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JUNE 2017 TRAILBLAZER
VOL. 39
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WHAT’S INSIDE
ISSUE 5 /// JUNE 2017
lifestyle
16
5
Message from Marguerite
14 Tech Topics 31 4 Paws on the Road 38 Out N’ About Lancaster, PA 44 Who’s in the Kitchen with TrailBlazer? 46 Ask RV Bill 66 #100DaysofCamping
features
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16 Asheville, NC
calendars 8
Many loyal locals and visitors consider the North Carolina mountain town of Asheville as their Utopia on earth. It’s certainly ‘Youtopia’ if you want a perfect place to enjoy your passions and pursuits.
On-Site Events
12 Local Events 64 Club Calendar
spotlight
regulars
26 Steep Canyon Rangers
43 Sudoku Puzzle
7
Pics From The Parks
48 Member Deals
The Steep Canyon Rangers have been entertaining crowds across the country with their spirited songwriting, instrumental mastery, and entertaining performances.
59 Crossword Puzzle 62 Preferred RV Dealer List
32 Indiana’s Heritage Trail If you’re planning to spend some time this summer in northern Indiana, a tour of the Heritage Trail is a must-do! Named one of “America’s Most Scenic Drives” in a USA Today’s Reader’s Choice travel poll, this roughly 90-mile “trail” gives you an up close look at the Amish lifestyle in the area.
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Front Cover, Jack of the Wood Photo courtesy of ExlporeAsheville.com JUNE 2017 TRAILBLAZER
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â–˛ Yosemite Lakes (CA)
MESSAGE from MARGUERITE A milestone event typically involves a significant change that opens a door to the next stage in our lives. These milestone events may include graduations, weddings, the start of a family, a first home, or perhaps retirement. Each of these events comes with a sense of uncertainty and anticipation of what lies ahead. For many, choosing to travel across the country in an RV represented a milestone event. This change in lifestyle most likely involved downsizing, bidding a temporary goodbye to family and friends, and significant research and planning. All of which brought on a sense of uncertainty and anticipation of what the future brings. Perhaps you have a desire to try the RV lifestyle before you decide to purchase that first unit. There is no better way to get a sense of the lifestyle firsthand than to rent an RV for yourself and make plans to visit a favorite destination. Although renting that first RV can be intimidating, given the proper guidance, you will embark on a new adventure that is sure to provide you with a sense of freedom and discovery as you travel and explore.
At Thousand Trails, we continue to provide customers new options to explore the outdoors and experience our locations across the country. In doing so, we help many reach milestones big and small, whether we’re welcoming that newly retired RVer or someone choosing to go full time in their RV, that first time camping family or someone who has been yearning to take a unique vacation and decides to stay with us in a yurt or tiny house. Our teams are ready to help you discover something new. We would be happy to open that door to the exciting next stage in your life.
Marguerite Nader President & CEO
JUNE 2017 TRAILBLAZER
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Share your adventures in 3 easy steps!
www.trailblazermagazine.net CREATIVE DIRECTOR Mark Slattery EDITOR tbeditor@equitylifestyle.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER Mellissa Dempsey 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 Mon. - Fri. 7 a.m. to 7 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 Conroe (TX): Cozy Thousand Trails cottages – Linda Sanders
PICS FROM THE PARKS
each i
ssue!
▲ Lake Gaston (NC): Enjoying the playground – Greg and Cindy Agoglia
▲ Long Beach (WA): The Root Family hiking the Bell View Trail – Terese Root
▲ Mt. Hood (OR): Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival – Priscilla Robinson JUNE 2017 TRAILBLAZER
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ACTIVITIES
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Activities and Events – On-Site
JUNE events There’s always something fun happening every weekend at TT and Encore campgrounds. Check out what’s in store for this month and be sure to also check out your 2017-2018 Theme Weekends guide to get you going on your summer plans at Thousand Trails and Encore campgrounds!
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Magic Weekends
Club Blazer & Walk The Trails – National Walk the Trails Day Saturday June 3 is National Walk the Trails Day, sponsored by the American Hiking Society! Thousand Trails members and guests all over the country will be enjoying the outdoors and attending special events and exploring local trails in their areas. Be sure to check out these Walk the Trails events at campgrounds this June. Meet at the front office at The Oaks at Point South (SC) for a campground-wide walkathon. Don’t miss the fun and educational recreational programs at Russian River (CA) and join Club Blazer! At Green Mountain (SC) there will be Club Blazer programs plus scavenger hunts and live entertainment to celebrate Walk the Trails Day. Ride with the folks at Moody Beach (ME) to the base of the mountain to take a one hour hike to the summit of Mt. Agementicus! The summit features a 360 degree view of the presidential range – Mt. Washington, or view the lobster boats on the ocean! Celebrate this national event with the folks at Las Vegas (NV) by visiting the many amazing trails including Lake Mead, Red Rock National Park, The Valley of Fire, and more.
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Sure, every weekend at Thousand Trails is magical…but these campgrounds take it to the next level with special magic performers! Come to learn a trick or two, or witness some incredible illusions at these magic shows. Treat Dad to a special Superman Magic Show on Father’s Day Weekend (June 16-18) at Timothy Lake North & South (PA). Who can resist learning a magic trick? We got some for you to learn at Bend-Sunriver (OR) so you can trick your friends and family on June 24, “The Magic Saturday.” Mr. Magic, our local magician, is coming to stump the crowd! Mr. Twister joins us at Chehalis (WA) the weekend of June 23 for magic and balloon twisting! Bring our best magic tricks for our Magic Show at PA Dutch Country (PA) the weekend of June 23! It’ll be a weekend filled with magical fun for the entire family and includes a kid’s magician plus relive the magic with a special video featuring all the fun times during 2017 at PA Dutch Country.
All events, times and dates are subject to change.
Activities and Events – On-Site
BINGO Nights B! I! N! G! O! You know the song! Bingo was his name-O! This summer is bound to be filled with BINGO games so you’ve got many chances to win prizes and glory this June. Check out all the BINGO games we’ve got lined up. After you’ve walked the trails with the folks at Rondout Valley (NY) on June 3, join in for Tree Bingo! Join us at Harbor View (VA) on June 10 for Family Bingo featuring prizes! The folks at Chesapeake Bay (VA) are having so much fun in the sun the weekend of June 9 and will include ice-cream Bingo to keep things cool. The folks at Snowflower (CA) will have Manager’s Choice Candy Bingo on June 10. Please join us at St. Clair (MI) for Super-Bingo Weekend, June 23-25. There will be Kid’s Candy Bar Bingo and Adult “White Elephant” Bingo. June 24 is the weekend you BINGO-maniacs at Chestnut Lake (NJ) have been waiting for! We will have Candy Bar Bingo, Garden Bingo, Mystery Bingo, Brown Bag Bingo, and any other Bingo game! If you’re a chocolate lover, visit Twin Mills (IN) for Chocolate Candy Bar Bingo the weekend of June 23.
Aloha Campers! You’ll feel like you’re on a mini-vacation while you’re already on vacation with these Luaus at Thousand Trails campgrounds this June. Grandy Creek (WA) will host a Hawaiian Vacation the weekend of June 9. Please join us at St. Clair (MI) for an Hawaiian-themed Pig Roast. Music, dance competitions and great food are just a few things that await you the weekend of June 9! Dress up in your favorite vacation attire and join us for games in the field! We’ll have limbo, tourist relay, and music beach towels. At Lake Whitney (TX), we’ll be making leis and grass skirts for our Annual Luau Party on June 10. Join us at Lake Conroe (TX) on June 24 for the Beach Luau. There will be a limbo contests, a “Best Hawaiian Costume Contest,” plus some exciting Polynesian entertainment. Aloha Natchez Trace (TN) campers! Wear your grass skirts and island attire and enjoy a fun-filled weekend from June 23-25.
Live Entertainment Dance! Sing! And Boogie the night away with fellow members at these Themed Weekend events featuring live entertainment, special concerts, and dance parties! Join the Let the Sunshine In Music Festival at Peace River (FL) the weekend of June 9. Pack your picnic baskets, bring your blankets and enjoy an afternoon and evening of great music. Bill Okel and the Sunshine DJ Group, and The Relics will entertain and send us on a musical journey! Dress to impress for the lively dance contest on Saturday, June 10, at Green Mountain (NC)’s Oldies but Goodies Weekend! Dance the night away while doing the “Twist” and the “Mashed Potato”! The folks at Hershey (PA) will also take it back to the 50s with a sock hop! Poodle skirts, rolled up jeans, and greasy hair while doing the hand jive, stroll, and much more! Turn back the clock with Lake Gaston (NC) during their Rock & Roll Turn Back the Clock to the 1950s Weekend, June 23-25. John Carter will perform at the Family Campfire the weekend of June 17 at Lake of the Springs (CA). Some events may require a participation fee.
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Activities and Events – On-Site
Summertime at last! School’s out so let’s dive right into the summertime. It’s Tranquil Timber’s 11th Anniversary and School’s Out the weekend of June 9 at Tranquil Timbers (WI). Come join our water games and more throughout the day! Also, we want to give something back to all the kids for their hard work so bring us your report cards for a special treat! Join us for movie and popcorn night, karaoke games, ice cream and a fun-packed weekend at Diamond Caverns (KY) because school’s out! It’s finally summer at Bay Landing (TX) so come spend the day with us fishing, canoeing, and much more the weekend of June 23. Enjoy a pool party with a your friends at Forest Lake (NC) the weekend of June 9! We will also have donuts for everyone plus evening entertainment. Hello summer fun and goodbye to school at Gateway to Cape Cod (MA) the weekend of June 23! Now you can enjoy long days of leisure around the pool.
Stay Cool It’s hot out there so stay cool at these pool parties this summer! Get Wet and Wild at the pool party the weekend of June 23 at Rondout Valley (NY). Activities include pool activities, beach volleyball, sand castle making, ice balloons, water bucket toss, cool crafts, and of course, our famous wet & wild wagon ride! Splash Into Summer at Thunderbird (WA) the same weekend! Enjoy musical noodles, water balloon waters, and special frozen treats. All games planned at Lake Whitney (TX) will leave you soaked! June 24 will be a day of planned activities to keep you cool with a water balloon toss and campground-wide water gun shootouts! Enjoy the beaches, pool, or hot tub by day and then enjoy the party on Saturday night, June 24 at Moody Beach (ME). Beat the heat at Oakzanita Springs (CA) the weekend of June 24 with frozen t-shirt games, pool games, and cold treats!
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Activities and Events – On-Site
Craft Fairs
Foodie Gatherings
Check out these craft fairs happening all month long at Thousand Trails.
The best part of summer involves potlucks, BBQs, even eating contests! Check out these foodie-centric events!
Check out the Saturday Arts & Crafts Flea Market Sale at Lake Minden (CA) the weekend of June 9. Sign up in the Adult Lodge to reserve your table. Kids can participate in Club Blazer and the Kids Kindness Club. Share your favorite photos and ideas at a Picture This Photo Club get-together. Creative Crafter’s Circle meets Friday. Design the most creative alien costume with tin foil, black trash bags, and plastic wrap at Wilmington (OH) the weekend of June 23. You could win a prize! Join in the Alien Battle and power up at the Alien Refueling Station. On Sunday, we’ll be having a Craft Fair. Craft items, produce, and beauty products are welcome.
Join us for the edible craft, Sundae bar, chocolate syrup Slip N’ Slide at Arrowhead (WI) the weekend of June 9. Plus there will be an adults-only Wisconsin Wine Tasting! Don’t miss the Wing Ding Fest at Yukon Trails (WI) the weekend of June 2. The next week, also at Yukon Trails (WI) is BOOYA FEED! Campers and guests can donate a small portion of food to help this campground-wide cookout. All foods will be blended into the finest dinner stew/soup you have ever eaten. Please, NO fish, wild game, eggs or hot dogs! Sign up in advance at the MilePost with your food to help fill the kettle. The folks at Colorado River (TX) are celebrating National Strawberry Shortcake month on June 10! June 24-26 is Healthy Living Weekend at Horseshoe Lakes (IN) and is all about learning how to live the healthy life. Healthy potluck sampling on Saturday and bring your “healthy” dish to sample and share the recipe with your neighbors!
