Consider RVing the Oregon coast in fall

I've been away from my computer this weekend because Mrs. Professor and I took our nieces RVing to the Oregon coast. Being retired Navy, I've had the privilege to see many coastlines and from my perspective none match the breathtaking beauty of the Oregon coast. Northern California has exquisite beaches and rock formations, but Oregon takes the number one spot in my view.

Some of my favorite towns on the Oregon coast (beginning in the southern part of the state and working north) are Bandon, Yachats, Waldport, Newport, Depoe Bay, Rockaway Beach just past Tillamook and Seaside. Cruising up US Highway 101 you'll discover countless beaches and viewpoints highlighting rock formations like the Devil's Punchbowl, long stretches of public beaches, sand dunes, lighthouses and state parks.

This weekend we decided to visit the Newport area. During the early fall months you can see the California gray whale migration as these mammoth creatures slowly lumber towards their winter quarters in the Gulf of California. Walking along the beach you'll see numerous shore birds, shells, agates and perhaps a female dungeness crab laying her eggs in the sand.We chose South Beach State Park as our RV home for the weekend. The park is located about a mile south of the Newport bridge. They offer many spacious RV camping sites with water and 30 amp electric (no sewer - although they do have a free dump station). If you are bringing a few extra guests, no problem because they also offer Yurt rentals (the round type tent shelters pictured here). The bathroom and showers are modern and clean and provide lots of refreshing hot water. Like many of the state campgrounds along the coast it's just a short walk from your campsite to the beach.The kids love the beach and the tide pools full of sea life. We even took a drive over to the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse and climbed the more than 100 stairs to the top where we were rewarded with a spectacular view.Newport is home to the Hatfield Marine Science Center which is run by Oregon State University's marine biology department and is involved in research and visitor education. The center has many unique displays including tide-pool touch pools, many aquarium tanks and science exhibits and best of all it's free. And right around the corner you'll find the famous Oregon Coast Aquarium (not free) with a load of exhibits including the "Passages of the Deep" a 1.32 million gallon exhibit featuring three realistic ocean habitats connected by a 200-foot long underwater tunnel with sharks swimming overhead.

Newport is the largest town on the Oregon coast and has many restaurants and a fisherman's wharf area where you can view sea lions basking in the sun and arguing with each other about who knows what. Here you'll also find several attractions including the Undersea Gardens and a wax museum. If you like deep sea fishing, there are several fishing boats leaving every day. In season, whale watching expeditions are also available.

Fall and winter are excellent times to visit the Oregon coast because tourism is slow and you feel like you have the campground, beaches and tourist attractions all to yourself. There are hundreds of attractions, fine restaurants and tons of places to just relax and enjoy nature. Out living the good life on the RV road - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

RVing Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

RVers traveling through the upper peninsula of Michigan have long enjoyed the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. I highly recommend taking the Pictured Rocks boat tour run by Pictured Rocks Cruises. You can visit their website here: Pictured Rocks Cruises You leave from the harbor of the small town of Munising, Michigan. Tours leave several times each day and reservations are not necessary. The busiest days are Tuesday and Wednesday so plan accordingly.You will see many rock formations on this two and a half hour tour. Castle Rock is the first formation you see on the tour. We also saw a Peregrine Falcon perching high atop a tree on one of the many rock formations, so it is a good idea to take along a pair of binoculars. Kayak enthusiasts and boaters enjoy this National Lakeshore.Lake Superior is so cold it is said once a person drowns the lake never gives up it's dead. The lake depth is just over one thousand feet at it's deepest point. The lake is so large it has characteristics of an ocean with huge swells and stormy gales. One of the crew feeds bread to the gulls as we pass by their rookery.This is a top notch excursion and a must see attraction. I encountered a Good Sam tour taking in the sunset cruise and they all loved it. We stayed at Wandering Wheels Campground which has wifi, heated pool, 50 amp pull-through sites, cable TV, mini golf, store and close to all the area attractions. There are several great restaurants in town and the drive along Lake Superior is magnificent!

I rate the Pictured Rocks cruise in the top three highlights of our summer tour through Michigan! It was picture perfect - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Lock in some RV fun at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

An exceptional RV destination.Located 50 miles north of Michigan's famous Mackinaw Bridge is Sault Ste. Marie There are a couple campgrounds on the water which allow you to watch the Great Lakes freighters come and go as they load up on cargo's of coal, limestone and iron ore.There are several attractions worth seeing in one of America’s oldest towns. The River of History Museum will thoroughly inform you on the history of the area. Across the street is the Tower of History with it’s four viewing platforms giving you a panoramic view of the area.The Museum Ship Valley Camp is a floating exhibit bring you inside a retired lake freighter. Plan on an hour or more to see this wonder which includes a display of the Edmund Fitzgerald (along with two recovered life boats). The engine room gives you an appreciation for the power of these workhorse ships. You can enter the wheel house and crew quarters but will have to navigate a few ladders (stairs).Across the parking lot from the Valley Camp is the famous Soo Locks Boat Tours. With ample RV parking and a self locking kennel (where you keep the key) this is a “must do” experience. This boat tour takes you through the locks and navigates the St. Mary’s River. A snack bar is available on each ship in the fleet. Dinner cruises are also available but check the schedule as it changes through the season. You can find out more about this great boat tour here: Soo Locks Boat ToursA trip to downtown Sault Ste. Marie will provide you with shopping and dining. The specialty in the “Upper Peninsula” are pasties which are warm pastries stuffed with beef and sometimes vegetables. I tried a couple and they are good with catsup or gravy on the side. Sacrificing my waistline for a worthy cause - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

RVing magic at Mackinac Island, Michigan

The benefit of being an RVer is your ability to move about this great country. We recently drove our motorhome to Mackinac City, Michigan and caught a passenger ferry to a place of charm and beauty. Mackinac Island, Michigan where life slows down to the pace of a horse drawn carriage. Transportation is provided by horse and bicycle on this beautiful island. Majestic houses adorn the shoreline while a historical fortress casts a steady eye across the channel. Steeped in history and tradition this island paradise offers relaxation and fun.

Mackinac Island is famous for it’s fudge making. They have every kind of fudge imaginable and you can watch them make it, then pour it out on slabs of marble to cool as they form it into long loaves of fudge. There are many restaurants and snacks available here.

