TrailBlazer Magazine - Nov/Dec 2017 by TrailBlazer Magazine

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017

FLORIDA

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LET’S WINTER DIFFERENTLY

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*Details and qualifications for participation in this promotion may apply and are set forth on page 45 of this magazine.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 TRAILBLAZER

VOL. 39

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ISSUE 10 /// NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017

WHAT’S INSIDE

lifestyle

Message from Marguerite

Tech Topics

32 Washington's Winter Wonderland 40 #100DaysofCamping 46 Who’s in the Kitchen with TrailBlazer? 45 4 Paws on the Road

features

48 Ask RV Bill

20 Florida: Let's Winter Differently Despite Mother Nature’s bad behavior in Florida this past September, your plans to Winter Differently once the cold weather sets in up north should be no different than any other year if Florida is your destination of choice.

66 On Location – Rio Grande Valley

calendars 10 On-Site Events 14 Local Events 64 Club Calendar

spotlight

regulars

16 2017 Pics from the Park

We’ve gotten in over 300 photos this year! Here are just some of the great photos we received from campers and we look forward to getting out and camping with you in 2018!

50 Member Deals

36 NASCAR’s Ken Schrader

62 Preferred RV Dealer List

Throughout his motorsports career of more than 40 years, racing legend Ken Schrader has driven almost every kind of race car, including late models, modifieds, sports cars, sprint cars, Indy cars, and stock cars.

Pics From The Parks

60 Crossword Puzzle 61 Sudoku Puzzle

36 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 TRAILBLAZER

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MESSAGE from MARGUERITE It’s hard to believe another year has come and gone! Doesn’t it feel like we were just doing this? Reflecting on all of the new and exciting things that happened throughout the past year, and prepping for the holiday season – and now we’re starting again. 2017 was full of highlights. From the countless #100DaysofCamping moments and all of the memories made throughout the season, to plenty of Halloween activities at a number of our locations. The year also brought its fair share of challenges from Mother Nature, with hurricanes and rainstorms across the country. As I reflect on each of these events, I’m humbled by the strength and positivity all of our on-site teams displayed. We’ve appreciated your patience through each challenge and have always been focused on welcoming you, our valued members and guests, back home. This issue of TrailBlazer focuses on the future, and encourages you to look ahead to where you’ll adventure next. If you’re a fan of all things winter wonderland, I’d encourage you to check out the feature on Leavenworth. If you haven’t visited this idyllic, Bavarian-themed town in Washington, you’re overdue for a trip! In Washington’s Winter Wonderland, you’ll read why it’s the best place to strap on your snow boots and explore in the winter

months. Plus, the tiny houses at Leavenworth will be braving their first holiday season and would love to have you visit. If you prefer to spend the winter months with the sun on your face, our Florida and Arizona resorts are ready to show you how to “Winter Differently” this season. Our On Location feature highlights the Rio Grande Valley and why it’s a grand idea to swap the extra layers for your favorite flip flops. From bird watching to nearby beaches, spending the winter in the Texas heat is unrivaled for many winter Texans! As we close out another year, I’d invite you to look back on 2017 and take note of your personal highlights. Which trip stands out to you? Who’s involved in so many of your happy memories? And, as we look ahead, where to next? Thank you for letting us be a part of your 2017! I wish you a happy new year!

Marguerite Nader President & CEO

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 TRAILBLAZER

Share your adventures in 3 easy steps!

www.trailblazermagazine.net CREATIVE DIRECTOR Mark Slattery EDITOR tbeditor@equitylifestyle.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER Mellissa Dempsey ADVERTISING SALES TBads@equitylifestyle.com MISSION STATEMENT TrailBlazer provides exclusive news and information for the members and guests of Thousand Trails Family of Resorts. Each issue enhances the recreational lifestyle of its readers through a lively mix of camping and travel features, resort profiles and product features. TRAILBLAZER (ISSN 0747-2293) is published monthly except bimonthly Nov./Dec. and Jan./Feb. by MHCTT Memberships, LP, c/o Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc., Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60606. An annual subscription is $20. Periodicals postage paid at Chicago, IL and additional offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to TRAILBLAZER, 2325 Highway 90, Gautier, MS 39553. Canada Post Publication Mail Agreement 41461526.

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

THOUSAND TRAILS RESERVATIONS Call: 800-288-7245

Win $50

EACH Issue!

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

Winners will receive a $50 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:

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

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

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

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

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▲ La Conner (WA): Chloe enjoying some warm sunshine! – Carsten Lundbek

PICS FROM THE PARKS

▲ Leavenworth (WA): Walking my dogs on the nature trail. – Shannon Bernard

▲ Mount Vernon (WA): My daughter swimming. – Roderick Lewis

▲ La Conner (WA): Amazing sunset on the beach! – Scott Sichler NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 TRAILBLAZER

LUCKY WINNER?

WANT TO BE A

Lucky winners,

Shelly and Glade Hanson from Lynnwood, WA were camping at Thunderbird, WA when they were presented with a $1,000 gift card!

Left to right: Shelly and Glade Hanson

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 2017 dues on time and camp at your favorite TT Campground.

When you pay your annual dues for 2017 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 2017. In addition, once you pay your dues in full, each time you camp at a Thousand Trails Campground in 2017, you will receive an additional entry into the drawing. The drawings are limited to persons who are of legal age. The drawings will be held at our corporate office on the 10th day after the end of each month. Winners will be notified by mail, phone or in person if camping at a Thousand Trails 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 an addressed, stamped envelope. You are limited to one mail-in entry which must be postmarked by December 15, 2017. This promotion is sponsored by MHC Thousand Trails Limited Partnership, Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60606.

TECH

TOP CS

RVing is a great adventure and there’s always something new to learn! by Paul and Kerri Elders This month, we’ll explore some water filter options to improve your RV’s water quality and take a quick look at a few water heater tips and tricks. Ready? Let’s go!

micro-organisms like protozoa and some bacteria such as campylobacter. Microfiltering systems are often two-stage filters designed to be permanently installed under the sink.

Water Filters: As RVers become seasoned Road Warriors, we begin to realize just how greatly water quality can vary across the country. In some areas, tap water tastes as fresh and clean as a pure mountain spring. Other areas have water that’s over-chlorinated, clouded with sediments or even tastes like iron or sulphur. What to do?

Water Purifiers go a step beyond both filters and microfilters, combining microfiltration with disinfection. Purifiers can effectively remove protozoa, bacteria, and viruses as well as sediments, tastes, and odors. Good examples are the small portable purifiers popular with backcountry hikers and larger, permanently installed reverseosmosis (RO) systems. In the reverse-osmosis water purification process, water is forced through a membrane, screening out minerals and impurities. These impurities are then reversed and sent down the drain. In an RV, an RO system can be installed under the sink or even in a weatherproof utility bay. Reverse osmosis is an extremely effective water filtration method, but its one downside, at least for RV use, is that it generates a large amount of wastewater.

One solution is to buy and drink bottled water, but for many longerterm travelers, a better solution is to use some type of water filtration system. Many RVs have water filters pre-installed by the manufacturer, but if your model doesn’t, you have LOTS of great aftermarket options. You can use a simple outdoor in-line water filter that you attach between your water inlet and your water hose each time you hook up to utilities. Or you can install a permanently mounted, under-the-sink filtration unit. Or you can opt for a faucet filter, a countertop filter, or a water-pitcher type filter. You can even install a full-fledged reverse-osmosis system in your RV. Generally speaking, three types of filtering systems are commonly available for treating drinking water: filters, microfilters, and purifiers. Filters improve taste by removing some contaminants from water (such as sediments like dirt, sand, and rust particles); some can even remove chemicals like chlorine. Simple water filters are usually charcoal-based and are available in a variety of standard inline filters and many water pitcher filtration systems.

RV Water Heaters 101: Ever wondered how to keep your RV’s water heater operating at peak efficiency? It’s easy! Most RV water heaters utilize dual energy sources: electricity and LP gas. When we’re connected to shore power, most RVers choose to power our water heaters with electricity. But as a general rule, electric water heaters are greedy, power-hungry appliances, requiring 1000 to 1500 watts of electrical power. If you’re running an air conditioner, microwave oven, or other appliances, it’s usually a better idea to use LP gas to heat your water in order to reduce your RV’s overall electrical load.

Microfilters go a step beyond this simple filtration, removing everything a water filter can, as well as removing smaller particulates and

Since an RV water heater operating on electricity can be an energy hog, travel veterans have learned easy ways to do more with less. RV water

heaters are usually just 6-10 gallons in size, so thrifty RVers have learned to improvise, especially when camping in metered spots. Their "old school" solution? Simply use the heater on an as-needed basis. When you get up in the morning, turn on the water heater. Enjoy your first cup of coffee as your water heats and by the time you’re ready to wash your breakfast dishes and take a shower, you’ll have plenty of hot water. Turn the water heater off to conserve electricity & you’ll probably find you’ve heated all you need for the rest of the day. If you’re in a metered site where you’re footing the electical bill, you’ll be glad you did! Heating elements in water heaters can occasionally corrode over time, mostly due to the hardness (mineral content) of the water you’ve introduced into your RV through your varied travels. This corrosive effect is a natural chemical reaction to the heat of the water in the tank, which causes the minerals contained in all water to adhere to the heating element. This is normal, but, after an extended period of time, can actually cause the water heater element to burn out. This same chemical reaction can also affect the thermostat (temperature control) of your water heater, as well. If your RV’s water seems to be getting hotter than usual, it’s usually due to this accumulation of mineral deposits on the internal thermostat. These accumulated deposits can insulate the thermostat from the water, causing the thermostat’s reading of the water temperature to be considerably lower than the actual water temperature. If you encounter this problem, it’s usually best to simply have an RV service technician examine your water heater. Happy trails!

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 TRAILBLAZER

ACTIVITIES

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Activities and Events – On-Site

NOV/DEC events Every weekend at Thousand Trails and our other RV campgrounds, there are activities and fun for kids and adults of all ages. Check out what’s happening in the month of November/December and also be sure to download your copy of the 2017-2018 Theme Weekends Guide for a complete listing of activities happening around the country.

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Christmas Feast Get together with your Thousand Trails family for a feast fit for hungry campers! See where to find a feast this holiday season at Thousand Trails.