Beat the Clock at Thousand Trails Obstacle courses, golf tournaments, there’s plenty of opportunity to show off your skills during these tournament weekends. It’s obstacle challenge weekend June 10-12 at Horseshoe Lakes (IN). It’s a Beat the Clock weekend at Indian Lakes (IN) the same weekend! Join us with your team at Colorado River (TX) at the volleyball court for a playoff the weekend of June 9. Show off your skills as we play challenging games racing against the clock! Sign up for multiple tournaments now on the Longest Day of the Year at Yosemite Lakes (CA) the weekend of June 16. Bring Dad to our “Tool Time “ relay and then treat him to our Ice Cream Sundae bar at Long Beach (CA) the weekend of June 16. The folks at Orlando (FL) will also hold a mini-golf tournament for Father’s Day weekend. Be sure to also check out the BBQ Pool Party on Saturday. Join us for a sports of all sorts tournament weekend at Lynchburg (VA) the weekend of June 24. Adults and kid’s tournaments for cornhole, horseshoes, mini-golf, basketball, shuffleboard, volleyball, and other great outdoor games! JUNE 2017 TRAILBLAZER
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Activities and Events – Local
LOCAL
OF
CALENDAR events
▲ Temecula Art & Street Painting Festival Photo courtesy of Chuck Coker
OCEANA (WA) June 10 Flag Day Parade Honor our nation’s flag with an old fashioned parade. Over 75 entrants parade through the streets of downtown Ocean Shores. oceanshoresact.com
TAHOE VALLEY (CA) June 2-3 Reno- Tahoe Odyssey Relay Run Adventure The 13th Annual Reno-Tahoe Odyssey Relay Run Adventure attracts hundreds of participants and spectators every year. 250 teams of 12 cover a 178-mile course that begins in downtown Reno. The course has 36 legs with varying lengths and difficulty. Start times are staggered from 5:30am-9am. Interested in a shorter course? The capital Odyssey Relay and Comstock Odyssey Relay offer alternatives to the full course. renotahoeodyssey.com
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June 10 Paul Rodriguez and the Latin Kings of Comedy Longtime comedian Paul Rodriguez comedy show. montbleuresort.com
MOODY BEACH (ME) Until July 1st Mamma Mia Come see players at the Ogunquit Playhouse put on the timeless musical, Mamma Mia! Non-stop laughs and explosive dance numbers to the hit songs of ABBA. Don’t miss out on this international smash hit, coming to Ogunquit Playhouse. ogunquitplayhouse.org June 14-18 Launch! Maritime Festival Celebrating seafood, nautical history with an array of special events including lobster bakes, special VIP events, River Lights Boat Parade, and more. Visit the website for the most detailed event and ticketing information. launchfestme.com
BIRCH BAY (WA) June 11 Hands Across the Border International Peace Arch Association (IPAA) Celebrate this international celebration of peace with your family and friends. This event has been enjoyed by youth from around the world since 1937. Special Peace Art project. Gathering of the American and Canadian scouts. Event is open to Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Trail Life USA, Campfire, American Heritage Girls, Girl Guides, leaders, traders, volunteers, Hands Across the Border Celebration alumni, and their families. handsacrosstheborder.info June 17 Puppy Rescue Mission Yappy Hour/Auction Doors will open at 1 pm. Silent Auction will close at 3pm Live Auction will start at 4 pm BBQ available 3 to 8 pm. Full BBQ, Admission to all events. facebook.com/PRMyappyhourauction
All events, times and dates are subject to change.
LYNCHBURG (VA)
LAKE OF THE SPRINGS (CA)
June 24-25 Lemon Lily Festival Nature hikes to wild lilies, lemon lily plants for sale, live music, children’s crafts and activities; face painting, balloon sculptures, blacksmithing, gold mining, apple peeling and more. Food vendors and local artisans. Adults $5.00, kids $4.00. arfbeerfest.com
June 24 Lynchburg Beach Music Festival Come out to the 1st annual Lynchburg Beach Music Festival featuring The Embers, The Band of Oz, Legacy Motown Review and The Castaways. We are turning the River Walk into a Board Walk, carnival games, volleyball, food trucks, craft beer, beach drinks, vendors, lots of kid fun, family fun, dancing, giveaways, and surprises all day long. Bring your beach blanket, chair or buy one of our signature “I Love Downtown Lynchburg” roll out chairs. eventbrite.com/e/lynchburg-beachmusic
June 2 Friday Art Walks The First Friday Art Walk is a celebration of Nevada City’s diverse mix of galleries, artisan boutiques, retail shops, wine tasting rooms, restaurants, as well as our wonderfully artistic and creative community. Participating Downtown businesses will be open from 5pm to 9pm and many will host “receptions” with local artists, trunk shows, and/or performances. There will be live music and theatrical performances at various locations throughout the downtown area. Take the kids to the “Kids Zone” too. nevadacitychamber.com
LONG WHITNEY (TX) June 16 Friday Afternoon Club: Americana A Gruene Hall tradition where hipsters, oldsters, suits, locals and drifters mix it up to start their weekend rite (pun intended!) This quintessential Friday happy hour celebrates the warmer weather with great beer prices, prize giveaways and the best in Texas tunes broadcast live by KNBT 92.1 FM Radio New Braunfels. There’s even a very special guest interview each week. gruenehall.com
KENISEE LAKE (OH) June 17-18 Strawberry Festival & Craft Bazaar Enjoy strawberry shortcake, original crafts nestled amidst historic buildings, quilt & doll show, live entertainment, free kid’s corner, prizes, food, historic guided tours. ohio.org June 18 Antique & Classic Car Show Don your early duds and drive your antique or classic car to the historic 19th century Jefferson Depot Village CAR SHOW. No preregistration required. Free Strawberry Shortcake for drivers. ohio.org
Activities and Events – Local
IDYLLWILD (CA)
COLORADO RIVER (TX) WILDERNESS LAKES (CA) June 9-11 Temecula Art & Street Painting Festival Featuring various murals creating an asphalt gallery of chalk art masterpieces. This year’s theme is “Community Pride” and will bring chalk artist from all over Southern California and Arizona. temeculaca.gov/artfest June 21 Alice Cooper in Concert Alice Cooper in concert. Get your tickets in advance, they sell out early. pechanga.com/entertain/alice-cooper
LAKE GASTON (NC) June 16-17 301 Endless Yard Sale Many sellers will be located along the stretch in well-established visitor sites like Riverside Mill in Weldon, the Tobacco Farm Life Museum in Kenly, TWM Antiques in Selma,.as well as families, churches and schools on the route with vendor spaces. 301endlessyardsale.com
Some events may require a participation fee.
Saturdays & Sundays in June Quirky Country Market Solar powered green market that offers an unusual shopping experience. Vendors offer unique items for living off the grid, but you must go to understand and appreciate this quirky market. icm71.com
GETTYSBURG FARM (PA) May 6 Street Rod Nationals East The east coast’s largest outdoor street rod show. More than 4,000 street rods, customs, muscle cars, and specialty vehicles. Children age 5 and under are free. Come out and enjoy the music, cars, food, art, crafts, and games! nsra-usa.com June 24 PA Cider Fest Come enjoy Pennsylvania’s premier cider-tasting event! This festival is for cider lovers 21 and older. Tickets can be bought in advance for $25 or on the day of for $30. Come out and experience cider like you never have before at the home of Jack’s Hard Cider. paciderfest.com JUNE 2017 TRAILBLAZER
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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 When most of us think of our RV’s, the first thing that comes to mind is “FUNTIME!” And this is absolutely, positively true. There’s no fun like RV fun, where home is wherever we decide to point the headlights. And one of the greatest things about RV living is that everything we need is right on board, 24/7/365. Here are a few quick and easy tips to help keep your home-away-fromhome stocked with some of the fluids it needs to operate at its peak as you roll on down the highway. Fluids 101: Just like your own body needs plenty of good, fresh water to perform its best, there are a number of fluids that help your RV do the same. Fluids are the very lifeblood of your rig; whether your favorite RV is a motorhome, fifth wheel, travel trailer, pickup truck, or SUV, the engine that’s “doing the pulling” needs adequate fluid to run its best. Checking all the fluid levels in your RV’s engine compartment should be a regular part of your pre-travel routine, and luckily, this is both quick AND easy. You’ll want to inspect the fluid levels of your vehicle’s engine oil, coolant, power steering fluid, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and windshield washer fluid. You can make a quick check of your Owner’s Manual to familiarize yourself with each reservoir’s specific location. Then, simply check each reservoir level in turn, topping off any fluids that are low. While you’re at it, it’s also a good practice to routinely check the fluid levels in both your engine battery and the chassis battery bank. Sealed batteries are considered maintenance-free, but lead acid batteries may need to be carefully 14
JUNE 2017 TRAILBLAZER
replenished with distilled water; just be careful to not overfill the cells. Check your battery manual or YouTube for specific instructions. Check It Out: Occasionally, during your daily walk-around inspection, you may discover “mystery fluids” on the concrete under your engine, axle, or storage compartments. If so, time to investigate! If it’s summertime, the fluid may simply be condensed water that has pooled on the concrete from the air conditioner. If so, it’s ordinarily quite easy to tell that it’s just water. However, if the fluid is light green, feels like baby oil, and smells sweet, it’s probably antifreeze/ coolant (keep pets away!). If this fluid contains rust-colored particles or has a slightly rusty color, it’s an indicator that the RV’s cooling system needs some attention. If so, have your cooling system flushed at your earliest opportunity. Fuel leaks, whether gas or diesel, are usually easily diagnosed by smell; they look mostly clear when spilled, have a distinct odor, and tend to evaporate relatively quickly. Brake fluid leaks can be diagnosed by looking for a clear fluid with the consistency of baby oil that has a faint odor of alcohol. Motor oil tends to puddle on top of the pavement and is a slippery fluid, usually brown or black in color. And if the mystery fluid is pink or red, it’s usually either automatic transmission fluid or power steering fluid (though some power steering fluids are clear). If you find a leak, do your best to trace the source of the problem. If you’re a confirmed do-ityourselfer, check the level of the fluid that’s leaking (oil, power steering fluid, coolant, etc.) and refill if necessary. Then, take your
RV to the nearest mechanic and get the problem fixed ASAP! Fluid 911: Old School RVers learned through trial and error that it’s a great idea to stow a small box filled with fluid supplies in a convenient storage bin. Include items like a couple of quarts of oil, power steering fluid, transmission fluid, some coolant, a funnel, a roll of paper towels, and an extra fuel filter or two. This tiny bit of preparatory work can help you get back on the road or to the nearest service station, quickly and painlessly. It’s also a great idea to store a cheap flashlight in the same box, just to make any roadside emergencies a quick and easy matter of finding what you need, when you need it. Quick Note About Chlorine Bleach and Your RV: RV’s have special chemical requirements and restrictions that differ from those of a traditional home. Although using chlorine bleach is common in the typical home, it can actually damage the seals on your RV’s septic system and should be used very sparingly, if at all. If your RV is equipped with a washer and dryer, replace bleach with a simple bleach alternative (such as Clorox 2). Check the labels on all household cleaners and detergents you’re using in your RV to make sure they don’t contain hidden bleach. Popular cleaners like scrubs and polishes are available in formulas with and without bleach. Many of us are accustomed to using bleach at home as a freshener in our kitchen and bathroom drains, but this is never recommended in an RV. Use one of the greywater treatments available at your local RV supply house instead. Happy trails!
LUCKY WINNER?
WANT TO BE A
Lucky winners,
James & Janet Hunt from Jobstown, NJ
were camping at Chestnut Lake, NJ when they were presented with a $1,000 gift card! left to right: James & Janet Hunt with Manager Eileen Langley
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 2017 dues on time and camp at your favorite TT Preserve. When you pay your annual dues for 2017 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 2017. In addition, once you pay your dues in full, each time you camp at a Thousand Trails Preserve in 2017, 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, 2017. This promotion is sponsored by MHC Thousand Trails Limited Partnership, Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60606. JUNE 2017 TRAILBLAZER 15
All photos courtesy of ExploreAsheville.com 16
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by Lynn & Cele Seldon
M
any loyal locals and visitors consider the North Carolina mountain town of Asheville as their Utopia on earth. It’s certainly “Youtopia” if you want a perfect place to enjoy your passions and pursuits. Over the years, Asheville has gained fame with varied utopian monikers, including: Foodtopia; Brewtopia; Beetopia; Spatopia; and, more recently, Musictopia. In Asheville, it’s all about focusing on what ‘you’ enjoy.
