBLAZER

All events, times and dates are subject to change.

Activities and Events – On-Site

Stay Cool This Summer Staying cool this summer is easy at Thousand Trails! There are plenty of pool parties, water games, and splish splashin’ activities for everyone this July. Don’t miss out on the frozen t-shirt relay, frozen treat relay, slushie eating contest and other frozen themed activities at Hershey (PA) from July 1-4. Bring your family to relax with a weekend of fun in the sun at Tranquil Timbers (WI) the weekend of July 8-10. There will be a poolside party and water games so don’t forget to bring your swimsuits. Have an evening cool down at Forest Lake (NC) on July 29 for a movie at the family pool. Then, on Saturday, join the water battles and games and a pool party plus a sandcastle building competition at the beach. Be sure to purchase advanced tickets to the Wet N’ Wild Luau on Saturday night. Get soaked at Kenisee Lake (OH) with water games and water gun battles the weekend of July 29-31 and dry off around the campfire.

Retro Weekends Throw it back in time at these retro themed weekends! Show off your best sock hop or disco dance for the Scotrun (PA) Retro Weekend, July 15-17. The same weekend will be an 80s Weekend at Moody Beach (ME) and prizes will be awarded for best costumes and dance moves! Relive that special prom weekend at Gateway to Cape Cod (MA) or bring back the boogie at Green Mountain (NC) ‘70s Disco weekend from July 15-17. Join the folks at Tranquil Timbers (WI) from July 29-31 for an ‘80s & ‘90s Rock Party and Game Show Weekend hosted by Brian Blahnik. Dress like a rock star and play fun game shows for prizes. Enjoy ‘50s themed games and treats at the Rockin’ Oldies Weekend at Diamond Caverns (KY) the weekend of July 22. On the weekend of July 29, the folks at Pio Pico (CA) are bringing the ‘50s back with a Doo-Wop Weekend and so will the folks at Medina Lake (TX). Slick your hair back and get your best ‘50s themed outfit together for the costume contest.

Fireworks on the Fourth What is an Independence Day celebration without fireworks? It’s a good thing we’ll never find out since there are so many options this summer at Thousand Trails! Join the excitement this holiday weekend at The Oaks at Point South (SC) for a local fireworks display. Enjoy the fireworks from the Peace River (FL) campground or join the fun at Lake of the Springs (CA) who will have a spectacular fireworks show in addition to lots of other patriotic activities like tiedying, the Family Parade down Lodge Hill, camp singalong, a marshmallow roast, plus more! The folks at Las Vegas (NV) are hosting a weekend long celebration that ends with a fireworks show off the hotels on the Strip! Join the folks at Harbor View (VA) for a fireworks display at Colonial Beach or at Seaside (OR) for a parade and fireworks on the coast!

Some events may require a participation fee.

JULY 2016 TRAILBLAZER

Activities and Events – On-Site

Bazaars/Fairs/Thrifting/Flea Markets/Craft Fairs You never know what kind of trash may become your own treasure! Whether you’re looking to get rid of some old junk or find some treasures of your own, Thousand Trails campgrounds has flea markets, craft fairs, and bazaars galore. It’s flea market time again at Rondout Valley (NY) the weekend of July 8. Bring your “unwantables” for those who think they are “wantables” to the Pavilion at Medina Lake (TX) on July 9 for Flea Market Days! Oakzanita Springs (CA) is hosting a craft show on the patio so bring your best crafts to sell and your wallet to help support our local crafters. Kids will make Christmas and winter crafts and play reindeer games to celebrate Christmas in July, the weekend of the 16-17. It’s yard sale weekend July 15-17 at Diamond Caverns (KY). Set up your site with all of your salable wares and count your dollars at the end of the evening while enjoying camp-wide karaoke! The Community Yard Sale will take place at Lynchburg (VA) the weekend of July 16-17. There will be plenty of games, activities, and crafts if selling isn’t your deal.

Challenge Yourself Play to win as you challenge yourself and others at these crazy competitions, eating contests, and tournaments at Thousand Trails. The annual Horseshoe Tournament at Bend-Sunriver (OR) will take place until July 5, plus there will be special games just for the kids. Take advantage of the Noah’s Ark Waterpark Special and be prepared to get soaked during the water gun fight, dollar diving, water balloon games and best belly-flop contest at Arrowhead (WI) the weekend of July 8-10. Test your skills during the game show-themed activities at the “Minute to Win It” weekend Lake Gaston (NC) July 8-10. Challenges include “A Bit Dicey,” “Tweeze These,” Stack Them Up and “Volcano” games. It’s Battle of the Sexes weekend at Kenisee Lake (OH) from July 8-10 so see who is really better at all types of games and contests! Don’t miss Tournament Day on July 6 at Yosemite Lakes (CA) and play to win at mini-golf, volleyball, horseshoes, and billiards. Come hungry to Bend- Sunriver (OR) on July 9 for Eatery Treatery Saturday and the 2nd Annual Eating Contest! Competition is open to all ages, including adults. 10

JULY 2016 TRAILBLAZER

All events, times and dates are subject to change.

Activities and Events – On-Site

Giants, Superheros, and Dinosaurs, Oh My! Get ready for a weekend of super heroes, giants, and dinosaurs.

Music Summertime and music simply go hand-in-hand. Visit Thousand Trails for a dose of music in your summer activities. Gettysburg Farm (PA) will be decked out in red, white, and blue to celebrate the Fourth of July and a live band will play Sunday evening. Bring your instruments and join the folks at Forest Lake (NC) for the Forest Lake Jamboree, July 15-17! This camp-wide event will have you and your friends pickin’ and grinnin’ plus other events that weekend including Forest Lake’s 1st Annual “Cash Cart.” Bead Trapper performs on July 23, at South Jetty (OR) and Nehemiah Brown performs in the South Clubhouse at Whaler’s Rest (OR) on July 2. Lasso your friends and dust off your cowboy boots for the live performance by Run Carolina Band at Plymouth Rock (WI) on July 30. It’s going to be a Rock ‘N’ Roll weekend at La Conner (WA) when The Fabulous Murphtones play July 22-24.

There will be a Best Dressed Superhero Contest at Wilmington (OH) the weekend of July 15-17 and don’t miss out on the Superhero Obstacle course! Beware Bigfoot lives and is on the loose in the woods at Leavenworth (WA). Be on the lookout to Watch for the Squatch July 8-10. Raptors and other prehistoric beasts will take over Whaler’s Rest (OR) the weekend of July 8-10. Everyone at Lake & Shore (NJ) has a favorite superhero, so dress up like your favorite and you may win a prize the weekend of July 15-17, and don’t miss the showing of “Marvel’s The Avengers” on the big screen on Sunday night. The folks at Chestnut Lake (NJ) will honor the firemen, police officers, and first responders who are our real-life heroes! Also learn about safety and join in on the Superhero Cape decorating craft and contest!

Scavenger Hunts Get in the competitive spirit at Thousand Trails by participating in a summertime scavenger hunt! Are you competitive? Come see if you can beat the others at the scavenger hunt on July 9 at Lake Whitney (TX). Also on July 9, the folks at Russian River (CA) invite participants of all ages to the Scavenger Hunt and there will be lots of prizes and smiles! Indian Lakes (IN) will kick it up a notch with a wacky golf cart scavenger hunt the weekend of July 8-10. Go on a seaside Scavenger Hunt at Seaside (OR) during the Beachcomber’s Weekend, July 8-10, then warm up with a hot dog roast at the bonfire. It’s everybody’s birthday at Little Diamond (WA) the weekend of July 9-11 so to celebrate, there will be a scavenger hunt and a “Toy Story” showing! Participate in the out of this world activities during Cosmic Weekend at Pacific City (OR) July 8-10, which includes an extraterrestrial scavenger hunt.

Some events may require a participation fee.

JULY 2016 TRAILBLAZER

Activities and Events – Local

LOCAL

CALENDAR events

BAY LANDING (TX)

BIRCH BAY (WA)

PONDEROSA (CA)

July 1 Trace Adkins Live at Billy Bob’s Texas See Trace Adkins play live at Billy Bob’s Texas, the largest honky tonk in the world. Only 40 minutes from Bay Landing (TX) and has activities like shopping, music, museums, bull riding shows, lots of food and drink in addition to concerts. billybobstexas.com

July 23-24 Sandcastle Competition Come build a castle and compete on the beach! birchbaychamber.com

» Local Highlight

COLORADO RIVER (TX)

LONG BEACH (WA)

July 2 Independence Eve Party Annual party at The Weimary featuring music by Briana Adams and Barney Sledge. Music is from 6-9pm and stay after for the fireworks display! weimary.com

July 2 Fireworks at the Port Dubbed, “Feel the Thunder,” there will be fireworks to celebrate Independence day at the Port of Ilwaco at dusk. funbeach.com/event/fireworks-onthe-beach-long-beach/

Every 3rd Saturday Smithville Trades Day Vendors, music, antiques, clothing, art, home décor, arts and crafts, good ol’ junk.

July 16-17 Clamshell Railroad Days Clamshell Railroad Days explores Ilwaco’s historic Freight Depot and offers attendees a chance to step inside an original Clamshell Railroad passenger car, the Nachotta, which is only open twice a year. columbiapacificheritagemuseum.com

JULY 2016 TRAILBLAZER

July 29-31 Birch Bay Music Festival Music Festival to raise money for local animal rescues. birchbaymusicfestival.com

July 4 July 4th Family Blast Bring your coolers, propane BBQ’s and your dancing shoes! Please leave your pets, charcoal BBQs and glass containers at home. Enjoy kid’s activities, food, beverages, and live music from 6-10pm. Hay mazes, arts & crafts, games, and fireworks once the sun goes down. eldoradocountyfair.org

TURTLE BEACH (CA) July 4 Manteca 4th of July Celebration Get a front row seat before the parade begins at 10am Over 100 entries are in the parade including floats, bands and more! Spend the rest of your day at the Big League Dreams Complex on Daniels drive in Manteca. Fireworks begin at dusk, so bring a blanket or chair to lay back and enjoy the show. visitmanteca.org

All events, times and dates are subject to change.