Movie Night Kick back with your family and friends and relax with some cinematic classics. Join us at Circle M (PA) the weekend of November 3 to watch some of your favorite classic football movies! Family Movie Night at Wilderness Lakes (CA) will commence after Thanksgiving Dinner the weekend of November 23. They’ll also have a Wild Wonders animal presentation and Dominic’s Karaoke for the whole family. Join us at Yosemite Lakes (CA) for a wonderful holiday celebration that includes a Family Movie Night and the Annual Thanksgiving Potluck on November 23. Come watch a movie on the big screen with us at the Rec Center at Cultus Lake (BC) on November 30. Plus, there will be a Saturday night dinner and dancing with Hong Kong Cowboy. We’re popping popcorn and getting together to watch a movie with our family and friends during Thanksgiving Weekend at Morgan Hill (CA) the weekend of November 23. We’ll be watching “The Polar Express” and enjoying holiday beverages and cookies for Christmas Spirit Weekend at Timothy Lake N & S (PA) the weekend of December 9. Enjoy a Christmas Movie Weekend marathon with showings of “Elf,” “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” and “Miracle on 34th Street” at Lake Conroe (TX) on December 18. Indulge in yummy Christmas treats and a holiday movie to wind down from the holiday rush on December 25 at Mount Vernon (WA). 10

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 TRAILBLAZER

Wear your warmest PJs and come down to the Family Lodge to sit by the fireplace and enjoy our Hot Chocolate Bar and sweets at Soledad Canyon (CA) the weekend of December 1. Savor the flavor, share the holidays and come on down for our Annual Christmas Potluck at Carolina Landing (SC) on December 9. Bring a dish to share. Sign-up sheets will be in the office. If you can, bring a small gift for a child to be donated to a local charity for kids in need. Join us in the Adult Lodge for an afternoon of holiday music, good cheer and tasty morsels at our Dessert Potluck on December 16 at Chehalis (WA). Join us for Christmas dinner on December 25 at Peace River (FL). We will provide the main course and everyone brings their favorite holiday dish to share! On Christmas Day We will be having a holiday feast in the Lodge at Russian River (CA). We provide a ham, a turkey, stuffing, potatoes, and gravy; you provide a traditional holiday side dish or dessert.

All events, times and dates are subject to change.

Activities and Events – On-Site

Bring Your Own Desserts Show off your best dessert recipe and bring along your favorite dish to these sweet potlucks and dinners at Thousand Trails this winter! You bring the sides and desserts for the Thanksgiving Potluck at Thunderbird (WA) on November 18 and we will provide ham, turkey and dressing. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share with us at Whaler’s Rest (OR) on November 23 for our annual Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner! Enjoy a potluck-style Thanksgiving dinner at Hidden Cove (AL) on November 23. We’ll be giving thanks Come and join us at the Top of the Trail Cafe for food and festivities with the folks at Medina Lake (TX) on November 23. Bring a dessert to add to the potluck! Join us for our traditional Thanksgiving Dinner and Dessert Potluck at the Stone Lodge at Rancho Oso (CA) on November 23. Bring a dish or dessert to share to our Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner at Pacific City (OR) on November 24.

Food Drive & Toy Drives Get in the holiday spirit by donating canned goods and toys to local charities this season. For the entire month of November, we’ll be collecting canned goods to donate to the local food bank at San Benito (CA). All month of December, we’ll be collecting and donating coats to the local warming center near San Benito (CA). Come to the Clubhouse and help support the Bay Landing (TX) Recreation department by having a loaded baked potato, for a small fee, and bring your favorite side to share. Also, through December 3, we will be collecting toys for the Wise County Toy Run. The folks at Lake Conroe (TX) are asking people to donate a toy for our Toys for Tots program and to donate canned foods to help feed the homeless for Thanksgiving on November 18 for their Toys for Tots and Can Food Drive. We’ll be collecting hats, socks, and mittens for our Giving Tree during the month of December at Lake Minden (CA). NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 TRAILBLAZER

Activities and Events – On-Site

Ring in the New Year It’s been a fabulous 2017 camping with you at Thousand Trails. Let’s ring in 2018 by celebrating with family and friends at these parties at Thousand Trails campgrounds across the country! Cocktails, dinner, and dancing at Cultus Lake (BC) starts at 5pm on December 31 for their annual New Year’s Dinner! Out with the Old and In with the New at Chehalis (WA)! We’ll be ringing in the New Year with a warm fire and wholesome fun. Bring an appetizer or snack to share to the afternoon cocktail. Then ring in the New Year with friends at the BYOB party and DJ dance at Chesapeake Bay (VA). Ring in the new year with our friends at La Conner (WA) and dance the night away with our DJ Charlie Moore! Watch the ball drop on the big screen, enjoy snacks and drinks at the Lodge at Pacific City (OR). Come ring in the New Year at the Recreation Lodge with live music, dancing and fun with your friends at Palm Springs (CA)! We’ll be counting down at 9 p.m. Don’t miss our fantastic celebration as we ring in the new year with music and dancing at Orlando (FL).

Crafts Craft something special and get a head start on holiday gifts with your crafty friends at Thousand Trails! We’ll be doing crafts and enjoying free root beer floats while paying tribute to all of our veterans on November 1 at Lake Texoma (TX). Joins us for holiday-themed crafts and edible art the weekend of November 25 at Oakzanita Springs (CA). Get ready for the big holiday season with family and friends at Lake Whitney (TX) on November 18 and we’ll be doing Christmas crafts! November 25 is Family Day at Medina Lake (TX) and we’ll be doing crafts and playing games to celebrate. Come to the Youth Center at Pio Pico (CA) to do crafts and projects for the kids or come play games with the adults on Thanksgiving weekend! Join us at Lake Minden (CA) the weekend of December 8 and get in the holiday spirit with a Christmas craft project plus hot chocolate, cider cookies, and a holiday movie! Enjoy our 2nd Annual Holiday Craft Fair at Morgan Hill (CA) the weekend of December 1! 12

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 TRAILBLAZER

Activities and Events – On-Site

Potluck Everyone is encouraged to share at our famous Thousand Trails potlucks! Whether it’s your favorite dessert or savory dish, we love sharing our best recipes with fellow campers.

Site Decorating Contests Show off your best holiday decorations at these Site Decorating Contests at Thousand Trails campgrounds across the country! Leave the snow behind and spend the holidays with us at Palm Springs (CA). Christmas Eve we’ll be judging our Site and Rig Decorating contest, December 23-24. Sign up to make sure you get in on the fun! You have all month long to decorate your rig at Rancho Oso (CA)! Make sure to enter the Best Decorated Rig contest and see who will get all of the holiday decoration glory! Decorate your rig or cart to enter the annual Holiday Lights contest at Pio Pico (CA) the weekend of December 15-17! Enjoy christmas cookies and punch while we judge your holiday display at Morgan Hill (CA) the weekend of December 22! “Take a drive through Lake Whitney (TX) and see all the Christmas lights and prizes for Best Display. Hot chocolate and cookies at the Family Center, the weekend of December 16. Christmas Caroling from RV site to RV site along with the RV site decorating judging day at Medina Lake (TX).

Join us for Christmas caroling and fellowship at Three Flags (FL) on December 16! Bring your favorite Christmas cookies to share! Bring a recipe to trade with other members at Las Vegas (NV) on December 23 for the Dessert Potluck! Just bring a side or dessert to our Christmas Potluck Dinner at Thunderbird (WA) on December 16! We will be providing the ham and mashed potatoes at Seaside (OR) on December 23, but you bring the sides and desserts for the annual Christmas Party Potluck! Don’t miss the Christmas Cookie Social at The Oaks at Point South (SC) on December 22! Join us in the Clubhouse for a Christmas Cookie Social. Bring your favorite Christmas cookie. We’ll bring hot chocolate, cider, and several different kinds of cookies.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 TRAILBLAZER

Activities and Events – Local

LOCAL

CALENDAR events

▲ Armadillo Christmas Bazaar Photo Courtesy of Jennifer M. Ramos

RANCHO OSO (CA) Daily in November

Missions in Watercolor by Edwin Deakin Santa Barbara Historical Museum American painter, Edwin Deakin’s, watercolor depictions of deteriorating California missions are on exhibit now at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum. sbhistorical.org

November 20 Fall Zoo Camp Special program at The Santa Barbara Zoo during Thanksgiving break featuring age-appropriate themed programs for ages 3-12. Includes games, visits with animals, hands-on crafts. sbzoo.org

WILDERNESS LAKES (CA) November 3 YESplace Murder Mystery Dinner Murrieta Innovation Center Enjoy an evening of fun and mystery solving alongside a great meal. murdermysterymeal.com 14

November 4, 5, 10, 11, 12 Day Out with Thomas Orange Empire Railway Museum Children of all ages can climb aboard to take a ride with Thomas and Percy and participate in tons of Thomas and Friends activities. oerm.org/thomas November 11 Armadillo Christmas Bazaar 2017 The Armadillo Christmas Bazaar is an eleven day event with bands, local artists, shopping, beer garden and endless shopping. armadillobazaar.com

RUSSIAN RIVER (CA) November 4 Healdsburg Jazz Festival’s 20th Anniversary Gala The theme of the Healdsburg Jazz Festival’s 20th Anniversary Gala Celebration is “Roaring 20’s.” There will be live music, a sit down dinner, a live auction, dancing, and more! Tickets can be purchased on the website. healdsburgjazzfestival.org

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 TRAILBLAZER

December 1, 2, 3 Food & Wine Pairing Experience Join a special tasting of wine and food in this intimate experience with Executive Chef Peter Janiak. Our most exclusive and heralded Zinfandels and Italian varietals with four seasonal pairings inspired by Seghesio family recipes. seghesio.com

LAKE TEXOMA (TX) November 17 Magical Winter Lights The festival bases its designs from Chinese lanterns and transforms them into larger-than-life remakes of well-known landmarks. The 2017 festival will feature several themed sections including Magical Wonderland, Christmas Candy Land, The Lone Star State, Dinosaur Land and Mystery of the East. The Dallas-Ft. Worth Magical Winter Lights will specifically include an entrance castle lantern inspired by the Dallas County Courthouse, a giant cowboy, and Dallas’ iconic Pegasus. magicalwinterlights.com/dfw/

All events, times and dates are subject to change.

November 1 22nd Annual Día de los Muertos Festival Each year, guests are invited to create altars to remember and honor their loved ones in a special area outside of the Center’s museum; the event also features live music, traditional Mexican fare, sugar skull decorating, and more. This event is free! artcenter.org November 19 71st Annual Mother Goose Parade The Mother Goose Parade is San Diego’s East County’s annual holiday kick-off celebration featuring whimsical floats, clowns, bands and equestrians. mothergooseparade.org December 1-2 Balboa Park December Nights Balboa Park December Nights, will take place for the 40th consecutive year. Friends, families and the community are invited to come together for festive fun, food and attractions throughout the park, including complimentary admission to Balboa Park museums from 5 to 9PM. sandiego.gov/december-nights

VERDE VALLEY (AZ) November 5 The Phoenix Symphony Orchestra: Sibelius Symphony No. 1 Tito Muñoz leads The Phoenix Symphony in the First Symphony of Sibelius – a symphonic masterwork of bracing sweep credited with launching the composer’s international career. In a special treat, the orchestra’s husband and wife duo Karen Sinclair and Mark Deatherage feature in Mozart’s richly melodic Sinfonia Concertante. yavapaisymphony.org

November 23 Sedona Annual Turkey Trot 5K Run this unique 5K race with a Thanksgiving turkey in your arms! Or do the regular 5k and run or walk to participate. sedonarunning.com December 16 Holiday Sweet Stroll Discover unique gifts, and strolling carolers at the Holiday Sweet Stroll. Retailers will have their doors open till 7:00 PM and celebrate the holidays with sweet treats, special giveaways, and discount offers. Featuring some of the best boutiques, galleries and restaurants in Sedona, you are sure to find some special presents for those on your gift list. tockify.com/tlaqevents/

ORLANDO (FL) Every Wednesday in Nov & Dec Main Street Bartow Farmer’s Market in Fort Blount Park Locally grown or produced items on display and for sale every Wednesday at Fort Blount Park. mainstreetbartowfl.com November 1 Lunch & Learn: Florida’s Wild Edibles at Bok Tower Gardens Learn about Florida’s many wild edible plants as we hike through the Gardens. Included in general admission. This fall, the Gardens offers a full calendar of arts, culture, culinary and wellness events against a backdrop of beauty and serenity in Lake Wales. Central Florida’s Bok Tower Gardens has become the area’s premier destination for educational and lifestyle programming. boktowergardens.org

COLORADO RIVER (TX) November 2-5 International Quilt Festival 2017 International display of 2017 award winning quilts. Interactive booths and classes available. quilts.com/quilt-festival-houston.html

Some events may require a participation fee.

