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2002

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PHOTOS OF OUR RIG

OUR LIFESTYLE

HOME

FAVORITES

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ALLAN GENEALOGY PHOTOS

 

Our Favorite Places

Watch here for our favorite campgrounds, restaurants, sightseeing places, etc.

Lake O'Hara, Yoho National Park, BC, Canada...Tour by Great Divide Nature Interpretation, Joel Hagen.  This was a highlight of our trip to the Lake Louise area. Joel was an outstanding guide to this VERY special place. He and Nadine, his wife, guide tours and private hikes throughout the area, so we would highly recommend trying to get into one of their group or private hikes. We learned so much that helped us understand more about what we saw the rest of  the week.  Lake O'Hara is a gorgeous place to visit...magical! (But it is restricted to only a few lucky people  each day...bus trips to the lake are available by reservation 3 months in advance.)

IRVin's RV Park in Valemount, BC.  What a gorgeous stopover enroute to the Jasper area. We would recommend this lovely park as a 'multi-day' stopover. Clean, large sites, awesome views, wifi, nice laundry, etc. Mt. Robson, Rearguard Falls, and Overlander Falls are nearby. We watched the Chinook salmon jumping up Rearguard Falls.

Szechuan Restaurant, Salem, VA.  One of three Chinese restaurants from the same owners, they've received "Best of..." ratings for over 10 years, and deserve it! It's the best Chinese restaurant we've EVER been to! Presentation alone is outstanding, but the taste is divine! If you're near Roanoke, try to stop by! (This one is in a parking lot that is shared with a Kroger's, etc., so there "might" be room for a rig, but don't count on it, unless it's for lunch. Dinnertime it's crowded. You might be able to park at the Kroger lot at the intersection of Route 419 and 460 (less crowded), unhook, and use the toad to proceed a few miles further to the restaurant that is in a shopping mall on the right, opposite the Lewis Gale Hospital. (Get ready to make a right turn at the next light once you cross the Roanoke River.) Dixie Caverns is the nearest RV park a few miles west.  http://www.szechuans.com

The town of Salado, between Austin and Dallas, just off I-35 (exit 284, 285). This is a hidden gem for antiques, Bed and Breakfast places, western items, etc. It's definitely worth a stop. Easy off for  big rigs and some easy parallel parking on streets. Make sure to see the Stagecoach Inn on Main Street... have lunch or  dinner at the old Mansion (at least have drinks on the patio!). Fun place. Into quilting? The Sewing Basket is a great place for top quality fabrics and quilting supplies!

Schoepf's BBQ, Belton, TX.  Just off I-35, south of Temple, is some great BBQ waiting for you. It's easy to find (west on Central Ave., Belton, TX)..it's on the right a few businesses after Sonic. You'll see the smoke!

Buckhorn Lake RV Park, Kerrville, TX.  This is an outstanding park.  The sites are the best we've been in in terms of their hookups that are on conveniently placed pedestals and the extra-long length that easily accommodates large RVs with tow vehicles.  The "Barn" is the scene for BBQs, Pancake Breakfasts, rally events, etc. The location is rural, but Kerrville and Fredericksburg are only minutes away...both scenic towns with plenty to do and see.

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Heceta House Bed & Breakfast, Florence, OR. (http://www.hecetalighthouse.com/)  The lighthouse keeper's house at Heceta Head Lighthouse has been turned into a unique Bed & Breakfast.  Incredible views, a delicious 7-course breakfast, and very comfortable accommodations are all found here.  You have the use of the two parlours, the expansive front porch, as well as a full kitchen (you won't want to leave once you arrive, so bring provisions for your evening meal!) This was a truly memorable experience...we'll definitely return. 

smKeepersHouse.jpg (61962 bytes)See "February 2003" for more photos. Here's a webcam for "real time views" showing the lighthouse on the headlands viewed from the Sea Lion Caves that are south of it.   http://www.sealioncaves.com/2root/webcam.shtml

Arnold's Country Inn, Yelm, WA.  For an excellent meal near Tacoma, try this out-of-the-way delightful spot. Excellent food and service at fair prices. We had the roast lamb which was excellent.

Mallard Creek Golf & RV Park, Lebanon, OR.  This is a new golf and RV park that is the best of both...excellent golf course (site of the Oregon Open) and lovely RV park adjacent with large sites, full hookups, and "hot phones." Neat, clean, country views, etc. make this a favorite with us!

