Touring America

Nevada's Pyramid Lake Scenic Byway

Pyramid Lake lies in west-central Nevada about 35 miles northeast of Reno. The lake is known for its deep azure color and the pyramid-like rock formation rising 400 feet above the surface. Located entirely within the tribal lands of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Indian Tribe, the lake also attracts anglers in search of Lahontan cutthroat trout, which the Tribe manages through its fisheries program.

Not far from the pyramid rock formation near the lake's southeastern shore is Anaho Island National Wildlife Refuge. It is here that you'll find the breeding ground for the largest colony of American White Pelicans. Although the island is closed to the public to protect the nesting bird colonies, visitors on boats can easily observe the nesting pelicans through binoculars. Boat rentals are available at the marina in Sutcliffe. There is also a campground with RV sites near the marina.

This National Scenic Byway is about 40 miles long and follows state highways that are suitable for all types of vehicles. Visit the America's Scenic Drives section of our web site for more information.

America's Scenic Drives

To learn more about scenic byways, visit our web site for free information and maps of more than 200 nationally designated scenic byways across the U.S.

Fun Stops U.S.A.

Bring on the Hot Stuff

Down in the swamps and marshes of southern Louisiana is Avery Island. It's one of five salt dome islands rising above the flat Louisiana Gulf coast. Avery Island stands the highest at 163 feet above sea level. It's also the birthplace of Tabasco Brand Pepper Sauce. You can tour the visitor center and pepper sauce factory to learn how this hot sauce is made.

Touring the factory is but one part of the Avery Island experience. You can also visit the Jungle Gardens and stroll along a path covered by gnarled oaks laced with Spanish moss. There's also a wide variety of azaleas, Japanese camellias, Egyptian papyrus, and other botanical treasures. With each spring, the area's wildlife population expands when thousands of snowy white egrets come here to nest.

Avery Island is about 90 miles southwest of Baton Rouge. A fee of 50 cents is charged to enter Avery Island and touring Jungle Gardens will cost you about $6.

Snowflake Bentley

From the earliest memories of our childhood, many of us can remember hearing the phrase "no two snowflakes are alike." This discovery was made in the small rural town of Jericho, Vermont by Wilson A. Bentley who pioneered the technique of photomicrography and was the first person to photograph a single snowflake. Over the course of his life he would capture more than 5,000 snowflakes, never finding any two alike.

An exhibit of "Snowflake" Bentley and his work can be seen in the historic Chittenden Mills, a national historic site. In addition to the exhibit, there's also a milling museum, art gallery, and craft shop in the "Old Red Mill." The Mill is located in Jericho Village on Route 15 about 30 minutes from Burlington, Vermont. You can learn more by visiting the Jericho Historical Society web site.

Off the Beaten Path

Kentucky

American Cave Conservation Association

The ACCA is a national, non-profit association dedicated to the protection of caves, karstlands, and groundwater. At their site you'll learn about the American Cave Museum and Hidden River Cave, a subterranean river flowing 150 feet below the city of Horse Cave, Kentucky.

Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest

Within this area's 14,000 acres you'll find beautiful gardens, tranquil lakes, a nature center, large expanses of scenic natural areas, 30 miles of hiking trails, and a 12,000-acre research forest.

Mountain HomePlace

Located near Paintsville, Kentucky, Mountain HomePlace is a working farm of the 1850s era. Among its attractions are the McKenzie Farmstead home, the one-room McKenzie School, Fishtrap Church, a double crib barn and hog lot, blacksmith shop, and a mule-powered grist mill.

New Mexico

Capulin Volcano National Monument

Capulin Volcano, a nearly perfectly-shaped cinder cone, rises more than 1,000 feet above the surrounding landscape. A two-mile-long road spirals to the top where you'll find a panoramic view of northeast New Mexico's grassland and the distant Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

Sandia Peak Ski & Tramway

Located just outside the heart of Albuquerque, the world's longest aerial tramway lifts you to the top of Sandia Peak. You'll travel a distance of nearly three miles from the desert floor, above canyons and forests, to the mountain top. From 10,378-foot Sandia Peak, you'll find sweeping views of the surrounding forests and the bustling city below.

Smokey Bear Museum

This museum tells the story of Smokey Bear and contains memorabilia on Smokey, some dating back to the 1940s. Smokey Bear was a little cub that was found with burned paws after a forest fire in 1950 on the Capitan Mountains near Capitan, New Mexico.

RVer's Guide to Dump Stations

For several months we have been researching the location of dump stations across the U.S. and have put this information on our RV Dumps web site. This research continues and new locations are added on a regular basis. We also receive suggestions from web site visitors about locations they know of. We would like to thank you for taking the time to let us know of new locations.

We are often asked if this information is available in a book. A printed book is not yet available but we have put together an electronic book that you can download and print. This allows you to take the information from the web site with you as you travel. You can learn more about the RVer's Guide to Dump Stations at the RV Dumps web site.

