TrailBlazer Magazine - September/October 2018 by TrailBlazer Magazine

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 â&#x2013; $2.00

MAGAZINE

13 Leisurely Drives For Lucky Leaf Peepers

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

YOU receive a $25 VisaÂ® Virtual Reward when your friend purchases a Thousand Trails Camping Pass! Your referral also enters YOU into our 2018 drawing for a chance to win these great prizes:

GRAND PRIZE

SECOND PRIZE

THIRD PRIZE

7-Night Cruise or Trip to Hawaii

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

Free Dues for 2019 10 Winners Selected

($4,000 value)

(Up to $575 value)

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

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 TRAILBLAZER

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 VOL. 44 ■ ISSUE 7

WHAT'S INSIDE

30 13 LEISURELY DRIVES FOR LUCKY LEAF PEEPERS Photo courtesy of ExploreAsheville.com

regulars Pics From The Parks

Member Deals 52 Crossword Puzzle 60 Sudoku Puzzle 61 Preferred RV Dealer List 62

tips & topics Tech Topics

Ask RV Bill 10 Photo courtesy of Space Camp®

Tips & Tricks – Make Your 12 Very Own Haunted RV

Live and Learn On the Go Learn Something New While Traveling!

4 Paws on the Road 14

lifestyle 5

Message from Marguerite

24 On The Road – with Kwame Alexander 29 Homemade Halloween Candy Recipe 50 Who’s in the Kitchen with TrailBlazer? 66 On Location – Colorful Cottages at Tropical Palms

calendars 16 On-Site Events 20 Local Events 64 Club Calendar

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 TRAILBLAZER

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MESSAGE from

MARGUERITE

I kicked off the summer with a message to embrace the outdoors, enjoy the lifestyle we offer, and take in areas of the country you have yet to explore. And, more importantly don’t forget to share all the good times with our #100DaysofCamping promotion. Based on the number of images and stories shared throughout the summer, I am confident that many of you took this advice and made the most of your summer vacation. I was pleased to see more members taking advantage of other resorts and campgrounds throughout our portfolio with the addition of The Trails Collection. This new product has gained popularity with our members, providing access to a network of over 100 camping destinations throughout the country for an additional annual cost. It was great to see more families exploring popular summer vacation destinations including Bar Harbor, Lake George, and Wisconsin. We are pleased to be able to provide more options for our members to travel throughout the country. I recently read a post from a couple who completed their bucket list by visiting 48 states in their RV. They went on to say this could not have been possible without Thousand Trails. Many others chimed in stating the same, while others commented on their plans to one day be able to accomplish the same adventure. Being able to provide so many opportunities for customers to travel and see the country, is key and the addition of The Trails Collection allows us to do just that.

As the season changes and we prepare for the beauty of fall, our feature 13 Leisurely Drives for Lucky Leaf Peepers will surely encourage you to grab a warm beverage, embrace the crisp air, and snap some photos of the beautiful color show. While we love celebrating the #100DaysofCamping throughout the summer, there’s certainly something to be said about embracing each season and finding a way to live the lifestyle no matter the time of year. As Thousand Trails prepares to celebrate our 50 Year anniversary next year, we are looking for stories, photos, and videos from our members. Please continue to share them with us on the Thousand Trails Facebook page. You’re all a part of the Thousand Trails story, and some of you have been with us for this entire journey! We are looking forward to sharing more with you as we make plans to celebrate in 2019. For now, enjoy fall camping with the family.

Marguerite Nader President & CEO

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 TRAILBLAZER

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

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

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EACH Issue!

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

Winners will receive a $50 American Express® Prepaid Gift Card. Each issue we will select ONE “winning” photo from the submissions received (all submissions must be received by midnight on the last day of the month). The winning photo will be posted on the TrailBlazer website as well as in the magazine. Photo submissions should include a brief description, including location of your photo, your name, city and state and sent to:

TrailBlazer_photos@equitylifestyle.com or mail to: TrailBlazer Magazine Attn: TrailBlazer Editor Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 800 Chicago, IL 60606 Emailed photos should be high resolution. Photos are not returnable and become the property of TrailBlazer Magazine and may be used for publication on company websites and promotional purposes. One winner will be selected EACH month from submissions received. The winner will be announced in a future TrailBlazer issue and online at trailblazermagazine.net.

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ON THE COVER

Blue Ridge Parkway Photo by Rob Travis, courtesy of ExploreAsheville.com

▲ San Benito (CA): Bingo! – Josh Jessup

PICS FROM THE PARKS

WINN

ER!

▲

Hershey RV & Camping Resort (PA): Our son Nicholas Livelli playing at the park at Hershey RV & Camping Resort in Lebanon, PA. – Kevin and Susan Livelli

▲ Medina Lake (TX): Evening at Medina Lake. – Rick Priest

▲ Bend – Sunriver (OR): View kayaking down the Little Deschutes River. – Patty OConnor SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 TRAILBLAZER

LUCKY WINNER?

WANT TO BE A

WINNER? LUCKY

Lucky winners,

Larry and Sue Gann from Wildwood, FL

were camping at Three Flags RV Campground when they were presented with a $1,000 gift card! Sue and Larry Gann

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 2018 dues on time and camp at your favorite Thousand Trails Campground. When you pay your annual dues for 2018 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 2018. In addition, once you pay your dues in full, each time you camp at a Thousand Trails campground in 2018, you will receive an additional entry into the drawing. The drawings are limited to persons who are of legal age. The drawings will be held at our corporate office on the 10th day after the end of each month. Winners will be notified by mail, phone or in person if camping at a Thousand Trails campground. The odds of winning will depend on the number of entries, but are not expected to exceed 1:100,000. Winners are responsible for federal and state taxes on the award. You may also enter the drawings by printing your name, address, day and evening phone numbers, and email address on a 3” x 5” piece of paper and mailing it to the Sponsor in addressed, stamped envelope. You are limited to one mail-in entry which must be postmarked by December 15, 2018. This promotion is sponsored by MHC Thousand Trails Limited Partnership, Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60606.

TOP CS

Tips and Topics

TECH

RVing is a great adventure and there’s always something new to learn! by Paul and Kerri Elders This month, let’s take a quick look at some useful tips to help your RV’s air conditioner keep you cool, season after season. We’ll also explore the phenomenon of “brake fade” and give you some surprising hints for making the best use of your rig’s cruise control. Ready? Let’s get going!

KEEPING YOUR AIR CONDITIONER OPERATING EFFICIENTLY: Your RV’s rooftop air conditioner will operate better if you remember to perform just one very simple maintenance procedure: keep the return air filter clean. This is a great thing to do at the end of the summertime season, and it’s extremely easy, even for people who aren’t typically “do-it-yourselfers.” RV rooftop air conditioners normally have a small return air filter located at the base of the unit, inside the RV. You can usually see it just by standing under your rooftop air conditioner and looking straight up. It’s generally a rectangular, black, foam-like filter that’s easily removed by gently opening the grille covering the filter. Sometimes, these grilles are simply attached to the air conditioning unit via Velcro strips. Occasionally, you’ll have to remove a screw or two in order to be able to snap off the cover; check your Owners Manual for details for your specific model. Cleaning the filter is a snap; just turn off the air conditioning unit, remove the filter, and wash it gently with warm, soapy water. Rinse the filter thoroughly with fresh clear water, shake gently, and then let it air dry. Once dry, replace the clean filter in the grille and re-attach the cover. It’s a good idea to gently wipe the grille with a soft dry cloth before reinstalling the filter.

Use your best judgment when determining when to clean the return air filter; you may want to do it several times during a travel season. Dusty conditions, animal hair, cooking residue, and smoking all contribute to dirty return air filters. Check filters often, and clean as necessary. And remember: NEVER run an air conditioner without the return air filter in place – it serves an important purpose, protecting the air conditioner’s evaporator coil from dust and dirt.

TOWING AND BRAKING WHEN TOWING A “TOAD”: Motorhome drivers sometimes forget that whenever you have a car in tow (commonly called a “toad”), you also have its added weight tagging along behind you. This means that acceleration will require a little more time and distance, and so will braking. Always make allowances for extra stopping distance, and, especially when traveling in hilly terrain, be on the lookout for the phenomenon known as “brake fade.” “Brake fade” happens when brake pads, rotors, shoes, and drums overheat and occurs when the towing vehicle’s brakes are used excessively. Once these brake parts become overheated and glazed, friction between these mechanisms is greatly reduced, and braking ability can be partially lost. Although the brake pedal may feel firm and respond normally, little or no reduction in the vehicle’s speed occurs: this can be a frightening situation! Awareness is your best friend. The easiest way to prevent brake fade is to be aware of braking “feel” and moderate your use of the motorhome’s brakes. Supplement your braking by downshifting on grades and consider acquiring an engine braking system (i.e. a retarder such as Jake Brake or Pac-Brake), and/or a secondary braking system for the vehicle in tow.

CRUISE CONTROL TIPS: There’s no disputing that cruise control is a handy feature for travelers whiling away the miles on those long trips down lonesome highways. But cruise control offers some additional benefits: some researchers have found that using the cruise control properly can improve gas mileage by as much as 14%. Sound insignificant? Not if you think of it as a 14% discount on your fuel bill. It’s best to use the cruise control when traveling through relatively flat terrain. Using the cruise control in mountainous areas can actually cost you MPGs as the engine revs to go uphill and then slows to control your speed while going downhill. It’s also smart to set the cruise at the highway’s posted speed limit. Just set the cruise, stay in the slow lane, enjoy your trip, and let the stressed-out speeders just pass you by. Never forget that the largest measure of the joy of life is found within the journey itself! Here’s a quick piece of cruise control advice: the next time you’re tooling down the highway with your cruise control on and it starts to rain heavily, remember to turn the cruise control off. Why? Because if you leave the cruise control on during a heavy rain and your vehicle hydroplanes, the cruise control can actually accelerate drive axles to a higher rate of speed. Then, when your tires again contact the pavement, your vehicle can take off like a shot. Even the best drivers can easily lose control. Save the cruise control for drier conditions, because in heavy rain and icy conditions, it’s best for the driver to have full control of both speed and braking. Happy trails! ¾

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 TRAILBLAZER

Tips and Topics

ASK

RVBILL

YOUR TECH QUESTIONS ANSWERED!

Singing Faucets

Hi Bill,

We have a 2008 C Class Winnebago Outlook that we enjoy very much. In the last few months it seems that when we turn on the hot water faucet in the kitchen or bathroom sink it starts to sing, not at the faucet, but at the area where the hot water heater is located. We have investigated about replacing the hot water heater, but it is very pricey. What do you think it may be and is it repairable or do we have to replace it? Thanks, Diane & Haskell

Hey RV Bill!

I hope y’all are doing ok and wondering if you have time to give me some advice for a contractor neighbor who I am giving a hand removing a slide out from a fifth wheel. The main question is, does the slide need to come out level after being prepped for removal, or, can it be tilted back and slid down on some type of ramps? The slider is not going to be reinstalled and I’m not worried about any damage. A new addon structure will be built and the windows will be removed first. Let me know if you have any advice. –Anonymous

Diane & Haskell,

Most manufacturers install a check valve, or backflow preventer, in the water heater to prevent water from backing into the water heater during the winterization process. The check valves are springloaded and will vibrate when water flows thru them which sounds like the singing sound you hear. Replace them with a highquality brass backflow preventer like the Camco model 23303, ½" X ½". Remove your existing device and note the direction of water flow and thread combination when purchasing a new part. The check valve can be left out, if necessary, if a new valve is not readily available.

Slide Out Questions

Removing slide-outs from fifth wheels can be very complicated and difficult. Do not use the ramp idea, as the slide outs are very heavy and bulky. Safety should always be the first concern. Depending on the size of the slide-out room, most likely you will need one or two forklifts to remove it from the opening because of the weight. When you do remove the slide-out, make sure it stays as level as possible. Part of the room could hang up on the sidewalls of the fifth wheel, which in turn could cause major damage to the structural part of the opening. Perhaps you can dismantle most of the entire slide-out room inside the trailer to simplify matters altogether.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 TRAILBLAZER

Tire Failures

Bill,

I’ve been reading your articles on tires in TrailBlazer magazine but my problem seems a little different. I have a 31ft Carriage by Cameo 2008 with three slides. I have owned the trailer since 2010. So far, I have had about 6 flats. The funny thing is, it is always the same tire. This is a double axle and the flat is always on the right rear (when looking from the rear of the trailer). This is the opposite side of the kitchen slide-out as this side only has the table and chair. Someone told me to have the axles flipped but seeing as it’s always the same tire, I don’t want to spend a bunch of money when there might be a different answer. Thanks for any advice. –Anonymous

There has to be a logical reason why the same tire continues to fail. You did not mention if you know what is causing the tires to go flat such as objects in the road, tread separation or sidewall failure. I suggest that you have the truck and trailer weighed. Weigh each individual tire to eliminate the possible overloading of the tire that keeps failing. I do not think flipping the axles or (setting the springs on top of the axle) will cure your tire failure problem assuming that the trailer sits level when towing

Tips and Topics

and not several inches higher in the front, which can overload the rear axle as well as the brakes. If you’re able to attend an RV rally, sometimes there are individuals who attend that bring along special weighing systems for educational use. Some of these systems feature individual scales under all of the truck and trailer tires at the same time that provides a reading to compare to recommended weight limits.

A/C Troubles

Bill,

Last week we took two weeks in SC and the heat was so intense we encountered two problems. With continual AC set to 70, we could not cool the inside below 80 to 90 in the hot afternoon. We had no shade in our spot. Also the fridge went to 60, which meant it was above temps and we lost all food in fridge. Freezer did fine. We inspected the vents and even placed a tarp over with good airflow to try and minimize the blistering heat. Our fifth wheel is a 2017 and this was our first attempt heading south in the summer. We left early. Any suggestions? I do believe the vents are in place if we decide to add a second AC. Or, should we consider increasing BTU to the existing unit? Nancy Bitter Martinsburg WV

Nancy,

Without knowing the ambient temperature when you were in South Carolina it will be difficult for me to answer the question correctly. As far as the air conditioner, RV type air conditioners, depending on the size, will only drop the outside ambient temperature roughly 25° at the return air section of the ceiling assembly. Depending on what make and model airconditioner you have, high humidity can affect the operation of most air conditioners. Not knowing how old your air conditioner is, it may be overdue for servicing depending on the amount of use. RV air conditioners should be serviced every year or two. Check your owner’s manual for the correct method when cleaning the evaporator and condenser. You could add a second air-conditioner in the bedroom. If the opening is not pre-wired, it could get very expensive and difficult to run wires through the ceiling. The other drawback to consider is that you will need 50-amp service to run both air conditioners. Should you decide to replace the air conditioner, check out the Dometic Blizzard model, 15,000 BTU. This would be the best choice at this point as it is one of the most efficient and powerful air conditioners on the market.