The old Grand Hotel is the largest wooden structure in the U.S.A. and tours are available. You can rent bicycles or bring your own across on the ferry for a small fee. It costs $25 each for the ferry trip and carriage taxi service is available. You can also rent a horse and buggy to drive around the island by yourself. Most people bicycle or walk since most of the attractions are close at hand.

Approximately 500 people live on the island year round and they have a K-12 school, churches and stores. There are many shops, restaurants, galleries and you might even find a working artist. Plan on spending the day as you leisurely explore this wonderland island. Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

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A Traveler's Guide America's Living History
This is a new kind of history-oriented U.S. travel guide, one that not only showcases premier destinations, but also uses their histories to tell the story of early America. Learn more...

RVing the National Cherry Festival in Michigan

RVing America would not be complete without a tour of Michigan in the summer. This is our first time in Michigan and we’re having a blast! The National Cherry Festival held in Traverse City is definitely a “must see” RV tourist destination.The 2009 Cherry Festival runs from July 4th - 11th. The Blue angels perform at the festival every two years so their next appearance will be in 2010.

Mike Perreault chows down on an American favorite “the elephant ear”.Six year old Macy, whose favorite things about the festival are the Air Dog Competetion and the parade, poses by the cherry booth with her Parrents Matt & Jennifer.Cindy Goodale from Traverse City enjoys coming to the festival every year. She enjoys the atmosphere and likes hanging out and having fun. Her favorite things are the entertainment (especially the 1964 Beatles act) and she says Gibby Fries are “the thing” people stand in line for at the festival. Here folks patiently wait for this festival treat.Lynn Postma from Grand Rapids, Michigan with her air dog Bamba (a Spanish Water Dog).The Ultimate Air Dog competition is a favorite of kids and adults alike. The competition has several categories from novice to advanced. They compete to see who can jump the farthest off the dock into the water splashing the crowd and having fun. Jack King from King Orchards washes cherries for samples at the festival.
A street magician entertains the kids and adults - any volunteers from the crowd?There is a state campground near the beach, but it’s crowded, smoke filled and doesn’t have hook-ups for water or sewer. I strongly recommend staying at Timber Ridge RV Resort when you visit Traverse City. Owner Kristin Levesque and her friendly staff will assist you. The sites are spacious and clean and they have full hook-ups, cable and wifi. You can find more information here: Timber Ridge.

For more information on the festival click here: National Cherry Festival. Keeping you informed about cherry RV destinations - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

RVing to Amish Shipshewana, Indiana

Our RV adventure in Shipshewana, Indiana began with a drive through the beautiful countryside where we encountered white Amish farmhouses and barns, gardens with blooming flowers, colorful laundry hung out to dry and Amish horse drawn buggies.Once in town you will find plenty of shopping and dining opportunities. Don’t miss the good sized flea market which has several Amish vendors selling clothing, furniture and crafts. The auction is held inside the auction house and has six or more auctioneers hawking merchandise all at once. It’s a noisy cacophony that will stimulate your interest and curiosity. If you like antiques you can pick up some nice things at this auction.

After a morning looking around the flea market we went to lunch at the Blue Gate where authentic Amish food is served. You can eat family style on the lower level where it’s “all you can eat” or you can eat on the main level where you choose your selections off a menu. I ordered the “Amish Sampler” and couldn’t finish it all. I particularly enjoyed the Amish peanut butter and apple butter which are provided as condiments at each table.

There are several RV parks in the area and a newly completed park is located next to the flea market and currently charges $25 per night for full hook-ups. Watch the video to get a sense of what you will experience in Amish Shipshewana, Indiana. Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Who are the Amish who build RVs?

Northern Indiana is the undisputed capitol of RV manufacturing. It is also the home to many Mennonite and Amish communities who first migrated to Indiana in 1841. The Mennonites have incorporated themselves into the modern world while the Amish have been slower to change. In Amish country you frequently see horse drawn buggies sharing the road with modern automobiles. You also see men with beards but no mustache wearing black pants with suspenders. They are always seen in public wearing black or straw hats as has been their custom since the beginning of their movement. Women in modest dresses without buttons use straight pins to hold it all together. Their white and black caps cover their heads in obedience to Scripture. Not allowed to use electric power from power lines they have adapted by learning to use pneumatic powered appliances, generators and propane.The Amish are not Protestant, Catholic or Orthodox but are Christ followers given the name “Anabaptist” which means “to rebaptize.” They received this name in 16th-century Europe based on their teaching that only consenting adults should be administered the rite of water baptism. There are over 60 different Anabaptist groups each with it’s own distinctive character and rules for living making it difficult to generalize about them as a group. The Amish are undisputed craftsmen who make some of the finest furniture in the world. Times have changed and it is no longer feasible to make a living from small family farms alone so many of the Amish have taken jobs in the RV manufacturing industry.

If you want to learn more about their way of life a visit to Menno Hof in Shipshewana, Indiana will be time well spent. Here you will see and hear the Amish - Mennonite story. You will have all your questions answered and leave with a new appreciation for their way of life. Visit their website here: Menno Hof.

You may also want to visit a new attraction in Amish country called the “Quilt Gardens Tour.” It’s free (except for your expenditure for fuel) and it packs 60,000 blooms into 12 gigantic gardens creating super-sized quilt-like murals. Find more information about this tour here: Quilt Gardens Tour.

Northern Indiana is filled with beautiful Amish homes and gardens. We stopped at a bakery and candy shop and watched them making nut-brittle using pneumatic powered conveyor belts and mixers. This is great stuff sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. Many Amish homes are also businesses selling Amish made goods from furniture, baskets and quilts to recipe books and more. As a group I found them to be very friendly and happy to answer any questions about their lifestyle.While you’re in the neighborhood take advantage of the many RV plant tours available to the public. Out meeting our diverse and colorful American people one state at a time - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

RVs benefit from Indy 500 technology

The majority of RVers have motorhomes or trucks with turbochargers to boost performance. You can thank the racing industry for this technology because it was developed to give drivers an edge at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The next time you RV through Indiana consider stopping at the Speedway for a tour of the museum and the track. The museum is located on the infield and you have to drive your RV under the track (clearance 13 feet 11 inches) to get there. There is ample room for parking your RV.One of the more interesting exhibits is the “Gasoline Alley” garage reproduction. The Speedway is the original and one of the few racetracks to have these garages on the infield.

