A Sign Promising FREE Ice Water Was A 'Magnet

Late 1931. Dorothy and Ted Hustead along with four-year-old Bill bought the only drugstore in Wall, South Dakota located on the edge of the Badlands. Business was bad due to the Depression and droughts and the 326 poor residents could not support the store. The Hustead's gave the business 5 years to recover.

Ted graduated from pharmacy school in 1929, and Dorothy was a teacher. However they wanted their own store and thanks to a $3000,00 legacy from his father, Ted found this one in Wall. The Hustead’s were on a trip in their Model T when they saw the store. Because there was a Catholic Church nearby, it looked like a good place to settle down – even if it seemed to be in the middle of nowhere. Their extended family thought they had ‘lost it’ but after lengthy prayer everyone decided it was a good move.

Near the 5-year business mark, Dorothy awoke from an extremely hot Sunday afternoon nap with a super idea. She exclaimed that the drivers on the highway must be hot and dusty, so why not put up signs offering ‘Free Ice Water”. It was frustrating to see all the cars by-passing their store en route to Mount Rushmore.

Before the signs were up, business was booming – for the Free water but also for sales of ice cream and other items. Obviously the signs worked because the rush continued for many hours. At days end in the summer twilight, Wall looked radiant – a perfect place to call home.

"Get a soda . . . Get a root beer . . . turn next corner . . . Just as near . . . To Highway 16 & 14. . . Free Ice Water. . . Wall Drug."

To this day Wall Drugs gives away Free ice water, but now they have an enormous 76000 square foot western wonderland store, a huge restaurant, gift shops etc.; 20,000 people stop to visit on a hot summer day. Pictures and more of the story

Hiking the Grand Staircase

The reward at the end of the trail along Calf Creek is a stunning 126' water fall. Much of the almost two million acre Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah is largely wilderness and not easily accessible, but this hike is right off scenic Highway 12, 15 miles east of Escalante. Day users pay $2 ($1 for Golden Age or Access).

The trail is six miles round trip so we packed a lunch. The trail is moderate, with some ups and downs as it follows the creek. A trail guide, available at the trailhead, points out historical and cultural features like a huge pictograph on a canyon wall and graneries hidden in cliffs for storage. What made the trail a little harder was the loose, sandy soil in many places, which makes for harder hiking, and the fact that about two-thirds of the trail is directly in the sun. The last third has more shade and you are rewarded with lovely trees, mist and cool at the falls itself. You can fish for brown trout and wade in the pool or simply enjoy the cool before heading back.

While there is a small campground at Calf Creek, it is limited to smaller RVs - 25' maximum. An alternative is to camp in Escalante, which has one private campground. Plus just west of town is a state park. You can also pick up a few groceries and buy an expresso coffee in town. In fact, the best thing to do is leave your RV in Escalante and drive the 16 miles to Calf Creek. Parking is very limited and the turn onto Highway 12 with an RV is tough if you are headed east from there.

Globe mallow was in bloom with the trees leafing out- wonderful contrast to the red rock of this area. Southeast Utah always amazes me. It is high desert but down in the canyons is another world. Cottonwoods, willows and other water-loving plants thrive. From a high vantage point above the canyons, you can see a ribbon of green wherever a stream flows.

If you're following Highway 12, the hike to lower Calf Creek is a way to stretch your legs plus see riparian Utah up close and personal. Jaimie

Zion National Park by shuttle

I last visited Zion National Park in 1993. Since then, they have closed the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive to private vehicles (except up as far as the lodge and campground if you are staying there). We were thinking having to ride a shuttle would diminsh the experience. We wouldn't be able to see everything we wanted easily or we'd be stuck waiting for a shuttle along the route.

It turned out that the free shuttle improved our experience. The only vehicles on the road were shuttles, which, during mid-day, ran every 7-10 minutes apart, plus a few bicycles. There was always room and we only waited for 7 or 8 minutes once, when we just missed a shuttle pulling out. If you ride up and back without getting off, the round trip takes about 90 minutes. The drivers tell you what's along the route, though you can sign up for one shuttle with a ranger aboard, which takes 2 hours. The ranger-narrated shuttle tour left at 9 a.m., so check for times and availability as soon as you arrive at the visitor center.