The rise in temperature inside your refrigerator is a bit more concerning as the overheating of the cooling unit can result in permanent damage. My best guess is that your model refrigerator does not have cooling fans mounted on the back of the cooling unit section of the refrigerator which in turn, allows the temperature to rise excessively high on the boiler section and the low temperature evaporator. There are aftermarket cooling fans that can and should be added for longevity of the refrigerator. In one of my previous Ask RV Bill columns, I mentioned the ARP RV fridge control designed (see ARPRV.com) to monitor the boiler temperature and shut the refrigerator down until the boiler temperature comes back to normal. Choose the model that has an optional fan kit to extend the life of any absorption type refrigerator and help with the cooling process during hot weather.

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

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 TRAILBLAZER

Tips and Topics

Throughout the fall, save and store your empty toilet paper rolls. When Halloween comes around, cut eye-shaped holes into them, stick a glow stick inside, and prepare to scare your family and friends around your home or RV!

Instead of buying fake spider webs from the store, use a trash bag or plastic table cover by folding it over, as you would a paper snowflake, and cut out a spider web for a spooktacular decoration!

Tips

Tricks

MAKE YOUR VERY OWN HAUNTED RV! Get into the spooky season by turning your RV into a haunted house using these easy tips! By Ethan Seavey

If you’re feeling even more artistic, take a stab at carving an RV-themed Jack O’Lantern! Use your own RV as inspiration by making a stencil first. You can do that by printing an image of your RV and laying it over the pumpkin. Once you’ve carved your pumpkin, cut shallow holes at the base to place tiny pumpkins or golf balls underneath to resemble wheels! 12

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 TRAILBLAZER

Glue some plastic spiders to a large black bobby pin to have creepy spiders to clip anywhere, from the curtains in your windowsills to the top of a high counter or the back of the fridge!

Tips and Topics

This tip is simple but provides endless possibilities. Drape string from one side of the interior of your RV to the other with hanging paper cutouts. You can also do this on the outside of your (parked!) RV to display signs like, “Happy Halloween!” or show off some cool spooky cutouts you designed. String some lights above the sign to really give your display a pop!

Use some wire to suspend a battery-powered flickering candle from the ceiling of your RV. It’ll look like there are candles floating around and will surely spook a trick-or-treater or two!

Cut silhouette figures of spiders, ghosts, witches, and pumpkins out of paper and tape them to your windows. If you place a flickering light on the windowsill below, it’ll give a fun spooky effect at night.

Create bloody handprints by putting non-toxic washable paint on the palm of your hand and smearing it on your windowsill or door. Remember to check the paint label and make sure it says “washable!” SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 TRAILBLAZER

Tips and Topics

paws ROAD

by Jen Swope-Gehr

ON THE

Traveling and Camping with Companion Animals

about the situation at hand and asking questions to make the best decision with a new, four-legged family member! Nine years ago I told my husband, Bill, that if he didn’t let me get a dog, I would start training him! Fortunately, he knew I wasn’t kidding and the discussions began. Here are some helpful thoughts that we processed through in hopes they might also be of value to you. • Is coat or fur of any importance? • Consider regular grooming needs and the amount the dog sheds • Is it an RV sized animal? Where can you place dog beds/bowls crates in a small space that still considers others that reside there too? • Pet insurance My husband and I used to travel quite a bit but our lifestyle is quickly changing as we have had some family issues that are keeping us from going home more than spending time out on the road. We’re thinking that it’s time to consider getting an animal for the first time in a long while – 11 years to be exact! We reflected back on meeting you years ago at the campground in Sunriver, OR, and your sheer joy for your pets and helping others is contagious. What were the specific choices and questions asked that helped you decide on what dog breed to acquire into your living situation prior to purchase? We think that getting a dog will definitely help us be committed to a more healthy lifestyle and infuse a bit of newness/fun into this new routine we now find ourselves in. We still wish to travel a few times a year so RV friendly is a must. Thanks, Doug and Katie Jones Newport, OR Doug & Katie, I so appreciate you writing in and sharing this current situation with myself and readers! If there’s one thing for certain, it’s the fact that life is always in flux. I applaud your commitment to carefully thinking

• Finding a vet on the road or in your hometown that is AAHA Certified • Dog food storage • Low bark/friendly breed • Imagine having the dog at all hours of the day and night for the next several weeks in a row. Factor this in when planning your time away from your RV/home and how this addition will affect you. Recognizing that several of these topics have so much to do with how I train the dog was also of great consideration. A commitment to learning ahead of time helped me be more aware as a dog owner. If this four-legged creature is going to be in my care, I need to make sure that I take responsibility for having a trustworthy, kind, and considerate member of my family to introduce to the public. Since the dog was my idea in the first place, I also wanted to keep my spouse happy with the choice for the long run! Certainly adding a second dog brought about a whole new set of questions. All in all, the dogs keep us active and laughing. I hope that you find the perfect companion to add to your family and that you continue to travel while making the most of every single day.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 TRAILBLAZER

Hello, I’m in a tough spot. I have a 14-year-old Black Labrador retriever, Kiss, that has cancer in her nose and the vet has given her a 6 to 12 month window of life. Of course, we don’t want her to suffer. My husband and I are not sure when the right time is to put her down. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you so much. Alana and Joel S. Sabers Family, I am extending my deepest condolences for your situation regarding your beloved Labrador, Kiss. What a precious name she has and I’m sure that just touches on the amazing role she plays in your family. There is no easy way to guide you through this decision and the choice must be what is best for you. Certainly, your vet knows you well and you can rely on their guidance. In the meantime, keep counting every day as a blessing and consider getting some special pictures done as a memorable family portrait even though it captures a difficult time. The most beautiful of memories help us through the hardest of times. ¾

Email Jen your questions and share your pics to TBPets@equitylifestyle.com

WE’RE TURNING 50 IN 2019!

If you’ve got a great story about camping at Thousand Trails, send it to us! Send stories and pictures to tbeditor@equitylifestyle.com or connect with us on social media. To send us a letter, mail to: TrailBlazer Magazine Attn: TrailBlazer Editor Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60606

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 TRAILBLAZER

ACTIVITIES

AND

Activities and Events – On-Site

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER events From fun up, to fun down, there is so much to do at Thousand Trails campgrounds. TrailBlazer Magazine has rounded up some of the best events happening this fall at Thousand Trails campgrounds across the country.

Chili Cook-Offs & More!

Get Together for a Potluck with Thousand Trails! There’s nothing better than getting together with your friends and family around a table filled with dishes you’ve all made to enjoy together! Potlucks are a Thousand Trails’ favorite activity. Make some new friends and enjoy a tasty dish made by your fellow campers! SEPTEMBER: Mystery Shop is a virtual game of Clue! Come up to Pine Country (IL) the weekend of September 14-16 for the Who Done It Murder Mystery and Potluck and show us your inner sleuth! Potluck dinner with the cast and friends. Bring a friend or two to enjoy a campfire and a potluck dinner at Gateway to Cape Cod (MA) on September 15! Time to have some fun during a Chowder Potluck weekend at Moody Beach (ME), the weekend of September 14-16. Come see how many different types we can bring down for a tasting and contest! Bring your favorite hot or cold soup to share with the folks at Sturbridge (MA) the weekend of September 28. OCTOBER: The weekend of October 5-7 will be an order of good cheer as we celebrate the Canadian Thanksgiving at La Conner (WA). Join us for a great turkey dinner. We will provide the turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and gravy – you potluck the rest! Dinner will be served at 3 p.m. Join in at Harbor View (VA) on October 20 for a family potluck dinner. Always lots of good food. Sign up at the office to bring a dish to share and your favorite beverage. Join us at St. Clair (MI) October 26-28 for a culture celebration of the taste buds as we dine at our first-ever International Potluck! This is a chance to celebrate your heritage with friends as you share a dish of your own nationality!

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 TRAILBLAZER

Do you think you’ve the best chili recipe? Or maybe you’re better at the tasting and judging part of the competition? Whatever your forte, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy a good ol’ fashioned chili cook-off! Check ‘em out this fall at Thousand Trails. Bring a pot of your best chili recipe for a Chilli Cook-Off at Bay Landing (TX), the weekend of September 28-30. Members will judge and great prizes will be awarded! Rustle up your best chili and cornbread and we will see you at the Green Mountain (NC) Wild West Chili Cook Off & Corral to name the winner. Root beer floats, horseshoes, seed spitting contests, and line dancing are all part of the rootin’ tootin’ fun-filled weekend we have planned September 14-16! Don’t be chilled to the bone, bring your favorite pot of chili for a Chili Potluck Social at Lake Minden (CA) the weekend of October 19-21. On Saturday, we’ll do Halloween crafts with the kids and Halloween Candy Bar Bingo for everyone. Come enjoy the chili and sign up to be a judge for the Terlingua Chili Cook-Off at Lake Whitney (TX) on October 13!

All events, times and dates are subject to change.

Join us at Thousand Trails campgrounds across the country to celebrate Halloween! Whether you dress up as your favorite scary character or enter a spooky site decorating contest, Halloween at Thousand Trails is always fun for everyone! Be afraid, be very afraid and join us at Lake & Shore (NJ) for two frightening weekends – October 12-14 and October 19-21! If you survive our famous haunted hayride, make sure you attend the “Monster Mash” for a ghoulish good time! The weekend of October 12-14 is sure to be a scare at Wilmington (OH). Trick-or-treating through the campground, costume contests, and spooktacular fun. Paint your own pumpkin, trick-or-treat, and enjoy punch and cupcakes at Rancho Oso (CA) on October 27 for a Halloween Fun Party! Join us at Orlando (FL) for a spooky weekend of scares, screams, and terror the weekend of October 27-29. We will have cookie decorating for the kids on Saturday afternoon! Sunday and Monday come through our Haunted Forest if you dare! Join us at Bend-Sunriver (OR) on October 27 for the 4th Annual Halloween Carnival for local schools. Food, games, raffle prizes, pumpkin patch, a hauntingly fun haunted house and more!

Activities and Events – On-Site

Boo! Celebrate Halloween at Thousand Trails!

Autumn Markets Out with the old and in with the new! Fall is a great time to declutter or find new treasures to give your RV or campsite some charm. Take advantage of these yard sale opportunities at Thousand Trails campgrounds this fall! Now is the time to go through your summer items to downsize for the winter. We will be having a campground-wide site sale at Lake Conroe (TX) on September 8. Come and take advantage of this opportunity to either unload some items or possibly find some treasures when you stay at Timothy Lake N & S (PA) during Yard Sale Weekend, September 7-9. Take part in our Second Annual Flea Market and Vendor Show at PA Dutch Country (PA) the weekend of September 14-16! Bring your unused items to sell and proceeds from the table rentals will be donated to a local charity. At Morgan Hill (CA) enjoy tennis, mini-golf, or volleyball and then venture into town for the Annual Taste of Morgan Hill Craft Show & Auto show for a family fun weekend September 21-23. Let’s bring out those items that we might not want or need and enjoy a good old flea market day at Medina Lake (TX) on October 21.

Spooky Site Decorating Contests Show off our best site decorating skills at these Halloween-themed site decorating contests at Thousand Trails’ campgrounds across the country! Decorate your RV or tent for the Halloween RV/Tent Contest at Russian River (CA) on October 27. Prizes will be awarded for best decorations. Come to the North Clubhouse at Whalers Rest (OR) on October 27 for this spooky Bingo event! We will be judging all the decorated sites at noon to decide a winner of the Best Decorated Site Contest. Come enjoy the perfect weather at Las Vegas (NV)! Decorate your RV for Halloween and the Best Decorated RV Contest on October 31 and win some terrific prizes! Be wary of ghosts and goblins lurking at Chesapeake Bay (VA) the weekend of October 19-21. Decorate your rigs and sites to enter in the contest and hop on the haunted hay wagon to enjoy all the scary sites. Decorate your golf carts for the Scary Golf Cart Parade. Put together your best Halloween costume as we have costume contests for all age groups, including adults. Some events may require a participation fee.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 TRAILBLAZER

Activities and Events – On-Site

Foods of Fall - Apples & Pumpkins Galore!

Fall Is Here! The leaves are turning and there is a crispness in the air! Apples are ripe for picking and your fellow campers at Thousand Trails are ready to celebrate the new season with you. Celebrate with the folks at Grandy Creek (WA) and enjoy the beauty of fall with colorful fall crafts the weekend of September 21-23. Also bring your favorite pajamas for a cozy indoor family movie with hot chocolate. Join us at Lake Conroe (TX) on September 23 as we take a walk around our beautiful campground. Later on we can relax by singing and dancing to a DJ for our Fall Celebration! If you missed our National Trails weekend at Moody Beach (ME), then you’re in luck! We are doing it again the weekend of September 28-30 but this time the view will be much more colorful! Hike up Mt. Agamenticus with Rick and enjoy a van ride to the mountain, an hour long hike and lunch will be served upon your return. Fall is officially here at Circle M (PA)! We’ll be enjoying a potluck picnic, backyard-style games and more for a Fall Fest Weekend, September 28-30. The colors are at their PEAK the week of October 13-14 at Rondout Valley (NY). Mother Nature has once again given us a gift. Take walks on our groomed trails and get back to nature. Apple picking is still in full swing, so run to our local orchards and pick the best apples!