You’ll be impressed with the many winning cars they have on display including the very first winner from the 1911 race. Car 32 was a racing version of the locally built Marmon passenger car driven by Ray Harroun. We take it for granted now, but in 1911 this car sported the first rear view mirror on an automobile. Just one of many examples of how Indy 500 racing has improved on automotive safety.

The nickname “The Brickyard” was earned after they resurfaced the track with 3,200,000 10 pound paving bricks. A narrow three foot strip at the finish line is all that remains of these bricks.Bus tours of the track leave every 15 minutes and cost $3.00. The admission for the museum is also $3.00. You’ll be richly rewarded with a visit to the worlds oldest operational automobile racetrack. Because of this race all RVers are winners because we inherit the technology. See you in the winners circle - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Explore Indianapolis from Indiana State Fairgrounds RV Campground

As a veteran RVer I tend to avoid large metropolitan areas. I don’t like driving my RV through congested cities in order to visit an attraction. I would rather find a nice RV park nearby and use my towed vehicle to explore the area. Unfortunately, many metropolitan areas don’t have conveniently located RV parks. If you find yourself in this situation you may want to investigate the state or county fairgrounds. They frequently have a designated RV park with full hook-ups and a fair price. Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis is a good example. They have full hook-ups including 50 amp service. They are near downtown, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, museums, restaurants and professional sports arenas.Staying at a fairgrounds can be loads of fun because there is always something happing. I enjoyed visiting a horse show. The go-cart races. Truck Rodeo. All free and convenient to my RV campsite. The RV park has a restroom with showers and laundry and is located next to the Monon bike trail. Several RVers told me they’ve been visiting Indianapolis for years but never knew the fairgrounds had an RV park. Don’t plan on using the RV park immediately before, during or after the fair (August 6-17) because it’s usually sold out. Other than those restricted dates, there are usually plenty of RV spaces available. So, next time you’re RVing around Indianapolis plan on staying at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Doing a fair bit of reporting - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

These RVers love Padre Island National Seashore

Did you know that Texas has a huge coastline? Next time you have the map out take a look at just how much shoreline occupies southern Texas. Bordering the Gulf of Mexico a huge strip of Padre Island was set aside as a National Seashore for our enjoyment. The National Park Service strives to keep this chunk of beach as pristine as possible. The island is a nesting area for endangered Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle as well as other sea turtle species. When you visit the park be sure to stop by the visitor information center and view the video on the sea turtle recovery effort on Padre Island. If you see a turtle ambling up the beach report it to a park ranger immediately as they will mark the nest and prevent people from disturbing it. Besides the beauty of the Gulf side beaches, the inner channel offers RV camping and is one of the top wind surfing areas in the United States. This campground is called Bird Island Basin and you camp next to the beach. It's no wonder wind surfing RVers flock to this campground.There are no hook-ups but there is a dump station located nearby. The spaces are large enough to accommodate the biggest RVs. The camping fee is $8 per night plus the park entrance fee with a 14 day limit. Malaquite campground located on the Gulf side also has no hook-ups but they do have a restroom and showers and there is plenty of room for self contained RVs. Primitive camping is allowed on the beaches and in Texas beaches are considered roads so if you have a 4x4 you will enjoy exploring the beaches. If your vehicle becomes stuck the park will not help you extract your vehicle - you’ll need to call a towing service.
Birders will especially enjoy this seashore because many varieties of terns, gulls and other seabirds migrate through each year. For more detailed information visit the Padre Island National Seashore website here: Padre Island. Out combing the beaches of North America - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Take your RV downtown to a National Park

RV visitors may be surprised to discover Hot Springs National Park is part of the city. Visiting Hot Springs, Arkansas, the boyhood home of Bill Clinton, brings you back to the era of the 1920’s. During the late 1800’s bath houses began to crop up along “Bath House Row” taking advantage of the natural hot springs that occurred in the valley. A wealthy railroad man and banker named of Samuel Fordyce came to Hot Springs in 1873 for treatment of his ailments caused by Civil War wounds. Benefiting from the treatment he moved his family to the town and began developing the community by investing in hotels and infrastructure. He erected the world famous Fordyce Bath House which now serves as the National Park Visitor Center.At this entrance counter patrons could purchase tickets in 1919 for 21 baths for the tidy sum of$15. Fortunately, you can tour the entire facility for free.At this same desk you can now talk to a Park Ranger and pick up a free self guided tour brochure.

The bath house had separate areas for men and women. The guys, wrapped toga-style in bath sheets, would lounge around on marble seats drinking cups of the hot spring water until their turn in the bath. The fountain is called “The Fountain of Youth” depicting Hernando de Soto receiving a gift of water from a Caddo Indian maiden. The elegant stained glass on the ceiling is entitled "Neptune’s Daughter" and is composed of 8,000 pieces of stained glass.People would come here for three weeks or more to enjoy the bath houses, hotels, restaurants and race track. It was a kind of medical tourism because these waters in Hot Springs were thought to have healing qualities. When these bath treatments were popular modern drugs like steroids, penicillin, vaccines, and even sulfa drugs had not yet been developed. So, these bath and shower treatments were the best you could hope for beyond primitive medicine.The hydrotherapy room contained vapor cabinets, cooling cabinets, sitz baths, needle showers and even an electric bath. Shocking as it sounds, it was thought to bring relief to certain maladies.

The Fordyce Bath House was more than a bath, it also had a state of the art gymnasium where the likes of Jack Dempsey worked out. There was a bowling alley and a modern elevator that would move you between floors. The upstairs lounge was a great place to relax after your treatment. Once you leave the bath house you can take a leisurely stroll down Bath House Row and see the renovations they are making on the grand old Quapaw Bath House. Here you will soon be able to experience first hand the bathing experience of a bygone era.