Activities and Events – Local

PIO PICO (CA)

December 15-17 Fredricksburg Trade Days Enjoy this weekend shopping expedition before Christmas and get all of your gifts! “If we don’t have it, you don’t need it.” fbgtradedays.com December 14-24 Armadillo Christmas Bazaar 2017 The Armadillo Christmas Bazaar is an eleven day event with bands, local artists, shopping, beer garden and endless shopping. armadillobazaar.com

SOUTH JETTY (OR) November 25 Florence Holiday Festival Kick off the holiday season in Historic Old Town. Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Gazebo Park, hay rides, Siuslaw School Choir, musicians and carolers, goodies and hot cider and chocolate from local merchants, Christmas tree lighting with Mayor Joe Henry at dusk. florencechamber.com December 9-10, 16-17 Annual Victorian Christmas Open House at Heceta Light Keepers’ House The Queen Ann style Keeper’s House will be decorated with Victorian flourishes inside and out. Enjoy warm drinks and treats and performances by local musicians. Santa Claus visit; holiday raffle with prizes from local businesses. hecetalighthouse.com/ events#christmas December 27-31 Whale Watching Week In the Winter we watch nearly 20,000 gray whales from midDecember through mid-January as they travel south to the warm lagoons of Baja Mexico. visittheoregoncoast.com

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 TRAILBLAZER

2017 PICS FROM THE PARKS

very month we receive photos of campers catching the sunrise from mountaintops; snapping a picture before snoozing under the stars; exploring new places and setting sail on the open sea…Whether we’re relaxing in hammocks under the trees that reach up to the sky or perfecting our s’more making skills beside a crackling fire, campers across the country are capturing the memories and the adventures made at Thousand Trails. We love receiving photos from our campers across the country that we can share with Thousand Trails members every month in Trailblazer. We’ve gotten in over 300 photos throughout 2017. Here are just some of the great photos we received from campers this year and we look forward to getting out and camping with you in 2018!

Share your adventures in 3 easy steps! 1. Capture a photo of your trip at one of our parks. 2. Share with us at TrailBlazer_photos@equitylifestyle.com. 3. Check out the next issue of TrailBlazer to see if you’re a winner.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 TRAILBLAZER

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 TRAILBLAZER

RIDA

NTER DIFFERENTLY

by Joan Rykal

espite Mother Nature’s bad behavior in Florida this past September, your plans to Winter Differently once the cold weather sets in up north should be no different than any other year if Florida is your destination of choice. The majority of the popular Florida destinations for snowbirds and winter sun-chasers alike were opening their doors to tourists within a few days after Irma departed. They took to social media to post pictures of life in the sun and ramped up their tourism campaigns to ensure those headed south this winter know that they are #floridastrong and ready and waiting to offer another winter of Sunshine State hospitality. Florida tourism officials as well as our teams at Encore and Thousand Trails want you to know that Florida is still the choice for fun and sun this winter and their message is simply “Yes, We’re Open!”

THINGS TO DO TROLLEY

GARDENS

RIVERWALK

▲ Downtown Tampa 22

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 TRAILBLAZER

TOURS

“…the perfect combo of arts, culture and entertainment and sun, sand and relaxation.”

TAMPA

▲ St. Petersburg Marina

▲ Tampa Riverwalk

The Tampa/St. Pete area is the perfect combo of arts, culture and entertainment and sun, sand and relaxation. That perfect mix, plus the dry, mild weather, makes it one of the most popular winter destinations for snowbirds.

from Tampa, is considered the Winter Strawberry Capital? It’s true and the reason for the moniker is because over three-quarters of our country’s midwinter strawberries come from Plant City.

A visit to Tampa’s Riverwalk is really a mini-vacation in itself. Along its 2.4 mile stretch, the Riverwalk includes a children’s museum (www.glazermuseum. org); an art museum (www. tampamuseum.org); a performing arts center (www. strazcenter. org); and a Smithsonianaffiliated history center (www. tampabayhistorycenter.org). Plus, there are all kinds of restaurants and shops. You can spend a few hours or a few days exploring everything there is to see at the Riverwalk.

If you want to experience some strawberry goodness, visit Parkesdale Farm Market from January to April to enjoy their world famous Strawberry Shortcake or a scrumptious strawberry milkshake. The berry is honored each March with the Annual Strawberry Festival. The 2018 event runs March 3 through 18. Event details are being finalized but watch www. flstrawberryfestival.com for event updates.

Tampa’s Ybor City is the historic Latin Quarter and the former center of the area’s cigar making. A visit to Ybor City will immerse you in the Cuban heritage of its founders. Walking history tours that run just under two hours are available most days beginning at 11 a.m. and can be scheduled by visiting www.yborwalkingtours. com. There is also a lively nightlife with a mix of clubs and entertainment venues. To truly understand the cigar story of the city, consider visiting during the 2017 Cigar Heritage Festival, scheduled for December 3. The event will feature live music and entertainment, food trucks, beer and wine and of course, cigar rolling demonstrations. For more information visit www. yborcitycigarfestival.com.

▲ Sunshine Skyway Bridge

Did you know that Plant City, which is less than 30 minutes

Voted the #3 beach in the US in 2017 by TripAdvisor, St. Pete’s Beach boasts the longest undeveloped stretch of public beach in the country. Voters noted the sugary white sands, abundance of shells, warm Gulf waters, gentle waves and perfect sunsets as the reason this beach rates! If you’re looking for a beach experience a little closer to Tampa, take a walk or ride on the Courtney Campbell Trail to Ben T. Davis Beach and enjoy a picnic or a beautiful sunset. A visit to the Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo will get you in the holiday spirit with more than 750,000 twinkling lights throughout the gardens. The event runs November 24 through December 31 and is open to the public with a small donation. In addition to the light display, there is also nightly entertainment and visits from Santa himself.

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Sarasota Life in Sarasota is all about the beaches! The area has been consistently touted as home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the Sunshine State and the US. Sun and sand seekers will be happy to note the Sarasota beaches are all open for business as usual – the business of sunshine and relaxation, that is! The belle of the beach ball right now is Siesta Beach which was recently named the #1 Beach in America by Dr. Beach. Dr. Beach is actually Doctor Stephen Leatherman, Professor and Director of the Laboratory for Coastal Research at Florida International University. He has been compiling a list annually of the best beaches in the US since the early 1990s using 50-point criteria on which to base his ratings. They include sand softness; shape of the beach, smell and most importantly to any beachgoer – views and vistas. Dr. Beach gave the number one nod to Siesta Beach in part due to its silky soft 97% white quartz sand as well as the recent $21 million in renovations that “improved the beach experience.” That very sand will be the focus of fun November 10-13 at the Siesta Key Crystal Classic, a sand sculpting event that will feature live entertainment, sand sculpting lessons, and the opportunity to see some amazing sand sculptures created by master sand sculptors. A unique event not to be missed at Siesta Beach is the Sunday Drum Circle where drummers gather shortly before sunset to provide a rhythmic beat as the sun’s rays fade for the day. Dancers and jugglers gather as well to entertain as the crowd

waits for the drum beats to begin. For more information on the Drum Circle visit exploringsiestakey. com/drum-circle. Other beaches of note include Turtle Beach which features some of the tallest dunes in the area; Venice Municipal Beach and its coral reef located about a quartermile from shore and Lido Beach, which is less crowded than the popular Siesta Beach and offers a mile of beachfront walking opportunities. Off-sand opportunities in Sarasota are as plentiful as the beaches in the area. The Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium has two touch tanks, a 135,000 gallon shark habitat and dolphin, manatee and sea turtle exhibits. At the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art features you’ll find more than just art. Here you’ll find the Ringling Circus Museum which celebrates the history of the American Circus; Ca’ D’ Zan, the Ringling family’s 56room mansion, a Venetian-styled masterpiece built in the 1920s; Bayfront Gardens which features unique statuary among majestic Banyan trees; and the art museum itself which features amazing works of art in both permanent and travelling exhibits.

▲ Lindo Beach in Sarasota

▲ Family enjoying the Siesta Key Beach

Aside from the amazing circus experience Ringling created, he was also instrumental in the creation of Sarasota’s most famous shopping venue, St. Armands Circle. With over 140 shops, boutiques and galleries, St. Armands also features the Circus Ring of Fame which honors legendary circus performers. For hours, location and a list of shops visit starmandscircleassoc.com.

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▲ Main Street in Sarasota

THINGS TO DO BEACHES

CIRCUS

MANATEE

ARTS

“Life in Sarasota is all about the beaches!“

▲ Sarasota Marina NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 TRAILBLAZER

THINGS TO DO WILDLIFE

SEA SHELLS

ISLANDS

BICYCLE

“Lovers Key State Park is a perfect spot to view the wildlife of southwest Florida.”

▲ Seashells covering the Sanibel beach 26

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NORTH FORT MYERS

▲ Boardwalk on Sanibel Island

Thomas Edison had many bright ideas and one of them was to winter in southwest Florida. The estates of both Edison and auto magnate Henry Ford are great places to visit in the Fort Myers area (www. edisonfordwinterestates.org). Edison believed in giving back to the community he called home each winter and to celebrate the great inventor the Edison Festival of Light is held each February. The weeklong 2018 festival, which will feature food trucks, pet parades, fun runs and of course STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and the Arts) exhibits, will run February 3 through 18. For information visit www.edisonfestival.org. The beaches of the area are award-winning and you can enjoy some sandy fun at the beach on Captiva, Sanibel and Estero Island to name a few.

▲ Times Square in downtown Fort Myers Beach

Captiva Island has several beautiful beaches and is the best spot to take a guided cruise. Captiva Cruises offer shelling cruises, out-island cruises, dolphin watching cruises and sunset cruises. Check them all out at www.captivacruises.com. Another Captiva Island favorite is the Bubble Room restaurant where “it’s always Christmas.” This island favorite offers food and drinks and an atmosphere that will make you feel jolly for sure. For more information visit www.bubbleroomrestaurant.com.