Oktoberfest Oktoberfest is a German tradition that celebrates beer and fun! Many Thousand Trails campers celebrate Oktoberfest with family-friendly activities featuring German-style foods, drinks, and fun! Join us Rondout Valley (NY) for Oktoberfest Weekend, September 29- 30! There will be wonderful German food and events. We supply the bratwurst, knockwurst, hot dogs, and you bring your best German dish to complete the meal and share with family and friends. Pumpkin Spice everything at Verde Valley (AZ) the weekend of October 6-7 for our Oktoberfest events! Have some pumpkin donuts, cookies, and flavor your coffee at the Main Lodge. Fall is a beautiful time of year to be at Oakzanita Springs (CA) and watch the leaves change color. On October 7, we have our Oktoberfest celebration and beer tasting. Dine under the stars with the folks at Pio Pico (CA), October 12-14, for our Bavarian-themed Fall Festival with brats, beer, dancing to a live DJ, games, and an Alpine photo booth. The Trails Café at Chesapeake Bay (VA) will serve a Bavarian-themed menu October 12-14 for Oktoberfest! Complete with brats, sauerkraut, and potato cakes with applesauce, baked apples, and more. Learn to do the Polka, plus games for all ages. Come enjoy tasting free German beer and root beer for the kids at Williamsburg (VA) on October 13! Bratwurst dinner and pretzels available for purchase. Contest with prizes held before the beer tasting. 18

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 TRAILBLAZER

What’s even better than seeing the colors of the season change before your eyes? The tastes of fall – like crunchy apples picked from the orchards and sweet pumpkin pie baked fresh from the oven! Enjoy these fall foods events at Thousand Trails’ campgrounds this season. The Trails Café at Chesapeake Bay (VA) is serving up homemade Brunswick stew the weekend of September 7-9. Also this weekend, learn how to make apple strudel in Sandy’s cooking class. September 22-23 is Apple Picking Weekend at Rondout Valley (NY)! Take a tour of our local orchards (a list with directions is available in the store.) Pie baking and pie eating contests along with a pie social. Apple bobbing and apple races for our Thousand Trails kids and the young at heart. We will be dipping apples in caramel and kids will do apple arts and crafts at Lake Minden (CA) the weekend of September 21-23. Experience the thunder on the water as the hydroplanes race on Lake Minden. We’ll also have a craft fair. Swim beaches will be closed during the boat races. Come enjoy treats, games, and carve a pumpkin at Whalers Rest (OR) on October 20 for a pumpkin party! Come join us for a good pumpkin time at Lake Conroe (TX) on October 20! We will be doing pumpkin painting and bring your pumpkin inspired treats to share and eat. Join us for a pumpkin pie eating contest and let’s see who the real champ is at Rondout Valley (NY) the weekend of October 27-28! Events and crafts that highlight pumpkins will be the mood of the weekend and remember to bring your favorite pumpkin recipe to share.

All events, times and dates are subject to change.

Grandparents Weekend

Friendly Competitions Continue This Fall

National Grandparents Day is Sunday, September 9, 2018. Show your grandparents how much you love and appreciate them while you have lots of fun at Thousand Trails campgrounds!

All skill levels are welcome to compete in friendly competitions taking place this fall at Thousand Trails campgrounds. Whether you’re a competitor or a spectator, we love to see our campers cheering each other on at Thousand Trails!

Celebrate Grandparents Day with some ‘50s and ‘60s tunes at Grandy Creek (WA). Learn the moves for the twist, mashed potato and the watusi and enjoy making a special gift for your grandparents. Join us at Forest Lake (NC) for a movie on the lawn and popcorn on Friday night. Honor your grandparents by making them a craft, then spend the day enjoying fun activities. Celebrate Grandparents Day on September 8 with the folks at Lake Whitney (TX). Kids – dress up like your grandparents on Saturday and have a contest to see who looks like grandma or grandpa. Make a special gift for them. Treat your grandparents to a delicious country breakfast, light lunch, or some ‘like your grandma’s” Southern home cooking dinner. We will celebrate our grandparents at Medina Lake (TX) on September 8 with a free bowl of ice cream during Ice Cream Social! Bring your grandkids or a picture and show them off. Join us at Green Mountain (NC) for tales of days gone by and celebrate our Grandparents and long time members throughout the weekend.

Join us at Seaside (OR) for our Pickleball Tournament, September 12-16! This USAPA scheduled event has become a great tradition! All skill levels are welcome. Enjoy a BBQ with the athletes. Karaoke and rackets of fun! Enjoy the last Poker Run of the year at Kenisee Lake (OH) the weekend of September 21-23! Then join us after the Potluck for a Kenisee Lake Trivia Challenge. Who can hit the ball the least amount of times? Prizes to be awarded during the Mini-Golf Tournament at Harbor View (VA) on September 29! It is time for our annual horseshoe challenge at Green Mountain (NC), September 28-30, to see who reigns in horseshoes. And there is a chill in the air! Get out your best flannel wear and show it off. Join us at Lake Texoma (TX) on October 13 for Adult’s Only Bingo Night and Social! We will have finger foods, snacks, and beverages!

Carving & Decorating Pumpkins for Fall Whether you’re prepping decorations for Halloween or enjoying the craft of pumpkin carving, there are plenty of opportunities at Thousand Trails campgrounds to take part in pumpkin activities. Pumpkin crafts and activities fill the weekend, October 19-21, at Green Mountain (NC). Join us at the pumpkin carving contest. Bring your favorite pumpkin desserts for a covered dish. Bring your pumpkin to the Activity Center at Colorado River (TX) on October 20 and get ready to be creative! Pumpkin Palooza Weekend at Circle M (PA) is October 26-28! We’ll start the morning off with a Halloween parade and pumpkin carving and then trick-or-treating throughout Circle M through the campground. The fun will continue at a Halloween dance on Saturday night. Don’t forget to pack your Halloween costumes and pumpkin carving materials for Medina Lake (TX)! We’ll have pumpkin carving, apple bobbing, piñatas, a costume contest, trick-or-treating, haunted house, mini carnival, and Halloween inspired food at our cafe on October 27. Join us on the back deck of Lodge at Turtle Beach Fish Camp (CA) to carve pumpkins on October 27. We’ll provide a yummy preview of the season’s best Halloween candy! Peruse our “pumpkin patch” at San Benito (CA) and pick out the perfect pumpkin for carving on October 28. Some events may require a participation fee.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 TRAILBLAZER

Activities and Events – On-Site

▲ Harbor View (VA)

LOCAL

Activities and Events – Local

CALENDAR events

While you stay at Thousand Trails, why not explore the region around you? Check out some of the local events happening near Thousand Trails’ campgrounds this fall! MORGAN HILL (CA)

Oct 6-7

Oct 6

Sept 1-3

HARVEST FAIRE & STEAM FESTIVAL

OKTOBERFEST @ GRANADA HILLS STREET FAIRE

Step into the incredible world of steam power at the Harvest Faire & Steam Festival presented by Kinetic Steam Works and Roaring Camp Railroads. Harvest and steam themed activities include ‘Make & Take’ Scarecrows, Blacksmith and Print Shop demonstrations, gold panning, candle making, and much more

Come sample a variety of delicious craft beers and wines. This festival will have entertainment and amazing food vendors. Support the Granada Hills Rotary Foundation, 501C3. Check website for ticket information.

roaringcamp.com

COMFORT LA MUSIC FESTIVAL

LABOR DAY WEEKEND BBQ BBQ Ribs, Hot dogs, curry and more at your favorite family amusement park, Gilroy Gardens in Gilroy, CA. gilroygardens.org

Sept 15 OK GO KID’S FUN RUN & OBSTACLE COURSE OK GO! is a fun run/obstacle course for kids ages 3-10 and their parents, designed to present obstacles ahead and encourage them to “go for it”! Kids will run, climb, duck, jump – all in the name of fun while packing up confident self-esteem to last a lifetime. In Community Park, Morgan Hill, CA. okgorun.com

Sept 29 29th ANNUAL TASTE OF MORGAN HILL & CAR SHOW Arts & crafts, beer and wine garden, gourmet food booths, live entertainment; kids section with rides, games, and so much more! morganhill.org/taste-of-morgan-hill

Sept 29-30 CAPITOLA BEACH FESTIVAL

THOMAS & PERCY’S HALLOWEEN PARTY™ Dress up for Halloween with favorites Thomas™ and Percy™, for a 20 minute train ride, entertainment, and fun-filled activities for the entire family. Activities include: temporary tattoos, face painting, story telling, videos, train play tables, pick-apumpkin (small pumpkins for little ones), Cookie decorating, photos with Sir Topham Hatt, Thomas™ gift store and entertainment. See website for ticket pricing. Roaringcamp.com

SOLEDAD CANYON (CA)

Every Monday until Nov 19

Capitola’s 1st Annual Beach Festival with something for everyone to enjoy! The community event will include a 5k Fun Run, horseshoe tournament, lighted nautical parade, fishing derby, sand sculpture contest, chalk art event, row boat races, and more!

MONDAY BITEZ IN LANCASTER

capitolabeachfestival.com

TASTY TUESDAYS IN SYLMAR

Sept 15-Oct 21 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL 15th Annual Renaissance Festival featuring live entertainment, crafts, food, games and activities, theme weekends and more! Located at the Casa de Fruita in Hollister, CA. See website for ticketing information. norcalrenfaire.com 20

Oct 13-14, 20-21, 27-29

Destinationlancasterca.org

Enjoy a fantastic music festival! The Festival will feature 20+ Music Acts, Comedians, Djs, 50+ Local Vendors, Beer/Wine Vendors, the Best Soul Food in the City, and will attract 4,000 attendees. Check website for ticket information. eventbrite.com

Oct 27 BOOLVD HALLOWEEN & HARVEST FESTIVAL This Halloween event located on the BLVD between Sierra Highway and Genoa Avenue includes a haunted house, pumpkin carving, carnival games and dancing in the street. Children can trick-or-treat with local merchants as everyone dresses up in outrageous costumes for the occasion. Don’t forget to enter into the BooLVD Costume Contest.

WILDERNESS LAKES (CA)

Sept 2 WILD HORSE MUSIC FESTIVAL

Sept 4 Come experience a memorable community event with a variety of some of the best Los Angeles food trucks! This is a great event on Hubbard Street in Los Angeles, brings neighbors, friends and families together to enjoy a beautiful night under the stars. There is limited seating so bring a blanket or towel to have a picnic dinner. Check website for ticket information.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 TRAILBLAZER

Oct 7

Cityoflancasterca.org

Enjoy live music, food trucks, family fun and more! On 10th Street West in Lancaster, CA, from 5-9pm!

eventbrite.com

See country and Americana performing artists and enjoy wine tasting and outstanding craft beers at the Wild Horse Music Festival. Devoted music fans will love it! wildhorsefest.com

Sept 21-22 BEAUTY & THE BEAST See this classic tale come to life as a broadway musical at the Pechanga Resort & Casino. pechanga.com

All events, times and dates are subject to change.

Oct 20

CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVISITED

A NIGHT AT THE OLD BRUNSON SALOON

Come see this band live in concert at the Pechanga Resort & Casino.

A welcome to the 2018 Night at the Old Brunson Saloon. This year’s event will mark the 15th annual for Live Oak Art Center. The evening starts off at 6pm with a silent auction, cash bar and appetizers. Venture upstairs at 7:30pm to enjoy a delicious dinner with a special selection of wine pairing and beer included. Following dinner there will be a live auction.

Pechanga.com

Oct 28 ROD STEWART WITH PAT BENATAR Come see these two classic rock legends play the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, CA. cbbankarena.com

ORLANDO (FL)

Sept 8 SIPS N SALSA FESTIVAL Cultural cuisine, music, salsa dancing, domino tournament, kids zone, and more in downtown Clermont. ffea.com/events/2018/clermontsips--salsa-festival

Sept 14–Nov 3 Universal Halloween Horror Nights. Select nights; check website for info. halloweenhorrornights.com

Oct 1-31 THE HAUNT AT OLD TOWN Old Town in Kissimmee, FL and the area’s only year-round haunted house bring a season of scary stuff. So scary that your blood will curdle and your worst fears and phobias come to life. Enter at your own risk. myoldtownusa.com/events/haunt-old-town

COLORADO RIVER (TX)

Sept 6-8 COLORADO COUNTY FAIR & RODEO Colorado County Fair and Livestock Show to benefit youth and leadership and to provide scholarships. Musical performances from Rick Trevino; Tribute to George Strait by Derek Spence; Broken Alibi and Texas Dream. coloradocountyfair.org

Sept 24 29th ANNUAL WENDISH FEST A full day of fun activities, great music by The Tuba masters, tasty food, kids booths, games, picnic on the grounds and auctions at St. Paul Lutheran Church.

liveoakartcenter.org/special-events.htm

Sept 14 CAR CRUISE See cars from a time gone by or bring your vintage ride to show in Historic Smithville. Historicsmithvillenj.com

Sept 22 ART WALK More than 40 local artists set up shop on the Greene and showcase and sell their work. Located near the redcovered bridge in HIstoric Smithville.

Oct 27

Historicsmithvillenj.com

ST. ANTHONY SCHOOL HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL

Sept 29

St Anthony’s Halloween Carnival is a costume contest with burgers, kids games, live auction, big country store, face paint and much, much more, at Columbus Hall in Columbus, TX. coloradocountyfair.org

ITALIAN FESTIVAL Come down to Historic Smithville for live music and entertainment, artisan vendors, wine tasting, bocce ball, classic Italian cars, and kids activities for the Italian Festival! Historicsmithvillenj.com

MOODY BEACH (ME)

Oct 6

Every Wednesday in Sept – Mid-Oct WELLS FARMER’S MARKET

OKTOBERFEST

Rear parking lot of Wells Ogunquit Center at Moody (Senior Center). 300 Post Road (Route 1), Wells. Every Wednesday 1:30-5:00pm through Mid-October.

Historicsmithvillenj.com

Join us for the legendary Historic Smithville Oktoberfest celebration.

Oct 13-14 IRISH FESTIVAL The Historic Smithville Irish Festival features over 50 vendors displaying their Irish crafts and retail items in either of our two marketplaces located throughout the grounds.

Wellsfarmersmarket.org

Sept 8-9 30th ANNUAL SUMMER SOLSTICE CRAFT SHOW

Historicsmithvillenj.com

Come see the beautiful creations made by 70+ Maine and New England artists and crafters. 10am-4pm. Rain or shine, at Wells Junior High School. Free parking and admission.

TIMOTHY LAKE (PA)

Sept 1-2 POCONO GARLIC & HARVEST FESTIVAL

summersolsticecraftshows.com

Sept 5 - Oct 28 JERSEY BOYS Come see the multi-Tony awardwinning sensation, Jersey Boys, at the Ogunquit Playhouse! This is the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons and features favorite songs like “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” “Dawn,” and, “Oh What A Night.” ogunquitplayhouse.org

texaswendish.org/2017/08/21/29th-annualwendish-fest-on-sept Some events may require a participation fee.

