TrailBlazer Magazine - Nov/Dec 2016

SEPTEMBER 2016

10 Beautiful American Hot Springs

10 Beautiful American Hot Springs

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VIS I T L AZY DAYS .CO M SEPTEMBER 2016 TRAILBLAZER

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5 LO C AT I O N S TO S E RV E YO U

VOL. 38

■

WHAT’S INSIDE

ISSUE 8 /// SEPTEMBER 2016

lifestyle

24

5

Message from Marguerite

9

Tech Topics

20 TrailMix: Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail 32 I Knew I was a TrailBlazer 36 Traveling Tiny Houses 45 4 Paws on the Road 46 Who’s in the Kitchen with TrailBlazer?

features

38

24 Monticello Wine Trail

48 Ask RV Bill

calendars

Thomas Jefferson envisioned vineyards surrounding his beloved Monticello estate near what is now Charlottesville, Virginia.

He never saw his dream come to fruition during his lifetime, but he was very much correct in thinking that the Old Dominion could produce world-class wines in the New World.

10 On-Site Events 14 Local Events 62 Club Calendar

regulars

spotlight

6

Pics From The Parks

50 Member Deals

38 In Hot Water

60 Crossword Puzzle

Stepping into a hot spring may seem as simple as stepping into a bath or pool, but if you take the time to research the history behind the use of water as a healing source, it gets much deeper than that.

61 Sudoku Puzzle 62 Preferred RV Dealer List

16 Lee Greenwood Lee Greenwood is an American country artist who has successfully bridged the gap between traditional and contemporary country music.

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▲ Cover photo, Travertine Hot Springs Photo courtesy of Gregory De Saints SEPTEMBER 2016 TRAILBLAZER

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

YOU receive a $25 Visa® PrePaid Card when your friend purchases a Thousand Trails Camping Pass!

ENTER

TODAY!

GRAND PRIZE 7-Night Cruise or Trip to Hawaii ($4,000 value)

Your referral also enters YOU into our 2016 drawing for a chance to win these great prizes:

SECOND PRIZE

THIRD PRIZE

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

Free Dues for 2017 10 Winners Selected ($4,000 value)

Contact Us Today!

(888) 808-8925

or visit THOUSANDTRAILS.COM *Details and qualifications for participation in this promotion may apply and are set forth on page 65 of this magazine.

MESSAGE from MARGUERITE As summer comes to a close, I wanted to take this opportunity to pause and look back on the abundance of events and activities that were held at our properties throughout the season. There were pool parties, luaus, potlucks, carnivals, car shows, Independence Day celebrations and, let’s not forget, Christmas celebrations in July. There was definitely no shortage of fun when it came to visiting your favorite Thousand Trails property this summer!

I hope you and your family had an opportunity to participate in at least one or two of our summer events.

Although it is difficult to say goodbye to summer, especially for those of us up North, it is always exciting to welcome the cool crisp air of fall. For many, this season signifies the time of year when we return to a daily routine and summer vacation memories are shared with classmates and teachers.

This year, fall makes its official debut on September 22, and our properties are poised for even more fun.

Be sure to plan a fall vacation around our Oktoberfest, Harvest Fest, Halloween and Haunted Trail events.

For this year’s peak fall foliage dates, refer to farmersalmanac.com. Whether you’re leaf peeping or apple picking, fall is the best time to be outdoors.

Get Out and Camp!

Marguerite Nader President & CEO

SEPTEMBER 2016 TRAILBLAZER

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Share your adventures in 3 easy steps!

www.trailblazermagazine.net CREATIVE DIRECTOR Mark Slattery EDITOR tbeditor@equitylifestyle.com GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Mellissa Brosius ADVERTISING SALES TBads@equitylifestyle.com MISSION STATEMENT TrailBlazer provides exclusive news and information for the members and guests of Thousand Trails Family of Resorts. Each issue enhances the recreational lifestyle of its readers through a lively mix of camping and travel features, resort profiles and product features.

TRAILBLAZER (ISSN 0747-2293) is published monthly except bimonthly Nov./Dec. and Jan./Feb.

by MHCTT Memberships, LP, c/o Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc., Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60606. An annual subscription is $20. Periodicals postage paid at Chicago, IL and additional offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to TRAILBLAZER, 2325 Highway 90, Gautier, MS 39553. Canada Post Publication Mail Agreement 41461526.

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

PRINTED IN THE USA

THOUSAND TRAILS RESERVATIONS Call: 800-288-7245

Win $50

EACH Issue!

1. Capture a photo of your trip at one of our parks.

2. Share with us at TrailBlazer_photos@equitylifestyle.com.

3. Check out next month to see if you’re a winner.

Winners will receive a $50 Visa® Gift Card. Each issue we will select ONE “winning” photo from the submissions received (all submissions must be received by midnight on the last day of the month).

The winning photo will be posted on the TrailBlazer website as well as in the magazine.

Photo submissions should include a brief description, including location of your photo, your name, city and state and sent to:

TrailBlazer_photos@equitylifestyle.com or mail to:

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

Emailed photos should be high resolution. Photos are not returnable and become the property of Equity LifeStyle Properties and may be used for publication on company websites and promotional purposes.

One winner will be selected EACH month from submissions received.

The winner will be announced in a future TrailBlazer issue and on www.trailblazermagazine.net.

Canada: 228-497-3594 April 1 to August 31 Mon. - Fri. 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CST September 1 to March 31 Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST

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

ENCORE RESERVATIONS 877-570-2267

VISIT WWW.RVONTHEGO.COM Remember! Thousand Trails members get preferred rates at Encore RV resorts.

▲ Whalers Rest (OR): New obsession – painting rocks! #100DaysofCamping – Cindy Haines

PICS FROM THE PARKS

▲ Tahoe Valley (CA): Great day kayaking from South Lake Tahoe to Nevada State Beach.

– KC Pastorius

▲ Pacific City (OR): Looking out to Cape Kiwanda in the distance.

– Elizabeth Atterberry

▲ Timothy Lake (PA): The beautiful Bushkill Falls.

– Carol & Chuck Core SEPTEMBER 2016 TRAILBLAZER

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LUCKY WINNER?

WANT TO BE A

Lucky winners,

Kevin and Beth Hardy from Johnson City, TX

were camping at Green Mountain, NC when they were presented with a $1,000 gift card!

Kevin and Beth Hardy with their daughter Olivia

Thousand Trails is offering members the opportunity to win a

$1,000 Visa® Prepaid Gift Card

To earn entries into our monthly drawing, simply pay your 2016 dues on time and camp at your favorite TT Preserve.

When you pay your annual dues for 2016 in full, you will be entered into our monthly drawing for a $1,000 Visa® Prepaid gift card. There will be one drawing/one winner each month from January through December 2016. In addition, once you pay your dues in full, each time you camp at a Thousand Trails Preserve in 2016, 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 preserve. 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, 2016. This promotion is sponsored by MHC Thousand Trails Limited Partnership, Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60606.

TECH

TOP CS

RVing is a great adventure and there’s always something new to learn!

by Paul and Kerri Elders Awning Hints: Retractable awnings can add a nice shady spot to any RV. They’re easy to use and even easier to store.

Whenever you retract your awning, make it a habit to engage the awning locks, which are usually located on each end of the “roller.” It only takes a second or two, and you’ll never make the mistake of driving off with an unlocked awning, which can result in an unscheduled unfurling on the highway. When you make your final walk-around inspection before departing your campsite, remember to make sure all awning locks are fully engaged. Check the patio awning and all window and slideout awnings, too.

The easiest way to keep your patio awning in tip-top shape is by remembering two simple rules: 1. Keep it Clean.

2. Keep it Dry. If you travel during a heavy rainstorm, moisture could potentially penetrate into the edges of the awning. So as soon as you’ve parked your RV and it’s stopped raining, extend the awning and allow the fabric to dry completely before retracting it again, rinsing first if necessary.

Cleaning an RV awning is simple.

Just fully extend the awning. Locking the support arms securely in place to avoid any unexpected “rollups.”

Rinse the top surface of the awning and apply an RV awning cleaner (available at your local RV supply house) according to the product’s label. Use a medium bristle brush to thoroughly clean your awning. Now just rinse thoroughly, and then allow the fabric to air dry completely before stowing.

A good method for dealing with more stubborn stains is to rinse the awning and apply the RV awning

cleaner; then, just roll up the awning and wait 30-60 minutes. Unfurl, then brush and rinse thoroughly. Allow the awning to dry completely before stowing to avoid encouraging mold and mildew growth.

RV Garbage Disposers: When Less is More Occasionally, RV’s have garbage disposers installed in the kitchen sink. Although a garbage disposer can be a useful accessory, it also can be a source of problems for your graywater system if used improperly.

Small quantities of food scraps can be safely run through the disposer; just don’t dispose of large quantities of any solids (egg shells, large chunks of vegetables or meat, etc) through an RV disposer. Keep in mind that everything that goes down the drain will eventually end up in your graywater holding tank.

Food scraps almost always have some quantity of grease that can potentially clog your drain lines and build up in the graywater holding tank. Grease has a tendency to stick to the lines which could potentially cause water to back up through the sink. If you’ve disposed of a large quantity of grease in your system, it can also coat the inside of the graywater tank. Eventually, your rig’s sewer hoses can even become lined with grease, which can attract other adhesions. If your RV has a disposer, it’s a good idea on occasion use a graywater tank cleaning product to help cleanse the tank and lines, so you can always enjoy the convenience of this appliance in your home away from home.

Surge Protectors: A surge protector is an electrical device designed to protect sensitive electronic equipment from power surges, electrical storms, and voltage spikes. All sensitive electronic devices (like computers,

plasma televisions, satellite receivers, etc.) should be protected with a surge protector, both at home and while traveling in your RV. Surge protectors are rated in “joules,” a unit of measure that gives you a numerical equivalent of how much energy the surge protector can dissipate before it fails. Generally speaking, the higher the joule rating, the greater the amount of energy the surge protector can absorb (and the greater the amount of protection you’re giving your electronic equipment). Joule ratings are listed on the surge protector’s packaging; you can also contact the manufacturer of your electronic equipment to find the amount of joule protection recommended for your specific equipment.

Check the surge protector’s packaging to confirm its rated “response time.”

This is the amount of time it takes the surge protector to detect a surge; go for one that responds in one nanosecond or less. Finally, you want to look at the surge protector’s “clamping voltage” rating. This number is listed in volts and represents the amount of voltage the surge protector will allow to pass through itself before suppressing the power surge. In this case, lower numbers are better. The lower the surge protector’s clamping voltage rating, the greater the amount of protection you are giving your electronic device.

One more word of advice: Surge protectors can and do fail.

Each power surge your surge protector is subjected to depletes a little of its stated joule rating. More surges mean higher depletion rates.

If your surge protector is several years old and has been subjected to numerous surges, you may want to consider replacing it.

Happy trails!

SEPTEMBER 2016 TRAILBLAZER

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ACTIVITIES

AND

Activities and Events – On-Site

SEPTEMBER events There’s something to do every weekend at Thousand Trails campgrounds! With wonderful Labor Day festivities, it’s never a dull moment at Thousand Trails.

For a complete listing of events at the preserves, please visit thousandtrails.com.

Labor Day Weekend Labor Day Weekend is September 3-5! Hang out at Thousand Trails for a fun-filled last weekend of summer.

Close out the summer with a long weekend at Long Beach (WA). Sept. 3-5 is jam-packed with entertainment, games, volleyball, BBQ, and Ice Cream Social. The folks at Idyllwild (CA) will be closing out their season with a bang with Wilderness Weekend Firefighter and Law Enforcement Appreciation! Celebrate the men and women who keep us safe year-round. Welcoming back a law enforcement K-9 demonstration, Hike the Trails with Pat (retired U.S. Forest Service), various firefighter activities, crafts, games, scavenger hunt, a Club Blazer kid’s hike, Hit Men will be performing, karaoke, and lots more! Don’t miss out! A discount will be offered to all firefighter and law enforcement personnel (with ID). The folks at Peace River (FL) will be enjoying a weekend of rest and relaxation, and hosting the Annual Labor Day Picnic on Monday the 5th. At Natchez Trace (TN), the Labor Day celebration features live entertainment, golf cart rides, hayrides, hot roast and more! Join the folks at Bear Cave (MI) for food, games, and prizes to celebrate another fantastic summer in Michigan. The summer winds down splashin’ around with Rainbow the Clown at Ponderosa (CA) and the Family Lodge will be hopping with cotton candy, shaved ice and the end of the season karaoke!

Crafting Get crafty at Thousand Trails! Maybe even get a head start on some holiday gifts while you’re at it...

Bring your favorite wine and enjoy it as we explore the art of watercoloring at Medina Lake (TX) on Sept. 24. Kids can decorate a picture frame for their school photo and play old-fashioned recess games at Verde Valley (AZ) the weekend of Sept. 2-5. There will also be a member appreciation activity and entertainment on Saturday night. Kids can enjoy tie-dying on Sunday Sept. 4 at Moody Beach (ME). The folks at Snowflower (CA) will have all the supplies for Tea Strainer Keepsake Necklaces including beach glass and sea shells or you can bring a special charm of your own. Come make these on Sept. 4. The following weekend at Snowflower (CA), We will fill a glass globe with things found or brought and we will add snow for a beautiful Snow Globe Scene.

