SPRING 2026 COAST MAGAZINE
STOP AND SMELL THE WILDFLOWERS
DISCOVER THE REAL FLORIDA
FLYING GEMS
SPARKLING FRANKENMUTH
TWO FOR ONE
COAST TO COAST MAGAZINE SPRING 2026 | 1
CONTENTS
TRAVEL 04 DISCOVER THE REAL FLORIDA By Paula Loehr
Chief Executive Officer Matthew Wagner Executive Vice President Good Sam
Enterprises Will Colling Editorial Director Dee Whited Graphic Designer Gina Mills Business Manager Christina Din Marketing Director Kristin Moser Coast Coordinator Farrah Jobling
Arizona poppies, credit Emily and Mark Fagan
Coast Member Services 64 Inverness Drive East Englewood, Colorado 80112 800-368-5721
info@coastresorts.com Coast to Coast Website CoastResorts.com Coast Facebook Page Facebook.com/CoastResorts Volume 45, Number 2. Coast to Coast (ISSN 1093-3581) is published quarterly for $14 per year as part of annual membership fees, by Coast to Coast Resorts, 64 Inverness Drive E., Englewood, Colorado 80112. Coast to Coast Resorts assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manu scripts or artwork. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced by any method without prior written consent of the publisher. ©2026 Camp Coast to Coast, LLC. Coast wing logo is a registered trademark of Camp Coast to Coast, LLC. The GOOD SAM ICON, and Dream. Plan. Go. are registered trademarks of Good Sam Enterprises, LLC and used with permission. Unauthorized use of Coast’s or Good Sam’s trademarks is expressly prohibited. All rights reserved. PRINTED IN THE USA. Cover Photo: Arizona Poppies, credit Emily and Mark Fagan CTC66326 - 0426
10 FLYING GEMS By Dixie Dee Whited 15 TWO FOR ONE By Howard J Elmer 17 SPARKLING FRANKENMUTH By Richard Varr 23 STOP AND SMELL
THE WILDFLOWERS Feature by Emily Fagan; photos by Emily and Mark Fagan
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DISCOVER THE REAL FLORIDA
When floating down the Loxahatchee, it’s fun to imagine who navigated the river in former times and what they observed around each sneaky curve, credit Paula Loehr
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Discover the Real Florida Take a State Park Boat Tour By Paula Loehr
add contrasting colors and shapes to the water’s edge. On sunny days, the shimmering river reflects Florida’s true-blue skies and puffy white clouds, as well as lush greenery. Be sure to look for wading birds like bright white ibises, sandhill cranes, and little blue herons. In the river’s rippling waters, you might spot a gnarly alligator or some bobbing cooter turtles. Overhead in the sky, watch out swooping osprey seeking fish, red-winged blackbirds, or an iconic bald eagle. The half-hour Loxahatchee boat rides to and from Trapper Nelson’s camp are stand-out natural adventures, but the guided walk at his former homestead is undoubtedly the highlight of the tour. Trapper Nelson’s story is a fascinating throwback to mid-1900s Florida that is worth retelling. According to written accounts, Nelson made his living by hunting, fishing, trapping, and selling animal furs. Standing 6 feet, 4 inches tall and weighing
Have you heard that a whopping 18.5 percent of the Sunshine State’s total surface area consists of water? That statistic translates into a lot of aquatic fun that might be in your family’s future. Fortunately, Florida’s state parks offer a terrific variety of convenient boat tours that explore rolling rivers, sparkling lakes, and freshwater springs, as well as first-rate Atlantic and Gulf Coast destinations. All aboard, adventurous travelers. Florida’s watery wonders await you. Johnathan Dickinson State Park Loxahatchee Boat Tours Location: Central East Florida in Hobe Sound Fun Fact: The seven and a half mile long Loxahatchee River that runs through Johnathan Dickinson State Park is the first ever Florida waterway to be federally designated as a Wild and Scenic River. Tour Details: The Loxahatchee fleet includes Coast Guard certified watercrafts with overhead coverage. Each vessel accommodates 22 to 60 passengers with comfortable