Activities and Events – Local

CHESTNUT LAKE (NJ)

Oct 19

Celebrating 24 years of the Hardneck Garlic harvest, the Pocono Garlic & Harvest Festival will fill the Poconos with the aroma of garlicky goodness over Labor Day Weekend at Shawnee Mountain. shawneemt.com

Sept 22-23 POCONO PUPPY PALOOZA Shawnee Mountain is going to the dogs! Well, just for a weekend. Dogs are our best friends, and Shawnee has just the event for you! shawneemt.com

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 TRAILBLAZER

Activities and Events – Local

TIMOTHY LAKE (PA) cont’d

LAKE TEXOMA (TX)

Oct 6, 11-12, 18-19, 25-26

Oct 6-7

Sept 7

TIMBER FESTIVAL

LIVE: IMPRACTICAL JOKERS

PIONEER DAYS IN DOWNTOWN WHITNEY

Catch a glimpse of nature’s splendor at beautiful Shawnee Mountain Ski Area during prime fall foliage time in the Pocono Mountains. shawneemt.com

Oct 20-21 POCONO FOOD TRUCK & ART FESTIVAL The Pocono Food Truck Festival will feature 25+ food trucks from the surrounding areas. The Annual Art on the Mountain Show & Sale will feature some of the region’s most talented painters, crafts, photographers, sculptors and more. shawneemt.com

LAKE GASTON (NC)

Oct 6 LION’S CLUB SEAFOOD FESTIVAL Rain or Shine! You’ll have oysters, fish, shrimp, beans, slaw, hush puppies, a variety of beverages and a live band. Tickets can be obtained through many local stores, through mail order or from any Lake Gaston Lion. In addition they are available online. Tickets will not be available at the gate.

Are you prepared to laugh until you cry? If so come on out and join us in a show of a lifetime with the Impractical Jokers at the Global Event Center at Winstar World Casino. Ticketmaster.com

Sept 8 IN CONCERT: EDDIE MONEY Come on out and listen to the very talented Eddie Money at the Choctaw Casino and Resort. Ticketmaster.com

Sept 29 MOVIES ON MAIN Join us on the last Saturday evening at dusk each month for a family friendly film at Heritage Park. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets, food vendors will be on-site. This month’s showing is “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” Denisonlive.com

Oct 13 SHERMAN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CONCERT

e-clubhouse.org/sites/lakegastonnc

Come on out and listen to the wonderful playing of the Sherman Symphony Orchestra at the KiddKey Auditorium in Sherman, TX.

Oct 13

shermantx.org/event/shermansymphony-orchestra-concert-2

CHARLOTTE’S WEB: PRESENTED BY C.A.T.S. COMMUNITY THEATRE With plenty of laughs and tears along the way, Charlotte’s Web is one of the most entertaining and heartwarming plays ever written. This play will feature cast members of all ages and it tells the story of Wilbur, an adorable little pig; Fern, a sweet young girl who saves Wilbur from slaughter; Charlotte, a kindhearted, motherly, gray spider; and all of Wilbur’s barnyard pals who help make Wilbur into the most famous pig in the county. colonialcenterva.org

Downtown Whitney streets close to all but pedestrian traffic for the largest festival in Whitney. Pioneer Days was started over 35 years ago and it now attracts over 10,000 people. The carnival opens on Friday night. Carnival rides, pony rides, and games of skill entertain the young and young-at-heart. texasgetawayvacation.com

Oct 20 FALLFEST IN CLIFTON The smell of fall is in the air in Clifton, Texas. On the third Saturday of October each year, Clifton hosts FallFest presented by Clifton Main Street and many local sponsors to bring in the season with family fun, food, entertainment and much more. visitclifton.org

Oct 28-29 BELL HELICOPTER FORT WORTH ALLIANCE AIR SHOW The U.S. Navy Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron and the U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper Demonstration Team will soar through the North Texas skies at the Bell Helicopter Fort Worth Alliance Air Show at Fort Worth Alliance Airport. allianceairshow.com

MEDINA LAKE (TX)

Sept 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Oct 20 53rd ANNUAL PEANUT FESTIVAL Come on out and join us in the 53rd Annual Peanut Festival with fellow friends and enjoy a parade, vendors, and a carnival on Main Street in Whitesboro, TX. whitesborotx.com/peanutfestival.html

LAKE WHITNEY (TX)

BANDERA CATTLE COMPANY: GUNFIGHTERS & COWBOYS ON MAIN Gunfight re-enactments at Bandera Visitors Center. Expect to see and interact with a sample of the old west cowboy lifestyle on Bandera Main Street. banderacowboycapital.com

Sept 1 thru Oct 6 OUTDOOR MOVIE SERIES

Sept 14 FRIDAY NIGHT DANCE IN BURLESON Dance the night away with music from Andy Goin at the Senior Activity Center in Burleson, TX. Participants are encouraged to bring a finger food snack.

Presented by the Mission Marquee Plaza, this outdoor movie series is not to be missed! Visitors are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets and picnics to enjoy an evening of entertainment under the stars. Films start about 15 minutes after dusk. missionmarquee.com/EVENTS/OutdoorMovie-Series

burlesontx.com

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 TRAILBLAZER

All events, times and dates are subject to change.

Oct 27

Oct 13-14

SIX FLAGS FIESTA TEXAS FRIGHT FEST

FALL FESTIVAL & HALLOWEEN GOLF CART PARADE

28th VIRGINIA WINE & GARLIC FESTIVAL

Don’t miss out on spooktacular live entertainment, chill-inducing rides and spine-tingling excitement for the whole family that will surely keep you on the edge of your seat! sixflags.com/ﬁestatexas/plan-your-visit

Sept 15 BANDERA COWBOYS ON MAIN Expect to see and interact with a sample of the old west cowboy lifestyle on Bandera Main Street. banderacowboycapital.com

Sept 21 SAN ANTONIO – JAZZ’S ALIVE Some of the nation’s top jazz entertainers, along with regional and local talent, take over Travis Park and dazzle the crowd with their smooth sounds. saparksfoundation.org/jazzsalive

HARBOR VIEW (VA)

Sept 1-2 52 ANNUAL ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW The Boardwalk in Colonial Beach will be full of Arts and Crafts Vendors! Come soak in the sun and pick up some treasures! colonial-beach-virginia-attractions.com

Sept 15-16 STRATFORD HALL WINE AND OYSTER FESTIVAL If you love the combination of great wines, delicious local seafood and fine crafts and artisans, mark your calendar for September 15-16! This popular event features wines from Virginia wineries and oysters from Chesapeake Bay and Tidewater oyster growers. stratfordhall.org/events/2018-stratfordhall-wine-oyster-festival

Oct 11-14 5th ANNUAL BIKEFEST A four-day day event filled with concerts, vendors, bands and bike shows. colonial-beach-virginia-attractions.com/ bikefest.html

A fun-filled, family favorite! Celebrate the season! The Fall Festival features food and craft vendor, inflatable slides and bounce houses, a scarecrow making station, arts and crafts, games, a fire pit, music, costume contests and more. The day is capped off with a very frightening decorated Halloween Golf Cart Parade! Watch the scary carts drive “the Point” the Saturday before Halloween. colonialbeach.org/fall-festival-andhalloween-golf-cart-paradeoctober-28-2018

Activities and Events – Local

Sept 14-Oct 31

The Virginia Wine & Garlic Festival is Virginia’s largest agricultural festival. Located on the beautiful Rebec Vineyard, the festival includes tastings from a variety of Virginia wineries, live entertainment and over 150 unique arts, crafts and specialty food vendors and Garlic! rebecwinery.com

LA CONNER (WA)

Sept 8 SKAGIT RIVER SALMON FESTIVAL

LYNCHBURG (VA)

Sept 1-3 BLUE RIDGE ROCK FESTIVAL 2018 Come join us for our 2018 outdoor music festival with 50+ bands, camping, food trucks, professional wrestling and our 2018 burger cook off. Full festival information and lineup at: blueridgerockfest.com

Join us for the Skagit River Salmon Festival, located at Edgewater Park in Mount Vernon on the banks of the Skagit River. We’ll have a terrific lineup of activities and entertainment you won’t want to miss, with something for every interest – young or old. Skagitriverfest.org

Oct 20 BREW ON THE SLOUGH Unique beer festival with many Pacific Northwest breweries representing.

Sept 15 LYNCHBURG BEER, WINE & CIDER FESTIVAL The 9th Annual Lynchburg Beer, Wine & Cider Festival has been primarily focused on beer and wine however the ciders are becoming increasingly popular so we wanted to continue featuring them again this year. Enjoy over 75 different options of craft beer, wine and ciders. This event will also feature local artisans, crafters, area businesses, fabulous food and live music.

lovelaconner.com/get-ready-great-tastingbrew-get-ready-brew-slough

lynchburgbeerandwinefestival.com

Oct 13-14 46th ANNUAL HISTORIC RAILROAD FESTIVAL This family friendly festival commemorates the Norfolk & Western Railroad’s donation of the Appomattox Depot to the Town of Appomattox in 1973. The two day event is held on Main Street and the surrounding downtown area. Festival highlights include a parade, arts, crafts, live bands, train exhibits, fireworks, carnival rides, food and lots of activities for the entire family. appomattoxrrfest.org

Some events may require a participation fee.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 TRAILBLAZER

Whether you spend life on the road for pleasure or work, it's nice to have the comforts of home as you travel the highways and byways. TrailBlazer checks in with folks who spend a fair amount of time on the road to see just what makes their home away from home. By Lynn & Cele Seldon

Photo courtesy of Portia Wiggins 24

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 TRAILBLAZER

This month, we chatted with poet, educator, and children’s book author,

K WA M E A LE X A ND ER oet, educator, and New York Times bestselling author – there isn’t much Kwame Alexander hasn’t done. And now he can add rock star to his resume. With more than two dozen books to his credit – mostly young adult and poetry – Kwame’s 2018 publication of Rebound followed up on his Newbery Medal award-winning middle school novel of family and brotherhood, The Crossover, and is a sensation with kids, teachers, and educators across the country. With a publisher for a father and English teacher for a mother, Kwame grew up surrounded by literature, poetry, the black arts movement, and adult conversation. After studying with poet Nikki Giovanni while a student at Virginia Tech, he soon realized that being a poet was his calling, which then morphed into being a poet for children and young adults. His goal was to help bridge the gap from children’s books to Shakespeare. He felt that relatable, fun, and rhythmic verse would help kids cross over to poetry and literature. Many books of poetry, basketball-inspired rules for life, endangered animals, and sports later, Kwame turned his attention to fiction with the publication of The Crossover and Rebound. Set in verse, Kwame’s novels appeal to young adults through their topics, themes, and, yes, hip-hop rhythm. So, in early 2018, he decided that he wanted to take his message to the kids in a new and novel way. And what better way to do that than to pull up to schools and public venues in a tour bus – complete with a full wrap of his book cover and high-energy music blaring from the speakers announcing his rockstar arrival. And, so, the Rebound Tour was born.

We caught up with Kwame shortly after he returned home from his month-long tour.

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What made you decide to take the Rebound story on the road? And in a bus, no less. KA: I’ve been touring 20 years or so. [Being] face to face, interactive, upfront, [and] personal with my fans and my readers has always been my way of being able to engage and connect. I love performing as much as I love writing. The touring aspect has always been part of my modus operandi. The idea of a bus sort of began as an ego thing. I’ve seen authors and rock stars with buses. I’m putting on a show for students, teachers, and parents. It’s poetry. It’s performance. It’s live music. It’s essentially a one man show. After I got over the ego thing, then it just seemed to be practical. Books are selling, so let’s enhance the brand and build even more buzz by taking this and running with it. People tell me, “Kwame, you’re the rock star of children’s lit.” So, let’s take that and run with it. Let’s see if we can up that brand – that buzz – even more and sell more books and create more interest -- and to, ultimately, get kids more excited about reading. After that, it morphed into my mission to make books more cool. I feel like I’m the ambassador of literary coolness. I self-appointed myself that. What better way to represent that than a huge tour bus with the cover of the book wrapped around it. And then the last thing was that – with 119 events – it seemed practical

What kind of bus was it? KA: A 45’ 2013 Prevost H3

country. But this is the closest – and I’ve got to say, pretty darn close – that I’ve been able to be on this bus for 29 days. But, yes, it was my first time on a tour bus.

What did you think? KA: I told my publishers – and my Dad – after like day seven, that I never want to fly again. This is the way to do it. We did 119 events in 29 days. To be able to do a gig, expend all this energy, put on the best show you can, and then literally go outside the venue, get on the bus, get into a chair, have a glass of sweet tea, listen to jazz, talk to your friends, and then go take a nap is the thing to do, as opposed to having to go to the airport and having to go through security. It’s the most relaxing chill – and you’re still moving. I never want to fly again. This is how I’m going to tour from now on.

Was that your first time in an RV?

Who traveled on the bus with you?

KA: In real life. I dreamt about it forever. My wife and I had been talking about when my daughter graduates high school, we’d get a pimped-out RV and travel the

KA: Consistently myself, my guitarist, Randy Preston, and our road manager, Hafeez Wootson – we call him The Feez – along with a night driver and a day driver.

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Tell us about your rig. KA: The bus sleeps five. It has two sets of bunk beds and a master bedroom. You walk in and you are in the family/living room area with a leather couch, two leather chairs, and two flat screen TVs. After that is the kitchen with cabinets, a sink, microwave, fridge and freezer, a little dining room counter, and nook. After that is a half bath. Then there is an electric door that leads to two sets of bunk beds, each with a TV so there are four TVs. Then there is another electric door and then the master bedroom with a bathroom, shower, king bed, another TV, two closets and eight or nine drawers. There is a music system in the living room and another in the master. There is also Wi-Fi throughout the bus.

What’s your favorite thing about staying on your bus versus a hotel? KA: I’m a huge multi-tasker. I function on a lot of different levels. And at any given time, I’ve got a book that I’m writing, I’m preparing for school visits, I’m running a publishing imprint, I’m working on some scripts. I’m raising a family. I’m doing a lot

of different stuff. Lots of people ask me, “How do you do all that?” One way that I do it all is that I take naps. I’m a huge nap person. The most thrilling thing about this bus is that we could be moving from city to city or from gig to gig and I can get a nap in. It really helped in my productivity and in getting everything done.