At Zion you are at the bottom of a canyon with steep walls- a different perspective than a park like the Grand Canyon where you are at the top looking down. We got off at nearly every stop. You can access several hikes from shuttle stops. We did the half-mile round trip up to Weeping Rock and back, plus the two-mile Riverside walk along the Virgin River canyon. Both were handicapped accessible. You can do challenging hikes like the one to Angels Landing as well. The lodge, one of the stops, has a coffee shop, cafe, restaurant and gift shop.

Parking is available at the visitor center, but that often fills up by 10 a.m. Another free shuttle runs through the town of Springdale with several stops and more parking to take to you the park entrance. From May 20 to September 8, shuttles run from 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. More information on shuttle schedules can be found here.

We came in from the east on Highway 9. It is a gorgeous drive, however, it is best if you leave your RV at a campground and drive your tow or toad vehicle in. You need to drive through two tunnels with height and width restrictions. Vehicles with a combined length of move than 50' are prohibited. RVs less than 40' long (single vehicle) can enter but will have to pay a $15 escort fee. In fact, with our dually truck, we had to pay the $15 because it exceeds the width limits. If you have an oversized vehicle, the tunnel is closed to traffic coming the other way while you go through. Large RVs can come in from the south on Highway 9 through Springdale to reach the park.

If you'd like to spend more time there, you could work for one of the concessionaires. Click here to read more about jobs at Zion at the Working on the RV Road blog. Or here for information on volunteering at a national park.

This is one of the top natural national parks and a visit is often combined to other national parks in the area like Bryce Canyon, the north rim of the Grand Canyon, plus other Utah parks. If you haven't been yet, put it on your list! Jaimie

The 'House On The Rock' Treasure Chest Goes On And On And On

In the 1940’s Alex Jordan, a eccentric collector and dreamer with a wild imagination, purchased a 60-foot chimney rock in the beautiful Wyoming

Valley of Spring Green, Wisconsin.

He painstakingly began to build a weekend retreat – all supplies were carried up by hand. But because people kept asking to see what he was building, he began to charge 50 cents for the tour. He called his house foundation ‘Deer Shelter Rock’ and his structure slowly transformed into an architectural wonder. The House is so much more than a static museum.

Over the years Alex’s original 14 rooms expanded to numerous buildings and collections that seem endless – esthetic beautiful floral garden displays highlighted each area. It officially opened to the public in 1961.

Our first visit in 1987 was simply mind-boggling but every time we returned the displays have grown and become more extensive. The collections include rare and unique treasures from around the world.

In 1988 Alex sold ‘The House’ to his partner and friend, Art Donaldson – Art shared Alex’s enthusiasm although Alex stayed on staff until his death a year later. Art has made every effort to continue and expand Alex’s dream.

Huge extensive collections include items such as Cannons, Dolls, Circus angels and the amazing Carousel, one of a kind Organs, Circus room; Streets and Music of Yesterday, a huge Christmas collection during the season and, and and; the listings seem endless. Of course no one should miss the original 14 rooms plus the infinity room.

The House is undergoing major renovations and expansion during the next 3-years but it continues to remain open. This complex has grown so large in size that it may be advantageous for visitors to choose a shorter single tour; however a combined extensive three-tours-in-one is also available. John and I visit this one of a kind ‘Gem’ every few years to appreciate the changes, but we split up and meet several hours later. He isn’t interested in the doll room and/or similar items and I had too much to see to spend time appreciating the extensive gun collection.

The House on the Rock expansion now includes an inn, resort, golf course, restaurants and mega garden displays inside and out. Various campgrounds are located nearby

For more details please check out the official website of the House on the Rock

Visit The Grand Central Station Of The Underground Railroad

Here is a side trip worth taking. The Levi Coffin house was built in 1839 in Newport (now Fountain City) by the coffin family. Levi was a Quaker businessman who moved from North Carolina to Indiana in 1826 because he and his wife Catharine opposed slavery. This house was built with hiding places to conceal people who were escaping slavery.

