Table of contents for Issue 2: October 2020 in RV Destinations Magazine

RV travelers who love the color, beauty and easy accessibility of the desert Southwest, but want to avoid the crushing crowds of well-known destinations like Zion National Park or the Grand Canyon, have another great option: Valley of Fire State Park in Southern Nevada. Just 48 miles from Las Vegas but a world apart, Valley of Fire is a popular day-tripper destination for its photo-worthy formations, towering rock spires, and gasp-worthy views. For the ultimate Valley of Fire experience, RV travelers can enjoy a multi-day stay inside the park at one of its two small campgrounds. Indeed, camping here is the best way to really sink into the depths of the park’s grandeur! Named for the fiery Aztec sandstone that formed from shifting sand dunes 150 million years ago, the…

Few cities in the United States are as full of rich history as Boston, Massachusetts. Once home to one English settler, William Blaxton, Boston is now home to more than 4 million people. In 1625, Blaxton lived alone on the Shawmut Peninsula and the Plymouth Colony, founded in 1620 by a group of English Puritans and located south of Massachusetts Bay. Puritans in England wanted to grow and colonize in the New World due to the Puritans’ religious persecution in England. In 1629, an agreement was signed in England, establishing the Massachusetts Bay Colony, a self-governing colony settling in the New World. In 1630, this group led by John Winthrop arrived in Salem. Lack of food pushed the group into Charlestown, across the river from Shawmut Peninsula and their neighbor,…

There are two efficient ways to experience the Freedom Trail; three if you don’t want to cross the river. Here’s a bird’s eye view; please take note of the red line: The Freedom Trail 1. Forward Technically there is no forward or backward because the sites are in no chronological order. Generally, people start at Boston Common and work their way toward the USS Constitution. This is a good route, but you’ll be with the masses the entire way. You may also find yourself tired before you get to the end, and food options are few and far between on the other side of the river. Bring snacks and especially water with you. And take the water shuttle back to downtown for $3.50 per person so you won’t have to…

For nature lovers, there aren’t many places more spectacular in California than Morro Bay. It’s a quaint fishing town located in the heart of the central coast, midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. From whale-watching excursions to meandering walks through the Elfin Forest, the area offers a beautiful array of activities, with natural sights, sounds and the smell of the sea. The town itself is bustling and crowded most days, but the beaches and nearby state parks offer solitude and serenity, especially during early morning walks wrapped in a blanket of fog and cool salty air. With a little more than 10,000 residents, Morro Bay is a small but popular tourist destination. The chilly summer mornings make it a prime summer destination for out-of-state visitors and for many Central…

Nestled amongst the Black Hills of South Dakota, a wild west town thrives. Surrounded in hillsides covered in dead trees, the city of Deadwood and the likes of Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, Potato Creek Johnny, Al Swearengen, Madame Mustache, Dirty Em, Poker Alice and Seth Bullock roamed the streets. Legendary names of the legendary folks associated with this wild west town. Gunslingers, prostitutes, prospectors, trappers and travelers from all over the world rushed to this area in 1876 after the discovery of gold, creating the lawless town of Deadwood. Though tamed down from its former days of wild west glory, you can still belly up to a bar and wet your whistle near the spot where an unsuccessful gambler shot Wild Bill Hickok. You can watch a dramatic reenactment…

Oxbow Bend Sony A7R III Sony 24-70 F 2.8 ISO 100 44MM F/22 1/50 Sec North America is graced with some incredibly impressive mountain ranges: Mount Rainier as it peaks through the typically cloudy Northwest skies; the twin peaks of Maroon Bells towering over Aspen; Mount McKinley’s snowy clustered peaks in Denali National Park, as well as the jagged Organ Mountains outside of Las Cruces, New Mexico. There is, however, one mountain range that’s the grandest of them all. Robert Buman said it best when speaking of the Grand Tetons: “How glorious a greeting the sun gives the mountains! To behold this alone is worth the pains of any excursion a thousand times over.” To witness the jagged snow-covered peaks of the Grand Tetons for the first time, framed by…

Located within a few miles of Natural Bridge State Resort Park and Red River Gorge Geological Area in Daniel Boone National Forest lies 4 Guys RV Park. Set on a 72-acre former farm, this RV park boasts 45 full hook-up sites that can comfortably accommodate any size rig. We had the opportunity to interview one of the owners, Larry Drake, and learned the history behind the park. The owners, all RV’ers themselves, grew frustrated over their years of traveling to the RV parks that made it difficult to get rigs, big or small, parked at a campsite. Their vision focused on a campground with long drives and easy-to-access sites. They realized that dream when opening their RV park over Memorial Day weekend in 2016. Each of their sites boasts an…