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SEPTEMBER 2016 TRAILBLAZER

All events, times and dates are subject to change.

Activities and Events – On-Site

Final Pool Parties Here’s your last chance to swim! These pools are closing soon so get out there for some final dips in the pool.

Join us for Member Appreciation Day, BBQ dinners and horseshoe tournament for an end of summer weekend at Pacific City (OR) from Sept. 2-5. We know the answer to the question “Who Let the Dogs Out?” This weekend it’s Leavenworth (WA), so join us for Pooch Party Weekend, Sept. 9-11. Calling all kids for a last big party before school starts at Horseshoe Lakes (IN) on Labor Day Weekend! Poolside pizza party with karaoke!!! Join us for an end of the year barbecue and some music! Dogs take over the family pool at the Doggie Dive and Swim the weekend of Sept.10-11 at Bend/Sunriver (OR).

Flea Markets and More!

They say one man’s trash is another man’s treasure…come see for yourself at these yard sales happening at Thousand Trails!

There will be a property-wide craft and flea market at your site the weekend of Sept. 2-5 at Hershey (PA). Please register your site with recreation. The folks at Lake Conroe (TX) will be having a park-wide site sale on Sept. 12 so now is the time to go thru your summer items to downsize for the winter. Enjoy the rummage sales on Labor Day Weekend at Plymouth Rock (WI).

Sign up early for the craft show and flea market at Lake Minden (CA) the weekend of Sept. 2-5. The same weekend, Twin Mills (IN) will also hold a flea market along with games and a sculpture contest! Sell your unused items with proceeds to be donated to a great cause at PA Dutch Country (PA) the weekend of Sept. 9.

Outdoor sporting games and races, soccer, wiffleball, punt pass and kick tournament, horseshoes, and a trail hike are also in store for this active weekend. Everything must go the weekend of Sept. 23-25 at Whaler’s Rest (OR)! We are clearing out all the extra goodies from throughout the year with a huge end of season yard sale Saturday. Finally, there will be a flea market on Sept. 10 at Medina Lake (TX).

Local Musicians The small town cultural scenes are often carried by local bands.

Check out these performances by local acts.

Bring your red, white, and blue and enjoy entertainment with Trey Houston on Saturday night at Lake Tawakoni (TX) on Sept. 5.

T-Bone Road takes center stage at the Beachview pavilion under our own island stars for a Hawaiian Luau at Bay Landing (TX) on Labor Day weekend. Saturday, Sept. 3 at Pio Pico (CA), The Hit Men Band will play outside the Family Pool area. Come out and finish the summer off with the folks at Paradise (WA) and a local music group Rock City. Enjoy the summer heat by our cool refreshing pools as you hear the band in the background on Saturday 3 in the afternoon. We are jamming it all for one final fantastic weekend at Lynchburg (VA) Saturday Sept. 3, there will be music at the pavilion and Mad Ladd jams out the season at the pool Sunday, Sept. 4.

Some events may require a participation fee.

SEPTEMBER 2016 TRAILBLAZER

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Activities and Events – On-Site

Grandparents Day Grandparent’s Day is the weekend of September 9!

Celebrate Grandparents Day at Lake Minden (CA) with an Old-Fashioned Potluck Social followed by Candy Bar Bingo and an Ice Cream Social. We’ll play a variety of card and board games.

Take a craft class, then show off your favorite photos in a pocket sized Brag Book you made yourself. These are so cute that you may want to make one for a friend. Join us at Green Mountain (NC) for tales of days gone by and celebrate our Grandparents and long time members. This is the day for the grandparents to enjoy! Kids, come to the Family Center to makes something special for your grandparents at Lake Whitney (TX). Our Grandparents are so special to us, it’s time we showed them! There will be gift making on Saturday morning and a pancake breakfast where Grandparents eat free Sunday morning at Moody Beach (ME) and Sturbridge (MA).

Festivals/Shows/Live Music Whether you’re rockin’ and rolling’, square dancing and doe-si-doeing, there is some live music for everyone!

2nd Chance Band plays at Hershey (PA) on Sept. 3! Spend the weekend rocking with the oldies. Elvis may have officially left the building, but his memory is alive and well at South Jetty (OR). Join us the weekend of Sept. 2-4 for hula- hoop and bubble gum chewing contests plus rock ‘n’ roll crafts! Sip on a cherry Coke float for a nostalgic taste of the past and then Bead Trapper performs on Saturday, Sept. 3. Bead Trapper performs in the South Clubhouse at Whaler’s Rest (OR) on the evening of Saturday Sept 17. Barbecues, golf cart and campsite decorating contests, pool and yard games, marshmallow roast, Monkey Business Band for the pool festivities, plus Member Appreciation at PA Dutch Country (PA) on Labor Day Weekend. Join us at Yosemite Lakes (CA) on Saturday, Sept. 4 or the Mountain Fever Band with s’mores around the campfire at the pavilion. Back by popular demand, Mount Olive, will be performing on Saturday 4 in the evening at Plymouth Rock (WI). It’s the 10th year of the Bluegrass by the Bay Festival and it at Chesapeake Bay (VA) and it just keeps getting better and better! Three full days of bluegrass music and field picking, along with vendors selling food, crafts, shirts and more. The festival is open to the public, so tell your friends and neighbors. And make your reservations early, as we fill the park for this event on Sept. 15-18. A classic rock’n’roll show is planned the weekend of Sept. 16-18 at St. Clair (MI), so go see what it’s all about.

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SEPTEMBER 2016 TRAILBLAZER

All events, times and dates are subject to change.

Summer is almost coming to a close.

Relish in the last lazy days of summer with these relaxing weekend events.

Enjoy the last summer parade at Kenisee Lake (OH) plus the last dance of summer with DJ Rabbit on Labor Day Weekend. Let’s go out with a bang and head to Hershey (PA) on Labor Day Weekend for a parade, karaoke, and the annual member appreciation event of the season!

Bring those floats and towels and join us at Colorado River (TX) on Sept. 5 for one last pool splash of the summer. Join the fun before the season’s done at Virginia Landing (VA). We’ll be having Friday night dogs and s’mores by the fire, family fun with hayrides, and fun and games at the Family Lodge. Sept. 2-4 is the Labor Day End of Summer Palooza at Thunderbird (WA). Everything is Palooza-style this weekend: pancakepalooza, sundae-palooza, watermelon eating contest, and a palooza of lawn games! Birch Bay (WA) will have their Big Summer Blow Out the weekend of Sept. 3-4 with the yearly Adult Pool Party on Saturday Sept. 4.

Join us at Grandy Creek (WA) for an end of summer bash the weekend of Sept. 3-5! We will have kids activities, duck races, tie-dye, breakfast, and more! Don’t miss out on our traditional Red, White, and Blue Parade through the park and Member Appreciation event!

Some events may require a participation fee.

Activities and Events – On-Site

Summer’s End

Special Performances From a circus performance, to an RV show, as showcase of hot rods, these special performances and presentations are not to be missed!

Enjoy a weekend relaxing with the family with games, movie, and a campfire with s’mores and hot dogs plus it is the Hershey RV Show Week, Sept. 14-18 at PA Dutch Country (PA). Come watch the amazing Youth Circus who will be performing twice on Saturday, Sept. 3, and once on Sunday, Sept. 4 at Mount Vernon (WA). Make sure to buy your tickets and join the fun! Saturday Night we will be showing “Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away 3D”! They’re back! The 1st Maryland Winder Calvary will be with us at Gettysburg Farm (PA) the weekend of Sept. 16-18. Visit their encampment and see their horses for this living history weekend. Join us at Long Beach (WA) on the peninsula for the 33rd Annual Rod Run, Sept. 9-11. This weekend will be all about cars so bring your classic and let’s cruise.

Carnival/Fairs Don’t let the summer end without heading to a summer carnival!

The folks at Lake of the Springs (CA) will hold a Craft & Variety Fair the weekend of Sept. 2! Dig out those recipes and see who has the best pie, salsa, and cookies at Lake Texoma (TX) on Sept. 26 for Country Fair Weekend. Our famous Kids Carnival at Cultus Lake (BC) will be Saturday Sept. 3 from 2 to 3:30 pm. Come out for sack races, egg toss, face painting, bean bag toss, apple bobbing and more! Then dance the night away with the Hong Kong Cowboy 7 to 10:30 pm! Sept. 3-5 is Carnival Week at Little Diamond (WA). We’ll have live music, Bingo, tile crafts, and kids can decorate a new back pack at family craft time.

There will be lots of “County Fair Games” plus food, bean bag toss tournament, cotton candy, ring toss, and more at Yukon Trails (WI) on Labor Day Weekend! Don’t miss the pool party that weekend too.

SEPTEMBER 2016 TRAILBLAZER

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Activities and Events – Local

LOCAL

OF

CALENDAR events

MOUNT VERNON (WA)

LAKE WHITNEY (TX)

Sept 3-4 Wenatchee Youth Circus WYC is undeniably one of the four top nonprofessional troupes in the nation. Over the years the circus has played to audiences totaling over two million people in the western states from California to Alaska and in Canada as well, averaging 12,000 miles a year. wenatcheeyouthcircus.com

Sept 4 Free Sunday at the Mayborn Explore discovery rooms and interactive natural science and cultural history galleries, including outdoor exhibits. baylor.edu/mayborn

Sept 24 through October Six Flags Fiesta Texas Fright Fest 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. visitsanantonio.com

CIRCLE M (PA)

TURTLE BEACH (CA)

Sept 14-16 Solanco Fair Annual Southern Lancaster County – an agricultural fair with tractor pulls, baby parade, tug of war, contests, and much more. See website for more details. solancofair.com

Sept 1 Edible Extravaganza Join us for Center for Human Services’ Edible Extravaganza and taste the region’s finest in food and drink! This event features the best restaurants, caterers, bakers, confectioners, vintners, beverage purveyors and local growers that our area has to offer.

KENISEE LAKE (OH) Sept 2 Lake Erie Monster Crawl Travel the Strip collecting shops at the local businesses and win a Monster shirt at the end! visitgenevaonthelake.com Sept 17-18 Antiques Engine Show TWO days! Displays, demonstrations, tractors, engines, antique cars & trucks. Delicious food served all day. 20th Annual Fall Show & Flea Market. ashtabulaantiqueengineclub.com

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SEPTEMBER 2016 TRAILBLAZER

MEDINA LAKE (TX) Jazz’s Alive Summer Concert Series 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. Times vary for performances; see website for details. saparksfoundation.org/events/ jazzsalive

HARBOR VIEW (VA) Sept 9 Second Friday Art Walk The second Friday of each month several galleries in Colonial Beach open up for patrons to gather and view featured artists. colonial-beach-virginia-attractions. com/art-walk.html

All events, times and dates are subject to change.

Sept 7 Hot Chili and Cool Cars The 23rd annual Hot Chili and Cool Cars event will feature some of the area’s most popular automotive beauties. Chili cooks will also vie for the chance to be crowned champion of the chili cook-off.

The kid’s area will boast bounce houses, a climbing wall, face painting, games and crafts to entertain the younger set, along with the traditional midway. rocklinchamber.com Sept 2-5 Gold Rush Days in Sacramento Get ready to turn back time at this annual festival that transforms Sacramento’s 28-acre historic district into a scene straight out of the 1850s. Costumed performers portray historical figures, personalities and just plain folks, bringing history to life while old-timey musicians perform on multiple stages, evoking the vivid tunes and sounds of the times. sacramentogoldrushdays.com

ARROWHEAD (WI) Sept 16-18 WO-ZHA-WA Days Fall Festival A festive celebration of autumn, Wo-Zha-Wa Days is filled with family activities, including an arts and crafts fair, antique flea market, live entertainment, Maxwell Street Days and a 100-unit parade. Visitors are also invited to participate in a street carnival with refreshments and the Wo-Zha-Wa Run.

VERDE VALLEY (AZ) Sept 3-4 Red Rock Music Festival Incredible chamber music including Romantic Journey, An Arizona premiere, Sonoran Storm, for solo viola by Nokuthula Ngwenyama, performed by the composer. redrocksmusicfestival.com

Sept 16-17 16th Annual Thunder Valley Rally A Cottonwood traditional and national event, you can expect two days of free concerts, incredible food/vendors, bands, and brew! cottonwoodaz.gov/thundervalleyrally/

BAY LANDING (TX) Sept 3 Cruise Night on the Square Watch the locals cruise the square in their old cars and say “wow”.

Pretty cool to see some real oldies! decaturtx.com

LA CONNER (WA) Hell’s Belles in Concert Sweet Corn & BBQ Festival Swinomish Casino & Lodge is excited to bring Hell’s Belles, a renowned all-female AC/DC tribute band, to the casino during Oyster Run weekend. Watch them perform on our Main Stage.

