August 2003 Newsletter

Touring America

Iowa's Loess Hills Scenic Byway

Loess Hills Scenic Byway travels through western Iowa between Akron and the Missouri state line near Hamburg. It is 220 miles long and primarily follows paved state highways and county roads. Officially it's designated a National Scenic Byway, a State Scenic Byway, and a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service.

The byway weaves through the heart of a landform of windblown silt deposits known as the Loess (pronounced "luss") Hills. This unique area possesses natural features found only in western Iowa and the Yellow River Valley of China. Byway travelers will pass through dozens of small prairie towns, historic sites, nature areas, and state parks that offer a variety of recreational opportunities.

Byway Information

Camping

Nearby Attractions

America's Scenic Drives

Free information and maps for more than 200 scenic byways can be found at www.roadnotes.com/scenicdrives/index.htm

Off the Beaten Path

Colorado

  • Buffalo Bill Grave and Museum: See Buffalo Bill's show outfits, grave site and many other objects from the Old West.
  • Butterfly Pavilion and Insect Center: Visitors find themselves surrounded by more than 1,200 free-flying butterflies while walking through the lush, tropical conservatory.
  • Garden of the Gods: A National Natural Landmark with Visitor and Nature Center. Hiking paths, nature walks, living history museum, and many other amenities can be enjoyed free of charge.
  • Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine: Visitors descend into the earth to explore the underground mine workings of the 1890s hard rock gold miner.

Minnesota

  • Alexis Bailly Vineyard: Visitors are welcome to walk through the vineyards and winery or have a picnic in the sculpture park.
  • Historic Forestville and Mystery Cave: See natural wonders above and below ground. Cave tours below ground and a restored 1800s village above. Plus three blue-ribbon trout streams for fishing.
  • LARK Toys: A small family-oriented company dedicated to "bringing back" toys crafted of wood. The Moose Tracks Museum is one of five specialty areas all under one roof.
  • Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum: The museum's collections are housed in a series of interesting buildings, including an 1898 depot, an 1800s school chapel, and an onion-domed house.

New York

  • American Museum of Firefighting: A beacon to firefighters and fire buffs everywhere. The Museum houses engines and equipment dating from 1725 to the present.
  • Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum: Visitors can wet a line in Wulff Run, walk the nature trail, view informative exhibits, and interact with the fly tyers, rod-makers, and naturalists who present programs at the center.
  • National Soaring Museum: This is the only comprehensive U.S. museum (and one of only two worldwide) focused on soaring and motorless flight.
  • Willard Memorial Chapel: The Chapel complex, completed in 1894, is a unique masterpiece of Tiffany design. The interior was designed and hand-crafted by the Tiffany Glass Decorating Company.

RV Dump Station Locator

Free information! Find more than a thousand locations across the U.S.A. where you can empty your RV's holding tanks. To learn more, visit www.rvdumps.com

Discovering Your Public Lands

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) manages nearly 95 million acres of land and water consisting of 538 national wildlife refuges, 38 wetland management districts, and 65 national fish hatcheries. Recreational opportunities are plentiful, especially in the National Wildlife Refuge System. Primary activities include hunting, fishing, hiking and nature trails, wildlife viewing, and environmental education and interpretation. Camping is rarely available on FWS lands but is usually available in the immediate area. Most FWS areas have a visitor center where you'll find information about the area and the activities available.

A color brochure, National Wildlife Refuges: A Visitor's Guide, identifies refuge locations across the United States. It also includes a chart that shows the activities available in each area. You can pick up a copy at most refuge locations and at all regional offices. For more information, visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service web site at www.fws.gov

In the Spotlight

National Bison Range in Montana
http://bisonrange.fws.gov/

The National Bison Range provides one of the richest wildlife experiences in the Northwest. The Range is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System. It was established in 1908 to help save the American bison (buffalo) from extinction and is one of the oldest wildlife refuges in the nation.

A large portion of the 18,500-acre Range consists of native Palouse prairie with scattered areas of ponderosa pines and Douglas-firs. Wetlands and streams are also found here, providing a wide range of habitats for wildlife. Elk, deer, pronghorn, black bear, coyote and ground squirrels are just some of the animals that share the area with 350 to 500 bison.

You'll want to start your visit at the visitor center. Here you will find informative displays and brochures, restrooms, videos, a bookstore, and staff to answer your questions. The best way to experience the Range is by a self-guided tour in your vehicle along two loop drives through the area.

The Prairie Drive/West Loop is a 5-mile gravel road that travels through the flats by the Bison Display Pasture. The drive is open year round and is accessible to trailers and large RVs. Allow about 1/2 hour to complete. Red Sleep Mountain Drive travels for 19 miles on gravel road and takes about 2 hours to complete. There are many switchbacks and 10% grades along this drive so trailers or vehicles over 32 feet are not permitted. The route is open mid-May to late October.

The entrance to the National Bison Range is located off State Highway 212 at Moiese, Montana. From Missoula travel about 8 miles west on I-90 to Exit 96. Go north 27-miles on US Highway 93 to Ravalli, turn left (west) on to State Highway 200 to Dixon, about 6 miles. Travel north 4 miles on Highway 212 to Moiese, and east (right) at the refuge sign.