There were some significant reasons we opted for a drivable. First, we have three big dogs, and cramming them into the backseat of a pickup wasn’t an option. We wanted our dogs to be comfortable, and, with the drivable, they’re able to lounge on a dog bed or the couch during travel. Another priority for us was having access to our bathroom and kitchen. It’s reassuring to know that when nature calls, you can answer without missing a beat. In any rig, but notably a big rig, detouring from the interstate can be stressful and must always be well planned-out beforehand. Choosing a random exit in search of a gas station with a decent restroom will cause a delay and create tension for us and the dogs (who are completely…

At the foothills of the jagged Organ Mountains and surrounded by Las Cruces, New Mexico, is a small 6.7 square mile town rich in old west history. Always under attack from Apache Indians, this small town became the capital of the Confederate Army for the Arizona territories and later became the stomping grounds for many of the Lincoln County War figures such as Billy the Kid and Pat Garrett. Today, long gone are the days of Indian attacks and Civil War battles. What now remains is a charming southwestern town dotted with small businesses, adobe buildings and a town plaza decorated with hanging red chilies. The lure of small shops and the gun-slinging history draws tourists from afar to visit the small town of Mesilla, New Mexico. If you have…

Here’s a quick run-down of the sites on the Freedom Trail. I’ve noted the prices per adult, but as with any tourist destination, prices are subject to change; discounts may apply. These are in order starting at Boston Common, but you can also start at the USS Constitution Museum (or start an abbreviated Freedom Trail trek at the Old North Church). Either way you go, have tons of fun and enjoy learning more about the country’s rough and ready beginnings. 1. Boston Common (FREE) The official Freedom Trail Visitor Center is located here (along with bathrooms), where most people begin. You can pick up a map or other information here or even arrange a tour. It was founded in 1634 and is America’s oldest public park. Some argue that improvements…

Boston is a diverse city with plenty to keep you busy. It’s a family-friendly location, and history buffs can stroll through some of America’s richest history. Food options are endless in this town, and before you leave, we recommend filling your belly with a few things. Yankee Lobster in the Seaport District makes a pretty amazing hot lobster roll. The best Boston cream pie to be had is at the Parker House Hotel. North End is home to some fantastic Italian pastries and both Modern Pastry and Mike’s Pastry makes a Cannoli that would make your Italian grandmother jealous. It would be difficult to go wrong ordering seafood in this harbor town, but for those that aren’t a fan of seafood, Chinatown and North End’s Italian section offer outstanding non-seafood…

Don’t let the word desert fill you with thoughts of desolate, barren sand dunes, and miles and miles of non-descript emptiness. The Oregon high desert is none of that. It’s called a high desert because much of it has an elevation well over 4,500 feet, and its dry, thin soil barely covers the course lava and basalt that flowed out of three explosive mountain ranges and filled a vast inland ocean 40 to 54 million years ago. The active volcanoes of the Cascade Range, Blue Mountains, and Steens Mountains erupted over millenniums. They deposited layer upon layer of lava, pumice, ash, mud and basalt across most of Eastern Oregon and Washington. In some areas, this pile of volcanic debris is more than 5,000 feet deep. But this region wasn’t always…

Those who’ve made the long drive to West Texas agree that there’s something special about Big Bend National Park. All National Park trips are an adventure, but Big Bend feels like visiting another country—or maybe even another world. It may be because of the park’s diverse beauty, from jagged mountains rising from the desert to the mighty Rio Grande cutting canyons along the Mexican border. Perhaps it’s because it’s so remote, more than 300 miles from the nearest major city of El Paso. Or it’s the colorful past and present locals who’ve chosen to make these isolated, desert border towns home. Big Bend doesn’t have a specific feature that draws visitors, but there’s an endless number of things to see and do within its 800,000-plus acres. Whether you stay for…

If you find yourself on I-90 through South Dakota, a stopover at Badlands National Park is a must. We stayed here in July with our two dogs and enjoyed easy, beautiful hikes and a big sky view of the sunset and stars. While some national parks can be tricky to maneuver with an RV, this park was a welcome exception. We had no problems driving into the park and campground with our 27-foot Class A Coachmen while towing a Jeep Wrangler. The campground blacktop loops are large and easy to navigate, and all sites are grassy, albeit the grass is dry and tough in summer. We were happy to find canopied picnic tables at every site. Our site overlooked a lovely prairie, and once we unhooked the Jeep, we popped…