WILLIAMSBURG (VA)

ORLANDO (FL)

July 4 Old Fashioned 4th of July Parade & Art in the Park The Old Fashioned 4th of July Parade in downtown Ocean Park is a true slice of Americana. Classic cars, homemade floats, chalk art, and waving flags. The parade begins at 1pm. Between 10am and 3pm there will be Art in the Park at Sheldon Park which will feature the works of local artists, food and more! funbeach.com

Thursdays in July By the Lake Concert Series This weekly summer concert series at the Mariners’ Museum & Park features performances by Borderline Crazy, Hey! Hey! Hooligan, The Fuzz Band, and Party Fins this month. Bring a blanket and a picnic and hang out listening to summer tunes. marinersmuseum.org/thursdays-bythe-lake/

Every Friday in July All-American Muscle Car Cruise at Old Town Cars start arriving at 4pm! Every Friday, join the excitement for our All-American Muscle Car Cruise which features show-quality, American-Made Muscle Cars from 1964 and newer. myoldtownusa.com/events/fridaynite-all-american-muscle-car-cruise/

BEAR CAVE (MI) July 2 Redbud National Motorcross Event It’s a full weekend of motorcross events, with the feature event Round 6 of the Lucas Oil Motorcross Championship. In addition to the racing, we have fireworks Saturday night around 10:30pm. redbudmx.com July 16 Summerfest Music & Microbrews SummerFest Music & Microbrews is the perfect way to experience the region’s finest craft breweries and mouthwatering cuisine from nearby restaurants. Combine this with incredible live music set against the picturesque backdrop of Lake Michigan on Silver Beach and you have one amazing SummerFest! smso.org

TIMOTHY LAKE (PA) July 16-17 Pocono’s Wurst Festival Wursts, wieners, kielbasa, pierogies, brews; three stages of music, traditional costumed dance performances, pig and hot dog races, craft vendors; new Bier Stein Olympics; children’s entertainment. Ticket prices vary, please see website for details. shawneemt.com/s_ poconoswurstfestival.html

July 13-16 Capital Ale House National Beer Expo The NBE is a destination craft beer and food event celebrating artisan made American craft beer and Richmond’s cultural and culinary offering. nationalbeerexpo.com THE OAKS AT POINT SOUTH (SC)

July 15-25 Beaufort County Water Festival The festival has attracted residents and visitors since 1956 for the two-week long celebration of the coastal Lowcountry. There are two dozen individual sporting events including bocce ball, children’s fishing, and croquet, plus arts & crafts, music, and the best of Lowcountry cuisine. lakelandtheatrenc.org

RANCHO OSO (CA) Throughout July Wine Country Adventure Let the folks at DeeTours take you on a wine country adventure tour! For 90 minutes, you’ll get to cruise around Santa Barbara in a bright red Jeep limo or one of the smaller Jeep Wranglers along amazing vistas to the verdant countryside of the Santa Ynez Valley. deetoursofsb.com/wine-tour

Some events may require a participation fee.

Activities and Events – Local

DIAMOND CAVERNS (KY)

Every Saturday in July Summer Music Series at Lakeridge Winery Looking for something special to do with your summer weekend, then come along each Saturday afternoon in July and enjoy live music by the area’s most talented musicians on the outdoor stage. Each week a different band will perform for your entertainment. Lakeridge wine, beer, soft drinks and a variety of food is available for purchase, along with complimentary Winery tours and tasting. lakeridgewinery.com

IDYLLWILD (CA) July 4 Rotary Club’s 50th Annual 4th of July Parade Watch the Rotary Club’s 50th Annual 4th Of July Parade, followed by the Fourth Of July Family Freedom Festival at the Idyllwild Community Center Site. deetoursofsb.com/wine-tour July 9-10 Lemon Lily Festival The Lemon Lily Festival, at the Idyllwild Nature Center, fosters an appreciation for the threatened native lily (lilium parryi) and to educate the public of its plight and relevance to Idyllwild. Features live music, arts and crafts for children, food, local artisans, guided nature hikes, and more! lemonlilyfestival.com

JULY 2016 TRAILBLAZER

TrailMix

NEW ENGLAND

NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL by Annie Berman

This year, the National Park Service turns 100 years old and to celebrate, TrailBlazer magazine takes a look at the history and stories behind the great American National Trails. If you’re seeking a slice of classic New England landscape with long distance vistas, rural towns, big river valleys, and thick green forests, then head out on the New England National Scenic Trail, or the “NET,” this year while staying at Thousand Trails!

▲ Mt. Monadnock Summit Photo courtesy of Michael McDonough 14

JULY 2016 TRAILBLAZER

▲ Hiking the Monadnock Trail Photo courtesy of Martin Monroe

The NET is a 215 mile hiking trail, has existed for over 50 years, and is comprised primarily of the Mattabesett, Metacomet, and Monadnock historic trail systems. The New England Trail is defined by the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 as “extending from Long Island Sound in Guilford, Connecticut, to the Massachusetts/New Hampshire border.” Since 2009, there have been meaningful changes to the trail, including a four mile extension to Long Island Sound in Connecticut and a 22+ mile deviation eastward from the MetacometMonadnock trail in Massachusetts. Here are some classic New England activities to enjoy on the New England National Scenic Trail. Remember, always check the weather to avoid dangerous conditions and be prepared with sunscreen, good hiking shoes, water, and other important hiking supplies. JULY 2016 TRAILBLAZER

▲ View from Monadnock Summit Photo courtesy of Matt Poole/USFWS

▲ Ashuelot River Covered Bridge Photo courtesy of Rain0975

MONADNOCK TRAIL TO MT. NORWOTTUCK SUMMIT While it is possible to thru-hike the NET, opportunities for camping overnight aren’t as abundant as others, like the Appalachian Trail. However, there are several hikes on the NET that are accessible from some Thousand Trails campgrounds in the Northeast region. The Monadnock Trail to reach the Mount Norwottuck Summit is a moderate, looped trail hike on the New England Trail within the Skinner State Park in the Connecticut River Valley in 16

JULY 2016 TRAILBLAZER

▲ Rowell’s Covered Bridge over the Contoocook River Photo courtesy of Rain0975

Massachusetts. Access the park via MA 116 between Amherst and South Hadley, which is a little over an hour’s drive via 1-90W from Sturbridge RV Resort. This is a popular hike among students at nearby colleges in Amherst, MA, and with hikers at the beginner’s level. As you begin your hike from the visitor’s center, you’ll see that each trail is marked with blue, red, and white blazes. The white blazes lead you along the path that takes you up and down some small hills, and eventually skirts around an active quarry. Upon reaching the 1,106 ft. Mount Norwottuck summit, you will be treated to a sweeping view of the Pioneer Valley. As you descend, follow the white blazes eastward

and be prepared to pass through a split boulder. Though a tight squeeze, once you pass through you will come upon the Horse Caves. According to legend, the Horse Caves were a hideout for rebels fighting the Shays in the Shays’ Rebellion in the 1780s. Continue on until you see the sign with the markings, “Location 206,” and you can begin to follow the red markings that will take you to the Robert Frost Trail. Continue following these red markings until you reach the visitors center and the parking lot to complete your trail loop! This trail is great for snowshoeing in the late fall and winter and is also dog-friendly.

MT. TOM STATE RESERVATION Hikers of all ages and skill levels come to Mount Tom State Reservation for the stunning views from the summit, making the Mount Tom State Reservation trail famous. At the summit, look over to the north and the south for the Connecticut Valley, the Berkshire Mountains to the east, and the Pelham Hills to the west. Visitors are known to come here in the fall to witness thousands hawks and other birds soaring over the New England sky, whose route to the south takes them right over Mt. Tom. If you choose to take the 2.2 mile Goat Peak Tower trail during the migratory season, the tower will bring you much closer to the action. The hike up to Goat Peak Tower is steep; be aware and only hike to your own skill level. Mt. Tom State Park also has a beautiful playground, picnicking tables, areas for grilling, and opportunities for cross-country skiing, fishing, and boating. Mt. Tom State Park can be reached via I-495N from Alpine Lake RV Resort, via I-495N and I-90W from Gateway to Cape Cod RV Campground, or via I-87N and I-90E from Rondout Valley RV Resort.

▲ Henry Whitfield House in Guilford, CT Photo courtesy of Jay McAnally

HENRY WHITFIELD STATE MUSEUM

▲ View from Mount Tom State Park Photo courtesy of Paul Cooper

The New England National Scenic Trail also travels through several colonial historical landmarks including the Henry Whitfield State Museum, Connecticut’s oldest house and New England’s oldest stone house. Visitors can tour three buildings to take a self-guided tour visiting three floors of 17th-19th century furnishings and artifacts, the Old Stone House itself, and the Education Building that features hands-on activities and other historical exhibits. Also be sure to see the bronze statue of Henry Whitfield on the grounds and the ship’s cannon from the War of 1812. Take I-84 from the Sturbridge RV Resort or I-95S from Gateway to Cape Cod RV Campground to the Henry Whitfield State Museum.

▲ Silver Lake with Mt. Monadnock in the background Photo courtesy of Justin Bramley JULY 2016 TRAILBLAZER

I KNEW I WAS A

TrailBlazer

▲ Trisha and Shawn at their campsite fire pit in Moody Beach

This month, TrailBlazer would like to introduce you to Trisha and Shawn MacKinnon, a couple who fell in love at one of our campgrounds. They’ve explored the Thousand Trails network on the eastern side of the country, and have a knack for convincing family and friends that the RV life is a sweet one! TB: How long have you been camping and RVing? Who introduced you to it? Tell us how it all began!

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

TM: My husband, Shawn, has been camping for 27 years. His parents introduced him to Outdoor World when he was young. In 2004 I met Shawn, who took me on my first camping trip to Sturbridge, MA.

TM: One of my favorite memories was my first trip to Sturbridge, MA. I fell in love on the kissing bridge. Over the years, Shawn’s daughters have enjoyed meeting new friends and participating in the various activities such as ceramics. The environment here is very safe for children. They enjoy the pool and the close proximity to the beach.

TB: How did you first hear about Thousand Trails? TM: When Thousand Trails took over from Outdoor World, we bought our membership. 18

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TB: Any funny camping/RVing stories? TM: In 2005, we went to Rochester, MA, for the July 4th weekend. We decorated our trailer for the holiday. A lady came over to our site and told us she went home and picked up more decorations. She wanted to win the decorating contest and she thought that we would win unless she got more decorations. We came in 2nd which was fine with us. We had more fun watching her enjoy her 1st place win.

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.) TM: We have a fifth wheel and enjoy the spaciousness. It is very easy to travel with on the road. TB: Where have you gone that you wouldn’t have otherwise, if it hadn’t been for your Thousand Trails membership? TM: We have travelled to various parks in the Thousand Trails system – from New England to Virginia. TB: What is your favorite part about the outdoor lifestyle? DC: We became seasonals four years ago. We enjoy meeting up with friends we met at other campgrounds. It is so nice to meet up with old friends as well as making new ones. We love being here. Also, our relatives have bought campers and become seasonals at Moody Beach. It is wonderful to be surrounded by family and friends.