The area is plush with restaurants and entertainment including a wax museum and be sure to visit the grand old Arlington Hotel.
Your visit is not complete without a tour of the Hot Springs Mountain Drive. Don’t plan on taking a large RV on this road because the hair-pin turns are very tight. Once at the top you can take an elevator to the top of the tower for a fee. The view is very nice with both an outdoor observation platform and an enclosed deck which houses a museum.
A National Park, even one in a city, would not be complete without a campground. Gulpha Gorge Campground is typical of National Park camping with no hook-ups, or shower facilities. They do have a dump station and water hydrants. If you want hook-ups there are several RV parks nearby including a couple near Magic Srpings Amusement Park. Cloud Nine RV Park is about six miles north of Hot Springs at the top of a hill.Hot Springs, Arkansas is a great place to spend time relaxing and exploring. Watch the video for a closer look at what awaits you when you visit. Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

RV yourself into beautiful Arkansas for scenery, history and entertainment

RVing an area is best done from one central location fanning out to take in the sights. The state of Arkansas is full of great cities and landscapes to explore and in this two part series I will touch on Little Rock and Hot Springs. Little Rock is an exceptionally nice capitol city with many venues that will delight and entertain. The second capitol building pictured below was designed to duplicate the look of the nation's capitol.The zoo, museums, downtown, and river park are enriching and pleasant. The Clinton Library overlooks the river and you can stroll along the river park where they hold art exhibits, festivals and other events throughout the year.The most striking place for me was a visit to Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site.On the morning of September 4, 1957, the Arkansas National Guard, at the order of Governor Orval Faubus, blocked nine black school kids from entering Little Rock Central High School. This action was in direct defiance of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision handed down in Brown v. Board of Education making school segregation unconstitutional. President Dwight Eisenhower backed the Supreme Court’s constitutional authority by calling out the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division and on September 25th soldiers escorted the teenagers into the school. The school is a beautiful structure still in use as a High School and a National Historic Site with a visitor center. The Magnolia Mobil gas station on the corner near the high school was preserved as part of the historic site. The price for gas in 1957 was 22 ½ cents a gallon . We stayed a week at the I-30 RV park. The access roads on and off I-30 are crazy. If you miss your off-ramp you have to travel several miles to the next exit. Save the fuel and take a look at the map before you travel. In my next blog I take you to Hot Springs National Park - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Galveston, Oh Galveston, I Still See My RV Dashing...

Thousands of people flocked to the beaches of Galveston, Texas enjoying the surf and sun as we drove RV-1 down the strip. Bathing suits, kites, surf boards, fishing poles, motorcycles, bicycles, ice cream, baby strollers, walkers, gawkers and body art are now imprinted on my brain under the file heading “Galveston”. The Glenn Campbell song kept encroaching gently on my mind as we followed the ebb and flow of traffic across this spit of sand in the Gulf of Mexico. The loud music blaring from an open air biker bar helped shake the melody out of my brain long enough to get my bearings as we headed for the Ferry terminal. Once at the terminal we underwent a security inspection and were asked to turn off our propane tank. The Texas Ferry system is free and enjoyable. Folks get out of their cars to take advantage of the 15 minute ride across the channel to Bolivar Peninsula. Our 40 foot RV scrapped the ramp as we loaded, but other than that the trip was uneventful. I grabbed a soda from the icebox, made a snack and headed out to take some pictures and enjoy the day. We ended up at a nice campground with full hook-ups and a front row seat to a very nice sunset. And as I watched the sun retire I heard somewhere on the backroads of my mind...

“I still see her standing by the water
Standing there lookin' out to sea
And is she waiting there for me?
On the beach where we used to run...
At Galveston, at Galveston”

Traveling across America on land and sea - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Would You Like Chips and Salsa With Your RV Paint Job?

Shelly & Steve Lechner are full-time RVers traveling North America in their 1999 Safari Trek. This couple recently took their motorhome into Mexico to be professionally painted by the Navarro Brothers and saved mucho dinero - $4,000 dollars. Here they are with Mr. Navarro and the finished coach.The paint on their aluminum sided Trek was beginning to bubble and corrode. The bubble trouble was especially apparent around the rivets. Steve says that during the sanding process they found several places where the corrosion had completely eaten through the siding.I asked Steve what gave him the idea to have the work done in Mexico and he said a fellow RVer suggested he contact them. He Googled “Navarros Paint Shop,” then called to set up a date and time to meet Mr Navarro at the border for an estimate.

Steve and Shelly drove to the border and stayed at the Happy Hollow RV Park. Here is an aerial view I took while hiking on the mountain overlooking the campground. The park is located on an Indian reservation just outside the border crossing into Los Algodones, Mexico (pictured below). The photo also shows the the parking lot on the U.S. side which belongs to the Indian reservation. You may park there at a cost of $5.00 a day and walk across the border - RV parking is also available). Steve met Mr. Navarro at the park where he provided a detailed list of what he wanted done and Mr. Navarro gave him an estimate.Steve says, “A list of everything you want done is a MUST, and I mean everything! they do good work but they don't read minds. You need to list things like the steps, the wiper blade arms the jack plates the mirrors etc. I went over my list and explained what I wanted done, he inspected the coach and we bargained a little and settled on a price.
They did a professional job of preparation and applying three coats of paint.I asked Steve what he would do differently if he were to do this project again? He said, “If we were to do it again, we would not plan on living in the coach while the work is being done." "There are several hotels and a nice bed & breakfast within walking distance.The refrigerator needs to be secured during painting (a fire hazard in the paint booth). Take several cases of water and snacks. Plan on inspecting the coach at least twice a day, this way you can ensure they are doing everything to your satisfaction. Women seem to have an eye for detail so use em gents!”Steve and Shelly purchased auto insurance form Sanborns in Yuma, Arizona which cost them around $11.00 a day. They crossed into Mexico at Los Algodones with no problems. Passports will be required next year. Firearms and ammunition are strictly prohibited in Mexico and possession will bring an automatic prison sentence.I asked Steve if he was satisfied with the quality of work and would he do it again? He replied, “All said and done we were are very satisfied with the work. Is it perfect? No, but what is? I would do it again in a New York second.”Personally I’m a huge fan of Los Algodones, Mexico and enjoy eating in the restaurants, shopping in the stores and using the dentists and pharmacies so abundant there. I agree with Steve when he says, “The people of Algodones are a proud lot and speak far better english than most of us speak Spanish. It is in their nature to bargain and deal. Treat them with respect, and remember all of this when Mr. Navarro gives you the quote.”

