TrailBlazer Magazine - March/April 2019

MARCH/APRIL 2019 ■ $2.00

SIGHTS along California ’ s Scenic HWY 395

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

YOU receive a $50 VisaÂŽ Virtual Reward when your friend purchases a Thousand Trails Camping Pass!

Your referral also enters YOU into our 2019 drawing for a chance to win these great prizes:

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

SECOND PRIZE

THIRD PRIZE

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

Free Dues for 2020 10 Winners Selected (Up to $585 value)

Contact Us Today!

(888) 808-8925 or visit ThousandTrails.com

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

MARCH/APRIL 2019 TRAILBLAZER

MARCH/APRIL 2019 VOL. 47 ■ ISSUE 2

WHAT'S INSIDE

20 ANOTHER TRAILBLAZING ROAD TRIP California’s Scenic 395

Photo courtesy of Seldon Ink.

regulars Pics From The Parks

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Member Deals 54 Crossword Puzzle 60 Photo courtesy of VisitSedona.com

32

The Big Fish Story America's Hottest Fishing Spots

MARCH/APRIL 2019 ■ $2.00

SIGHTS along California’s Scenic HWY 395

Sudoku Puzzle 61 Preferred RV Dealer List 62

tips & topics Tech Topics

49

4 Paws on the Road 50 Tips & Tricks – 2019 51 Summer Bucket List Ask RV Bill 52

calendars On-Site Events 16 On the Cover Kayaking on Mono Lake. Photo by Christian Pondella for Mammoth Lakes Tourism.

lifestyle 5

Message from Marguerite

10 2018 Referral Winners 12 A ll In The Family: Thousand Trails Continues To Grow in the Super ‘70s 14 I Knew I was a TrailBlazer – with Allie and Danella 30 F all In Love With A Manufactured Home 40 100 Things To Do In...

42 O n the Road with Mike & Anne Howard of HoneyTrek.com 47 O n Location: Spring Gulch Folk Festival 48 Cooking Corner

Local Events 18 Club Calendar 64

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MESSAGE from

MARGUERITE

Spring is on the horizon, which means the official camping season is nearly here. Our staff is hard at work gearing up for the season, and they’re ready to welcome all of our members and guests back! We’ve already seen a number of you at our warm weather locations so far this year, and we are looking forward to seeing everyone else soon.

As many of you know, 2019 is a special year for the Thousand Trails family. This is our 50th anniversary of making camping memories, and we have so much planned throughout the year to celebrate the occasion.

In this issue, we focus on the 70s, a decade that truly fostered growth in the Thousand Trails portfolio, specifically in the Pacific Northwest. Leavenworth, Mt. Vernon, Chehalis, Cultus Lake, LaConner, and Lake of the Springs all opened in the 1970s. It’s such a wonderful feeling knowing that some of you were our first guests at these beautiful locations, and |continue to make camping memories there to this day. To learn more about the history of Thousand Trails, I encourage you to check out the story on page 12, and visit ThousandTrails.com for a detailed timeline and video series.

With all there is to celebrate, I certainly hope you’ve been able to plan a few trips for the year. If you’re still looking for some inspiration, I recommend checking out the article on page 20. It highlights a great roadtrip along California’s scenic 395. From the Tufa Formations

on Mono Lake to Lone Pine, every western movie buff’s paradise, you’re sure to find adventure along the way.

For those who have time before or after this scenic roadtrip, Lake Tahoe is just an hour northwest of the drive, and always worth a visit. Or, if fishing is more your style, be sure to check out our Big Fish Story, which highlights some of the best fishing spots both near or at your favorite Thousand Trails campground.

The spring signals a time of renewal and excitement. For those of us in the northern states, the green leaves begin coming back and flowers start poking out, filling places with color again. Many people focus on spring cleaning and prepping for the always busy months the summer brings. I hope to inspire you to take time to enjoy the warmer weather and to join us for our 50th anniversary celebrations happening throughout the season. We can’t wait to see you soon, and celebrate with you at these events. After all, we have all of you, our members and guests, to thank for 50 years of great memories.

Here’s to 50 more!

Marguerite Nader President & CEO MARCH/APRIL 2019 TRAILBLAZER

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www.trailblazermagazine.net CREATIVE DIRECTOR Mark Slattery EDITOR Annie Berman GRAPHIC DESIGNER Sherry Rossetti ADVERTISING SALES TBads@equitylifestyle.com MISSION STATEMENT TrailBlazer provides exclusive news and information for the members and guests of Thousand Trails Family of campgrounds and resorts.

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

TRAILBLAZER (ISSN 0747-2293) is published monthly except bimonthly Jan./Feb., Mar./Apr., May/June, Sept./Oct., and Nov./Dec. by MHCTT Memberships, LP, c/o MHC Property Management L.P., Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60606. An annual subscription is $20. Periodicals postage paid at Chicago, IL and additional offices.

Postmaster: Send address changes to TRAILBLAZER, 2325 Highway 90, Gautier, MS 39553. Canada Post Publication Mail Agreement 41461526.

TRAILBLAZER MAGAZINE

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

Share your adventures in 3 easy steps!

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 American Express® Prepaid 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:

TrailBlazer Magazine Attn: TrailBlazer Editor Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 800 Chicago, IL 60606

Emailed photos should be high resolution. Photos are not returnable and become the property of TrailBlazer Magazine 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 online at trailblazermagazine.net.

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Canada: (228) 497-3594 Mon. - Fri. 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CST

ThousandTrails.com ENCORE RESERVATIONS (877) 570-2267

RVontheGo.com Remember! Thousand Trails members get preferred rates at Encore RV resorts.

▲ Orlando RV Resort (FL): Lake at TT Orlando. – Rick Rentschler

WINN

ER!

▲ Forest Lake RV Campground (NC): Mitzi Bennett, 30 years ago with daughter Joy at Forest Lake Preserve. Joy spoke her first distinct word at the lake the day this picture was taken: “Duck!”

Thirty years later, Mitzi and I enjoy the peaceful resort in North Carolina. – Bob Bennett

▲ Seaside RV Campground (OR): Sunset – Don Conners

▲ Palm Springs Oasis RV Campground (CA): Basket weaving classes. – Carol Hilton MARCH/APRIL 2019 TRAILBLAZER

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LUCKY WINNER?

WANT TO BE A

Left to right: Colleen Benson, Assistant Manager; Diana Allshouse, Recreation Director; Earl Faulk, Member; Mary Faulk, Member; Silvia Wingfield, General Manager

Lucky winners, Earl & Mary Faulk from Boston, MA, were camping at Orlando RV Campground when they were presented with a $1,000 gift card!

Thousand Trails is offering members the opportunity to win a

$1,000 American Express® Prepaid Gift Card To earn entries into our monthly drawing, simply pay your 2019 dues on time and camp at your favorite Thousand Trails Campground.

When you pay your annual dues for 2019 in full, you will be entered into our monthly drawing for a $1,000 American Express® Prepaid Gift Card. There will be one drawing/one winner each month from January through December 2019. In addition, once you pay your dues in full, each time you camp at a Thousand Trails campground in 2019, you will receive an additional entry into the drawing. The drawings are limited to persons who are of legal age. The drawings will be held at our corporate office on the 10th day after the end of each month. Winners will be notified by mail, phone or in person if camping at a Thousand Trails campground. The odds of winning will depend on the number of entries, but are not expected to exceed 1:100,000. Winners are responsible for federal and state taxes on the award. You may also enter the drawings by printing your name, address, day and evening phone numbers, and email address on a 3” x 5” piece of paper and mailing it to the Sponsor in addressed, stamped envelope. You are limited to one mail-in entry which must be postmarked by December 15, 2019. This promotion is sponsored by MHC Thousand Trails Limited Partnership, Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60606.

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Visit petiteretreats.com for more information.

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MARCH/APRIL 2019 TRAILBLAZER

9

Friends who camp tog YOU receive a $50 VisaÂŽ PrePaid Card when your referral purchases a Thousand Trails Camping Pass!

Your referral also enters YOU into our 2019 drawing for a chance to win these great prizes:

Plus!GRAND PRIZE

SECOND PRIZE

THIRD PRIZE

7 Night Cruise or Trip to Hawaii

4 Nights in Las Vegas, San Francisco or Orlando

Free Dues for 2020 10 Winners Selected

($2,000 value)

($4,000 value)

(Up to $585 value)

CONTACT US TODAY!

(888) 808-8925

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

10

MARCH/APRIL 2019 TRAILBLAZER

gether, stay together!

Congratulations to our

2018 Referral Winners!

GRAND PRIZE

Robert Brinkley

SECOND PRIZE

Doug Rodgers

Rustburg, VA

Hampshire, TN

THIRD PRIZE: Cynthia & Harold Daniel

Jill Holden

Levi & Lori Means

Jose & Magnolia Cuevas

Rico Bermudez

Richard Smith

Levi & Sennie Wilson Jr.

John Carrigan

David Dixon

Cheryl Aschenbach

Pleasant Plain, OH Oregon City, OR San Jose, CA Kingstree, SC Whitney, TX

El Cajon, CA

San Diego, CA Hockley, TX

Taylorsville, NC Chico, CA

MARCH/APRIL 2019 TRAILBLAZER

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Thousand Trails Continues to Grow in the Super '70s This year, TrailBlazer Magazine, takes readers through the 50_year history of Thousand Trails. This issue, we are throwing it back to the seventies to learn more about how the first campgrounds became part of the Thousand Trails' history.

Remember to check out the interactive historical timeline by visiting thousandtrails.com/50th_anniversary!

Once Chehalis was up and running, the Kuolt’s looked to expand the dream and find a location for a second campground.

According to Lois Kuolt, in her book, We Called it Thousand Trails, the plan was to find a location that offered a different climate and scenery than Chehalis, so they looked toward eastern Washington State.

For an entire year, they worked with land brokers and real estate agents, searching for the ideal location. And they finally found it just outside the charming town of Leavenworth.

In the early 1960s, the town underwent a facelift of sorts and it was transformed into a Bavarian Village. With the mountains as the backdrop and the storefronts and buildings sporting a Bavarian motif, the town became a popular tourist destination.

Today, more than two million people visit the town of Leavenworth each year.

In the book, Lois writes of their excitement at finding the perfect acreage just outside this charming village.

“Leavenworth was ideal,” she said. “The tourists were built-in, there was plenty of shopping, summer, and there was snow sledding, skiing and snowmobiling during winter months.”

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MARCH/APRIL 2019 TRAILBLAZER

The acreage of the Leavenworth preserve was a bit smaller than that of Chehalis, but it had the added plus of being surrounded by forest land and just a few miles from sparkling Lake Wenatchee.

Just about a year after Leavenworth first welcomed members in 1975, land for a third preserve, and a second Washington location, was purchased in Mt. Vernon.

The Mt. Vernon preserve offered easy access to fishing and golf courses as well as sightseeing opportunities to the San Juan Islands. Onsite amenities focused on family fun and included a horseshoe pit, miniature golf course, a sauna, swimming pool, and wading pool. Of course, the Cascade Mountains as a backdrop and the lush location of the Skagit Valley added up for a beautiful, natural camping experience.

A

Within short order, land purchases were made in British Columbia, Canada, Bend, Oregon and a first California location in the town of Oregon House.

Cultus Lake is nestled in the verdant Fraser River Valley, while Bend sits on the Little Deschutes River.

La Conner is less than a mile from the shores of Puget Sound and nearby to the quaint fishing village of La Conner. Lake of the Springs sits at the foothills of the Sierra Mountains and offers guests access to a private 120-acre lake.

g rin p Lake S of the

unt Vernon Mo ,

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And while the portfolio began to expand into new locations, all the preserves offered many of the same natural amenities. Lush forested locations, proximity to lakes and rivers and hiking and trail opportunities combined to create top-notch, one of a kind, camping.

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Thanks to these beautiful locations, not to mention a friendly enthusiastic staff, Thousand Trails was offering an unparalleled experience. By 1979, the membership base had grown to 13,000 families.

These families were enjoying “America’s Finest Family Camping” and creating long-lasting relationships with other members. It was definitely a family experience.

And, a magazine was introduced to keep everyone apprised of all the things going on in the Thousand Trails world – it was called TrailBlazer. ¾

*This story has been reprinted with permission from the author

MARCH/APRIL 2019 TRAILBLAZER

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I

I WAS A

TrailBlazer ALLIE AND DANELLA This month, Trailblazer introduces you to Danella and Allie, newly minted Thousand Trails members who’ve been traveling the East Coast with their two dogs and have aspirations to travel the whole country!

Read more about Danella and Allie and their newest adventures in their motorhome in this month’s, I Knew I Was A TrailBlazer!

TB: How long have you been camping and RVing? Who introduced you to it? Tell us how it all began!

A&D: We have been living and traveling in our RV full-time since May of 2018! We have always been passionate about travel, but we were inspired to make the leap to full-time RV living when we met another young couple working and adventuring in their motorhome.

Less than one year later we had sold 99% of our belongings to hit the road!

TB: How did you first hear about Thousand Trails?

A&D: We were introduced to Thousand Trails by another traveling couple that has a membership. We felt overwhelmed by the process of finding campgrounds and making the most budget-friendly choices.

Thousand Trails made the decision easy!

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

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MARCH/APRIL 2019 TRAILBLAZER

A&D: Our week-long stay at The Orlando RV Resort in Clermont has been one of our favorites! We enjoyed swimming in the gorgeous pools and walking our puppies around the property. We felt very welcomed by all the friendly folks there!