TB: Can you finish this sentence? I knew I was a TrailBlazer when... TM: We knew we were TrailBlazers when our mother came to visit from Arizona and our aunt from Las Vegas. By the time they returned to their respective homes, they had purchased a fifth wheel and a seasonal site. Since then, my sister, my other Aunt and Uncle, cousins, and friends have done the same. Now our summers are filled with family and friends. Life is sweet! TB: Feel free to share any other camping/RVing stories here.

▲ Relax on the beach

TM: Living in Wells, ME we have the pleasure of seeing friends return year after year. We enjoy reconnecting with Rick, the manager, as well as the great staff here at Moody Beach. Rick takes the time to make everyone feel special.

▲ Moody Beach pool

▲ The MacKinnon’s seasonal site at Moody Beach JULY 2016 TRAILBLAZER

TICKET TO RIDE Traveling by Ferry on North Carolinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Coastline

by Lynn & Cele Seldon

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ince the mid-1920s, ferries have carried people and vehicles all around eastern North Carolina. From Southport in the southeastern part of the state all the way up throughout Ocracoke, Hatteras, and Knotts Island, North Carolina’s RVer-friendly ferries can be a convenient and enjoyable way to spend time traveling along the coast. Early ferries were privately-operated and connected the region’s small coastal communities. Operations like that of Captain Toby Tillett served North Carolina’s fabled Oregon Inlet and other waterways. They were originally created to provide transportation for people, food, medicine, and other goods and services. The State of North Carolina began subsidizing the private ferries in 1934 and, in 1947, the state’s Department of Transportation launched the first route of the North Carolina Ferry Division (between Manns Harbor and Roanoke Island). The system has expanded over the years to become one of the largest ferry operations in North America, with multiple routes and more in the planning stages. With 21 ferries operating and more than 400 permanent employees on staff, North Carolina’s ferry system is second only to Washington State’s 28-ferry fleet in size. Ferries operate on Currituck and Pamlico sounds, as well as the Neuse, Pamlico, and Cape Fear rivers. In a typical year, more than 2.5 million residents and visitors – and more than one million vehicles – ride North Carolina’s coastal ferries. “Not only are North Carolina’s ferries a vital transportation link for coastal communities, they are also a great way to explore our state,” says Ed Goodwin, the director of the state’s Ferry Division.

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▲ North Carolina Car Ferry at sunset

» Starting Out Since we live on Oak Island, near Southport, starting from the state’s southernmost Southport ferry and proceeding up the coastline is an obvious choice for us – and is easily repeatable for RVers coming from the south. If we have time, we head to the waterfront’s Yacht Basin Provision Company for the great views, grouper salad, steamed shrimp, crab cakes, and more. We like to spend several nights enroute, but the beauty of taking the ferry is that you have lots of flexibility. Of course, this trip could easily be done in reverse if you were coming from the north or even expanded to include more overnights along the way. The Southport ferry is already a familiar way for us to get from Oak Island to Carolina Beach, Wilmington, and further afield. This quick crossing of 30 minutes is one of the shortest ferry rides

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in the system (Cherry Branch to Minnesott, at 20 minutes, is the shortest). Driving onto the ferry – and the feeling of anticipation it brings – is always one of the most enjoyable parts of any trip across the water. The process is efficient and, even on large or crowded ferries, we’re always amazed how many vehicles (anywhere from 18 to 53) they can pack onto the variously-sized vessels. The Southport-Fort Fisher ferry offers year-round service, with a couple of additional trips in summer and winter to accommodate both commuters and vacationers. On our most recent trip, one of the crew members saw us looking at Oak Island’s lighthouse through binoculars and he informed us that this run is the only route where passengers can see three lighthouses in one trip (the other two are Bald Head Island’s beloved Old Baldy and Price’s Creek Lighthouse). He also explained

the unique color schemes of the boats – our ferry that day was painted with the colors of Duke University, while other ferries in the system are painted with the colors of other universities and colleges throughout the state. Far too quickly, we reach the ferry docks at Fort Fisher and we drive back onto land. The drive through Fort Fisher, which was an important Civil War Confederate stronghold, leads past the wonderful North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, making for a great stop for veteran state aquarium addicts like us (as well as first-timers destined to become addicted). The next ferry on a tour of the system leaves from quiet Cedar Island, and the drive northeast out of Morehead City is especially pretty and shouldn’t be rushed (plan on about an hour or so). If we have time we stop for seafood at Morehead City’s beloved and uniquely-named

FAQ ABOUT FERRIES

▲ Old Baldy Lighthouse

▲ Ocracoke Island Lighthouse

1. Reservations are offered only on the Cedar IslandOcracoke and Swan Quarter-Ocracoke routes. Reservations can be made online or by phone and you must claim your reservation at least 30 minutes prior to departure. 2. The ferry system can accommodate any size of car, trailer, or RV that can operate on the highway and special permits are available for vehicles longer than 65 feet. 3. Pets are permitted on ferries, as long as they are in the vehicle or on a leash.

▲ Oak Island Lighthouse

▲ Price’s Creek Lighthouse

Sanitary Fish Market (501 Evans Street). The Cedar Island-Ocracoke ferry can be a real time- (and gas-) saver for those traveling along the coast. Thanks to its length and scenery, it’s also become one of our favorite routes. The route in either direction typically takes about two hours and 15 minutes, but after the four-hour drive from Fort Fisher to Cedar Island, it’s nice to let someone else do the “driving” the rest of the way to Ocracoke. The trip from Cedar Island to Ocracoke offers lots of time for wildlife watching, talking to fellow passengers or crew members (which typically number from four to six), and thoroughly exploring your chosen mode of transportation. On this route one time, a crew member mentioned that the ferry service’s home port and a repair and maintenance facility are based in Manns Harbor. He also told us that two of the ferries were actually built in New Bern Shipyard and that today’s ferries average about 10 knots and can float in as little as six feet of water even when fully loaded.

4. Restroom facilities are available at all ferry terminals and aboard all ferries; ADA restrooms are accessible at all shore facilities and on many vessels. 5. Food and drink vending machines are available at all ferry terminals and on most ferries, with coffee service provided at most terminals and on some ferries (see website for a list).

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The Cedar Island-Ocracoke ferry arrives and departs right in “downtown” Ocracoke Village’s Silver Lake Harbor. Ocracoke Village is ideally explored on foot and the leisure options in Ocracoke include fishing, kayaking, a couple of small museums, shopping, and more, including visiting the squatty 75-foot Ocracoke Lighthouse and checking the menus of various restaurants. Back Porch Restaurant, features fresh seafood dishes, which are prepared plainly or served with interesting sauces. Freshly-baked breads, sumptuous desserts, seating on a screened porch, and friendly service all enhance the Back Porch experience. » From Ocracoke to Hatteras A 16-mile drive along the Atlantic Ocean through Cape Hatteras National Seashore takes explorers to the popular Ocracoke-Hatteras ferry. Each day, workhorse ferries depart both Ocracoke and Hatteras every hour from early morning to late at night, with service additions from spring to fall. This 40-minute crossing is unique in that it is one of four Ferry Division offerings that’s offered free of charge. The other three are: Currituck-Knotts Island; Bayview-Aurora; and Cherry Branch-Minnesott. The reason for the free rides is to accommodate the large numbers of commuters, as well as the many school students who travel by ferry every day. From the fishing village of Hatteras, it’s time to head further along the coastline, with occasional stops on both sides of the road to enjoy lots of protected wildlife and scenery – still within Cape Hatteras National Seashore. There’s also the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in Buxton and the Bodie Island Lighthouse in southern Nags Head.

Next, it’s easy to head to Manteo for a fun waterfront lunch, including Poor Richard’s Sandwich Shop (303 Queen Elizabeth Avenue), where the creative made-to-order sandwiches (often featuring local seafood) are worth the short drive inland to quaint Manteo. From Manteo, the “slow” road leads along the beach to marvel at many houses precariously perched above the sand (and sometimes waves). This is a classic “Outer Banks” drive, including a stop at the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills. During a trip north or south using the ferry system, coastal explorers will inevitably contemplate continuing the ferry adventure by retracing the drive and ferry routes – or maybe even trying one of the other options to the north and south. Many RVers may decide to complete the “circle” by driving back on US highways 64 and 17 and comparing the two experiences. The return drive is typical uneventful and we often find ourselves yearning for the next time we’ll drive onto a ferry. We decided that you can’t simply compare driving and ferry riding in terms of cost and time. In the end, getting there can truly be half the fun – especially if you take the ferry.

TO KNOW MORE1. Visit the Ferry Service’s website at www.ncferry.org for information and schedules or call (800) 293-3779. You can also call 511, the state’s free travel information hotline, to check on road conditions on your way to or from the ferry.

Bodie Island Lighthouse u 24

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TECH

TOP CS

RVing is a great adventure and there’s always something new to learn! by Paul and Kerri Elders There’s no time like summertime for getting out and seeing the world in your RV. Kids and grandkids are free to roam along with you, and summer’s longer days offer more time for grand adventures in the Great Outdoors. Whether you love to hike, bike, float, boat, golf, roam, tour, or shop till you drop, a few simple tips and tricks can help you get the most out of your fun in the sun without breaking a sweat. Let’s get going! First, let’s get physical: It’s a winning summertime strategy to keep cooler by wearing lightweight, loose-fitting, lightcolored clothing. Believe it or not, that old favorite black or navy blue t-shirt can be a real heat collector in the dog days of summer. Lightweight cottons are more “breathable” than synthetic fibers like polyester, which can trap a surprising amount of body heat; check your labels. Just like Grandpa said, a simple hat makes a great “sun shade” in the middle of summer. And don’t forget to pack your sunglasses! Great Outdoors Rule #1: Keep Hydrated. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids, especially good, old-fashioned water. Coffee, tea, and caffeinated sodas are delightful drinks, but they’re also diuretics and can cause you to actually lose some of the moisture your body so desperately needs in the heat of summer. So if you simply adore tea, coffee, or iced frappuccino, just counterbalance these favorite indulgences with more water later in the day. Keep in mind that some over-the-counter and prescription medications (such as some blood pressure medicines) can make you more susceptible to the negative effects of heat and sun. Talk to your doctor if you’re not sure.