Sanibel is a shell seekers paradise thanks in part due to the orientation of the island (eastwest vs. north-south.) It is so popular with shellers that there’s a name for the familiar pose of a person gathering shells known as the “Sanibel Stoop.” Get yourself to Sanibel ASAP if you have any intention of showcasing your finds at the annual shell show. The 81st Annual Sanibel Shell Show runs March 1-3, 2018. Estero Island is home to Mound Key Archaeological State Park where visitors will see thirty foot ancient shell mounds created by the Calusa Indians. It’s a piece of history that astounds visitors. Lovers Key State Park is a perfect spot to view the wildlife of southwest Florida. Here visitors have the opportunity to espy West Indian manatees, bald eagles and frolicking bottlenose dolphins. The park also has hiking and biking trails and a two-mile long beach.

▲ Roseate Spoonbills on Sanibel Island

▲ Beach houses on Estero Island

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Kissimmee/Orlando

Orlando’s Walt Disney World® is always a magical place but during the holiday season they really know how to throw a party! From Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party to Epcot’s International Festival of the Holidays, spirited events are on tap throughout November and December. For a complete listing visit www. disneyworld.disney.go.com. Not to be outdone, nearby Celebration creates winter fun with its “Now Snowing” event where there’s everything from a giant Christmas tree to sleigh rides and even snow! Each night of December the town employs a snowmaking machine where flakes will fall on the hour from 6 to 9 p.m. For more details on this holiday don’t miss event visit www.celebrationtowncenter.com.

Take a stroll through a classic Florida town fabulously recreated in Kissimmee’s Old Town. Set over 18 acres, Old Town is a mix of shops, restaurants, live entertainment, family fun and attractions. Kissimmee is also a great spot to explore Florida’s Everglades with the popular Kissimmee Swamp Tours (www. kissimmeeswamptours.com.) You will get up close views of Florida wildlife in their natural habitat and have a memorable Everglades exploration. If you enjoy “A Christmas Carol” because of the ghostly apparitions that appear before Ebenezer Scrooge, you might also like Orlando’s American Ghost Adventures, a two-hour tour

▲ Christmas in Orlando

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around Orlando “haunts” that has been rated one of the top five Ghost Tours in the US. Visit www. americanghostadventures.com for the spooky details.

▲ Orlando Roller Coaster

▲ Orlando skyline

THINGS TO DO AMUSEMENT PARKS

OLD TOWN

FOOD/DRINK

SWAMPS

“Kissimmee is also a great spot to explore Florida’s Everglades…“

▲ Everglades National Park NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 TRAILBLAZER

THINGS TO DO ART DECO

SHOPPING

BEACHES

▲ Miami Beach 30

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LATIN CULTURE

“…there’s something for everyone in Miami.”

MIAMI

▲ Miami Skyline

▲ Downtown Miami Marina

With average daily temperatures in the mid-70s, the months of December through February are the perfect time to visit Miami. Throw in November with its mid80s average daily temp and you’re looking at an extended “let’s get outdoors” kind of stay.

conch shells and garbage can drums.

Miami presents its visitors with amazing architecture and a variety of beach experiences. The architecture styles range from Art Deco to contemporary while the beaches vary from the party-vibe of South Beach to the family friendly Crandon Beach. Overall, there’s something for everyone in Miami.

So you see there’s every reason to head to Florida and no reason at all to think anything has changed. As always, Florida in winter equals sun and fun and experience you’ll want to repeat every time you see the thermometer head south!

A great way to see all that Miami has to offer is the Hop On Hop Off Trolley tour that features more than 40 stops. The tour offers four different loop tours including the City Loop and the Beach Loop.

Several historic architecture tours are available including a 90-minute Art Deco walking tour and a Saturday morning beach walk that highlights Miami Modern, or MiMo, architecture (information on both can be found at www.mdpl.org.) Don’t miss such architectural wonders as the Fontainbleu Hotel, the Bacardi Building or the McAlpin. Want to experience a parade Miami-style? Consider the December 31 King Mango Strut Parade in Coconut Grove, which is not your typical parade experience. Considered a “satirical parade” it does feature costumes and music but the costumes have been dubbed “irreverent” and the musical instruments played by the marching bands include kazoos,

▲ Miami Beach Shore

To see a complete listing of Encore and Thousand Trails locations near these Florida hotspots visit www.RVontheGo.com.

▲ Shopping on the boardwalk

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WASHINGTON’S WINTER WONDERLAND You could call Leavenworth, Washington “the little town that could.”

n its heyday in the late 1800s, it was a boomtown bustling with fur traders, miners and loggers thanks to the bounty of the surrounding mountains, woods and waters. Located on the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountain Range, local Native American tribes, including the Yakima, Chinook and Wenatchee, found the area to be plentiful for hunting and fishing.

But when the railroad rerouted in the 1920s, Leavenworth essentially became a ghost town. But fast forward to modern day and the little town of Leavenworth is anything but deserted. Especially around the holidays! The draw here is the Bavarian theme of the town, which is what the town was transformed into in the 1960s, and what essentially brought Leavenworth back to life. No doubt the surrounding mountain vistas, reminiscent of the Bavarian Alps, had much to do with the inspiration for the reinvention.

by Joan Rykal

NUTCRACKER MUSEUM nutcrackermuseum.com German legend has it that decorative nutcrackers were given to bring good luck to families and protect their homes. The origin of these delightful wooden carvings dates back to 15th century Germany. Leavenworth’s Nutcracker Museum opened in 1995 as a way to display the large collection of nutcrackers amassed by George and Arlene Wagner. The museum displays more than 6000 nutcrackers from ancient Rome to present day and from more than 50 countries. There are Nutcracker hunts for children and adults that are designed like a scavenger hunt that has participants roaming about the museum displays to find those nutcrackers listed. Make sure to have your picture taken with Karl the museum’s 6-foot tall mascot.

Consistently named as one of the best Christmas Towns in America, a visit to Leavenworth will definitely provide all the holiday magic, as well as winter fun, anyone can image. Even old Ebenezer Scrooge would find himself smiling at all there is to see and do in this cozy Washington hamlet come winter. 32 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 TRAILBLAZER

CHRISTKINDLMARKET christkindlmarktleavenworth.com There’s nothing more authentically German than a Christkindlmarket, a holiday tradition since the 1500s! Leavenworth’s version is held over Thanksgiving weekend and will run Friday, November 24 through Sunday, November 26. The event will feature Bavarian foods, handmade arts and crafts, and live entertainment. On Friday and Saturday, a Lantern Parade will be held as families carry glowing lanterns and follow Santa and Mrs. Claus through the town. There’s even a lantern workshop so children can create their own to carry in the parade!

▲ Bavarian architecture in Downtown Leavenworth

▲ Christmas Lighting Festival in Downtown Leavenworth

▲ Snowy road in Washington

RUDOLPH & FRIENDS leavenworthreindeer.com Visit Reindeer Farm to learn all about the animals that pull Santa’s sleigh. Start your tour at Reindeer Farm with a short educational presentation about reindeer and then embark on a 30-minute tour where you can get up close and personal. The farm even provides reindeer food so you can feed these fury species of deer. On special days in November and December visitors can meet Santa and his reindeer.

CHRISTMAS LIGHTING FESTIVAL leavenworth.org Half a million twinkling lights add to the charm of Leavenworth during the holiday season when the town is transformed during its Christmas Lighting Festival. The Festival begins December 1 with musical performances and other holiday festivities. On scheduled Saturdays and Sundays a Lighting Ceremony is held at 4:30 p.m. A full schedule of events can be found on their website as the festival dates near.

Visit the farm’s website for dates and times for this unique holiday event.

BAVARIAN ICEFEST 2018 leavenworth.org Mark your calendars for January 13-14, 2018 to experience that annual Bavarian Icefest, an event the features snow and ice sculptures, winter games, a snowmobile sled pull and fireworks! Past events have included a dogsled pulling competition and a chili cook-off. Watch the website for more details as Icefest 2018 takes shape.

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SNOW FUN skileavenworth.com The average annual snowfall in Leavenworth is 79 inches so this is the place to be if snow is your thing. Skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing opportunities can be found at both Stevens Pass and Mission Ridge and each resort offers races and other events throughout the winter season. Consider hopping on the latest trend of Fat Biking – basically mountain biking on bikes equipped with fat tires – and ride the snow trails made available for this growing sport. Visit skileavenworth.com for Fat Biking information. The Leavenworth Ski Hill is just two miles from downtown Leavenworth and has plenty of snowy activities including snow tubing, Nordic skiing, downhill skiing and snowboarding, as well as the aforementioned Fat Biking. If you’re looking for something a bit more daring, ice climbing might be right up your alley. Leavenworth was named by U.S. Rock and Ice magazine as a Top 10 Ice Climbing destination. The Northwest Mountain School in Leavenworth runs trips for this exciting adventure. Sleigh bells will definitely be ringing if you choose to partake in an authentic sleigh ride offered by RedTail Canyon Farm. Dash through the snowy landscape snuggled under wool blankets and top it all off with a complimentary hot cocoa after the ride. Truly a winter wonderland must-do!

SIPS AND SUDS iciclebrewing.com There are wineries and breweries that are unique to Leavenworth as well as gourmet chocolates made right here in this delightful location. Icicle Ridge Winery has a tasting room right on Front Street in downtown Leavenworth that offers daily wine tastings for just $10. Leavenworth’s oldest winery, Eagle Creek, offers tastings of their wines at D’Vinery, another great tasting spot located in the downtown area.

▲ Photo Courtesy of Icicle TV

Icicle Brewing Company creates their craft beers using waters from the nearby Icicle Creek. Stop in to Schocolat and enjoy Belgian truffles, English toffee and pralines made in classic European style.

▲ Photo Courtesy of Icicle TV

▲ Photo Courtesy of Leavenworth.org

V I L L A G E

housand Trails’ Leavenworth RV Campground, set over 300 acres surrounded by forest, is the perfect place to stay while enjoying your alpine-like experience and what’s more, Adeline, Belle, Hanna, Otto and Rudolf are on hand to welcome you. This quintet of Bavarian charmers is not on staff at Leavenworth but actually accommodations – Leavenworth’s tiny houses to be exact. Each offers its own unique personality and certainly one of the most unique accommodations you will find at any campground! Adeline sleeps 4 and loves the holidays! Belle sleeps 4-5 and loves poetry. Cozy

Hanna sleeps 2 and is a lover of the arts while Otto sleeps 4-5 and is a natural born leader. Lastly, Rudolf the nature lover sleeps 4-5. Additionally, the campground itself is the perfect place to continue your winter wonderland escape offering more than 200 miles of groomed snowmobile trails for a variety of snow fun. On-site hills provide opportunity for sledding and skiing and are suited for young and old alike. Kids will enjoy Chipmunk Hill while the seasoned adult can take on Grizzly Run. Book now at www.leavenworth tinyhouse.com to guarantee a winter camping experience like no other.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 TRAILBLAZER

On The Road

NASCAR RACER KEN SCHRADER by Lynn & Cele Seldon

Whether you spend life on the road for pleasure or work, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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 racing legend Ken Schrader.