TB: Any funny camping/RVing stories?

A&D: We have so many funny RVing stories! One that stands out is when we arrived to the Carolina Landing campground in South Carolina. There had been some pretty torrential rains, and the ground was super soft. We were attempting to navigate the RV to our site and got stuck in the ditch!

It didn’t take more than 5 minutes before we had 10+ RVers around us trying to get us free from the ditch, and even offering us dinner. The camper community is wonderful.

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

A&D: We chose a 34-foot Newmar Bay Star, which is a class A

WE KNEW WE WERE TRAILBLAZERS

THE MOMENT WE GOT BEHIND THE WHEEL OF OUR RV. SO MUCH STRENGTH AND EMPOWERMENT CAME TO US, KNOWING WE COULD DRIVE OUR HOME ANYWHERE. WE BECAME IN CHARGE OF OUR DESTINY THAT DAY, AND NEVER LOOKED BACK!

motorhome. We selected this particular model because the floorplan and storage were perfect for our lifestyle needs! We travel with two very active pups, as well as our creative small business, so we needed a very functional layout. We also tow our Jeep Cherokee which we use to see all the sights once the RV is parked at a campground.

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

A&D: We traveled from Maine all the way down to the Miami area to spend two weeks at the Miami Everglades RV Resort. We never would have been able to travel to southern Florida if not for Thousand Trails because the private campgrounds near the coast are all so busy and

expensive. We’ll never forget the alligators we saw down there!

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

A&D: We love almost all outdoor activities! Full-time RV living has allowed us access to stunning hikes, sunrises and sunsets all over the country, and lots of boat rides. Even just sitting outside the RV in the sunshine brings our little family lots of joy.

TB: This is the question we will be finishing the feature with every month. We want to know when you knew you were the consummate camper, a true TrailBlazer. Can you finish this sentence? I knew I was a TrailBlazer when…

A&D: We knew we were TrailBlazers the moment we got behind the wheel of our RV. So much strength and empowerment

Photography on this spread courtesy of Allie and Danella

came to us, knowing we could drive our home anywhere. We became in charge of our destiny that day, and never looked back!

TB: This is a new question for 2019 – If you could leave a piece of Thousand Trails history behind so that campers 50 years from now will remember what it was like to camp in 2019, what would you leave and why?

A&D: We would leave our pride flag behind as a piece of Thousand Trails history. Despite our initial fears, we have been so warmly welcomed and accepted by the RV community, no matter the destination! We feel safe and respected in all the Thousand Trails campgrounds we visit. The flag is a symbol of camaraderie within the traveler community. ¾

MARCH/APRIL 2019 TRAILBLAZER

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AND

Activities and Events – On-Site

ACTIVITIES

events

From fun up to fun down, there is so much to do at Thousand Trails campgrounds.

TrailBlazer has rounded up some of the best events happening in March and April at Thousand Trails campgrounds across the country!

Opening Weekends Welcome back! It’s been a long, cold winter and Thousand Trails’ staff is ready to help you kick off your camping season in style. Check it out!

Let's put the long, cold winter behind us. Come on out to Rondout Valley ( NY ) and join us for the official opening weekend, March 30 – April 1. We will have activities and events for all to enjoy. The staff at Rondout is very happy to welcome everyone back! Come on down for some coffee and donuts at Sturbridge ( MA) the weekend of April 6! We're thrilled to start the 2019 season at Circle M (PA) and are ready to start the party the weekend of April 6. Welcome Back to Gateway to Cape Cod (MA)! Our “New Year’s” celebration starts on Saturday, April 14 and the “ball drops” at 10pm! After a long winter, what a great time to get reacquainted with old friends at Gettysburg Farm (PA)! The weekend of April 13 will be full of great activities. Sunday morning will feature a special pancake breakfast for all to enjoy, and don't forget to check out all the new arrivals on the farm this spring! Bring your favorite recipe to swap at our annual meet and greet Wine and Cheese Social at PA Dutch Country (PA) (BYOB; the rest will be provided) the weekend of April 27. Kids will have a supervised social of their own in an adjacent room where they will be enjoying a movie, board games, crafts, and snacks.

Earth Day Earth Day is April 22, 2019! Show Mother Earth how much you love her by participating in some very fun, green activities at Thousand Trails campgrounds!

Come plant a tree and flowers to celebrate Earth Day at Colorado River (TX). It’s a Spring-cleaning weekend at Forest Lake (NC) the weekend of April 20. Let’s work together to get our sites in excellent shape for the season and join us in creating our own earth themed Tic Tac Toe game! Join us at Grandy Creek (WA) the weekend of April 20 for some dirt cups and some fun activities to celebrate our Earth. There will also be a campground-wide yard sale for members and their guests. Announcement of details for the "Site of the Week/ Month" awards for the season. Let’s all clean up and then wind down with a bonfire and s’mores at San Benito (CA) on April 22! Come down to Gettysburg Farm (PA) during Earth Day Weekend for plenty of outdoor activities and earth-inspired crafts to keep everyone busy! Celebrate the “Wonderful World” we live in with the folks at Rondout Valley (NY). Enjoy our many walking trails and walk back to nature this weekend.

Pickup a map of the trails from the store. Activities will include many fun filled outdoor activities to “Bring us Back to Nature.”

Join us at Circle M (PA) the weekend of April 20 because we will have crafts, games and activities that celebrate our lovely planet Earth.

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MARCH/APRIL 2019 TRAILBLAZER

Potlucks are a great way to make new friends, show off your most delicious recipe, or taste what your fellow campers make too!

We love potlucks at Thousand Trails, so come join us at one this spring!

Who doesn’t love a yummy dessert potluck and fresh coffee in the afternoon? Members are invited to join us at Three Flags (FL) on March 22 to sample their neighbor’s dessert creations. Don’t forget to bring your favorite dessert to share! Join us on March 17 at Timothy Lake N&S (PA) for our St. Patrick's Day Potluck and lots of crafts for the kids! Grab your favorite Leprechaun, put on your lucky green shirt, and join us at the Recreation Lodge for live music and an appetizer potluck at Palm Springs (CA) on March 16! The folks at Colorado River (TX) will have an Irish-themed potluck to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on March 16. The Annual Line Dance Rally at Wilderness Lakes (CA) takes place March 17-21 and is a fun week for line dancers. Register and enjoy a potluck on the 16th to gear up for lots of dancing! Pio Pico (CA) teams up with Kiwanis on April 14 to host a vintage car show on the front lawn complete with a chili cook-off (with prizes), vendors, local beers, food and live entertainment. Join us at Lake Texoma (TX) on the afternoon of Saturday, April 6 for dessert recipe sharing! We will provide the punch and coffee. Each guest brings one homemade dessert to share. Write down the recipe on a card/paper so we can post it on the bulletin board to share! Those who bring a dessert will be entered into our door prize giveaways!

Pio Pico Easter Egg Hunt, 2018.

Easter Egg Hunts While not everyone celebrates Easter, the Easter-egg hunt tradition is something that all campers can enjoy!

Check out where to go hunting for eggs at Thousand Trails this spring!

Campers of all ages are welcome to participate in Easter festivities and games at PA Dutch Country (PA) the weekend of April 13-15 for some “pre-Easter” fun! The Easter Bunny will make a special appearance for an Egg Hunt. Afterwards, there will be a Wagon Ride with the Easter Bunny while you judge the campsites for a decorating contest. Come join the folks at Lake of the Springs (CA), April 20-21, for Easter weekend. Bring the kids to the pond located at the bottom of lodge hill for the Kids Fishing Derby. We will also be having egg coloring, egg hunt, and a visit from the Easter Bunny! Hop-Hop-Hooray, the Easter Bunny is on his way to Lake Whitney (TX) on April 20! Take pictures with the Easter Bunny and then, grab your baskets and join us for an egg-tastic Easter Egg Hunt. Don't miss our annual glow in the dark Easter Egg Hunt for adults on Saturday night! Join us the weekend of April 19-21 at Morgan Hill (CA) for spring crafts, an egg hunt, and bunny-themed yard games! For some “post-Easter” fun the weekend of April 27-29, come to Pine Country (IL). We will have an Easter Egg Hunt! Plus, you can make your very own Easter/Spring Bonnet and enjoy Family Movie Night and hayrides with the Easter bunny! The folks at Pio Pico (CA) will host a Giant Easter Egg Hunt on the front lawn for ages 2 –12, the weekend of April 20-21. Find the “special” eggs filled with tickets for special prizes! The Easter Bunny and Easter Bunny Jr. will be here for the festivities.

MARCH/APRIL 2019 TRAILBLAZER

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Activities and Events – On-Site

Potlucks

Activities and Events – Local

LOCAL

While you stay at Thousand Trails, why not explore the region around you? Check out some of the local events happening near Thousand Trails’ campgrounds this month!

OF

March 10

PALM SPRINGS (CA)

March 4-17

BNP Paribas Open

A two-week combined ATP World Tour Masters 1000 and WTA Tour Premier event featuring the top men and women professional tennis players. It is the largest tournament in the world after the four Grand Slams. Enjoy on and off the court entertainment with Tennis Talk, exhibits, demos, kids' day and much more. bnpparibasopen.com

March 22-24

Palm Desert Food & Wine Festival

Three days of culinary and wine tastings in the heart of the El Paseo shopping district. The event features a roster of celebrity chefs’ demonstrations and showcases the Coachella Valley as the ultimate culinary destination. There will be 40 fine dining restaurants and food tasting booths, celebrity chefs on three stages, 60 premium wine and liquor tastings, plus exquisite hand-crafted beers. palmdesertfoodandwine.com

April 26-28

Stagecoach Music Festival

The Stagecoach Festival is an outdoor country music festival presented by Goldenvoice, The Messina Group, and Moore Entertainment and founded by Paul Tollett. The festival is held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. stagecoachfestival.com

PIO PICO (CA)

March 7-10

San Diego Comic Fest

Indulge your love of comics, science fiction, and films, and meet an outstanding array of professional creators in a casual atmosphere and an intimate scale that allows fans to mingle directly with professionals and exhibitors. The theme for the 7th annual San Diego Comic Fest is the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, when science fiction became science fact! sdcomicfest.org

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MARCH/APRIL 2019 TRAILBLAZER

International Mariachi Festival

The International Mariachi Festival in Chula Vista is a community-friendly event providing entertainment for families to come together and celebrate San Diego’s Mexican heritage through mariachi music, traditional ballet folklorico dancing, and a celebration of arts, culture, and culinary delights.

The event will highlight Mariachi Groups from all over the United States and Mexico. $5 admission; free for children under 12. mariachifest.com

March 16

39th Annual St. Patrick’s Parade and Festival

Come experience the largest St. Patrick's Day Parade west of the Mississippi! Join the Irish Congress of Southern California for the 39th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade & Festival at Fifth Avenue and Laurel Street.

Join more than 30,000 attendees in our annual celebration featuring a parade with over 120 entries, followed by an Irish Festival in Balboa Park. stpatsparade.org

April 5-7

Goodguys 19th Meguiar's Del Mar Nationals

This hot rod and custom car automotive themed festival at the Del Mar Fairgrounds features over 2,500 hot rods, classics, street rods, customs, muscle cars, and more. Vendors, indoor car show, swap meet, and cars-for-sale area too. good-guys.com/dmn-2019

April 6-7

Julian Gold Rush Days

Julian Gold Rush Days celebrates the discovery of gold in this mountain community and invites visitors to learn more about its history with a weekend of entertainment including gold panning, tomahawk throwing, candle dipping and more. visitjulian.com

April 27-28

Mission Federal ArtWalk

Every year Mission Federal ArtWalk brings live visual art performance pieces into the entertainment lineup so attendees can be a part of the art, live musical performances, “spoken word” performances, interactive art activities for kids and those kids at heart, street food and many other special attractions. artwalksandiego.org

ORLANDO (FL)

March 8-10

Pig on the Pond

Celebrate with the South Lake community at the annual Pig on the Pond festival.

Delicious barbecue, live entertainment, carnival rides, fireworks, and more.

Over 20 local non-profit organizations participate in this event to raise funds for education. pigonthepond.org

April 6

The 50+ Comedy Tour

Enjoy 50+ humor from comedy veterans at the Clermont Performing Arts Center.

Visit website for ticket details. clermontperformingarts.com/events/ the-50-comedy-tour

April 28

Clermont Clay U-Run U-Pick Blueberry 5K

Run on the Clermont Clay roads and then enjoy fresh blueberries and hot blueberry pancakes after you finish at Southern Hill Farms. Course is limited so register early! sommersports.com/Events/Running/ Clermont-Clay-U-Run-U-Pick-Blueberry-5K

BAY LANDING ( TX )

March 1-3

The Fort Worth Show of Antiques & Art

The Fort Worth Show of Antiques & Art at the Will Roger Memorial Center showcases products like arts, crafts and gift, jewelry, antiques and more. fortworthshow.com

April 25-27

Pate Swap Meet

The Pate Swap Meet is the largest swap meet in The Midwestern United States.