LANDS END PARK, TOBERMORY, ONTARIO LEAVE BEHIND THE BUSTLING STREETS OF TORONTO AND HEAD NORTH ALONG HIGHWAY 6 THROUGH QUAINT TOWNS AND SPRAWLING MEADOWS, AND YOU’LL REACH THE TIP OF THE BRUCE PENINSULA. Nestled in the cove of some of the most crystal blue waters you’ll see outside of the Caribbean lies Lands End Park. This family-owned and operated campground is located in 90 acres of natural forest and directly on the Georgian Bay coast in Tobermory, Ontario. With deep, tree-lined sites providing ample privacy, you’d never guess that this family-friendly park is bustling. Once through their gated entrance, they have sites for every adventurer, whether you prefer to bring your tent or RV (big or small) or rent a cabin. Full hook-ups for water and electric, coupled with their…

The casual charm and inviting undertones of South Padre Island and neighboring Port Isabel made us New Englanders feel right at home. If you’re like us and prefer a modest place to relax with some fun and adventure mixed in, this is the spot. These two resort destinations on the southern coast of Texas are inseparable from each other and connected by the Queen Isabella Causeway. This scenic bridge makes the short drive from the mainland to island a great photo op, particularly at night when Pirate’s Landing Pier is lit up, and the historic Port Isabel Lighthouse (circa 1852) is casting its brilliant light over South Padre. At the same southerly latitude as Fort Lauderdale, SPI offers tropical weather and 70 miles of pristine national seashore similar to what…

One of the most well-known things to do in Boston is the Boston Freedom Trail. But what is the Freedom Trail? It’s a 2.5-mile trail, marked by a red path that winds through the city. The trail takes visitors through 250 years of prominent American history via 16 iconic sites. The idea was conceived by journalist William Schofield to preserve history and provide visitors with an easy way to identify the locations. The Freedom Trail can be accomplished with a tour map, a guidebook or an audio guide for those wanting to go at their own pace. You can also arrange private tours with a park ranger in period clothing. How fun is that? Whatever way you decide to visit the Freedom Trail, it’s absolutely something that needs to be…

Glacier National Park is a majestic wonderland bordering the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia to the north and Montana to the south. The Continental Divide splits the national park into the west side and the east side—both different in appearance but evolved from the same geologic formations spread over one-million acres of rugged wilderness sheltering an array of wildlife. Visitors will find 13 campgrounds inside the park. However, most of those parks accepting RV’s have imposed height and width restrictions due to the park’s interior roads. But have no worries, as both the west and east side offer ample amounts of RV campgrounds to fit any size rig. The Going-to-the-Sun Road is a scenic, 48-mile engineering marvel linking the east and west park entrances. Access is restricted to…

Most people think of the Grand Canyon when it comes to large gaping cracks on the earth’s surface. And rightly so; it’s the grandest, largest and most awe-inspiring canyon in the world. What most people may not know, however, is that the second largest canyon in the country next to the Grand Canyon is located just outside of Amarillo, Texas. Beginning approximately 14 miles off State Route 217, the landscape gives way from dusty plains to multi-colored sandstone walls diving deep into the earth’s surface. Here you’ll find Palo Duro Canyon State Park. Carved some 800 feet deep, Palo Duro Canyon is approximately 120 miles long and ranges from 6 to 20 miles wide in areas. This was our destination for a long weekend in 2019. I had stumbled across…

I recently flew over New Mexico and couldn’t help but think about how bland and brown it looked from 11,500 meters above. And that was such an unfair assumption. I knew better, primarily because I’ve driven through the state at least a dozen times. But that’s the thing about RVing; we immerse ourselves and experience places on such a personal, one-on-one level. We obtain a sense of intimacy with an area that a bird’s eye view doesn’t allow. And boondocking takes that even one step farther. My last road trip through the Land of Enchantment lead me down I-10 through Las Cruces. A crazy storm was rolling through, and my eyes were getting heavy from the journey across the desert. I was getting close to calling it a day and…

Travel is often a lesson in patience and dealing with unexpected changes in plans. Then add the hassles that come hand in hand with the beginning months of a pandemic! If you’re like me, you prefer to have a pretty clear plan when traveling. However, things tend to go out the window when traveling during a pandemic, as you’re at the whim of fluctuating restrictions and closures. I arrived in Durango during a wildfire, directly after a small flood and in the midst of a 100-degree heat wave (in a camper without A/C). Typically, I fill my trip itineraries with local museums, ample hiking and national parks. This time, I learned a lesson in patience and locating lesser-traveled, shady spots to explore. I spent a lovely week in Durango, despite…