What are your three favorite things onboard? KA: Definitely, my bed. There was one chair that was my chair. No one else could sit there. That chair was really important to me. And the third thing would have to be the company.

We know that music is integral in your life and your writing. What do you listen to on the road? KA: We listen to a lot of house music. A lot of bass. Really up tempo. Deep spiritual lyrics. That got our juices going. We listen to a lot of jazz music, especially when we were working. We rehearsed a lot on the bus. We had an awesome sound system on the bus, but it was more like background music.

Your tour schedule is grueling. What do you do to unwind? KA: Naps. Meditation. Reading. Music.

You grew up playing tennis and obviously love basketball. Do you ever stop to play when you are traveling? KA: We played basketball with kids at schools. It reminded me how old I am.

What are you reading right now? KA: I’m reading an adventure novel by Nelson DeMille called The Cuban Affair. And I’m reading a middle grade novel called Bud, Not Buddy, by Christopher Paul Curtis.

Do you cook onboard? KA: Well, we microwave. We warmed up food. That’s the same thing, right? I gained six pounds. All that eating out.

Any favorite places you like to eat on the road? KA: We went to a lot of local spots. There was this amazing breakfast spot in South Bend, Indiana. In Charleston, South Carolina, the shrimp and grits at Magnolia’s. Indulge Cupcake in Atlanta. Some great Tex-Mex in Houston. Some of the best seafood ever at The Breakers in Palm Beach. This soul food restaurant in Chapel Hill called Mama Dip’s.

What are a few favorite destinations? KA: Palm Beach, because I was with the family and we had beautiful weather and we had just come from up north where it was snowing. Savannah was really nice. The Chicago area. The Umstead [Hotel and Spa] in Cary, North Carolina.

Did you ever camp or RV as a kid or as a family vacation? KA: Once with my cousin for the World’s Fair when I was 10.

Think you will you ever take your family on an RV vacation? KA: Absolutely!

Do you still have the bus? KA: Nope. The bus [was next] with Bob Weir and the Grateful Dead.

You’ve won some amazing writing awards in the past few years. What’s your most prized professional achievement to date? KA: It would have to be the Newbery Medal. That’s the one that changed my whole writerly life.

Is there anything about your bus or your life on the road that we didn’t ask that you would like to share? KA: The more I was on the bus, I began to feel as though I was a rock star. Which in turn made me feel even more responsible to make sure that I am using whatever sort of celebrity I have to engage and inspire and empower children to want to read and, ultimately, through reading, imagine a better world. ¾

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When you live in a manufactured home community,

you can have it all.

YOU LOVE YOUR RV.

It’s brought you to the places you’ve always wanted to see – from the endless hiking trails in the Appalachian Mountains to the sun and surf of California’s coast. You’ve driven through the majesty of the forests of the Pacific Northwest, and kicked up the dust in the deserts of the Southwest. With all of the adventures your RV brings, why give it up? Through all the miles logged and memories made, you likely have some favorite places you find yourself visiting over and over again. Whether you can’t get that beautiful location in the mountains out of your mind or the group of friends you made who share your love for the open road, these favorite places keep calling you back. You know you want the freedom to travel whenever you want and a homebase where you can be with friends and family. So, why not have it all?

EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY OF HAVING IT ALL! by Annie Berman When you move to a manufactured home community, you don’t just move into a neighborhood. You become part of a community. The lifestyle in manufactured home communities is very similar to the sense of community you find in your favorite RV parks. You can relax, have fun, and enjoy tons of great amenities at home, while still having easy access to all the road travel and exploration you crave. Your manufactured home can serve as your home base so you never have to give up your life on the road. Most manufactured home communities are located in desirable destinations across the country, giving you easy access to many of the same awesome entertainment and adventure opportunities you look for when you set out in your RV. And, many manufactured home communities offer convenient RV storage, so you can settle in at home

without worrying about your rig. Just like your RV, a manufactured home is more affordable than a traditional house. Typically, manufactured homes cost 1035% less per square foot than site-built homes. And, you don’t sacrifice personal style when you live in a manufactured home – there are many ways to customize your home, with manufacturers now offering a variety of modern appliances, spacious floor plans, and interior design options to suit your tastes. Today’s manufactured home communities are all about the unique lifestyle found within each property and among its residents. When you join a community, you can enjoy amenities like swimming pools and clubhouses, planned events and activities, and professional on-site management. Visit myMHcommunity.com to find your dream home and community today!

Visit myMHcommunity.com today to search more than 200 communities across 26 states.

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You will be hard pressed to find a kid or an adult who doesn’t enjoy a creamy, chocolatey, peanut butter cup, especially on Halloween! This month, we’ve got a DIY Halloween candy recipe you are going to want to have all year round. To make these festive for Halloween, use any kind of Halloween sprinkle you like to add to the top or use orange and black muﬃn tin liners! Melting the chocolate will be the most intensive part of this recipe. Make sure you don’t burn yourself by not letting the water underneath the bowl of the double boiler boil over. You also don’t want to burn the chocolate. If scorched, the chocolate can become grainy and crumbly, rendering it unusable and tasting burnt. Make sure you read the instructions on double boiling carefully, especially if you haven’t melted chocolate this way before!

Ingredients

Equipment

16 ounces semi-sweet dark chocolate OR 8-9 ounces dark chocolate chips

Muffin tin

½ cup natural peanut butter – (almond butter works great too!) 2 tbsp butter, softened

Muffin tin liners Pot and non-plastic, stove safe bowl (for double boiler method to melt chocolate) Wooden spoon

1.75 oz confectioner’s sugar, sifted Optional toppings: Coarse grey sea salt OR orange & black sprinkles

Instructions 1. Grease muffin tin. No need to grease the muffin tin if you’re using silicone muffin liners 2. Melt ½ portion of the chocolate: Boil water in pot. Turn stove on low. Put non-plastic, stove safe bowl on top of pot. Make sure there is at least ½ inch of space between the water and the bottom of the bowl. Put unmelted chocolate into the bowl. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon until chocolate is melted. IMPORTANT: do not let the water below the bowl with the chocolate boil over. You want to make sure that you don’t burn the chocolate. This melting process should take somewhere between 5-10 minutes. 3. Pour a layer of the melted chocolate into each muffin tin, barely filling the bottom of each cup. Recipe adapted from fifteenspatulas.com

Tip: If you want to hide the peanut butter filling layer from sight, take the muffin tin and swirl it around so that the chocolate goes up the sides of the liners. Once you add the peanut butter and second chocolate layers, they will set up in the freezer so that the peanut butter layer is hidden. 4. While the chocolate is setting up in the freezer, whip peanut butter, softened butter, and confectioner’s sugar until smooth.

7. Melt the rest of the chocolate. 8. Pour the last layer of chocolate onto the top of each cup and put the muffin tin back in the freezer. If you want to add some festive Halloween sprinkles, take the muffin tin out after about 7-8 minutes, when the cups are almost set up, and so the sprinkles can set up on top (instead of sinking inside!) 9. Serve to hungry ghouls & goblins, witches & ghosts!

5. Once chocolate is set up with first layer (after about 15-20 minutes), drop a dollop of the peanut butter into each cup. Lightly drop the pan repeatedly on your countertop to ﬂatten out the peanut butter layer. 6. Put the muffin tin back into the freezer and wait another 15-20 minutes for the second layer to set up.

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Leisurely Drives For Lucky Leaf Peepers By Lynn & Cele Seldon

Skyline Drive Photo by Cameron Davidson, courtesy of Virginia Tourism Corporation 30

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s the season changes to fall, things really get colorful all across America. The varied landscapes of the United States have made fall foliage drives a unique part of every year, with leaf peeping offering a colorful way to see this country from coast to coast. From vibrant reds and yellows to majestic purples across the mountains and valleys, blazing colors can be found easily just by getting behind the wheel and letting your eyes lead the way. Thanks to varied deciduous trees and landscapes, the country is blessed with a fall foliage palette that makes leaf peeping like driving through a Norman Rockwell painting. The science behind leaves changing colors each fall is relatively simple. According to the tree huggers at The United States Arboretum in Washington, DC, fall foliage starts across the country as the days begin to get shorter in late-summer and early-autumn. Leaves change colors because the production of green chlorophyll, which normally masks yellow and red coloring, slows and eventually stops – allowing vibrant yellows and reds to emerge. Red and purple pigments come from the fall production of anthocyanins in the leaves. All of these pigments eventually break down and the only ones that remain are various tannin-producing brown colors in the leaves. The starting time of leaves changing colors is dependent on night length, so fall colors generally appear at about the same time each year for each location, even if temperatures are cooler or warmer than is typical. However, along with shorter days, sunlight, temperature, elevation, soil moisture, and more all influence the “quality” of fall foliage every year. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 TRAILBLAZER

According to Howard Neufeld, professor in the Department of Biology at Appalachian State University in the mountain town of Boone, North Carolina, trees and leaves are “capitalists” when it comes to changing colors come fall. One of Neufeld’s specialties is plant stress, which occurs as many trees prepare for winter. They preemptively drop their leaves that frost would have killed and, as part of the process, the leaves change colors before dropping. Trees and leaves take water from the earth and carbon dioxide from the air, using sunlight to turn the water and carbon dioxide into oxygen and glucose, which helps the trees and leaves grow through photosynthesis using a chemical called chlorophyll (which gives leaves their green color come spring and summer). As fall approaches, the leaves begin living off the food they’ve stored and the green chlorophyll begins to disappear – replaced by yellow and orange that the chlorophyll once covered.

Other fall colors, like red and purple, are caused by glucose being trapped in leaves when photosynthesis stops in certain trees (like maples). The crunchy brown colors of certain trees, like oaks, is a result of tannin-producing waste material left over at the end of the process. Neufeld concurs that the timing of peak fall foliage depends on many factors. Known throughout the region as an expert on fall foliage timing, Neufeld sites temperature (sunny days and crisp nights are best), elevation (from high to low), types of trees, climate change, and more when it comes to finding the perfect time and place for leaf-peeping. Of course, Neufeld’s North Carolina is well-known for varied leaf-peeping possibilities. He says the state has a huge variety of trees compared to other areas across the country, giving fall foliage in the state a patchwork quilt-like appearance compared to large patches of single colors often

found elsewhere, where tree variety isn’t as prevalent. Of course, science aside, classic fall foliage drives draw thousands of leaf peepers to well-known (for good reason) hotspots like the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Adirondacks, the Berkshires, the Rockies, and California’s Eastern Sierras, but there are many other colorful drives to be enjoyed in almost every state. The nation’s national parks, preserves, and other protected areas can provide particularly powerful fall foliage experiences – and pictures – as can the National Scenic Byway and other state byway systems. Many states and even some specific destinations (like Asheville, North Carolina) now have updated information and dedicated pages on their visitor websites devoted to fall foliage. This makes it easy to find locations, drives, directions, and information about peak periods in each state.

Here are 13 fall foliage drives for lucky leaf peepers this fall: Skyline Drive Virginia Often overlooked compared to the Blue Ridge Parkway below, Virginia’s Skyline Drive provides a shorter 105-mile fall foliage drive that is just as vibrant with mountain tree colors come fall. Like the Blue Ridge Parkway, the curving Skyline Drive features many overlooks and pull offs that are perfect for leaf peeping. It starts in Front Royal and ends in Rockfish Gap, which is also the northern terminus of the Blue Ridge Parkway (making it easy to combine the two fall foliage drives for those with time). RVers should be aware that, 32

also like the famed Parkway, there are several tunnels with height restrictions.

Blue Ridge Parkway Virginia & North Carolina There may be no more classic fall foliage drive in the United States than the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway through Virginia and North Carolina. With wellmarked overlooks, easy-to-use mile markers, and varied camping and dining along the way that are

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either right on or near the Parkway, lower speed limits make this one of America’s easiest ways to get a full dose of fall colors in the mountains. The drive connects Shenandoah National Park with Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with possible classic stops including: pretty and historic Mabry Mill; Peaks of Otter (great dining with a view); Richard Balsam Overlook (which, at 6,053 feet, features views from the highest point on the Parkway); Moses H. Cone Memorial Park; and the mountain town of Asheville, which is near the Parkway’s Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center and the Folk Art Center.

Graveyard Fields in Fall Photo by Vicki Dameron, courtesy of ExploreAsheville.com

Mohawk Trail Massachusetts There are several â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mohawk Trailâ&#x20AC;? driving tours in Massachusetts that highlight the best of the Berkshires. The twenty-five miles or so round trip drive up to 3,491-foot Mount Greylock (the highest point in the state) and back provides a nice introduction, with the helpful Visitor Center, a steep meadow, and lots of views as leaf peepers gain elevation. Another drive of about sixty miles starts in Williamstown, home of Williams College, and includes Natural Bridge State Park, Savoy Mountain State Forest (head to Tannery Falls), and great views of Mount Greylock. The western edge of the Mohawk Trail highlights northern Berkshire County, with North Adams, Western Gateway Heritage State Park, and more. Other drives on and near the Mohawk Trail might include the colorful Hoosac Mountain Range, the Bear Swamp Project, Pioneer Valley, and more.

Mabry Mill Photo courtesy of Seldon Ink

Shenandoah National Park Photo by Ali Zaman courtesy of ExploreAsheville.com

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park Photo courtesy of Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and Journal Communications 34

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Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Tennessee Leaf peeping by vehicle is much like being able to take your transportation of choice on a colorful trail with you. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s certainly true of viewing fall foliage along the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail in the Tennessee portion of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This paved 12-mile round-trip route out of bustling Gatlinburg transforms intrepid leaf peepers into a colorful primeval forest within minutes of leaving town. In addition to the beauty of colorful nature, there are also reminders of the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s early settlers, including log cabins, grist mills, and other historic buildings. One of the best stops along this route is at Trillium Gap Trail for the short 30-minute hike to Grotto Falls, which are especially beautiful in the fall. The Tennessee Smokies trio of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville can all serve as great bases for further exploration of majestic mountains foliage.