Brushing up on my Spanish - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Northern RVers Considered “Winter Texans” Y’all

We are staying at a very nice RV park in Alamo, Texas down near the southernmost tip of Texas. Our full-time RV lifestyle allows us to visit places and stay a few weeks as we explore the surrounding areas. Mrs. Professor is an avid bird watcher so we are observing the winter migration of our feathered friends as they return home from their South American vacations. This area is famous for birding and in fact has birds you won’t see anywhere else in the U.S. or Canada. This Green Jay resides mostly in Mexico and South America but can be seen hanging out in south Texas. Birds are a big tourist draw, but the main attraction is the winter weather. There are hundreds of RV parks that receive thousands of migrating northerners each year. By mid April most have departed their winter digs to head back north. Most of these parks cater to the 55 plus age group and range from spartan to upscale. The majority of the mid-range parks have the same amenities as the upscale parks including copious group activities keeping you so busy you’ll need to hire a secretary to keep track of your schedule. Park models are very popular and “Winter Texans” who bring their RVs usually reserve the same RV pad each year. This allows them to build storage sheds and leave their outdoor furniture, golf carts, bikes and stuff in Texas until they return the next winter. Southern Texas can get strong winds but the worst winter here beats a blizzard any day. Farming in the Rio Grande Valley produces many crops including wonderful grapefruit, oranges and onions. Many Caucasian Texans in this area speak Spanish just as well as folks of Hispanic descent and it’s not unusual to hear people conversing back and forth in both English and Spanish in restaurants and stores. Southern Texas is a true multicultural community offering a dazzling array of activities, events, shopping and dining. It’s no wonder more RVers are flocking here each year. New RV parks are being built throughout the area in anticipation of increasing numbers of the “boomer generation” retiring and hitting the RV road. Out tracking RV migration patterns and nesting behaviors - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

RV Friendly Ghost Town May Cause Heartburn

Quicksilver was discovered in Terlingua, Texas in 1890 and it quickly became the U.S. mercury capital producing over 40% of the fluid metal for U.S. industry. Mexican herders who encountered Comanche, Shawnee and Apache Indians living in the area named the place “Terlingua” meaning “three tongues”. At its peak 2,000 miners lived and worked in this community. They had a jail, church, theater, store and even an ice cream parlor. Unfortunately, the price of mercury declined the mines flooded and the town died. Terlingua quietly transitioned to “ghost town” status leaving behind all the relics including a very populated cemetery, and over 70 mine shafts the rail road backfilled after they purchased the land. Today you can pull your RV into the parking lot and take a self guided tour of the old ghost town. The original store, located inside the largest adobe building in Texas, continues to do business with the many tourists who visit each year. Imagine sitting on this porch enjoying the view while eating your bowl of chili. This might attract unwanted guests so fly swatters are conveniently hanging on the wall behind you. But who would be eating chili out here in the desert? Each year in early November thousands of people gather here for the world famous chili cook-off. Not only is Terlingua a ghost town, it’s also the “Chili Capitol of Texas”. You can buy the award winning chili ingredients in the store to try at home. Terlingua is located outside the west gate of Big Bend National Park. Searching for the ultimate RV chili recipe - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

RVers Enjoy Yuma Jailhouse Attraction

Yuma, Arizona is a mecca for RVers during the winter months. There are many things to occupy one’s time here and in the past many did time here. The Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. but after that all the inmates must be back in their cells. This prison was constructed by the inmates themselves. It was hot in the summer without air conditioning and there was no gym, cable TV or other items we currently supply our convicts courtesy taxpayer dollars. The most interesting sight is the prison cemetery. Here on a knoll overlooking the Colorado River are the remains of 104 inmates. Most of them died from tuberculosis but the brass memorial plaque leans more towards the dramatic saying, “Of the 3,069 convicts sentenced to Yua Prison 111 met their death. Disease, accident, murder, suicide and escape attempts were the causes of their demise. The remains of 104 unfortunate souls are interred in this cemetery.” There are no individual head stones or religious markers, just rocks. RV parking is available although there is not enough room for a motorhome with a towed vehicle to turn around. Oh, and don’t get any ideas about dropping off your grandkids - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

RVers are at Home on the Range and so is the A-10 Thunderbolt

Many RVers are familiar with the Barry M. Goldwater bombing range because it is on one million seven hundred thousand acres of land that you have to drive through if you’re going to Rocky Point, Mexico. The range begins near Gila Bend, Arizona and if you are pulling your rig down to Mexico or the abundant BLM land for some boondocking don’t be surprised if you see an A-10 Thunderbolt strafing nearby. When the A-10 fires it’s powerful 30 mm GAU-8/A Avenger Gatling gun you hear two distinct sounds, you hear the guns going off, but even before that you hear the bullets breaking the sound barrier. It sounds like when you drive your RV over a cattle guard. During practice the pilots fire at parachutes suspended between two poles while sensors in the ground tell the ranger controllers the accuracy. These weapons are designed for close air support for our ground troops and can kill tanks, convoys, armored personnel carriers, gun emplacements and everything else the enemy deploys on the battlefield. The gatling gun fires large depleted uranium armor-piercing shells at a rate of 3900 rounds per minute. They don’t carry this many rounds because even a two second burst will put 100 hits on a tank and it only takes six hits to do the job. The pilot of an A-10 can put around 80% of his bullets in a twenty foot circle from a mile out hence the name “Tank Killer.” It also carries the AGM-65 Maverick air-to-surface missile and standard unguided bombs. A-10s have the ALQ-131 ECM pod under one wing and two AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles under the other for self-defense. This baby is powered by two General Electric TF34-GE-100 turbofan engines mounted high above the wings. As an Air Force aviator myself we used to joke that these planes didn’t really fly because they were so ugly they just scared the ground away. Believe me, if you are the enemy and you see one of these coming you have every reason to be scared. The Barry Goldwater range exists so we can train the finest pilots in the world to fight and win on the battlefield. RVers who are down this way between October and April can go on this tour open to the public at no cost. Space is limited and there may be a waiting list so if you are interested call the Range Management Office at 623-856-8516 to book a tour.