Food strategies can also keep you cooler. Cook meals in the early morning or later in the evening, or use the microwave. Better yet, grill outdoors on hot days, or eat “cool” meals like sandwiches or salads, or throw caution to the wind and treat yourselves to dinner out. “Heavy” foods, large meals, and high-protein foods can actually slow you down and increase metabolic heat. Opt for lighter fare like cooling salads, melons, and fruits. Great Outdoors Rule #2: Take Breaks If you do happen to overexert yourself while out and about and feel overheated, don’t be shy – it’s time to take a quick break. Move to a comfortable chair in a cool, shady location and re-hydrate. Drink some cool water. You can speed the cooling process by applying a cold washcloth or even holding some cold bottled water against your skin. Concentrate on the major arterial areas (jugular area of your neck, behind your knees, the inner part of your elbow, the inside of your wrist, and your temples). A surprisingly large amount of blood flows through these areas every minute. By exposing these areas to the coolness of the washcloth or water bottle, you’ll quickly begin to “cool your blood” and you’ll be back to fun time in no time flat. Great Outdoors Rule #3: Embrace the AC/Stay in the Shade Keeping your RV cooler in summer is also easier than you think! You can get a head start just by picking a campsite with ample shade trees. If the shadiest spots are already taken, just park your RV pointed in an East-West direction; this helps limit the surface area exposed to the direct rays of the sun during the day, as the sun glides through the sky.

It’s also a good idea to keep your window blinds closed during the heat of the day. Extending your awning not only gives you a nice shady place to sit, it also works as a “sun shade” for the side of your RV, keeping it cooler. Have window awnings or slide-out awnings? Use them! You’ll be surprised at how much this can help. If you travel in a motorhome, either close the sun shades for the windshield area or use one or two of those inexpensive portable, “silver” automotive sunshades to help block the sun’s rays. Air movement leaves you feeling cooler, and good airflow increases moisture evaporation, which cools the body. By opening a few windows and turning on your roof vent fan, you can feel significantly cooler. If it’s a super-hot day, use your roof vent fan to “pre-cool” the rig for the RV air conditioner. Just remember to close the roof vent and all windows once you turn the air conditioner on. Another trick for reducing the heat load inside your rig is a no-brainer: don’t take long, hot showers, bake a cake in the oven, or wash and dry clothes in the middle of the day: you’re creating heat. Open and close outside doors as little as possible; each time you open a door, hot outside air replaces the cool air-conditioned air you allow to escape through that open door. Another helpful tip is to section off living areas so that your RV’s air conditioner can work to cool smaller spaces, especially if you have more than one rooftop A/C unit. If your RV’s equipped with interior doors, summertime’s the time to use them. Have fun, keep your cool, and blaze a trail!

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Travel Channelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

by Cele Seldon

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Reality television programming is all the rage these days. So itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no surprise that the RV industry has gotten into the game with several RV reality shows on a variety of channels. And one that has struck a chord with many RV owners (and wannabe owners) is Big Time RV on Travel Channel. A joint project between Lazydays RV, Half Yard Productions, and Travel Channel, Big Time RV gives viewers an all-access pass into what goes into purchasing or renting an RV. From touring and testing every model of RV available, to the expert sales force and first-rate service center to the final decision, Big Time RV is there every step of the way until the customers drive their new vehicle off the lot.

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The Big Idea More people are RVing than ever. According to the most recent statistics from the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA), 8.5% of U.S. households owned an RV in 2011, up from 7.6% in 2001. That translates to 8.9 million RV households, with an estimate that the number in 2016 is closer to 9.3 million households. According to Kevin Broom, a spokesman with RVIA, the recent proliferation of RV programming reflects the enduring popularity of the RV lifestyle. With that popularity in mind, Half Yard Productions, an awardwinning production company specializing in character-driven reality series, documentary narratives, and historical specials reached out to Lazydays RV, the largest RV dealer in the U.S. with locations in Tampa, Florida, Tucson, Arizona, and Denver/ Northern Colorado, to gauge their interest in the idea. Then they set out to develop the concept, which was to highlight the diverse lifestyles of the RV community – from families to tailgaters, equestrians to motorsports enthusiasts, and entertainers to full-time RVers – while showcasing the innovative features and benefits of the various RV classes and brands that are available. Once they had their concepts fleshed out and their thoughts on paper, they pitched the idea to Travel Channel and began production in 2014, with the first season airing later that year and the third season scheduled to debut on August 14 at 9pm.

All photos courtesy of Travel Channel

“Half Yard came to us with the concept for the show, and it was the perfect fit for Travel Channel,” says Courtney White, Senior Vice President of Programming for Travel Channel. “Our viewers love RV programming of all types, and Big Time RV has been a great addition to our lineup. It’s the

House Hunters for RVs providing a glimpse inside some pretty incredible vehicles and an escape for those who may be dreaming about their own road trip adventure.” The basic premise is that customers who are in the market to buy or rent an RV are filmed throughout their buying experience. From the time they walk onto the lot, to meeting their salesperson, touring and test driving the actual RVs in consideration, and the final decision of which vehicle they select, viewers have backstage passes. Half Yard works with the sales experts and their client databases to determine which stories and customers they choose for the show. Since Lazydays has so many customers and unique stories coming into their locations on a regular basis, there is always a diverse customer base in the market to purchase or rent an RV. “We look to feature a variety of people with fun and unique stories that our viewers will enjoy watching,” says White. The salespeople that are featured on the show are part of the Lazydays team. John Lebbad, Lazydays Chief Marketing Officer, says, “We tend to pair our customers with the Lazydays sales experts who best fit their client’s RV needs.” And, according to Greg Smith, Executive Producer with Half Yard Productions, the shows are definitely not scripted. “The show is about capturing the experience of buying and renting an RV. We meet the clients, find out what their needs are, then leave it up to the Lazydays sales experts to find them their dream RV.” Those same needs and wants, along with the customer’s budgets, are usually the driving force on which type of RV will be featured in the show, from motorized classes (Class A, B, and C) to fifth wheels, travel trailers, and even rentals. JULY 2016 TRAILBLAZER

But what about the fascination with today’s over-the-top RVs? Just like other home programming, people love to dream big. So many of the RVs featured on Big Time RV are totally tricked-out Class A models with every bell and whistle. But bigger and better isn’t necessarily the mantra of Big Time RV. Overall the show’s success appears to be based more on the strength of the stories within each episode. Some of the more memorable episodes have been centered around camper or small towable purchases. And although the flare of the big Class A RVs is a draw on some programs, the focus of Big Time RV is more on the story. On average, they film three stories per week. Each story is then evaluated and grouped into categories that later help Half Yard determine how to best match the stories together to create the episodes. In total, it takes about six to eight days of filming per episode and then another seven to eight weeks of editing to create each show.

Why The RV Fascination? From Smith’s perspective, “Today’s RVs offer all the comforts of home. There are no layovers and no airport security lines. Traveling by RV is traveling on your own terms. You go where you want to go, when you want to go, and you can bring with you pretty much anything you want.” From Travel Channel’s perspective, RVs give travelers a unique sense of freedom, adventure, and perspective. RVs give travelers the opportunity to see and experience what America has to offer in a way you can’t necessarily get from other modes of transportation. “And who wouldn’t want a vehicle with a built-in kitchen, bed, and bathroom to make it even more comfortable, luxurious, and fun,” enthuses White.

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There are also some great stories from the salespeople. Like Jason Brunner, a 7-year veteran with Lazydays in Tampa, who almost lost a sale once he found out a potential customer was unemployed. Ends up, that customer was between careers. The customer was none other than John Runyan, retired nose guard for the Philadelphia Eagles, who was running for the New Jersey Senate and needed a motorhome for his campaign. Brunner believes to this day that Runyan won a seat in the Senate because of that motorhome. Or the story from Tracy “Bama” Elliott, also from the Tampa Lazydays location, about the two women from Memphis that owned a cookie company and were looking for an RV that had a large enough kitchen to accommodate their baking needs. They showed up to their appointment with Bama toting a box of cookies that were shaped and decorated like the RVs, signage, and structures on the Lazydays lot. To Bama, it seemed every time they turned around or asked a question, he got caught on camera with his hand in the cookie jar or a mouth full of crumbs.

Stories from the Trenches Although many of the customer stories featured on Big Time RV are typical – such as wanting to travel during retirement, visit family, or simply upgrade from an existing camper – there have been some unique stories as well. Like the traveling magician couple who want to take their show on the road. Or, the roller derby team of 16 that need to be able to roll down the road with room for everyone. Or, the horse trainer who is looking for a ranch on wheels.

New Season The combination of the larger-thanlife sales experts, passionate customers, and amazing RVs all come together to create a fun and unique show. As much as it’s about wanting to go inside some incredible RVs, it’s about the stories, the personalities, and the dream. Tune into the third season premiering with back-to-back episodes Sunday, August 14th at 9pm & 9:30pm ET/PT on Travel Channel.

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his past May, we had a big event to celebrate a tiny accomplishment: the grand opening of the Mt. Hood Tiny House Village! Located less than an hour outside of Portland, Oregon, Mt. Hood Village RV Resort welcomed five tiny houses as vacation rentals to their location. The tiny houses range from 175-to-261 square feet, and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s including the loft space. While the square footage sounds tiny, these five homes still include a number of big qualities that make a house a home. From a two burner induction cooktop to extremely comfortable queen sized beds, guests of the tiny house village are not skimping on luxury. To add in on the fun, each home has a specific name and personality to match. Lincoln, Scarlett, Savannah, Atticus, and Zoe each touts its own design features and look adorable while doing so! As a housewarming and genuine welcome for the five tiny houses, a Grand Opening was held the evening of May 20. For three hours, tiny home enthusiasts and those curious as to what the buzz was

all about were able to tour all five homes, enjoy food from the local Dragonfly CafĂŠ, dance to a live set from Beach Fire, and chat with the Tumbleweed Tiny House Company team themselves. Despite the rain (it is the Pacific Northwest, after all), over 1,500 people attended the event and met Lincoln, Scarlett, Savannah, Atticus, and Zoe up close. Individuals sketching out plans to build their own asked technical questions of the Tumbleweed Tiny House team, while others had simply heard about the tiny event and wanted to attend. A number of the guests are fans of the tiny house movement and are followers of the many television shows on the subject. Also, many wanted more information on how they could vacation tiny. One thing was for sure: there are a ton of tiny house fans out there! If you missed the event and want to see more photos of the Mt. Hood Tiny House Village, check out www.MtHoodTinyHouse.com to get acquainted with all five tinies and reserve your stay today!

