From the Editor

It's been another busy month here at Roundabout Publications. In addition to publishing three new books, we've been working on improving the RoadNotes web site. The site has been redesigned a bit and now includes free information about camping and traveling in America. You'll find a list of Flying J locations, hotel and motel toll-free numbers, public land maps, radio and TV station guides, and more. A forum has also been added to the site so RoadNotes subscribers can share stories, ideas, and information with other subscribers. Take a look at the site and let me know what you think.

- David

Touring America

Ridge and Valley Scenic Byway

Ridge and Valley is a National Forest Scenic Byway in northwest Georgia about 75 miles northwest of Atlanta. The 47-mile scenic drive takes you through the Chattahoochee National Forest. Perhaps the highlight of the byway are two waterfalls in the Keown Falls Scenic Area. A short walking trail here leads you to the falls and an observation platform.

There are two public campgrounds near the byway: Hidden Creek and The Pocket. Both are small and have few amenities. There are 16 campsites at Hidden Creek, most of which can accommodate RVs. The Pocket campground is a bit larger; it has a total of 27 RV/tent sites. Camping at Hidden Creek is free; The Pocket will cost you about $10 per night.

Fun Stops U.S.A.

Kansas Cosmosphere & Space Center

This world renowned space museum, affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution, features the largest collection of US space artifacts outside of the National Air and Space Museum. It also has the largest collection of Russian space artifacts in the Western world and has an IMAX Dome Theater and Planetarium.

To learn more about this space museum in Hutchinson, Kansas, visit the Kansas Cosmosphere & Space Center web site.

Western Maryland Scenic Railroad

Western Maryland Scenic Railroad offers a leisurely 3 1/2-hour train ride aboard vintage railcars between Cumberland and Frostburg. The 32-mile round trip ride through the mountains of western Maryland covers a 1,300-foot change in elevation. Along the way you'll cross an iron truss bridge and pass through the 914-foot Brush Tunnel under Piney Mountain. A narrator describes the scenery, culture, and history along the route. There's a 1 1/2-hour layover in Frostburg where you can enjoy lunch, watch them turn the engine on a turntable, or wander through the shops along Frostburg's Main Street.

Heritage Museums & Gardens

Heritage Museums & Gardens is located in the historic city of Sandwich, Massachusetts. Here you'll find an art museum, an American history museum, and an automobile museum. The Art Museum features a working 1912 carousel and three galleries showcasing a wide variety of American art. In the American History Museum you'll from memorabilia from the Cape Cod Baseball League, custom made hand-painted toys, and antique firearms. The automobile museum houses a unique collection of antique cars including a 1911 Stanley Steamer Model 62 with a 28-gallon water tank.

Choosing the Right Campground

Picking out a campground for your vacation sounds like a simple task. But actually, there are so many variables, it is easy to end up in a campground that does not fit your style or needs. There is no “best” campground. There are only those campgrounds that fit your camping style. Here are some things to consider.

Facilities & services – The range of facilities and services becomes more expansive every year. We recently watched an RV show that highlighted the most expensive, high end RV resorts. The facilities and services included a washer and dryer at your site, room service and maid service. At the other end of the spectrum, there may be nothing but a pit toilet.

Campsite setting – Some campsites are in an open field, perhaps with a view of the surrounding area. Others are nestled in the woods. The campsite may be 12 feet wide with no room for slides or 50 by 100 feet. There are campsites that overlook the ocean and others in the parking lot of a casino. The setting has more impact on your camping experience if you spend a lot of time in the campground.

Location – Some campgrounds are located 20 feet from the highway for easy overnight stays. Others are nearby national parks and scenic beauty. Popular areas will have more campgrounds to choose from. How close are the activities you want to engage in on your vacation?

To read the rest of the article, which was submitted by Donna Flanders, visit the RV Vacation Planner web site.

Discovering Your Public Lands

Okanogan National Forest

The 1.7-million acre Okanogan National Forest lies in northern Washington. Here you'll enjoy a variety of scenery, from mountain peaks over 7,000 feet in elevation to rolling meadows. Within the national forest are two wilderness areas: the Pasayten and Lake Chelan-Sawtooth. Moderate daytime temperatures and cool nights characterize the climate in summer; in winter, sub-zero night time temperatures are not unusual but days are often sunny.