All photos courtesy of Ken Schrader

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o say that Ken Schrader likes vehicles is an understatement. Throughout his motorsports career of more than 40 years, racing legend Ken Schrader has driven almost every kind of race car, including late models, modifieds, sports cars, sprint cars, Indy cars, and stock cars. As one of the sport’s most beloved and respected drivers, he has served in many other roles, including car owner, race track promoter, spotter, radio and TV commentator, and author. He also loves being on his motorcycle – and on the road in his RV. Schrader now operates and races for Ken Schrader Racing, Inc., with their race shop located in the hub of NASCAR country in Concord, North Carolina. The KSR team prepares cars here for the ARCA Series Presented by Menards, NASCAR’s Camping World Truck Series, and the K&N Series. A collection of cars driven by Schrader is on display, as are some of his trophies, racing memorabilia, and personal cars can also be seen. It’s open to the public year-round, Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. (except for major holidays). KSR, Inc. and the Harrisburg Cruises, a local car club, also partner to create a very popular annual car show and fund raiser each fall.

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Schrader has also traveled extensively across the country serving as spokesman for Federated Auto Parts. During almost two decades as a spokesman and driver, Schrader has met numerous Federated members and customers while visiting stores, hosting corporate programs, speaking at meetings, and – of course – driving his Federated Auto Parts modified race car as often as possible. Last year, he competed in 70 races and was on a similar pace for 2017. The business of racing keeps Schrader on the road more than 100 days every year.

My sponsors, family, team, and friends have all made it possible to continue doing what I love. It has been very gratifying for me to race against some of the best in the business, to make friends along the way, and to take in all the United States has to offer.”

“We have a great time combining all of the elements of sponsorship, partnership, and friendship,” says Schrader. “The Federated Auto Parts brand is a highlyrespected member within the auto parts industry and I am proud to represent the brand.”

How many days are you on the road?

Born in 1955 in Fenton, Missouri, Schrader continues, “Racing has been a lifelong pursuit for me.

Please tell us about your current RVs, Ken. We currently have a 2015 Thor Four Winds Super C, a 2009 Siesta Sprinter, and a custom S & S Welding hauler out of Greenwood, Nebraska, for my dirt car. We’ve been RVing for years.

I’ll spend more than 100 nights a year in one of my RVs. My wife, Ann, takes off on her own in the Siesta Sprinter a lot, as well. I’m schedule to race about 70 times this year [2017] and it’s either keeping me young or killing me and I don’t know the difference.

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What’s your favorite thing about travelling in your RV versus staying in a hotel? I’m at home no matter where I park, I feel like I’m at home.

What are a few favorite things onboard? I have a Hot Diggity Dogger maker that cooks two hot dogs and browns two hot dog buns at the same time. It’s like a toaster. We’ve had it in every motorhome we’ve ever had. It’s pretty neat.

What are some favorite meals onboard (or restaurants) on the road? We used to eat in the motorhome 90% of the time, but now we do more restaurants. It’s pretty hard for me to drive by a Cracker Barrel! We’re Cracker Barrels or Steak n’ Shake

“

I SPEND MORE THAN 100 NIGHTS A YEAR iN ONE OF MY RVs.

What are some career highlights?

“

I hope all of my highlights haven’t happened yet. There were so many days that you thought were unbelievably big and then something else would happen.

Tell us about your motorcycle. For years, when we were running NASCAR, there was always a Suzuki in the pickup. It’s how I would get from the track to the airport after the race. It used to make some of them [the other drivers] so mad, because by the time they took a golf cart to a helicopter to fly to the airport, my Suzuki would already be parked there and my plane would be gone.

You welcome visitors in your race shop in Concord, North Carolina, don’t you? Most definitely!

Tell us about the popular car show in the fall. I’ve actually only been home for one. But, it’s something that they started to raise money and it’s grown quite a bit.

What didn’t we ask you about life on the road that you’d like to share? It amazes me that, whether you’re at the racetrack or campground, when you have a problem, people come out of the woodwork to help you.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 TRAILBLAZER

Thank you to all our campers who made memories and participated in #100DaysofCamping at Thousand Trails campgrounds nationwide.

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

844.289.6231 ThousandTrails.com 40

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 TRAILBLAZER

As a lot of our campgrounds take a break for the winter, we wish all our smiling campers a great Holiday Season! We look forward to seeing you for next yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s #100DaysofCamping!

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

844.289.6231

ThousandTrails.com NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 TRAILBLAZER

A Gift With Special Meaning This Holiday Season Adopt -AManatee

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

Photo © David Schrichte

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 TRAILBLAZER

paws ROAD

Email Jenn your questions and share your pics at TBPets@equitylifestyle.com

ON THE

Traveling and Camping with Companion Animals

I’ve noticed that my dog has incredibly dry skin. We try not to wash her too much to avoid stripping her coat of natural oils. Is there anything that you suggest to help make her more comfortable? Maybe a topical, or? Thanks, Cameron and Jacki JENN Moisture is most certainly a critical part of a healthy pets coat and the first line of defense to help ward off infections or other means of possible dermatitis. It is important that we pay close attention to our animals’ hair coat and skin quality, learning to make adjustments as necessary. Kudos to you for noticing that your pet has dry, flaky skin and inquiring on what to do about it for a positive change. Take comfort in knowing this topic is something that I, too, am challenged with on my own dog. Especially when we are camping in extremely high altitudes or dry ambient weather, my dog, Ginger, seems to have flaky, dry skin. She already receives daily wild Alaskan salmon oil supplementation as well as organic coconut oil in her food. She eats a grain free/potato free diet and receives no artificial colors or synthetics and all of her foods are completely steroid and hormone free and sourced in the USA. Generally, the majority of allergies stem from the foods our pets eat, however, the

by Jenn Gehr

environment can also be a contributing factor and it’s not to be ruled out. While we were in Colorado this last summer, I could not keep Ginger’s skin, along with my own skin, from feeling tight, dry and flaky. I reached out to a veterinarian friend of mine who approve my idea of simply applying a fragrance free lotion on her skin. Using a topical generic lotion with dimethicone and a natural colloidal oatmeal basehas helped to relieve her itching and skin shedding. Organic Shea butter combined with coconut oil has helped as well and I often apply a dab of this concoction on the tops of my dogs noses to ward off the “crusties” and keep those noses soft. This is also a great combination for dried out cuticles and rough heels! I hope these ideas help bring you and your pet some relief. Hi Jen, my husband and I are looking to get a pair of cats that can travel with us. My husband wants to go to the shelter and adopt two older cats and I want to get two kittens. Do you have any thoughts or recommendations on this predicament? We are thinking the first of the year would be the best time for us to acquire the new furry additions as we winter in Arizona. Also, have you come across any types of window cat perches that have solid suction cups? Thank you so much for your informative call them and we appreciate the inform provided. We love the RV lifestyle and love the thousand trails system! Pat and Carry

JENN Hello, Pat and Carry! I think it’s wonderful that you are doing your due diligence in planning for your new pets. Thinking of adopting at a shelter is always a great way to go and given your current situation, I think that the kitten route would be prudent over that of an adult cat. It’s a lot easier to have younger animals adapt and adjust to an on the road lifestyle when it’s the only way of living they know – especially when we are talking about cats! In our travels, several amazing families come to my mind who live full time on the road who have cats that love jumping in the car and enjoying the adventures of RV life. Each one of these cats are also harness trained, walk on a leash, ride in a pet basket on the front of a bicycle and enjoy the open water on the kayak or houseboat! Seeing a cat do the same types of activities that we share with our canine companions is definitely a head turner! For these reasons, I believe that starting out with kittens is a lot easier then with adults. Regarding your idea of RV friendly cat perches; there are several types of suction cup platforms that offer comfort and convenience along with safety that can be adhered to your RV or car interior window. I suggest looking on Amazon and reading the reviews that you think might fit your lifestyle best. I am the most familiar with the Oster Sunny Seat WindowMounted Cat Bed that holds up to 50 lbs. This design is easy to install and a truly innovative perch ideal for cat owners on the go. The Oster is listed for a very affordable $13.36 and is a best seller with rave reviews! I hope once you find the kittens, or cats, to fit into your lifestyle you have an opportunity to share a few photos with us. Best of luck!

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 TRAILBLAZER

Who’s in the kitchen with

TrailBlazer?

Let’s talk hosting! This issue all the recipes are perfect for those holiday parties whether you’re a guest or the one feeding everyone! Often times hosting is seen as a stressful event because of so many preferences but instead of looking at it as overwhelming look at it as an opportunity to try new things! Ask your guests if they have any dietary restrictions or recipe preferences and then look up new recipes in magazines like Trailblazer, Pinterest, or just a simple Google search! When searching online always preface the search with the dietary restriction. For example: ‘gluten free muffins’ will yield results like the delicious cinnamon pear muffins in this month’s issue! Stuck with a ton of leftovers from that huge ham or turkey? Use the leftovers in a recipe to serve your family for lunch the next week! Turkey chili, or the ham and pea soup in this issue are great options and perfect for those chilly days and nights. It’s been a pleasure sharing these recipes with you this year! I hope you enjoyed them and I wish you a happy and healthy 2018! For more recipes, nutrition information, and healthy lifestyle tips connect with me over at:

Pork Pie Total time: 1 hour 10 min Serves 6-8

Ingredients • 2 9 inch pie crusts • 1½-2 lbs. ground pork • ½ large onion diced • 1 large yellow potato diced • 1 tsp. minced garlic • 2 Tbsp. butter divided • ½ tsp. sage • ½ tsp. rosemary • ½ tsp. salt • ¼ tsp. clove • ¼ tsp. nutmeg • ¼ tsp. cinnamon

refreshednutrition.com info@refreshednutrition.com Refreshed Nutrition @Refreshed_Nutrition

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• ¼ tsp. pepper *this part is very important as it is what helps hold the pie together **if you have trouble with this step, break it up as small as you can and then once cooked, before adding it to the crust, pulse very lightly in small batches in a food processor.

Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350°. 2. In a medium pan over medium heat, melt 1 Tbsp of butter, add in garlic, onions, and potatoes until slightly translucent (about 10 min). 3. Lightly mash the potatoes with a fork until they are closer to a chunky mashed potato*. 4. Add spices and pork, as you cook the pork make sure to break it up until it’s in very small pieces and cooked through**. 5. Add the first crust into a 9 inch pie pan, fill with pie mixture, top with second pie crust, ventilating top crust with holes or slits. 6. Melt the remaining 1 Tbsp of butter and spread it on the top layer of crust. 7. Bake for 40-45 min. until crust is crispy. 8. Top with bread and butter pickles and enjoy!

Cinnamon Pear Muffins Total time: 55 minutes Serves 8

Ingredients

• ⅓ cup almond flour • ⅓ cup tapioca flour • ⅓ cup coconut flour • ½ cup milk, I used almond • ¼ cup coconut sugar • 3 eggs whisked • 1 D’anjou pear peeled and diced small • 3 Tbsp. ghee • 2 Tbsp. raw honey • 1 tsp. vanilla extract • ¼ tsp. cardamom

Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350°. 2. Mix flours, eggs, milk, honey, vanilla extract and 1/2 tsp of cinnamon in a bowl. 3. In a small pan on medium heat add the pear, remaining cinnamon, cardamom, ghee, and coconut sugar. 4. Sauté until well blended and it begins to bubble and thicken, about 10 min. 5. Transfer ingredients in pan to the flour mixture and gently fold in. 5. Place in lined muffin tins and cook for 25-30 min.