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Seattle

America’s Northwest wonder by Lynn Seldon Washington State’s largest city of Seattle is a northwest wonder that’s unlike any other destination in America. Unique neighborhoods and historic districts, iconic and lesser-known attractions, new offerings, varied dining, lots of water-based pursuits, and more, all combine to make Seattle and beyond one of America’s most unique destinations. Seattle’s Neighborhoods & Historic Districts Of course, Pike Place Market is right on the water in the heart of downtown and it’s a great place to start. Presiding over a nine-acre historic district, Pike Place Market is located between First and Western Avenues, bound by Union and Stewart Streets. Rachel, the famous bronze piggy bank, is near the main entrance. So is Pike Place Fish Company, home of the famous fish-throwers. The main level features other seafood shops, colorful flower stalls, and lots of produce stands, while the lower level offers one-of-akind shopping stops. Opened in 1971, the original Starbucks is located in Pike Place Market. Street musicians, sanctioned by the Pike Place Market Preservation Development Authority, entertain at designated locales throughout the market. Various Pike Place Market tours are highly recommended. JULY 2016 TRAILBLAZER

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A short walk along the Seattle Waterfront reveals stunning views of Elliott Bay (teeming with ferry tour boats, cruise ships, pleasure craft, and more) and the Olympic Mountains before arriving at the Olympic Sculpture Park. This sculpture museum features 20-plus groundbreaking large-scale sculptures spread throughout the 9-acre outdoor setting. Prime harbor views can be found on the central waterfront along Alaska Way between Pier 70 to the north and Pier 48 to the south. About midway, the everpopular Seattle Aquarium is built atop Pier 59. Offering sightseeing tours and evening dinner cruises, Argosy Cruises is also situated at Pier 59. There’s also Tillicum Village and Blake Island Marine State Park, with a scenic boat trip to nearby Blake Island for a Northwest Coast Native American stage show (Argosy Cruises offers these excursions). Much larger ships can be found at Pier 66’s Bell Street Cruise Terminal, homeport to many cruise ships bound for Alaska’s Inside Passage and beyond. A second cruise terminal is located at Pier 90. Relatively new to the city (2012) is the 175-foot Seattle Great Wheel on Pier 57. It’s one of the largest Ferris wheels in the United States. The bustling Seattle Waterfront also features gift and souvenir shops and a tasty selection of Northwest seafood dining and more.

Jet City Queen Emerald City City

City of Flowers Coffee Capital of the World Rain City

The Seattle Center is also nearby and hard to miss. Here, Seattle explorers can speed up an elevator in the 605-foot Space Needle to the 520-foot-high observation deck. The 74-acre urban park is a legacy of the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair. There’s also don’t-miss contemporary popular culture at Frank Gehrydesigned EMP Museum (founded by Microsoft co-founder, Paul Allen, and dedicated to American popular music), the Pacific Science Center, Seattle Opera, Pacific Northwest Gallery, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Children’s Theatre, Children’s Museum, Seattle, and Chihuly Garden and Glass – the most comprehensive collection of Dale Chihuly’s artwork ever assembled in one place. The Seattle Center also hosts many of the city’s largest festivals, including Bumbershoot (Seattle’s Music & Arts Festival), the Northwest Folklife Festival, the Bite of Seattle, and more. Next, Seattle’s historic district – Pioneer Square – is located on the southern fringe of downtown’s business core. As a burgeoning lumber town in the 1800s, logs skidded down the area’s streets to harbor-side sawmills. Seattle’s quick growth came to a quick standstill when a big fire in 1889 destroyed many of the wooden buildings. However, the town was quickly rebuilt and Seattle served as a bustling staging area for Alaska’s Klondike Gold Rush in the 1890s (interpreted at Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park).

Today, the Pioneer Square neighborhood features about 20 square blocks of Victorian Romanesque architecture, museums, art galleries, restaurants, and nightlife. Below the modern street level, the Underground Tour is a great way to explore remnants of the old town below. Bound by Yesler Way and Dearborn Street on the north and south and Interstate 5 and Fourth Avenue on the east and west respectively, Seattle’s International District spans about 45 blocks south of downtown. Chinese immigrants originally started coming to Seattle in the 1860s, working in the city’s saw mills, rail lines, and fishing boats. Today, the busy neighborhood includes Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Southeast Asians. There are many highlyrecommended tour possibilities. Chinatown Discovery Tours (a subsidiary of The Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience, otherwise known as “The Wing” and known for its Bruce Lee exhibition) offers several themed guided walks through the district. A Touch of Chinatown provides a 90-minute introduction, while a Taste of Chinatown includes a six-course dim sum lunch. Located at Fifth & Weller, Uwajimaya is of the largest Asian grocery and gifts stores in America.

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Other Museums and Attractions Depending on visitor interests, other Seattle museum and attraction options include: the Seattle Art Museum (SAM); the Seattle Asian Art Museum; the Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI, including the new Bezos Center for Innovation, supported by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, and his wife, MacKenzie); Woodland Park Zoo; the Museum of Flight (including the new $22 million Aviation Pavilion); and Paul G. Allen’s Flying Heritage Collection, which recently opened a second hangar that displays some of the rarest World War II war birds and artifacts in the world. Located on the campus of the University of Washington, the Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture is one of the foremost natural history museums in the nation. Ranging from Native American totem poles and handcarved canoes to dinosaur skeletons, fossils, gems, and minerals, it features both natural and cultural artifacts from the Pacific Northwest and the Pacific Rim. Also on campus, the Henry Art Gallery is the art museum of the University of Washington and is located in a stunning Charles Gwathmey-destined glass and textured steel building. It’s one of the region’s premier modern and contemporary art museums. Seattle shopping is also a major attraction. Seattle “brands” include: Amazon Books; Eddie Bauer; Sur la Table; Tommy Bahama; and Columbia Sportswear.

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Varied boat, Ride the Duck land and sea tours, seaplane, and helicopter tours offer additional unique ways to explore the city and the truly stunning surrounding landscapes and seascapes. The sightseeing possibilities include Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, the Cascade and Olympic Mountains, Mount Ranier, Mount Saint Helen, and even excursions up to Victoria and Vancouver in Canada’s British Columbia. Clipper Vacations operates regular catamaran service between Pier 66 and Canada’s Victoria, British Columbia (year-round) and Washington State’s San Juan Islands (seasonally). The Victoria Clipper IV can travel up to 30 knots and is known as one of fastest passenger vessels in the Western Hemisphere – making the SeattleVictoria trip is just 2 ½ hours. Clipper Vacations also offers a wide range of single and multi-day excursions via catamaran, motor coach, and train throughout the Northwest and Canadian Rockies.

Washington State Ferry The Washington State Ferry system is the largest in America and carries more than 23 million passengers each year onboard 24 vessels from 20 terminals. From the Seattle Waterfront, ferries carrying up to 2,500 passengers and 200-plus vehicles travel to and from Brementon on the Olympic Peninsula (60 minutes one-way) and Bainbridge Island (35 minutes one-way). Both routes feature panoramic views of the Seattle Skyline and harbor for quick cross-sound sightseeing trips. Up in the air, Kenmore Air is the largest full-service seaplane operation in the world. The company boasts a fleet of 25 planes, which annually log more than two million miles and carry more than 125,000 passengers. Regular flights between the airline’s two Seattle terminals (located at Lake Union just north of downtown and Kenmore, ten miles north on Lake Washington) feature the San Juan Islands, Oak Harbor, Victoria, the Gulf Islands, Vancouver, and Alaska’s Inside Passage. Their highlyrecommended and popular 20-minute “flightseeing” trips provide a perfect introduction to their offerings. Additionally, special packages and excursions include sport fishing, whale watching, waterside picnics, and more. Seattle Seaplanes also offers year-round 20-minute flights from Lake Union. In addition, “dinner flights” to popular restaurants and resorts in the San Juan Islands, Victoria, Port Townsend, and the towns of Port Ludlow, Port Hadlock, and Poulsbo on the Kitsap Peninsula are popular options.

JULY 2016 TRAILBLAZER

Culture and Cuisine Come evening, Seattle culture and cuisine beckon. The Seattle Opera and the Pacific Northwest Ballet both perform in McGaw Hall at the Seattle Center, while the Seattle Symphony Orchestra plays at Benaroya Hall. For dinner, it’s hard to beat fabled and fresh Northwest cuisine and more at one of award-winning chef Tom Douglas’s menu of many restaurants – like Etta’s Seafood, Serious Pie pizzerias, Greek-fusion Lola’s, Northwest-inspired Palace Kitchen, and many more. Douglas also operates Hot Stove Society, a year-round cooking school. Described as equal parts sports bar, pool hall, and sporting goods store his newest concept – The Carlile Room – opened last summer and was inspired by local singer Brandi Carlile. However, there are many other options for taking a big bite of Seattle. Along with Tom Douglas, Seattle has more than a dozen other James Beard Award winners, including Renee Erickson, Matt Dillion, and Jason Wilson. Five Seattle celebrity chefs (Douglas, Erickson, Ethan Stowell, and Josh Henderson) oversee nearly 50 Seattle restaurants. Of course, fresh seafood is a Seattle favorite and local oysters are easy to find. Many city restaurants have started their own “oyster happy hours,” with oysters sometimes as low as $1.00 each. Local favorites include Elliott’s Oyster House, Shuckers, The Walrus and the Carpenter, Taylor Shellfish Company, and Westward.

JULY 2016 TRAILBLAZER

Asian cuisine is also a must in Seattle. Top picks include: dim sum at Jade Garden, sushi at Maneki, authentic ramen at Tsukushinbo, Vietnamese street noodles at Hue Ky Mi Gia, and more. Whether it’s after dinner or early in the morning, it’s easy to find a great cup of coffee in Seattle (from 100-plus Starbucks to many independent places). Opened late-2015, coffee aficionados will want to head straight to the

Come Visit Today

Starbucks Reserve Roastery and Tasting Room in the Capitol Hill area. The building even has one of Tom Douglas’s Serious Pie pizza outposts. Varied food tours offer another option. Many tours are specialized by specific culinary hubs, cuisines, neighborhoods, or industries. Companies to contact include: Eat Seattle; Savor Seattle; Seattle Food Tours; and Taste Seattle Food Tours.

Washington State wines pair perfectly will all of these eating options. Now the nation’s second largest producer of premium wines and boasts more than 850 wineries – including nearby Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville and more than two dozen trendy “urban wineries” within the city of Seattle. These hotspots provide a great way to toast Seattle, America’s Northwest wonder.