LYNCHBURG (VA) Sept 3 6th Annual Labor Day Wine & Music Fest Come join us on the shady grounds of the picturesque Rebec Vineyards.

This weekend event you won’t want to miss. The 6th Annual Labor Day Wine & Music Fest is a celebration of food, wine, music and artists. rebecwinery.com

» Local Highlight Sept 24-25 Drumheller’s Orchard Apple Festival Featuring apples, apple butter, cider, honey, country hams, pumpkins and baskets. Food available for purchase, apple sling shot, arts and crafts, bouncy houses, hayrides and corn maze.

Free parking and entertainment. drumhellersorchard.com

Some events may require a participation fee.

Activities and Events – Local

LAKE MINDEN (CA)

PIO PICO (CA) Sept 2-5 US Sand Sculpting Challenge and 3D Art Exposition Guests can watch over 300 tons of sand be carved and molded into beautiful sculptures. Held at the B Street Cruise Ship Terminal alongside San Diego Bay, the summer event features live entertainment, food trucks and unique rides for kids including a zipline that flies over the show. ussandsculpting.com Sept 23-25 MCAS Miramar Air Show This award-winning, world-class air show features the best military and civilian pilots in the world, including the U.S. Navy’s famous Blue Angels.

Miramar Air Base; exit Miramar road off of I-15. miramarairshow.com

LAKE OF THE SPRINGS (CA) Sept 10-11 Constitution Days The 50th Annual Constitution Day Parade tops a weekend of festivities Sept. 10 & 11, 2016 in this historic California Gold Rush town. The 2 p.m. Sunday parade features more than 100 entries and culminates other activities. Nevada City’s Constitution Day Parade has been a local tradition since 1967 and is reported to be the oldest and largest Constitution observance in western America. nevadacitychamber.com/nevada-cityevents/constitution-day-parade/

TIMOTHY LAKE (PA) Sept 3 Bret Michaels in Concert Join Bret and The Party Starts Now 2016 World Tour at Gypsies and enjoy the after party with the International Bikini Team at Get Wet Ultra Pool. decaturtx.com

SEPTEMBER 2016 TRAILBLAZER

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â–² Lee Greenwood singing at the inaugural Night of Distinction in 2011 Photo courtesy of University of Central Arkansas

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SEPTEMBER 2016 TRAILBLAZER

On The Road

Lee Greenwood

by Lynn & Cele Seldon

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.

This month, we chatted with country music superstar, Lee Greenwood.

L

ee Greenwood is an American country artist who has successfully bridged the gap between traditional and contemporary country music. He is best known for his patriotic anthem, “God Bless the USA.” The iconic song, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2013, went far beyond what Greenwood expected when he wrote it in the back of his tour bus back in 1983.

The song has been in the top five on the country singles charts three times (1991, 2001, and 2003), giving it the distinction of being the only song in any genre of music to achieve this feat. It was also #1 on the pop charts after 9/11.

Of the song, Greenwood says, “USA is the song I always felt I needed to write. I just wanted to have something that would unite Americans from coast to coast, and I wanted to instill pride back in the country.”

The song is part of the film for Homeland Security shown

when swearing in new citizens to the United States. “The song represents my family, my community, and those men and women who have paid the price for the freedoms we all love and enjoy.”

Greenwood has 32 charted singles, two platinum albums, and four gold albums. He won a Grammy for Best Male Country Performance in 1984 and 2 CMA Male Vocalist of the Year awards in 1983 and 1984.

Greenwood has also achieved success as an author. The politically-charged book, Does God Still Bless the USA: A Plea for a Better America, was published in 2012. His latest, a children’s illustrated book, was released Memorial Day Weekend, 2015, and is called Proud to Be An American.

Written to the lyrics of “God Bless the USA,” it encourages patriotism among the nation’s younger generations. It debuted at #1 on three Amazon children’s book charts the week of its release.

While Greenwood could easily talk about the accomplishments in his life, the high-energy entertainer prefers to continue writing and recording with the same passion and integrity that have fueled his career.

Greenwood continues to tour across the country, averaging more than 80 dates per year, and performs at many charitable events, lending his time and name to many organizations – including Helping A Hero, which provides speciallyadapted homes for wounded warriors and their families.

The son of a World War II veteran, Greenwood has participated in more than 30 USO tours. Lee and his wife Kimberly (a former Miss Tennessee) fell in love on his 1989 USO/DOD tour.

They were married in Nashville in 1992 and have two sons, Dalton and Parker.

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What’s your favorite thing about traveling in your tour bus versus staying in a hotel?

I prefer to be on a bus. The purr of the motor is reminiscent of everything I’ve done in the last 30 years. You can get a good eight to 10 hours sleep. I’ve got my wardrobe in the bus. All my gear is there. I have a piano and a studio in the back for recording.

None of that’s available in a hotel.

We can also usually go straight from the bus to the stage door What are a few favorite things onboard?

Food. Most of the clothes that I wear on stage are on the bus. We also have merchandise, in that I get lots of requests to sign items.

Do you listen to music on the road and what else do you like to do onboard?

When we first started traveling, it was an exciting time because I’d never done it before. We’d look out the window and wave at everyone because they saw my name at the front of the bus.

We eventually changed it to read, “Nobody You Know” or something funny like that. We used to stop at truck stops and just talk to people as a break. We also played card games. I’d also ride with the band to write songs and practice for the next gig.

Now, we get our computers out.

You can now conduct all kinds of business from the bus as you’re moving along.

What are a few favorite destinations and why?

Going to small towns. You can pull up in front of a park or next to the venue. It’s a magic moment when relatives and friends come to the bus – particularly with kids.

They’re fascinated by the inside of the bus and we love giving tours. I love smaller towns. I’ve been in every doghouse, outhouse, and roadhouse in America. When we’re getting into a small town for a fair, people wave as we pass and sometimes we’ll stop and I’ll get out and shake their hands and grab a funnel cake from somebody.

What are some favorite meals onboard (or restaurants) on the road?

We have our Keurig for coffee.

I have to have my coffee and donut in the morning. All the guys know if they bring me a bag of donuts, they’re in my good graces.

There’s generally a variety of things and they’re more healthy than they used to be. Cereal and popcorn are really popular on our bus. In the evening after a show, going down the road, there will be a bottle of wine to share. As for restaurants, Waffle House. I gotta’ have my Waffle House whenever possible. Chili’s. We like steakhouses. Sometimes Hooters, because they make great wings.

We love Chinese food. We can go down the road eating egg rolls, chow mein, or fried rice.

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Along with writing hit songs, we hear you’ve also written books, right?

Yes. God Bless the USA: Biography of a Song in the early days. Then, Does God Still Bless the USA. There’s also a sevensong CD. That book was difficult to write, in that it explored whether we were still the country we were back when my father was in the Navy and when this country first began. The latest book is a children’s illustrated book, Proud to Be an American. I believe that children don’t necessarily have a good lesson in patriotism. When I grew up near Sacramento, CA on a farm where we had a barn with “USA” painted on its side. I’m deep into patriotism, I love the country, and I’ve always worked for soldiers in many ways.

We hear you wrote “God Bless The USA” in the back of your tour bus back in 1983. Can you give us some more background?

In 1981, ’82, and ’83, I was on the

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road 300 days a year. We had to do two albums a year, which was our contract. The only place I could write was on my bus. Time was very limited. “God Bless The USA” was one of those songs I wrote in the back of bus. It wasn’t even chosen as a single originally, but Universal decided to release it as a single and it really got legs on the radio.

▲ 2015 Snapshot Album Photo courtesy of Lee Greenwood/Webster PR

Can you tell us more about your long-time work with the military?

Since I moved to Tennessee, I offered my entertainment for USO tours. I’d done USO tours when I was a teenager in high school. There have been [more than] 30 tours since then.

I actually toured with Bob Hope on his last tour in 1988 around the world, with eight stops and eight shows. It was amazing. You don’t know how big the earth is until you go around it. Seeing so many military and seeing where our troops are around the world was incredible. I’ve always had an affinity for those who serve. “God Bless the USA” had that line in it: “I won’t forget the men who died.”

I put that in there because I have such great empathy for those who have sacrificed so much and those who died. I wear an MIA bracelet from a downed Marine pilot from Vietnam in 1967 and I have for 30-some years.

I walk the talk.

▲ Singing at the 2013 CPAC Photo courtesy of Gage Skidmore

▲ Lee Greenwood Tour bus Photo courtesy of Lee Greenwood/ Webster PR

▲ Photo courtesy of Lee Greenwood/Webster PR

“

I’m deep into patriotism, I love the country, and I’ve always worked for soldiers in many ways.

▲ The inaugural Night of Distinction Photo courtesy of U.C.A

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TrailMix

NATCHEZ TRACE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL & PARKWAY

by Annie Berman

The National Park Service turns 100 years old this year and to celebrate, Trailblazer magazine takes a look at the history and stories behind the great American National Trails. The Natchez Trace National Scenic trail, was established in 1983 and follows the general route of the 444 mile Natchez Trace Parkway through Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi. The Natchez Trace is one of the most historic roads in America and has been traveled by explorers, Native Americans and frontiersmen. While most other scenic trails like the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, are primarily footpaths (with some exceptions, for equestrian use, ATVs, etc…) the Natchez Trace is a parkway that takes drivers on a winding, scenic, historical adventure through what was once the Old Southwest. Trail segments that are designed for walking, cycling, and horseback riding can be accessed via offshoots from the parkway. About 60 miles of trail, out of the Parkway’s 444 miles, have been developed for hiking and horseback riding. Some of the milestones are marked with mileposts, so be on the lookout for a historical site when you see one. In the following sections, we’ll take you to places that let you walk in the footsteps of our American ancestors.

▲ Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge, TN 20

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▲ Cypress Trees on the Natchez Trail, MS

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f you’re interested in gaining a full understanding of the history of the modern Natchez Trace Parkway and the ancient Trace, visit the Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center in Tupelo, Mississippi. Check out the information center, bookstore, exhibits, or the short hiking trail that leads to the Chickasaw Village Site. The birthplace of Elvis is in the nearby city of Tupelo, and music lovers will also love visiting the hardware store where he bought his first guitar. Tupelo, Mississippi is located an hour and a half from Thousand Trails Cherokee Landing in Saulsbury, Tennessee.

If you began your journey in Tupelo, then here is where we really start to follow the historical parkway of the Natchez Trace.

Make your way to the the Thousand Trails Natchez Trace in Hohenwald, TN from Cherokee Landing. If you haven’t already, take a day or two to explore Hohenwald and some of the surrounding areas, there is an abundance of historical sites, plus shops and restaurants to visit. The Meriwether Lewis Site

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is a beautiful park that includes a campground, pioneer cemetery, picnic tables, and a monument to Meriwether Lewis. Three years after his famed exploration expedition of the Northwest with William Clark, Lewis set out from St. Louis, the capital of the Upper Louisiana Territory, which Lewis had been rewarded from Jefferson.

While he was in Grinder’s Stand, he died of gunshot wounds. Many that were close to Lewis believe that he took his own life, but others believe he was murdered.

The museum at the Meriwether Lewis Site presents the story and encourages visitors to decide for themselves how to solve the mystery of Lewis’s death.

Making the most of your trip in Hohenwald to taste some delicious wines along the Natchez Trace Wine Trail which includes the Amber Falls Winery and Cellar, Natchez Hill Vineyard, Grinders Switch Winery, and Key Springs Winery. Landlocked farmers used the Natchez Trace to transport barrels of wine and liquor made from grapes and corn to other parts of the country. Today, visitors can travel along the same

path and taste award winning wines and liquors from these places who have their location on this historical road.

Also near the town of Hohenwald is a quaint and historical little town called Leiper’s Fork. Located along the Natchez Trace, the area of Leiper’s Fork was settled in the 1700s by settlers from North Carolina and Virginia to serve in the American Revolution. This trade town has become a wonderful pit stop for visitors along the Natchez Trace Parkway.

While you’re there, be sure to check out Puckett’s for food and live music from local musicians.

If you’re not so much a history buff but are still into gorgeous scenery, make sure to park and take in the view at the Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge, the concrete double arch bridge in Williamson County, TN. Catch this bridge at milepost 438. This bridge, which was constructed in 1994, received the Presidential Award for Design Excellence. After you cross this bridge, you’ll head into historic Franklin, TN.

▲ Tishamingo Swinging Bridge, MS

▲ Natchez Parkway over the Tennessee River

Franklin, TN is the final stop on this tour of the Natchez Trace.

As you drive into Franklin, you’ll notice the winding, hilly roads providing vast, southern scenery.

In Franklin, you can visit the Carnton Plantation, the Carter House, and the Lotz House, all have historical significance in the Civil War and the Battle of Franklin, a pivotal battle near the end of the war. Take a tour of Carnton Plantation, which was a field hospital for the Confederacy, and you can still see blood stains on the wood floor from war. You can purchase a pass that will let you tour all three historical places.