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FOODTOPIA Years ago, the marketing folks in Asheville started calling their town “Foodtopia” for good reason. Though the term “farm to table” has been overused of late, Asheville has been a farm to fork type of town for decades – with creative chefs working with local farmers to serve up some seriously tasty food to hungry locals and lucky visitors alike. The Foodtopian culture pervades the eating life in Asheville for those who insist on local and fresh cuisine that offers an inventive take on regional specialties and indigenous foods of Southern Appalachia. What has resulted for this city of 85,000 or so is a restaurant renaissance that started in the mid- to late-1990s and served as one of the catalysts for the revitalization of downtown Asheville and beyond. Today, the movement has continued, with recent developments including elBulli alumna Katie Button choosing Asheville as the home of her first restaurant (Curate bar de tapas), tasty ‘bean to bar’ chocolate at the French Broad Chocolate Lounge and the Chocolate + Milk Library next door (or take a tour at their nearby factory and tasting room), a variety of foodand beer-focused tours, artisan hooch from the nation’s first female craft moonshine distiller (Asheville Distilling Company’s Troy Ball), and a long-standing run as the home of America’s most visited winery (Biltmore). Given all of this, many new and veteran visitors plan their Asheville visit around where they’ll head for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with a wide array of options for all three meals (and lots to drink with them) during a short or multi-day stay.
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Founded in 2001 and open bright and early every weekday at half past seven (9 a.m. on weekends), Early Girl Eatery is the place to head on any Asheville morning – as well as lunch and supper (that’s ‘dinner’ in the South). “I love watching tourists and locals begin a conversation in our dining room and finding laughter and common ground over a plate of local eggs, Sunburst trout, and Boonville Mill grits,” says Early Girl cofounder and -owner Julie Stehling. Julie runs the popular Wall Street restaurant with husband and chef John, as well as King Daddy’s Chicken & Waffle in West Asheville. Along with Early Girl, King Daddy’s, and Curate (make a reservation!), the long list of restaurants to consider during a visit has to include: Rhubarb and The Rhu from acclaimed chef John Fleer; The Admiral (off-thebeaten-path and so worth it); The Market Place (downtown farm to table dining since 1979); Laughing Seed Café (a vegetarian and vegan mainstay that meateaters also love); Chai Pani (fun Indian ‘street food’); Buxton Hall BBQ; 12 Bones Smokehouse; Justin Burdett’s creative southern fare at Local Provisions; classic Corner Kitchen and the Grand Bohemian Hotel’s Red Stag, both in bustling Biltmore Village; many Biltmore proper eateries; and several upscale and casual choices at the famed Biltmore and Antler Hill Village or The Omni Grove Park Inn. In addition, Katie Button and her el Bulli alum husband, renowned front-of-house and cocktail expert Felix Meana, also serve up Nightbell, a food-forward nightclub concept with creative cocktails, tapas-style dining, and great desserts. The various truffles and more at aforementioned French
▲ The Rhu with Chef John Fleer
Broad Chocolate Lounge also make for tasty dessert options. The Hop Ice Cream Café has people- and dog-friendly (really) ice cream options and Short Street Cakes features delectable traditional and vegan cupcakes. Those who want to take an even bigger bite out of Asheville will want to take a tour with Asheville Food Tours or Eating Asheville – or head there in August for the growing Asheville Wine & Food Festival.
▲ Early Girl
▲ French Broad Chocolate Lounge JUNE 2017 TRAILBLAZER
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▲ Highland Brewing Company Rooftop 20
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▲ Urban Orchard Cider Co.
BREWTOPIA Beer and other brews are almost as big as food in Asheville. That’s because it seems like there’s a microbrewery on every downtown corner or a distillery just down the street. Brewtopia recommendations from locals in-the-know include: Asheville Brews Cruise; Bruisin’ Ales (this beer-only retail store has a selection of 900+ beers – including dozens from Asheville brewers); Wicked Weed; Pisgah Brewing Company; Wedge Brewing Co. (the nightly and weekend scene here is oh-soAsheville, including their new River Arts District location at The Foundation); Asheville Brewing Company; Jack of the Wood (from the owners of beloved Laughing Seed Café, their Green Man Ales pair perfectly with their hemp nut burger); and beloved Highland Brewing Company. The success of local breweries has drawn the attention of national breweries as well. New Belgium, Sierra Nevada, and Oskar Blues have recently opened East Coast locations in the area.
▲ Asheville Distillery
▲ Green Man Brewery Patio
For those who want to drink in even more of what Asheville has on tap, the area is also home to four cideries – Noble Hard Cider, Urban Orchard Cider Co., Black Mountain Cider Works, and Bold Rock Hard Cider. There are also now several distillers (including aforementioned Asheville Distilling Company) and a sake brewer. Plus, the craft cocktail scene is bigger and better than ever as well at many Asheville bars and restaurants. And, finally, a fizzy fermented beverage called kombucha is also a big deal in health-conscious Asheville, with Rosetta’s Kitchen & The Buchi Bar among several places to try its unique flavor.
BILTMORE
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f course, you simply can’t visit Asheville without heading to Biltmore, the sprawling Vanderbilt home and estate. The house and grounds tours are well worth it, but so are varied activities and visits to the winery and one or more restaurants. Sprawling 8,000-acres, Biltmore was the late-19th century vision of George Washington Vanderbilt III. Designed by Richard Morris Hunt and completed in 1895, America’s largest home is a 250-room French Renaissance-style chateau and it still exhibits the Vanderbilt family’s original collection of furnishings, art, and antiques. Biltmore features famed gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, who was also the designer of NYC’s Central Park and known as the father of American landscape architecture. Named a National Historic Landmark in 1963, a Biltmore House visit features a self-guided tour through three floors and the large basement. Every room on the tour has been carefully conserved by Biltmore’s curators, with displays of the Vanderbilts’ original artwork collection and furniture illustrating life at Biltmore as it was during the time when George and Edith Vanderbilt lived in the house with their only child, Cornelia. During the tour, visitors will also enjoy many panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains through the house’s large windows. JUNE 2017 TRAILBLAZER
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BEETOPIA Already known as Beer City USA, Asheville’s city council officially made the town the nation’s first Bee City USA in 2012. Asheville was already the home of the Center for Honeybee Research, which focuses on the diminishing bee population and colony collapse disorder. One great place to start and exploration of everything honey is downtown’s Asheville Bee Charmer. The buzzing store has quickly become the place to head for all things honey – and bees. Co-founders and co-owners Kim Allen and Jillian Kelly have curated shops that first and foremost highlight honey with informative tasting bars that feature free tastes of dozens of honeys from around the corner and the world. Of course, it’s only natural that they also carry lots of honey (including beloved local sourwood honey), beeswax candles, apparel, cookbooks, beekeeping gear, and more. The original location of Tupelo Honey Café is nearby, where an order of freshly made biscuits is served with honey. Known for their oh-so-southern fare, there
are now ten-plus (and counting) Tupelo Honey locations. More tastes of Asheville’s honey scene can be found on other restaurant and bar menus, including a local cheese plate with honey at The Market Place, honeyed beets at beloved Early Girl Eatery, Burial Beer’s Pollinator Honey Saison, locallypoured honey mead from Bee & Bramble and Fox Hill, and the refreshing Penicillin #3 cocktail that pairs apple pie moonshine and honey ginger syrup at Nightbell. For dessert – or anytime – City Bakery brews up a sweet-tasting and – smelling lavender honey latte, while French Broad Chocolate Lounge features cashew honey caramels and lavender honey truffles – both made with local wildflower honey. It’s not on the printed list of services menu, but those inthe-know know to ask about the soothing honey oatmeal soak for sensitive skin at Grove Arcade’s Wake Foot Sanctuary & Spa. Plus, out at the renowned The Omni Grove Park Inn, the subterranean spa features a sourwood honey body wrap. ▲ Asheville Bee Charmer
SPATOPIA The soothing spa scene and wellness as a way of life have a long history in Asheville. In the late-1800s, tuberculosis patients started coming from near and far to convalesce in the crisp and clean mountain air. That history of healing and health has evolved into a new age haven for many visitors as a key component in “Youtopia”. For example, Asheville boasts more than 625 licensed massage therapists and dozens of places to practice yoga, 22
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and Pilates. Beyond an array of massage and yoga opportunities, new age-y adventures in and near Asheville can include: Wake Foot Sanctuary (soulful and sole-ful foot soaks and massages); Asheville Salt Cave (a healing salt cave); the Salt Spa of Asheville & Himalayan Salt Cave Sanctuary; Still Point Wellness (saltwater flotations experiences); retreat-like Om Sanctuary; Shoji Resort and Spa (hot tubs, massages, and more,
with a view); several Dobrá Tea locations; Alchemy (tea room, apothecary, acupuncture, and more); Sovereign Remedies (an only-in-Asheville bar with a wellness bent); and the 40,000-square-foot underground Spa at Grove Park Inn. If you happen to be in the area in lateJuly, be sure to check out the Asheville Yoga Festival.
▲ Grove Park Inn Spa
▲ Alchemy Tea Room JUNE 2017 TRAILBLAZER
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▲ The Gray Eagle 24
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▲ Drum Circle
MUSICTOPIA Like other Utopian concepts, Asheville is becoming a haven for music fans as well. Today, deep-seated bluegrass roots harmonize with new talent and innovative sounds, including the nation’s longest-running folk music festival (the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival), Grammy-winning musicians, the birthplace of Moog music (including Moog Music Factory tours), frequent drum circles, and more. Asheville even inspired a hit Broadway musical last year. Co-written and co-produced by Steve Martin, “Bright Star” shined brightly on Broadway. Focusing on two love stories set in Musictopia, the show received five Tony nominations, including “Best Musical.”
▲ The Orange Peel
FROM A FOODTOOPIAN FARM TO YOUR RV’S TABLE
Live music is definitely a highlight back in Asheville, with some of the East Coast’s highest peaks providing lyrical backdrops. The options include Sierra Nevada’s outdoor amphitheater, Salvage Station (the area’s newest riverfront music venue), the Biltmore Concert Series, and LEAF Festival, set on the banks of nearby Black Mountain’s aptlynamed Lake Eden each May and October. Indoors, along with well-known music halls like The Orange Peel and The Grey Eagle, there’s a 1940s car dealershipturned-music venue at White Horse Black Tavern and Asheville Guitar Bar, a new venue in the River Arts District.
Asheville also has a plethora of tailgate farmers markets, thanks to more than a dozen active farmers markets that cater to home cooks and 250+ independent restaurants. Many chefs – and visitors who wisely bring coolers – take advantage of the teeming tailgate markets, which have deep roots throughout the Asheville area.
Like food, beer, and wellness tours, guided explorations of Musictopia are also a great way to explore the area. The options include Asheville Music Tours, LaZoom’s “Band & Beer Bus Tour,” and the great Blue Ridge Music Trails of North Carolina guidebook and website, which leads visitors to where folk music and dance still thrive. Those out on the road searching for live music will also want to grab a CD called the “Asheville Symphony Sessions” which pairs the Asheville Symphony Orchestra with local acts like Electric Owls, Shannon Whitworth, and the Steep Canyon Rangers. Other musicians who have roots in the region include: Roberta Flack, Nina Simone, Warren Haynes, David Holt, Doc Watson, Lizz Wright, and the sister-duo, Rising Appalachian. Asheville-based Steep Canyon Rangers even takes the Asheville music scene on the road with them, thanks to the colorful “Asheville” wrapping on their tour bus. Playing more than 150 shows a year, they love sharing Musictopia through their bluegrass and more. Given all of these versions of Youtopia, it’s no wonder that Asheville has become a haven for whatever you enjoy most.
Some top possibilities for foraging at farmers markets include: French Broad Tailgate Market; various Greenlife tailgate markets; North Asheville Tailgate Market; Asheville City Market; WNC Farmers Market; River Arts District Farmers Market; and many more from which to choose. JUNE 2017 TRAILBLAZER
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On The Road
STEEP CANYON RANGERS 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 the American bluegrass band from Asheville, North Carolina, Steep Canyon Rangers.