Exploring State Parks

Idaho

There are 26 state parks in Idaho. Camping is available in 19; fees vary from $7 to $12 per night. Electricity is an additional $4 where available. Some parks also have cabins and yurts for rent. Detailed information on all of Idaho's state parks can be found at www.idahoparks.org

In the Spotlight

Henry's Lake State Park
www.idahoparks.org/parks/henrys.html

This 585-acre park in northeast Idaho is just 15 miles west of Yellowstone National Park. The high-mountain park is surrounded by 8-10,000 foot mountains and Targhee National Forest.

In addition to outstanding scenery, fishing in Henry's Lake and surrounding streams is a trout angler's dream. While the shallow lake is known for big trout catches, Henry's Fork of the Snake River, which begins here, is known as one of the best fly-fishing areas in the world. A boat ramp and docks are located in the park.

Henry's Lake State Park has a total of 45 campsites. Of these, 26 have water and electricity. All sites have a picnic table and campfire grill. There is a centrally located utility building with restrooms and showers. An RV dump station is also within the park. The state park usually opens the Thursday before Memorial Day and closes October 31, or as weather conditions warrant.

Maine

Maine's Bureau of Parks and Lands manages nearly 600,000 acres in 56 state parks and Public Reserved Lands. Of the 29 state parks, 12 have camping facilities. The Public Reserved Lands encompass nearly a half-million acres and are more primitive than state parks. Camping is available in 23 of the 27 Public Reserved Lands areas. Camping fees range from $11 to $15 per night for Maine residents and $14 to $20 for out-of-state campers. Off season rates, mid-September through mid-May, run $10 for residents and $13 for nonresidents. For more information visit www.state.me.us/doc/parks/

In the Spotlight

Rangeley Lake State Park
www.state.me.us/cgi-bin/doc/parks/find_one_name.pl?park_id=25

This state park is situated in one of Maine's most beautiful regions, the western mountains. It consists of 869 remote acres on 10-square mile Rangeley Lake. The lake is famous for landlocked salmon and trout fishing. The park is approximately 35 miles north of Rumford via Maine Route 17.

For campers, the park offers 50 well-spaced campsites among fragrant spruce and fir trees. Camping fees are $15 per night for Maine residents and $20 for out-of-state guests. Most campsites are reservable. Visit www.campwithme.com to view campground maps, check campsite availability, and make reservations. The park is open mid-May through September.

Gadgets and Gizmos

Batteryless Flashlights

Recently we went surfing on the Internet for batteryless flashlights and found two: the Forever Flashlight and Nightstar II. Both flashlights work by shaking them for 15 to 30 seconds. This generates electricity to power the single LED bulb. The Forever Flashlight has a blue LED that provides light for up to 5 minutes. Nightstar II claims its white LED is brighter than the Forever Flashlight and provides light for up to 20 minutes.

We tested the Forever Flashlight and decided it was a good thing to have. The light is not as bright as a conventional flashlight but is bright enough to let you see in the dark, which is more than a flashlight with dead batteries will do. We haven't tested the Nightstar II but it appears to be better constructed and the white LED is preferred over the blue.

Prices for the Forever Flashlight range from $20 to $40. We purchased ours at www.youcansave.com for around $20. The Nightstar II sells for around $40. A good source for information on both flashlights at a fair price is Wise Men Trading (www.wisementrading.com). They sell the Forever Flashlight for $21.95 and the Nightstar II for $34.99.

HeaterMeals

HeaterMeals are complete, self-contained meals that come with a 3/4-pound entree, fork, napkin, salt and pepper, and a unique water-activated heater. Simply pour the enclosed pouch of salt water onto the heater pad, place the sealed meal onto the heater, and slide the tray back into the box. In about 15 minutes you'll be eating a hot meal.

We purchased two of the "Mixed 6-Pack" cases, which allowed us to sample each of the seven available entrees. After our unofficial taste test, we're happy to report that the quality and taste of each meal is good. HeaterMeals won't replace the typical breakfast, lunch, or dinner but they are convenient to have. The cost of each meal is $3.99, or $23.94 per case, plus shipping charges. Visit www.heatermeals.com to learn more about the different entrees available.

Roundabout RoundUp

RVers planning to travel through Idaho this summer should get a copy of the RV Idaho brochure. It provides information about RV parks and campgrounds throughout Idaho. It also has a fold-out section that lists RV dump stations. Request a copy by calling 208-345-6009 or visit www.visitid.org and complete an online request form.

As you travel through the small towns of America, have you ever wondered about each town's history? Who lived there? What were they like and how did they live their daily lives? Legends of America is a site that describes itself as "A traveler's guide for the nostalgic and historic minded." It's a neat site filled with historic pictures, stories of the past, and even a ghost story or two. It's in the early stages of construction but promises to be a site that you'll want to come back to again and again.

This is the premier issue of RoadNotes and we would love to have your feedback. Let us know what you think about it, how we can improve it, or other things you would like to see covered in future issues.