seating, stable rides, and plenty of open space for good photo captures. Boats are navigated by knowledgeable licensed captains who lead and narrate tours. Park visitors may choose between two tour options — a one-hour scenic float on the river or a two-hour combination water and land experience that includes a guided walk through the former pioneer homestead of Trapper Nelson, legendary Wildman of the Loxahatchee. Tickets: Consult the state park website for up-to-date ticket information or reservations. Combination boat excursions that include landings at Trapper Nelson’s camp are only available during high-river tides. Calling Johnathan Dickinson State Park in advance to learn day-to-day details about tour schedules is recommended. What to Expect on the Water: The shoreline of the Loxahatchee River is a sub-tropical hodgepodge of Florida mangroves, pine trees, hardwood forests, and ancient cypress trees. Leafy palms and wavy ferns
Water birds like these white ibises are sometimes sighted on the Loxahatchee, credit Paula Loehr
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Trapper Nelson hand-built most of the structures on his property with Dade County Pine, credit Paula Loehr
240 mostly muscular pounds, he was rumored to have a ravenous appetite. His typical meals at home consisted of his catch of the opossum, raccoon, or gopher tortoise meat, with side dishes of fresh citrus and exotic fruits from his garden grove. Trapper’s early fame was based on rough and tumble encounters with wildlife. His eccentric practice of wrestling alligators, complemented by vintage photos featuring his pet gator, Stumpy, lounging on his lap, or of large snakes draped over his shoulders, probably lent credence to his nickname “Wildman of the Loxahatchee.” Nelson was certainly ahead of his time as a champion recycler who repurposed all kinds of natural and discarded materials salvaged from the river and shoreline. Over time, Trapper maximized the potential of his sprawling property by building sturdy log cabins and a chickee shelter modeled after those made by Native American Seminoles. Structures made by Trapper Nelson focused on function, longevity, and safety for his overnight guests. He designed a chickee hut with open-air sleeping quarters to shelter adult visitors and boy scouts. Trapper incorporated elevated platforms to deter wildlife like raccoons and snakes from climbing or slithering and cozying up to dozing guests. As an added layer of protection for visitors who were
already tucked in for the night, access ladders leading from ground level to elevated bedtime spaces were removed until morning. Most of Trapper’s buildings were made with Dade County pine, a now-scarce regional hardwood known for its superior strength and endurance. Remarkably, Trapper constructed everything with his own resourceful hands. From hunting traps and zoo animal cages to plumbed bathrooms and entire furnished cabins, he was a creative and capable designer and builder. By scrimping and saving, the Wildman of the Loxahatchee gradually acquired enough land to develop a full-scale tropical garden retreat. Trapper Nelson’s Zoo and Jungle Garden was a side hustle that provided steady income. The one-of-a-kind wildlife zoo was a trendy tourist attraction for locals and out-of-towners alike including celebrities like classic film star, Gary Cooper. The zoo housed reptiles such as alligators and snakes, raccoons, wildcats, and whatever critters Trapper managed to capture. Almost two decades after Nelson’s death, park rangers uncovered 5,005 coins concealed within the chimney of his cabin’s brick fireplace. The $1,829.46 cache represented tangible profits from his ingenious home-grown enterprises.
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45-55-minute two-mile loop Wakulla River cruises on a 30-foot-long boat equipped with an overhead roof. Wheelchair accessible vessels are available upon request. Ask about occasional specialty boat tours.