Discovering Your Public Lands

Bureau of Land Management

The Bureau of Land Management is an agency within the U.S. Department of the Interior. It manages more than 260 million acres of America's public lands. Most of the BLM land is located in the American West and Alaska but there are large tracts in areas east of the Mississippi River.

This agency is probably the least known among all the public land agencies. Most people know about the National Park Service or the Corps of Engineers, but few know about the Bureau of Land Management. Perhaps this is because much of the land they manage was once considered the "leftovers" of public lands -- the best areas being turned into national forests, parks, or wildlife refuges.

When you consider the millions of acres they manage, the BLM offers more recreational opportunities over a broader geographical area than any other Federal land agency. Nearly 60 million people a year visit these areas for hiking, fishing, horseback riding, camping, and other activities. That's a relatively small number when you consider the 280 million visitors that the National Park Service receives each year.

You can learn more about the Bureau of Land Management by visiting their web site.

In the Spotlight

Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area in Arizona

In 1990, Congress created the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area to conserve, protect, and enhance the land surrounding the Gila River, Bonita Creek, Eagle Creek, and San Francisco River. The area attracts those interested in river floating, fishing, backpacking, and camping. Visitors will also find cliff dwellings, historic homesteads, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, and over 200 species of birds in the area.

There are two relatively new campgrounds in the conservation area. Both have picnic tables, grills, drinking water, and restrooms. The fee is $5 per night. Riverview Campground, 20 miles northeast of Safford, has 13 campsites. Owl Creek Campground is ten miles south of Clifton and has seven campsites.

Also in the area is the Black Hills Back Country Byway. You can read about this scenic byway on our web site.

Exploring State Parks

Indiana

Indiana's Department of Natural Resources maintains 23 state parks, nine reservoirs, and 13 state forests. Camping is available in all but four of the areas. Camping fees vary depending on the development of a particular campground. Primitive camping areas don't have showers or flush toilets. These areas are $10 per night. Campgrounds that do have restrooms and showers charge $16 per night for a site. Electrical hookups will cost you an additional $6. There are only two state parks that have campsites with full hookups; these are $30 per night. A daily entrance fee of $5 is charged for non-residents, which is in addition to camping fees.

You'll find a wealth of information at the official web site for the Department of Natural Resources. There's detailed information about each state park, reservoir, or state forest. There's also information about those areas that have lodges and cabins for rent. A recreation guide is available that you can either download or have mailed to you. The guide contains the same information found at the web site.

In the Spotlight

Salamonie Lake

Salamonie Lake is in northeast Indiana about 30 miles southwest of Fort Wayne. The 2,665-acre lake was created by the Corps of Engineers but the State of Indiana manages the recreation areas surrounding it. The reservoir offers abundant fishing and more than 14 miles of hiking trails ranging from easy to rugged. There is also a 12-mile bridle trail as well as cross-country skiing and snowmobile trails.

Camping is available in five recreation areas. Lost Bridge West State Recreation Area is the most developed and has 246 campsites with electric hookups, drinking water, and modern restrooms with showers. It also has a marina, boat ramp, boat rental, a playground, swimming beach, and picnic areas. The other areas offer primitive camping for $10 a night.

Oklahoma

There are 50 state parks throughout Oklahoma. All but four have campgrounds. Camping fees vary and are based on the amenities provided, campsite location, and season. RVers can expect to pay anywhere from $14 to $23 per night. The fee for campsites that don't have any hookups is about $9 per night. Oklahoma also has several Resort Parks where you'll find lodges, cabins, and golf courses, among a variety of other facilities not usually found in state parks.

There are a few official web sites you can visit for information. They all seem to contain the same information, so I would recommend going to the Travel Oklahoma web site. There you'll find the information you need for planning a trip to one of Oklahoma's state parks or resorts. The information may be outdated, though, as some pages had a copyright notice of 1999. At the Travel Oklahoma web site you can request a free "Oklahoma State Parks & Resorts Guide" and also the "2004 RV Parks, Lakes & Camping Guide." These brochures weren't available for downloading.

In the Spotlight

Robbers Cave State Park

Located five miles north of Wilburton on OK 2 in southeastern Oklahoma, Robbers Cave State Park is a favorite among rappellers, cave explorers, equestrians, and outdoor enthusiasts. The cave itself is known as a former hideout for Jesse James and Belle Starr. The park offers a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, horseback riding, miniature golf, and fishing in one of three lakes.

You have three options if you decide to stay overnight in the park. There is the Belle Starr Lodge, which has 20 guest rooms, each with a coffee maker and television. For a more rustic setting, the state park has 26 cabins with fully equipped kitchens and woodburning fireplaces. You won't find telephones or TV's in any of the cabins. Your third option is camping in one of five camping areas. A total of 122 campsites are available, ranging from primitive (no hookups) to modern (electric, water, and sewage hookups).