• 1 tsp. cinnamon

Ham & Pea Soup Prep time: 15 min Cook time: 1 hour Total time: 1 hour 15 min Serves 6

Ingredients • 1 onion diced small • 2 tsp. minced garlic • 1 tsp. salt and pepper • 1 Tbsp. bacon fat • 2 c. diced ham • 1 16oz package frozen organic peas • 5 cups bone broth • 1 bay leaf

Directions 1. In a medium pot heat bacon fat until melted over medium heat, once

melted add in the onion and garlic and cook until translucent. 2. Add the peas and stir to combine for about 5 min., then add broth, salt and pepper. 3. Bring the pot to a boil for 10 minutes, then let simmer for about an hour. 4. Roughly pulse the mixture with an immersion blender to break up the peas so they split. 5. Reduce to low and add in the bay leaf and the ham cook for additional 40 min. If you have not made ham prior, place 1 pork shoulder or butt in water and let simmer for 6-8 hours.

Curry Cashews Cook time: 10 min Total time: 15 min Total time: 15 min Serves 4-6

Ingredients • 1lb. raw unsalted cashews • 2 Tbsp. curry powder divided, plus 1 tsp. • 4 Tbsp. avocado oil

Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350°. Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper. 3. In a large bowl mix together cashews, avocado oil, and 1 Tbsp. curry powder until cashews are well coated. 4. Spread out onto the baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes, flip and bake for another 7 min. 5. Remove, let cool and sprinkle with the remaining 1 Tbsp. and 1 tsp of curry powder. NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 TRAILBLAZER

ASK

RVBILL

YOUR TECH QUESTIONS ANSWERED!

Refrigerator Safety

I ARP 3.1 Controller Kit comes complete with two fans for maximum efficiency.

The specifically designed blower type fan is mounted directly to the vented exterior door.

This is the ARP temperature sensor that is mounted onto the boiler tube.

have received so many inquiries regarding refrigerators I wanted to share a little bit more information with the readers. Refrigerator recalls have escalated in the past several years, not just highlighting defective parts anymore but the danger of fire is now a reality. Recalls do a good job for what they are designed to do and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s critical you check for possible recalls on an annual basis. However, the additional small parts that are added onto the refrigerator during the recall are not designed to prevent the cooling units from over heating! The continued overheating of the boiler tube will cause metal fatigue and/or corrosion and possibly a hydrogen leak which is very flammable. Your gas electric refrigerator boiler operates at about 350 degrees all the time, but even a brief time off level like driving up the hill, parked on the side of the road, or having your RV towed because of a mechanical breakdown without shutting off the refrigerator can send the cooling unit temperature skyrocketing. The stress that this excess heat puts on the refrigerator boiler tube can cause metal fatigue and the anti-corrosion chemical in the coolant to deteriorate, eventually leading to cooling unit failure. The ammonia, hydrogen, sodium chromate, and water solution is not complicated, but the hydrogen is extremely flammable and if the temperatures get high

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 TRAILBLAZER

enough and the protection device fails, fire is a possibility. All it takes is a 5-6% grade and about five minutes to begin the damage to the refrigerators cooling unit components. Events like this produce a lot of thermal stress in the refrigerator boiler. This stress causes metal to fatigue and the anti-corrosion chemicals on the coolant to deteriorate and leading to refrigerator cooling unit failure. When the system is level, the refrigerator cooling unit holds a constant temperature while it is running and should never experience overheating. Most RVers are fully aware that refrigerators need to be level for proper operation. When the refrigerator is off level, all the ammonia pools in the system to the point where it cannot make its way back to the boiler. The boiler tube temperature begins rise as does the pressure in the pipes and the water expands 1600 times as it changes from liquid to vapor. Ammonia boils at -28 degrees Fahrenheit and is an environmentally safe refrigerant as it is found naturally in our environment. Dometicâ&#x201E;˘ and Norcold have done a great job with their recalls in attempts to prevent premature refrigerator failure and the ever present danger of fire, but simple mechanical devices can fail and may result in a fire. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re lucky, the fire can be contained to the refrigerator compartment alone but the likelihood of that is slim because of all the flammable

products surrounding the refrigerator. Perhaps the scariest aspect of this possibility of fire would be if it occurred in the middle of the night while you were sleeping or when your away and pets are left inside. Like so many of you, my wife and I live in our fifth wheel full-time and we would be horrified to lose everything to fire. Recreational vehicles have been my life long passion and because of that, I stay informed on the latest products from A-Z. I would like to share a product with you that will absolutely improve the safety of your refrigerator. The ARP Controller (absorption refrigerator protection) is designed to protect your refrigerator continuously no matter where you park your rig or how far off level it may be. The ARP Controller continues to monitor the refrigerators temperature in two different sections of the cooling unit, 24 hours a day. When the ARP detects temperatures exceeding levels required for the system to operate, it shuts down the refrigerator and allows the cooling unit to cool down before automatically restarting after a set amount of time. After five successive shut downs it turns the refrigerator off and warns the owner that the controller will manually need to be reset. Although this is pretty rare that the refrigerator will need to be reset five times in a row as this process could take anywhere from two to five hours.

The ARP Controller has been designed as an automatic temperature monitoring device as well as an easy installation and monitors the refrigerators cooling unit temperatures with two separate temperature sensors. ARP has a new model with two fans to help control the high ambient temperatures that can occur at the rear of the refrigerator. Also included is a defrost defeat function, this prevents the refrigerator from going into defrost mode cycle which improves cooling performance in hot weather. The ARP Controller stores diagnostics resulting in an accurate history of the refrigerators function to make a RV repair technicians job faster and easier. The ARP Controller will add functions improving the control of older manual type refrigerators without protection devices that were never involved in a recall. The ARP Controller actively protects your refrigerator rather than a device that response only after a failure has occurred as do present recall devices.

An overview of the completed installation of the ARP Controller.

ARPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s digital readout is easy to read at a glance.

ARP offers several different models of this kind of product. Be sure to check arpvr.com for more information.

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

Cut away of a boiler tube that has been overheated and stressed- the protective coating is no longer visible.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 TRAILBLAZER

Member Deals

Thousand Trails Members Always Save On RV Sites & Rentals

RVontheGo.com Call! Click! Camp!

1-888-443-7301

â&#x2013;˛ Alpine Lake RV Campground (NY)

Thousand Trails Standard Discount:

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

TT20%

10% OFF Monthly Rates for RV Sites & Rentals Use Promo Code:

TT10%

scape RV e George E

â&#x2013;˛ Lak

nd (NY)

Campgrou

RVontheGo.com 1-888-443-7301

Call! Click! Camp!

Valid at all Campgrounds and RV Resorts available at RVontheGo.com *Restrictions/exclusions apply and are listed at bottom of this page. **Subject to availability. Reservations required. Rates based on a standard site, unless otherwise specified. Stays of 30 days or less are subject to $4 per day resort fee. Electric not included for stays of 30 days or longer. Rates do not include taxes. Amenities vary by resort. Cannot be combined with any other offers or promotions. Rates exclusively for members of Thousand Trails, NACO, Mid-Atlantic, Leisure Time and Outdoor World. Offer not valid on holidays and special events; certain restrictions may apply. Valid on new reservations only.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 TRAILBLAZER

Member Deals ▲ Victoria Palms RV Resort (TX)

Texas

$549

One Month Special at Victoria Palms ▲ Fun-N-Sun

RV Resort (TX)

Call To Book Valid 11/1/17 - 4/30/18. Min stay 28 days, Max stay for 60 days. Valid on Standard RV sites only. Book by 4/1/18.

$449

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

Call To Book lms R

) V Resort (TX

▲ Alamo Pa

Valid 11/1/17 - 4/30/18. Min stay 28 days, Max stay for 60 days. Valid on Standard RV sites only. Book by 4/1/18. *Restrictions/exclusions apply and are listed at bottom of this page.

**Subject to availability. Reservations required. Rates based on a standard site. Stays of 30 days or less are subject to $4 per day resort fee. Electric not included for stays of 30 days or longer. Rates do not include taxes. Amenities vary by resort. Cannot be combined with any other offers or promotions. Rates exclusively for members of Thousand Trails, NACO, Mid-Atlantic, Leisure Time and Outdoor World. Offer not valid on holidays and special events; certain restrictions may apply. Two week maximum stay per resort at discounted rate. Valid on new reservations only.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 TRAILBLAZER

Member Deals ▲ Alamo Palms RV Resort (TX)

Texas

$1,899

Three Month Special at Victoria Palms Call To Book

▲ Lakewood

RV Resort (T

Valid 11/1/17 - 4/30/18. Valid on Standard RV sites only. Book by 1/30/18.

$1,199

Three Month Special Valid at Alamo Palms, Country Sunshine, Fun N Sun, Lakewood, Paradise Park, Paradise South, Southern Comfort, Sunshine RV, and Tropic Winds

Call To Book Valid 11/1/17 - 4/30/18.

ds RV Resort

▲ Tropic Win

(TX)

Valid on Standard RV sites only. Book by 1/30/18. *Restrictions/exclusions apply and are listed at bottom of this page. **Subject to availability. Reservations required. Rates based on a standard site. Stays of 30 days or less are subject to $4 per day resort fee. Electric not included for stays of 30 days or longer. Rates do not include taxes. Amenities vary by resort. Cannot be combined with any other offers or promotions. Rates exclusively for members of Thousand Trails, NACO, Mid-Atlantic, Leisure Time and Outdoor World. Offer not valid on holidays and special events; certain restrictions may apply. Two week maximum stay per resort at discounted rate. Valid on new reservations only.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 TRAILBLAZER

Member Deals â&#x2013;˛ Fiesta Grande RV Resort (AZ)

Arizona

$1,599

Three Month Special Valid at Araby Acres, Mesa Spirit, Monte Vista, Paradise RV, ViewPoint, and Voyager. â&#x2013;˛ Araby Acres

RV Resort (AZ)

Call To Book Valid 11/1/17 - 4/30/18. Valid on Standard RV sites only. Book by 1/30/18.

RVontheGo.com 1-888-443-7301

Call! Click! Camp!

$1,199

Three Month Special Valid at Cactus Gardens, Capri, Casita Verde, Countryside, Desert Paradise, Fiesta Grande, Foothill Village, Foothills West, Golden Sun, Mesa Verde, Suni Sands, Valley Vista.

Call To Book Valid 11/1/17 - 4/30/18. Valid on Standard RV sites only. Book by 1/30/18. *Restrictions/exclusions apply and are listed at bottom of this page.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 TRAILBLAZER

Member Deals ▲ Mesa Spirit RV Resort (AZ)

Arizona

$725

Monthly Stay Valid at Araby Acres, Mesa Spirit, Monte Vista, Paradise, ViewPoint, and Voyager.

