When you're traveling north or south on I-5 near Rogue River, Oregon, you might want to take exit 45B. When you turn to the right at the stop sign, you enter Valley of the Rogue State Park. Turn left and you enter a rest area. The sound of the Rogue River accompanies the beautiful treed surroundings. There are clean restrooms, a place to walk your pet, a soda machine, a candy machine and wi-fi for a fee. No overnight camping is permitted but it's worth a spending a few hours enjoying nature just off the freeway.
In Utah's high country, winter comes early. A few years back we were "chased out" of the canyon country by snow in October. But now's a great time to catch the scenery without the huge crowds--and oppressive heat.
Bryce Canyon is unique among the "Crown Jewels" of the national park system--its wide ranging terrain takes you up nearly 2,000 feet and through three distinct climate zones. And the mysterious "hoodoos" formed by the action of water on sandstone never fail to do a little jaw dropping.
If you go with your trailer or fifth wheel, you'll need to "drop it" in a specified parking area, or leave it in your park camp site in order to appreciate the park. A long "uphill drive" takes you to viewpoints over the park's "amphitheatres," and trailers just aren't allowed. We took our truck camper instead, and were happy to perch on overlooks with our kitchen and own bathroom near at hand.
But as we said, winter comes soon. The cold nights are already sneaking in, and snow can't be far behind. Plan your visit by checking out the park's web site.
How we RVers love Wal-Mart! Free overnight parking at most stores, great variety of products, inexpensive prices, long open hours. So what to do when the nearest Wal-Mart is a half-day's drive away? Just shrug your shoulders and buy this T-shirt, seen in the KOA office at Ely, Nevada.
Join me as I explore the amazing world of Madonnari and Street Painting. Armed with boxes of chalk and visions of art, sponsored artists gather at festivals all across the United States to prepare and serve up a feast for the eyes.
These short-lived masterpieces are created simply for the love of the art form. Drawn directly on the street and subject to weather, foot traffic, vehicles, etc. when the festival is over, these street painters – or Madonnari as they are called - consider the paintings performance art much like a concert or a play.
Often you’ll find a worthwhile charity or organization affiliated with street painting festivals. For instance, the festival I share with you was in part a fund-raising event for the Children’s Creative Project. Money comes from sponsors purchasing various sized squares ranging from 4x6 for $75 to 12x12 running $500. There was also a kid’s area where a a $6 “canvas” included a box of chalk. Do you remember those sidewalk masterpieces of your youth? The event raises approximately $20,000 for the Project – not too shabby!
The event is free to spectators and usually runs 2 to 3 days. You’ll see the bare bones being constructed on day 1 with the completed paintings by the end of the festival. Log on to www.streetpainting.net and click on the “festivals” link to see a listing of international and domestic festivals or simply Google the city/town name and street painting. If you find one nearby don’t miss it – it’s something you should experience at least once!
Judith Landing, an isolated outpost on the Missouri River downstream from Great Falls, Montana, is one of those special places that makes an RVer feel selfish; you want to hoard the location and keep it a secret lest publicizing it attract so many visitors that the spot loses its appeal.
So maybe I shouldn’t mention that Judith Landing abounds with history, such as centuries of occupation by native Americans; a Lewis and Clark encampment in 1805; three frontier forts; an 1855 treaty council with representatives from major Indian tribes; the first discovery of dinosaur fossils in North America; a stage coach route; a listing on the National Register of Historic Places as a historic district.
And perhaps I should keep my mouth shut about the rugged bluffs, the groves of lovely cottonwood trees, the lush meadows, the wildlife and the inclusion in the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument. I’d be foolish to point out that the campground lies within one of those grassy cottonwood groves by the river. No, no, my wife and I didn’t sit in our lawn chairs in the cool summer shade just a few feet from the bank and watch the majestic river flow quietly by. We didn’t wave to the occasional canoeist or study deer grazing on the other side, either.
And we didn’t stroll down to the log cabin general store to buy an ice cream and examine artifacts in the display case. Nor did we chat with the friendly BLM host or take a hike amid the wildflowers or go for an evening drive into the hills to watch the sun set over the river valley below.
So if you’re RVing in northcentral Montana, don’t turn off from the town of Big Sandy onto state highway 236 and drive 44 miles (the last 27 miles is improved gravel) to Judith Landing, as my wife and I did. And don’t bring a canoe or kayak so you can explore the famous White Cliffs section of the river. Judith Landing is just too far off the beaten path. Dry-camping only. No McDonalds or Starbucks. Nothing but history and nature and serenity.
Situated on 47 square miles of prime real estate, San Francisco has something for everyone. With it's 20+ unique neighborhoods a visitor can spend days exploring international cultures, historic events and locations, art galore, outstanding food and drink, outdoor activities and more. Public transportation is efficient, frequent and cheap. Consider RVing just outside the city, say in Redwood City, and take the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) or the CalTrain in for approximately $16/round trip. Pick up a bus map and for a mere $1.50 you can cross the city to within a block or so of any place desired. Be sure to ask for a transfer that allows you to ride any bus in the system free for 2 and a half more hours.
