Tidbits - May 2018

Over the past month, I’ve come across these interesting little tidbits of news – none of which are worth a full blog post but all of which intrigued me, so I thought this format would be a good way to share them.  Please note that this post is not sponsored in any way.  I’m not affiliated with, recommending or receiving payment from any of the companies or organizations mentioned.  I’m just sharing what I consider to be delightful or useful bits of news with you – you know, the kind of stuff you might talk about around a campfire with fellow travelers.  The photos in this post were taken last summer during our stay at Enchanted Trails RV Park on Historic Route 66 in Albuquerque, New Mexico (link HERE).  Without further ado, here are the tidbits from May . . .

Circle the Wagons!  Whether you’re a history buff who’s hooked on the American West or an outdoor enthusiast who’s into unique adventures, the Falls Creek Campground in Corbin, Kentucky, has you covered – you can overnight in one of their three Conestoga wagons (link HERE)!  These are not the Conestoga wagons of old, however.  They have modern conveniences that today’s travelers will appreciate – heat, air conditioning, a small refrigerator, a microwave and outlets for phone charging, as well as nearby bathrooms.  Each wagon contains a king size bed, a twin bunk bed and a pull out trundle and will sleep up to six people.  The big central fire ring is shared by the three wagons but each wagon has its own picnic table and charcoal grill.  Rates are $149.00 to $169.00 per night to stay in one of these wagons but, hey, how many people do you know who can claim this unique experience as one of their own?  By the way, here’s an important note:  This informational tidbit refers to Falls Creek Cabins and Campground in Corbin, Kentucky, near Cumberland Falls State Resort Park - not Fall Creek Falls State Park in Tennessee.  So pay close attention to your driving directions!  If they could guarantee that a John Wayne impersonator would ride up on horseback and mosey on over to the fire ring for evening chow, I just might go for it.  How cool would that be?!

From Olden Days to Vintage Ways . . . If a Conestoga wagon isn’t your cup of tea, how about a vintage travel trailer instead?  The Vintages Trailer Resort is located on the grounds of the Willamette Wine Country RV Park in Dayton, Oregon.  Here you can book one of 19 vintage travel trailers for your stay in wine country, including a 1947 Spartan Manor, a 1957 Airstream Sovereign and a 1965 Avion.  It was difficult to nail down rates because many of the trailers were already booked for both the summer and fall dates I plugged in.  What I found ranged from $120.00 to $160.00 per night but I didn’t see an actual rate chart for all trailers and date ranges, so prices may vary – a little or a lot.  Amenities include “gourmet pour-over coffee from Caravan Coffee, luxurious terrycloth robes, comfortable mattresses and fine hotel-quality linens.”  With lawn games, a pool and “a breathtaking view of the neighboring vineyards”, a stay at The Vintages Trailer Resort (link HERE) sounds like a unique and memorable experience.  But, if Oregon is a little too far from your neck of the woods, simply enter the phrase “vintage travel trailer campgrounds” into a search engine and prepare to be surprised at the number of opportunities for a little nostalgic pleasure!

Enchanted Trails RV Park on Historic Route 66 in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Passport to Adventure . . . The National Park Service (NPS) recently released a kids’ version of the popular National Park Passport book in collaboration with Eastern National which is a not-for-profit partner of the NPS.  The “Junior Ranger Passport” book contains interactive and educational content, vivid artwork and dedicated pages to collect official Park cancellations.  The specially designed Junior Ranger cancellations are available at more than 300 NPS locations with Junior Ranger programs.  The Passport is geared toward kids from ages 5 to 12 and includes a free starter set of colorful Park-themed stickers.  I love the idea of Passports so much that I’m planning a future post about them.  But, since the summer vacation season is already upon us, I wanted to get the word out about the new Junior Ranger Passports as soon as possible so that vacationing families are aware of this fun-filled activity.  Plus, Passports are one of the best vacation souvenirs EVER!  Additional information can be found on the NPS web site (link HERE).  Spread the word!

We overnighted at Enchanted Trails during our West Coast National Parks trip in 2017

A Drumi Roll, Please . . . So, true confession:  Both of our RVs have been travel trailers with no laundry facilities included.  When our family goes on an extended vacation, I’ve been known on more than one occasion to buy extra underwear for everyone so that we can stretch the days between visits to the laundromat to as many as possible.  Maybe many of you do this but, since it’s obviously not a topic that comes up in everyday conversation, I’ve not heard it discussed before.  I had no idea, until recently, that a number of portable, manually operated (hand-cranked) washing machines are on the market!  These items are marketed to boat and RV owners, college students and apartment dwellers.  (Hop on over to Amazon to check them out if you don’t believe me.)  Apparently, these products have been on the market for some time but an article on the Simplemost web site focuses on a “foot powered” manual washing machine called the “Drumi.”  The Drumi uses no electricity and a minimal amount of water, making it an eco-friendly choice – but, at $299.00, it is more expensive than the more traditional hand-cranked models.  That being said, it seems to be an attractive option for anyone who would not be able to work a hand crank, but would have no problem using his or her foot to power the pedal.  If you’re interested in seeing the Drumi in action, check out the article on Simplemost (link HERE). 

"Della" is a 1974 Silver Streak - and yes, she's available to rent at Enchanted Trails!

West Virginia State Parks Launch their First Farm-to-Table Dinner Tour!  If this isn’t a “first” in the realm of State Parks, I’d be surprised.  The Farm-to-Table movement has been gaining momentum over the past several years and I believe that State Parks of West Virginia are the first State Parks to jump on this most delicious bandwagon.  Over the course of the summer and early fall on select Thursday evenings, eight different State Parks will offer dinners featuring locally grown West Virginia produce and food products.  (Get it?  “Course?”  How was that for really bad?  Never mind - no need to respond!)  The chefs at the participating State Parks will be serving up a signature dish (on a collectible plate created by the Homer Laughlin China Company) and will pair it with wine, beer or coffee from West Virginia.  The participating West Virginia State Parks are Pipestream Resort SP, Cacapon Resort SP, Cass Scenic Historical Railroad SP, Chief Logan Lodge, North Bend SP, Holly River SP, Hawks Nest SP and Blackwater Falls SP.  The prices for the first two events are already in place - $80.00 per person at Pipestream and $29.99 per adult and $19.99 for kids at Cacapon - and the menus are online for those two Farm-to-Table dinners.  Please note that reservations are required.  This creative program not only provides an excellent opportunity to enjoy a fine dining experience highlighting local West Virginia food and drinks, but to explore eight of the state’s gorgeous Parks, as well.  For more information on the Farm-to-Table Dinner Tour (including a schedule), visit the West Virginia State Parks web site (link HERE).  And hurry!  The first dinner will be held at Pipestream Resort State Park on June 14^th!

That wraps up another edition of “Tidbits.”  Please feel free to share your thoughts on any of these items in the comment section below, and please do come back and visit again soon!