▲ Photo 26
courtesy of Jimmy Warsham
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All photos courtesy of Erin Dorbin
ASHEVILLE BLUEGRASS
From their humble days as students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2000 to their nine solo albums and a 2013 Grammy win for Best Bluegrass Album (Nobody Knows You), the Steep Canyon Rangers have been entertaining crowds across the country with their spirited songwriting, instrumental mastery, and entertaining performances. And, that’s not to mention their friendship and collaboration with comedian, Steve Martin. Originally starting out as a trio, the band has expanded into a sextet with Woody Platt on guitar, Graham Sharp on lead vocals and banjo, Charles Humphrey on upright bass, Mike Guggino on mandolin, Nicky Sanders on fiddle, and Mike Ashworth on a signature “cajón box kit” drum set. They all contribute to the vocals, which lends a stunning harmony to their bluegrass twang. Plus, they frequently perform with Steve Martin on banjo and Edie Brickell on vocals. As a matter of fact, the band has recorded two collaborative albums with Martin – Rare Bird Alert was nominated for Best Bluegrass Album in 2012 – and were named joint Entertainers of the Year at the IBMA Awards in 2011.
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▲ Photo
courtesy of Jimmy Warsham
Now based in Brevard and Asheville, North Carolina, when not touring – they even recorded their most recent album, RADIO, in the snowy winter of 2015 at Echo Mountain Recording Studio in Asheville – the band often plays at the popular downtown music venue, The Orange Peel when they are in town. Their philanthropic efforts are also local, including a partnership with Brevardbased Oskar Blues Brewery and their CAN’d Aid Foundation. Supporting “do-goodery” efforts, the band has contributed to CAN’d Aid’s Towns, Tunes, and Treads + Trails causes by offering traditional instruments and free music lessons to kids with the hopes of passing on traditional Appalachia old-time music. They
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also hold benefits in conjunction with their decade-long Mountain Song Festival, held in the fall at the Brevard Music Center, to help raise money for the foundation’s Treads + Trails efforts. The Steep Canyon Rangers’ appreciation of Asheville and the mountains of North Carolina run deep. Earlier this year, the Asheville Convention and Visitors Bureau decided to capitalize on the band’s love of the area by partnering with the band as part of their efforts to broaden the awareness of the region’s music scene. The partnership features many components including a colorful wrap for the band’s tour bus. Now, when then Steep Canyon Rangers are on the road (they perform 150-plus shows
per year), they can take a bit of Asheville with them. We spoke with Graham Sharp during a short break in their 2017 tour.
How did you settle on Asheville? A good portion of the band is from Brevard, which is right down the road. My wife is from Asheville, so there were a lot of family connections. The first thing that pulled me to Asheville was the music scene. I loved the history of the music of the mountains. And it’s a beautiful place. It’s always been one of my favorite places in the world.
What are some of your favorite things to do in Asheville? I love the mountains and I love to get outdoors. I do a lot of hiking and mountain biking. I have two elementary school-aged kids and
that’s where it is. On our side of town, I love to go up to The Mothlight and see music there. And Isis Music Hall. When we first moved here, there were plenty of music bars. You could play at Barley’s and Jack of the Woods but there weren’t a lot of places. There must be ten really good quality venues here in town now. Tons of bands come through here. Some of my favorite bands these days would have to be River Whyless. They are a great band of a fusion of mountain music and pop music. There’s a lot of great bluegrass and Town Mountain is one of our favorite bands. And then all the different people you can catch playing informally here, there and everywhere.
Tell us about your bus. It’s a 2005 Prevost XL2.
Does the band sleep on the bus?
they love to get out in the woods, so we do a lot of stuff out on the trails in the afternoons. We just try to take advantage of what there is to do.
Any favorite places to eat? My favorite these days is a place called Nine Mile. It’s kind of a Jamaican Asian…I don’t really know how to describe it. It’s delicious. There’s a place called The Walk that’s a great family place. If we go downtown, I love Posana’s – it’s delicious and really healthy. Mela’s is one of my favorite restaurants in town, it’s Indian.
What are some of your favorite local music venues and bands? I love The Grey Eagle. It’s always been a stellar standout venue. The Orange Peel is the big club in town so if there is a bigger sized show,
We sleep on the bus. It’s our rehearsal space and our lounge where we can watch ballgames (we’re all big Tarheel basketball fans). My happy place on the road is a Saturday morning in the back lounge and I turn on an English soccer game, get out the banjo or guitar, and kind of hang low. The bus has a big front lounge where everyone can be together, there’s the bunk hall, and then in the back is another lounge, where if you want a low-key situation, you can do that too.
What’s your favorite thing about staying on your bus versus a hotel room? It’s got everything you need: snacks that you want, all your amenities, and a full stereo system that’s great for Sunday morning mellow music or something after the show. I don’t ever want to get off. Whenever we have an option to go to a hotel, I’d rather stay on the bus because it has everything we need.
Do you listen to music on the road? A lot of time after the show when everyone is jazzed up, we’ve got a couple amateur DJs in the band and we’ll make some playlists and put it on when you are going down the road after a concert. Maybe something a little different from what we’ve been playing all night.
What else (other than listening to music) do you do when you are on road? We watch basketball. We all love to get out in whatever town we’re in to explore. I like to get out for a walk or a jog. It’s a great way to see the surroundings and the country. It’s a lucky position we are in to be able to see the country.
What are your three favorite things onboard? The espresso machine. I’d have to say the back lounge is a personal favorite. And the band.
Do you cook onboard? No. We’ve got snacks and our mandolin player always makes these beautiful Italian dinners and brings them on board and occasionally shares his leftovers. The microwave is pretty much the limit of our cooking.
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▲ Photo
courtesy of Sandlin Gaither
Where do you like to eat on the road?
What are a few favorite destinations?
We like to just find a little local spot in each town. We don’t have many big chains that we like to go to. Although our bus driver did stop us in the Casey Jones Country Buffet not long ago in the western part of Tennessee and that was pretty spectacular. We try to get the flavor of everywhere we go because everywhere is going to have their specialties.
We were just in the Hill Country just outside of Austin. That was beautiful. I always like going to Nashville. Especially the Ryman Auditorium or the Station Inn. I really enjoyed Philadelphia the last time we were there. I thought downtown was full of amazing things do with the museums and all the history.
Highways or scenic routes? Usually the highways because we’re just getting down the road. But there are a lot of beautiful drives on the highway. One of my favorites if from LA towards Phoenix out through the high desert.
▲ Blue 30
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Ridge Mountains, NC
We noticed that your tour bus recently got wrapped with the Explore Asheville brand. How nice will it be to take a little piece of Asheville with you on the road? It’s beautiful. You’ve got the big Blue Ridge Mountains and rhododendrons that travel with us everywhere we go. It looks like home. For years, we’ve always said from the stage that we’re from Asheville, North Carolina. People always respond to it and come up to us after the show and tell us how much they love Asheville. People love to take pictures in front of the bus.
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paws ROAD
Email Jenn your questions and share your pics at TBPets@equitylifestyle.com
ON THE
Traveling and Camping with Companion Animals
Jen, I’m looking for your suggestion for a type of shampoo that you use for your dogs or other pets that you know. I have a dog and a cat who periodically, I notice a flea or two on. I don’t want to use a harsh chemical flea topical like a Advantage Plus or BioSpot if I don’t have to. I also have a flea bomb I’d like to use in the house but I know I need to wash the pets as well after the bomb to cover my basis. I want to be prepared for keeping a little critters from multiplying. Thank you, Anna JENN Thank you for your inquiry, Anna. It sounds to me like you are on an excellent warpath for success! I do use a pyrethrin based carpet and upholstery pump spray called Zodiac by FleaTrol on specific areas of my house where the dogs and cats do not walk. As many of you know, I too, am a firm believer in natural topicals whenever possible. I like the De Flea Pet Shampoo from Natural Chemistry that kills fleas on contact and is safe for dogs, cats, puppies and kittens. The primary ingredient is cinnamon oil, cedar and clove mixed into a sodium laurel sulfate solution.
by Jenn Gehr
I’ve never personally use this product on cats but I know it is recommended for dogs of any age, pregnant or nursing. When fleas are really in need of a chemical bases, I use the Adams Flea and Tick Spray. Be sure to cover your pets’ sensitive eyes and nose and only spot treat ears with a cotton swab rather than spraying the face in any way. Natural Chemistry also has the De Flea pet and bedding spray that kills fleas on contact. I think if you were to wash both your dog and your cat and treat their bedding and the ground, you would not need to additionally spray your cat as the label does not list use on felines. I hope you find this arsenal of natural flea fighters a lineup you can refer back to that helps defeat the little pests!
Amazon Prime. For many small animals, freezing a few water bottles and placing them in your pets cage or crate will provide additional cooling. This is a must do for rabbits and ferrets alike. And of course, always provide shade for your pets when traveling and cool, fresh water. Thanks for sharing with us about your beautiful Rummy and the great idea to help keep him comfortable with use of an fan. Make sure he can’t get his chompers on the fan cord once it’s plugged in! Take care!
I’m looking for an additional way to create cool air for my rabbits when I’m traveling. I use a little batteryoperated fan on their cage but when the charge runs out, so does the cooling effect that they so depend on. Do you have any ideas for the car/rv to help keep us all more comfortable as the temps heat up this summer?
JENN Yes! I can understand and I know that the Idyllwild Park is not somewhere that you could easily reach when the snow finally comes in the winter. I would suggest looking into the Mountain Lakes ROD Park in San Bernardino – it’s a very pet friendly park with acres to roam and wifi throughout the park. Many people I know use this serene location for their week out where having a myriad of hiking trails to choose from is high on their requirement list. Looking into a seasonal option at the Palm Springs TT might be an additional thought.
Truly - Robin & Tammy JENN I am a “fan” of the Endless Breeze by Fantastic Fan(Dometic) that plugs directly into a standard cigarette lighter. This amazing fan has various f speeds settings and is very quiet when running. Shop around for the best price but you should be able to find this must have item for around $68.00 on
Hi Jen, I am moving to the Palm Springs area this fall and I have to commute to San Bernardino for several weeks at a time throughout the winter and next year. I am a devout Thousand Trails member and I rotate between Thousand Trails in Palm Springs and Idyllwild TT. I am looking for a pet friendly week out location that would help facilitate my two dogs and other activities that is near San Bernardino. Do you have any suggestions for me?
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a i n d a n i Heritage Trail HEARTLAND HISTORY AND MORE by Joan Rykal
All photos courtesy of amishcountry.org
If you’re planning to spend some time this summer in northern Indiana, a tour of the Heritage Trail is a must-do! Named one of “America’s Most Scenic Drives” in a USA Today’s Reader’s Choice travel poll, this roughly 90 mile “trail” not only gives you an up close look at the Amish lifestyle in the area, but also takes you
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through picturesque small towns that are the essence of the heartland. The trail itself takes no more than two hours to drive, but that’s if you just drive…and you don’t want to do that. Take in the unique offerings of each of the quaint communities and get
Bonneyville Mill County Park
to know the Amish culture as well, enjoying the simplicity of their lifestyle as well as some of the handcrafts and homemade delicacies they are known for.
population of about 20,000. Amish settlements in the area date back to the mid-1800s as the Amish were drawn to the area because of the affordable land.
Indiana has the third largest Amish population in the US and the towns that comprise the Heritage Trail have an Amish
The towns along the trail include Bristol, Elkhart, Goshen, Nappanee, Wakarusa, Middlebury and Shipshewana and each has
a reason or two to stop, explore and experience. A stop at the Elkhart County Visitor Center will provide you with a free Travel Guide and Heritage Audio Tour CD. You can also plan ahead and order one by visiting amishcountry.org/ request-destination-guide.
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Starting north in Bristol, you don’t want to miss Bonneyville Mill, Indiana’s oldest continuously operating grist mill. The Mill is open Wednesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., May through October. The Mill is located within Bonneyville Mill County Park, a 223-acre picturesque park with woodlands, wildlife and wildflowers. There is a seven mile hiking trail and a six mile bike trail. Enjoy a picnic and fish for small mouth bass or stocked rainbow trout in the Elkhart River. When the Mill is open, you can experience the “daily grind” as the massive grist stones do their work.