The 3-day event at Texas Motor Speedway is host to everything automobile, motorcycle, and transportation related. pateswapmeet.com/index.html

April 27-29

Germanfest

This annual event in Muenster is a favorite and fun for all! Enjoy German food, bike rally, polka dancing, live music, petting zoo, face painting, German dancers, and more! muenstergermanfest.com

MEDINA LAKE ( TX )

March 15

Every Sat. in March & April

Spring Break at Eisenhower Birthplace

Each day features a different activity such as painting, crafting, coloring, and story time. Come during Spring Break for free activities to explore the world of Dwight Eisenhower and his birthplace. visiteisenhowerbirthplace.com

March 30

Kids Fest at Heritage Park

This is a free event in Denison for families and young children. They have tons of family-friendly activities, games, entertainment and much more. denisonlive.com/events/kids-fest

April 13

Easter Egg Roll at Eisenhower Birthplace

This event is free for youth up to age 12.

Enjoy an egg scramble, egg roll races, craft activities, and a visit by the Easter Bunny. denisonlive.com/events/easter-egg-rollbirthplace

April 13

Whitesnake - The Flesh & Blood World Tour

Whitesnake will play at the famous Choctaw Casino and Resort on Saturday April 13 in Durant, OK. Tickets are on sale now! You don’t want to miss this! choctawcasinos.com/choctaw-durant/ entertainment/upcoming-events

LAKE WHITNEY ( TX )

March 9

Spring Break Roundup

Bandera Cattle Company Gunfighters & Cowboys on Main

Gunfight re-enactments take place on Bandera Main Street at the Visitor’s Center. Interact with role play characters and sample what the old west cowboy lifestyle was like. banderacowboycapital.com

Every Sat. in March & April Bandera Sage Gardens Farmer’s Market

Local vendors offer plenty of items including free-range eggs, baked goods, honey products, goat’s milk skin-care products, cool weather produce, and more. Be sure to check the Bandera Farmer’s Market Facebook page for more info including hours. banderafarmersmarket.org

Every Saturday & Sunday Fredericksburg Farmer’s Market

This seasonal open-air market takes place rain or shine in Fredericksburg at the Kinder Halle Pavilion at Marktplatz.

Vendors are local who offer a variety of fresh seasonal produce. fredericksburgfarmersmarket.com

March 15-16

Bandera Wild Hog Explosion

This annual event features team competition for all age levels in wild hog catching; plus a hog kissing contest and an “All Bike Motorcycle Rally.” $8 for adults; $4 for children 6-12 years; 5 and under free! wildhogexplosion.com

Bring your family to the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame & Museum to meet Texas Ranger reenactors and explore the museum. texasranger.org

Texas Food Truck Showdown

April 10-14

Broadway at the Bass: On Your Feet!

Go inside the real story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan who came from humble beginnings in Cuba and broke barriers to become worldwide crossover pop sensations. Featuring some of the most iconic songs, you’ll love this inspiring story of music history. basshall.com

Fiesta San Antonio

Experience the art, history and culture of San Antonio during this 11-day celebration that attracts more than 2.5 million people every year. There are 100+ heritage events held by nonprofit organizations throughout the city.

Family fun, music, parades, concerts, carnival rides and more. visitsanantonio.com/event/fiesta-san-antonio

WILLIAMSBURG ( VA)

March 2

An Evening with Tenor Anthony Kearns

Kimball Theater, 428 W Duke of Gloucester Street, Williamsburg VA 23188 Former member of the Irish Tenors, Anthony Kearns has performed around the globe. His solo concert repertoire includes songs of his native Ireland, inspirational and patriotic songs from the American Songbook, and well-loved melodies to sing along to. He will perform with accompanist David George. hamptonroads.eventful.com/events

March 15, 16 & 22

The Extreme Ghosts of Williamsburg, Candlelit Walking Tours

This is a two-hour walking tour, covering a total of 1 mile. Slow pace; wear comfortable shoes. Wheelchair and stroller accessible. Dogs welcome! $17 admission; Children 6 & under are Free. hamptonroads.eventful.com/events

CHEHALIS & PARADISE ( WA)

March 2-3

White Pass Winter Carnival

This family friendly Carnival is jampacked with activities, including an interactive snow castle, outdoor games, snow sport competitions, a torchlight parade and fireworks! skiwhitepass.com

April 1

Food trucks will fill Heritage Square beginning at 10am. Beer and wine gardens available. Twiggy the WaterSkiing Squirrel is scheduled to appear.

Concert at 6 by Guns 4 Roses tribute band. thetexasfoodtruckshowdown.com

April 18–28

Activities and Events – Local

LAKE TEXOMA (TX )

April 13

Pe Ell River Run

April 5–7

Poteet Strawberry Festival

This annual festival celebrates the lovable strawberry with continuous entertainment including rodeo performances, a carnival, concerts with nationally known country western and Tejano songs, regional bands, and more! The whole family will enjoy the Poteet Strawberry Festival. visitsanantonio.com/event/poteetstrawberry-festival

Grab a raft, lifejackets, and your helmets and join the fun for this informal rafting trip! Go from Pe Ell to Rainbow Falls State Park. facebook.com/PeEllRiverRun

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ANOTHER TRAILBL California’s Scenic 395

By Lynn & Cele Seldon

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LAZING ROAD TRIP Generally running about 350 or so meandering miles through California’s stunning Eastern Sierras region, the Golden State’s scenic route 395 stretches from Topaz Lake at the Nevada state line south to Victorville – where Historic Route 66 fittingly passes through as well, on its way west.

For those with time before or after the drive, beloved Lake Tahoe and wellsituated Tahoe Valley RV Resort are just an hour to the northwest.

Convict Lake, California. Photo courtesy of Seldon Ink.

The official “start” (or end) of this classic California drive is just south of Topaz Lake and the NevadaCalifornia state line. The beautiful mountains in the distance as the curving road hugs and then leaves sparkling Topaz Lake provide a hint of things to come in the next 300-plus miles. Signs also note that the road is part of the Eastern Sierra Scenic Byway and the National Historic Trails program.

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Bodie State Park With stunning scenery seemingly in every direction, the first town of note on the drive is Coleville, 10 miles south of Topaz Lake. Meadowcliff Lodge just south of town has a small restaurant. Much busier Walker is another five minutes, with lots of shopping (like Out West Gallery and Trading Company, Walker Antiques, and more) and dining (including popular Walker Burger and equally tasty Mountain View BBQ). A “Begin 395 Scenic Route” sign just south of Walker provides another welcome to trailblazing road trippers.

The road now starts winding through the towering mountains that were once in the distance up at Topaz Lake, passing through Sonora Junction (US 108) 15 minutes south of Walker. Another 15 minutes leads to busy Bridgeport. It’s the home of the Mono County Courthouse, Big Meadow Brewing Company, the historic Bridgeport Inn’s popular restaurant, and the sweet-smelling High Sierra Bakery.

Just seven miles south of Bridgeport, look for the left-hand turn on to CA 270 towards Bodie State Park.

The winding road is paved for the first 10 miles and then it’s another three miles on gravel road (long campers not recommended) before the entrance to the ghost town. A 22

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Images shown clockwise from top: Bodie State Park. Photo courtesy of Josh Wray @ Mammoth Lake Tourism. Methodist Church on the corner of Green and Fuller streets in the ghost town of Bodie. Photo courtesy of Seldon Ink. Visitors can stroll along the more than 100 structures that still stand in the ghost town of Bodie. Photo courtesy of Seldon Ink. Many interiors of the homes of Bodie are maintained exactly as they were left when the residents left. Photo courtesy of Seldon Ink. J.S. Cain residence still remains in the ghost town of Bodie. Photo courtesy of Seldon Ink.

visit to Bodie State Park is highly recommended, if time allows in that it’s a fascinating “ghost town” that was once a thriving mining mecca with thousands of inhabitants. Many of the picture-worthy buildings and rooms have been left “as is” and there are also lots of informative displays, a film about its heyday, and more.

Back out on 395, the town of Lee Vining 15 miles south is next. Driving into town, look for the Mono Inn

overlooking Mono Lake (typically only open from spring to fall). There’s also Tioga Lodge’s Hammond Station Restaurant 1.5 miles further south.

On the drive past Mono Lake look for the unique bright white alkaline deposits at the edge of the lake, which are caused by lowering lake levels. The left-hand turn for the Mono Lake Scenic Visitor center makes for a quick outing to the overlook to learn more and get some more unique 395 pictures.

tufa formations

Tufa formations at the South Tufa area on Mono Lake, Lee Vining, California. Photo courtesy of Seldon Ink.

MONO LAKE

Above: Mono Lake Scenic Visitor Center, Lee Vining, California. Below: Kayaking on Mono Lake. Photo courtesy of Christian Pondella for Mammoth Lakes Tourism.

Once in Lee Vining proper, Nicely’s Restaurant is an old-fashioned diner featuring filling specials with all the fixings, like classic fried chicken with soup, house salad, mashed potatoes (with gravy, of course), corn on the cob, and a roll. Just south of town, Test Station Road on the left leads fives miles to the South Tufa Area and short hikes that lead to close-up views of the lake’s tufa formations.

The four-season mountain town of Mammoth Lakes is next and it’s just 30 miles beyond Lee Vining. About five miles north of Mammoth Lakes proper, look for the Mammoth Lakes Scenic Loop drive on the right. Running through the forest for about four miles, it provides an easy way to also head up the Main Lodge and more at Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort, which features recreational opportunities all year. Except for during the region’s long winter season, the road past the Main Lodge is open for the drive up to incredible views at Minaret Vista and pictures of the unique rock formations at Devils Postpile National Monument.

Once in town, lots of outdoors activities await visitors year-round.

From mild to wild mountain biking from spring to summer to lots of winter sports, Mammoth Lakes makes for a great stop of several days. Trailblazers in town at night should most definitely head to Mammoth Rock ‘n’ Bowl to bowl a few frames in a hip setting and then head upstairs to Mammoth Rock Brasserie for contemporary French fare. It makes for a fun and tasty evening.

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Erick Schat’s Bakkery

Erick Schat's Bakkery, Bishop, California.

Photo courtesy of Seldon Ink. Rainbow Falls Devils Postpile. Photo courtesy of Josh Wray @ Mammoth Lake Tourism.

Rainbow Falls Devils Postpile. Photo courtesy of Josh Wray @ Mammoth Lake Tourism.

Devils postpile Just seven miles from Mammoth Lakes on 395, take the right-hand turn to Convict Lake. The views are well worth the very short diversion (it’s less than three miles to the lake).

Four-season Convict Lake Resort features fine dining at the Restaurant at Convict Lake. The photogenic lake with mountains as a backdrop is a classic 395 picture stop.

Back on 395, the road runs along Crawley Lake to the east and features beautiful views on the drive down to bustling Bishop, with a drop of 24

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more than 2,000 feet in elevation.

Known as the “Small Town with a Big Backyard” and surrounded by towering peaks, the western-leaning outdoors-oriented town of Bishop features the Law’s Railroad Museum (about four miles east of town and packed with memorabilia for railroad buffs), as well as lots of kitschy storefronts, colorful murals, and homestyle restaurants. Aaron Schat’s Roadhouse & Rotisserie is highly recommended for its steaks, burgers, and rotisserie chicken, as well as live

music, while Erick Schat’s Bakkery features famed sheepherder bread and more.

Keough’s Hot Springs is just south of Bishop on the right and is well worth the stop for a quick soak in the modern facility (including the largest hot springs pool in the Eastern Sierras). Established back in 1919, the original springs building still stands (barely) and makes for a great picture. Picnicking with a view (and between hot springs sessions) is also possible here.

Heading into Big Pine, look for the left-hand turn on CA 168 out to Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest.

Those with time will find the 24-mile one-way drive worth it, thanks to photogenic trees that are more than 4,000 years old.

Bristlecone Pine Forest Images shown clockwise from top: Bristlecone Pine Forest. Photo by Jordan Herschel, courtesy of Bishop Visitor. Bristlecone Pine Forest.

Photo by Jude Allen, courtesy of Bishop Visitor.

Bristlecone Pine Forest. Photo by Sue Schooler, courtesy of Bishop Visitor.

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Mount Whitney

Above Left: Mt Whitney. Photo by Matt Ludin, courtesy of Bishop Visitor. Above Right: Mount Whitney Restaurant, Lone Pine, California. Photo courtesy of Seldon Ink.

About 25 miles south of Big Pine, look for the right-hand turn and short drive to the Historic Mount Whitney Fish Hatchery, just north of Independence. There’s a pretty old stone hatchery building, a stocked fish pond, great picnicking, and tours, if they’re open. In town, there’s the Eastern California Museum.

Manzanar National Historic Site is six miles south of Independence and interested visitors should plan on a stop of two to four hours.

In 1942, the U.S. Army turned the abandoned township of Manzanar into an internment camp for more than 10,000 Japanese Americans and Japanese immigrants and part of a larger World War II internment program.

The must-see Manzanar Visitor Center has many exhibits about the camp and area history, as well as a film and bookstore. The grounds, which include a three-mile selfguided driving or walking tour, a cemetery, Japanese gardens, and recreated Block 14 (one of 36 blocks of living quarters, mess halls, and more), are open daily.

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Manzanar Images shown clockwise from top: Recreation of a typical internee barrack at Manzanar. Photo courtesy of Seldon Ink. Black and white photo of a family in front of their barrack on display in the Visitors Center. Photo courtesy of Seldon Ink. Stone monument Manzanar Cemetery that was built in the mid-1940s by Block 9 residents to honor the internees who died while prisoners at Manzanar. Photo courtesy of Seldon Ink.

Alabama hills

The "Movie Road" in the Alabama Hills Recreation Area, Lone Pine, California. Courtesy of Seldon Ink.

