From the Editor

Whew! We've been working our tails off this month, so this issue of RoadNotes will be a bit shorter than usual. We've been busy preparing three new books for publication. First, we've taken the information from our RVdumps.com web site and put it into a paperback book. We've had many requests for this and thought it was time to put together a book that people can pack in their RV for using while on the road. Second, we put together a book written by Jane Kenny called Casino Camping. It lists RV-friendly casinos across the U.S. and includes those that have an RV campground or allow overnight parking. And finally, we are publishing a book called RV Camping in State Parks. This project has turned out to be a bigger task than we thought. It lists all the state parks across the U.S. that have campgrounds suitable for RVers. If you're interested, you can read about these new books at the RoadNotes web site.

I hope this issue of RoadNotes finds you in good health and enjoying the summer activities. Be safe and enjoy Independence Day!

-- David

Touring America

Carson Pass Highway

Carson Pass Highway is in east-central California about 60 miles east of Sacramento. It follows CA 88 for 58 miles between Pioneer and Woodfords, near the Nevada state line. The state highway is usually open all year but occasional closure is possible in winter. Carson Pass Highway crosses El Dorado National Forest and portions of Toiyabe National Forest. Numerous camping opportunities can be found along the byway.

To learn more about this scenic byway, visit the America's Scenic Drives section of our web site.

Fun Stops U.S.A.

The Sawtooth Mountains

Named for their jagged profile, the rugged Sawtooth Mountains in Idaho offer an abundance of opportunities for outdoor activities. Three scenic byways (the Sawtooth, Ponderosa, and Salmon) converge in the small town of Stanley. This small town is a good starting point for excursions into Redfish Lake or float trips on the Salmon River. In the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, you can camp, fish, hike, backpack, or simply relax at one of the area's many guest ranches. To learn more about Stanley and the surrounding area, visit the chamber of commerce web site.

Traveling with a Pet

Traveling with a pet can be challenging and fun. We were lucky to have a Golden Retriever travel with us for 12 years. I learned a lot while traveling with a dog. Perhaps some of my experiences will be helpful or at the very least, entertaining.

Lesson 1 - Make sure there is enough room

We started out with an 18 foot travel trailer when we first had Brandy. Now, a Golden Retriever is a full size dog. We soon figured out that it is kind of like having another whole person with us. So, we traded up to a 24 foot trailer with 2 doors. This worked much better. We're up to a 36 foot motor home now even though the dog didn't get any bigger.

Lesson 2 - Teach the important stuff

One of the things we taught our dog was when to take care of the important business (urinating and having a bowel movement). I can't tell you how helpful this was during our travels. To do this, we determined which words to associate with each function and used those words consistently each time it occurred naturally. Then when we knew it was the normal time for these things to happen, we used the words again. Eventually, he understood these terms and we could apply them wherever we went. When we are traveling, we can stop at the last rest area before the campground and know that he will get his business done before we are setting up camp. Of course, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. Same thing applies here.

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

Discovering Your Public Lands

Stockton Lake

Stockton Lake is a 25,000-acre reservoir in southwestern Missouri about 50 miles northwest of Springfield. The US Army Corps of Engineers constructed the dam that formed the lake in 1969. Visitors to Stockton Lake will find 11 campgrounds, eight of which are managed by the Corps of Engineers. Camping fees vary depending on the type of facilities available but are generally between $12 to $14 per night for non-electric sites and $16 to $18 per night for sites with electric hookups. Golden Age Passport holders receive a 50 percent discount at all Corps-managed campgrounds. Visit the Corps of Engineers web site for more information.

Exploring State Parks

Colorado

There are 40 state parks in Colorado, containing some 215,000 acres of land and water. Camping is available in most areas. Camping fees range from $7 per night for a primitive campsite to $20 per night for a site with full hookups. You'll find a lot of detailed information about each state park at the Colorado State Parks web site. You'll also find free downloadable brochures for each state park (among many other free publications) at the site. Colorado has a volunteer program if you're interested in becoming a campground host.

Gadgets and Gizmos

Fridge Alarm

With the Fridge Alarm from Camco, you can monitor the temperature inside your RV's refrigerator. The device protects food from freezing or spoilage by emitting an audible alarm and flashing a warning light when the temperature exceeds pre-set high or low limits.

The Cobb Portable BBQ Grill

This portable BBQ grill has a patented design that makes it the most versatile and efficient charcoal cooker available, according to the manufacturer. With it you can barbeque, grill, smoke, bake, and warm food using only eight charcoal briquettes. Visit Cobb's web site for more information and some recipes.

Adventures from the Past

Touring Route 66

Our friends at Legends of America are in the process of putting together information about traveling Historic Route 66. Even though this is a work-in-progress, there is a lot of interesting information available: You can view vintage postcards and compare them with pictures recently taken; view a list of museums located along the Mother Road; and even read a ghost story or two!

Roundabout RoundUp

See Ya Down the Road

Norm and Linda Payne took an early retirement at ages 54 and 49 to hit the road full time in their motorhome. This web site is the story of their life ever since in text and photos. You'll need to devote some time to this content-rich site, but for would-be fulltimers, there's a wealth of information.

Recreation on Public Lands

Recreation.gov is a web site where you'll find a summary of the recreational opportunities available on public lands across the U.S. You can search by state, activity, or public land agency.

Free Detailed Highway Information

Take a look at the Mile by Mile web site for free highway travel information. The site includes attractions, campgrounds, and services available on Interstate highways, US highways, and state highways.

Bumper Sticker Wisdom

Black holes are where God divided by zero.

Everyone has a photographic memory. Some don't have film.

The gene pool could use a little chlorine.