God bless our Troops - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

RV Table for Two With an Ocean View Please

RVing allows you to see and experience this country up close and personal. Last Saturday we were enjoying an RV adventure down the Oregon coast. The scenery here fills your senses with awe and delight at every turn. We’ve been frequent visitors to the Oregon coast for years and it never gets old but continues to delight us with it’s majesty. As a retired Naval Officer, I’ve seen a great deal of the world and in my opinion there are very few coastlines as spectacular as those of Oregon. Fall and winter are some of the best times to visit here because tourist traffic is down and winter rates for RV parks and hotels begin in October. As we drove down the coast we decided to pull off in one of the many “pull-outs” and have lunch. When we dine at a restaurant that overlooks the ocean, we always want a table next to the window for a better view and these restaurants are usually expensive. This Saturday, we had a fabulous view of the ocean and beaches as we enjoyed our lunch at our RV dining table. I slid open the window and was immediately rewarded with fresh ocean air. I watched a fisherman on the beach about 100 yards below the overlook as he reeled in fish from the surf. We observed sea birds negotiate delicate landings on a large and rugged rock fortress standing alone offshore. We had a thoroughly enjoyable and memorable lunch, not because of the menu, but because of the setting. We stopped at several more of these overlooks as we traveled down the coast because there is something new and different at each one. The comfort of our RV allows us to have these experiences in many places across our land. Whether it’s in the desert or the mountains, the prairie or the beach, next to a pristine lake or overlooking a dock in Maine stacked with lobster traps the RV is our front row seat. The RV is a land yacht taking you places you’ve never been making possible a panoply of new experiences. The ultimate appeal of the RV is that you can linger longer at places you love and squeeze more out of life.

Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing, Dr. of RVology and ROAD Scholar

RV Raccoon Busts A Move At Fort Stevens Campground

Rvers will appreciate one of the largest and nicest state parks in the United States. Fort Stevens was formerly a US Army base and is now run by the State of Oregon. Truly magnificent in what it has to offer. Pacific Ocean beach access, Columbia River access, nine miles of bike trails, six miles of hiking trails, a fresh water lake, military museum with displays from the Civil War up to WWII. This park is also close to other attractions like Lewis and Clark National Park, the towns of Astoria and Seaside and to top it off, you can drive on the beach. Birdwatchers will be interested in the Brown Pelicans that hang out here in September. You can view these unique birds through the windshield of your car as you drive along the beach. That's right, you can drive on the beach here and I recommend you do it during low tide as the sand is firmer and driving conditions better. I parked the car in front of a flock of pelicans and gulls and enjoyed an ice cream bar. Now that's the way to go birdwatching! As you drive north along the beach you will encounter a ship wreck. The Peter Iredale was an iron sailing ship that ran aground here in 1906.
Fort Stevens State Park is so large because it was previously an Army base. The State took it over and made it into one of the finest state parks in the United States. You'll find old batteries that held huge "disappearing rifles" that would shoot over a wall then retract back behind the wall so an enemy ship would not be able to see it to return fire. The museum is restoring one of these and you'll enjoy these one-of-a-kind displays which are free if you are a registered camper, otherwise you must pay a day use fee. This is the only US soil on the mainland that was attacked by Japan during WWII. A Japanese sub surfaced here and fired several rounds that fell harmlessly on the base. This park also encompasses the jetty at the mouth of the Columbia River. Did I mention that this park is HUGE? The campground is excellent and they even have firewood sales that bring wood right to your campsite. I sat around the campfire with my grandkids making s'mores and thought about the times I did the same with my grandparents. RVing can bring a family together and create memories and doing it at Fort Stevens will be unforgettable.

Oh, about the raccoon, well, you'll just have to watch this video:

Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing, Dr. of RVology and ROAD Scholar and his faithful sidekick RV Raccoon

Follow the Professor as he Takes You to Fort Stevens

Most RVers think of the State of Oregon as a forested wonderland and home of Crater Lake National Park. Most don't know that Oregon was the only place in the USA that was attacked by the Japanese Navy during WWII. Fort Stevens is located at the mouth of the Columbia River and guarded this strategic port of entry dating back to the Civil War. This is the same neighborhood where the Lewis and Clark Expedition spent the winter in 1805. Follow the Professor as he takes you on a tour of Fort Stevens and the surrounding area:

Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing, Dr. of RVology and ROAD Scholar

RV Professor Tours Sunset Beach Oregon

RVers enjoy new destinations and this is one that is sure to please. Sunset Beach, Oregon is located near Astoria, Oregon at the mouth of the mighty Columbia River. This area is where the Lewis and Clark Expedition spent the winter back in 1805. I recommend staying at the Fort Stevens State Park. This is one of Oregon's best state parks offering beach and lake access, a historical military museum and spectacular scenery. Watch this video to see for yourself:

RVing Professor Tours Seaside Oregon

Today is September 11th. Because we Americans are freedom lovers we were attacked by terrorists. But, it is precisely BECAUSE we are Americans, that we choose not to let the wackos of the world stop us from enjoying our freedoms. So, in the spirit of freedom that was earned by the blood of of our servicemen I want the world to know that this American is having a GREAT time today. I'm out RVing and celebrating the freedom this GREAT country offers! Watch this video as the Professor of RVing (a veteran himself) takes you to Seaside, Oregon.

Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing, Dr. of RVology and ROAD Scholar

RVer Explores Americana Potpourri at da Vinci Days (Part 1)

RVers at the Good Sam Rally in Redmond, Oregon can take advantage of a great festival that occurs at the same time. The da Vinci Days Festival held in Corvallis, Oregon is well worth the hour and a half drive from Redmond.

Here you will experience some of the most wonderful Americana you will find anywhere – a celebration of art, science and technology. First let me start with the Kinetic Challenge; this event requires engineering genius because teams must put together “human-powered” all-terrain vehicles that must complete a 10 mile course. The course includes climbing a sand dune, traversing a mud bog, paddling down the Willamette River and winding through the streets of Corvallis, Oregon ending at the Oregon State University campus where the majority of the festivities are held. These kinetic machines must not only be road and sea worthy, they must also be works of art with a theme. Here is the “Draggin’ Wagon” powered by one cyclist and one rower (the rowing machine puts power to the wheels). The team consists (from left to right) of Jacob “Orc’s Blood”, Jaylin, Nick, Nicholas “Redbeard”, Lauren, Kelsey and Chelsa. This is actually a fire breathing sculpture that has a top speed of 15 mph on land and 4 knots on water. The “Winchworm” has a top speed of “caterpillar crawl” and is powered by seven people called “pilots” and their leader Melissa Boyd (center with helmet)Larry and Joni Plotkin show off the "Winchworm". There were many more “human powered” machines that competed in the race. Many were technological marvels while others were simple yet effective. To win this race you must come in exactly in the middle (fastest doesn’t get you anything) which is good to remember the next time you think about driving fast. The contestants must also have a song and dance to entice the judges. Judges may also be bribed with theme items like a can of sardines from the fish sculpture. Here is a photo of the water propulsion on one of these amazing machines. Watch this video as this same machine crosses the finish line.