On your way to the end of the trail, be sure to stop at milepost 404 at Jackson Falls. This steep but short trail takes you to a beautiful cascade waterfall.

Many photographers come here to capture the beauty of the falls.

For such a short visit with so much beautiful southern scenery, a stop, even just for 30 minutes or so, is worth it.

Finally, we have reached the end point of the Natchez Trace – the Highland Rim Trail. This trail offers 24 miles of beautiful rolling Tennessee hills, water crossings, quiet hollows, and short jaunts along the Natchez Trace Parkway.

Begin on the Garrison Creek Trailhead located directly on the parkway at milepost 427.6. Here, there are restrooms, a picnic area, and even grills for firing up. You can also choose to start your hike from the War of 1812 Memorial and Old Trace, forming a 3.75 mile loop between an original Natchez Trace segment and a modern hiking trail. The Old Trace splits about a quarter mile from the start.

▲ Natchez Highway at dawn SEPTEMBER 2016 TRAILBLAZER

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by Lynn & Cele Seldon

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M

ore than two centuries ago, Thomas Jefferson envisioned vineyards surrounding his beloved Monticello estate near what is now Charlottesville, Virginia. He never saw his dream come to fruition during his lifetime, but he was very much correct in thinking that the Old Dominion could produce worldclass wines in the New World.

Back then, Jefferson enlisted Italian Filippo Mazzei to research the region’s growing conditions and plant thousands of grape vines on land surrounding Monticello and at nearby farms.

Their progress was delayed and then halted by a little matter called the American Revolution.

Jefferson continued his efforts after the American Revolution, but environmental issues and diseases like the insect phylloxera again halted the progress Jefferson had hoped for.

Renewed efforts in the early-1800s to make high-quality wines in Virginia were greatly enhanced in 1835 when Dr. D.N. Norton propogated a domestic native grape that would bear his name – and is still grown and used today.

Norton was not susceptible to phylloxera and made great wines

as the foundation of what became known as Virginia Claret. The then-Monticello Wine Company won a gold medal at an international competition in 1873 and a silver in Paris in 1878, earning the area around Jefferson’s Monticello the nickname of the “Rhine of America” and, later, the “Birthplace of American Wine.”

Further progress in coming decades again came to a halt, thanks to Virginia’s statewide prohibition in 1914 and national prohibition with the Volstead Act in 1920. The repeal of prohibition in 1933 brought short-lived progress before the Great Depression and World War II again slowed growth.

Another landmark moment in Virginia wines occurred in 1976 with the establishment of Barboursville Vineyards by founder Gianni Zonin, who was only in his tenth year as head of a family wine company in Northern Italy that had started in 1821.

Zonin, along with his first winemaker Gabriele Rausse (who is now at her own winery below) and – starting in 1990 – renowned award-winning winemaker Luca Paschina, would go on to put Virginia and the Monticello Wine Trail on the worldwide map of great wine regions to visit.

Today, Virginia is the fifth largest producer of wine in the United States and the Monticello Wine Trail is one of the best ways to explore the possibilities. The Jeffersonian Wine Grape Grower’s Society was established in the early-1980s and this was followed in 1984 with the establishment of Virginia’s third American Viticulture Area (AVA), as the Monticello AVA. Nestled in the eastern slope of the Blue Ridge Mountains surrounding Charlottesville, the Monticello Wine Trail currently has more than 30 varied vineyards and wineries open for tours, tastings, dining, and more. The possibilities are unique at each location and many visitors choose to visit several over a period of one or more days in the area.

Situated about 30 minutes northeast of Charlottesville, Barboursville Vineyards is an appropriate place to start an exploration of the Monticello Wine Trail. Of course, there’s a popular tasting room and gift shop at the Winery and Visitors Center offering varied options for tasting and purchasing wine, but Barboursville offers much more to today’s visitor.

▲ Virginia Vineyard Photo courtesy of RJ Schmidt SEPTEMBER 2016 TRAILBLAZER

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â–² Photo courtesy of Bob Mical 26

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Thomas Jefferson was a wine enthusiast and had two vineyards at Monticello in Charlottesville.

▲ Monticello in Virginia Photo courtesy of Amy C. Evans

Further tasty and tasteful Barboursville options include several expanded or private tasting options (including intimate Library 1821), a phenomenal restaurant called Palladio that’s open for lunch Wednesday through Sunday and dinner Friday and Saturday only (reservations recommended), where executive chef and Virginia native Spencer Crawford uses ingredients grown on Barboursville’s grounds – including their own free-ranging small drove of Berkshire pigs for pork products exclusive to Palladio. Those who want to fully immerse themselves in Barboursville and the Monticello Wine Trail should consider exploring the ruins on the grounds and spending the night in the 1804 Inn, the Vineyard Cottage, the Sangiovese Cottage, or the Blue Run Cottage.

There are several other options nearby, including: another groundbreaking winery, Horton Vineyards (founder and Virginia wine pioneer Dennis Horton started a small home vineyard in 1983 and now produces dozens

of different red, white, fruit, and dessert wines); Burnley Vineyards; Chestnut Oak Vineyard; and Reynard Florence Vineyard.

Just to the south, Keswick Vineyards is well worth the easy diversion.

Heading south of I-64 and now to the southeast of Charlottesville proper, several other vineyards and wineries with equally interesting stories await visitors.

First, almost in the shadow of Jefferson’s Monticello, Jefferson Vineyards is definitely a ‘mustsee’ on the Monticello Wine Trail.

As is to try the Meritage, a Bordeaux-style red blend that’s popular in Virginia and beyond.

Nearby, Trump Winery awaits.

Whatever a visitor’s politics, they’re bound to be wowed by the tasting room, the wines (including an award-winning sparkling wine), the views, and an excellent menu for paired snacks and meals overlooking the vineyards.

Just down the road, Blenheim Vineyards features beautiful views from the tasting room and excellent wines. But, Blenheim is

• When You Go •

There are several helpful online resources for experiencing the Monticello Wine Trail, the Charlottesville area, and the rest of Virginia (plus more award-winning wines).

monticellowinetrail.com monticellowinetrailfestival.com visitcharlottesville.org virginia.org virginiawine.org

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Go wine tasting at the beautiful Cville Vineyard in Afton, VA.

▲ Photo courtesy of Michael Campbell

most known for being founded by Charlottesville’s Dave Matthews, whose Dave Matthews Band has sold millions of albums and played sold out shows around the world – and around the corner. Yet another excellent choice, Gabrielle Rausse Winery is also nearby.

A bit further afield to the southwest, well-respected Michael Shaps Wineworks and First Colony Winery are both recommended. First Colony also features Patina, a popular restaurant.

Heading west on I-64 past the exits for Charlottesville, more vineyards and wineries await on both the north and south sides of the interstate. To the south, heading down VA 29, Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards is an excellent choice, with a great tasting room and views, plus tasty and creative lunches served Tuesday to Sunday.

They also offer weekly cooking 28

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classes with Chef Scatena. Before the right-hand turn for Pippin Hill, be on the lookout for Albemarle Ciderworks, which is also on the right-hand side of the highway about a mile before the turn for Pippin Hill. For those in search of other imbibing choices, they are producing several enjoyable hard apple ciders at this pretty cidery.

variety of interesting wines, while Grace Estate Winery, Stinson Vineyards, and White Hall Vineyards are also great nearby stops. Further north, Glass House Winery, Stone Mountain Vineyards, Moss Vineyards, Kilaurwen Winery, and Early Mountain Vineyards up in Madison make up the northern vineyards.

Further to the west, many other interesting options near Route 151 include: Pollak Vineyards; Veritas Vineyard & Winery; Afton Mountain Vineyards; Cardinal Point Vineyard & Winery; and Flying Fox Vineyard. Route 151 is also at the center of the “Brew Ridge Trail”, which features several microbreweries.

For those who do not want to appoint a designated driver, several local businesses provide excellent tour options where they do the driving (and guiding). These include: Top Shelf Transportation; Blue Ridge Wine Excursions; Monticello Wine Tour and Coach Co.; Camryn Limousine Wine Tours; Cville Tours; Indian Summer Guide Services (with unique horseback winery tours; and Cville Hop On Tours (including winery, brewery, cidery, and distillery tours).

North of I-64 and still west and northwest of Charlottesville, more than a half-dozen additional options await. Just off the interstate, King Family Vineyards continues to win awards with a

▲ Jefferson Vineyards Photo courtesy of m01229_2

▲ Michie Tavern Photo courtesy of Bill McChesney

Craft Beer Scene In the Charlottesville area, as hot as the wine scene is, craft beer at breweries like the Brew Ridge Trail makes it easy to explore. Starting in downtown Charlottesville at aforementioned South Street Brewery (great beers, burgers, and more!), the trail currently features a total of six stops. Heading west of Charlottesville and then south, the possibilities are Starr Hill Brewery in Crozet, Afton’s Blue Mountain Brewery (with tasty pub grub), Nellysford’s Wild Wolf Brewery (ditto on the dining), Roseland’s Devils Backbone Brewing Co. (including famed food as well), and Blue Mountain Barrel House in Arrington. Though not part of the trail, there’s a variety of other breweries and cideries to consider.

▲ Castle Hill Cider Photo courtesy of Thomas C.

▲ Barboursville Vineyards Photo courtesy of Amy C. Evans

Three Notch’d Brewing Company www.threenotchdbrewing.com Champion Brewing Company www.championbrewing.com Pro Re Nata Farm Brewery www.prnbrewery.com Super-long food trucks Bold Rock Hard Cider www.boldrock.com Great views & sprawling grounds Castle Hill Cider www.castlehillcider.com Blue Toad Hard Cider www.bluetoadhardcider.com Albemarle Ciderworks www.albemarleciderworks.com

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MORE VIRGINIA WINEs AND

WINE COUNTRY

▲ Wild Wolf Brewing Photo courtesy of Tess Dixon

The Monticello American Viticulture Area (AVA) comprises about a third of Virginia’s vineyard acres.

The past few years have been an exciting time for Virginia wines, which are quickly establishing a track record for the kinds of wine the East Coast can produce.

Currently, Virginia is now the fifth largest wine region in the United States – only California, New York, Oregon and Washington have more wineries than Virginia.

In recent years, cases and export sales reached record highs. Virginia has been consistently recognized as one of the country’s most promising emerging wine regions in publications like Wine Spectator, Washington Post and the New York Times, and has been named one of the World’s Ten Best Wine Travel Destinations by Wine Enthusiast. The beautiful wineries, tasting rooms, dining options, regional history, and more make it a perfect travel destination for those seeking the complete wine experience.

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▲ Grace Estates Winery Photo courtesy of Karen Blaha

▲ Veritas Vineyard Photo courtesy of Adam

Downtown Charlottesville and the surrounding area has a number of tourist attractions beyond vineyards and wineries.

The possibilities include: the fabled and historic grounds of the University of Virginia, including the Thomas Jefferson-designed Rotunda; Jefferson’s Monticello; James Monroe’s Highland; the Historic Downtown Mall; and Michie Tavern just down from Monticello, which was an authentic 18th century tavern and continues to be a tasty lunch choice.

Along with Michie Tavern and varied winery dining options, tasty restaurants in the area (several featuring local wines and beers) include C&O Restaurant, The Whiskey Jar, and Citizen Burger Bar. There is also South Street Brewery (see “Brew Ridge Trail” sidebar), where they pour their own beers and serve locallyfocused cuisine (like burgers using local ground beef) and Wild Wolf Brewery, where farm to glass beers and farm to fork meals also create great pairings.

Anytime is a great time to visit the Charlottesville area and the Monticello Wine Trail, including fall harvest season. However, springtime is also a great time to visit, thanks to early-April’s Taste of Monticello Wine Trail Festival.

The weekend includes the annual Monticello Cup Wine Awards, activities at many local wineries, and a tasting event featuring more than two dozen local wineries and live entertainment. It’s a great time to say “cheers” to Virginia wines, the Monticello Wine Trail…and Thomas Jefferson.

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I KNEW I WAS A

TrailBlazer

▲ Kayaking down the Big Deschutes river near Bend, Oregon

This month, TrailBlazer caught up with Leonard C. “Chuck” Smith and his wife Joy to hear all about their camping adventures. Members since 1979, they have seen Thousand Trails become just a few campgrounds to what it is today.

TB: How long have you been camping and RVing?

Who introduced you to it?

Tell us how it all began!

CS: We joined in August 1979 at Pacific City, Oregon, when they were just starting to “punch out” the new campsites. We have a 20 foot RV, but we use the cabins once in awhile.

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TB: How did you first hear about Thousand Trails?

CS: Thousand Trails sent an advertisement in the mail that if you went through the program, they provided us with 2 free sleeping bags.

TB: Any funny camping/ RVing stories?

CS: When our second son was only about a year old and was sleeping on the deck of our tent trailer at the time, he

woke us up by squealing because his legs were hanging over the edge of the deck and the only thing holding him on the trailer was the tent flap. Only his head and shoulders were still in the trailer.