Gadgets and Gizmos

RV Water Filtration System

OutSyder, developed by an RVer, is a complete water filtration system. It treats the water entering your RV from an outside source, filtering out bacteria and virtually eliminating chlorine and lead. The filter uses the patented KDF media in conjunction with Granular Activated Charcoal to provide superior filtering and protection from many contaminants. And it only needs replacing once a year. The filter is contained within a weather-resistant plastic box, which also stores the hoses when not in use. The OutSyder water filtration system is available for under $200 from AreVee Products Inc of Mount Dora, Florida.

Derrier Wing

Derrier Wing is a unique fiberglass rear air deflector for motorhomes and trailers. It's designed to reduce drag and decrease fuel consumption. It also improves safety and visibility by helping to prevent dirt and snow buildup on your RV's rear window. Made of sturdy fiberglass with mounting brackets included, it requires only hand tools for installation. Derrier Wing is available for about $135 from Ricka Manufacturing Inc of Pequot Lakes, Minnesota.

Pet Cot

Flexcot is a portable bed that provides a clean, off-the-ground resting area for your dog. Its quick-release frame allows for easy assembly and disassembly without tools. The flexing frame also enables the fabric bed to conform to your pet's pressure points. Flexcot is available in three sizes for pets up to 30, 60, and 80 pounds. The fabric bed is available in different colors and is machine-washable. Prices range from $45 for the small cot to about $80 for the extra-large cot.

Map Mate Pro

This pocket-size device helps you easily calculate the distance and driving time to your next destination. Here's how it works. Enter your driving speed and your road map's scale. Then trace your route with the small wheel on the Map Mate Pro. The device will then indicate the distance on its LED screen. Press a button and it indicates the time the trip will take. Map Mate Pro sells for about $30 and is available from Techno Scout. The battery-powered device works with any map or scale.

Roundabout RoundUp

Indiana Campgrounds

The Recreation Vehicle Indiana Council (or RVIC) is a not-for-profit trade association that promotes the RV and campground industries throughout the state. At the RVIC web site you'll find a list of campgrounds, RV manufacturers, and dealers. You can also download the free "Hoosier Outdoor" magazine.

Bald Eagle Watching Tours

Bald eagles have become a common sight at lakes and reservoirs across Oklahoma during winter months. According to an annual bald eagle survey (what kind of questions do you ask a bald eagle?), Oklahoma is consistently among the top ten states for winter bald eagle populations. You'll find a list of scheduled tours at the Travel Oklahoma web site.

Elderhostel

Elderhostel Inc. is a not-for-profit organization that provides learning adventures for people 55 and over. They have programs (or educational adventures) that will take you across the United States and throughout the world. To request a free catalog of programs or learn more about Elderhostel, visit their web site.

Free Video

If you're not yet an RVer or are new to RVing, you can request a free video or CD-ROM from Go RVing that will introduce you to the world of RV travel and camping. All you need to do is complete a simple survey and the video or CD-ROM will be mailed to you.

Take Pride in America

Part of President Bush's USA Freedom Corps, the Take Pride in America program seeks volunteers to help improve our parks, refuges, recreation areas, and cultural and historical sites. Volunteers can help protect America's public lands and increase awareness of the importance of these areas.

Rent an Audio Book

Season's Audiobooks offers a unique service for travelers. You can rent an audio book on cassette or CD for 30 days and return it using the prepaid envelope. They offer a nice selection of fiction, non-fiction, foreign language, and self-improvement titles.

Old West Titles

We recently added over 20 titles about the Old West to our online bookstore. If you're interested in reading about pioneers, lawmen, outlaws, or the Old West in general, take a look at the new selection of books added to our site.

Wax As-U-Dry

Here's a product that promises to make waxing your vehicle easier. A special blend of water-reactive polymers and waxes enables you to wax your vehicle as you dry it. After you wash your vehicle, spray this on and dry it with a chamois or towel as you normally would. To learn more, go to the manufacturers web site.

How Not to Prepare Lunch

Here's an interesting story I stumbled across on the Internet. "I was in a car dealership a while ago when a large motor home was towed into the garage. The front of the vehicle was in dire need of repair and the whole thing generally looked like an extra in [the movie] 'Twister.' I asked the manager what had happened. He told me that the driver had set the cruise control, then went back to make a sandwich."

Camping Quotes

These are actual comments left on U.S. Forest Service comment cards by backpackers completing wilderness camping trips:

• "A small deer came into my camp and stole my bag of pickles. Is there any way I can get reimbursed?"
• "Escalators would help on steep uphill sections."
• "Instead of a permit system or regulations, the Forest Service needs to reduce worldwide population growth to limit the number of visitors to wilderness."
• "Too many bugs and leeches and spiders and spiderwebs. Please spray the wilderness to rid the area of these pests."
• "The coyotes made too much noise last night and kept me awake. Please eradicate these annoying animals."
• "Need more signs to keep area pristine."
• "The places where trails do not exist are not well marked."
• "Ban walking sticks in wilderness. Hikers that use walking sticks are more likely to chase animals."