This is a wonderful festival that just completed its 15th year. These kinetic competitions are held all over the USA and RVers can enjoy them in many of their travels. Check out the da Vinci Days website for more links to these kinds of events: da Vinci Days Festival

RVing allows you to actually “see” America in all her diversity, so fire up your RV and get out there and experience it with me. Part II will be available for your reading pleasure on Tuesday’s blog. Until then keep RVing – Jim Twamley

Wall Drug is Well Worth the Stop Even if You’ve Been There Before, and Yes, RV's Are Welcome

RV enthusiasts who travel out west are familiar with an oasis of fun in the heart of the Badlands called Wall Drug. It was purchased by Ted & Dorothy Hustead during the Great Depression and was transformed from a simple old fashioned drugstore into the fun and famous place it is today. You can’t help but know about Wall Drug, located in Wall, South Dakota, because Ted & Dorothy made it famous by the signs all along the highways. I began seeing these famous signs some 350 miles before I got there. You can still get a prescription filled at Wall Drug, but that isn’t why most people go there. Entertainment is everywhere, starting with the mechanized cowboy singers. The kids will love the backyard with the very scary Tyrannosaurus Rex.
On a hot day you can get free ice water and you can also play in the water as music plays in the background. Food is another BIG reason why people flock to Wall Drug. Here you can actually try a buffalo burger made from real bison meat. You can top it off with homemade pastries of all kinds. And don’t forget the world famous homemade doughnuts (about a buck) and a cup of coffee that only costs five cents. Or, you can head for the soda fountain and get an old fashioned ice cream sundae. Don't forget about the yummy fudge! The shopping is excellent and the displays of stuffed animals, exhibits, photos, and memorabilia are astounding. Plan on spending a couple hours here. RV parking is plentiful out in the north forty. GPS coordinates for RV parking 44.14398 N and -102.2421 W. Oh, and don't forget to pick up some Pepto Bismol for the road, it is, after all, a pharmacy you know. Jim

Visit The World’s Largest Birdfeeder

Mitchell, South Dakota is home to the world famous Corn Palace. Truly, there is no other place like it (that I know of anyway). It began in 1892 as a way for the good folks of South Dakota to show off the rich agricultural production of the land. It developed into a big festival and is now on its third building site. (Below is the 1960 photo)We began seeing signs on Interstate 90 featuring the Corn Palace (we also saw numerous signs for Wall Drug – but that’s another story). So, naturally Marilyn and I began wondering what this Corn Palace was all about, so we decided to camp at one of the RV parks in Mitchell and visit this place the next morning. We drove our 40' motorhome right downtown and found RV parking was plentiful. As we approached the domed palace we could see corn murals adorning the front of the structure. Each year about 20 local residents tear down the old corn murals (or whatever is left after the birds have eaten their share). The next job is to put up roofing paper that has the next year’s theme drawn on it. Some 3,000 bushels of milo, rye, oats and sour dock are tied into bundles and nailed to the building along with 275,000 ears of corn that have been sawed in half. These half ears of corn, representing about eight different color types, are then nailed onto the wall using a nail gun with three inch nails. It costs $130,000 each year to “re-corn” the Corn Palace and they are usually finished by mid October. Admission is free and once inside you can take a free tour. Our tour guide was Becky Garton and she has worked at the Corn Palace all through High School and actually had her graduation ceremony in the building. Inside you will see photographs of the Corn Palace through all the years they were able to decorate. The most famous Corn Palace photo is one depicting a backward swastika.This was done many years before the Nazis ever came to power and represents an American Indian symbol for peace and prosperity. Over 500,000 tourists visit the Corn Palace every year. Here’s Yours Truly posing with several vacationing Cornhuskers, Katie, James and Andrew Christensen from Blair, Nebraska. Inside the Corn Palace you’ll also find permanent corn murals, a large gift shop and a popcorn stand and snack bar. This attraction is more suited to adults than children because of the historical nature of the displays. Most people are in and out in less than thirty minutes, but there are other attractions nearby like Enchanted World Doll Museum and others. The Corn Palace is definitely worth a visit. Jim

RVing Alaska Can Become Habit Forming

Jim and Jeannie Byers are taking their 5th wheel to Valdez, Alaska for the fourth time. Jim’s advice for traveling on Alaska roads is to take your time and enjoy the scenery. Jim and Jeannie are from Bear, Deleware and they will be your camp hosts at Eagles Rest RV Park in Valdez. They have a very interesting dog named Sasha. She is an Akbash which is a breed from Turkey and introduced in the US in 1978. They were bred for herding sheep and keeping predators at bay. She has a beautiful all-white coat and even has white eyelashes.
Jim likes to carry his generator and his wash-tub fire ring on the front of his truck.With a receiver hitch installed on the front this platform carrier attaches easily to the truck for added cargo capacity. If you’re in Valdez this year look them up. Jim

Homeland Security Requires RVers Going to Mexico or Canada to Have Passports by January 2008

If you plan on traveling to Mexico or Canada on or after January 1, 2008 be sure you have a passport with you or you will not be allowed into these countries. Also, plan ahead to apply for your passport because it takes a while to get them processed. With this new law that was passed by Congress in 2004, “The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative,” the passport system could get “jammed up” with a huge influx of people applying at the last minute. So, why not apply now and be done with it. Jim

How The Tradition Of “Southern Hospitality” Began

Westville is an RV destination of pure delight. Life before machines, before the Industrial Revolution was different, very different than today! Take a trip back in time to a living history village, designed as an educational museum and experience a community at work and play in a town where you can smell and taste the magic of 1850. Westville is not a historic town, but a collection of over 30 authentic historic buildings relocated on 83 acres of land and brought to life every day by craftsmen, artisans and “interpreters” in full period costume. Ten year old Alundra Thornton demonstrates an 1850’s ring toss game called "Graces". Potter Stephen Hawks demonstrates his craft using the ancient potter’s wheel and hand fired kiln. What did they do before central heat and air conditioning? The Moye House demonstrates how they “rigged” their homes for the changing seasons. In winter they used heavy curtains and laid down heavy carpets to keep drafts from coming up through the cracks in the wooden floors and to help hold in the heat from the fireplace. During the summer they removed the carpets and heavy curtains. They used grass mats on the floors and light colored slip covers on the furniture and light weight and airy curtains. Air circulated under, around and through the house to help keep it cool. Nice big shade trees also helped them keep cool. The Chattahoochee County Courthouse was rescued from destruction, carefully dismantled board by board, brick by brick and reconstructed on this site. Former President Jimmy Carter’s grandfather was a tax collector in this building. The 1840 Harris Farmhouse is one of the last remaining two story “dog-trot” open breezeway log homes in the world. “Southern hospitality” has its roots in the traveler’s guest room located at the right hand side of this structure. In homes like this it was the custom to have a separate room set aside specifically for travelers to spend the night. If the door was open it was a signal that the room was unoccupied and available for use.