TB: What is one of your fondest camping memories?

How about one of your fondest TT memories?

CS: One of my fondest camping memories is of camping near the Alsea River in our tent trailer and on the beach near Waldport when our children were very young. At that time, we had just two boys. But, as the years went by, three more children came along. Some of our fondest Thousand Trails memories were camping with our children at Chehalis enjoying the pool and dances

on the weekends along with pickle ball tournaments.

TB: What type of camper are you/what equipment do you use? What do you prefer and why? (ex: fifth wheel, RV, tent, cabins, etc.)

CS: When we joined Thousand Trails in 1979, we had a small tent trailer. Since then, we have bought bigger and bigger tent trailers. Eventually we bought our first trailer house and over the years experimented with smaller and larger ones. We eventually bought a Chalet Pop up and found that it was too small

for the two of us. Then, we bought an R-Pod which was still not the right one for us.

No bumper, extremely small bathroom, narrow body, etc.

So, we sold that and now have a 20 foot new KC Vision trailer which we really like.

TB: Where have you gone that you wouldn’t have otherwise, if it hadn’t been for your Thousand Trails membership?

CS: We go to Road Scholar Programs that last for a week and then go to a Thousand Trails campground for seven days. This has enabled us to

▲ Top of the waterfall SEPTEMBER 2016 TRAILBLAZER

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“

We seek opportunities to kayak, hike, bike, sight see in new

”

areas that we visit.

- Chuck Smith

stay at Chesapeake Bay TT while doing a Road Scholar program in Williamsburg. We also stayed in Wisconsin near Green Bay at a resort when we traded our Getaway, and Natchez Trace in Tennessee for seven nights backed with a Road Scholar program near Clemson University. This fall we are signed up to go to Cherokee Landing in Tennessee backed with a Road Scholar program in the Arkansas Ozarks. We stayed

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in a cabin at Newport for seven nights backed with a Road Scholar program in the

Mt. Shasta and

Mt. Lassen area in California. Having the Elite membership has enabled us to take advantage of the above options. We are about to use our third year with the Getaway cabins and regular cabins.

TB: What is your favorite part about the outdoor lifestyle?

CS: We seek opportunities to kayak, hike, bicycle, sight see in new areas, and even look over the TT campgrounds

▲ Hiking with a beautiful waterfall view

that we visit. We also enjoy meeting new friends as we do these things.

TB: Can you finish this sentence? I knew I was a TrailBlazer when...

CS: We knew we were true trailblazers with TT when we joined after having some bad experiences with some private camping areas as well as the State operated campgrounds. We enjoy the security and amenities such as miniature golf, book exchanges, the store, and pickle ball court.

TB: Feel free to share any other camping/RVing stories here.

CS: On a trip in the early ‘80s, we drove to Disneyland. On the way we stayed at the Soledad Canyon TT. It was a very hot day and there were five kids with us staying in pup tents, which they set up on the lawn area. During the night the water sprinklers came on and the kids got soaked. A good laugh was had by all after they rapidly took down their tents and dried out. But, for awhile they were not happy campers. â–˛ The Smiths above Boise, ID SEPTEMBER 2016 TRAILBLAZER

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SEPTEMBER 2016 TRAILBLAZER

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Natchez Trace

Voyager

STOP 5 | VIEWPOINT VIEWPOINT RV & GOLF RESORT 8700 East University Drive | Mesa, AZ

Lake Conroe

3

STOP 6 | VERDE VALLEY VERDE VALLEY RV & CAMPING RESORT STOP 1 | CHICAGO 6400 East Thousand Trails Road | Cottonwood, AZ RIVERSIDE PLAZA

STOP 3 | LAKE CONROE

STOP 5 | VIEWPOINT

LAKE CONROE RV & CAMPING RESORT 11720 Thousand Trails Road | Willis, TX

VIEWPOINT RV & GOLF RESORT 8700 East University Drive | Mesa, AZ

STOP 2 | NATCHEZ TRACE

STOP 4 | VOYAGER

STOP 6 | VERDE VALLEY

NATCHEZ TRACE RV CAMPGROUND 1363 Napier Road | Hohenwald, TN

VOYAGER RV RESORT & HOTEL 8701 South Kolb Road | Tucson, AZ

VERDE VALLEY RV & CAMPING RESORT 6400 East Thousand Trails Road | Cottonwood, AZ

Two North Riverside Plaza | Chicago, IL

ROADTRIP ACROSS THE US! SEPTEMBER 2016 TRAILBLAZER

37

by Joan Rykal While on the surface, stepping into a hot spring may seem as simple as stepping into a bath or pool. But if you take the time to research the history behind the use of water as a healing source, it gets much deeper than that.

â–˛ Travertine Hot Springs in Bridgeport, CA 38

SEPTEMBER 2016 TRAILBLAZER

“Taking the waters” has been considered therapeutic for a variety of health issues for thousands and thousands of years. Hippocrates, the Father of Western Medicine, is also known as the father of balneology and hydrotherapy. Balneology is the therapeutic use of natural spring waters or mineral waters, while hydrotherapy is defined as the use of water for pain relief and treatment. But Hippocrates studies about the healing benefits of water, circa 360 BC, weren’t the first. The ancient Egyptians and early Romans also looked to water to treat, and in some cases, cure a multitude of ills.

In the late 1800s, aristocrats were known to flock to European spa towns, like Bath, England, and Baden-Baden, Germany to partake in the mineral springs, or baths. In the US, Native Americans so believed in the power of healing waters that mineral springs were declared “common ground” and tribes put aside their differences while enjoying the soothing waters.

Throughout the US, these healing waters are still sought out and thousands of people immerse themselves in these magical springs annually. Hot springs are heated geothermally, or by heat produced from the earth’s mantle, while mineral springs are naturally occurring springs that have a high content of minerals, including bromine, calcium, iron, magnesium, and potassium.

A soak in these springs is known to increase blood flow, circulation, and metabolism as well as detoxify the lymph system. TrailBlazer has compiled a list of some of the public springs around the country where you can take a dip to “cure what ails you.”

SEPTEMBER 2016 TRAILBLAZER

39

â–˛ Photo courtesy of Hunder T Morgan

â–˛ Photo courtesy of Justin Miller

Goldmyer Hot Springs

Bagby Hot Springs

If you plan on a soak at this hidden gem at the foothills of the Cascades, make a reservation. The springs allow only 20 bathers per day to not only limit human impact on the area, but more importantly, to make your soak a more peaceful experience. Goldmyer has three hot pools and one cold pool that contain low amounts of minerals including potassium, calcium and sodium.

Hunter and prospector Bob Bagby discovered these hot springs in 1880. Located south of Portland, within Mt. Hood National Forest, Bagby has three major springs and several minor seeps. Enjoy a solo soak ($5 per soak) in a hollowed out log or opt for a communal dip in the six foot round tub, all set among the lush Mt. Hood forest.

Northbend, WA

40

SEPTEMBER 2016 TRAILBLAZER

Mt.hood national forest, OR

▲ Photo courtesy of Woods at Night

▲ Photo courtesy of El-Dorado.com

Travertine Hot Springs

El Dorado Hot Springs

The snow-capped Sierras are your view when you soak in one of several “pools” that vary in temperature at Travertine Hot Springs in Bridgeport (near Yosemite National Park.) Weekends are more crowded than weekdays, but if you’re in the area, it’s definitely worth a trip – the scenery is unparalleled. Note: Bathing suits have been known to be optional here, so keep that in mind.

This is definitely a place to go with friends and commune with nature. Just about an hour west of Phoenix, El Dorado features several different areas for soaking that include views of the desert and Saddle Mountain.

Tub temperatures vary but the mineral balance here has visitors saying “it’s like bathing in liquid silk.”

It’s been described as rustic but worth the visit.

Bridgeport, CA

TONOPAH, AZ

SEPTEMBER 2016 TRAILBLAZER

41

▲ Photo courtesy of Jennifer Brandel

▲ Photo courtesy of Clinton Steeds

Mystic Hot Springs

Langford Hot Springs

You may feel like you’ve stepped back in time – to the 1960s perhaps – but the scenery and the cascading water that fills up the eight tubs and two pools are worth the visit. The spring has been flowing for millions of years and contains healing minerals such as magnesium, calcium and iron.

Located within Big Bend National Park, Langford Hot Spring has been a popular destination since 1906. Not accessible by car, it can be reached in 0.5 mile round trip from the trailhead. This naturally heated spring water is believed to have healing powers by all who visit. Enjoy the hike and relax with a soak.

Monroe, UT

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SEPTEMBER 2016 TRAILBLAZER

big bend national park, TX

▲ Photo courtesy of JKB

▲ Photo courtesy of Curt Bowen Photography

Hot Springs

Warm Minerals Springs

Of course our list wouldn’t be complete without a nod to Hot Springs, Arkansas. There are 47 thermal springs in the city of Hot Springs and then there’s Hot Springs National Park. Luxuriate and relax in a 100° mineral bath in this historic park. Don’t miss Bathhouse Row, a collection of eight separate bathhouses built during the heyday of healing water pilgrimages.

Soothing waters at a consistent 87° is what you’ll find at Florida’s only naturally formed warm water mineral spring. This round pond is surrounded by green space for relaxing and sunning and is said to have the highest mineral content of any spring in the United States.

hot springs, aR

north port, FL

SEPTEMBER 2016 TRAILBLAZER

43

▲ Photo courtesy of Random Michelle

▲ Photo courtesy of Jimmy Emerson

Berkeley Springs

Warm Springs

George Washington soaked here! Inside this charming State Park in West Virginia, visitors can enjoy the experience of Roman baths or mineral water pools.

According to the history of Berkeley Springs, Native American tribes came from as far away as Canada for the healing waters. In addition to the baths and spa, don’t miss the charming town of Berkeley Springs.

Jefferson Pools are named for our third president who sought out these soothing waters for relief from rheumatism. The Jefferson Pools have crystal clear waters and a consistent 98 degrees which makes these waters relaxing and restorative.

morgan county, WV

44

SEPTEMBER 2016 TRAILBLAZER

bath county, Va

4

paws ROAD ON THE

Traveling and Camping with Companion Animals

Jenn, I purchased an eight week old Frenchie several weeks ago from a breeder. To tell you the truth, the dog is totally driving me crazy. He wakes me up at night chewing on my earlobes.

He eats like a pig and I can’t potty train him. He eats really well but he is so needy. I feed him twice today but it just doesn’t seem like it’s enough.

I’m feeding Wellness as the breeder suggested – thoughts on that? Any words of wisdom would be much appreciated.

I think I can...Jasper JENN Jasper, My first thought is that puppies are like this and what you are experiencing is normal. Try crate training him next to your bed so you can both learn to savor your space and give him a change to not be glued to you all the time. Set a blanket in his crate that he gets used to as his and place a piddle pad in the crate so he learns to use it when needed. A puppy can fall off the bed at night and break a leg or get squished by accident. These are very real situations that I have seen happen at my time at the vet.

I truly appreciate your honesty and willingness to ask for help. Your puppy is fragile and impressionable, so how you treat him will shape the future.

A dog depends on you for everything and in return, will give you everything.

Love them with all your heart even when you feel like your patience is being tested. You are both growing together

by Jenn Gehr in different ways. Set clear rules but do it with kindness and consistency – that is the KEY. It’s important that he’s fed more than twice a day as he has a lot of growing yet to do. As far as foods, check out www. dogfoodadvisor.com do some homework for yourself. You are nearby to one fantastic and knowledgeable pet shop in Wenatchee called Firehouse Pet Shop. It’s important that the pet food you select be 100% grain free and made/sourced in the United States. Puppies like your little one require a lot of rest and a lot of play, several times a day but exercise needs to be limited as he is so young.

Be sure that you keep some routine and time schedules to properly begin to potty train and allow quiet times in a well ventilated crate where your dog will feel safe and secure when not being glued to your side or held in your arms.

Get all 3 puppy shot series completed prior to letting him frolic in an area where other dogs have been as to avoid picking up a life threating disease.

Make sure he gets fixed and that you talk to your vet about monthly Heartguard.

He will pay you back as your best friend for life. Trust is earned and you’re both developing that relationship right now, moment to moment. Speak gently and softly to him as to make his interest stay with yours. Stubborn Bulldogs only block a harsh tone of voice…don’t we all?! I’m sure if you need a couple hours away from the little one, you won’t have any troubles finding a friend to hang with the little guy. Never leave him in warm car and/or in direct sunlight where he can not escape heat. You own a sensitive, brachycephalic breed do that has very specific heat and cold tolerances that are always to be considered.

My wife and I both own, or rather, are owned by, two, 3-year-old Pomeranians.

We love to bike ride & each time we head out we come h --ome to some sort of mess in the house or troublesome destruction in their protest of our absence. We’d love to take them along on the bike but can’t fit a trailer in the camper- have you a product suggestion that would suit our casual cycling style?