Trapper Nelson lived purposefully off his land and the river he loved largely on his own terms—until his mysterious passing in 1968. After he died, the State of Florida procured his land, which became a preserved and protected part of Johnathan Dickinson State Park. A walking tour of Trapper Nelson’s homestead is a startling jump back in time that helps visitors understand one man’s extraordinary bond with nature. While floating down the glorious Loxahatchee River, you cannot help but imagine who navigated the waterway in former times, and what they found around each sneaky curve of the riverbank. Native Seminole people, local pioneers, shipwrecked survivors like Johnathan Dickinson’s family, and Trapper Nelson himself all influenced the Loxahatchee and surrounding lands in their own individual ways. Now that you know why Johnathan Dickinson’s Loxahatchee River boat tour is a tremendous outing. Are you ready for more good news? The Florida State Park system’s 175 award-winning parks offer plenty of additional water-based tours.
Tickets: Consult the state park website for up-to- date ticket information or reservations.
What to Expect on the Water: You will see grand cypress trees along the shoreline, plus spontaneous appearances by local wildlife. Watch out for skulking alligators, meek-looking manatees, and shorebirds such as gliding grebes and wide-winged anhingas. Flocks of migrating songbirds—such as crimson cardinals, goldfinches, and painted buntings make their rounds through the park from late fall through spring.
Blue Spring State Park Boat Tours Location: Central Florida in Orange City
Fun Fact: Thanks to conservation measures, the manatee population in the spring-fed waters at Blue Springs State Park has increased dramatically, from 14 tracked manatees in 1970 to a record-breaking 729 tracked manatees in 2023. Tour Details: A certified ecotour provider offers two- hour narrated boat cruises on the historic St. John’s River. Wheelchair access with lift onto the vessel is available.
Next up are brief overviews of five other parks’ engaging boat trips.
Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park Boat Tours Location: Florida’s North Central region in the town of Wakulla Springs Fun Fact: The brilliant blue waters of Wakulla Springs come from one of the biggest and deepest springs on Planet Earth.
Tickets: Consult the state park website for up-to- date ticket information or reservations.
What to Expect on the Water: Your boat’s ecotour guide focuses on natural surroundings and St. John’s River ecology. Riverbanks are heavily wooded with cypress trees veiled in Spanish moss. Florida oaks, red maples, and slash pines are also prevalent. Eagles might fly high overhead. Wading birds such as herons and tall wood storks are often spotted on the river’s edge. Cavorting otters, splashing turtles, alligators and slow-moving manatees may be seen in the water. Recently, exotic macaque monkeys of unknown origin have been observed climbing and jumping in trees along the St. John’s shoreline. Deer and opossums might also make guest appearances at the edge of the water.
Tour Details: Park rangers lead and narrate
Silver Springs State Park Glass Bottom Boat Tours Location: Central Florida in the town of Silver Springs
Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park, credit Florida State Parks
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Fun Fact: The original glass bottom boat was invented at world famous Silver Springs in 1870. Long before becoming a state park, Silver Springs was Florida’s oldest commercial tourist attraction. Tour Details: Guided glass bottom boats cruise up and down the Silver River and explore its network of feeder springs
Tickets: Consult the state park website for up-to- date ticket information or reservations.
What to Expect on the Water: On a glass bottom boat ride, you encounter a captivating underwater world just below your feet. Clear, blue-toned water makes it easy to see swaying ribbons of green eelgrass sheltering glistening fish. Please remember to lift your gaze from the floor of the boat every now and then. Don’t miss seeing rare wild orchids and delicate white spider lilies—two of the area’s prettiest aquatic flowers. The Silver River’s banks are lined with sweet gum, bald cypress, and magnolia trees. Chubby manatees, bumpy green gators, and sunbathing turtles are sometimes spotted in and around the river. Birders should look for brown and white speckled limpkins wading in the shallows, foraging for snails. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Boat Tours and Mermaid Shows Location: Central West Florida in the town of Weeki Wachee Fun Fact: The lovely school of mermaids at Weeki Wachee have performed underwater for the past 60 years. Plan to watch a Little Mermaid show when you visit the park. This classic Sunshine State tourist attraction turned state park is also the confirmed site of the deepest freshwater cave system in the United States.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Glass Bottom Boat Tour, credit Florida State Parks
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Boat Tours Location: Southeast Florida in Key Largo
Fun Fact: John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is the first undersea park in the United States.