Alabama Hills. Photo by Matt Ludin, courtesy of Bishop Visitor.

Lone Pine

Just ten miles south, Lone Pine is well worth a lengthy stop. There’s a turn for the “Alabama Hills” about five miles north of Lone Pine. Dubbed “Movie Road” the beautiful gravel drive leads through one-time movie sets and landscapes for hundreds of feature films, including: “Gunga Din,” “Rawhide,” “Django Unchained,” and so many more. Because it’s part of Alabama Hills Recreation and Scenic Area, dry camping is allowed – and, it’s like camping in the middle of a western movie!

Once in Lone Pine, the movies theme continues at the sprawling Museum of Western Film History. With lots of memorabilia from movies filmed in the area, film buffs will want to plan on a visit of one or two hours, minimum. Because Lone Pine is a popular 395 stop, several restaurants have a loyal visitor (and local) following, including: kitschy Mount Whitney Restaurant (including lots of movie-related pictures); creative Seasons Restaurant; Totem Café; and Alabama Hills Café and Bakery.

About 18 miles south of Lone Pine, look for the left-hand turn to Cottonwood Creek Charcoal Kilns. These two abandoned beehive-like charcoal kilns once produced much-needed charcoal for the rich Cerro Gordo mine. Walk in the more complete one on the left, which is now a remarkable echo chamber.

Museum of Western Film History, Lone Pine, California. Photo courtesy of Seldon Ink..

Museum of Western Film History, Lone Pine, California. Photo courtesy of Seldon Ink..

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Book a Pre- or Post-Road Trip Stay in Tahoe Valley

Beautiful Lake Tahoe and well-situated Tahoe Valley RV Campground are just an hour to the northwest of the start (or end) of this road trip. The popular campground features full RVer amenities, rental cabins, great hiking and biking, mountain vistas, a pool (in season), a river, and lots of activities.

Lemon House, Cartago, California. Photo courtesy of Seldon Ink.

lemon house Several other unique stops await. First, in the tiny town of Cartago, look for the “Lemon House” on the left-hand side.

It’s the shape and bright yellow color of a half-lemon.

Book your trip today at RVontheGo.com

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After passing the Crystal Geyser water plant on the left and Ranch House Café (which gets good food reviews), look for the turn to Death Valley (which is also accessible somewhat more directly from Lone Pine, though several 395 attractions would then be missed). It’s about an hour one-way to Panamint Springs resort, including a very curvy downhill drive, but it’s well worth it for those who want an introduction to the Death Valley environment. There’s a general store and a restaurant, but those who want more of a Death Valley experience will want to head 30 miles further to Stovepipe Wells and beyond.

Back on 395 at Olancha, immediately look for Gus’s Fresh Jerky on the left. They have a wide variety of traditional beef jerky flavors, as well as elk, buffalo, venison, turkey, salmon, and more, plus tasty olives, honey, nuts, other tasty treats.

Celebrity visitors have included Quentin Tarrantino (in the area to film “Django Unchained”), Colin Farrell, The Band Perry, and many others.

fossil falls

Another short diversion is to the classic western-style town of Randsburg. The Randsburg General Store is a standard stop, thanks to food at their lunch counter, groceries, and more, but “local” joints like The Joint (across the street from the historic Randsburg Inn) provide an even better place to meet friendly locals.

Fossil Falls, Little Lake, California.

Photo courtesy of Seldon Ink.

Adelanto

Thiền Viện Chân Nguyên Buddhist Meditation Center, Adelanto, California. Photo courtesy of Seldon Ink.

inyokern

Rocket Fizz at Indian Wells Brewing Company, Inyokern, California.

Photo courtesy of Seldon Ink.

they produce for Rocket Fizz (including flavors like dill pickle, mustard, butter, PB&J, ranch dressing, and many more). Both the beers and the sodas make for unique 395 souvenirs. Adjacent Indian Wells Resort has a restaurant. It’s just a few miles back to 395, after passing through little Inyokern (“100 Miles from Everywhere”) and more dining options.

Heading further south toward Victorville and the end of the scenic drive, look for the iron statues on the right-hand side. There’s an easy turnoff for pictures of varied people, characters, animals, symbols, and more. Fossil Falls is next, with dark black rocks looking like lava floes just off 395. It also provides a great picnic spot.

Next, look for the right-hand turn off 395 and onto Route 14 for a short diversion to Indian Wells Brewing Co. and tastes of their many beers – as well as the flavored bottled sodas

Just north of Victorville, Adelanto features the Thiền Viện Chân Nguyên Buddhist Meditation Center. Visitors are welcome with open arms at this unique center, which includes regular meditation and other activities.

Though it’s about six miles east of 395, the California Route 66 Museum in Old Town Victorville provides for an appropriate diversion for road trip aficionados. The quite interactive museum features photogenic settings, including a 1950s diner, a VW “love bus,” a 1917 Model T Ford, and the first “End of the Trails” booth from the Santa Monica pier. Appropriately, the museum partners with Cracker Barrel Old Country Store and the first Cracker Barrel in California is just seven miles southwest.

The Victorville area marks the end (or start) of this amazing 350-mile section of California’s US 395, where the highway intersects with I-15 in Oak Hill near the historic Outpost Café (next to the busy Pilot Travel Center), which was founded back in 1928 and still serves weary travelers (and lots of truckers) to this day.

Their daily specials and classic diner fare remain legendary and well worth a stop anytime of day or night. The Outpost Café serves as great ways to start or end this classic California road trip. ¾ MARCH/APRIL 2019 TRAILBLAZER

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Fall In Love With A

Manufactured Home Community From beautiful locations to the camaraderie of community living, there’s so much to love about manufactured home communities. Here are the top 5 things to love!

Community Living

Many manufactured home communities have clubs and activities for all interests, providing opportunities to make new friends all the time.

Whether you meet lifelong friends from an intramural league of pickleball players or find your group of Friday night potluck dinner mates, community living means you’ll never be bored. Many communities also have clubhouses providing residents numerous opportunities to spend time with friends.

Spacious Living

Today's manufactured homes can start at a square footage of about 600 feet and can go up to over 2,000 feet. There are so many possibilities for all that space! Manufactured homeowners enjoy a yard of their own and plenty of green space throughout the community.

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Location, Location, Location!

Whether you want to wake up every day to the sights and sounds of ocean waves or live among the hustle-bustle of the country’s most exciting cities, many manufactured home communities are nestled in some of the most desirable locations throughout the country.

You’ll feel like you’re living your dream every single day when you live in a manufactured home in the location of your choice!

Minimal Maintenance

Today's manufactured homes require minimal maintenance because of their construction quality, having been built on a factory floor allows for precision craftsmanship. Plus, warranties are included with your manufactured home, which gives you peace of mind.

Pets Are Welcome

Many manufactured home communities allow pets. There are even communities with dog parks so Fido can enjoy time outside and socialize. You’ll love making new friends with other pet-lovers that live in your community and so will your pet!

SPECIAL LIMITED TIME PROMOTIONS HAPPENING NOW!

CALL TODAY! (844) 885-6719 MARCH/APRIL 2019 TRAILBLAZER

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You may have heard the recent news story about the Tennessee woman who caught the 88-pound catfish in Kentucky Lake. Calling it her “personal best” the woman told reporters that it took her over 10 minutes to pull the catfish into the boat. After documenting her “big fish story” with a few photos, she released the not-so-little guy back into the lake.

Do you have a similar big fish story to tell or are you still looking for your own personal best when it comes to fishing? If so, read on and find some of the best fishing spots around the country that may provide you an advantage when it comes to reeling in the big one!

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Alabama With 300 miles of shoreline, there’s plenty of space to fish at Alabama’s Lewis Smith Lake. The water is home to largemouth, striped, white and spotted bass; crappie, bluegill, flathead, channel catfish, and redear sunfish. The 21,000-acre lake is manmade and was created in 1961 by the Alabama Power Company. It has become quite a hot spot for fishing and is the site for many popular fishing tournaments. Most recently, the 2019 Alabama Bass Trail Tournament Series was hosted here. The lake is dotted with marinas and ramps to accommodate boats. Best of all, Hidden Cove RV Campground sits on the shores of this famous lake.

Arizona If you’re planning to visit Verde Valley RV Campground in Arizona, try your hand at fly-fishing in Oak Creek. This creek is spring fed and stocked with trout from the Page Springs Hatchery, which is located just about 20 minutes from Verde Valley.

The creek has both rainbow and brown trout (which are both stocked and wild) as well as wild brook trout. And, you can’t beat the scenery here as the red rock formations rise above the tranquil stream. Consider hiring a guide such as Sedona Fly Fishing Adventures to set you up for this memorable fishing experience. For more information about the Sedona Fly Fishing Adventures, entures.com.

Oak Creek Canyon, Arizona.

California Clear Lake in northern California is another popular spot for tournament fishing, thanks to trophy catches that include a 17-plus pound largemouth bass and a catfish that weighed in at over 33 pounds.

Head about an hour east of the Russian River RV Campground to experience what some consider to be the leading bass fishing lake in the country!

Bluegill, catfish, carp, and crappie can also be found in Clear Lake, which is the largest natural freshwater lake in California. The lake is also great for swimming, boating and other water sports activities like wakeboarding and waterskiing.

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Clear Lake, California.

Florida If you’re staying at any of the Thousand Trails Florida locations, there’s plenty of fishing to be had. Of course, there’s a big ocean to the east and the warm waters of the Gulf to the west, but there’s also lots of inland fishing opportunities.

The Peace River, which runs adjacent to the Peace River RV Campground, is a great place to fish for bass, bluegill, and catfish as well as the sensitive snook and fighting tarpon.

The Clermont Chain of Lakes, an 11-lake chain, has the opportunity for boat fishing as well as fishing from the pier, where a catch might include bluegill, sunfish, channel catfish or largemouth bass. Conveniently, the Orlando RV Campground is in Clermont and makes for a perfect home base while you explore the chain.

Alexander Springs Recreation Area, Florida.

Photo courtesy of Visit Lake.

Photo courtesy of Visit Lake.

Photo courtesy of Visit Lake.

Massachusetts If you’re planning a stay at Sturbridge RV Campground and fishing is on the agenda, head over the border about 12 miles to Connecticut’s Mashapaug Lake where trout is king. The lake is also home to bass, crappie, walleye, and sunfish. You can access the lake through Bigelow Hollow State Park which has many nice hiking trails as well. Fun fact – Mashapaug is a Nipmuck Indian’s word meaning “great pond.”

Bigelow Hollow State Park. Photo courtesy of Connecticut Office of Tourism.

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Michigan

Lake Saint Clair, Michigan.

The 430 square miles of Lake St. Clair is home to millions of smallmouth and largemouth bass, making it a popular spot for sports fisherman. Bass season opens on April 27.

Other fish to be found in this freshwater lake include black and white crappie, bluegill, northern pike, walleye, and sturgeon. There are roughly 130 miles of shoreline in which to find the perfect spot to cast your line. Boat launch ramps and marinas are located along the shoreline as well. No boat?

No problem! Consider a trip to nearby Brandenburg Park where you can fish off the pier at this waterfront park. Lake St. Clair is about a half-hour drive from the St. Clair RV Campground.

Fish, camp, repeat.

Thousand Trails campgrounds make it easy to participate in your favorite pastimes – fishing and camping! Check out where we have onsite fishing and be sure to visit thousandtrails.com for more campgrounds with onsite fishing.

Hidden Cove (AL):

A fabulous camping location for fishing enthusiasts because Hidden Cove sits on the banks of Lewis Smith Lake. The campground is equipped with an observation deck, a fishing pier, boat slips, a boat ramp, and a dock house. Inside the dock house, there’s a five-by-ten-foot opening in the floor called a fish hole for fishing indoors on cold or rainy days.

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nevada Check out the Lake Mead National Recreation Area if you’re looking to get lucky while fishing in Las Vegas. Fishing can be done from a boat, the shore, or from one of three fishing piers. Striped bass is the big fish here and some catches have been documented at over 40 pounds. Other game fish species in Lake Mead include bluegill, catfish, crappie and green sunfish. If you stay at the Las Vegas RV Campground, you’re about a half hour from this great fishing location.

Lake Mead, Nevada. Photo courtesy of TravelNevada.

Lake Minden (CA):

Enjoy the 41-acre man-made fishing lake that’s teaming with channel catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, and carp. An $8 fishing permit is required plus a three-fish limit, which helps keep the lake stocked for your fellow fishermen.

Paddleboats, canoes, and kayaks are also available to rent.

Lake of the Springs (CA): One of the best amenities here is the 120-acre Lake Mildred which is filled with trout, bass, catfish, bluegill, and crappie. Boats are available for rent or you can bring your own.

Wil d erness Lakes (CA): When you cast your line here, it’s all about the catfish thanks to two wellstocked canals that weave through the campground. Plenty of the campsites nestle up alongside the water, so you can often cast a line right from your campsite. Fishing permits are $8 per day with a five-fish limit. Kids 12 and under fish for free with a paid adult.

Ohio The Lampson Reservoir Metropark, in Jefferson, Ohio, provides visitors the opportunity to hike, bird watch, canoe, picnic and of course fish.

Visitors can easily fish from the pier for largemouth bass. Kenisee Lake RV Campground is also located in Jefferson, Ohio so you can fish and camp to your heart’s content.