Thanks, Chip and Gail JENN Yes! And thank you so much for your inquiry. I just reviewed an exciting product called the Buddyrider. Rather than mounting a small basket to the front of your handlebars or towing a heavy pet trailer, the ingenious Buddyrider pet seat mounts securely to your bicycles seatpost. The thoughtful design allows your pet a smoother ride and keeps their weight centered along with yours for the best handling. I love that the pet seat may be quickly removed with the secure Clevis pin. Check out the padded booster seat for smaller dogs such as your Poms.

Buddyrider.ca: I see that you live in Leavenworth that is close to Firehouse Pet Shop in Wenatchee who carries the Buddyrider along with many other fantastic pet foods and items.

Firehousepetshop.com: Firehouse is a must stop pet shop when camping at the Leavenworth Thousand Trails!

They even have a super luxurious and affordable do-it-yourself pet wash on site and lots of creative items. Go see Jen and Allan and they would be happy to help get you set up with everything you need for your pet and more. The affordable Buddyrider system should really make for more enjoyable days for your whole family, both at the campground and at home.

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

SEPTEMBER 2016 TRAILBLAZER

45

Who’s in the kitchen with

TrailBlazer?

Cooking with

Lesley Tennessen Vegetarian Burrito

Ingredients

Time for a quick snack after school. Time for creating new and different lunch items. And time for a quick dinner.

It’s Back to School Time. You’ve probably had a fun summer hiatus from the hectic go here, go there, bring the kids to their activities pace. Now it’s time to get back on a real schedule.

• Nopales (cactus) either jarred, or sautéed beforehand • Black beans • Avocado • Tomato • Shredded cheese

Here are some ideas for snacks and portable food. And a quick dinner that you could manage in just about 30 minutes. Next month, we’ll be getting the Dutch Ovens out of the closet, and preparing dinners and goodies again!

• Jicama sticks (for crunch) • Lime juice (to keep the avocado green and for tartness) • Salsa

Directions

Thanks for ‘tuning in’ and see you round the coals.

1. Smash and spread 1/4 of an avocado all over a large flour tortilla. Sprinkle with a little salt and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.

Then make rows of cooked or jarred nopale strips, black beans, chopped tomato and shredded cheese down the middle of the tortilla. Top with your favorite salsa or hot sauce, roll up into a burrito and wrap in aluminum foil.

Refrigerate until ready to eat.

Lesley Tennessen, Dutch Oven Diva www.dutchovendiva.com or visit my blog at dutchovendiva.wordpress.com

Chicken ‘n’ Noodle Skillet Serves 5

Ingredients • 2 packages (4.3 oz each) of fettuccine and chicken-flavored sauce mix • 1½ cups cubed cooked chicken • 1 can (4 oz) mushrooms stems and pieces, drained • 1 tube (12 oz) buttermilk biscuits

46

SEPTEMBER 2016 TRAILBLAZER

Directions 1. In a large skillet, prepare noodles and sauce mix according to package directions. Stir in chicken and mushrooms; cook over medium heat until heated through.

2. Meanwhile, bake biscuits according to package directions.

Transfer noodle mixture to a serving bowl; top with biscuits.

Waffle Egg Sandwiches with Spicy Maple Butter Serves 4

Ingredients For the spicy maple butter • ½ cup maple syrup • ⅛ tsp. ground cinnamon • ⅛ tsp. ground cayenne pepper • Pinch of salt • 8 tbsp. (1 stick) soft unsalted butter For the sandwiches • ½ cup maple syrup • ⅛ tsp. ground cinnamon • ⅛ tsp. ground cayenne pepper • Pinch of salt • 8 tbsp. (1 stick) soft unsalted butter

Directions 1. Bring the maple syrup to a boil in a small saucepan. Reduce the heat and cook until a candy thermometer reads about 240°F, 8 to 10 minutes. Swirl the pan off

the heat occasionally to prevent the syrup from boiling over. You will be able to tell the syrup is at the right temperature when the foam begins to thicken and the bubbles pop less rapidly. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the cinnamon, cayenne, and salt.

2. Transfer the maple syrup mixture to a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix until the syrup cools slightly, 1 to 2 minutes.

Add the butter a tablespoon at a time and beat until the whole mixture is well-incorporated and opaque.

Chill completely in the refrigerator in an airtight container. The butter can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. You will need 1/4 cup of the butter for the sandwiches; save the remaining for another use.

3. Toast all of your waffles. Spread each waffle with 1/2 tablespoon of the spicy maple butter.

4. Warm a large skillet or griddle on medium heat. Add the 2 tablespoons of butter. Swirl the butter around the pan to coat it evenly as it melts.

Once fully melted and sizzling, crack the eggs into the pan and season with salt and pepper. Cook for a few minutes until the edges start to crisp and the white begins to set.

Cover the pan with a lid, or flip each egg and cook until the whites are completely set and the yolks are still runny, about 2 minutes more.

5. Turn off the heat, place 1 slice of cheese on each egg, cover the pan, and let the residual heat melt the cheese, about 30 seconds.

6. Use a spatula and place each egg on a waffle. Divide the bacon over the eggs. Close the sandwiches by placing the remaining waffles buttered-side down over the bacon.

Transfer each sandwich to a plate and carefully cut each one down the middle.

4-Ingredient Nutella Mug Cake Serves 1

Ingredients • ¼ cup whole or 2% milk • ¼ cup all-purpose flour • ¼ tsp. baking powder • ¼ cup Nutella

Directions 1. Place the milk, flour, and baking powder in a 12-ounce or larger microwave-safe mug and whisk until smooth. Add the Nutella and stir until the batter is well-blended with no lumps.

2. Microwave on high for 60 seconds, and then in 15-second bursts until the cake begins to pull away from the sides of the mug and the top looks set, dry, and springs back when gently touched, 30 to 60 seconds more. Serve immediately.

SEPTEMBER 2016 TRAILBLAZER

47

ASK

RVBILL

YOUR TECH QUESTIONS ANSWERED! Leaking Jacks

Q

Hi Bill and Jenn, it was great seeing you at the Sunriver, Thousand Trails. I do have a question about our leveling jacks on our 1990 Damon intruder motorhome. Two of the jacks are leaking fluid and the jacks have ceased to function, which I believe is because the hydraulic fluid reservoir is nearly empty. I know where the hydraulic pump is but I don’t see the fluid reservoir. Have you got any suggestions? What type of fluid do I use?

Cheers, Joe and Syndi

Air Conditioners

Q

Bill, I have a 2010 Carri-Lite fifth wheel made by Carriage. I am having a problem with the living room air conditioner made by Carrier Corp. Of course to make matters worse the problem is intermittent, I’m talking about the fan motor that will just stop running. I can hear the compressor run but not the fan. By turning it on and off a couple of times I can get it to run but it’s only a matter time before it stops again. Do you have any suggestions short of replacing the air conditioner? 15,000 BTU air conditioners have gotten rather expensive.

48

SEPTEMBER 2016 TRAILBLAZER

A

Hey guys, it’s great hearing from you.

How are your two handsome Boston Terrier pups? Our two Boston’s are missing the play sessions that they had with your dogs. Getting back to the hydraulic reservoir, on the 1990 Damon motorhomes the used HWH hydraulic jack systems. You were in the vicinity looking at the pump, as the steel reservoir is attached to the pump. You will recognize it by the chrome-plated cap that screws into the fill a hole in top of the tank. Remove it and add any kind of automatic transmission fluid other than synthetic. The best way to top off the tank is put in just enough

A

Replacing the air conditioner is definitely a more expensive option.

Carrier stopped making RV air-conditioners back in 2010 and doubtful that you be able to get parts from them at this point. I believe however that the problem with your intermittent motor is caused by a poor connection at the connector on the motor wires. The multi-pin connector that carrier used was a bit flimsy and after period of time and a little bit of heat some of the pins began failing. The easiest way is to hardwire around the connector, simply cut it out of the system and solder the wires together with some heat shrink

trans fluid so that the jacks will retract completely; fill the reservoir within three quarters an inch of the bottom of the threads.

Your leaky jacks will more than likely get worse over time and they can be sent back to HWH to be rebuilt or you can simply just order remanufactured leveling jacks directly from HWH and they come with a one year warranty.

Give them a call and they can walk you through the process.

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

tubing. If you’re still having intermittent trouble, there may be a problem internally with one of the motors such as the limit switch or the windings. You could have the motor rewound; this would be an option as a motor is probably no longer available for your model air-conditioner.

I’m not sure what happened with carrier but it was a fantastic air-conditioner, they used a dual fan system that was more efficient then a single fan motor system used in most current model air conditioners.

Vintage Vent Fan

Q

We have a 1999 motorhome with a Fantastic Vent Fan in the living room area.

We love the Fantastic vent, as the air movement is better than most. The problem we are experiencing lately is the lift motor and arm assembly that have broken and I am having trouble finding parts for this older vent. Any suggestions?

Thank you for your help, Paul from Green Valley Arizona

A

Paul, Replacement for these older Fantastic Vents will be more difficult to acquire in the future largely because the company was sold to Atwood. Unfortunately, Atwood has changed most of their parts including the lift motor and lift arm assembly which are not interchangeable with yours.

Maybe check with your local repair center- they may have a used fantastic vent lying around.

You could probably pick a couple of my pretty cheap and scavenge them for parts over the coming years. If you Google “Fantastic Vent parts” you will find several places that sell them. The problem is knowing exactly which ones will fit as a match with yours?

Check out www.rvvent.com they have diagrams that will help you match your parts to what they offer. I’m not sure what model do you have but hopefully their diagrams will help you match it up.

Replace Windows

Q

Bill, our 2003 Allegro Bus Motorhome came with Hehr dual pane windows direct from the factory. We love the dual pane windows, but on many of the windows the seal between the two pieces of glass looks somewhat like a snake crawling around inside. As it gets older it gets worse. I haven’t checked but I can only imagine what it would cost to replace those windows. Any suggestions?

Thank you for your help, Dennis and Debbie

A

Dennis and Debbie, The type of delamination on your dual pane windows has happened many times over the years and of course, it only occurs with dual pane windows. It seems as though manufacturers from time to time get a bad batch of windows that cause the problem. Whether it’s flexing or air leaking in between the panes it does not happen very often. There are companies that will literally remove the window from the coach separate the two pieces of glass clean them up put them back together with new seals and they look like new. There is a risk that the repair company could break one of the panes of glass, which will cost YOU extra.

The job usually runs $300-$350 per window. If you could find one in your area perhaps you could repair one or two of them every year and it won’t hurt so much.

Sliding Bed

Q

Hi Bill and Jenn, It was great meeting you at the Leavenworth Thousand Trails. I do have a question that you could possibly help me with.

I have a 2007 Teton Homes fifth wheel. About a year ago, the bedroom slide out began stopping before it closed all the way, approximately 2 inches shy.

I gained access to the mechanism under the bed and shored up the wood braces that kept the hydraulic ram in place to no avail.

I can’t see anything that stopping the slide out from closing all the way, any suggestions?

Thanks!, Zack

A

Hey Travis, Here’s a couple of suggestions that may help, the hydraulic ram would be the first suspect on the list, assuming that nothing is hanging up or stopping the slide from closing all the way.

With Teton Homes out of business, getting a new hydraulic ram might be difficult. You probably could find somebody to rebuild your existing hydraulic cylinder but it may be easier to move the bracket that holds the hydraulic ram into place under the bed 2.5 inches towards the center of the fifth wheel. This would allow the ram to pull the slide room all the way in and just finish up against the coach. The only drawback is the ram may not push the slide out all the way out, although I suspect that it will. Check to see if there is an adjustment where the ram is attached to the slide room.

SEPTEMBER 2016 TRAILBLAZER

49

Member Deals

Thousand Trails Members Always Save At

RVontheGo.com Call! Click! Camp!

1-888-443-7301 ▲ Portland Fairview RV Resort (OR)

Thousand Trails Standard Discount:

20% Off Daily Rates Use Promo Code: S! ALWAY At all ENCORE !

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▲ Lake George Es

cape Campground

(NY)

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▲ Palm

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*Restrictions/exclusions apply and are listed at bottom of this page. **Subject to availability. Reservations required. Rates based on a standard site, unless otherwise specified. Stays of 30 days or less are subject to $4 per day resort fee. Electric not included for stays of 30 days or longer. Rates do not include taxes. Amenities vary by resort.

Cannot be combined with any other offers or promotions. Rates exclusively for members of Thousand Trails, NACO, Mid-Atlantic, Leisure Time and Outdoor World. Offer not valid on holidays and special events; certain restrictions may apply.

50

SEPTEMBER 2016 TRAILBLAZER

Member Deals ▲ Alpine Lakes RV Resort (NY)

Wisconsin

$399

4-Week Stay Fremont JellystoneTM Park ▲ Fr

k (WI)

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Promo Code: TT4WFJP16 Valid 9/6/16 until close of season.

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Buy 1 Week Get 1 Week 50% Off Valid at Blackhawk Camping Resort, Neshonoc Lakeside Camping, and Lakeland Camping Resort

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Valid 9/6/16 until close of season. Book by 9/30/16.