Call To Book

▲ Paradise

RV Resort (A

Valid 11/1/17 - 4/30/18. Min stay 28 days, Max stay for 31 days. Valid on Standard RV sites only. Book by 4/1/18.

$525

Monthly Stay Valid at Casita Verde, Countryside, Fiesta Grande, Foothills West, and Golden Sun.

Call To Book Valid 11/1/17 - 4/30/18. Min stay 28 days, Max stay for 31 days. Valid on Standard RV sites only. Book by 4/1/18.

e RV Resort

ista Villag ▲ Monte V

(AZ)

*Restrictions/exclusions apply and are listed at bottom of this page. **Subject to availability. Reservations required. Rates based on a standard site. Stays of 30 days or less are subject to $4 per day resort fee. Electric not included for stays of 30 days or longer. Rates do not include taxes. Amenities vary by resort. Cannot be combined with any other offers or promotions. Rates exclusively for members of Thousand Trails, NACO, Mid-Atlantic, Leisure Time and Outdoor World. Offer not valid on holidays and special events; certain restrictions may apply. Two week maximum stay per resort at discounted rate. Valid on new reservations only.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 TRAILBLAZER

Member Deals ▲ ViewPoint RV & Golf Resort (AZ)

Arizona

30% OFF Monthly Stay

ens RV Resort

▲ Cactus Gard

(AZ)

Valid at Cactus Gardens, Capri, Desert Paradise, Foothill Village, Mesa Verde, and Suni Sands.

Call Call To To Book Book Min stay 28 days, Max stay for 31 days. Min stay 28 days, Max stay for 31 days. Valid on Standard RV sites only. Valid on Standard RV sites only. Valid 9/1/17 - 4/30/18. Book by 4/1/18. Valid 11/1/17 - 4/30/18. Book by 4/1/18.

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

RVontheGo.com 1-888-443-7301 ▲ Desert Paradise

RV Resort (AZ)

Call! Click! Camp!

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 TRAILBLAZER

Member Deals ▲ Southern Palms RV Resort (FL)

Florida

$175 OFF

Seasonal Stay 3 Months or more Valid at Bulow, Crystal Isles, Gulf View, Southern Palms, Sunshine Holiday Ft. Lauderdale, Vacation Village, and Winter Garden

rt (FL)

▲ Bulow RV Reso

Call to Book Valid 11/1/17 - 4/30/18. Book by 12/31/17. *Restrictions/exclusions apply and are listed at bottom of this page.

RVontheGo.com 1-888-443-7301

Call! Click! Camp!

▲ Crystal

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esort (FL)

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 TRAILBLAZER

Member Deals ▲ Mt. Hood Village RV Resort (OR)

Washington/Oregon Arizona

$499 30% OFF Monthly Stay

▲ Tall Chie

Valid at Mt. Hood, Tall Chief, and Portland Fairview. f RV Resort

(WA)

Promo Code: TT499WO Valid 11/1/17 - 12/31/17. 31 day max stay. *Restrictions/exclusions apply and are listed at bottom of this page.

North Carolina Arizona

$599 30% OFF Monthly Stay

Valid at Goose Creek, Lake Myers, Twin Lakes, Waterway, and Whispering Pines. ▲ Goose Creek RV

Resort (NC)

Promo Code: TT599NC Valid 11/1/17 - 12/31/17. 31 day max stay. *Restrictions/exclusions apply and are listed at bottom of this page.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 TRAILBLAZER

See if a Membership Upgrade is Right for You!

MAXIMIZE

YOUR OPPORTUNITIES More Freedom to Explore! Enjoying the benefits of your Thousand Trails Camping Pass? Then you’ll love what our premium upgrade options have to offer. Get nationwide access to our premier campsites and resorts, keep the fun going with longer maximum stays, plan further ahead with extended booking windows, and much more!

Call today 888-842-8617 or visit thousandtrails.com/member-upgrade » For more information, see a membership specialist on your next visit!

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 TRAILBLAZER

Get More Locations Plan Further Ahead Explore New Accommodations Travel Club

Upgrade Now for as low as $134.05 / Month* Which Camping Pass Upgrade is right for you? Camping Pass

Elite Basic

Elite Connections

Booking Window

60 Days

120 Days

180 Days

Maximum Stay

14 Days

21 Days

Thousand Trails

Access to Campgrounds in your zone(s)

Park to Park Family Access Reciprocal Network Getaway Cabins Travel Club

*Monthly payment plans available. Up to 60 months to pay. 16.99% APR. 60 payments of $134.05 assuming you purchase the Elite Basic for $5,995 and make the minimum down payment. Sales tax and any applicable fees due at time of purchase. This advertising is being used for the purpose of soliciting sales of resort campground memberships. This document has been filed with the Department of Licensing, State of Washington, as required by Washington law. Value, quality, or conditions stated, and performance on promises are the responsibility of the operator, not the Department. The filing does not mean that the Department has approved the merits or qualifications of any registration, advertising, or any gift, prize or item of value as part of any promotional plan.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 TRAILBLAZER

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Answers can be found on page 65.

ACROSS 1 Snow (Scot.) 4 Tooth 8 Carplike fish 12 Shipshaped clock 13 Quaker pronoun 14 Anglo-Saxon slave 15 Possessive pronoun 16 Pink 18 Cheese 20 Corkwood 21 "The Jungle Book" python 23 Eye of a bean 27 Across 32 Maiden loved by Zeus 33 Bobbsey twins 34 Spelt 36 Tactical Air Command (abbr.) 37 Title of Athena 39 Card game 41 City on the Aare 43 Sheep's cry 44 Peat spade 60

48 51 55 56 57 58 59 60 61

Trolley Oriel (2 words) Lively (Fr.) Hillside (Scot.) Railway station (Fr.) Internat'l Red Cross (abbr.) Danish physicist Freeing (pref.) Council for Econ. Advisors (abbr.)

19 22 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 DOWN 35 1 Social climber 38 2 Nerve (pref.) 40 3 Boer 42 4 Federal Trade Commission (abbr.) 45 5 Melville's captain 46 6 Tiber tributary 47 7 General (abbr.) 49 8 Factor 50 9 Async-Sync Interface (abbr.) 51 10 Chief of Naval Operations (abbr.) 52 11 Shak. contraction 53 17 Ember 54

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 TRAILBLAZER

Belonging to (suf.) Donkey (Fr.) Dopy Hereditary property Staff of office Brow of a hill (Scot.) Pallid Urchin No middle initial (abbr.) Genesis (abbr.) Plunder Solution Feline Teacher of Samuel Anglican (abbr.) June 6, 1944 Cupid Berne's river Transparent mineral Better Business Bureau (abbr.) Orinoco tributary Defiant shout Tatar dynasty

Terms and Conditions for 2017 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 postcard telling us where you found it, and if your card is drawn you’ll win a $25 American Express® Prepaid Gift Card.

Diana Guimont

of South Beach, OR found the tree on Page 19 of the September 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 December 31, 2017 and remember – the tree could be a different color and size.

For each Eligible Referral (as defined) through December 31, 2017, you will receive a $25 Visa® Prepaid Card. In addition, for each Eligible Referral through December 31, 2017, you will receive one entry in a drawing for the following prizes: (i) Grand Prize is either a trip to Hawaii or a 7 night Caribbean Cruise, valued at $4,000, that includes roundtrip coach airfare for two adults from the continental United States to either Hawaii or Florida, and one hotel/cruise room for 7 nights; (ii) Second Prize is a trip to either Las Vegas, San Francisco or Orlando, valued at $2,000, that includes roundtrip coach airfare for two adults from the continental United States to either Las Vegas, San Francisco or Orlando and one hotel room for 4 nights and (iii) ten (10) Third Prizes waiving payment of the winners’ annual dues for 2018, not to exceed $545 each. The trips do not include taxes, meals, beverages, transfers, gratuities, activities and other personal expenses. Prizes cannot be exchanged for cash. The drawing will be held at our corporate offices on or about January 7, 2018. The winners will be notified by telephone. The odds of winning a prize depend on the number of entries and are not expected to exceed 1:10,000. For this promotion, an Eligible Referral is a person who (i) purchases a new Zone Camping Pass from us between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2017 and (ii) lists you as the referring member. This offer is only for members in good standing of Thousand Trails and its affiliates. Due to legal restrictions, (a) residents of AZ, FL, NV, and PA are not eligible to participate in the drawing and you will not receive an entry in the drawing for purchases made by residents of AZ, FL, NV, or PA, and (b) residents of AZ and PA are not eligible to receive a $25 Visa® Prepaid Card and you will not receive a $25 Visa® Prepaid Card for purchases made by residents of AZ or PA. We reserve the right to extend, modify, suspend, or terminate this promotion at any time for any reason; however, any rewards earned prior to the suspension or termination of this promotion will be honored. Employees of Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc. and its affiliates are not eligible to participate in this promotion. All local, state and federal income taxes are the responsibility of the recipient. Accordingly, we recommend that all participants consult a tax advisor about reporting rewards for tax purposes. We will issue the required 1099 to each participant and to the IRS when the total value of awards you are eligible to receive equal or exceed $600 for one year. This advertising is being used for the purpose of soliciting sales of resort campground memberships. This document has been filed with the Department of Licensing, State of Washington, as required by Washington law. Value, quality, or conditions stated and performance on promises are the responsibility of the operator, not the Department. This filing does not mean that the Department has approved the merits or qualifications of any registration, advertising, or any gift, prize, or item of value as part of any promotional plan. This promotion is sponsored by MHC Thousand Trails Limited Partnership, Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60606.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 TRAILBLAZER

PREFERRED RV DEALERS

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

USA A&L RV Sales TN - Christiana, Johnson City, Sevierville alrvsales.com A Great Outdoor RV Center TX - Canton • agorv.com Affinity RV AZ - Dewey, Prescott, Prescott Valley affinityrv.com All Valley RV Center CA - Acton • allvalleyrvcenter.com Al’s Trailer Sales OR - Salem • alstrailers.com Alpin Haus NY - Amsterdam, Port Jervis, Saratoga alpinhaus.com

Camperland Trailer Sales TX - Conroe • camperland.net

Economy RVs MD - Mechanicsville • economyrvs.com

Campers Inn CT - Union; FL - Leesburg, Jacksonville NC - Kings Mountain, Mocksville, Raleigh NH - Kingston, Merrimack PA - Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, MA - Raynham; SC - Myrtle Beach VA - Fredericksburg; GA - Macon, Atlanta campersinn.com

Ellis Travel Trailers GA - Statesboro • ellistraveltrailers.com

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

Freedom RV WA - Liberty Lake • freedomrvusa.com

Charlie Obaugh RV VA - Staunton • charlieobaughrv.com

ET Quality RV CA - Two locations in Yuba City etqualityrv.com Floyd’s RV OK - Norman • floydsrvs.com

Funtime RV OR - Tualatin • funtimervinc.com

Clear Creek RV WA - Silverdale • clearcreekrvcenter.com

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

Coastal RV VA - Carrolton • coastalrv.com

Gibs RV Superstore OR - Coos Bay • gibsrvsuperstore.com

Colerain RV OH - Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus IN - Indianapolis, KY - Lexington colerainrv.com