Levi sold goods that were “free-labor” meaning that they were not produced using slave labor. After living in this house and assisting more than 2000 slaves to freedom, they moved to Cincinnati and aided another 1300 to freedom. All the people the Coffins helped were never re-captured. From Richmond, Indiana, take highway 27 north to Fountain City. The house is on highway 27 in the center of town. There is no designated RV parking at this historic site, but you can park on the street in front of the house for 30 minutes. The house tours are only open to the public from June 1 through August 31. Admission is $2.00 for adults and $1.00 for children.

On the way, be sure to stop at the Amish deli and bakery, “Fountain Acres Foods” which will be on your right hand side just before you get to Fountain City. Here you will find wonderful baked goods and an interesting view of Amish culture.
You may want to pick up a shoo-fly pie or some of those mouth watering chocolate chip cookies, in fact I recommend you buy several packages because they go fast! Jim Twamley

In hot water—again!

We love hot water. We'll take a hot tub or a Jacuzzi. Natural sources of hot water are even better. Besides relaxing in mud baths (see prior post on Calistoga Mud Baths), we love hot springs. Free ones are our favorites and there are plenty of those.

While traveling the loneliest highway (Highway 50)in Nevada, we camped overnight in Austin and searched out Spencer's Hot Springs. RV friends told us it was their favorite. We drove about 12 miles east tinto the Smokey Valley then turned off the highway onto a forest service road. We first found a rock pool. A small deck and bench were handy for leaving shoes, towels, etc. The rocks, however, were extremely slippery and the water was probably 106 degrees. We later found a second spot: a stock tank where you could regulate how much hot water came in. Prior visitors had put down indoor/outdoor carpet. This was much more comfortable and we enjoyed lunch and a good soak.

The views of the Toiyabe Range, still with snow, and the valley of sage were incredible. I was in a hot springs in Idaho with pools that had hot water waterfalls. That's my very favorite, but this is definitely number two.

We found a description and directions to Spencer's Hot Springs, plus a number of others in the same area, listed in Hot Springs and Hot Pools of the Southwest at RVBookstore.com. It's a great resource for both free and commercial hot springs. Jaimie

NASA Studies New Space Propulsion System – The Cow!

Sunday before last, I was pullig my 5th wheel down the street in front of the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, enjoying the rocket garden and just happened to notice this. So, if the “cow jumped OVER the moon” then why couldn’t she land on it? That must be what they are studying. Here is the photo to prove it.(The sign in the background reads "Marshall Space Flight Center" with some rocket motors laying around in the yard). Next thing you know, they'll be putting rockets up on jacks on the front lawn. The Aliens must think we're a bunch of rednecks! Huntsville, Alabama is nicknamed “Rocket City” because it is home to both Redstone Arsenal and the Marshall Space Flight Center. The Army's Redstone Arsenal is also home to the International Space Station Payload Operations Center.The U.S. Space and Rocket Center is a museum that showcases the history of the U.S. space program. It was the brainchild of Dr. Wernher von Braun who was the director of the Marshall Space Flight Center when it developed rockets to send our astronauts to the moon. It houses more than 1,500 pieces – including rockets, motors, and all sorts of space junk.

Hours of operation are every day from 9 to 5 (except important holidays)

Combo admission, museum, rocket park and Imax movie
Adults $20.95, Kids (6-12) $15.95, under six free.

Museum only
Adults $16.00, Kids (6-12) $11.00, under six free.

Imax only
Adults $8.00, Kids (6-12) $7.00

Located off of exit 15 off of I-565 in Huntsville, Alabama. It’s hard to miss, just look for the big white pointy thing (The Saturn V Rocket).

The First State Park in Texas Welcomes You.

Early in our travels we concentrated on finding neat out of the way places to camp. That was one of the reasons we stopped at the tiny quaint Mother Neff State Park – Texas’ first. We strived to ‘taste’ a bit of history and Mother Neff did not disappoint us.