Trilliam Gap Trail, part of Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail Photo courtesy of Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and Journal Communications

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Anyone heading to New England for extended leaf-peeping will be well-served by buying a copy of Lonely Planet’s New England Fall Foliage Road Trips. The book says, “New England is radiant in autumn, when farm stands overflow with freshly harvested produce and leaves sparkle with brilliant bursts of yellow and red.” The helpful book highlights four varied multi-day drives from New York to Vermont and beyond. The drives are: “Fall Foliage Tour” (five to seven days); “Cider Season Sampler” (three to four days); “Connecticut River Byway” (four days); and “Alpine Escapes” (two days). Of course, as with all beloved Lonely Planet books, there’s lots of other detailed information to make these road trips easy to repeat—including lots of “Local Knowledge” insider tips and extensive “Destinations” coverage specifically for Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine. Fans of road trips of all types will love the entire “Road Trips” series from legendary guidebook publishers (and more), Lonely Planet (lonelyplanet.com). Other books in the series include: Route 66; Paciﬁc Coast Highways; Civil War Trail; Lake Michigan; and San Antonio, Austin & Texas Backcountry. Photo courtesy of Seldon Ink

The Adirondacks New York

Above and Left: Adirondacks, New York Photo courtesy of VisitAdirondacks.com

Larger than the state of Vermont, the Adirondacks in New York State provide classic fall foliage of reds, yellows, and purples. With one of the longest fall foliage seasons in the northeast, the Adirondacks are crisscrossed by a dozen New York State Scenic Byways. Among many possibilities, one great option is to drive the 170-mile Olympic Trail from Lake Champlain to Lake Ontario through the High Peaks region of the Adirondack Park. The quaint village of Lake Placid was the home of the 1932 and 1980 Olympics, where nearby highlights can include Whiteface Mountain (site of many Olympic competitions) and abolitionist John Brown’s rustic farm. Adirondacks lake driving features lots of colors from sugar maples, yellow birches, American beeches, and more reflecting off the lakes in their fall glory.

Adirondacks, New York

White Mountains Trail New Hampshire

Designated a National Scenic Byway, New Hampshire’s White Mountains Trail encompasses spectacular fall scenery, covered bridges, historic sites, picturesque towns and villages, and friendly people over the course of its 100-mile route. The Trail is a loop tour that winds through sections of the 800,000-acre White Mountain National Forest and past many of the region’s most popular attractions. It can be driven in a day or can be the object of an entire vacation’s worth of relaxation, exploration, and discovery. The Northern and Southern Loops are fascinating routes to explore, affording a unique look at life in and around the White Mountains. Parts of the Trail have been used by travelers for centuries. In the early-19th century, the works of Nathaniel Hawthorne and landscape painter Thomas Cole, among others, drew attention to the White Mountains.

Maine Coast Maine Stretching from around quaint Calais down to the New Hampshire state line, the rugged Maine coast along Route 1 and other roads provides a perfect way to see coastal fall colors, including the Atlantic Ocean, lots of bays, rocky coastline, mountains, historic cottages, and more for backdrops. Highlights have to include: photogenic lighthouses; ‘lobstah’ and other fresh seafood; colorful Acadia National Park; and lots of historic and quaint coastal towns and cities like Camden, Bath, Freeport (and L.L. Bean), Portland, the Kennebunks, and York, which is America’s oldest chartered city.

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Jordan Pond Acadia National Park Photo courtesy of the Maine Ofﬁce of Tourism

Camden Harbor on a Fall Morning Photo courtesy of the Maine Ofﬁce of Tourism

Acadia National Park Sand Beach Photo courtesy of the Maine Ofﬁce of Tourism

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Lake Michigan Circle Tour Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, & Michigan With spectacular fall foliage reflecting off Lake Michigan in five states, the 900-mile or so Lake Michigan Circle Tour was the mid-1980s brainchild of the Michigan Department of Transportation’s Jack Morgan. Though there are similar circle tours of other Great Lakes, Lake Michigan is the only one that lies entirely in the United States. Bisected by a “spur” route that connects Ludington, Michigan, and Manitowoc, Wisconsin, by ferry service on the SS Badger (providing a possible shortcut for the drive), there’s a Southern Lake Michigan Circle Tour (Ludington to Manitowoc or the reverse) and Northern Lake Michigan Circle Tour (Manitowoc to Ludington or reverse). Beautiful beaches, varied towns and cities, and more await those searching for fall foliage in the Great Lakes region.

Hamlin Lake in Autumn, Michigan Photo by Craig Sterken Photography

Palo Duro Canyon State Park Photo courtesy of Travel Texas

Covered bridge at Sleeping Bear Dunes, Michigan Photo by Craig Sterken Photography

October Sunrise over Bar Harbor Photo courtesy of the Maine Ofﬁce of Tourism

Texas Panhandle Texas While one wouldn’t normally think of Texas as being “colorful” come fall, the Lone Star State certainly has its share of fall foliage. Some of the best drives for leaf peeping in Texas are in the Panhandle region around Amarillo. The possibilities include: Palo Duro Canyon State Park (where the cottonwoods turn a brilliant yellow); Route 287 south of Amarillo (especially from Claude to Memphis); and the Texas Fall Foliage Festival in and around Canadian, which is about one hundred miles northeast of Amarillo. Located along the Canadian River and the Texas Plains Trail, the small town of Canadian is leading the way in rural Texas tourism with events like their fall foliage festival, which is always the third weekend in October.

West Elk Loop Scenic & Historic Byway Colorado The scenic Rocky Mountains in colorful Colorado are at their most brilliant in the fall. Aspens, especially, provide unique oranges, yellows, reds, and more to the vistas near and far. The 205-mile West Elk Loop Scenic & Historic Byway passes through three pretty mountain towns – Marble, Gunnison, and Crested Butte – and is a classic Colorado fall foliage drive that showcases acres of aspens (the nation’s largest single grove). The marble for the Lincoln Memorial came from the old mining town of Marble. Gunnison offers a unique cultural mixture of ranching community meets university town, while Crested Butte is known as the “Wildflower Capital of Colorado.” Black Canyon in Gunnison National Park is a natural highlight of this drive as well.

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The Eastern Sierras California Driving Route 395 through the Eastern Sierras shows off some of California’s best fall foliage. According to John Poimiroo, editor of californiafallcolor.com, aspens begins showing flame red, orange, pink, and yellow in Bishop Creek Canyon at 10,000 feet (reachable by vehicle) in mid-September and peaks from the last week of September through the first couple of weeks of October. Then, it drops by elevation at a rate of about 500 to 1,000 feet per week, with spectacular leaf peeping throughout the canyon and at Convict Lake, Mammoth Lakes, June Lakes, Virginia Lakes, Lunday Lake, and the Walker River Valley. Poimiroo, who files regular fall foliage updates for the Eastern Sierras and elsewhere in California, says that means you can dependably enjoy fall color along this drive from mid- and late-September through October at various elevations along Route 395. What makes the colorful displays even more dramatic is that sawtooth, snow-flecked granite peaks rise dramatically above the color and it’s often reflected in the area’s tourmaline lakes.

Fall Color at Parker Lake Photo courtesy of Mammoth Lakes Tourism photo by Josh Wray

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Bishop Creek Canyon Photo by Elliot McGucken, courtesy of Bishop Visitor

Olympic Peninsula Washington Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula along Route 1 is different from any other fall foliage drive in the country. Starting and ending in the Seattle area, the drive essentially circles the towering Olympic Mountains and sprawling Olympic National Park. Washington may be the Evergreen State, but there are still lots of fall colors to see on this drive. Highlights of the route might include the drive up to Hurricane Ridge for great mountain and fall color views; historic Port Townsend; pretty Lake Quinault, Lake Crescent, and other tree-lined lakes; Cape Flattery (look for tall mist-enshrouded Sitka spruces); and lots of coastal towns surrounded by colorful wilderness.

Kenai Fjords National Park Photo courtesy of © State of Alaska/Brian Adams

Seward Highway Alaska

Lake Crescent Photo courtesy of Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau

Hurricane Ridge Road Photo courtesy of Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau

The 127-mile Seward Highway is a National Scenic Byway for good reason. Running down the Kenai Peninsula out of Anchorage to Seward, the drive showcases Southcentral Alaska’s awe-inspiring scenic beauty, from dramatic mountain peaks and forests to alpine meadows and stunning fjords. Those lucky enough to be on the Seward Highway come fall will find fewer visitors and golden birch and alder trees against stunning views of Cook Inlet. Of course, there are many other fantastic fall foliage drives across the country and this diverse list is just a starting point for leaf peepers come fall. Some other colorful possibilities include: the Ozarks in Missouri and Arkansas; Vermont’s Green Mountains; West Virginia’s New River Gorge National River; Wisconsin’s Driftless Region; and the Southwest’s unique Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway near Taos, New Mexico. Naturally, America features many other locations where leaf peeping drives are colorful rites of passage every fall. ¾

Visit RVontheGo.com to plan your fall getaway. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 TRAILBLAZER

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There are all kinds of quotes of about how important it is to never stop learning. There are also many quotes about how important travel and adventure is to living life well. If we combine the concepts of both, then learning while traveling definitely puts you in range of living your best life. With the back-to-school season in full swing, we thought we’d give you some ideas to put you “back in the classroom” as part of your future travel plans. Take a trip and learn something new or revisit a passion you may have put on the backburner while everyday life put your focus elsewhere. You can learn to fly fish or stand up paddle; create the perfect soufflé or draw, paint, and sketch; hone your BBQ skills or simply walk in the footsteps of noted history-makers to learn what they learned. The possibilities, both at home and abroad, are limitless. For our purposes, we’ll focus on learning adventures stateside. And while some may involve all-inclusive opportunities where lodging is part of the experience, keep in mind you can stay with us on your way there and certainly, after you’ve learned something new, come share it with your fellow campers. By Joan Rykal

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Get in the Spirit Brew Your Own (BYO) is offering a BYO Boot Camp in Asheville, North Carolina scheduled for March 22-23, 2019. Registration is limited, so visit byo.com to sign up for this handson brewing experience that will feature brewing experts discussing a variety of topics which include how to choose your own brew barrels, recipe formulation, yeast techniques and troubleshooting. Class is in session each day from 8:30 to 6pm. Lodging is not included and fellow travelers not interested in participating in the boot camp can sign up for brewery tour options pre- and post-boot camp. Consider staying at the Scenic RV Park in Asheville while you attend this boot camp! Moonshine University in Louisville, Kentucky offers a variety of workshops and courses all about distilling from introductory to advanced skill levels ranging. Workshops range from one-day options to five- and six-day full courses. The university’s goal is to “teach students more about what they don’t know,” as it gives them the framework to continually learn long after the workshop ends.” For information about the Moonshine University and their course offerings visit moonshineunversity.com. Take advantage of the “campus surroundings” and visit the nearby

Kentucky Bourbon Trail, which features over 10 distilleries where you can sip the product and get some insight into the distillery process of such famous makers as Jim Beam and Wild Turkey. Diamond Caverns RV Campground is just about an hour’s drive to Louisville. The Napa Valley Wine Academy offers courses as simple as an introductory class that teaches a beginner how to identify aromas in wine to several diploma level courses all in a beautiful classroom setting. Whether you’re serious about a job in the wine industry or just someone who likes to have a bit more knowledge about what you’re drinking, take a look at the offering at napavalleywineacademy.com. If you opt for a course in the Napa Valley location, stay at Russian River RV Campground in Cloverdale.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 TRAILBLAZER

5. 1. Photo courtesy of Brew Your Own magazine. 2. Houston Farris of Yellow Rose Distilling tastes fresh distillate coming over from the still. Photo by Phil Icsman, courtesy of Moonshine University. 3. Photo courtesy of Brew Your Own magazine. 4. 250 gal Vendome Copper & Brassworks Cooker/Mash Tun. Photo by Phil Icsman, courtesy of Moonshine University. 5. Clay Smith of Corsair Artisan Distillery teaches 6-Day Distiller Course students about table-top gin making. Photo by Phil Icsman, courtesy of Moonshine University.

Arts & Crafts If you’ve always wanted to capture the beauty of nature through drawing or painting, take a look at the offerings from Happy Isles Art and Nature Center offered through the Yosemite Conservancy. Every April through October, classes are offered to all skill levels Mondays through Saturdays. Courses have included Drawing Yosemite with Ink, Yosemite’s Wonders in Watercolor, and Nature Drawing for Beginners. Registration is $20 per person plus supplies. (Registration is limited to 15 persons per class.) For more information

visit yosemiteconservancy.org. Of course, you can’t beat the convenience of nearby Yosemite Lakes RV Campground as your home base while you enjoy these classes. The Steel Yard, in Providence, Rhode Island offers a unique array of classes that include blacksmith, welding, ceramics, and jewelry. One course, “Forge Your Own Bottle Opener,” is a one-day workshop for beginner blacksmiths. There is also a weekend welding workshop and a two-day organic jewelry course. Steel Yard courses are

Cooking If you search hard enough you can find a class on just about anything related to cooking and baking, so, we’ve highlighted some classes we think you’ll find exciting. The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) offers Culinary Boot Camps at all of their locations. Boot Camp schedules can range from two to five-day camps and all offer cooking and baking instruction. Some of them offer basic instructions on cooking and baking while others are more specific like Italian Cuisine Boot Camp or Hors d’oeuvres Boot Camp. CIA locations can be found in San Antonio, Hyde Park, New York, and St. Helena, California. For more information visit enthusiasts.ciachef. edu/boot-camps. The San Francisco Baking Institute offers one and two-day bread workshops were you can learn the art of bread-making in a variety of delicious forms including pretzels, bagels, baguettes, and egg and challah bread. And of course, sourdough bread, which is said to have been invented in San Francisco in the 1800s, is on the course schedule as well. Course information can be found at sfbi.com. The San Francisco RV Resort is just a 30 minute drive to the San Francisco Baking Institute.

offered three seasons of the year, so if you missed something this year, come on back next year. For information and course offerings and schedules visit thesteelyard.org. Gateway to Cape Cod RV Campground and Sturbridge RV Campground are both about an hour’s drive from The Steel Yard.

Classes Check out Chicago’s Chopping Block, a recreational cooking school that offers a variety of boot camp style culinary courses. Past selections have included Pasta Boot Camp, Vegetarian Boot Camp, and the delicious Donut Boot Camp. Other options besides the boot camps include grilling classes and wine classes. For a peek into the basic science of cooking, they have the Cooking Lab. For course offerings and more information on the Chopping Block visit choppingblock.com.