RVers and tent campers will find more than 30 campgrounds scattered throughout the forest. Most charge a fee from $5 to $8 per night but there are a few where camping is free. You'll find a little bit of campground information at the forest's web site but your best bet is to contact them for brochures.

Exploring State Parks

Arkansas

Visitors to Arkansas will find 51 state parks that offer a wide variety of facilities and outdoor activities. Overnight accommodations range from mountain lodges to rustic cabins and riverside campgrounds. Camping facilities are available in 28 state parks. Most of these can accommodate RVs. Camping fees range from less than $10 per night for tent-only sites up to $24.50 per night for RV sites with 50-amp service, water, and sewer hookups.

For more information visit the Arkansas State Parks web site. You'll find a lot of detailed information about each state park and the facilities available. You can also request the free Arkansas Vacation Kit from the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism web site. The kit includes several guidebooks including a state parks guide.

Maine

The Bureau of Parks and Lands manages more than 30 state parks in Maine. Twelve of these provide camping opportunities. All of the campgrounds provide drinking water but none have hookups for RVers. Camping fees range from $11 to $15 per night for residents and $14 to $20 per night for non-residents. Most campgrounds are open seasonally between May and September.

You can learn more about Maine's state parks by visiting the Bureau of Parks and Lands web site. You can request a free 273-page guidebook and map from the Office of Tourism web site. The guidebook contains state park information and general information about visiting Maine.

Oregon

The Oregon Parks & Recreation Department manages more than 180 state parks, state recreation sites, and other areas within the Beaver State. Nearly half of these areas are located along the coastline. Overnight accommodations include cabins and yurts in addition to campgrounds. There are more than 50 parks that have campgrounds and most of these have facilities for RVers. Camping fees vary by park but are generally between $15 and $20 per night.

You can learn more by visiting the Oregon State Parks web site. You'll find a lot of detailed information about each park and the amenities available. You'll also find a lot of free campground brochures that you can download and save to your computer.

Gadgets and Gizmos

The Sewer Weight

If you've ever searched for a rock, brick, or something heavy to keep your sewage hose in place, take a look at the Sewer Weight. It's a simple device that will help ensure your sewage connection stays in place. This adjustable sewage hose weight prevents the hose from becoming disconnected, so you'll never need to search again for a rock, brick, stick, or anything else to keep the sewage hose connected.

Customized Murals for your RV

Graphix Unlimited is a company that can create a personalized mural for your RV. They can make custom murals from your photo prints, slides, and computer files, or you can choose from their collection of stock images. You can send them your photograph or artwork and they will give you a quote within 24 hours.

Portable Porch

Here's a truly unique product for you. It's a portable, aluminum-framed, screened-in porch for your RV. It is made by Accessories & Specialties, Inc. of Crystal, Michigan and is designed for RVers that stay more than one week in their campground. Take a look at the web site for pictures of this unique product.

Roundabout RoundUp

Roaming America

Roaming America is the personal web site of Diane and Rich Emond. They decided they would begin the full-time RV lifestyle by the year 2000 and that's just what they did. You can read about them and some of the things they've experienced on the road at their web site.

Boondocking Tips

Pick up some tips about boondocking or dry camping from Phred's Poop Sheets. Phred also covers other topics of interest to RVers like storing an RV, handling moisture in RVs, solar power, water treatments, and more.

Internet Access on the Road

Want to find out which campgrounds offer dial-up and Wi-Fi connections to the Internet? Here are a few web sites to check out: Wi-Fi Free Spot, RVers Online, and RV Travel.

CB Radios

Cell phones are nice to have but when it comes to talking with others while on the road, many RVers use a CB radio. Channel 9 is used only for emergencies and channels 17, 19, and 21 are generally used by truckers. RVers monitor channel 13 and discuss all sorts of things. Tune in sometime when you feel like listening or talking with other RVers as you head for your destination! And here's a list of some slang terms you might hear as you listen in.

Bumper Sticker Wisdom

If you can read this... I've lost my trailer!

The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese

Where are we going and why am I in this handbasket?

Why do psychics have to ask you for your name?