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

**Subject to availability. Reservations required. Rates based on a standard site, unless otherwise specified. Stays of 30 days or less are subject to $4 per day resort fee. Electric not included for stays of 30 days or longer. Rates do not include taxes. Amenities vary by resort.

Cannot be combined with any other offers or promotions. Rates exclusively for members of Thousand Trails, NACO, Mid-Atlantic, Leisure Time and Outdoor World. Offer not valid on holidays and special events; certain restrictions may apply.

SEPTEMBER 2016 TRAILBLAZER

51

Member Deals â–˛ Sunshine Key RV Resort and Marina (FL)

North Carolina

$599

One Month Special Valid at Encore properties in North Carolina

Promo Code: TT599NC16

â–˛ Twin Lakes

RV & Campin

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)

Valid on 1 month stay.

Valid 9/6/16 until close.

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Promo Code: NC243CAB16 Valid 8/15/16 until close.

Book by 9/30/16. *Restrictions/exclusions apply and are listed at bottom of this page.

Florida

$175 Off 3-6 month Seasonal Stay Valid at all Florida RV Resorts

Promo Code: TT175FL Valid 9/1/16 - 4/30/17. Book by 12/31/16. *Restrictions/exclusions apply and are listed at bottom of this page.

**Subject to availability. Reservations required. Rates based on a standard site, unless otherwise specified. Stays of 30 days or less are subject to $4 per day resort fee. Electric not included for stays of 30 days or longer. Rates do not include taxes. Amenities vary by resort.

Cannot be combined with any other offers or promotions. Rates exclusively for members of Thousand Trails, NACO, Mid-Atlantic, Leisure Time and Outdoor World. Offer not valid on holidays and special events; certain restrictions may apply.

52

SEPTEMBER 2016 TRAILBLAZER

Member Deals â–˛ Victoria Palms RV Resort (TX)

Texas

RVontheGo.com 1-888-443-7301

Call! Click! Camp!

$149/Week Use Promo Code: TT149TX 14 day maximum.

$1,099/3 Month Use Promo Code: TT3MTX

Valid at Alamo Palms, Country Sunshine, Paradise Park, Fun N Sun, Lakewood, Paradise South, Southern Comfort, Sunshine RV and Tropic Winds Offer valid 9/1/16 - 4/30/17. Book by 12/31/16. *Restrictions/exclusions apply and are listed at bottom of this page.

Texas $189/Week Use Promo Code: TT189VP 14 day maximum.

$1,599/3 Month )

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Offer valid 9/1/16 - 4/30/17. Book by 12/31/16. *Restrictions/exclusions apply and are listed at bottom of this page. **Subject to availability. Reservations required. Rates based on a standard site, unless otherwise specified. Stays of 30 days or less are subject to $4 per day resort fee. Electric not included for stays of 30 days or longer. Rates do not include taxes. Amenities vary by resort.

Cannot be combined with any other offers or promotions. Rates exclusively for members of Thousand Trails, NACO, Mid-Atlantic, Leisure Time and Outdoor World. Offer not valid on holidays and special events; certain restrictions may apply.

SEPTEMBER 2016 TRAILBLAZER

53

Member Deals ▲Tuxbury Pond RV Resort (NH)

New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts:

20% Off

Weekly Rates Tuxbury Pond Promo Code: TT20TX16

▲ Mt. Desert Narro

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(ME)

2 Week Maximum. Book by 9/30/16.

Offer Valid for 2016 Season.

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Sunday-Thursday Daily Rates Valid at Encore properties in New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts

Promo Code: TT50MWNE16

▲ Sturbridg

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(MA)

Valid 9/15/16 - close. Book by 9/30/16. *Restrictions/exclusions apply and are listed at bottom of this page. **Subject to availability. Reservations required. Rates based on a standard site. Stays of 30 days or less are subject to $4 per day resort fee.

Electric not included for stays of 30 days or longer. Rates do not include taxes. Amenities vary by resort. Cannot be combined with any other offers or promotions. Rates exclusively for members of Thousand Trails, NACO, Mid-Atlantic, Leisure Time and Outdoor World. Offer not valid on holidays and special events; certain restrictions may apply. Two week maximum stay per resort at discounted rate.

54

SEPTEMBER 2016 TRAILBLAZER

Member Deals ▲ Fiesta Grande RV Resort (AZ)

Arizona

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$1,599 Three Month Special ▲ Voyager RV Resort (AZ)

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Promo Code: TT3AZ2 Valid 9/1/16 - 4/30/17. Book by 12/31/16. *Restrictions/exclusions apply and are listed at bottom of this page.

**Subject to availability. Reservations required. Rates based on a standard site. Stays of 30 days or less are subject to $4 per day resort fee.

Electric not included for stays of 30 days or longer. Rates do not include taxes. Amenities vary by resort. Cannot be combined with any other offers or promotions. Rates exclusively for members of Thousand Trails, NACO, Mid-Atlantic, Leisure Time and Outdoor World. Offer not valid on holidays and special events; certain restrictions may apply. Two week maximum stay per resort at discounted rate.

SEPTEMBER 2016 TRAILBLAZER

55

Member Deals ▲ Mesa Spirit RV Resort (AZ)

Arizona

$199

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at Mesa Spirit

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RV Resort (AZ)

Use Promo Code: TT199MS Valid 9/1/16 - 4/30/17. 14 day maximum.

$159

Weekly Stay Valid at Cactus Gardens, Capri, Casita Verde, Countryside, Desert Paradise, Fiesta Grande, Foothill Village, Foothills West, Golden Sun, Mesa Verde, Suni Sands, and Valley Vista

Use Promo Code: TT159AZ

▲ Viewpoin

t RV & Golf R

esort (AZ)

Valid 9/1/16 - 4/30/17. 14 day maximum. *Restrictions/exclusions apply and are listed at bottom of this page. **Subject to availability. Reservations required. Rates based on a standard site. Stays of 30 days or less are subject to $4 per day resort fee.

Electric not included for stays of 30 days or longer. Rates do not include taxes. Amenities vary by resort. Cannot be combined with any other offers or promotions. Rates exclusively for members of Thousand Trails, NACO, Mid-Atlantic, Leisure Time and Outdoor World. Offer not valid on holidays and special events; certain restrictions may apply. Two week maximum stay per resort at discounted rate.

56

SEPTEMBER 2016 TRAILBLAZER

Member Deals â–˛ Venture In RV Resort (AZ)

Arizona

30% Off

Monthly Rates â–˛ Suni Sand

s RV Resort

(AZ)

Venture In Use Promo Code: TT30MVI Valid for the month of 9/1/16 - 10/31/16.

RVontheGo.com

30% Off

1-888-443-7301

Weekly Rates

Call! Click! Camp!

Venture In Use Promo Code: TT30WVI Valid for the month of 9/1/16 - 10/31/16. *Restrictions/exclusions apply and are listed at bottom of this page.

**Subject to availability. Reservations required. Rates based on a standard site. Stays of 30 days or less are subject to $4 per day resort fee.

Electric not included for stays of 30 days or longer. Rates do not include taxes. Amenities vary by resort. Cannot be combined with any other offers or promotions. Rates exclusively for members of Thousand Trails, NACO, Mid-Atlantic, Leisure Time and Outdoor World. Offer not valid on holidays and special events; certain restrictions may apply. Two week maximum stay per resort at discounted rate.

SEPTEMBER 2016 TRAILBLAZER

57

Upgrade Your Membership For As Low As $44.60/month *

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 855-558-3010 or visit thousandtrails.com/member-upgrade » For more information, see a membership specialist on your next visit!

58

SEPTEMBER 2016 TRAILBLAZER

Get More Locations Plan Further Ahead Explore New Accommodations Travel Club

*The Thousand Trails National Pass upgrade is available to qualified members only with a valid and eligible credit card. $200 minimum down payment. Up to 60 months to pay. 16.99% APR. 60 monthly payments of $44.60 assuming you purchase an National upgrade for $1,995 and make the minimum down payment. Sales tax and any applicable fees due at time of purchase.

SEPTEMBER 2016 TRAILBLAZER

59

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Answers can be found on page 65.

ACROSS 1 Also known as (abbr.)

4 “Blue Eagle” 7 Exclamation 10 Rom. public lands 11 Possessive pronoun 12 Rake 14 Decoy (2 words) 16 Anglican (abbr.)

17 Mouse-spotter’s cry 18 Heath evergreen 20 His (Fr.) 21 Birds (pref.)

22 Both (pref.)

24 Short 28 Antiseptic 31 Forest ox 32 Hebrew (abbr.)

34 St. Petersburg’s river 35 Style of art 37 Papal church 39 Girdle 41 Pounds (abbr.)

60

SEPTEMBER 2016 TRAILBLAZER

42 44 46 49 51 53 54 55 56 57 58

Veneration Indian sacred fig Disposed Hang fire Wise Demolish: Brit.

Half-boot Hall (Ger.) Parrot Lifetime Compass direction

DOWN 1 Chills and fever 2 Retch 3 Vessel 4 Feed 5 Country (Lat.) 6 Betel palm 7 Medieval money 8 Deem 9 Giant 10 Soft drink

13 15 19 21 23 24 25 26 27 29 30 33 36 38 40 42 43 45 46 47 48 50 52

Loop trains One of the Apostles Male friend (Fr.) Nest-building fish Ossa Insult Buck Bosh Lamprey Marsh elder Bobbsey twins Harmony Sixth sense Tablespoon (abbr.)

Leaf-miner beetle Month abbr.

Puny Wampum Down with (Fr., 2 words) Bleach –––––– Aviv Drug Enforcement Admin. (abbr.)

Verb-forming (suf.)

Friends Support Each Other

Answers can be found on page 65.

Wilderness Lakes’ 22nd Annual Tour Monday, January 2,2017

Adopt -AManatee® 1-800-432-5646 savethemanatee.org Photo © David Schrichte

Take a fabulous day trip to Pasadena for the 128th Annual Tournament of Roses Parade.

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

only

$140 per person

Make your reservations now!

First come, first served (53 seats available) For more information, please call: (951) 672-7804

SEPTEMBER 2016 TRAILBLAZER

61

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 www.alrvsales.com A Great Outdoor RV Center TX - Canton • www.agorv.com Affinity RV AZ - Dewey, Prescott, Prescott Valley www.affinityrv.com Alpin Haus NY - Amsterdam, Port Jervis, Saratoga www.alpinhaus.com Al’s Trailer Sales OR - Salem • www.alstrailers.com American Family RV VA - Chesapeake www.americanfamilyrv.com Appleton Camping Center WI - Appleton • www.appletoncamping.com B&B RV CA - Anderson • www.bbrv.me Bama RV AL - Dothan • www.bamarv.com Baydo’s RV of Chehalis WA - Chehalis • www.baydosrvs.com Big Country RV OR - Bend, Redmond • www.bigcrv.com

Burlington RV Superstore WI - Sturtevant • www.burlingtonrv.com Camperland Trailer Sales TX - Conroe • www.camperland.net Campers Inn CT - Union; FL - Leesburg, Jacksonville NC - Kings Mountain, Mocksville, Raleigh NH - Kingston, Merrimack PA - Pittsburgh, Philadelphia MA - Raynham; SC - Myrtle Beach VA - Fredericksburg; GA - Macon, Atlanta www.campersinn.com Canopy Country RV Center WA - Ellensburg, Union Gap www.canopycountry.com Charlie Obaugh RV VA - Staunton • www.charlieobaughrv.com Chesaco RV MD - Joppa, Frederick, Gambrills PA - Shoemakersville • www.chesacorv.com Clear Creek RV WA - Silverdale www.clearcreekrvcenter.com Colerain RV OH - Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus IN - Indianapolis, KY - Lexington www.colerainrv.com

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

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

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

Country Camping Corner NC - Kings Mountain, Matthews www.countrycamping.com

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

Crossroads Trailers NJ - Newfield www.crossroadstrailers.com

Browns RV SC - McBee www.brownsrvsuperstore.com

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

62

SEPTEMBER 2016 TRAILBLAZER

Curtis Trailer Center MI - Schoolcraft www.curtistrailercenter.com Economy RVs MD - Mechanicsville www.economyrvs.com Ellis Travel Trailers GA - Statesboro www.ellistraveltrailers.com ET Quality RV CA - Two locations in Yuba City www.etqualityrv.com Floyd’s RV OK - Norman • www.floydsrvs.com Freedom RV WA - Liberty Lake www.freedomrvusa.com Funtime RV OR - Tualalin • www.funtimervinc.com General RV Center IL - Huntley MI - Brownstown, Mt. Clemens, Wayland, White Lake, Wixom OH - North Canton www.generalrv.com Gibs RV Superstore OR - Coos Bay www.gibsrvsuperstore.com Hayden’s RVs VA - Richmond • www.haydensrvs.net Haylett RV MI - Coldwater www.haylettautoandrv.com Jeff’s Couch’s RV Nation OH - Hamilton • www.couchsrvnation.com Keystone RV Center PA - Greencastle www.keystonervcenter.com