If your planning a trip to Seattle, be sure to stay at one of our 14 Encore and Thousand Trails campgrounds in Washington State. With a variety of accommodations including cottage rentals, RV sites, fun tent sites and rustic yurts, you can enjoy a unique camping experience while you explore the nearby Seattle attractions. Visit RVontheGo.com to book your stay! To plan a trip to Seattle, go to www.visitseattle.org or call (866) 732-2695. JULY 2016 TRAILBLAZER

On The Road

All photos courtesy of Axel & Ash 40

JULY 2016 TRAILBLAZER

AXEL & ASH AustraliAn travel journalists by Lynn & Cele Seldon

Whether you spend life on the road for pleasure or work, it’s nice to have the comforts of home as you travel the highways and byways. TRAILBLAZER checks in with folks who spend a fair amount of time on the road to see just what makes their home away from home. This month, we chatted with Australia’s “Swept Away by Wanderlust” travel journal creators, Axel & Ash

•••••

Axel & Ash (www.axelandash. com) is a design duo from Bondi Beach, Australia, who create funky, stylish products full of inspiration for travelers. The venture started in 2012 when the two (Hanna Axelsson Sahlen and Ashleigh Powell) wanderlusting souls shared their bucket lists and realized they both had a dream to start a creative business. Sharing a common passion for the art of journaling, they decided to start designing chic, inspiring journals filled with quirky writing prompts for everyone who wanted to capture their days, thoughts, and memories in style. Their first travel journal was “Swept Away by Wanderlust” and it’s filled with quirky questions, writing and wandering prompts, “To Do” lists, and more. There’s also “My Bucketlist,” which is also packed with travel tips and motivation, as well as “Let’s See It All,” a large interactive map that’s meant to be hung. We caught up with Axel & Ash by email to talk to them about their unique road trip across the United States. Tell us about your bucket list trip in the United States. Just as we both had “Start a Business” on our bucket lists (first thing we ticked off together and how our business started) we also had shared “Road trip across the United States” on our bucket list – so we always dreamed about doing it together!

JULY 2016 TRAILBLAZER

MAKE SURE Y OU “LOV E Y OUR JOB...

T HEN Y OU NEV ER HAV E TO WORK A DAY IN Y OUR LIF E!

”

After getting lots of interest from our followers and some of our favorite stores in the U.S. requesting to stock our journals, it sparked the thought in us to go. At that same moment we thought what better way to do it than to go on a big adventure and tick off our bucket list item of road tripping across the U.S. whilst launching our books in the U.S. at the same time! Whilst most businesses would go to the traditional avenues of finding a salesperson, setting up meetings etc., we always believed in just hitting the ground running and doing things the way they were done back in the day – meet people face to face. We love the personal interaction and actually getting to know all our clients and their stories – and we are all about living life to the fullest and making sure you love your job, because then you never have to work a day in your life! And what better job than traveling the road with one of your best friends to visit & find all the coolest stores around the U.S.

JULY 2016 TRAILBLAZER

Thinking about it we have to pinch ourselves. It’s been such an awesome journey. Since we selfpublished, we had to learn all the ropes about the book world and now we are stocked in countries and reaching people which we only dreamed! You rented an RV for part of it, right? Tell us about the RV. Yeah, we did...and it was so much fun. We named her Tasty! We both absolutely love road trips and we always wanted to rent a van or RV where we could sleep and have the opportunity to be really nimble. We wanted the freedom to be able to go from place to place at our own leisure, stop when we want, drive when we want, and go any direction we desired. We chose an RV as it’s like being a turtle with your home on your back! And what a home it was – it really had everything we ever needed. When we looked up Imoova (a relocating site for RVs) and found one that was going in our direction, it couldn’t have worked out any more perfect for us. We loved being able to cook, shower, sleep, all whilst driving!

In an instant, the stress of finding hotels and checking in an out was gone…only the open road ahead. We got so smitten that we even considered getting rid of our places in Sydney and just go live in an RV for a year. What was your favorite thing about traveling in your RV versus staying in a hotel? The beautiful feeling of being free as bird. You’re able to drive wherever you desire, whenever you want, and for however long you like. Being able to watch a sunset, stop in a natural spring, film and take pictures of the incredible scenery and just sit on the roof and watch the stars was incredible. It’s just such an extraordinary way to see any country, you discover places and things you never would if you hadn’t driven. When you’re going from hotel to hotel, you really miss those off beaten tracks. The places where locals tell you to visit and the beautiful landscape. Also, you gain so much more time when you’re not always checking in and out.

What were a few favorite things onboard? That we had a shower, toilet, fridge, and stove & oven...and of course the two double beds! Then there was the button that extended the RV out and made our living room bigger! That was our best party trick! And another favorite – our rooftop patio! We loved having a ladder to the roof where we could just take a break, sit and play the guitar, dance silly in the countryside and lay and watch the stars at night. What were a few favorite destinations and why? We absolutely loved California, so much that we overstayed every place we visited. From San Fran all the way to San Diego. The best places and spots we explored were: Napa Valley – Must do. Even if you aren’t a winey, all the towns are so cute and to explore all the vineyards is really beautiful. San Francisco – Head up to Twin Peaks, which is close by, and you will see the most breathtaking view up high of San Francisco, the best time is sunset.

Big Sur (Highway 1) – Driving down to LA from San Francisco, Highway 1 is the must-do way. One of the most amazing drives in the world, it runs along the Pacific coastline. The views are panoramic and mesmerizing. On the way you have to stop and dine and watch the sunset at [Big Sur’s] Nepenthe Restaurant – one of the most beautiful restaurant views in the world! Roller blading down the boardwalk of Venice Beach – Feeling free as a bird in our summer gear, it was so much fun to roller blade down the beautiful long board walks of Venice beach. We were even lucky to see Arnold Schwarzenegger biking. Las Vegas – There is no place in the world like Vegas! Truly such a different city, an adults playground. The best day was our last day in Vegas. We decided to hire a convertible Mustang and drive to the Grand Canyon in style! Wind blowing in our hair, music up loud – we truly felt like we were free as a bird on a break from Tasty!

New Orleans – Dancing in a jazz bar and eating Creole. New Orleans is like another country. Do you have any funny stories from the road you can share? We have so many. One reoccurring highlight that we always laughed about was that every time we had to reverse (just the littlest bit) we were so worried that a little kid or dog would be behind, as there was no way to see what is actually behind. Therefore, every time one of us always had to run back to the back and lay on top of the bed and instruct the driver. There were many laughs and funny moments with people laughing at us from outside! Whatever direction you head when you drive can never be wrong! You will have the best adventures even if you think you went the wrong way. There is always a journey around the corner.

JULY 2016 TRAILBLAZER

Who’s in the kitchen with

TrailBlazer? Cooking with

Lesley Tennessen

When I think of classic American dishes, the first things that pop into my head are the comfort foods of meatloaf, apple cobbler, cornbread and a chocolate cake. Here we go, learning the classics and some great easy ways to bring those comfort foods and classic American dishes right back to your campsite.

SERVES 10-12 (12” dutch oven, 10-12 coals on bottoms, 16-18 coals on top)

Of course, the camp dutch oven provides ‘something extra’ that you cannot exactly put your finger on. Take a little time to perfect the flavor and you will have the rest of the campers coming over and wondering what smells so GREAT!

Ingredients

Directions

Filling

1. In a large bowl combine all filling ingredients and stir until well mixed.

• 9 granny smith apples, sliced • 2¼ cups sugar • 6 tbsp. flour • ¾ tsp. salt • 2 tsp. vanilla • 2 tbsp. butter, melted • 1½ tsp. cinnamon • ¾ tsp. nutmeg • ½ c. cold water

Enjoy these recipes! Keep the coals hot and keep cooking! Lesley Tennessen, Dutch Oven Diva www.dutchovendiva.com or visit my blog at dutchovendiva.wordpress.com

Apple Cobbler

Batter • 3 eggs, slightly beaten • 6 tbsp. butter, melted • 2 cups flour • 2 cups sugar • 2 tsp. baking powder • 1 tsp. salt

2. Pour filling into a well oiled 12” Dutch oven. 3. In a separate bowl, beat together eggs and butter. Stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt then mix into wet ingredients. Pour batter evenly over filling. 4. Place lid on dutch oven and bake using 10-12 briquettes bottom and 16-18 briquettes top for 45-60 minutes. 5. Serve topped with whipped cream of peach preserves on the other piece, not too much because it will ooze on out when warm.

Hot Fudge Lava Cake (12” dutch oven, 350° oven, 17 coals on lid, and 8 coals under oven)

Ingredients

Directions

• 1½ cups sugar • 2 cups flour • 6 tbsp. cocoa • 4 tsp. baking powder • ½ tsp. salt • ⅔ cups melted butter, cooled • 1 cup milk • 3-4 tsp. vanilla

Make sure you follow the directions in order, no skipping around.

• 1 cup sugar • 1 cup brown sugar • 8 tbsp. cocoa 44

JULY 2016 TRAILBLAZER

1. Mix first set of ingredients together & pour into a greased 12” dutch oven. 2. In a separate bowl combine second set of sugar, brown sugar, and cocoa. 3. Sprinkle second mixture evenly over the top of the cake mix and then pour throughout the cake. 4. Add 2½ cups of hot water on top, do not stir — trust me! 5. Bake 35-40 minutes at 350°.

Classic Meatloaf SERVES 6 (10”-12” dutch oven, 350° oven, 10 coals under oven, 22 coals on lid)

Ingredients • 1 packet of Lipton onion mushroom soup mix • 1½ lb. meatloaf mixture (ground beef and ground pork or lean ground beef) • 1 cup soft bread crumbs • 1 egg • ½ cup water • ¼ cup ketchup

Directions 1. Light the coals so they are ready when you are! 2. In large bowl combine all ingredients by hand and form into a nice loaf. 3. Roll up some foil so that it makes a long tube. Coil that up or make an S shape. This will be a trivet for the meatloaf. Place the snake into the oven. Place the meatloaf shape onto the trivet. 4. Bake for about 45 minutes until the interior temp reaches 145. Let it rest with lid on for 10 minutes. This will finish the cooking.

Sweet Potato Cornbread SERVES 8-10 (10” dutch oven, 425° oven, 18 coals on lid, and 1 ring under oven)

Ingredients • ½ cup mashed sweet potatoes • ¾ cup flour • 1¼ cups cornmeal • 3 tsp. baking powder • 1 tsp. salt • ¼ cup real maple syrup • 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice • 1¼ cups buttermilk • 2 eggs • 2 tbsp. vegetable oil, divided

Directions 1. Light the coals. When the coals are hot, put the oven with the lid onto the coals to begin preheating. I like a preheat of about 10 minutes.

2. Once the oven is hot, you’ll want to put the other 1 tablespoon of oil into the bottom. This creates a nice brown and crispy crust. 3. Mix all the remaining ingredients together in a medium bowl, reserving that 1 extra tablespoon of oil. After the oven is preheated, put in the reserved oil. Make sure to cover the bottom of the oven. Pour in the batter, and replace the lid. 4. Bake for about 12-15 minutes. The top should be slightly browned and the bread puffed up. The center should be firm. 5. Remove from heat. Let the oven cool for a couple of minutes. Invert onto a serving tray.

JULY 2016 TRAILBLAZER

ASK

RVBILL

YOUR TECH QUESTIONS ANSWERED!