1. 1. Oriechette in Pasta Boot Camp. Photo courtesy of The Chopping Block. 2. Pesto. Photo by Susan Ryan Photography, courtesy of he Chopping Block. 3. Making Pesto. Photo by Susan Ryan Photography, courtesy of he Chopping Block.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 TRAILBLAZER

Water Works If Fonzie was your idol during the height of the Happy Days craze, you may be happy to know that you can emulate the Fonz by learning to fly fish. That’s right, Henry Winkler is a fly fisherman and loves every minute of it despite his previous ideas about how challenging it would be and how he just didn’t think he could learn about the equipment and techniques involved with the sport. The Midwest Fly Fishing Schools have several locations in Ohio, including in Sandusky, Zanesfield, and Columbus. Skill levels range from Fly Fishing 101 on up to Advanced Fly Casting. There are also courses on knots and rigging and actual on-river sessions. So, “whoa” as the Fonz would say – visit the company’s website at midwestflyfishingschoools.com for school and course information.

friends, group rates are lower but the classes never exceed 6 students per instructor. For information visit thirdcoastsurfshop.com. A stay in the Lake George region probably means water fun is on the agenda. Head over to Patty’s Water Sports, just 25 minutes from the Lake George Escape Campground, and take a 90 minute private SUP lesson for just $60 or a group lesson for $50 for the same amount of time. Once you’ve gotten the hang of it, sign up for their unique Sunset Paddle and Yoga class. Information can be found at pattyswatersports.com.

If you know how to stand-up paddle board, you can enjoy this water sport basically anywhere there is a body of water. And of course, anywhere there’s water, there’s probably an instructional class to take to learn how to stand-up paddle, or “SUP” as it is popularly known. In San Diego, check out the Mission Beach Surfing School which offers both board rentals and private and semi-private SUP lessons (missionbeachsurfingschool.com). They also a variety of other water sport lessons including surfing, kitesurfing, and wakesurfing. If you’re looking to stand-up paddle in Lake Michigan while staying at Bear Cave RV Campground in Buchanan, Michigan head to nearby New Buffalo’s Third Coast Surf Shop which offers Stand-Up Paddleboarding 101 lessons for just $75 for a 90 minute lesson. All equipment needed for the lesson is included and if you’re camping with 46

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 TRAILBLAZER

All Photos on this page courtesy of The Midwest Fly Fishing Schools.

One nice thing about the clam digging and crabbing classes offered by William Lackner, an Oregon celeb when it comes to clamming and crabbing, is that the courses are free of charge. Lackner offers clamming and crabbing clinics to anyone aged 12 or older at no cost, and yet, the lessons learned are invaluable. The clamming clinics begin at the Driftwood Public Library, just about 30 minutes from Pacific City RV Campgrond, with a talk that

covers clamming regulations, clam identification, and cleaning and cooking methods. Then, it’s on to the beach! Similarly, the crabbing clinics start off land-side with a brief orientation, and then it’s time to crab. Please note special licenses for crabbing and clamming are required and clinic times are subject to change. For more information visit oregoncoast.org/crabbing-andclamming-clinics.

Clam digging. All photos on this page courtesy of William Lackner

Organized Learning There are several organizations that provide educational tours for adults with most tour packages being allinclusive to include travel, lodging, and excursion costs. We’ve listed just a few here! Road Scholar (roadscholar.org) offers hundreds of learning tours both in the U.S. and abroad and include such treks as exploring the Smoky Mountains, hiking in, and learning all about the history of, Big Bend National Park in Texas, an island adventure in Virginia’s Chincoteague and Assateague Islands, and a California National Park “Medley” featuring the giant sequoias and coastal redwoods as the main course. Another interesting course offering is “Disney Underground” which provides a behind the scenes look at Florida’s Magic Kingdom. From an international standpoint, Road Scholar offers a politically-themed conference at Oxford University in England, a wellness retreat at a former monastery in Quebec and a discovery trek of Iceland’s volcanic landscapes.

ElderTreks offers exotic, “once-in-alifetime” experiences by both land and sea. From Easter Island to the Galapagos Islands, to African safaris and camping with Emperor Penguins in the Arctic, these trips are unique and adventurous and should are bucket list material. For information on ElderTreks visit eldertreks.com. Similar to ElderTreks, Smithsonian Journeys (smithsonianjourneys.org) offers both national and international travel tours with a focus on learning. While some journeys can be active, such as hiking Machu Pichu or the Scottish Highlands, other tours are more culturally focused, such as touring France’s champagne region or exploring the arts of Chicago. Smithsonian Journeys also offers a variety of Family Journeys. Whether you choose to go exploring Yellowstone and the Tetons or Costa Rica, Smithsonian Journeys provides families the opportunity to explore and learn about the world together.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 TRAILBLAZER

Higher Learning A little over an hour north of the Hidden Cove RV Campground in Arley, Alabama is the U.S. Space and Rocket Center and the opportunity to come as close to living out your dream of being an astronaut as you can without really committing to outer space travel. Located in Huntsville, Alabama, the Center offers a variety of space camps, including the Adult Space Academy where anyone over age 18 can spend three days “training” to be an astronaut, making and launching their own rocket and taking a simulated space mission. There’s even a graduation ceremony at the end of the session. Lodging is included, so be sure to leave those with a more earthoriented mindset back at camp. For more information on Adult Space Academy, visit spacecamp.com.

Timberline Mountain Guides offer several courses, both one-day and multi-day, to provide even the most inexperienced climber with the basic skills and knowledge to take on the sport of climbing. With course locations in both Oregon and Washington, you can do more than just admire the beautiful Cascades that stretch through both states. For information visit timberlinemtguides.com. Out on the east coast, the Acadia Mountain Guides Climbing School offers rock climbing instruction in full, half, or multi-day classes with Maine’s Acadia National Park serving as the onsite classroom. Learn to rappel, belay and climb New England’s rugged granite peaks. For information visit acadiamountainguides.com.

All photos on this page courtesy of Space Camp®.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 TRAILBLAZER

DIY Classes Boston’s Freedom Trail is one of the best DIY history lessons you can do. The 2.5 mile trail, easily followed via the red lines on sidewalks around the city, takes you on a journey through the American Revolution and the role Boston played. There are museums, churches, burial grounds, and of course, Paul Revere’s house and the infamous Old North Church. Visit freedomtrail.org for more information.

Another historic trail important to our country’s history is Philadelphia’s Constitutional Walking Tour. Simply take a stroll through the city, free of charge, and see such sights as Betsy Ross’ home, the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and Congress Hall. For map information and a listing of all sites, visit theconstitutional.com.

Learn with Us Don’t forget, there is so much going on at our campgrounds that you may not even feel compelled to leave camp to learn something new. Our activities’ staff are always offering classes on their schedules that have a wide range of appeal that include line dancing. Square dancing, woodworking, jewelry-making, gardening, scrapbooking, pickleball, and all kinds of watersports. So get out and camp and learn something new along the way. After all, the world is your classroom! ¾

6. 1. Photo courtesy of The Freedom Trail Foundation. 2. USS Constitution 2018. Photo courtesy of The Freedom Trail Foundation. 3. Guided Tour. Photo courtesy of The Freedom Trail Foundation. 4. Photo courtesy of The Freedom Trail Foundation. 5. Old North Church Ext. Peter Vanderwarker. Photo courtesy of The Freedom Trail Foundation. 6. Independence Hall. Photo by Jonathan Bari for The Constitutional. 7. Group Tour. Photo by Jonathan Bari for The Constitutional. 8. Band at Independence Park. Photo by Jonathan Bari for The Constitutional.

Visit RVontheGo.com to plan your next adventure! SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 TRAILBLAZER

Whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in the kitchen with

TrailBlazer? Recipes Courtesy of Rebecca Camire

Fall is always such a transitional time of year where we are still able to enjoy some of the warm weather moments from the summer but also are winding down to the cooler, slower months of winter. With the change in seasons comes a change in our cravings to warmer, heartier meals that align with the season. I always encourage clients and guests to my seminars to eat seasonally and this meal is a great way to do so, plus it follows my number one rule of thumb for cooking: the quicker and easier, the better!

For more recipes and lifestyle tips connect with me over at: refreshednutrition.com info@refreshednutrition.com Refreshed Nutrition @Refreshed_Nutrition

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 TRAILBLAZER

SWEET POTATO HASH Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 25 minutes

Total time: 35 minutes Serves: 4-6

Ingredients: 2-3 green onions, sliced

4 Tbsp coconut oil

2 -3 sweet potatoes, peeled and shredded

salt and pepper to taste

Directions: 1. Peel the sweet potatoes and place in food processor on shredding attachment. 2. In a large saucepan add half the coconut oil until melted, add in sweet potatoes and green onions.

3. Let cook for a bit and add the additional 2 tablespoons of coconut oil as needed to keep from sticking. 4. Cook until sweet potatoes are soft and slightly browned. 5. Season with salt or pepper.

PUMPKIN APPLE SOUP Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 15 minutes Total time: 25 minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 2 cloves garlic, minced

1 can pumpkin puree

1 yellow onion, chopped

2 fiji apples, peeled and diced

1 Tbsp avocado oil 2 C chicken broth

2 Tbsp fresh basil Â˝ tsp salt and pepper

Directions: 1. Place the oil, garlic and onions in a large pot on medium heat and saute for about 5 minutes.

2. Add the chicken broth, basil, apples, pumpkin, salt and pepper and reduce the heat to low, covered for 15 minutes.

AMERICAN CHOP SUEY Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 30 minutes Total time: 45 minutes Serves: 4-6 Ingredients: 1 large green pepper, chopped 1 yellow onion, diced 2 cloves garlic, minced

3. Use an immersion blender or food processor to blend the soup until creamy and smooth.

Directions: 1. In a large pan on medium heat, add the oil, onions and garlic and cook until translucent.

3. While the meat is cooking, cook the pasta according to the package instructions.

2. Add in the pepper, diced tomatoes, and spices and cook until they begin to sweat then add in the ground beef, mixing until well combined.

4. Once pasta is complete, drain and mix into the beef mixture until well combined.

2 Tbsp olive or avocado oil 28 oz can diced tomatoes 1 lb grass fed ground beef 1 8 oz package of bean pasta 2 Tbsp basil 1 Tbsp oregano Â˝ tsp black pepper 1 tsp sea salt SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 TRAILBLAZER

Member Deals

Thousand Trails Members Always Save On RV Sites & Rentals

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▲ Peace River (FL)

Thousand Trails Standard Discount:

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October Special Valid at Venture In

Call To Book Valid for stays 10/1/18 - 10/31/18. Book by 10/1/18.

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Monthly Rates for RV Sites & Rentals Use Promo Code:

TT10% Valid at Campgrounds and RV Resorts available at RVontheGo.com *Restrictions/exclusions apply and are listed at bottom of this page.

▲ Venture In (AZ)

**Subject to availability. Reservations required. Rates based on standard site unless otherwise speciﬁed. Stays 30 days or less are subject to $4 per day resort fee. Electric not included for stays of 30 days or longer. Rates do not include taxes. Amenities vary by resort. Cannot be combined with any other offer or promotions. Rates exclusively for members of Thousand Trails, NACO, Mid-Atlantic, Leisure Time and Outdoor World. Offer not valid on holidays and special events; certain restrictions may apply. Offers not valid at Bethpage Camp-Resort and Grey’s Point Camp.

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Member Deals ▲ Monte Vista (AZ)

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Call To Book Valid on standard RV sites. Valid 10/1/18 - 4/30/19. Book By 1/30/19. Min. 90 nights, Max. 92 nights.

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

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Valid on standard RV sites. Valid 11/1/18 - 4/30/19. Book By 1/30/19. Min. 120 nights Max. 122 nights.

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

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Member Deals ▲ Alpine Lake (NY)

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Member Deals ▲ Tropical Palms (FL)

Wisconsin

Arizona Florida

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Valid at Arrowhead, Fremont Jellystone Park™ & Plymouth Rock

Vacation Monthly Cottages Stay Valid at Tropical Palms

Call To Book Valid until 10/31. Book by 10/29. Min stay 2 nights, max stay 6 nights. Promo Code: TBTPRV20

Call To Book Valid 9/16 - 10/16. Book by 10/13. 3 night min and max stay.

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

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

Arizona Arizona Florida

30% $100 OFF OFF 3+ Month Stay Monthly Stay Valid at all Florida Encore

RV Resorts excluding the Keys

Call To Book Valid on standard RV sites.

Valid until 4/30/19. Book by 12/31/18. Min stay 90 nights, max stay 180 nights. Promo code: TTMemberSeasonal *Restrictions/exclusions apply and are listed at bottom of this page.

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Member Deals ▲ Victoria Palms (TX)

South Texas

Arizona

$1,249 3-Month Seasonal Special Valid at Alamo Palms, Country Sunshine, Fun N Sun, Lakewood, Paradise Park, Paradise South, Southern Comfort, Sunshine and Tropic Winds.

Call To Book Valid on standard RV sites. Valid 10/1/18 - 4/30/19. Book by 12/31/18.

Min stay 90 nights, max stay for 92 nights. *Restrictions/exclusions apply and are listed at bottom of this page.

South Texas

$1,899 3-Month Seasonal Special Valid at Victoria Palms

un (TX)

▲ Fun-N-S

RVontheGo.com (888) 443-7301

Call! Click! Camp!

Call To Book Valid on standard RV sites. Valid 10/1/18 - 4/30/19. Book by 12/31/18.

Min stay 90 nights, max stay for 92 nights. *Restrictions/exclusions apply and are listed at bottom of this page. **Subject to availability. Reservations required. Rates based on standard site unless otherwise speciﬁed. Stays 30 days or less are subject to $4 per day resort fee. Electric not included for stays of 30 days or longer. Rates do not include taxes. Amenities vary by resort. Cannot be combined with any other offer or promotions. Rates exclusively for members of Thousand Trails, NACO, Mid-Atlantic, Leisure Time and Outdoor World. Offer not valid on holidays and special events; certain restrictions may apply. Offers not valid at Bethpage Camp-Resort and Grey’s Point Camp.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 TRAILBLAZER

Member Deals

▲ Lakewood (TX)

South Texas

$1,549 4-Month Seasonal Special Valid at Alamo Palms, Country Sunshine, Fun N Sun, Lakewood, Paradise Park, Paradise South, Southern Comfort, Sunshine and Tropic Winds.

Call To Book Valid on standard RV sites. Valid 10/1/18 - 4/30/19. Book by 12/31/18.

Min stay 120 nights, max stay for 122 nights. *Restrictions/exclusions apply and are listed at bottom of this page.