Lampson Reservoir, Ohio. Photo courtesy of Ashtabula County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

oregon Another spot for fabulous fly fishing in the Lower Deschutes River, which is considered one of the premier fly fishing rivers in the Pacific Northwest, and located near Bend, Oregon. Another spot that’s not only great for the fishing but the scenery as well, it’s famous for its prolific trout population, which run about 3,500 trout per mile. The BendSunriver RV Campground is the ideal spot to settle in after a big day on the lake and tell your story about the one that got away!

Lower Deschutes River, Oregon.

Note:

Before any fishing expedition, please make sure you have all the required licenses and permits and are aware of any limits, laws, and regulations in regard to fishing in your area of choice.

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Tennessee

Kentucky Lake, Paris Landing State Park.

Photo courtesy of Tennessee Dept. of Tourist Development.

If you want to see if that afore-mentioned 88-pound catfish has any relatives residing in Kentucky Lake, take a drive about an hour northwest of the Natchez Trace RV Campground. Anglers can fish from boats, docks, and banks in this major reservoir that was created in 1944 when the Kentucky Dam was built on the Tennessee River. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, perch, and of course, catfish can be fished here.

Texas It’s no secret in the fishing world that Lake Texoma is tops when it comes to fishing for striped bass, but perhaps the best-kept secret may be the fishing found at nearby Lake Fork. Designed as a bass lake, Lake Fork has been open to the public for fishing since 1980. In addition to the bass, blue and channel catfish, as well as crappie, can be found here. Both boat and bank fishing are available at this fishing gem, which is just about 30 miles from the Lake Tawakoni RV Campground.

Lake Texoma Shoreline, Texas.

Washington From April to September, Fish Lake in Leavenworth is a hopping spot for fish as well as anglers. Trout and perch are anglerworthy while fly-fishing can bring in rainbow trout. Largemouth bass and brown trout are possibilities as well. Stay at Leavenworth RV Campground while enjoying Fish Lake which is just about 15 miles from the campground.

Check out our sidebar on page 36 for some super convenient fishing locations right onsite at some of our campgrounds.

So, grab your gear and tackle box and join the estimated 33 million other Americans who enjoy fishing the lakes, rivers, and streams across our country and see if you can’t make your big fish story a reality this year! ¾

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TO DO IN...

The Popular Reedy Press Book Series Provides Bucket Lists for Destinations Across the Country

By Lynn & Cele Seldon (Authors of 100 Things to Do in Charleston Before You Die) Because we wrote 100 Things to Do in Charleston Before You Die and an upcoming Savannah book for the series, we know we’re a bit biased. But, for trailblazing travelers during the Thousand Trails 50th anniversary year (and beyond), the books in the “100 Things” series from renowned travel book publishers Reedy Press provide perfect travel companions across the country.

The series met with immediate success back in 2013 with the publication of 100 Things to Do in St. Louis Before You Die (Reedy Press is based in The Gateway City). The popular series has since grown to more than 80 titles (including several second and third editions), with more options covering the country being published every year.

After seeing the book resonate with readers and with media, we decided to acquire ‘100 Things’ titles in other markets,” says Reedy Press publisher and founder, Josh Stevens. “Prospective authors in other cities responded with enthusiasm, including many members of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW). The more new cities we cover, and the more we update some of our older titles, the more strength the series gains. And we couldn't be happier or more appreciative as a publisher, not only because of the success of the series, but because of the outstanding writers we’ve met and because of the enjoyment it has brought customers.”

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MARCH/APRIL 2019 TRAILBLAZER Photography on this spread courtesy of Reedy Press

Each book in the series features 100 entries spread across five categories: Food and Drink; Music and Entertainment; Sports and Recreation; Culture and History; and Shopping and Fashion. Each author can choose how many to include for each category. For instance, for our Charleston book, we chose to include 30 entries in the Food and Drink category because Charleston is such a popular culinary destination.

All of the books in the series also include insider tips, fun facts, suggested itineraries based on reader interests, and seasonal activities. For our Charleston book, we included itineraries focused on culinary options, tours, the outdoors, history, the arts, and more.

With thousands of copies sold and lots of great feedback, we’ve found that both first-time and veteran visitors love using the book, as do long-time Charleston residents who use the book to find something new and different or to give as a welcome gift to visitors.

From Florida to Maine to California and lots of destinations in between, it’s easy to find books in the series that cover destinations near many Thousand Trails and Encore RV resorts and campgrounds. ¾

Where are you going for the Thousand Trails 50th Anniversary?

Whether you're going up to Washington state to visit Thousand Trails’ first established campgrounds, or down to Florida to soak up the sun, the “100 Things To Do...” series is sure to spark plenty of fun ideas for you along the way.

Here's a sample of some of our favorites!

America Route 66 Albuquerque Atlanta Baltimore Boston Branson Charlotte Charleston Charlottesville Chicago Cincinnati Cleveland Dallas- Fort Worth Denver Fort Myers-Sanibel Houston Indianapolis Kansas City Las Vegas Los Angeles Louisville Memphis Miami Milwaukee

Napa Valley Nashville New Orleans New York City Orlando Palm Springs Philadelphia Phoenix Portland, Oregon Reno Sacramento Salt Lake City San Antonio San Francisco San Luis Obispo County Santa Barbara Savannah Seattle St. Louis Tampa Bay Tucson The Twin Cities The Upper Peninsula Virginia Beach Washington DC MARCH/APRIL 2019 TRAILBLAZER

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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 World’s Longest Honeymooners,”

Mike & Anne Howard

By Lynn & Cele Seldon • Photography courtesy of HoneyTrek.com

Mike and Anne Howard are the founders of HoneyTrek.com, National Geographic authors of Ultimate Journeys for Two, and “The World’s Longest Honeymooners.”

According to their comprehensive website, the trailblazing Howards feel that life is short, the world is big, and the value of travel too great to wait. Thus, when it came time to their honeymoon, the two quit their jobs and went on a trip around the world.

They left on January 22, 2012, and have been traveling ever since.

We caught up with the Howards on the road in their vintage camper, Buddy, and discussed their shared passion of travel, RVing, and much more.

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LIFE IS SHORT, THE WORLD IS BIG, AND THE VALUE OF TRAVEL TOO GREAT TO WAIT...

Tell us about your neverending honeymoon.

When we were planning our honeymoon, we realized how many places we wanted to explore, all the experiences we wanted to have in our lives... and that a ten-day honeymoon just wasn't going to cut it. Life is short, the world is big, and the value of travel too great to postpone until retirement, so to kick off our marriage, we set out

on a trip around the world. On January 22, 2012, we boarded a one-way flight to Brazil...seven continents, 55 countries, and seven years later, we're still on the road. From trekking to Annapurna Base Camp, cruising Antarctica, teaching English in tribal Vietnam, sleeping in Irish castles, to hitchhiking in East Africa, we've found that variety is the spice of life and travel.

Adventure is romantic and local culture is what makes each

destination so special. We're firm believers that love and travel make the world a better place, so we'll keep honeymooning for as long as we can.

And, you have a book out too, right?

We do! Our National Geographic book, Ultimate Journeys for Two: Extraordinary Destinations on Every Continent is a travel-guidemeets-memoir of our absolute favorite 75 places in the world, MARCH/APRIL 2019 TRAILBLAZER

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our best travel tips, and the stories that have shaped our heart and soul. Writing this book was an incredible opportunity, not just to become Nat Geo authors, but to inspire other couples to break out of their comfort zones, heighten their senses, see the good in the world, and grow closer from experiences that only travel can offer. Rather than organize the chapters by region, it's my type of destination (deserts, beaches, mountains, rainforests, etc.) so people can discover trips based on their interests.

We tried to capture the essence of each place and the experiences that make it shine. Exploring without an itinerary, getting local, travel hacking, and finding the perfect mix of high and low is what makes us tick as travelers.

So, in addition to “When to Go” and “Where to Stay,” each destination has a “Get Romantic” and a “HoneyTrek Tip.” We want couples to see the romance in adventure, like hiking to a waterfall with natural infinity pools or riding a snowcat to a candlelit dinner in a yurt. We want you to splash out where it counts and see that “going budget” can sometimes lead to richer experiences. No-holdsbarred, we’re sharing our best road-tested advice and secrets for unforgettable travel.

Please give us any specs or history you have for your RV. Does it have a name?

“Buddy” is named after the mechanic that gave us the blessing to buy this 1985 Toyota Sunrader and drive it from Florida to Alaska. Built by Gardner Pacific, Buddy spent most of his life in his home state of California

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and two years parked in Cape Cod, moonlighting as an oyster farmer's tiny home. When we first met Buddy, he was 33 years year old, but still young at heart, with only 95,000 miles and the “bulletproof” 22RE engine. Sure, on occasion it would be nice to have a few more cylinders, power steering, and automatic anything, but Buddy's quirky charms and hearty spirit trump those bells and whistles. When we spotted Buddy on Jacksonville Craigslist in April 2017, we booked a oneway ticket to Florida and have been road tripping together ever since. Here’s the full blog: HoneyTrek.com/buying-an-rv.

What's your favorite thing about traveling in your RV versus staying in a hotel?

Ever since we rented a campervan in New Zealand in 2013, we knew owning one was in our future.

The freedom to explore in any direction, find a beautiful place, and call it home…to have the comforts of our own bed, closet, and kitchen and still get to travel every day…this was a concept that sounded more and more appealing as the years went on.

Now we're full-time RVers and often prefer our camper to a five-star suite. No matter how nice a hotel is, nothing is quite like home. Plus, you never need to pack your bags!

What are a few favorite things onboard?

Having paired our possessions down to a suitcase for five years, we are easily dazzled by the basics – a bed, bathroom, kitchen, closet – purely because they are our own. (The fact that we have a four-burner stove and oven still blows my mind.) Though what

we love most about this camper (and it's a big reason we searched high and low for this model) is the panoramic windows around the living room. Too often the rear is where manufacturers place the bathroom, but when you back up to a beach, lake, cliff, or glacier... that's where you want your view!

We are also quite pleased with our three flexible monocrystalline solar panels. Ever since we've installed them to the roof, we haven't plugged into the grid a single time.

What are a few favorite destinations and why?

We've traveled to seven continents by plane, bus, boat, and train and have so many favorite places, but when it comes to our RV travels we'd say...

British Columbia. Rainforests, mountains, beaches, glaciers, wildlife, incredible infrastructure and super friendly people ...what more could you want in RV travel?

As for the States, of course, the whole west coast is amazing but to give a shout-out to an underappreciated place...

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Follow along with Mike and Anne at www.HoneyTrek.com and @honeytrek across all social platforms.

we really enjoyed exploring Idaho. The Sawtooth Mountains, Craters of the Moon, the largest contiguous wilderness area in the Lower 48 – it has way more than potatoes!

What are some favorite meals onboard (or restaurants) on the road?

We're vegan, so having our own kitchen has made it easy to keep it up with yummy home-cooked meals. We like to make balsamic portobello steaks, Thai coconut curries, and roasted winter vegetables. We love that RVing brings you to lots of rural areas where you can still find farm stands selling fresh produce and shop for what's in season. For a bite and some local culture, we love a good dive bar. The regulars bellied up to the bar usually have the best stories, the bartender can introduce you to regional

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brews, and comfort food is always on offer.

Do you have any funny stories from the road you can share?

We had blown a head gasket at the bottom of a fjord in British Columbia and the nearest mechanic was 17 hours by ferry with a three-day layover on Bella Bella Island. We limped off the boat in an embarrassingly thick cloud of white smoke and found the nearest plot of land for the night. In the morning, we found out we were on private property and needed to meet with the Heiltsuk tribal council to find a place for us for the next few days (FYI there are no hotels or RV parks on the island).

In the middle of the meeting, one of the council members, Pam, chimed in “Just stay at my place. I've got a big yard with

nice ocean views.” We pulled into her driveway, not too concerned with the 2x4 planks covering a puddle – until one of them flipped up and disconnected our gray tank! We were spilling wastewater (from the kitchen thankfully) all over this nice lady’s yard, convinced she'd rescind her invitation upon seeing this hot mess, but no. Instead, she invited us in for a traditional Heiltsuk dinner (and even gifted us handharvested seaweed and sockeye salmon), introduced us to the tribe’s language keepers and canoe carvers, and took us to the island’s one bar where we sang and clinked glasses with new friends into the night.

On our final day, they made sure we made it the ferry and mainland mechanic safely. Bad days often become the most memorable when a positive attitude and the kindness of strangers are on your side. ¾

On Location:

Spring Gulch

Folk Festival May 16-19, 2019 Spring Gulch • 475 Lynch Rd. • New Holland, PA 17557 The 33rd Annual Spring Gulch Folk Festival is a weekend long event with music, workshops, sing-along-campfires, dancing, and crafts, all taking place at the Spring Gulch RV Campground in New Holland, PA. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the music at this family-friendly festival set amongst beautiful Amish country! Plenty of food and craft vendors will be there for your perusal and be sure to check out the workshops and sing-a-longs throughout the weekend. Not camping? Day passes are also available!

For more information and to snag tickets, visit springgulch.com/folk-festival.

Visit RVontheGo.com to make your reservations at Spring Gulch.

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CORNER

Gather your friends around the campfire for this throwback recipe for campfire fondue! Everyone with a stick and some bread or veggies will be huddling around your campfire when they realize that a vat of melted cheese is on the menu! Fondue was a very popular recipe throughout the sixties and seventies, and we are bringing it to the 21st century for all the nostalgic campers out there. Fondue is a fun camping recipe because you don't need fancy equipment and it’s a great way to invite your fellow campers over for a delicious treat!