Trailer Jacks

I have a 2012 Montana with four slide outs. It came equipped with the six point leveling system. The problem I’m having is the trailer sits so low the rear jacks have scraped the ground a couple of times. Should I raise the jacks up a little bit higher? I believe there are some extra holes in the Frame mounting bracket which would allow me to the raise them a couple of inches. However, then I worry about the spare tire hanging too low, as it would hit the ground before the jacks would. I am open for suggestions and would love to hear yours. Randy

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

JULY 2016 TRAILBLAZER

Randy, It seems like most of the Montana trailers are suspended too low, in my estimation. My recommendation is to raise the trailer a few inches for better ground clearance and all around convenience. Check to see if the axles are under the leaf springs or if the leaf springs are on top of the axles. If the leaf springs are under the axles, have them installed on top of the axles. The labor is about 3 hours plus the 4 spring brackets. Any good RV repair center should be able to handle that task. If you want a better and softer ride that will extend the life of the trailer’s construction, I would look into the Liberty Rider Suspension System with the Joyrider2 Shock System installed. I have installed a couple of these suspension systems and I am quite impressed with the ride quality over the standard leaf spring suspension without shock absorbers. Would you drive your truck without shocks? No way.

Replacing Refrigerator

My refrigerator in my 1998 motorhome has stopped cooling on either gas or electric. The high price of a new refrigerator is prompting me to investigate other options. I’ve heard that turning the refrigerator upside down will get the bubble out of the cooling unit. Didn’t work. Do you think it’s worth replacing the cooling unit or should I buy a new refrigerator? Thanks John

Hi, John. Your 18-year-old refrigerator is long past the average life of a gas/electric absorption type refrigerator. I would recommend replacement with a newer model. One of the reasons would be if other problems arose with the refrigerator such as the circuit board, laying out another for $500 in repairs would get you very close to the price of a new refrigerator. You may be limited on a new model with the cut out dimensions of your current refrigerator. I would try to stay away from the new helium type cooling units as the old standby hydrogen facilitates the evaporation of the ammonia much better than the new helium gas type cooling units.

Clogging Toilet

Bill, Just in case you get questioned about slide out problems in the future, here was the solution for mine. When Power Gear took over Kwikee, they moved the 12-volt motor encoder from a separate mount to inside the motor casing. The fault code is a motor failure, whether it was truly motor failure or encoder. If you get a 3rd party rebuilt motor, it may not contain a new encoder. Mine was fixed after a lunchtime conversation with some of the older mechanics that recalled problems with encoders regardless of the fault code. For now, my slide out works. Thank you! My inquiry: Have any of your readers experienced constant plugging of the toilet? It seems every time I take a trip, my toilet plugs right at the joint where the toilet drain enters the black water tank. I can clear it but I hope there is a way to stop it. Thanks for the good work, and info. Maybe we’ll see you on the road. Dan

Hi Dan, it’s good to hear from you. Dan’s original question from a few months ago was about his slide-out issue in his Winnebago motorhome that has been a bearcat to solve. The two electric motors on the slide out mechanism were both turning but would not stay in sync with each other. As the slide room extended, one edge lagged behind, causing the slide room to jam. After much ado over the course of 2 years, the issue has been resolved and Dan was reporting in on the mysterious issue that might be helpful to one of our readers. Now to answer another inquiry regarding the toilet; Itasca and Winnebago are notorious for clogging on the down tube between the toilet in a holding tank. They have installed a 45° fitting on the way down which restricts the flow. Here is what I suggest to help with this issue: First of all, the most important factor is using the proper toilet tissue. Thetford has a good quality tissue that dissolves well in water. We use White Cloud that may be purchased at Walmart and it works just as well. Due to the design of the down tube between the toilet and the holding tank, you will need to add more water in the bowl of the toilet.

Water Pressure Regulator

RV Bill, I need your help. I know you are a full timer and a Master RV Technician. I see so many different water hose sets ups that I must know – Do I really need a water pressure regulator and why? If so, which one actually works and where do I buy it? Thanks! Dillon

I’m happy to help you, Dillon. Yes, it is prudent to always use a water pressure regulator for the park’s water spigot and your RV water hose. The rule of thumb is no more than 50 psi in RV water systems. The key is getting volume while maintaining 50 psi. A small, residential style water pressure regulator is what I recommend. This item can be found at any home supply store. The small, in-line a regulator limits the volume of water through restriction and greatly reduces your water pressure. These regulators do not come with hose fittings but they are available wherever you make your purchase.

JULY 2016 TRAILBLAZER

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Answers can be found on page 64.

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Gear!

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e and mor

• Hats • Sweatshirts • T-Shirts • Koozies

ACROSS 1 Wound crust 5 List-ending abbreviation 8 Mother of Brunhilde 12 Forbidden 13 Greek letter 14 Abuse 15 Loden 17 “Dream Girl” playwright 18 Mulberry of India 19 Of bees 21 Nat’l Endowment for the Arts (Abbr.) 22 Television channel 23 Ass 25 Afr. cat 28 Decare (2 words) 31 Verbal 32 Evil (Fr.) 33 God (Lat.) 34 Phil. island 36 Alarm 37 Old yarn measure

38 Plead 39 Drug Enforcement Admin. (abbr.) 41 Iron (Ger.) 43 Parson bird 46 Indicating, in a way (suf.) 48 Hades 50 Nut 51 American Bar Assn. (abbr.) 52 Forfeit 53 City of Judah 54 Resin 55 Noble (Ger.) DOWN 1 Gr. colonnade 2 Vein 3 Brother of Cain 4 Bureau (abbr.) 5 One learning secrets 6 Siamese 7 Fort 8 Slip 9 Saman (2 words)

10 11 16 20 22 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 32 35 36 38 39 40 42 43 44 45 47 49

Gaming cubes Title of Athena Jargon Negative (pref.) Brain tissue Serve group Steal Individual retirement acct. (abbr.) Home of Odin Buff Europe (abbr.) Fast jet Connubial Small (Scot.) Family relative Ice pinnacle Carplike fish Black Textile fiber Urge Yorkshire river Ass or donkey (Ger.) Sweet potato Malt liquor

paws ROAD ON THE

Traveling and Camping with Companion Animals

In addition to the fantastic grouping of Thousand Trails Parks in Oregon, we love to dry camp with our two, 3-year-old Springer Spaniels, Dover and Sam. Both dogs are usually a hairy mess and cleaning them before they hop into the RV is quite a challenge. We want to be water savvy all of the time and not just when we are off the grid without hook-up’s. Knowing that you full time with your two Boston’s, what tips can you share that might help us? Right now we have a big towel by the front door and the dogs know that is where the wipe-down begins! Thanks, Austin & Kami JENN Hi, Guys! Yes! Keeping the Fur Kids clean is a daily chore even in the best weather conditions. Add a longer hair coat and the task can really become like that “dirty” 4-letter word we all go camping to try and escape…since you don’t show your dogs, I suggest keeping them closely shaved down, especially on the legs, belly and chest areas to help cut down on collection of mud and dirt. Look into purchasing a animal specific clipper so you can do this jobs yourself to ensure it gets done as needed and doesn’t break the bank! I suggest a brand name like Andis or Oster. We keep a large wash bucket

by Jenn Gehr

filled with water – we call it the “Swimmin’ Hole”– and regularly dip the dogs front feet in to really rinse off the grime. Sometimes, I stand the dog’s entire body in the tub to really clean them up! With your larger dogs, you will need to clean each end at a time! Also, I love my medium bristled, synthetic mud brush and keep it within arm’s reach by the front door. It’s great for quick grooming for dog’s and dusty hiking boots and pants alike! Check any store in the cleaning department for a brush that isn’t too hard bristled and be sure you keep the brush off sensitive areas like the face and ears. I hope these suggestions are of help to you and thanks for writing in! Jenn, I worry that I wash my dog too often. I wash with dog soap every other week and my Bessie is still itchy. He skin in dry and flakey and I even tried Head and Shoulders Shampoo but that seemed to irritate her even more. Bessie is a 4-year-old Lab/Greyhound mix that I rescued from the shelter about a year ago. Her feet are red between the toes and her ears always stink a bit, even after I clean them with a baby wipe. I travel frequently and she loves to ride in my Sprinter Van and is most definitely the very best co-pilot a single Gal could ask for. Thank you, Amber JENN There’s no doubt about itDogs are the BEST co-pilot’s! When I hear of your concerns, I think Bessie might have an overproduction of yeast in her

system more than shampoo issues. Keeping in mind that frequent washings can lead to stripping the skin of it’s natural oils and cause more irritation. Try to wash no more than once a month and use less soap and add in a few tablespoons of coconut, almond or olive oil to the shampoo to help add back in some moisture. Coconut oil has a TON of healing properties for the inside of the body, too! Start giving your dog a ¼ teaspoon each day and be committed to reading the labels of what you are feeding your girl. Dry, smelly and itch point to diet issues, first and foremost. Feeding the most biologically appropriate way to best support an anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory dog is simple, but you must pay attention and be ready to read labels! Eliminate corn, by-products, wheat, dairy, soy and grains. Sugars, not just the white cooking type, are building blocks for yeast to grow so be sure to avoid foods and treats that contain honey, high-fructose corn syrup, potatoes, corn and rice. Think a grain-free diet, even better, a raw diet! I feed and love everything made by Primal Pet Foods! Addressing our pet’s diet is the #1 cause and solution to help keep Bessie at a healthy, normal flora level inside her body to ward off the problems she’s experiencing on the outside. Good for you in noticing that there just might be a bigger problem lurking here that just a “stinky-itchy dog”. I’m confident that if you commit to making all of these positive changes, Bessie will be on the track to feeling a whole heck of a lot better in no time at all. Email Jenn your questions and share your pics at TBPets@equitylifestyle.com

JULY 2016 TRAILBLAZER

PREFERRED RV DEALERS

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

USA A&L RV Sales TN - Christiana, Johnson City www.alrvsales.com A Great Outdoor RV Center TX - Canton • www.agorv.com Affinity RV AZ - Dewey, 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 Appleton Camping Center WI - Appleton • www.appletoncamping.com B&B RV CA - Anderson • www.bbrv.me Bama RV AL - Dothan • www.bamarv.com 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 Braun’s Fun Time Campers IN - Indianapolis www.funtimecampers.com Browns RV SC - McBee www.brownsrvsuperstore.com 60

JULY 2016 TRAILBLAZER

Burlington RV Superstore WI - Sturtevant • www.burlingtonrv.com Camperland Trailer Sales TX - Conroe • www.camperland.net Campers Inn CT - Union; FL - Leesburg, Jacksonville NC - Kings Mountain, Mocksville, Raleigh NH - Kingston, Merrimack PA - Pittsburgh, Philadelphia MA - Raynham; SC - Myrtle Beach VA - Fredericksburg; GA - Macon, Atlanta www.campersinn.com