Mother Neff State Park was the first official state park in Texas. In 1916 Mrs. Isabella Eleanor (Mother) Neff donated six acres of land for recreation. Her son, Pat M.Neff, was elected Governor five years later. After the death of his mother in 1921, Governor Neff created the Mother Neff Memorial Park – eventually it became the nucleus of the Texas State Park System. Mother Neff State Park, located west of Moody, had grown to 259 acres in Coryell County when it opened to the public in 1937. Private owners deeded some land and Governor Neff added 250 acres.



In the 30’s the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) restored the park to its historical setting. During an excavation in 1935, Indian graves and historic artifacts were discovered. The many shade trees of this quiet park is ideal for camping, hiking, picnicking, and fishing from the riverbank. A junior ranger program encourages children from ages 4-12 to earn a special badge & certificate. Stop by if you are in the area.

Details here

Pictures from here

Travel back in time to 1905

The butler admitted the small group of us to the "cottage" where we were greeted by Mr and Mrs. Bourn, dressed to the nines. Mrs. Bourn asked if we had come by train since we weren't dusty! We'd been warned that the people in this house were living in 1905 and we'd have to step back into their time.

The "cottage," of Cottswald design, was a 4600 square foot house the Bourns resided in for two or three weeks each year when they visited their property, the Empire Mine. It was the largest and richest of the California gold mines, producing more than $35,000,000 in gold between 1850 and 1956.

Once gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill in 1848, 49ers poured over the hills of the Sierra Nevadas. The Empire began as a claim on Ophir Hill, one mile southeast of Grass Valley. Through a succession of owners and purchases, the claim grew. More than 300 miles of tunnels honeycombed the claim to a depth of just short of two miles. Its most prosperous time was under W. B. Bourn, Jr., owner, and George Starr, superintendent.

The mine is now a California State Historic Park and worth a visit. The grounds near the cottage are lovely. Tall, old-growth Ponderosa dot the lawns, fragrent rose bushes line the walks. Besides the living history tour of the cottage, you can tour the gardens and the mineyards. Check the schedule and hours; tours vary by day and season. You can wander around the mine yard by yourself. Blacksmiths were working in that shop during our visit. On some occasions you can buy a "pasty" for lunch. These are the meat pies that miners took with them down into the mine for their meals. And you can take numerous walking trails to explore the park. In the works is an underground tour to actually experience the same environment, sights, and sounds as those experienced by working miners.

Besides chatting with Mr and Mrs. Bourn and George Starr, the superintendent,about the latest discovery in the mine plus the wonders of electricity in the cottage, the maid led us through the library and into the province of Katie, the live-in housekeeper/cook. We saw her splendid stove, fired by wood that cost $26- $10 more than the plain style of the day.

It you are in the mood to step back into time and to experience this vital part of California's history, put the Empire Mine State Historic Park on your list. Leave your RV where you are camping, though, and drive your toad or towed vehicle. Bring a picnic lunch and your walking shoes and enjoy the day! Jaimie

Corvette Heaven Is Located In Kentucky!

The National Corvette Museum is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky with easy access off of I-65. There is plenty of RV parking in the front of the museum. This museum, dedicated to the Chevy Corvette, is housed in a 68,000 square foot superstructure featuring an 11 story-high Skydome. It's open seven days a week, 8am to 5pm Central Time (closed on Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Day and New Year’s Day. Prices are $8.00 adult, $4.50 youth 6-16, Children are free. Family rate (same household) $20.00. If you like Corvettes this is the place to go! I especially enjoyed the Corvette juke box. This did not come as standard equipment.Don’t forget to pick up a Corvette souvenir at the gift shop on your way out. Check out this cherry ride! This is what I call "Pleasant Under Glass".Oh, by the way this Museum is about to expand to incorporate more displays and space for Corvette Clubs to meet and display their rides.

You can take a virtual tour of the museum here:
National Corvette Museum