RV/MH Hall of Fame | Elkhart, IN
Traveling south from Bristol, you come upon the city of Elkhart. Of course, the avid RVer will know Elkhart as the home of the RV/MH Hall of Fame and Museum where the history of the industry is depicted through exhibits, including 100 year old RVs. There’s also Ruthmere, a threestory Beaux Arts mansion built in 1910, now open to the public that includes a large collection of art and sculpture, including Tiffany glass and works by Auguste Rodin. Another must do in Elkhart is the Gateway Mile which incorporates three distinct districts; the Garden District, the RiverWalk District and the Arts and Entertainment District. The Garden District and the Arts and Entertainment District are connected by the RiverWalk’s waterside pathway. Each Wednesday, the Arts and Entertainment District hosts an ArtWalk from 5 to 8 p.m. Stop for a bite and craft brew at Iechyd Da, a brewpub that offers handcrafted ales and lager as well as pizza and sandwiches.
RiverWalk | Elkhart, IN
Downtown | Elkhart, IN
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Between Elkhart and Goshen to south, stop in the Wakarusa Dime Store, home of the Jumbo Jelly Bean. The dime store began as an offshoot of Wolfberg’s Department Store, which was opened by Mose Wolfberg in 1907. As for the giant jelly bean – it was created in 1969 by Wolfberg’s son as a new candy to introduce at the town’s annual Maple Syrup Festival. Over 75 tons of this famous bean are sold annually. Pumpkinvine Nature Trail | Goshen, IN
Old Bag Factory | Goshen, IN
Amish Country Northern Indiana
If the Jumbo Jelly Bean experience piques your love of sweets, then you’ll be glad to find the Olympia Candy Kitchen in Goshen, another century-plus confectioner offering hand-dipped chocolates and homemade caramels. In addition to the fantastic candies, they also serve breakfast and lunch in a true soda-fountain style atmosphere. Set in Goshen’s Old Bag Factory, built in 1896, the Artisans Complex brings together quilters, potters, and sculptors as well as merchants selling one-of-a-kind items. Other specialty shops include a bookshop, antiques, a second-hand music shop and a bakery specializing in scones, aptly named Rolling Scones! The city of Nappanee is home to Amish Acres, the only Amish farm listed in the National Register of Historic Places. At Amish Acres, you’ll find the historic 80-acre Stahly-Nisley-Kuhns farmstead. Take a horse and buggy ride, watch films that detail Amish history and lifestyle, enjoy a family-style Threshers Dinner in the old barn, or catch the stage production of Plain and Fancy in the Round Barn Theatre. Plan your visit during the weekend of August 3-6 and enjoy the annual Amish Acres Arts and Crafts Festival, featuring 300 artists.
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Heading back north you find the town of Middlebury, which in fact, takes its name from the settlers of the same Vermont named town who came west to settle in Indiana. Nowadays, people come to Middlebury to experience Das Dutchman Essenhaus, the largest restaurant in Indiana serving authentic Amish fare. There are also six variety shops and more pie than you can imagine in the bakery which features over 30 kinds of pie! The last stop on the Heritage Trail is Shipshewana. Shipshewana is a blend of Amish culture and small town charm. Menno-Hof, the Amish Visitor Center, provides a history of the Amish and Mennonites through displays and presentations. For tour information and more details, visit mennohof.org. Kids will love the Dutch Creek Farm Animal Park where they can take a safari-style wagon ride to view the animals or get up close and personal at the Petting Zoo. Animals here include water buffalo and zebras! Of course, no true flea market enthusiast can pass up the Shipshewana Flea Market and Auction, which has been in existence since 1922 and is now one of the popular markets of its kind in the Midwest. The Flea Market is open every Tuesday and Wednesday, from 8 to 5 pm, May through September. There is also an Antique Auction every Wednesday, which begins at 9 a.m. sharp. For more information on this unique experience, visit shipshewanatradingplace.com. Where to Stay: Encore’s Lakeside RV Campground and Encore’s Twin Mills RV Campground.
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Goshen First Fridays Event
Quilt Gardens A beautiful highlight of the Heritage Trail are the Quilt Gardens which feature over one million blooms combined over 19 gardens along the route. Aside from the gorgeous blooms, each garden is depicted in a quilt-themed mural. 2017 marks the 10th anniversary of this unique attraction and to commemorate the milestone, over 50 bronze sculptures by artist Seward Johnson will be on display throughout Elkhart County through October 30.
Visit amishcountry.org to download a map of the Quilt Garden locations and other Quilt Garden related information.
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Out n’ About
LANCASTER by Annie Berman
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The Heritage Trail, named one of America’s Most Scenic Drives by USA Today and the editors of LIFEŽ, takes adventurers on a journey through history! A portion of the Heritage Trail goes through Lancaster, PA. Lancaster is probably best known for Amish Country. Hanging out here in Lancaster is worth a trip! In Amish country, you can experience everything from horse and buggy rides to authentic Dutch County cuisine. In addition, there are a plethora of attractions for Lancaster visitors including the American Music Theatre, The Railroad Museum, plus restaurants and shops galore.
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If you find yourself in Lancaster, you find yourself in the heart of the country’s oldest Amish settlement. Horse and buggy is the primary mode of transportation and Amish people still live the centuries-old “Plain” lifestyle.
Out in Lancaster, you’ll find that you’re transported to a time when a slower pace and harnessing the power of nature is a part of everyday life. If you’re in Amish Country, you won’t want to miss out on the classic horse and buggy rides. Many of these tours are often family-owned and the Amish tour guides can often provide a rich oral history of the area, plus answer questions you may have about Amish culture. One of the most popular places to have an Amish experience is at Plain N’ Fancy Farm where you’ll get the full immersion experience! At Plain N’ Fancy Farm, hosts Amish Country Tours the oldest operating tour company in Amish Country, and the only operator with certified guides, guests will experience a one-of-a-kind opportunity that allows close interaction with the Amish at
work, during milking time, and while in the home. This only tour designated by the County of Lancaster as an official Heritage Tour. Be aware that most establishments are closed on Sundays. Take an opportunity to hike along one of Lancaster’s many trails in their beautiful parks like the Conewago Recreation Trail or Lake Grubb Nature Park. At the heart of Lancaster City is the Lancaster Central Market at Penn Square, America’s oldest farmer’s market building. Many vendors have been at this location selling their wares and local produce and meats since the early 1900s. If you’re looking to get back into some of the modern-day culture here in Lancaster, check out The American Music Theatre. This unique venue features every kind of performance from Broadway musicals, to dance troupes, to comedians, to the theater’s own original productions. If you want to expand your options for dining in Lancaster county, head to Dienner’s Country Restaurant for home cooked meals and their famous buffet. The restaurant has been open and family-run since 1993.
The cooks at this establishment are Amish and grew up cooking the exact food that they serve in the restaurant. If you’re looking for a great meal with an authentic Amish flair, head to Dienner’s. While exploring Lancaster, make plans to stay at Circle M RV Campground. Whether you’ve come to experience Lancaster’s Amish country, or to visit the outlet shops, theaters, and restaurants, Circle M is a great place to set up your homebase for a weekend, a week, or even the season! Plus, new yurts will be opening this summer offering an unique opportunity to enjoy Lancaster.
Thousand Trails and Encore feature locations throughout Pennslyvania and the Northeast. Visit RVontheGo.com to plan your perfect trip to the Amish Country.
JUNE 2017 TRAILBLAZER
41
Spring Gulch RV Resort
PA Dutch Country RV Resort
Here at Spring Gulch RV Resort, it’s all about the outdoors! Our 115 beautiful acres in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country attracts outdoor lovers of all ages to this campground. The grounds are constantly buzzing with activities for kids of all ages! Stay cool while swimming in our two Olympic-size swimming pools or catch your dinner in the fishing lake. Stock up at the general store or schmooze with the staff about the best activities around the campground. They are always ready with information on historic tours and sightseeing opportunities, plus what are the best experiences in nearby Amish Country.
While staying here at PA Dutch Country RV Resort, you’ll discover that it’s the perfect getaway nestled in the heart of Amish Country. At PA Dutch Country RV Resort as your homebase, you’ll have easy access to the unique sightseeing in Amish Country. Take home special handcrafted woodwork, quilts, and pottery as souvenirs and dine like the Amish at the traditional Dutch Country restaurants serving up Amish fare like shoofly pie, apple dumplings, and ground beef casserole.
Hershey RV Campground Chocolate lovers rejoice! There is a campground for you at Hershey RV Campground! We are located just six miles from the famous Hershey’s Chocolate World where visitors can ride roller coasters, tour the chocolate factory, or attend a concert. This quiet campground sits on 200 acres of farmland and has wide open spaces for picnicking, a glistening lake for fishing, and plenty of activities to keep your whole family entertained. With plenty of space to park your RV, pitch a tent, or settle into a cozy cabin, the Hershey RV Campground is an easy choice for your next getaway.
Visit RVontheGo.com to book your Pennsylvania Getaway. 42
JUNE 2017 TRAILBLAZER
Sun Valley RV Resort Sun Valley RV Resort, a seasonal Pennsylvania RV park, was designed with your comfort, convenience, and fun in mind! From one night stays to seasonal getaways, Sun Valley RV Resort can accommodate all kinds of vacationers. We are equipped with full hook up sites, big rig sites, 50-amp service, and ample room for slide-outs. Or book a few nights in one of our vacation cottage rentals and bring the whole family! Our cottages sleep up to eight people. A great homebase for bringing the kids (and adults!) to nearby attractions like Hershey park, Dorney Water Park, Sesame Place, and the Strasburg Railroad and Train Museum! But it’s not just about the water parks and roller coaster rides…Sun Valley RV Resort has a long list of amenities for guests including a swimming pool, stocked general store, game room, basketball courts, and weekly organized activities.
Terms and Conditions for 2017 Referral Promotion from page 2.
Answers can be found on page 65. TrailMix This spring , challenge yourself to on two-wheels seeing the while riding great outdoo on the Rails June 18-23 to Trails Sojour rs with host, Wilderness n, Voyageurs.
Find The Evergreen Tree
▲
Rails to Trails Photo courtesy Conservancy 2016 of Mark Abbott 40 APRIL 2017 TRAILBLAZ ER
TB_April_2017
_V13.indd
40
3/16/17 4:12 PM
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!
Marvin & Linda Talso of Redwood Valley, CA
found the tree on Page 40 of the April Issue.
Did you find the tree in this issue? Send your entry (postcards only) to: TrailBlazer Evergreen Tree
Two North Riverside Plaza Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60606. Postmark deadline is June 30, 2017 and remember – the tree could be a different color and size.
For each Eligible Referral (as defined) through December 31, 2017, you will receive a $25 Visa® Prepaid Card. In addition, for each Eligible Referral through December 31, 2017, 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 2018, 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, 2018. 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, 2017 and December 31, 2017 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.
JUNE 2017 TRAILBLAZER
43
Who’s in the kitchen with
TrailBlazer?
Summer comes with a lot of fun activities but just because you’re out and about at a BBQ doesn’t mean you have to neglect your health! My biggest tip for clients is to always plan ahead. Whether it be on the go snacks or bringing a healthy dish that you enjoy to the party, you never want to be unprepared! Planning is the first step to success and one of the main ways we create sustainable habits. The coolest thing about it is you introduce friends and family to new foods they may have never had before! Eating healthy doesn’t mean boring or bland, just be sure to throw in plenty of healthy fats like grass-fed beef, unsweetened coconut flakes, nuts, and seeds for flavor and you’re one step closer to feeling energized in the summer sun! The ham & cheese spread this month is perfect paired with crackers or fresh vegetables. The burger provides a great change to the standard classic, plus the dip can be used on it’s own for fresh veggies! The trail mix has a fun tropical spin to keep your taste buds intrigued and your body fueled during grueling hikes or a snack during swimming! I hope you enjoy them all as much I do! For more recipes, nutrition information, and healthy lifestyle tips connect with me over at: www.refreshednutrition.com info@refreshednutrition.com
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Ham & Cheese Spread Ingredients • ½ cup of finely diced maple or honey ham (about 3 slices) • ½ tsp. & ¼ tsp. horseradish sauce • 1 tbsp. capers • ½ cup mayonnaise • 6 oz. cashew cream cheese • 1 tbsp. coconut aminos
Refreshed Nutrition
• 1 tbsp. of green onions sliced small & more for garnish
@Refreshed_Nutrition
• ¼ tsp. black pepper
JUNE 2017 TRAILBLAZER
• ½ tsp. ground mustard
Total time: 15 min Makes 2 cups
Directions 1. In a large bowl combine the mayonnaise, cream cheese and ham until well combined. 2. Add in the remaining ingredients and continue folding in with a spatula until well blended. 3. Store in fridge until ready to serve, tastes great on top of crackers!