Economy RVs MD - Mechanicsville www.economyrvs.com Ellis Travel Trailers GA - Statesboro www.ellistraveltrailers.com ET Quality RV CA - Two locations in Yuba City www.etqualityrv.com Floyd’s RV OK - Norman • www.floydsrvs.com

Canopy Country RV Center WA - Ellensburg, Union Gap www.canopycountry.com

Freedom RV WA - Liberty Lake www.freedomrvusa.com

Charlie Obaugh RV VA - Staunton • www.charlieobaughrv.com

Funtime RV OR - Tualalin • www.funtimervinc.com

Chesaco RV MD - Joppa PA - Shoemakersville • www.chesacorv.com

General RV Center IL - Huntley MI - Brownstown, Mt. Clemens, Wayland, White Lake, Wixom OH - North Canton www.generalrv.com

Clear Creek RV WA - Silverdale www.clearcreekrvcenter.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 Cunningham Campers, Inc. IN- Jeffersonville www.cunninghamcampers.com Curtis Trailer Center MI - Schoolcraft www.curtistrailercenter.com

Gibs RV Superstore OR - Coos Bay www.gibsrvsuperstore.com Hayden’s RVs VA - Richmond • www.haydensrvs.net Haylett RV MI - Coldwater www.haylettautoandrv.com Jeff’s Couch’s RV Nation OH - Hamilton • www.couchsrvnation.com J&M Camper & Marine ME - Augusta • www.jmcamper.com Keystone RV Center PA - Greencastle www.keystonervcenter.com Lakeside RV Sales SC - Anderson • www.lakesidervsales.com

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

RV Source TN - Knoxville • www.rvsforless.net

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

Safford RV VA - Thornburg • www.saffordrv.com

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

Scott Motor Coach NJ - Lakewood www.scottmotorcoach.com

Media Camping PA - Media • www.mediacamping.com Mike Thompson RV Superstores CA - Cathedral City, Colton, Fountain Valley, Santa Fe Springs www.mikethompson.com Opelika RV Center AL - Opelika • www.opelikarv.com

RV Value Mart PA - Lititz, Manheim • www.rvvaluemart.com

See Grins RV CA - Gilroy, San Martin • www.seegrins.com Seguin RV TX - Seguin • www.seguinrv.com Simi RV & Off Road CA - Simi Valley • www.simi-rv.com

CANADA Action VR QC - Saint-Nicolas • www.actionvr.ca Véhicules Récréatifs JD QC - Sherbrooke • www.vrjdrv.ca VR Depot QC - Vaudreuil-Dorion • www.vrdepot.ca VR Emond Plus QC - Sainte-Nicolas www.vremondplus.com VR Prestige QC - Terrebonne • www.vrprestige.com VR Souliere QC - Lanoraie, Lavaltrie www.vrsouliere.com

Out of Doors Mart NC - Colfax • www.outofdoorsmart.com

Sky River RV CA - Buellton, Paso Robles, Pismo Beach www.skyriverrv.com

Patterson RV TX - Wichita Falls • www.pattersonrv.com

Snyder’s RV VA - Virginia Beach • www.snydersrv.com

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

Strickland Marine & RV SC - Seneca www.stricklandmarineandrv.com

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

Sundown RV Center CA - Atwater • www.sundownrv.com

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

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

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

Leasure Days RV ON - Ayr, Kingston, Pembroke, Smith Falls, Sudbry QC - Buckingham, Gatineau, Sherbrooke NB - Salisbury NS - Truro www.leisuredays.ca

TAC Trailer and RV NC - Moyock • www.tactrailerandrv.com

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

Le Centre du Vr Victoriaville QC - Saint-Albert • www.vrvictoriaville.com

The Trail Center SC - North Charleston www.trailcenter.com

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

Toscano RV CA - Los Banos • www.toscanorv.com

Roulottes AS Levesque QC - Châteauguay, Saguenay, Sainte-Hélène, Trois-Rivières www.roulotte.ca

Roadhouse Camper & RV PA - Lake Ariel (Scranton) www.roadhousecamper.com Roy Robinson RV WA - Marysville • www.royrobinsonrv.com Russ Dean Family RV WA - Pasco • www.russdeanrv.com RV City AZ - Huachuca City • www.rvcity.net RV General Store OK - Newcastle • www.rvgeneralstore.com RV’s For Less TX - Bryan • www.rvsource.com

Sunbelt RV Center TX - Belton • www.sunbeltrv.com

TravelTime RV TX - Sulphur Springs www.traveltimerv.com

GO VR QC - Ange Gardien • www.go-vr.com Horizon Lussier QC - Maryville • www.horizonlussier.com JCS Entreposage QC - Trois Rivières www.entreposagejcs.com

Roulottes Remillard QC - Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu www.roulottesremillard.com

Vancouver RV & Park Model Center Wa - Vancouver • www.vancouverrv.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 Wilder RV WA - Port Angeles • www.wilderrvs.com

JULY 2016 TRAILBLAZER

y l l a R It’s ! e m i T Calendar

CLUB JULY 2016 Bounders United (BUTTN)

Sept. 13-16......... Wilderness Lakes, CA If you are interested in attending please e-mail or call the Schneider’s, BettyAron.Schneider@verizon.net, (619) 575-2311 or (619) 929-7848. You will need to make your own reservations through the Thousand Trails system.

TT SINGLES Central California

Jul. 22-24..................... Snowflower, CA Aug. 26-28................... Snowflower, 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.

TT Travelers Southern California

Jul. 11-13........................... Pio Pico, CA Aug. 1-3.............. Wilderness Lakes, CA Sept. 12-14........... Soledad Canyon, CA Oct. 3-5.............. Oakzanita Springs, CA Nov. 7-9......................Palm Springs, CA Dec. 5-7.............. Wilderness Lakes, CA We normally meet the first Mon, Tues, and Weds mornings of each month for coffee and those evenings for potluck and games. For more information, contact Wagon Master Donna Schoolcraft (619) 933-9787 or cecilanddonna@aol.com 62

JULY 2016 TRAILBLAZER

RVers seeking RVers? Rally clubs from coast to coast love to meet at our destinations. Join in on the fun! Northwest

Aug. 26-28....................Mt. Vernon, WA Sept. 23-25....................Cultus Lake, BC Oct. 28-30........................... Seaside, OR 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.

Lewis and Clark TTN

TTN So Cal Weekenders

Aug. 5-7 �� Idyllwild, CA 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 East Trail Buddies

Jul. 18-22....................... La Conner, WA Aug. 18-22.................... South Jetty, OR Roger Beausoleil: President Lewis and Clark TTN chapter of FMCA. Contact person, Roger Beausoleil (503) 390-4753 or rogerabeau@msn.com.

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 of Texas/FMCA

TTWest/FMCA

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: ttfmcaralliesandmore.blogspot.com.

Jul. 15-17 �� Snowflower, CA Sept. 8-11 ��Lake of the Springs, CA Nov. 18-20 �� San Bentio, CA Members of Thousand Trails and FMCA meet at Northern California Preserves bimonthly. Contact Manny Francis at (415) 606-7596 or email to mannyfrancis@live.com. Reservations are required two weeks in advance.

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!

Eliezer J. Risco of Fresno, CA

found the tree on Page 23 of the May Issue.

▲ Mt. Hood

RV Resort tiny

houses

▲ Portalnd

cable car ▲ Performer

at Hawthorn

Street Fair

After you’ve got a caffeine head out to boost, one of Portland’ famous and many lush largest food s parks. On the pod in the cart city. This pod Southeast side is Mt. Take a stroll Tabor number of has a through this well-loved dormant volcano,Park. A now intricate and beautiful food carts from almost garden and Mt. Tabor is one of the every kind into the onsite stop finest of cuisine. Even traditional for it’s beautiful parks in the city Chinese tea your vegan/paleo/other gluten-free/ house or view summit views of Mt. Hood traditional friends will Chinese water the on enjoy the large Mt. Saint Helen’sone side and some of which colors, options here. number of Enter the park on the other. in the Chinatoware for sale. Also We suggest checking out entrance off at the 60th street Robe Tea House.n area, is the Red Nong’s Khao of Gai, still one Man The menu or on the other Hawthorne Blvd a variety of of the most carts, which tasty dumpling has popular and 72nd Street.side at Harrison noodles, and serves up s, a traditional a Or, head out Thai chicken the northwes Chinese teas wide variety of to and rice dish that is t side of the to sample. where the out of this If planning largest urban city, world tasty! Other a stay in the forest in the United notable food Portland area States, Forest pods include cart be sure to situated. At Park, is check out “TidBits” on Mt. Hood Village 5,157 acres, Division Street, SE there are a plethora RV Resort, which has located just of trails to garden and a beer explore. outside of We recomme outdoor heaters Portland. Mt. Hood offers nd all-weather outdoor dining, for a gentle 2 mile taking BPA Road, in yurts, park accommodations the Carts on round trip models, camping, that enters Foster on SE or path and RVs. And, at NW which has Foster, carts Along the path, Skyline Blvd. for those wondering from pastries, for everything what it might of the Willamett you’ll have views like to stay be to fried fish, to egg sandwiches, in a and vista views e River below and even a the new Tiny tiny home, 24 hour hair salon that runs out House Village and Mt. Rainier of Mt. St. Helens Mt. Hood is of an RV. at out in front Not too far available beginning of you. from Alder On your way Memorial Day Street NW Everett back to the head to one Street in Chinatowon city, your reservatioWeekend. Make of the many is the Lan ns n today Su Chinese cart pods. food MtHoodTinyHouse at Located on Garden. Walk through .com or SW 10th and Alder visit RVontheG this tradition Streets are Chinese garden o.com for more al the Alder Street Food information Carts, the paradise sitting that is a zen on Mt. Hood most RV Resort. Village in the middle the heart of of downtown Portland.

TB_MAY_2016_

V12.indd 23

MAY 2016 TRAILBLAZ

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.

4/7/16 6:48 PM

Postmark deadline is June 30, 2016

and remember –the tree could be a different color and size.

Answers can be found on page 64.

Friends Support Each Other

1-800-432-5646 (JOIN) savethemanatee.org

Adopt -AManatee

JULY 2016 TRAILBLAZER

Answers – Crossword puzzle can be found on page 58

Answers – Sudoku puzzle can be found on page 63.

Terms and Conditions for 2016 Referral Promotion from page 4. For each Eligible Referral (as defined) through December 31, 2016, you will receive a $25 Visa® Prepaid Card. In addition, for each Eligible Referral through December 31, 2016, 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 2017, 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, 2017. 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, 2016 and December 31, 2016 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 2016 TRAILBLAZER

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{

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NO ONE DOES IT BETTER

PROTECT YOUR PEACE OF MIND Thousand Trails Members Qualify For Association Discounts Attend A SkyMed Meeting For Details

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.

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