Lakeside RV Sales SC - Anderson • www.lakesidervsales.com

RV General Store OK - Newcastle • www.rvgeneralstore.com

Vogt RV TX - Ft. Worth • www.vogtrv.com

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

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

Welcome Back RV Outlet TX - Athens • www.welcomebackrv.com

RV Source TN - Knoxville • www.rvsforless.net

Lux-Liner LLC CA - Acadia • Lux-liner.com

RVs Northwest WA - Spokane • www.rvsnorthwest.com

Western Travel Sales WA - Lynden www.westerntravelsales.com

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

RV Value Mart PA - Lititz, Manheim • www.rvvaluemart.com

Media Camping PA - Media • www.mediacamping.com

Safford RV VA - Thornburg • www.saffordrv.com

Mike Thompson RV Superstores CA - Cathedral City, Colton, Fountain Valley, Santa Fe Springs www.mikethompson.com

Scott Motor Coach NJ - Lakewood www.scottmotorcoach.com

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

See Grins RV CA - Gilroy, San Martin • www.seegrins.com

Véhicules Récréatifs JD QC - Sherbrooke • www.vrjdrv.ca

Seguin RV TX - Seguin • www.seguinrv.com

VR Depot QC - Vaudreuil-Dorion • www.vrdepot.ca

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

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

Opelika RV Center AL - Opelika • www.opelikarv.com Out of Doors Mart NC - Colfax • www.outofdoorsmart.com Patterson RV TX - Wichita Falls • www.pattersonrv.com Paul Evert’s RV Country AZ - Bullhead City, Flagstaff CA - Fresno; NV - Laughlin OR - Coburg; WA - Fife, Milton, Mt. Vernon www.rvcountry.com

Sky River RV CA - Buellton, Paso Robles, Pismo Beach www.skyriverrv.com Snyder’s RV VA - Virginia Beach • www.snydersrv.com

Wilder RV WA - Port Angeles • www.wilderrvs.com

CANADA

VR Prestige QC - Terrebonne • www.vrprestige.com VR Souliere QC - Lanoraie, Lavaltrie www.vrsouliere.com

Phillips RV Center MI - Mount Morris • www.phillipsrv.com

Strickland Marine & RV SC - Seneca www.stricklandmarineandrv.com

PPL Motorhomes TX - Cleburne, Houston, New Braunfels www.pplmotorhomes.com

Sunbelt RV Center TX - Belton • www.sunbeltrv.com

Horizon Lussier QC - Maryville • www.horizonlussier.com

Sundown RV Center CA - Atwater • www.sundownrv.com

JCS Entreposage QC - Trois Rivières www.entreposagejcs.com

Princesscraft RV TX - Round Rock • www.princesscraft.com R.B.Taylor & Sons VA - Lynchburg www.rbtaylorandsons.com Recreation Plantation RV Sales IL - Lynwood www.recreationplantationrvsales.com Roadhouse Camper & RV PA - Lake Ariel (Scranton) www.roadhousecamper.com Roy Robinson RV WA - Marysville • www.royrobinsonrv.com Russ Dean Family RV WA - Pasco • www.russdeanrv.com RV City AZ - Huachuca City • www.rvcity.net

Super Deals RV Inc. GA - Douglasville, Temple www.superdealsrv.com TAC Trailer and RV NC - Moyock • www.tactrailerandrv.com The Trail Center SC - North Charleston www.trailcenter.com Toscano RV CA - Los Banos • www.toscanorv.com TravelTime RV TX - Sulphur Springs www.traveltimerv.com Vancouver RV & Park Model Center Wa - Vancouver • www.vancouverrv.com

GO VR QC - Ange Gardien • www.go-vr.com

Leasure Days RV ON - Ayr, Kingston, Pembroke, Smith Falls, Sudbry QC - Buckingham, Gatineau, Sherbrooke NB - Salisbury NS - Truro www.leisuredays.ca Le Centre du Vr Victoriaville QC - Saint-Albert • www.vrvictoriaville.com Roulottes AS Levesque QC - Châteauguay, Saguenay, Sainte-Hélène, Trois-Rivières www.roulotte.ca Roulottes Remillard QC - Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu www.roulottesremillard.com

SEPTEMBER 2016 TRAILBLAZER

63

y l l a R It’s ! e m i T Calendar

CLUB SEPT 2016 Bounders United (BUTTN)

Sept. 13-16......... Wilderness Lakes, CA If you are interested in attending please e-mail or call the Schneider’s, BettyAron. Schneider@verizon.net, (619) 575-2311 or (619) 929-7848.

You will need to make your own reservations through the Thousand Trails system.

TT SINGLES Central California

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

Northwest

Sept. 23-25....................Cultus Lake, BC Oct. 28-30........................... Seaside, OR We also have new contact people and email, phone numbers: WagonMaster Daphne Bailey (Oregon) (503) 590-8566, daphnebailey07@ comcast.net. Secretary Dottie Michel (Washington) (360) 941-3126, ttnw_sec@yahoo.com.

Sept. 23-25...................Morgan Hill, CA Oct. 28-30........Lake of the Springs, CA Dec. 2-4.......................... San Benito, CA Contact Jane Davis at (209) 986-1088 or email to janedjd@pacbell.net; Becky Staffeld at (408) 253-6995 or email to bstaffeld@att.net.

Lewis and Clark TTN

TT Travelers Southern California

TTN So Cal Weekenders

Sept. 12-14........... Soledad Canyon, CA Oct. 3-5.............. Oakzanita Springs, CA Nov. 7-9......................Palm Springs, CA Dec. 5-7.............. Wilderness Lakes, CA We normally meet the first Mon, Tues, and Weds mornings of each month for coffee and those evenings for potluck and games. For more information, contact Wagon Master Donna Schoolcraft (619) 933-9787 or cecilanddonna@aol.com 64

SEPTEMBER 2016 TRAILBLAZER

Sept. 15-19........................Paradise, WA Oct. 13-17........................... Seaside, OR Roger Beausoleil: President Lewis and Clark TTN chapter of FMCA. Contact person, Roger Beausoleil (503) 390-4753 or rogerabeau@msn.com.

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@earthlink.net website: http://home.earthlink. net/~ttnweekenders.

TT of Texas/FMCA

Sept. 6-8..................... Lake Texoma, TX Nov. 11-13...................Medina Lake, TX Jan. 6-8, 2017............. Lake Conroe, TX Feb. 5-18, 2017................Harlingen, TX Mar. 3-5, 2017.........Colorado River, TX May 12-14, 2017........ Lake Texoma, TX Sept. 8-10, 2017........ Lake Whitney, TX Nov. 10-12, 2017........Medina Lake, TX New members must be a member of TTN and FMCA. Contact Connie Farrar at (817) 454-4612 or email to ttnfmcachapter@gmail.com. Our website is: ttnoftexasfmca.com.

We also have a blog site: ttfmcaralliesandmore.blogspot.com.

TTWest/FMCA

Sept. 8-11 ���������Lake of the Springs, CA Nov. 18-20 ���������������������� San Bentio, CA Members of Thousand Trails and FMCA meet at Northern California Preserves bimonthly. Contact Manny Francis at (415) 606-7596 or email to mannyfrancis@live.com. Reservations are required two weeks in advance.

Answers – Crossword puzzle can be found on page 60.

Find The Evergreen Tree

Answers – Sudoku puzzle can be found on page 61.

An evergreen tree is hidden somewhere in this issue. Drop us a postcard telling us where you found it, and if your card is drawn you’ll win a $25 Visa® Prepaid Gift Card!

(12” dutch

oven, 350°

oven, 17 coals

on lid, and

8 coals under

Classic Meatloaf

SERVES 6 (10”-12” dutch oven, 350° oven, 10 coals under oven, 22 coals on lid)

Ingredients

• 1 packet of Lipton onion soup mix mushroom • 1½ lb. meatloaf mixture (ground and ground beef pork or lean ground beef) • 1 cup soft bread crumbs • 1 egg

• ½ cup water • ¼ cup ketchup

oven)

Dennis & Gail Allen of Hagerstown, MD

found the tree on Page 45 of the July Issue.

Directions

1. Light the coals so they are ready when you are!

2. In large bowl combine all by hand and ingredients form into a nice loaf.

3. Roll up some foil so that a long tube. it makes Coil that up or make an S shape. This will meatloaf. Place be a trivet for the the snake into Place the meatloaf the oven. shape onto trivet. the 4. Bake for about 45 minutes interior temp until the reaches 145. with lid on for 10 minutes. Let it rest the cooking.

This will finish

TB_July_2016

_V11.indd

45

Sweet Potato Cornbread

SERVES 8-10 (10” dutch oven,

Ingredients

425° oven,

18 coals on

• ½ cup mashed sweet potatoes • ¾ cup flour • 1¼ cups cornmeal • 3 tsp. baking powder • 1 tsp. salt • ¼ cup real maple • 1 tsp. pumpkin syrup pie • 1¼ cups buttermilk spice • 2 eggs • 2 tbsp. vegetable oil, divided

Directions

1. Light the coals. When the are hot, put the oven with coals the coals to the begin preheating lid onto preheat of about 10 minutes. . I like a

lid, and 1 ring under oven) 2. Once the oven is hot, you’ll want put the other to 1 tablespoo n of oil into the bottom.

This creates a nice brown and crispy crust.

3. Mix all the remaining ingredient together in s a medium bowl, that 1 extra reserving tablespoon of oil. After the oven is preheated, put in the reserved oil.

Make sure to cover the bottom of the oven. Pour in the batter, and replace the lid.

4. Bake for about The top should 12-15 minutes. and the bread be slightly browned puffed up.

The center should be firm.

5. Remove from cool for a coupleheat. Let the oven of minutes. onto a serving Invert tray.

JULY 2016 TRAILBLAZ

ER

45

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.

6/13/16 1:13 PM

Postmark deadline is August 31, 2016

and remember –the tree could be a different color and size.

Terms and Conditions for 2016 Referral Promotion from page 4.

For each Eligible Referral (as defined) through December 31, 2016, you will receive a $25 Visa® Prepaid Card. In addition, for each Eligible Referral through December 31, 2016, 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 2017, not to exceed $545 each. The trips do not include taxes, meals, beverages, transfers, gratuities, activities and other personal expenses. Prizes cannot be exchanged for cash. The drawing will be held at our corporate offices on or about January 7, 2017. The winners will be notified by telephone. The odds of winning a prize depend on the number of entries and are not expected to exceed 1:10,000.

For this promotion, an Eligible Referral is a person who (i) purchases a new Zone Camping Pass from us between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016 and (ii) lists you as the referring member. This offer is only for members in good standing of Thousand Trails and its affiliates. Due to legal restrictions, (a) residents of AZ, FL, NV, and PA are not eligible to participate in the drawing and you will not receive an entry in the drawing for purchases made by residents of AZ, FL, NV, or PA, and (b) residents of AZ and PA are not eligible to receive a $25 Visa® Prepaid Card and you will not receive a $25 Visa® Prepaid Card for purchases made by residents of AZ or PA. We reserve the right to extend, modify, suspend, or terminate this promotion at any time for any reason; however, any rewards earned prior to the suspension or termination of this promotion will be honored. Employees of Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc. and its affiliates are not eligible to participate in this promotion. All local, state and federal income taxes are the responsibility of the recipient. Accordingly, we recommend that all participants consult a tax advisor about reporting rewards for tax purposes. We will issue the required 1099 to each participant and to the IRS when the total value of awards you are eligible to receive equal or exceed $600 for one year. This advertising is being used for the purpose of soliciting sales of resort campground memberships. This document has been filed with the Department of Licensing, State of Washington, as required by Washington law. Value, quality, or conditions stated and performance on promises are the responsibility of the operator, not the Department. This filing does not mean that the Department has approved the merits or qualifications of any registration, advertising, or any gift, prize, or item of value as part of any promotional plan. This promotion is sponsored by MHC Thousand Trails Limited Partnership, Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60606.

SEPTEMBER 2016 TRAILBLAZER

65

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

844.289.6231 RVontheGo.com

NO ONE DOES IT BETTER

PROTECT YOUR PEACE OF MIND Thousand Trails Members Qualify For Association Discounts Attend A SkyMed Meeting For Details

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IN AN EMERGENCY? SkyMed members simply call our toll-free number and speak to a caring SkyMed representative

24 SEVEN 365.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Hospital-to-Hospital Emergency Air Transport Vehicle & Vessel Return Visitor Transportation Transportation for Recuperation Nearer Home Commercial Carrier Medical Escort Flights

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

Ground Ambulance Helicopter 100 Mile Waiver SkyMed Plus (Pet Return) Minor Children / Grandchildren Return Primary Driver Disability Physical Remains Return

800-679-2020

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

www.skymed.com/thousandtrails

Escort / Companion Transportation Return Transportation After Recovery Incidental Expense Allowance Organ Retrieval Organ Recipient Transportation Global Emergency Travel Services

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