Tzatziki Sauce Total time: 15 min Makes 1 cup
Ingredients • 1 cup grass-fed whole milk Greek yogurt
Tzatziki Burgers Prep time: 15 min Cook time: 20 min Total time: 35 min Makes 4 4oz burgers
Ingredients • 1 lb ground lamb • 1 tomato, sliced • 1 head of iceberg lettuce • ½ cucumber, sliced • 3 Tbsp tzatziki sauce • 4 gluten free burger buns
• 2 tbsp. finely shredded cucumbers, drained (about ½ a cucumber)
Directions 1. Mold the ground lamb into 4 oz patties. 2. Cook the patties on the grill or stovetop on medium/low heat. 3. While the patties are cook prepare tzatziki sauce and slice vegetables. 4. Stack the patty on bottom bun, then add the lettuce, tomato, and cucumber and top with tzatziki sauce. 5. Place top bun on the burger and enjoy! This would taste great with sweet potato fries!
• 3 tbsp. fresh dill • 2 tbsp. lemon juice (about ½ lemon) • 2 cloves garlic, minced • ½ tsp. salt • ¼ tsp. pepper
Directions 1. Shred the cucumber, then wrap it into a paper towel and squeeze to drain. 2. Add cucumber and all remaining ingredients into a mixing bowl and stir until well combined.
Tropical Trail Mix Ingredients • 3 tbsp. raw, unsalted pumpkin seeds • ½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes • ½ cup mulberries • ½ cup freeze dried bananas • ⅓ cup raw, unsalted macadamia nuts • ½ cup diced, candied ginger
Total time: 5 min Makes 2 cups
Directions 1. Pour all ingredients into a brown paper bag or in a container with a lid. 2. Close tightly and shake until well combined then enjoy!
JUNE 2017 TRAILBLAZER
45
ASK
RVBILL
YOUR TECH QUESTIONS ANSWERED!
Vinyl Deteriorating
Q
Our 2011 Fleetwood motorhome spends most of his time in Palm Springs. The roadside faces the sun most of every the day, resulting in the vinyl striping deteriorating. The majority of the stripes on the roadside have cracked badly making the motorhome look like it’s 20 years old. The curbside has begun to crack but not nearly as bad although the color has faded making it look outdated. Any suggestions on how to remove a full set of vinyl graphics or rather a suggestion on who can complete this tedious job for me? Cheers, Carl & Judy
Slide Out Seals
Q
Bill, I’ve written to you many times over the years about our 2011 Carriage Fifth Wheel. I know that you have the same year trailer as we do. I was wondering if your seals on the edge of your slide outs have deteriorated and do you know where I can locate that exact seal? I have been unsuccessful at finding this at any auto parts or hardware store. Is this a project you think I can accomplish on my own over a few days? Happy Travels, Don
46
JUNE 2017 TRAILBLAZER
A
Yes indeed, It probably would take you a year and a half to remove all of the stripes and graphics from your motorhome. Once the sun has dried the vinyl to the point where it is cracked and dry like the Sonoran Desert floor, they’re almost impossible to remove by hand. And to top off the fun, you’ll need to remove the glue after you remove the vinyl. My suggestion for your time and mental health would be to have a shop that specializes in removal and replacements of RV graphics take care of this very tedious task. At this time, the colors and shapes can be upgraded to a more modern look if you so desire. The vinyl and graphics
A
Don, I recently just replaced the “D” seals on the edge of our slide outs. The project will be a bit time consuming but rewarding. The new seals can be ordered from www.cleanseal.com and look in the section “D” for the exact replacement that matches your seals. I believe that your seals are white in color, the same as mine were, but I switched to black as they will last longer in the sunlight. As always, preparation is the key to success. Prior to removing the self-adhesive seals from the slide out purchase a plastic scraper from Amazon to help you make the job a lot simpler. Don’t use a razor blade,
expert, RV Stripes, Graphics and More in San Bernardino are within an hour of you. Their phone number is 909-880-3057 – ask for Daniel and tell him RV Bill sent you! I’m certain this team can easily facilitate your needs. Their state of the art computer system can replicate the new graphics and colors for you to see before proceeding. The process takes about 5-6 business days and you can stay on the lot if necessary or, take advantage of your Thousand Trails membership and book a Get-A-Way Cabin.
as the sharp edge will damage your RV. Pull the seals backwards while scraping with the plastic blade to release the glue strip at the same time. It’s not going to be easy but it can be done. Take your time as to not tear the old seal during removal or break your back while being crouched in an awkward position for hours on end. Before attaching the new seals, be sure to clean the surface thoroughly with alcohol. Install the new seals at an ambient temperature of 70° - 80°F if possible. If the metal is too cold, adhesion could be a problem. This is absolutely a simple and cost effective DIY project that can be pecked away at over the course of a week.
Tow Safely
Q
Bill, I have a question about my 2002 Toyota Tundra’s towing capability. The truck is fully loaded with a tow package/all the bells and whistles. The owner’s manual claims that I can tow 10,000 pounds but it seems a bit excessive to me. One of the weight issues I have is the fact that I have a hard camper shell covering large, slide out drawers and a lot of weight in the back of the truck. My guess would be about around 1000 pounds total. I don’t want to overload the engine when I’m trying to pull steep grades. What type of a hitch would I need to support the added tongue weight of the trailer seeing as how I have a load per say in the back of the truck? Do you know approximately how much weight I could safely tow? Be Well, Ken
A
Over the years I have been asked this question many times regarding how to determine how much a vehicle is able to tow. It will be important to weigh your truck when it’s loaded with fuel and whatever else you’re going to be taking with you when towing. Folks, this info is true for a small SUV or heavy duty truck as well. Look in your owner’s manual and find the GCWR (gross combined weight rating) this would be the total weight of the truck and
trailer. When looking for a trailer to match with your tow vehicle, you’ll want to find the sticker that gives you the GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) as this will be the maximum weight of the trailer fully loaded. Subtract this from the GCWR and you will have the approximate weight of the trailer that you can tow. Ken, I would subtract about 1000 pounds from that capacity to give you just a little bit of leeway considering your special circumstance. I highly recommend the Equal-i-zer Sway Control Hitch- This weightdistributing hitch will help to control sway and balance tongue weight between the trailers tires and the tow vehicles tires. The Equal-i-zer Sway Control Hitch requires a little bit more set up than a standard hitch but it’s well worth the effort. We hope to see you on the road one day soon… with The TanTan, The Dean and the Noodle Rod in hand!
GOT A QUESTION FOR BILL? SEND AN EMAIL TO AskRVBill@equitylifestyle.com
Bed Platform
Q
I have a question about our bed that is in our slide out. It seems that installing gas struts would be nearly impossible as there is no way to attach them to the floor. I can’t tell you how nice it would be if the bed platform would stay up without having to use a 2 x 4 to keep it from falling on my head. Thanks, Jaye
A
Jaye, You are in luck! There is a company that makes gas strut install kits that will fit most bed platforms without mounting them to the floor. Go to hatchlift.com and look at their RV bed lift kits. They offer a wide variety of brackets and gas struts ranging from 10 to 120 pounds of lift. They are very helpful if you have any questions give them a call! I’m certain this team can easily facilitate your needs. Their state of the art computer system can replicate the new graphics and colors for you to see before proceeding. The process takes about 5-6 business days and you can stay on the lot if necessary or, take advantage of your Thousand Trails membership and book a Get-A-Way Cabin.
JUNE 2017 TRAILBLAZER
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Member Deals
Thousand Trails Members Always Save At
RVontheGo.com Call! Click! Camp!
1-888-443-7301 â–˛ Alpine Lake RV Campground (NY)
Thousand Trails Standard Discount:
20% Off Daily Rates Use Promo Code: S! ALWAY At all ENCORE ! Resorts
â–˛ Lake George Es
cape RV Campgroun
d (NY)
TT20%
10% Off
Monthly Rates Use Promo Code:
TT1015
RVontheGo.com 1-888-443-7301
Call! Click! Camp!
Valid at all Encore RV Resorts *Restrictions/exclusions apply and are listed at bottom of this page.
**Subject to availability. Reservations required. Rates based on a standard site, unless otherwise specified. Stays of 30 days or less are subject to $4 per day resort fee. Electric not included for stays of 30 days or longer. Rates do not include taxes. Amenities vary by resort. Cannot be combined with any other offers or promotions. Rates exclusively for members of Thousand Trails, NACO, Mid-Atlantic, Leisure Time and Outdoor World. Offer not valid on holidays and special events; certain restrictions may apply. Valid on new reservations only.
48
JUNE 2017 TRAILBLAZER
Member Deals ▲ Mt. Hood Village RV Resort (OR)
Washington & Oregon
$29/night at Mt. Hood, Portland Fairview, ▲ Portlan
d Fairview
RV Camp
ground (O
R)
and Tall Chief
Promo Code: TT29WO Valid 6/1/17 - 6/30/17. Book by 6/30/17.
$159/week at Mt. Hood, Portland Fairview, and Tall Chief mping f RV & Ca
ie ▲ Tall Ch
A) Resort (W
Promo Code: TT159WO Valid 6/1/17 - 6/30/17. Book by 6/30/17. *Restrictions/exclusions apply and are listed at bottom of this page.
**Subject to availability. Reservations required. Rates based on a standard site, unless otherwise specified. Stays of 30 days or less are subject to $4 per day resort fee. Electric not included for stays of 30 days or longer. Rates do not include taxes. Amenities vary by resort. Cannot be combined with any other offers or promotions. Rates exclusively for members of Thousand Trails, NACO, Mid-Atlantic, Leisure Time and Outdoor World. Offer not valid on holidays and special events; certain restrictions may apply. Valid on new reservations only.
JUNE 2017 TRAILBLAZER
49
Member Deals â–˛ Goose Creek RV Campground (NC)
North Carolina
Buy 2 Weeks Get 2 Weeks FREE! Valid at Forest Lake, Goose Creek, Green Mountain, Lake Gaston, Lake Myers, Twin Lakes, and Waterway
Promo Code: NCB2G2TB
RVontheGo.com 1-888-443-7301
Call! Click! Camp!
Valid thru end of 2017 Season. Holidays Included. Book by 7/31/17. *Restrictions/exclusions apply and are listed at bottom of this page.
Wisconsin
Buy 2 Weeks Get 2 Weeks FREE!
Valid at Arrowhead, Blackhawk, Lakeland, Fremont Jellystone ParkTM, Neshonoc, Plymouth Rock, Tranquil Timbers, and Yukon Trails
Promo Code: WIB2G2TB Valid thru end of 2017 Season. Holidays Included. Book by 7/31/17.
â–˛ Yukon Trails RV
Campground (WI)
*Restrictions/exclusions apply and are listed at bottom of this page. **Subject to availability. Reservations required. Rates based on a standard site. Stays of 30 days or less are subject to $4 per day resort fee. Electric not included for stays of 30 days or longer. Rates do not include taxes. Amenities vary by resort. Cannot be combined with any other offers or promotions. Rates exclusively for members of Thousand Trails, NACO, Mid-Atlantic, Leisure Time and Outdoor World. Offer not valid on holidays and special events; certain restrictions may apply. Two week maximum stay per resort at discounted rate. Valid on new reservations only.
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JUNE 2017 TRAILBLAZER
Member Deals ▲ O’Connell’s Yogi Bear ParkTM (IL)
Illinois
Buy 2 Weeks Get 2 Weeks FREE!
Valid at O’Connell’s Yogi Bear ParkTM
▲
ar ’s Yogi Be O’Connell
TM ) Park (IL
Promo Code: OCB2G2TB Valid thru end of 2017 Season. Holidays Included. Book by 7/31/17. *Restrictions/exclusions apply and are listed at bottom of this page.
Northeast
30% OFF Weekly Rates
▲ Narrow
s Too RV C
Valid at all Encore RV Resorts in New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts ampgroun
d (ME)
Promo Code: NE30TB Valid thru end of 2017 Season. Not valid during holidays. Book by 7/31/17. *Restrictions/exclusions apply and are listed at bottom of this page.