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Buckskin Mountain State Park, Parker, AZ.  This is one of the few state parks that can handle any size rig in gorgeous surroundings. Our site was "broadside" to the Colorado River with water and electric. There  were many pullthroughs that could have handled our rig with Jeep attached, but we chose a long (70') back-in for the view. It's near an excellent golf course, has it's own boat launching area, store, snackbar, and swimming beach. A bargain for $17/night.

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Samoa Cookhouse, near Arcata, CA.  This is a "must stop" if you're hungry and driving 101 north of Eureka, CA.  "The last surviving cookhouse in the west" is how they advertise this restaurant.  It serves you "family style"...really lumber camp style...all you can eat of good, hearty fare. The menu changes daily with homemade bread, soup, salad, entree (ours was pot roast and pork ribs), vegies, and pie.  You are seated at long tables with mismatched chairs, surrounded by logging memorabilia. Delightful place...but don't eat for hours before you go! They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

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Emerald Desert RV Resort, Palm Desert, CA. This is definitely a 4* RV park where we spent the month of Feb. 2002. We will return again next winter, for sure! They have a challenging executive golf course, practice area, putting greens,  tennis courts, heated pools and spas, fully equipped exercise room, bocce ball courts, dog exercise area, internet hookups, etc. all in perfectly manicured surroundings.

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Tosh's of Tubac, Tubac, AZ. This is an outstanding Mexican restaurant...one of our favorites! The small town of Tubac is a "must see" also...wonderful artisans. It's only about an hour south of Tucson, AZ. (Tosh's has its "main restaurant" in Denver, CO.)

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Jojoba Hills RV Resort, Aguanga, CA.  This is an Escapee's RV park for members only, but it is one of our favorite places of all we've visited. Nestled in the hills of Southern California, its sites are all owned by private individuals, so you are renting spaces only if the owners are not there. Lovely sites, quiet (only noise you hear are the quail), friendly, and terrific facilities. If you're an Escapee's member, consider this park as a stopover on the way to San Diego or other Southern California destinations.

Ron & Barb Hoffmeister's website
THE place for finding out about "the Fulltiming Lifestyle." Check it out to find out where to go, where to stay, what to see, and have questions answered about living on the road fulltime.
http://www.movinon.net/Movinonmainmenu.htm

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Paa-Ko Ridge Golf Course, Sandia, NM. Chris felt this was the best golf course he had ever played. Beautiful scenery, challenging but fair, and only $53 for his round. Definitely worth a stop if  you're near here. (Santa Fe, NM is only 45 minutes away.)

Kokopelli Kafe and Bakery, Cedar Crest, NM. Just east of Albuquerque, NM, on the Turquoise Trail to Santa Fe, is a small restaurant and bakery with HUGE cinnamon rolls (yummy) and great food (breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served.) It's worth a sidetrip if you're in the area.

Lake Otsego County Campground in Gaylord, Michigan. This is a small gem of a county park...large sites, lakeside, clean as a whistle, great Rangers, nice facilities. Of course, being in the Golf Mecca of Michigan is nice too. Very nice town of Gaylord nearby. Only $13 per night!

Wilson State Park, Otsego Lake State Park, Platte River National Lakeshore Campground, and others in Michigan: Michigan's state park system seems to be excellent. The parks have room for our "Big Rig" in most cases, even when the guide books have indicated the spaces were too small.  The facilities have been clean, the hookups adequate (usually 30 amp), and the locations excellent. You can reserve specific sites for $2.00 or you can arrive in mid-afternoon and take pot luck. Obviously the best sites are reserved, but we have found very nice sites arriving in mid-day.

smWilsonSPcampsite.jpg (117662 bytes) Wilson State Park, Michigan (there is a small lake in the background.)

 

Bristol Woodlands Campground: In the Finger Lakes Region of NY we found this hidden gem...if you want a LARGE space in an open meadow setting (although tenters can find some fabulous sites in the wooded areas too..this is a 10+ for tenters!) The average site is about 60x80' with mostly full hookups. The bathrooms are minimal, but the people were great, the views wonderful and the quiet was unbelievable...no sounds from even roads!

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 Rutledge Lake Travel Park:Just south of Asheville, NC near the airport is a delightful campground where we spent the Memorial Day weekend. I'd recommend it to anyone. 

 

Misty Mountain Camp Resort: Just west of Charlottesville, VA, off Route 64 before the mountains, you'll find this excellent campground with wooded, full service sites, and open playing fields, pool, rec hall, theater, store, pizza and sub shop (excellent!), and very helpful, friendly staff. Fifteen minutes to most area attractions. We'd recommend a week!

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Spudnuts: You can have Krispy Kreme donuts...these are the best! We understand we can find them in several other towns, too, so we'll be looking for them!

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