The Official Visitor Center is located on the lower level of Hallidie Plaza on Market Street near the cable car turntable at Powell and Market. There you'll find brochures, maps, guidebooks, and friendly, knowledgeable information desk staff. You can also purchase Muni Transportation passes and get info on tours, ferry rides, etc. Check out the video and see if you can spot the place where Jimmy Stewart saved Kim Novak in Hitchcock's famous movie Vertigo.
With so much to see and do you'll surely work up an appetite. Poke around North Beach - their Little Italy - and enjoy a fabulous sandwich or meal at most any restaurant. Planning a picnic? Visit Molinari's Deli for an outstanding sub, take in the 'hood with a cappuccino or latte outside Café Greco or Café Trieste or enjoy authentic gelato at one of several purveyors. Chinatown offers delicious dishes. One of my favorite restaurants in Chinatown is one that locals don't really patronize because they don't want to be seen standing in line - House of Nanking. The portions are plentiful, they do not use MSG and every dish is amazing. Head to the Haight for what I think was the best meal I had in the city - Cha Cha Cha - a Caribbean style tapas house. Anything you order will please - and don't forget their signature beverage - house-made sangria.
As a fulltime RVer I've not found a single place in the 7+ years I've been on the road I'd want to hang my hat…until I visited San Francisco, that is.
Leave it to the fair-sex navigator to spot the signs a mile away: "Hey! There's a fruit stand!" Sure enough, coming up on the side of the road was an old 4-bay garage turned produce market. The multicolored sign proclaimed just some of nature's delicious offerings that could be purchased.
Yes, dotting the countryside are those wonderful little independent vendors who proffer their produce prodigiously. But don't be piqued, the season is almost kaput. As autumn rushes in on us, the farmers are begining to drag in the last of it. In fact, in the Oregon onion fields, all that's left is the scent and a few husks of what used to be.
Oh intrepid travelers with a taste for fresh fruits, dither not. Find a fruit stand afore it's too late. This one is at the east end of The Dalles, Oregon.
If you're headed north or south on I-5 and are near Salem, take the turnoff for Keizer and go east to Silverton. Silverton Road will lead you directly to old downtown Silverton with its many murals.
The Oregon Garden is three blocks from the Silver Spur RV Park and less than one mile from downtown. Also nearby is Silver Falls State Park, the largest state park in Oregon.
Next week is Oktoberfest but I won't be here to share in the fun. However, the other sights in Silverton are available year round. You can spend a day here but take two so you can appreciate what this little town has to offer. Check out their website for more information: http://www.silvertonor.com/
Take a "poor man's cruise" on a Washington State Ferry
Visitors to the Puget Sound area of Washington state looking for a fun way to spend a few hours or even a day might want to take "a poor man’s cruise" on a Washington State Ferry. There are about a dozen major routes to choose from, some as short as 15 minutes but some more than an hour. The two biggest urban routes leave Seattle and Edmonds (to the north), but the most scenic is from Anacortes to the pretty little town of Friday Harbor in the San Juan Islands. En route, the ship passes by isolated islands, some with a home or two. If you get lucky, you may see a pod of Orca Whales.
Walk on fares are inexpensive, ranging from about $4 to $13 round trip in peak season. Passengers only pay going west: the trip back is free. Vehicles, however are charged both ways. It might cost $25 to bring a car back and forth on a short trip, or up to about $75 on longer routes. RVs are charged extra if they are longer than 20 feet and also when their height exceeds 7 feet six inches. A ride from Edmonds on the mainland to Kingston on the Kitsap Peninsula would cost about $85 round trip on an RV between 20 and 30 feet that is higher than 7 feet six inches. A big rig RV sailing to and from the San Juan Islands might pay about $300 during the prime summer season (figure about 20 percent less in the off-season).
Most riders with vehicles leave them after boarding and head upstairs to lounges, the cafeteria and viewing areas. Grab a hamburger or some fish and chips in the cafeteria. Kids can play video games. And there's always an extensive literature rack with good information about the destinations ahead.
It's hardly ever a problem walking onto a ferry -- there is always room. But driving on can involve a wait of an hour or two on Fridays and Sundays during the busy summer months.
The two-minute video clip here is of the trip from Edmonds to Kingston.
Working on the RV Road
Learn how to earn income while RVing. Author and work camping expert Jaimie Hall reveals what you need to know to gain employment or run your own business while traveling with a recreational vehicle.
Support Your RV Lifestyle
This is a superb resource of how to travel by RV and earn an income as you go. If you work as you travel or want to, this book written by Working On the Road blogger Jaimie Hall will be very helpful.