**Subject to availability. Reservations required. Rates based on a standard site. Stays of 30 days or less are subject to $4 per day resort fee. Electric not included for stays of 30 days or longer. Rates do not include taxes. Amenities vary by resort. Cannot be combined with any other offers or promotions. Rates exclusively for members of Thousand Trails, NACO, Mid-Atlantic, Leisure Time and Outdoor World. Offer not valid on holidays and special events; certain restrictions may apply. Two week maximum stay per resort at discounted rate. Valid on new reservations only.
JUNE 2017 TRAILBLAZER
51
Member Deals ▲ Alamo Palms RV Resort (TX)
Texas
$99
Weekly Stay Valid at Alamo Palms, Country Sunshine, Fun N Sun, Lakewood, Paradise Park, Paradise South, Southern Comfort, Sunshine RV and Tropic Winds
rt RV Resort (TX)
▲ Southern Comfo
Promo Code: TT99STX Valid 6/1/17- 9/1/17. 14 Day Max Stay. Book by 8/1/17.
$259
Monthly Stay Valid at Alamo Palms, Country Sunshine, Fun N Sun, Lakewood, Paradise Park, Paradise South, Southern Comfort, Sunshine RV and Tropic Winds
Promo Code: TT259STX Valid 6/1/17- 9/1/17. 14 Day Max Stay. Book by 8/1/17.
▲ Cou
ntry Su
nshine
RV Res
ort (TX
)
*Restrictions/exclusions apply and are listed at bottom of this page. **Subject to availability. Reservations required. Rates based on a standard site. Stays of 30 days or less are subject to $4 per day resort fee. Electric not included for stays of 30 days or longer. Rates do not include taxes. Amenities vary by resort. Cannot be combined with any other offers or promotions. Rates exclusively for members of Thousand Trails, NACO, Mid-Atlantic, Leisure Time and Outdoor World. Offer not valid on holidays and special events; certain restrictions may apply. Two week maximum stay per resort at discounted rate. Valid on new reservations only.
52
JUNE 2017 TRAILBLAZER
Member Deals ▲ Tropic Winds RV Resort (TX)
Texas
$139
▲ Victori
Weekly Stay at Victoria Palms a Palms R
V Resort (T
X)
Promo Code: TT139STX Valid 6/1/17 - 9/1/17. 14 Days Max Stay. Book by 8/1/17.
$299
Monthly Stay at Victoria Palms Promo Code: TT299STX V Resort
Sun R ▲ Fun N
(TX)
Valid 6/1/17 - 9/1/17. 14 Days Max Stay. Book by 8/1/17. *Restrictions/exclusions apply and are listed at bottom of this page.
**Subject to availability. Reservations required. Rates based on a standard site. Stays of 30 days or less are subject to $4 per day resort fee. Electric not included for stays of 30 days or longer. Rates do not include taxes. Amenities vary by resort. Cannot be combined with any other offers or promotions. Rates exclusively for members of Thousand Trails, NACO, Mid-Atlantic, Leisure Time and Outdoor World. Offer not valid on holidays and special events; certain restrictions may apply. Two week maximum stay per resort at discounted rate. Valid on new reservations only.
JUNE 2017 TRAILBLAZER
53
Member Deals ▲ Palm Springs Oasis RV Resort (CA)
Palm Springs
$199
Weekly Stay at Palm Springs Oasis
▲ Foothills West RV
Resort (AZ)
Use Promo Code: TT199PSO Valid 9/15/17 - 12/15/17. Book by 12/1/17. *Restrictions/exclusions apply and are listed at bottom of this page.
RVontheGo.com 1-888-443-7301
Call! Click! Camp!
▲ Monte Vis
ta Village RV
Resort (AZ)
**Subject to availability. Reservations required. Rates based on a standard site. Stays of 30 days or less are subject to $4 per day resort fee. Electric not included for stays of 30 days or longer. Rates do not include taxes. Amenities vary by resort. Cannot be combined with any other offers or promotions. Rates exclusively for members of Thousand Trails, NACO, Mid-Atlantic, Leisure Time and Outdoor World. Offer not valid on holidays and special events; certain restrictions may apply. Two week maximum stay per resort at discounted rate. Valid on new reservations only.
54
JUNE 2017 TRAILBLAZER
Member Deals ▲ ViewPoint RV & Golf Resort (AZ)
Arizona
$349 One Month Special ▲ Cactus
Gardens R
V Resort (A
Z)
Valid at Araby Acres, Cactus Gardens, Capri, Casita Verde, Countryside, Desert Paradise, Foothill Village, Foothills West, Fiesta Grande, Golden Sun, Mesa Verde, Suni Sands, and Valley Vista
Promo Code: TT349AZ Valid 6/1/17 - 8/31/17. Book by 8/1/17.
$599 One Month Special Valid at Mesa Spirit, Monte Vista, Paradise RV, ViewPoint, and Voyager ort (AZ)
RV Res untryside
▲ Co
Promo Code: TT599AZ Valid 6/1/17 - 8/31/17. Book by 8/1/17. *Restrictions/exclusions apply and are listed at bottom of this page.
**Subject to availability. Reservations required. Rates based on a standard site. Stays of 30 days or less are subject to $4 per day resort fee. Electric not included for stays of 30 days or longer. Rates do not include taxes. Amenities vary by resort. Cannot be combined with any other offers or promotions. Rates exclusively for members of Thousand Trails, NACO, Mid-Atlantic, Leisure Time and Outdoor World. Offer not valid on holidays and special events; certain restrictions may apply. Two week maximum stay per resort at discounted rate. Valid on new reservations only.
JUNE 2017 TRAILBLAZER
55
Member Deals â–˛ Venture In RV Resort (AZ)
Arizona
$199
Weekly Stay
at Mesa Spirit Use Promo Code: TT199MS
â–˛ Mesa Spir
it RV Resort
(AZ)
Valid 6/1/17 - 8/31/17. 14 day maximum. Book by 8/15/17.
Arizona
$1,049
50% OFF
at Venture In
at Arizona RV Resorts
3-Month Stay
Weekly Stay
(excluding Venture In, Salome KOA, and Mesa Spirit)
Use Promo Code: TT1049VI
Use Promo Code: TT50AZ
Valid 6/1/17 - 10/31/17. Book by 8/1/17.
Valid 6/1/17 - 8/31/17. 7 day min. 14 day max. Book by 8/1/17.
*Restrictions/exclusions apply and are listed at bottom of this page.
*Restrictions/exclusions apply and are listed at bottom of this page.
**Subject to availability. Reservations required. Rates based on a standard site. Stays of 30 days or less are subject to $4 per day resort fee. Electric not included for stays of 30 days or longer. Rates do not include taxes. Amenities vary by resort. Cannot be combined with any other offers or promotions. Rates exclusively for members of Thousand Trails, NACO, Mid-Atlantic, Leisure Time and Outdoor World. Offer not valid on holidays and special events; certain restrictions may apply. Two week maximum stay per resort at discounted rate. Valid on new reservations only.
56
JUNE 2017 TRAILBLAZER
Member Deals ▲ Tropical Palms RV Resort (FL)
Florida
20% OFF Weekly Stay
▲ Fiesta
Key RV
Marina Resort &
(FL)
Sunshine Key & Fiesta Key Promo Code: TT20KEYS Valid 6/1/17 - 10/1/17. 14 Day Max Stay. Book by 9/1/17.
50% OFF Weekly Stay
Valid at all Florida RV Resorts (excluding Forest Lake Village, Sunshine Key and Fiesta Key) ▲ Ramble
rs Rest RV
Campgrou
nd (FL)
Promo Code: TT50WFL Valid 6/1/17 - 10/1/17. 14 Day Max Stay. Book by 9/1/17.
*Restrictions/exclusions apply and are listed at bottom of this page. **Subject to availability. Reservations required. Rates based on a standard site. Stays of 30 days or less are subject to $4 per day resort fee. Electric not included for stays of 30 days or longer. Rates do not include taxes. Amenities vary by resort. Cannot be combined with any other offers or promotions. Rates exclusively for members of Thousand Trails, NACO, Mid-Atlantic, Leisure Time and Outdoor World. Offer not valid on holidays and special events; certain restrictions may apply. Two week maximum stay per resort at discounted rate. Valid on new reservations only.
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Member Deals â–˛ Forest Lake Village RV Resort (FL)
Florida
50% OFF Weekly Stay
at Forest Lake Village Promo Code: TT50FLV Valid 6/1/17 - 10/1/17. 7 day min stay and 14 day max stay. Book by 9/1/17.
20% OFF Monthly Stay
at Forest Lake Village Promo Code: TT20FLV
ge RV Resort (FL)
â–˛ Forest Lake Villa
RVontheGo.com 1-888-443-7301
Call! Click! Camp!
Valid 6/1/17 - 10/1/17. 31 day max stay. Book by 9/1/17. *Restrictions/exclusions apply and are listed at bottom of this page. **Subject to availability. Reservations required. Rates based on a standard site. Stays of 30 days or less are subject to $4 per day resort fee. Electric not included for stays of 30 days or longer. Rates do not include taxes. Amenities vary by resort. Cannot be combined with any other offers or promotions. Rates exclusively for members of Thousand Trails, NACO, Mid-Atlantic, Leisure Time and Outdoor World. Offer not valid on holidays and special events; certain restrictions may apply. Two week maximum stay per resort at discounted rate. Valid on new reservations only.
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JUNE 2017 TRAILBLAZER
CROSSWORD PUZZLE
Answers can be found on page 65.
ACROSS 1 Laconian clan group 4 Snow (Scot.) 7 Amer. Cancer Society (abbr.) 10 Ach 11 Comparative ending 12 Mayan year 14 Sp. instrument 16 Lens-shaped aggregate 17 Cubic feet per second (abbr.) 18 Savory 20 Youngster 21 Black colonial cuckoo 22 Egypt. queen of the gods 24 Reproach 27 Carriage 30 Arris 31 Old Eng. rune 32 Marker 33 Daydream 35 Intervening, in law 36 Sister of Ares 37 Strife 38 Fr. month
40 42 45 47 49 50 51 52 53 54
Prohibit To be announced (abbr.) “Bus Stop� playwright Dolphin fish Prayer beads Orinoco tributary Angle Genesis (abbr.) New (pref.) Old (Ger.)
DOWN 1 Viking 2 Musical instrument (string) 3 Superlative (suf.) 4 Mount Horeb 5 Turnip (Scot.) 6 Crafterman 7 Exclamation 8 Wary 9 Legend 10 Atl. Coast Conference (abbr.) 13 River or sea bottom 15 Anglo-Saxon slave
19 Daughters of the American Revolution (abbr.) 21 Viper 23 River of Rome 24 Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (abbr.) 25 Hurry 26 Lure 27 Curved letter 28 Longitude (abbr.) 29 Look at 31 Sage (2 words) 34 Clear 35 Baluchistan people 37 Biblical burning bush 38 Arabic letter 39 Anagram (abbr.) 41 Bald 42 Follow 43 Minstrel of India 44 S.A. sloths 46 Belonging to (suf.) 48 Master of Business Administration (abbr.) JUNE 2017 TRAILBLAZER
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See if a Membership Upgrade is Right for You!
MAXIMIZE
YOUR OPPORTUNITIES More Freedom to Explore! Enjoying the benefits of your Thousand Trails Camping Pass? Then you’ll love what our premium upgrade options have to offer. Get nationwide access to our premier campsites and resorts, keep the fun going with longer maximum stays, plan further ahead with extended booking windows, and much more!
Call today 888-842-8617 or visit thousandtrails.com/member-upgrade » For more information, see a membership specialist on your next visit!
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JUNE 2017 TRAILBLAZER
Get More Locations Plan Further Ahead Explore New Accommodations Travel Club
Upgrade Now for as low as $134.05 / Month* Which Camping Pass Upgrade is right for you? Camping Pass
Elite Basic
Elite Connections
Booking Window
60 Days
120 Days
180 Days
Maximum Stay
14 Days
21 Days
21 Days
Thousand Trails
Access to Campgrounds in your zone(s)
Encore Access Park to Park Family Access Reciprocal Network Getaway Cabins Travel Club
*Monthly payment plans available. Up to 60 months to pay. 16.99% APR. 60 payments of $134.05 assuming you purchase the Elite Basic for $5,995 and make the minimum down payment. Sales tax and any applicable fees due at time of purchase. This advertising is being used for the purpose of soliciting sales of resort campground memberships. This document has been filed with the Department of Licensing, State of Washington, as required by Washington law. Value, quality, or conditions stated, and performance on promises are the responsibility of the operator, not the Department. The filing does not mean 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.