Tip: Cheese will melt much more easily when shredded. It is recommended that you only use soft cheeses for their easy melting qualities.

Cheese fondue dipping ideas: • D ay-old bread, ripped into bite-sized pieces or chopped • Pretzels • Raw bite-sized foods like broccoli, zucchini, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes; apple slices are also great with cheese fondue • Sausage slices

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Equipment needed: • Grate for over the campfire • Dutch oven or, a large firesafe pot for camping • Skewers or sticks or fondue sticks

Ingredients:

Cheese fondue recipes traditionally call for white wine. This gives the melted cheese a depth of flavor that we associate with traditional cheese fondue.

We recommend pairing a dry white wine with the cheese or beer if you’re going with a cheddar fondue.

• 1 lb. of shredded gruyère cheese (depending on how many you’re feeding! Start with 1lb...) + sauvignon blanc or a dry white wine.

• ½ lb. shredded cheddar cheese + ½ lb. shredded white cheddar cheese + beer (an IPA will really kick it up a notch!)

Instructions:

1. Light a campfire and place grates over it. Add 1 Cup of white wine (or beer) to your Dutch oven or fire-safe bowl and heat the wine (or beer) for a little bit.

2. Add 1 Tbs of Dijon mustard and stir.

3. Slowly add your cheese of choice and stir constantly until melted.

4. Add 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and stir.

5. Take the Dutch oven off the fire if it starts to bubble a lot – you don’t want to boil the cheese.

6. Take a skewer and dip your dipper of choice in the cheese and Bon Appetit!

Tips and Topics

TECH

TOP CS

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

by Paul and Kerri Elders Let's take a quick look at some RV water tips and learn how to maintain a tow bar. Ready?

Let's get going!

WATER HOOKUPS 101: One of the first things you learn when you first start RVing is the important difference between a regular green garden hose and a white, non-toxic RV drinking water hose. RV drinking water hoses are specially made with a special non-toxic inner lining, supplying clean drinking water that’s untainted by any chemical residues or off-tastes from the hose itself.

The ideal drinking water hose length for an RV is the standard 25-foot hose. If you think you need more length, simply adding a second 25' hose is usually a better choice than buying a single 50' hose, for several reasons. Usually, you’ll be well within 25 feet of your water hookups; if you occasionally have a greater distance to cover, you can easily couple the two 25' hoses together. A 25' hose is lighter, easier to handle, and quicker and simpler to roll up for storage.

This choice also gives you the added advantage of always having an emergency backup hose available if your original happens to spring an unfortunate leak while you’re camping in the hinterlands.

Properly storing any drinking water hose is simple: just roll it up and then remember to screw both ends together to keep the inside of the hose and its connectors clean and free from bugs and dust while stowed.

Whenever you hook up to a water supply, make it a practice to run a bit of water through the hose before hooking up to your RV inlet, just to remove any possible contamination.

IMPROVING WATER FLOW:

TOW BAR MAINTENANCE:

Have you noticed that the water pressure in your shower, bathroom, or kitchen is running a little slower these days? If so, it's time to do a little investigative work. Take a few minutes to do a quick check of the water screens on your kitchen and bathroom faucets. It’s a good practice to remove, inspect, and clean these water screens periodically to remove any grit or particulates that may be clogging the screen and slowing water flow.

If you own a motorhome and tow a dinghy, it's vitally important to regularly inspect your tow bar and perform a little simple maintenance to keep it in tip-top shape. Typically, the life expectancy of a tow bar is about 70,000 miles or 7 years, but if you travel extensively in rough terrain, it will be shorter.

Simply unscrew the faucet’s head, remove the screen, and gently clean the screen with a clean toothbrush, rinsing thoroughly. Run a bit of water through the faucet while you have the screen off, then replace the screen and washer. Replace and re-tighten the faucet head, and your problem should be solved. As for the showerhead, the easiest way to clean this is simply to remove it, then soak in a small amount of CLR or LimeAway, rinse well, and re-install.

Once you’ve cleaned the faucet screens and your shower head, you can take your inspection a step further. Look at your trusty Owners’ Manual; you might just discover that your RV is equipped with a built-in water filter. And that little water filter may be the long-neglected item that’s slowing down your water flow.

While water filters are invaluable for keeping your water supply safe and clean, they need to be properly maintained to keep them operating at peak efficiency. If your RV is equipped with an inline water filter, it needs to be inspected and changed at the manufacturer’s suggested intervals. Fortunately, changing one is usually a snap. Once you’ve changed the filter, you may find your water flow problems are permanently in the past.

Every time you unhook and hook up to the tow bar, inspect the baseplate (the part attached to your toad). Simply grasp the baseplate extensions and try to move them up and down. You should feel the toad’s suspension moving up and down and nothing else; you shouldn’t feel any “play” or side-to-side movement. If you do feel an unusual “looseness,” DON’T TOW. Either re-torque the bolts or have your toad inspected by a qualified garage with a lift.

Keep the tow bar’s arms clean and lubricate them by spraying liberally with a high-grade silicone spray, wiping off the excess. Use a little silicone spray on the joints. A self-aligning tow bar's moving parts should be tight yet work smoothly with a gentle drag. Worn parts wear quickly, and a sure sign of wear is a joint that is highly moveable (where all components move easily with very little effort). If your tow bar’s parts are worn, replace them immediately.

Always examine the boot (the rubber portion that protects the sliding part of a self-aligning tow bar) for holes or tears and replace a damaged boot ASAP. And always visually examine the wiring and plug-ins each time you hook your toad to your RV. Happy trails! ¾

Check out more tips & tricks on trailblazermagazine.net MARCH/APRIL 2019 TRAILBLAZER

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4

Tips and Topics

paws ROAD

by Jenn Swope-Gehr

ON THE

Traveling and Camping with Companion Animals

carpet padding might very well have been affected with the cat urine. If you absolutely cannot tear up the carpet, rent a carpet-shampooing machine and use white vinegar to help neutralize the odor.

Another option is to clean the carpet and the wood sub flooring yourself.

This process might be the most effective.

Hopefully, you’re able to identify the exact area where the cat sprayed, if not, you’re going to need to clean all the carpet. Do not discount furniture or laminate either as locations that have been contaminated. Overall, it may be cheaper to simply tear out the carpet since it’s a small place.

Hi Jenn, Looking for a suggestion to an environmentally safe product that helps the removal of cat urine. Nature’s Miracle just didn’t do it for me. I hate the smell of grandmother perfume almost as much as tomcat spray! Please let me know as we are looking to go on a nice summer time trip and we’ve had trouble with a male cat getting into the motorhome when it was in storage as we forgot to close the sliding back window/screen. I want to tackle this project in the spring time and I’m on a limited budget- otherwise I would just tear out the carpet- but I’m open to trying anything. And any clue as to why cat urine sticks sooo badly!? OMG!

Martin’s,

If you’re able to remove the affected pad you will need to scrub the subfloor or plywood with warm, soapy water. I recommend using several tablespoons of Dawn dish soap. Have a Shop-Vac available so after the soapy water has sat for about five minutes, suction it out to remove all the water. This is a critical step! Use a floor fan and make sure that the carpet and the subfloor dries completely. Purchase an inexpensive, one time use disposable paint roller kit and seal the floor by rolling on Kilz (available at any hardware store).

Thanks for your question! I definitely feel for the situation! A cat’s urine is super concentrated with lots of urea, which is then converted into ammonia.

Because the urine is biological, it feeds bacteria further adding to that stinky smell of waste. I am concerned that the

If you need to spray the cabinetry, carpets or furniture a product that I have success with a product called “Piss Off!” from ozpershop.com. It is a powerful enzymatic product that is only second to a major deep clean.

Thank you, Don and Kimberley Martin Mesa, AZ

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If you choose to take out the carpet, consider painting the existing floor and purchasing inexpensive carpet runners for the walking areas. Either way, you will need to peel back your existing carpet and look on the underside surface to where the urine has leaked through so you can clean and treat the underside of the contaminated carpeting and subflooring. If you don’t do this, you will never remove the smell. And certainly, just spraying with an enzymatic neutralizer isn’t enough – this job calls for serious cleaning.

MARCH/APRIL 2019 TRAILBLAZER

Hi Jenn, We are new to the camping scene and I have found pitch/sap not only get stuck on our clothes the camping mat, etc., but also in our pet's hair coat. Is there something I can use that safely remove the stick? Sure, I like how it smells pine fresh, but it’s nearly impossible to remove! Goo-Gone is way too strong and irritating to my nose and skin I can’t imagine using it on my fur kid! We really enjoy your column and hope you use our inquiry to help others alike.

With Appreciation, Lynda & Tallia Thomas and Bud the Bulldog cross Ah, most certainly, sticky sap is commonplace in The Great Outdoors and I, too, enjoy the fresh fragrance, but not its impressive adherent properties! A simple solution for pitch removal is rubbing alcohol and an old toothbrush. In a pinch, creamy peanut butter also works well. I keep a separate rubbing alcohol bottle and toothbrush labeled “SAP” to use on the dogs as well as anything else, including clothing.

In all my years of fulltime travel, I have never been let down by the effectiveness of this inexpensive pitch removal technique. I like to keep a favorite treat on hand to reward my pet for being calm during the scrubbing process and encourage good behavior.

With travels to any woodsy campground we are sure to encounter this gummed up scenario for the duration.

Enjoy your new adventures! ¾

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

Tips and Topics

AND

SUMMER BUCKET LIST Summer is just around the corner and the celebration of Thousand Trails 50th anniversary is in full swing! We’ve got your 2019 SUMMER BUCKET LIST right here to get you ready for lots of adventures at Thousand Trails and beyond! c Get your 2019 rally towel the weekend of May 24!

c Take pics with your #100daysofcamping rally towel all summer! c Contribute a keepsake to the TT50 time capsule on July 27 c Sign up for the annual pickleball tournament at Peace River (FL)

c Visit a new campground you’ve never been to before c Collect your TT50 Commemorative Pin on the first day of summer, June 21!

c Stuff your face with s’mores on August 10 – National S’mores Day! c Go hiking with your friends on National Trails Day June 1

c Get your folk on at Spring Gulch Folk Festival the weekend of May 16-19 c Giddy-up to a Western themed weekend

c Enter your best chili recipe in a chili potluck cook-off! c Try out a retro camping recipe

c Stay in a tiny house at one of four Petite Retreat locations! c Attend a pool party

c Sing a song at karaoke c Go down the giant Slip N’ Slide at Hidden Cove (AL) c Bring a picnic to an outdoor movie

c Dress up as your favorite superhero during Superhero Weekend at Green Mountain (NC)

c Visit a National Park that is new to you

c Attend a county fair

c Celebrate our Canadian friends to the North during Victoria Day Weekend at Cultus Lake (BC) c Never Say Die! Celebrate Goonies Day in Astoria, OR and stay at Seaside (OR)

c Get groovy with the folks at Chestnut Lake (NJ) for Oldies Weekend, August 2-4!

c Decorate your rig, your site, or your bike and enter a decorating contest at a Thousand Trails campground!

c See fireworks on the 4th of July

c Rent a boat, or kayak, or canoe and float down the river at Russian River (CA)

c Participate in the RC boat races at Lake Minden (CA)

c Stay up all night watching a meteor shower

c Participate in a scavenger hunt

c Pet the animals at the petting zoo at Gettysburg Farm (PA)

c Learn to fly a kite

c Stay in a covered wagon at Rancho Oso (CA)

c Become the next Kobayashi – participate in a hot dog eating contest

c Celebrate Christmas in July with Circle M (PA) the weekend of July 19-21

c Hunt for Bigfoot at Whalers Rest (OR)

c Send your favorite summer picture to TrailBlazer to enter the Pics from the Parks contest!

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Tips and Topics

ASK

RV

BILL

YOUR TECH QUESTIONS ANSWERED!

Voltage

Diesel Questions

Tricky Levelers

Q

Q

Q

Hi Bill,

I have a 2015 coachman chaparral 360IBL. In the bunk room there is a 12v plug and 2 USB plugs in a cabinet. Was nice to have a charging station for about 6 months, but now the USB plugs drain the phones not charge them. I also have a 12v plug in the entertainment center that does the same thing. Both have power to them when tested with a volt meter. Every tech I ask looks at me funny and I can tell they are just guessing. I have heard no clear answer what I need to do to correct the issue. Thoughts?

PS – this happens with shore power or boon docking. Of course, with shore power I can use other household plugs to charge.

Thanks for any help you can give.

Robert & Bec Langdon Roseville, CA

A

Robert,

I have never heard of this before and I thought I have seen it all. The only physical way that voltage can flow back into the source would be the voltage is higher in the device, in other words, if the 12 volt socket is 12.6 volts and the unit you are charging is 12.1 volts the flow can only be towards the device.

Compare your voltage reading with the items you are charging to make sure they match the manufacturers specs.

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Hello Bill;

I have a 2013 Holiday Rambler Ambassador, 60th edition with a MaxForce 7, 350hp diesel engine by Navistar with the re-gen emission system with only 23,000 miles. The owner’s manual states 'B-20 diesel fuel is NOT recommended,” yet it appears that most fuel stations no longer carry #1 diesel.

Question -- What can I do to not damage my RV? Thank you in advance for your prompt response!