South Texas

$2,349 4-Month Seasonal Special Valid at Victoria Palms

lms (TX)

▲ Alamo Pa

RVontheGo.com (888) 443-7301

Call! Click! Camp!

Call To Book Valid on standard RV sites. Valid 10/1/18 - 4/30/19. Book by 12/31/18.

Min stay 120 nights, max stay for 122 nights. *Restrictions/exclusions apply and are listed at bottom of this page. **Subject to availability. Reservations required. Rates based on standard site unless otherwise speciﬁed. Stays 30 days or less are subject to $4 per day resort fee. Electric not included for stays of 30 days or longer. Rates do not include taxes. Amenities vary by resort. Cannot be combined with any other offer or promotions. Rates exclusively for members of Thousand Trails, NACO, Mid-Atlantic, Leisure Time and Outdoor World. Offer not valid on holidays and special events; certain restrictions may apply. Offers not valid at Bethpage Camp-Resort and Grey’s Point Camp.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 TRAILBLAZER

MAXIMIZE

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

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

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Get More Locations Plan Further Ahead Explore New Accommodations Travel Club See if a Membership Upgrade is Right for You! Which Camping Pass Upgrade is right for you? Camping Pass

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Access to Campgrounds in your zone(s)

Park to Park Family Access Reciprocal Network Getaway Cabins Travel Club

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

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 TRAILBLAZER

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Answers can be found on page 65.

ACROSS 1 Ravine 5 Divest 8 Down with (Fr., 2 words) 12 Wheel shaft 13 Amer. Bar Assn. (abbr.) 14 Taro 15 Lizard 16 Arrowroot 17 Indigo plant 18 Oak moss 20 Bitter (pref.) 21 Stripling 22 Understanding 23 Arabic letter 26 John, Dutch 27 Interdict 30 Tree 31 Wild ass 33 Axilla 34 Sleeveless Arab cloak 35 Outer (pref.) 36 Of a city 38 Pasture 60

40 Reddish-yellow color 43 Pardon 47 Anagram (abbr.) 48 Rapid eye movement (abbr.) 49 Brother of Cain 50 Pheasant brood 51 3 (Rom. numeral) 52 Hip 53 Fly 54 Bacon, lettuce, and tomato (abbr.) 55 Hebrew letter DOWN 1 Pledge 2 64 (Rom. numeral) 3 She (Fr.) 4 Almost 5 Quick 6 Fetish 7 Sheepâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cry 8 Another 9 Judgesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; bench 10 Indian red powder 11 Fodder building

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 TRAILBLAZER

19 Cotton fabric 20 Flightless bird 22 Kansas (abbr.) 23 Port. colony in India 24 Habakkuk (abbr.) 25 Also known as (abbr.) 26 Punjab inhabitant 27 Babism founder 28 Alabama (abbr.) 29 Bobbsey twins 32 Amazon tributary 37 Edit 38 Pub fare 37 Hamlet (Sp.) 38 Wild pig 39 Regurgitate 40 Without (Fr.) 41 Freshwater mussel 42 Art movement 43 Build a ceiling 44 Woodwind 45 Nearest 46 King of Israel 48 Umbrella part

Terms and Conditions for 2018 Referral Promotion from page 2.

Answers can be found on page 65.

Find The Evergreen Tree An evergreen tree is hidden somewhere in this issue. Send us a postcard telling us where you found it, and if your card is drawn you’ll win a $25 American Express® Prepaid Gift Card.

RosaLee Walters

of Madison, South Dakota found the tree on Page 36 of the August 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 October 8, 2018 and remember – the tree could be a different color and size.

For each Eligible Referral (as defined) through December 31, 2018, you will receive a $25 Virtual Visa® Reward Card. In addition, for each Eligible Referral through December 31, 2018, 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 2019, not to exceed $575 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, 2019. 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 May 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018 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 Virtual Visa® Reward Card and you will not receive a $25 Virtual Visa® Reward Card for purchases made by residents of AZ or PA. We reserve the right to extend, modify, suspend, or terminate this promotion at any time for any reason; however, any rewards earned prior to the suspension or termination of this promotion will be honored. Employees of MHC Property Management, L.P. and its affiliates are not eligible to participate in this promotion. All local, state and federal income taxes are the responsibility of the recipient. Accordingly, we recommend that all participants consult a tax advisor about reporting rewards for tax purposes. We will issue the required 1099 to each participant and to the IRS when the total value of awards you are eligible to receive equal or exceed $600 for one year. This advertising is being used for the purpose of soliciting sales of resort campground memberships. This document has been filed with the Department of Licensing, State of Washington, as required by Washington law. Value, quality, or conditions stated and performance on promises are the responsibility of the operator, not the Department. This filing does not mean that the Department has approved the merits or qualifications of any registration, advertising, or any gift, prize, or item of value as part of any promotional plan. This promotion is sponsored by MHC Thousand Trails Limited Partnership, Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60606.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 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 Al’s Trailer Sales OR - Salem • alstrailers.com All Valley RV Center CA - Acton • allvalleyrvcenter.com Alpin Haus NY - Amsterdam, Port Jervis, Saratoga alpinhaus.com American Family RV VA - Chesapeake, VA - Salem americanfamilyrv.com Appleton Camping Center WI - Appleton • appletoncamping.com B&B RV CA - Anderson • bbrv.me Bama RV AL - Dothan • bamarv.com Baydo’s RV of Chehalis WA - Chehalis • baydosrvs.com

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

Cunningham Campers, Inc.

Browns RV SC - McBee • brownsrvsuperstore.com

Economy RVs MD - Mechanicsville • economyrvs.com

Burlington RV Superstore WI - Sturtevant • burlingtonrv.com

Ellis Travel Trailers GA - Statesboro • ellistraveltrailers.com

Camperland Trailer Sales TX - Conroe • camperland.net

ET Quality RV CA - Two locations in Yuba City etqualityrv.com

Campers Inn CT - Union FL - Leesburg, Jacksonville, Ocala IN - Clarksville SC - Myrtle Beach NC - Kings Mountain, Mocksville, Raleigh NH - Kingston, Merrimack PA - Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, MA - Raynham VA - Fredericksburg GA - Macon, Atlanta • campersinn.com Canopy Country RV Center WA - Ellensburg, Union Gap canopycountry.com Charlie Obaugh RV VA - Staunton • charlieobaughrv.com Chesaco RV MD - Joppa, Frederick, Gambrills PA - Shoemakersville • chesacorv.com

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

Clear Creek RV WA - Silverdale, Puyallup clearcreekrvcenter.com

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

Cleveland RV GA - Cleveland • clevelandrvsales.com

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

Coastal RV VA - Carrolton • coastalrv.com

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

Colerain RV GA - Ringgold IN - Indianapolis OH - Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus KY - Lexington, Bowling Green TN - Lebanon, Louisville • colerainrv.com Conejo Wholesale Auto and RV CA - Thousand Oaks conejowholesaleauto.com Country Camping Corner NC - Kings Mountain • countrycamping.com Crossroads Trailers NJ - Newfield • crossroadstrailers.com

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 TRAILBLAZER

IN - Jeffersonville • cunninghamcampers.com

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

Marjon RV CA - Moreno Valley • marjonrvs.com

Safford RV VA - Thornburg • saffordrv.com

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

Sahara RV NV - Las Vegas • sahararv.com

Media Camping PA - Media • mediacamping.com

San Angelo RV TX - San Angelo • sanangelorvs.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

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

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

Camp Out RV ON - Stratford • campoutrv.com Canadream AB - Calgary BC - Vancouver ON - Toronto NS - Halifax QC - Montreal YT - Whitehorse • canadream.com GO VR QC - Ange-Gardien • go-vr.com Horizon Lussier QC - Maryville • horizonlussier.com

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

JCS Entreposage QC - Trois Rivières • entreposagejcs.com

Strickland Marine & RV SC - Seneca • stricklandmarineandrv.com

Kustom Koach RV Centre BC - Aldergrove • kustomkoachrv.com

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

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

Princess Craft RV TX - Round Rock • princesscraft.com

Sunbelt RV Center TX - Belton • sunbeltrv.com

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

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

Sundown RV Center CA - Atwater • sundownrv.com

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

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

Recreation Plantation RV Sales IL - Lynwood recreationplantationrvsales.com Roadhouse Camper & RV PA - Lake Ariel (Scranton) roadhousecamper.com Roy Robinson RV WA - Marysville • royrobinsonrv.com Russ Dean Family RV WA - Pasco • russdeanrv.com RV City AZ - Huachuca City • rvcity.net RV Country AZ - Bullhead City, Flagstaff, Mesa, Showlow CA - Fresno NV - Laughlin OR - Coburg WA - Buckley, Fife, Mt. Vernon rvcountry.com RV General Store OK - Newcastle • rvgeneralstore.com RV’s For Less TN - Knoxville • rvsforless.net RV Source TX - Bryan • rvsource.com RVs Northwest WA - Spokane • rvsnorthwest.com RV Value Mart PA - Lititz, Manheim, Willow rvvaluemart.com

Super Deals RV Inc. GA - Temple • superdealsrv.com TAC RV NC - Moyock • tactrailerandrv.com

Leisure Trailer Sales ON - Tecumseh • leisuretrailers.com

The RV Factory Luxe Fifth Wheel IN - Elkhart • luxefifthwheel.com The Trail Center SC - North Charleston • trailcenter.com Tonie's RV VA - Salem • toniesrv.com Toscano RV CA - Los Banos • toscanorv.com TravelTime RV TX - Sulphur Springs • traveltimerv.com Vancouver RV & Park Model Center WA - Vancouver • vancouverrv.com Vogt RV TX - Two locations in Ft. Worth vogtrv.com

O'Connor RV BC - Chilliwack • oconnorrv.com Ottawa Camping Trailers ON - Ottawa • ottawacamping.ca Roulottes AS Levesque QC - Châteauguay, Saguenay, Sainte-Hélène, Trois-Rivières roulotte.ca Roulottes Remillard QC - Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu roulottesremillard.com Véhicules Récréatifs JD QC - Sherbrooke • vrjdrv.ca VR Depot QC - Vaudreuil-Dorion • vrdepot.ca

Waterdog RV OR - Dayton • waterdogrv.com

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

Welcome Back RV Outlet TX - Athens • welcomebackrv.com Western Travel Sales WA - Lynden • westerntravelsales.com

VR Prestige QC - Terrebonne • vrprestige.com

Wilder RV WA - Port Angeles • wilderrvs.com

VR Souliere QC - Lanoraie, Lavaltrie vrsouliere.com SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 TRAILBLAZER

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

CLUB Sept/Oct 2018

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

Bounders United (BUTTN)

Rolling Thunder of Texoma

TT Travelers Southern California

Sept. 27 ........................ Palm Springs Oct. 4 ............................ Palm Springs If you are interested in attending please contact wagonmaster Darlene Spalding at (951) 741-3881. BUTTN are members who own or have owned a Bounder motorhome and belong to the Bounders United and Thousand Trails.

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

We usually meet on the first Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of each month. In the morning we have coffee, snacks, socialize and play games. In the evening we have more fun with a potluck and card games. We are looking for more new members. Come visit us. For information, contact Cecil Schoolcraft, Wagonmaster, (619) 997-9787, or email him at cecilanddonna@aol.com.

TT SINGLES Northwest Sept. 28-30 ............... Cultus Lake, BC Oct. 26-28 ....................... Seaside, OR WagonMaster, Director Daphne Bailey (OR) Daphnebailey07@comcast.net, (503) 590-8566, Secretary Dorothy Michel (WA) (360) 941-3126, Djmichel48@gmail.com.

Lewis and Clark TTN Sept. 10-14 ............ Whalers Rest, OR Oct. 8-12 ......................... Seaside, OR Mike May: President Lewis and Clark TTN chapter of FMCA. Contact person, Mike May (360) 581-5512 or mmay914@comcast.net.

TT of Texas/FMCA Sept. 7-9 ................Lake Whitney, TX Nov. 9-11 ................ Medina Lake, TX New members must be a member of TTN and FMCA. All motorhomes, trailer owners, and 5th-wheels are welcome. Contact Connie Farrar at (817) 454-4612 or email to ttnfmcachapter@gmail.com. Website: ttnoftexasfmca.com. Blog: ttfmcaralliesandmore.blogspot.com.

TTN Central CA

Come join us! We are weekday campers and we like LOTS, Ponderosa, & Snowflower, but are open to other locations. Please check out our Facebook page: RVSeniorsofCentralCaTTN. Email us at ccttnsingles@gmail.com.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 TRAILBLAZER

TTN So Cal Weekenders 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.

Branching Out... Seeking a Safer Tomorrow

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 TRAILBLAZER

On Location

COLORFUL COTTAGES AT TROPICAL PALMS RV RESORT Located in Kissimmee, Florida, Tropical Palms RV Resort is a hidden gem of a vacation destination. From its lush landscape to special amenities like a pool, a cafe, live entertainment, social events, and much more, Tropical Palms is the perfect getaway. Not only does Tropical Palms sit on 69 beautiful sun-kissed acres of lush Florida land, Tropical Palms is close to all of the attractions Orlando has to offer! Walt Disney WorldÂŽ is only 4 miles away; its only 11 miles from the Orange County Convention Center and its within walking distance from Old Town Orlando and Fun Spot!

Tropical Palmsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; spacious vacation cottages come in a variety of floor plans. The cottages come complete with a private deck, full kitchen, flat-screen TV, and sleeper sofa set. Pet friendly cottages are available as well! Thousand Trails members can get 20% off a 2 night minimum stay (6 night maximum) in a vacation cottage at Tropical Palms from now until Oct. 31 2018! Call (877) 570-2267 and remember to use promo code: TBTPRV20.* Book today! And to get a special look inside the Tropical Palms cottages and resort, visit RVontheGo.com.

To book your next stay, visit RVontheGo.com 66

*Valid Until October 31, 2018. Book By October 29, 2018. Subject to availability. Reservations required. Offer valid on new reservations only. Offer valid on rentals only. Stays 30 days or less are subject to $4 per day resort fee. Electric not included for stays of 30 days or longer. 6 night maximum. Rates do not include taxes. Cannot be combined with any other Visit myMHcommunity.com today to search more than 200 communities across 26 states. offer or promotions. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 TRAILBLAZER

Wherever your travels take you enjoy lifes’ delights with passion and

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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 2018 GEICO 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 2018 GEICO