JUNE 2017 TRAILBLAZER
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PREFERRED RV DEALERS
Check out member specials on parts, service, and sales by visiting our preferred RV Dealer partners listed here.
USA A&L RV Sales TN - Christiana, Johnson City, Sevierville alrvsales.com A Great Outdoor RV Center TX - Canton • agorv.com Affinity RV AZ - Dewey, Prescott, Prescott Valley affinityrv.com All Valley RV Center CA - Acton • allvalleyrvcenter.com Al’s Trailer Sales OR - Salem • alstrailers.com Alpin Haus NY - Amsterdam, Port Jervis, Saratoga alpinhaus.com
Camperland Trailer Sales TX - Conroe • camperland.net
Economy RVs MD - Mechanicsville • economyrvs.com
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 campersinn.com
Ellis Travel Trailers GA - Statesboro • ellistraveltrailers.com
Canopy Country RV Center WA - Ellensburg, Union Gap canopycountry.com
Freedom RV WA - Liberty Lake • freedomrvusa.com
Charlie Obaugh RV VA - Staunton • charlieobaughrv.com
ET Quality RV CA - Two locations in Yuba City etqualityrv.com Floyd’s RV OK - Norman • floydsrvs.com
Funtime RV OR - Tualalin • funtimervinc.com
American Family RV VA - Chesapeake • americanfamilyrv.com
Chesaco RV MD - Joppa, Frederick, Gambrills PA - Shoemakersville • chesacorv.com
Appleton Camping Center WI - Appleton • appletoncamping.com
Clear Creek RV WA - Silverdale • clearcreekrvcenter.com
General RV Center IL - Huntley MI - Brownstown, Mt. Clemens, Wayland, White Lake, Wixom OH - North Canton generalrv.com
B&B RV CA - Anderson • bbrv.me
Coastal RV VA - Carrolton • coastalrv.com
Gibs RV Superstore OR - Coos Bay • gibsrvsuperstore.com
Bama RV AL - Dothan • bamarv.com
Colerain RV OH - Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus IN - Indianapolis, KY - Lexington colerainrv.com
Grandview Trailers Sales VA - Bedford • grandviewtrailersales.com
Big Country RV OR - Bend, Redmond • bigcrv.com
Conejo Wholesale Auto and RV CA - Thousand Oaks conejowholesaleauto.com
Indian Valley Camper Center PA - Souderton • ivccrv.com
Blade Chevrolet RV WA - Mt. Vernon • bladerv.com
Country Camping Corner NC - Kings Mountain • countrycamping.com
Boat-N-RV NY - West Coxsackie; SC - Ridgeland PA - Hamburg • boatnrv.com
Crossroads Trailers NJ - Newfield • crossroadstrailers.com
Baydo’s RV of Chehalis WA - Chehalis • baydosrvs.com
Braun’s Fun Time Campers IN - Indianapolis • funtimecampers.com
Cunningham Campers, Inc. IN - Jeffersonville www.cunninghamcampers.com
Browns RV SC - McBee • brownsrvsuperstore.com
Curtis Trailer Center MI - Schoolcraft • curtistrailercenter.com
Burlington RV Superstore WI - Sturtevant • burlingtonrv.com
Dunlap RV KY - Bowling Green • dunlaprvcenter.com
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JUNE 2017 TRAILBLAZER
Hayden’s RVs VA - Richmond • haydensrvs.net
Haylett RV MI - Coldwater • haylettautoandrv.com Jeff’s Couch’s RV Nation OH - Hamilton • couchsrvnation.com Keystone RV Center PA - Greencastle • keystonervcenter.com Krenek RV Super Center MI - Coloma • krenekrv.com Lakeside RV Sales SC - Anderson • lakesidervsales.com
La Mesa RV AZ - W. Phoenix CA - Sacramento, San Diego FL - Ft. Myers, Orlando, Port St. Lucie, Daytona Beach lamesarv.com Lux-Liner LLC CA - Acadia • lux-liner.com McKay’s RV & Marine Center ME - Holden • mckaysrv.com Media Camping PA - Media • mediacamping.com Mike Thompson RV Superstores CA - Cathedral City, Colton, Fountain Valley, Santa Fe Springs mikethompson.com Opelika RV Center AL - Opelika • opelikarv.com Open Road RV Center WA - Arlington, Monroe openroadrvcenter.com Out of Doors Mart NC - Colfax • outofdoorsmart.com Patterson RV TX - Wichita Falls • pattersonrv.com Paul Evert’s RV Country AZ - Bullhead City, Flagstaff CA - Fresno; NV - Laughlin OR - Coburg; WA - Fife, Milton, Mt. Vernon rvcountry.com Phillips RV Center MI - Mount Morris • phillipsrv.com PPL Motorhomes TX - Cleburne, Houston, New Braunfels pplmotorhomes.com Princesscraft RV TX - Round Rock • princesscraft.com R.B. Taylor & Sons VA - Lynchburg rbtaylorandsons.com Recreation Plantation RV Sales IL - Lynwood recreationplantationrvsales.com Roadhouse Camper & RV PA - Lake Ariel (Scranton) roadhousecamper.com
RV General Store OK - Newcastle • rvgeneralstore.com
Waterdog RV OR - Dayton • waterdogrv.com
RV’s For Less TX - Bryan • rvsource.com
Welcome Back RV Outlet TX - Athens • welcomebackrv.com
RV Source TN - Knoxville • rvsforless.net
Western Travel Sales WA - Lynden • westerntravelsales.com
RVs Northwest WA - Spokane • rvsnorthwest.com
Wilder RV WA - Port Angeles • wilderrvs.com
RV Value Mart PA - Lititz, Manheim • rvvaluemart.com Safford RV VA - Thornburg • saffordrv.com Sahara RV NV - Las Vegas • sahararv.com Scott Motor Coach NJ - Lakewood • scottmotorcoach.com See Grins RV CA - Gilroy, San Martin • seegrins.com Seguin RV TX - Seguin • seguinrv.com Simi RV & Off Road CA - Simi Valley • simi-rv.com Sky River RV CA - Buellton, Paso Robles, Pismo Beach skyriverrv.com Snyder’s RV VA - Virginia Beach • snydersrv.com Strickland Marine & RV SC - Seneca • stricklandmarineandrv.com Sunbelt RV Center TX - Belton • sunbeltrv.com Sundown RV Center CA - Atwater • sundownrv.com Super Deals RV Inc. GA - Temple • superdealsrv.com TAC Trailer and RV NC - Moyock • tactrailerandrv.com The Trail Center SC - North Charleston • trailcenter.com Tonies RV VA - Salem • toniesrv.com Toscano RV CA - Los Banos • toscanorv.com
Roy Robinson RV WA - Marysville • royrobinsonrv.com
TravelTime RV TX - Sulphur Springs • traveltimerv.com
Russ Dean Family RV WA - Pasco • russdeanrv.com
Vancouver RV & Park Model Center WA - Vancouver • vancouverrv.com
RV City AZ - Huachuca City • rvcity.net
Vogt RV TX - Ft. Worth • vogtrv.com
CANADA Action VR QC - Saint-Nicolas • actionvr.ca Véhicules Récréatifs JD QC - Sherbrooke • vrjdrv.ca VR Depot QC - Vaudreuil-Dorion • vrdepot.ca VR Emond Plus QC - Sainte-Nicolas • vremondplus.com VR Prestige QC - Terrebonne • vrprestige.com VR Souliere QC - Lanoraie, Lavaltrie • vrsouliere.com GO VR QC - Ange Gardien • go-vr.com Horizon Lussier QC - Maryville • horizonlussier.com JCS Entreposage QC - Trois Rivières • entreposagejcs.com Leasure Days RV ON - Ayr, Kingston, Pembroke, Smith Falls, Sudbry QC - Buckingham, Gatineau, Sherbrooke NB - Salisbury NS - Truro leisuredays.ca Le Centre du Vr Victoriaville QC - Saint-Albert • vrvictoriaville.com Roulottes AS Levesque QC - Châteauguay, Saguenay, Sainte-Hélène, Trois-Rivières roulotte.ca Roulottes Remillard QC - Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu roulottesremillard.com
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y l l a It’s R ! e m i T Calendar
CLUB JUNE 2017
RVers seeking RVers? Rally clubs from coast to coast love to meet at our destinations. Join in on the fun!
Bounders United (BUTTN)
Northwest
TT SINGLES Central California
Lewis and Clark TTN
If you are interested in attending please contact wagonmaster Yvonne Codde at (209) 207-8184. BUTTN are members who own or have owned a Bounder motorhome and belong to the Bounders United and Thousand Trails NACO.
Contact Jane Davis at (209) 986-1088 or email janedjd@pacbell.net or Judy Rogers at (775) 772-1872 or email fifthwheeler61@yahoo.com.
TTWest/FMCA
Jul. 6-9......................Russian River, CA Sept. 7-10.........Lake of the Springs, CA Nov. 9-12........................ Ponderosa, 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.
Rolling Thunder of Texoma
Sept. 25-Oct. 8...........Lake Texoma, TX We meet twice a year in the north Texas area. For more information call Dianna Huff at (405) 641-8226 or visit rollingthunderfmca.com.
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JUNE 2017 TRAILBLAZER
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.
June 15-19....................... Paradise, WA July 17-21.......................Birch Bay, WA Aug. 14-18..............Bend/Sunriver, OR Sept. 7-11............................ Seaside, OR Oct. 12-16..................Whalers Rest, OR Roger Beausoleil: President Lewis and Clark TTN chapter of FMCA. Contact person, Roger Beausoleil (503) 390-4753 or rogerabeau@msn.com.
TT of Texas/FMCA
Sept. 8-10.................. Lake Whitney, TX Nov. 17-19...................Medina Lake, TX New members must be a member of TTN and FMCA. Contact Connie Farrar at (817) 454-4612 or email to ttnfmcachapter@gmail.com. Our website is: ttnoftexasfmca.com. We also have a blog site: ttfmcaralliesandmore.blogspot.com.
TT Travelers Southern California
Jun. 5-7........................Rancho Oso, CA Jul. 10-12........................... Pio Pico, CA Aug. 7-9.............. Wilderness Lakes, CA Sept. 11-13........... Soledad Canyon, CA Oct. 2-4.............. Oakzanita Springs, CA Nov. 6-8......................Palm Springs, CA Dec. 4-6.............. 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, please contact our wagonmaster, Jim Brooks (805)320-2588 or email at willys46@sbcglobal.net.
TTN So Cal Weekenders
Jun. 2-4.............................. Pio Pico, CA Aug. 4-6............................. 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
Answers – Crossword puzzle can be found on page 59.
Answers – Sudoku puzzle can be found on page 43.
This Year’s Big Item for Father’s Day Adopt -AManatee
®
Call 1-800-432-5646 (JOIN) savethemanatee.org Photo © Cora Berchem
JUNE 2017 TRAILBLAZER
65
Look for this year’s #100DaysofCamping rally towel when you visit your favorite Thousand Trails campground this Memorial Day Weekend! Join in on the Fun!
SUMMER IS HERE!
1 2 3 4
Get Out and Camp! Take pictures on your camping trip Share your photos on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using #100Daysof Camping Repeat steps 1-3 every time you camp this summer!
To book your next stay, call or visit our website.
844.289.6231 ThousandTrails.com
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. Thousand Trails Members Qualify For Association Discounts Attend A SkyMed Meeting For Details 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Hospital-to-Hospital Emergency Air Transport Vehicle & Vessel Return Visitor Transportation Transportation for Recuperation Nearer Home Commercial Carrier Medical Escort Flights
6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
Ground Ambulance Helicopter 100 Mile Waiver SkyMed Plus (Pet Return) Minor Children / Grandchildren Return Primary Driver Disability Physical Remains Return
800-679-2020
13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18.
www.skymed.com/thousandtrails
Escort / Companion Transportation Return Transportation After Recovery Incidental Expense Allowance Organ Retrieval Organ Recipient Transportation Global Emergency Travel Services
Savings can take you to amazing sights.
geico.com | 1-877-434-2678 | Local Office
Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. Š 2017 GEICO