A

#1 diesel is almost extinct in most service stations because they do not want to install an extra tank for #1 diesel as most modern diesel engines are designed to run on #2 with Biodiesel, called B20. ASTM is in the process of changing the specifications for B20 but until then its up to the suppliers to properly blend diesel fuel. According to International/Navistar blends of B6 and B20 in 2007 and up MaxxForce engines is up to the discretion of the customer and will not void the warranty. Perhaps you should email Navistar and get it in writing.

You might investigate an additive, with cetane boost and lubrication additives, I use one in my 2017 Ram truck with a cummings diesel, I notice a definite difference.

Bill;

I have a 2008 Winnebago Sightseer with a Chevy engine. The problem is with the Kwikee levelers. They droop down about an inch while driving and set off the alarm. They level and retract just fine. Kwikee couldn’t help the RV shop. I am living with it. Any ideas?

Sincerely, John Luebberke

A

John, Kwikee, formerly Power Gear has a sensor near the top of the jack that will set of an alarm if the fluid level is low. When the jack drops, the fluid level gets low enough to set off the alarm. The jacks need to be rebuilt to solve this problem or try adding more fluid to compensate for the drop, not too much as it will overflow when the jacks are retracted. Be sure to use standard automatic transmission fluid. If your jacks are leaking fluid it may be time to replace them.

Mysterious Noises

Q

Hi Bill!

I need your help! I have a 2007 Fleetwood Jamboree Class C. I have a knocking sound coming from the house batteries under the step. I thought it was just the old batteries going bad, they were about 5 years old. I swapped in new ones and I still

Tips and Topics

have a knocking / clicking noise coming from under the steps when I am plugged in. It’s not on exact intervals. It will happen every 30 seconds sometimes every few minutes. I can’t figure it out!

Trying to sleep with this [noise] sucks. I am going to the Pacific Northwest soon, so I can’t shut off power or I’ll freeze! The closest things I have come to maybe finding out the problem is a faulty relay.

Thanks in advance for your time!

Danny Kent Alacali

A

Danny, this sounds like a relay or an automatic circuit breaker. The battery relays and the 12-volt circuit breakers are in the same area. Remove the access panel and feel each part until the noise occurs. You will feel the vibration when the event happens, replace the offending part.

RV Plumbing

Q

what can we do to stop this from happening again?

Thank you!

Patty Kubica

A

Patty, this may not be just a toilet paper issue, lack of water plays a role as well. Modern RV toilets can “quick flush” resulting in too much paper for water used. I always recommend that women throw the paper in the trash after urinating which will intern leave more water for the other paper usage. A few drops of urine will not cause unnecessary odors in the bathroom. As far as the brand of paper, I use White Cloud from Walmart with great success.

Kirkland paper works well also, you can test paper by putting a couple of sheets in a jar of water, shake a few times and it will start to disintegrate.

The bad leg (one half of the ATS switch) didn't always switch properly and A/C power was only providing half of the coach with power. The switch failure also caused a power surge burning out the control panel on the microwave. I replaced the ATS switch and everything works great again. I have not determined what caused me to lose the 12-volt power to sections of the coach but that started working again after replacing the ATS switch.

Thank you for helping diagnose the problem. Unfortunately, the microwave could not be repaired. My understanding is my refrigerator and air conditioning units were also at risk if the ATS switch not been repaired.

Looks like your suggestion saved me a few thousand dollars in other repairs.

Thanks again, Tony DeCicco

Follow Up Notes to Bill: Bill,

Hello Bill!

We have a new Airstream trailer. Our first trip we used it we had trouble with a full empty out with our Black tank. We were told that using normal 2­-ply toilet paper is ok to use. The RV paper is expensive and thin. The tank carried a bad smell and the only way to get it all out was to drive the RV around for hours with cleaners & then dump. Our RV stays in one spot all summer,

Bill, I wrote recently regarding an electricity issues on my 2013 Georgetown 360XL. I was losing both 120 A/C and 12-volt power on parts of my coach. I followed your instructions, tested all the circuits and found the problem.

One leg of the automatic transfer switch (ATS) was bad. The ATS switch as you know automatically switch from AC shore power to A/C generator power when the generator is started and vice versa.

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

MARCH/APRIL 2019 TRAILBLAZER

53

Member Deals

Thousand Trails Members Always Save On RV Sites & Rentals

RVontheGo.com Call! Click! Camp!

1 (888) 443-7301

▲ Tahoe Valley (CA)

Thousand Trails Standard Discount:

20% OFF Daily Rates for RV Sites & Rentals Use Promo Code:

TT20%

California

30% OFF

Nightly Rates for RV Sites and Rentals Valid at Tahoe Valley

Call To Book Valid on cabin rentals and standard RV sites.

Valid 3/1/19 – 4/30/19.

Book by 4/24/19. Min 2 nights, max 6 nights.

Promo code: TT30TV *Restrictions/exclusions apply and are listed at bottom of this page.

10% OFF Monthly Rates for RV Sites & Rentals

California

$650

Monthly Stay

Use Promo Code:

Valid at Palm Springs Oasis

TT10%

Call To Book

Valid at Campgrounds and RV Resorts available at RVontheGo.com

Valid on standard RV sites.

Valid 3/1/19 – 5/31/19.

Book by 5/1/19. Min. 30 nights, max 31 nights.

Mention Group: TTPS19 *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 standard site unless otherwise specified. Stays 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 offer 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. Offers not valid at Bethpage Camp-Resort and Grey’s Point Camp.

54

MARCH/APRIL 2019 TRAILBLAZER

Member Deals ▲ Voyager (AZ)

Arizona

Arizona

$755

$545

Monthly Stay

Monthly Stay

Valid at Araby Acres, Monte Vista, Paradise, Viewpoint and Voyager

Valid at Casita Verde, Countryside, Fiesta Grande, Foothills West, Golden Sun

Call To Book

Call To Book

Valid on standard RV sites.

Valid 3/1/19 – 4/30/19.

Book by 4/1/19. Min 30 nights, max 31 nights.

Valid on standard RV sites.

Valid 3/1/19 – 4/30/19.

Book by 4/1/19. Min 30 nights, max 31 nights.

Promo code: TTMONTHLY

Promo code: TTMONTHLY

*Restrictions/exclusions apply and are listed at bottom of this page.

*Restrictions/exclusions apply and are listed at bottom of this page.

Arizona

Arizona

$599

$309

Monthly Stay

Monthly Stay

Valid at Mesa Spirit ONLY

Valid at Venture In ONLY

Call To Book

Call To Book

Valid on standard RV sites.

Valid 3/1/19 – 4/30/19.

Book by 4/1/19. Min. 30 nights, max 31 nights.

Valid on standard RV sites.

Valid 5/1/19 – 5/31/19.

Book by 4/30/19. Min 30 nights, max 31 nights.

Mention Group: TTMS2019

Mention Group: TTVENTURE19

*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 standard site unless otherwise specified. Stays 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 offer 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. Offers not valid at Bethpage Camp-Resort and Grey’s Point Camp.

MARCH/APRIL 2019 TRAILBLAZER

55

Member Deals

Call! Click! Camp!

1 (888) 443-7301

▲ Tropic Winds (TX)

Northwest

3 Nights for the Price of 2 Valid at Mt. Hood and Tall Chief

Call To Book Valid on midweek cabin rentals.

Valid 3/1/19 – 4/30/19.

Book by 4/25/19. Min 3 nights, max 3 nights.

Promo code: TT34219

South Texas

10% OFF Nightly Rates Valid at Victoria Palms Hotel

Call To Book Valid 4/1/19 – 10/31/19.

Book by 10/15/19. Min 2 nights, max 6 nights.

Call (855) 207-7342 to Book

*Restrictions/exclusions apply and are listed at bottom of this page.

*Restrictions/exclusions apply and are listed at bottom of this page.

South Texas

South Texas

$739

$499

1 Month Special

1 Month Special

Valid at Victoria Palms only

Valid at Alamo Palms, Country Sunshine, Fun N Sun, Lakewood, Paradise Park, Paradise South, Southern Comfort, Sunshine RV, Tropic Winds.

Call To Book Valid on standard RV sites.

Valid 3/1/19 – 4/30/19.

Book by 4/1/19. Min 30 night, Max 31 nights.

Mention Group: TTMONTHLY *Restrictions/exclusions apply and are listed at bottom of this page.

Call To Book Valid on standard RV sites.

Valid 3/1/19 – 4/30/19.

Book by 4/1/19. Min 30 nights, max 31 nights.

Mention Group: TTMONTHLY

*Restrictions/exclusions apply and are listed at bottom of this page.

**Subject to availability. Reservations required. Rates based on standard site unless otherwise specified. Stays 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 offer 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. Offers not valid at Bethpage Camp-Resort and Grey’s Point Camp.

56

MARCH/APRIL 2019 TRAILBLAZER

Member Deals ▲ Southern Palms (FL)

South Texas

South Texas

$399

$299

Monthly Stay for New Customers

Monthly Stay for New Customers

Valid at Alamo Palms, Fun N Sun, Sunshine RV, Tropic Winds, Victoria Palms.

Valid at Country Sunshine, Lakewood, Paradise Park, Paradise South, Southern Comfort.

Call To Book

Call To Book

Valid on standard RV sites.

Valid 3/1/19 – 7/1/19 (excluding February 2019).

Book by 4/1/19. Min 30 nights, max 31 nights.

Valid on standard RV sites.

Valid 3/1/19 – 7/1/19 (excluding February 2019).

Book by 4/1/19. Min 30 nights, max 31 nights.

Mention Group: TTTEXAS19

Mention Group: TTTEXAS19

*Restrictions/exclusions apply and are listed at bottom of this page.

*Restrictions/exclusions apply and are listed at bottom of this page.

Florida

Florida

$100 Off

20% Off

3+ Month Seasonal Stay Valid at All Florida RV Resorts

Call To Book Valid on all RV sites.

Valid 3/1/19 - 5/30/19.

Book by 4/1/19. Min 90 nights, max. 180 nights.

Monthly Stay

Valid at Gulf Air, Gulf View, Southern Palms, Rose Bay

Call To Book Valid on standard RV sites.

Valid 3/1/19 - 5/30/19.

Book by 4/1/19. Min. 28 nights, max. 60 nights.

Promo code: TTMemberSeasonal

Promo Code: TT20FLM

*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 standard site unless otherwise specified. Stays 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 offer 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. Offers not valid at Bethpage Camp-Resort and Grey’s Point Camp.

MARCH/APRIL 2019 TRAILBLAZER

57

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!

58

MARCH/APRIL 2019 TRAILBLAZER

Get More Locations Plan Further Ahead Explore New Accommodations Travel Club See if a Membership Upgrade is Right for You! 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)

Park to Park Family Access Reciprocal Network Getaway Cabins Travel Club

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.

MARCH/APRIL 2019 TRAILBLAZER

59

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Answers can be found on page 65.

ACROSS 1U nidentified flying object (abbr.)

4 Green 8 Monsignor (abbr.)

12 Knight 13 A rmy of the Republic of Vietnam (abbr.)

14 Great Barrier island 15 Guido's note (2 words) 16 Electric catfish 17 Dead 18 Head lama 20 Grandson of Esau 22 U nited States Dept. of Agriculture (abbr.)

25 Finishing machine 28 Witness 31 Isle of Napoleon 33 Woman: obs.

34 Time period 35 Finesse 36 Like (suf.)

37 Compass direction 38 Mitigate 60

MARCH/APRIL 2019 TRAILBLAZER

39 Before (pref.)

40 Work 42 Buttocks 44 Brain layer 46 Plain moss 50 Northumberland river 52 Salient angle 55 Ambassador (abbr.)

56 Negatives 57 Idea (pref.)

58 Fr. business abbreviation 59 Noun-forming (suf.)

60 Munich's river 61 Limited (abbr.)

DOWN 1 Accustomed 2 Threadlike parts: anat.

3 Of the mouth 4 Balinese spear dance 5 Irish Republican Army (abbr.)

6 Columbia Valley Authority (abbr.)

7 Within (pref.)

8 Simple organism 9 Caviar fish

10 Jade 11 Mortar beater 19 Bird 21 Repast 23 Ten (pref.)

24 Tipping 26 Vent 27 Counsel 28 Whimper 29 Indian buffalo 30 Lean 32 Blue (Fr.) 35 Dried up 39 Exclamations of delight 41 Corpulent 43 Cobbler 45 92 (Rom. numeral) 47 Salt 48 Send out 49 Sleeping 50 Television channel 51 Pronoun 53 Classifieds 54 Nat'I Endowment for the Arts (abbr.)

Terms and Conditions for 2019 Referral Promotion from page 2.

Answers can be found on page 65.

Find The Evergreen Tree An evergreen tree is hidden somewhere in this issue.

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

Nan E Clute

of Livingston, TX

found the tree on Page 20 of the January/February 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 April 1, 2019 and remember – the tree could be a different color and size.

For each Eligible Referral (as defined) through December 31, 2019, you will receive a $50 Virtual Visa® Reward Card. In addition, for each Eligible Referral through December 31, 2019, you will receive one entry in a drawing for the following prizes: (i) Grand Prize is either a trip to Hawaii or a 7 night Caribbean Cruise, valued at $4,000, that includes round trip coach airfare for two adults from the continental United States to either Hawaii or Florida, and one hotel/cruise room for 7 nights; (ii) Second Prize is a trip to either Las Vegas, San Francisco or Orlando, valued at $2,000, that includes round trip coach airfare for two adults from the continental United States to either Las Vegas, San Francisco or Orlando and one hotel room for 4 nights and (iii) ten (10) Third Prizes waiving payment of the winners’ annual dues for 2020, not to exceed $585 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, 2020. 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, 2019 and December 31, 2019 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 $50 Virtual Visa® Reward Card and you will not receive a $50 Virtual Visa® Reward Card for purchases made by residents of AZ or PA. We reserve the right to extend, modify, suspend, or terminate this promotion at any time for any reason; however, any rewards earned prior to the suspension or termination of this promotion will be honored.