What in the world is this building? It’s a working replica of an 1851 cotton baling press with a real cotton gin in the bakground. Cotton was placed in the bailing box and animal power turned the huge wooden vertical “screw” pressing the cotton into a tidy 500 pound bail. These bails were then shipped to New England, Brittan and Holland.One of the interpreters cooked up some gingerbread muffins and boy were they good, washed down with some of the best tasting lemonade on the planet. Ever get frustrated untangling power cords? Just look what weaver Janette Greene has to contend with. She takes this tangle of threads and turns it into beautiful fabric. Not many people know how to do it like this anymore. Leviticus Williams demonstrates candle making - they didn't have electric lights back then.Don’t forget the gift shop where you can purchase Stephen’s pottery, period reproduction toys and all from inside an authentic 1850’s store.

While there ask shopkeeper Debbie Pope why the door and window shutters have hundreds of extra nails in them.Westville is located in Lumpkin, Georgia and is open 10-5 daily. RV parking is available in the top parking lot on the grass. Make an immediate left turn after entering the gate for RV parking. There is also an RV park next door. This magical place has so many wonderful buildings, craftsmen and interpreters I can't begin to describe it all. You'll just have to hop in the RV and check it out for yourself. Admission is $10.00 adults, $8.00 for military, college and seniors and K-12 $4.00. Call them at (888) 733-1850 or visit them on the web here: Westville

Learn How The Confederate Navy Changed The Future of Naval Warfare

Allow me to steer you to a port of special interest shipmate! The National Civil War Naval Museum is located in Columbus, Georgia. Open daily from 9:00 to 5:00 (closed Christmas Day). Adults $6.00, Students $5.00, Seniors $5.50, Active Duty Military $5.50. If you enjoy Civil War history or naval history, you will absolutely love this museum.

The Civil War naval battles were close, intense and bloody. President Lincoln ordered a naval blockade of all the southern ports to choke off international commerce. The South responded by innovation in the form of the iron-clad ships that were blockade busters. The CSS Virginia (Merrimac) was an “iron monster” that sunk numerous USS ships. Modern submarine warfare finds its beginnings in the innovations of Confederate marine engineers who sought new ways to prevent the naval blockade. The Confederate Navy was the first to sink a ship using a submarine.

As you walk into the museum wing that houses the CSS Jackson, you are first struck by the faint smell of molded timber. The ironclad CSS Jackson was rescued from the bottom of the Chattahoochee River and restored in its present resting place. A frame is suspended over the top of the remains to give you an idea of the size and dimensions of this ironclad. Steam driven Propellers provided the propulsion for this monster. The museum has a piece of the USS Monitor on display and a partial mock-up of this formidable and famous ironclad. This was the first turning turret ever built on a ship and the precursor to the modern battleship. Notice how thick the armor is. A unique experience awaits you as you enter the partial model, with full scale dimensions, of the ironclad CSS Albemarle. As you enter the ship, you immediately notice the thickness of the armor plate and the superstructure. Cannon balls would just bounce off this armor. This cannon inside the CSS Albemarle is enormous. The sound must have been deafening when this baby was fired. As you pass through the CSS Albemarle, you enter the “Battle Theatre” that gives you a glimpse into what it looked and sounded like to be in battle with this beast. There are many authentic Civil War relics here along with informative exhibits, drawings, art and models. The flag display or original Civil War flags is impressive. If the parking lot is not crowded, you can easily maneuver a large RV in and out of the parking area. You are safe to drive in and investigate because there is a large turnabout near the entrance of the museum. To look this up on Map-Quest the address is 1002 Victory Drive, Columbus, Georgia, 31901.

You may contact the museum at (706) 327-9798 or visit them on the web at
Civil War Naval History

A Day Spent At Callaway Gardens Will Not Be Held Against Your Lifespan

Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia is what I would consider real treasure. It is an exquisite complex of hiking and biking trails, lakes, exhibits, picnic areas, fishing, golfing, the Sibley Horticulture Center, vast gardens, the Birds of Prey Show, the Discovery Center, restaurants, chapel, beach, lodge & spa, and the crown jewel the Day Butterfly Center. This is a great place for riding your bike. There are hills here, so be ready to pedal hard. You may bring your own bikes or rent them. The azalea gardens were exploding with color and the dogwood trees were in bloom. These gardens have plantings of many varieties of flowers and you will see different flowers depending on what month you visit. The turtles enjoyed sunning themselves on one of the many lakes. There are access roads that allow you to drive all around the park taking in these lakes and all the other venues.The Birds of Prey Show was informative and interesting. They use wild raptors that have been injured and can’t survive in the wild on their own. These birds can still fly and entertained us as they flew over the audience. It might be a good idea to wear a hat. The Day Butterfly Center is chock full of butterflies. Color and graceful elegance attend these magnificent creatures as they sail around the climate controlled atrium. Kids were enchanted and adults were busy capturing the beauty found here. Here is Your's Truly hanging out inside the butterfly habitat.
Bring a picnic lunch or plan on eating at one of the restaurants, but don’t plan on any fast-food being close by.

Cason and Virginia Callaway developed these gardens consisting of 14,000 acres. Callaway Gardens have been enchanting the public since it opened in 1952. There is an entrance fee, but once inside the park you have free access to all the venues. RV parking is available in the bus parking area near the "Overlook Garden." RVs should use the Garden Entrance on highway 27. Motorcycles are not allowed in the park.For more information call 1 800-225-5292 or visit them on the web here: Callaway Gardens