Grandview Trailers Sales VA - Bedford • grandviewtrailersales.com

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

Conejo Wholesale Auto and RV CA - Thousand Oaks conejowholesaleauto.com

Hayden’s RVs VA - Richmond • haydensrvs.net

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

Country Camping Corner NC - Kings Mountain • countrycamping.com

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

Crossroads Trailers NJ - Newfield • crossroadstrailers.com

American Family RV VA - Chesapeake • 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

Chesaco RV MD - Joppa, Frederick, Gambrills PA - Shoemakersville • chesacorv.com

Braun’s Fun Time Campers IN - Indianapolis • funtimecampers.com

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

Browns RV SC - McBee • brownsrvsuperstore.com

Curtis Trailer Center MI - Schoolcraft • curtistrailercenter.com

Burlington RV Superstore WI - Sturtevant • burlingtonrv.com

Dunlap RV KY - Bowling Green • dunlaprvcenter.com

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 TRAILBLAZER

Gloucester RV Sales & Service VA - Gloucester • gloucesterrv.net

Indian Valley Camper Center PA - Souderton • ivccrv.com Halterman’s RV WA - Arlington • haltermansrv.com Haylett RV MI - Coldwater • haylettautoandrv.com Jeff’s Couch’s RV Nation OH - Hamilton • couchsrvnation.com Keystone RV Center PA - Greencastle • keystonervcenter.com Krenek RV Super Center MI - Coloma • krenekrv.com

Lakeside RV Sales SC - Anderson • lakesidervsales.com

RV City AZ - Huachuca City • rvcity.net

Vogt RV TX - Ft. Worth • vogtrv.com

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

RV General Store OK - Newcastle • rvgeneralstore.com

Waterdog RV OR - Dayton • waterdogrv.com

RV’s For Less TX - Bryan • rvsource.com

Welcome Back RV Outlet TX - Athens • welcomebackrv.com

RV Source TN - Knoxville • rvsforless.net

Western Travel Sales WA - Lynden • westerntravelsales.com

RVs Northwest WA - Spokane • rvsnorthwest.com

Wilder RV WA - Port Angeles • wilderrvs.com

Lux-Liner LLC CA - Acadia • lux-liner.com McKay’s RV & Marine Center ME - Holden • mckaysrv.com Media Camping PA - Media • mediacamping.com Mike Thompson RV Superstores CA - Cathedral City, Colton, Fountain Valley, Santa Fe Springs mikethompson.com Opelika RV Center AL - Opelika • opelikarv.com Open Road RV Center WA - Arlington, Monroe openroadrvcenter.com Out of Doors Mart NC - Colfax • outofdoorsmart.com Patterson RV TX - Wichita Falls • pattersonrv.com Paul Evert’s RV Country AZ - Bullhead City, Flagstaff CA - Fresno; NV - Laughlin OR - Coburg; WA - Fife, Milton, Mt. Vernon rvcountry.com Phillips RV Center MI - Mount Morris • phillipsrv.com PPL Motorhomes TX - Cleburne, Houston, New Braunfels pplmotorhomes.com Princesscraft RV TX - Round Rock • princesscraft.com R.B. Taylor & Sons VA - Lynchburg rbtaylorandsons.com Recreation Plantation RV Sales IL - Lynwood recreationplantationrvsales.com Roadhouse Camper & RV PA - Lake Ariel (Scranton) roadhousecamper.com

RV Value Mart PA - Lititz, Manheim • rvvaluemart.com Safford RV VA - Thornburg • saffordrv.com Sahara RV NV - Las Vegas • sahararv.com

CANADA Action VR QC - Saint-Nicolas • actionvr.ca

Scott Motor Coach NJ - Lakewood • scottmotorcoach.com See Grins RV CA - Gilroy, San Martin • seegrins.com

Véhicules Récréatifs JD QC - Sherbrooke • vrjdrv.ca VR Depot QC - Vaudreuil-Dorion • vrdepot.ca

Seguin RV TX - Seguin • seguinrv.com

VR Emond Plus QC - Sainte-Nicolas • vremondplus.com

Simi RV & Off Road CA - Simi Valley • simi-rv.com

VR Prestige QC - Terrebonne • vrprestige.com

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

VR Souliere QC - Lanoraie, Lavaltrie • vrsouliere.com GO VR QC - Ange Gardien • go-vr.com

Snyder’s RV VA - Virginia Beach • snydersrv.com Strickland Marine & RV SC - Seneca • stricklandmarineandrv.com

Horizon Lussier QC - Maryville • horizonlussier.com JCS Entreposage QC - Trois Rivières • entreposagejcs.com

Sunbelt RV Center TX - Belton • sunbeltrv.com

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

Sundown RV Center CA - Atwater • sundownrv.com Super Deals RV Inc. GA - Temple • superdealsrv.com TAC Trailer and RV NC - Moyock • tactrailerandrv.com The Trail Center SC - North Charleston • trailcenter.com Tonies RV VA - Salem • toniesrv.com Toscano RV CA - Los Banos • toscanorv.com

Roy Robinson RV WA - Marysville • royrobinsonrv.com

TravelTime RV TX - Sulphur Springs • traveltimerv.com

Russ Dean Family RV WA - Pasco • russdeanrv.com

Vancouver RV & Park Model Center WA - Vancouver • vancouverrv.com

Le Centre du Vr Victoriaville QC - Saint-Albert • vrvictoriaville.com Roulottes AS Levesque QC - Châteauguay, Saguenay, Sainte-Hélène, Trois-Rivières roulotte.ca Roulottes Remillard QC - Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu roulottesremillard.com

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 TRAILBLAZER

y l l a Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s R ! e m i T Calendar

CLUB 2017-2018

RVers seeking RVers? Rally clubs from coast to coast love

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

Bounders United (BUTTN)

Lewis and Clark TTN

TT Travelers Southern California

If you are interested in attending please contact wagonmaster Yvonne Codde at (209) 207-8184. BUTTN are members who own or have owned a Bounder motorhome and belong to the Bounders United and Thousand Trails NACO.

Apr. 16-20........................... Seaside, OR May 14-18..................Crescent Bar, WA Jun. 11-15..................... South Jetty, OR Jul. 16-20..........................Paradise, WA Aug. 13-17........................Chehalis, WA Roger Beausoleil: President Lewis and Clark TTN chapter of FMCA. Contact person, Roger Beausoleil (503) 390-4753 or rogerabeau@msn.com.

Nov. 6-8......................Palm Springs, CA Dec. 4-6.............. Wilderness Lakes, CA Jan. 8-10............................ Pio Pico, CA Feb. 5-7.............. Wilderness Lakes, CA Mar. 5-7................ Soledad Canyon, CA Apr. 9-11....................Palm Springs, CA We normally meet the first Mon, Tues, and Weds mornings of each month for coffee and those evenings for potluck and games. For more information, please contact our wagonmaster, Jim Brooks (805)320-2588 or email at willys46@sbcglobal.net.

TT SINGLES Central California Contact Jane Davis at (209) 986-1088 or email janedjd@pacbell.net or Judy Rogers at (775) 772-1872 or email fifthwheeler61@yahoo.com.

TTWest/FMCA Nov. 9-12........................ Ponderosa, CA Members of Thousand Trails and FMCA meet at Northern California Preserves bimonthly. Contact Manny Francis at (415) 606-7596 or email to mannyfrancis@live.com. Reservations are required two weeks in advance.

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

TT of Texas/FMCA Nov. 17-19...................Medina Lake, TX Jan. 5-7....................... Lake Conroe, TX Feb. 11-24..................Tropic Winds, TX Mar. 2-4...................Colorado River, TX May 4-6...................... Lake Texoma, TX Sept. 7-9.................... Lake Whitney, TX New members must be a member of TTN and FMCA. Contact Connie Farrar at (817) 454-4612 or email to ttnfmcachapter@gmail.com. Our website is: ttnoftexasfmca.com. We also have a blog site: ttfmcaralliesandmore.blogspot.com.

Rolling Thunder of Texoma We meet twice a year in the north Texas area. For more information call Dianna Huff at (405) 641-8226 or visit rollingthunderfmca.com.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 TRAILBLAZER

TTN So Cal Weekenders Feb. 2-4.............. Wilderness Lakes, CA Mar. 2-4......................Palm Springs, CA Apr. 6-8................ Soledad Canyon, CA May 4-6............. Oakzanita Springs, CA Jun. 1-3.............................. Pio Pico, CA Aug. 3-5 ............................ Idyllwild, CA We are a group of TTN members who meet once a month at Southern California preserves. All ages welcome; we have both working and retired members. No dues, just fellowship. Email: ttnweekenders@gmail.com

Answers – Crossword puzzle can be found on page 60.

Answers – Sudoku puzzle can be found on page 61.

Wilderness Lakes’ 23rd Annual Tour Monday, January 1,2018

Take a fabulous day trip to Pasadena for the 129th Annual Tournament of Roses Parade.

Our package includes: Continental Breakfast • Grandstand Seats Round-Trip Fare on a Deluxe Charter Bus

only

$140 per person

Make your reservations now! First come, first served (53 seats available) For more information, please call: (951) 679-0863

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 TRAILBLAZER

On Location

Rio Grande Valley

ESCAPE THE WINTER

Deep in the Heart OF Texas

ife in The Rio Grande Valley is easy and beautiful – the Texans who live here do it affordably and celebrate the beauty of South Padre Island, the excitement of so many species of wildlife, and the creativity and culture of its people every single day. The Rio Grande Valley is an outdoorsman’s paradise – hunting, fishing, birding – there is plenty for anyone down here in “The Valley”! The Rio Grande Valley is one of the most biodiverse regions in

North America which makes it one of the most desirable birding destinations in the world. The World Birding Center boasts nine different locations in The Valley, each with its own attractions – from educational birding tours to special holiday events. South Padre Island is flush with activities for adventurous and curious Texans and Winter Texans. Kayak and jet ski rentals are hard to miss here and if you look up to the sky, you may also see paragliders and hot air ballooners flying over the Island’s sandy beaches. Visitors of South Padre Island can also visit the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center and observe many

species of birds, butterflies, and other natural wildlife that live in coastal South Texas. The Rio Grande Valley isn’t just nature and water sports – in Downtown Harlingen, TX, visitors can take a walking (or driving) tour of the 20+ murals painted on the sides of buildings and inside local businesses. These murals depict the life and culture of the Rio Grande Valley and were created by local artists commissioned by the city of Harlingen. Spend your winter getaway in the Rio Grande Valley and there will be no shortage of culture, wildlife, and surprises along the way!

To book your next stay, visit RVontheGo.com

Savings can take you to amazing sights.

geico.com | 1-877-434-2678 | Local Office

Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. ÂŠ 2017 GEICO

WHEREVER YOU TRAVEL THIS SUMMER STAY SAFE AND SAVE WITH A SKYMED MEMBERSHIP SkyMed members simply call our toll-free number and speak to a caring SkyMed representative

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www.skymed.com/thousandtrails 800-679-2020

For all your travel needs... We are here for you.