Employees of MHC Property Management, L.P. and its affiliates are not eligible to participate in this promotion. All local, state and federal income taxes are the responsibility of the recipient. Accordingly, we recommend that all participants consult a tax advisor about reporting rewards for tax purposes.

We will issue the required 1099 to each participant and to the IRS when the total value of awards you are eligible to receive equal or exceed $600 for one year. This advertising is being used for the purpose of soliciting sales of resort campground memberships.

This document has been filed with the Department of Licensing, State of Washington, as required by Washington law. Value, quality, or conditions stated and performance on promises are the responsibility of the operator, not the Department. This filing does not mean that the Department has approved the merits or qualifications of any registration, advertising, or any gift, prize, or item of value as part of any promotional plan. This promotion is sponsored

by MHC Thousand Trails Limited Partnership, Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60606.

MARCH/APRIL 2019 TRAILBLAZER

61

Crossroads Trailers NJ - Newfield • crossroadstrailers.com

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 Al’s Trailer Sales OR - Salem • alstrailers.com All Valley RV Center CA - Acton • allvalleyrvcenter.com Alpin Haus NY - Amsterdam, Port Jervis, Saratoga alpinhaus.com American Family RV VA - Chesapeake, VA - Salem americanfamilyrv.com Appleton Camping Center WI - Appleton • appletoncamping.com B&B RV CA - Anderson • bbrv.me Bama RV AL - Dothan • bamarv.com Baydo’s RV of Chehalis WA - Chehalis • baydosrvs.com

Braun’s Fun Time Campers IN - Indianapolis • funtimecampers.com Browns RV SC - McBee • brownsrvsuperstore.com Burlington RV Superstore WI - Sturtevant • burlingtonrv.com Camperland Trailer Sales TX - Conroe • camperland.net Campers Inn CT - Union FL - Leesburg, Jacksonville, Ocala IN - Clarksville SC - Myrtle Beach NC - Kings Mountain, Mocksville, Raleigh NH - Kingston, Merrimack PA - Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, MA - Raynham VA - Fredericksburg GA - Macon, Atlanta • campersinn.com Canopy Country RV Center WA - Ellensburg, Union Gap canopycountry.com Charlie Obaugh RV VA - Staunton • charlieobaughrv.com Chesaco RV MD - Joppa, Frederick, Gambrills PA - Shoemakersville • chesacorv.com Clear Creek RV WA - Silverdale, Puyallup clearcreekrvcenter.com

Blade Chevrolet RV WA - Mt. Vernon • bladerv.com

Cleveland RV GA - Cleveland • clevelandrvsales.com

Blue Dog RV CA - Redding ID - Coeur D’Alene ID - Post Falls NV - Las Vegas OR - Bend OR - Gresham OR - Medford OR - Redmond WA - Fife WA - Kennewick WA - Pasco WA - Spokane Valley • bluedogrv.com

Coastal RV VA - Carrolton • coastalrv.com

Boat-N-RV NY - West Coxsackie SC - Ridgeland PA - Hamburg • boatnrv.com

Country Camping Corner NC - Kings Mountain • countrycamping.com

MARCH/APRIL 2019 TRAILBLAZER

Economy RVs MD - Mechanicsville • economyrvs.com Ellis Travel Trailers GA - Statesboro • ellistraveltrailers.com ET Quality RV CA - Two locations in Yuba City etqualityrv.com

Big Country RV OR - Bend, Redmond • bigcrv.com

62

Cunningham Campers, Inc. IN - Jeffersonville • cunninghamcampers.com

Colerain RV GA - Ringgold IN - Indianapolis OH - Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus KY - Lexington, Bowling Green TN - Lebanon, Louisville • colerainrv.com Conejo Wholesale Auto and RV CA - Thousand Oaks conejowholesaleauto.com

FIFE RV Center WA-Fife • fifervcenter.com Floyd’s RV OK - Norman • floydsrvs.com Freedom RV WA - Liberty Lake • freedomrvusa.com Funtime RV OR - Tualatin • funtimervinc.com Gibs RV Superstore OR - Coos Bay • gibsrvsuperstore.com Gloucester RV Sales & Service VA - Hayes • gloucesterrv.net Grand View Trailers Sales VA - Bedford • grandviewtrailersales.com Halterman’s RV WA - Arlington • haltermansrv.com Hayden’s RVs VA - Richmond • haydensrvs.net Haylett RV MI - Coldwater • haylettautoandrv.com Indian Valley Camper Center PA - Souderton • ivccrv.com Jeff’s Couch’s RV Nation OH - Hamilton • couchsrvnation.com Johnson RV OR - Sandy WA - Fife • johnsonrv.com Keystone RV Center PA - Greencastle • keystonervcenter.com La Mesa RV AZ - W. Phoenix CA - Sacramento, San Diego FL - Ft. Myers, Orlando, Port St. Lucie, Daytona Beach • lamesarv.com Lakeside RV Sales SC - Anderson • lakesidervsales.com Lazydays RV AZ - Tucson CO - Denver CO - Loveland FL - Tampa MN - Minneapolis TN - Knoxville lazydays.com Marjon RV CA - Moreno Valley • marjonrvs.com

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

Safford RV VA - Thornburg • saffordrv.com

Media Camping PA - Media • mediacamping.com

Sahara RV NV - Las Vegas • sahararv.com

Mike Thompson RV Superstores CA - Cathedral City, Colton, Fountain Valley, Santa Fe Springs mikethompson.com

San Angelo RV TX - San Angelo • sanangelorvs.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

Scott Motor Coach RV Center NJ - Lakewood • scottmotorcoach.com Seguin RV TX - Seguin • seguinrv.com Simi RV & Off Road CA - Simi Valley • simi-rv.com Sky River RV CA - Buellton, Paso Robles, Pismo Beach skyriverrv.com

CANADA Action VR QC - Saint-Nicolas • actionvr.ca Camp Out RV ON - Stratford • campoutrv.com Canadream AB - Calgary BC - Vancouver ON - Toronto NS - Halifax QC - Montreal YT - Whitehorse • canadream.com GO VR QC - Ange-Gardien • go-vr.com

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

Horizon Lussier QC - Maryville • horizonlussier.com

Strickland Marine & RV SC - Seneca • stricklandmarineandrv.com

JCS Entreposage QC - Trois Rivières • entreposagejcs.com

Stoltzfus RV’s & Marine PA - West Chester • stoltzfus-rec.com

Kustom Koach RV Centre BC - Aldergrove • kustomkoachrv.com

Princess Craft RV TX - Round Rock • princesscraft.com

Sunbelt RV Center TX - Belton • sunbeltrv.com

Lardner's Trailer Sales SK - Saskatoon • lardners.com

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

Sundown RV Center CA - Atwater • sundownrv.com

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

Recreation Plantation RV Sales IL - Lynwood recreationplantationrvsales.com

Super Deals RV Inc. GA - Temple • superdealsrv.com

Leisure Days RV ON - Aylmer, Kingston, Pembroke, Smiths Falls, Sudbury QC - Buckingham, Gatineau, Sherbrooke NB - Salisbury NS - Truro • leisuredays.ca

Phillips RV Center MI - Mount Morris • phillipsrv.com PPL Motorhomes TX - Cleburne, Houston, New Braunfels pplmotorhomes.com

Roadhouse Camper & RV PA - Lake Ariel (Scranton) roadhousecamper.com Roy Robinson RV WA - Marysville • royrobinsonrv.com Russ Dean Family RV WA - Pasco • russdeanrv.com RV City AZ - Huachuca City • rvcity.net RV Country AZ - Bullhead City, Flagstaff, Mesa, Showlow CA - Fresno NV - Laughlin OR - Coburg WA - Buckley, Fife, Mt. Vernon rvcountry.com

TAC RV NC - Moyock • tactrailerandrv.com The RV Factory Luxe Fifth Wheel IN - Elkhart • luxefifthwheel.com The Trail Center SC - North Charleston • trailcenter.com Tonie's RV VA - Salem • toniesrv.com Toscano RV CA - Los Banos • toscanorv.com TravelTime RV TX - Sulphur Springs • traveltimerv.com Vancouver RV & Park Model Center WA - Vancouver • vancouverrv.com

Leisure Trailer Sales ON - Tecumseh • leisuretrailers.com O'Connor RV BC - Chilliwack • oconnorrv.com Ottawa Camping Trailers ON - Ottawa • ottawacamping.ca Roulottes AS Levesque QC - Châteauguay, Saguenay, Sainte-Hélène, Trois-Rivières roulotte.ca

Vogt RV TX - Two locations in Ft. Worth • vogtrv.com

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

RV General Store OK - Newcastle • rvgeneralstore.com

Waterdog RV OR - Dayton • waterdogrv.com

RV’s For Less

Véhicules Récréatifs JD QC - Sherbrooke • vrjdrv.ca

TN - Knoxville • rvsforless.net

Welcome Back RV Outlet TX - Athens • welcomebackrv.com

RV Source TX - Bryan • rvsource.com

Western Travel Sales WA - Lynden • westerntravelsales.com

VR Depot QC - Vaudreuil-Dorion • vrdepot.ca

RVs Northwest WA - Spokane • rvsnorthwest.com

Wilder RV WA - Port Angeles • wilderrvs.com

RV Value Mart PA - Lititz, Manheim, Willow rvvaluemart.com

VR Emond Plus QC - Sainte-Nicolas • vremondplus.com VR Prestige QC - Terrebonne • vrprestige.com VR Souliere QC - Lanoraie, Lavaltrie vrsouliere.com MARCH/APRIL 2019 TRAILBLAZER

63

y l l a It’s R ! e m i T Calendar

CLUB March/April 2019 Bounders United (BUTTN)

BUTTN’s are members who own or have owned a Bounder motorhome and belong to Bounders United & Thousand Trails. Please make your own reservations at the RV Resort.

Member # 1 (800) 388-7788; Non-Member # 1 (877) 570-2267.

April 18-23............... Morgan Hill, CA (No-Host Outing) If you are interested in attending please contact: Sandy Hepburn at (408) 605-8442.

June 13-17..............Lake Minden, CA (No-Host Outing) If you are interested in attending please contact: Yvonne Codde at (209) 207-8184.

TT SINGLES Northwest

Rallies are member-generated.

Main contact: Daphne Bailey, Daphnebailey07@comcast.net.

June 28-30................. La Conner, WA Sept 27-29 ...................... Seaside, OR

64

MARCH/APRIL 2019 TRAILBLAZER

RVers seeking RVers? Rally clubs from coast to coast

love to meet at our destinations. Join in on the fun!

Lewis and Clark TTN

Mike May: President Lewis and Clark TTN chapter of FMCA. Contact person, Mike May (360) 581-5512 or mmay914@comcast.net.

April 15-19...................... Seaside, OR May 13-17...................... Paradise, WA June 10-14............ Whaler's Rest, OR July 15-19.................. La Conner, WA Aug 12-16...................... Chehalis, WA Sept 9-13......................... Seaside, OR Oct 7-11................. Whaler's Rest, OR

TT of Texas/FMCA

Mar 28-31...................Colorado River May 3-5 ......................... Lake Texoma Sept 6-8 ......................... Lake Conroe Nov 8-10.........................Medina Lake New members must be a member of TTN and FMCA. All motorhomes, trailer owners, and 5th-wheels are welcome. Contact Connie Farrar at (817) 454-4612 or email to ttnfmcachapter@gmail.com.

Website: ttnoftexasfmca.com. Blog: ttfmcaralliesandmore.blogspot.com.

TTN Central CA

Come join us! We are weekday campers and we like LOTS, Ponderosa, & Snowflower, but are open to other locations.

Please check out our Facebook page: RV/CampersofCentralCA(TTN).

Email us at ccttnsingles@gmail.com.

TT Travelers Southern California

We usually meet on the first Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of each month. In the morning we have coffee, snacks, socialize and play games. In the evening we have more fun with a potluck and card games. We are looking for more new members.

Come visit us. For information, contact Cecil Schoolcraft, Wagonmaster, (619) 997-9787, or email him at cecilanddonna@aol.com.

Answers – Crossword puzzle can be found on page 60.

Answers – Sudoku puzzle can be found on page 61.

Branching Out...

Seeking a Safer Tomorrow

If you’ve got a great story about camping at Thousand Trails, send it to us!

Help the Manatees, Adopt One Today!

Send stories and pictures to tbeditor@equitylifestyle.com or connect with us on social media.

To send us a letter, mail to: TrailBlazer Magazine Attn: TrailBlazer Editor Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60606

savethemanatee.org Photo © Wayne Hartley

MARCH/APRIL 2019 TRAILBLAZER

65

Take HD TV on any Adventure

We’re Here To Help You Get Ready For Camping Season!

With DISH Outdoors: Stay connected coast-to-coast with your news, weather, and entertainment Don’t miss a moment of your favorite shows, wherever you are

Coming late March....

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Call 1-877-957-1509 to activate service

For more information visit: DISHForMyRV.com/Trails

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