Tour Details: Guided outings include glass bottom boat tours and snorkeling tours, each lasting two and a half hours, with one and a half hours observation time on the reef. A wheelchair accessible craft is available for snorkeling tours. Guided scuba diving tours last four hours, with two-tank dives at two locations.
Tickets: Consult the state park website for up-to- date ticket information or reservations.
What to Expect on/in the Water: Get ready to view an undersea kaleidoscope of shifting colors and shapes. Pennekamp’s 70 square nautical miles are home to 600 species of luminous fish, 70 types of coral, and marine creatures like curious manatees and dagger-toothed crocodiles. On land, stop by the park’s visitor center to observe more mesmerizing sea life in large saltwater aquariums. Today’s a good day to climb aboard a Florida state park boat tour. Pick a park, make a plan, recruit your travel buddies, and experience the aquatic wonders of the Sunshine State. For more information about Florida State Park boat tours, or to purchase boat tour tickets, visit floridastateparks.org.
Tour Details: Qualified boat captains lead narrated nature tours down the Weeki Wachee River.
Tickets: Consult the state park website for up-to- date ticket information or reservations.
What to Expect on the Water: Look for gentle manatees and rascally river otters. Sightings of shorebirds like blue herons, egrets, white ibises, and lively kingfishers are likely. If it is your lucky day, a white-tailed deer or an occasional black bear might turn up on the banks of the Weeki Wachee.
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FLYING GEMS Rubys in the East; Myriads in the West
RESORT UPDATES Desert National Wildlife Refuge, Hole in Rock
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found stalking them. Imagine my delight when my husband and I moved West to Arizona last year where I discovered that there wasn’t just one hummer but as many as 17 different species of the tiny gems living in and around our new home. And they are more than just marvels of nature. Despite being some of the smallest birds in the world, they have a big impact as pollinators, indicators of climate change, and in balancing insect populations. While nectar is their primary food source, they also consume spiders and insects, especially during the breeding season when protein is essential for their young. When not eating, resting, or migrating, hummingbirds are often seen using their unique agility in a high- speed chase to fiercely defend their territory and protect their young during breeding and nesting seasons. Instead of flapping their wings in flight, these little acrobats can rotate 180 degrees in a figure-eight pattern up to 80 times per second, allowing them to fly backwards, hover in place, and quickly change direction with remarkable control. In both territorial defense and mating rituals, males can be seen diving and flashing a colorful gorget, a patch of iridescent feathers on their throats that shimmer spectacularly in sunlight. These incredible qualities of the hummingbird have earned them many nicknames, from flying jewels and sun gems to hummers and warriors.
Flying Gems Rubys in the East; Myriads in the West
By Dixie Dee Whited
My youth was spent mostly barefoot. All times of the day you’d find me running up and down the hills on our Virginia farm. I wasn’t picky about what I was chasing. Maybe it was a fluffy rabbit, one of our shy horses, or in search of the illusive flitting of a gleaming Ruby-throated Hummingbird. They had bright flashes of red that reminded me of the luscious wild strawberries that dotted our summer pastures. Virginia has lots of birds, but the little hummer was my favorite winged bird to capture—although I never did. Nor did I ever find the tiny creature’s down-filled nest. Just because I never caught one or found its nest, didn’t mean I lost interest. During my youth, I only met Virginia’s lone hummingbird species—the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. To find their range, check out www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Ruby- throated_Hummingbird/maps-range
Now decades and decades later, I no longer run after them. Now armed with a telephoto lens, I’m often
Hummingbird map, credit William Tipton
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for Elegant Trogons—the unicorn sighting among birdwatchers in Southern Arizona—plus other rarities such as Elf Owls and Red-Faced Warblers. Bring a pair of binoculars and quietly walk the hiking trails to view gorgeous birds like White-eared hummingbirds, Berylline hummingbirds, Lucifer hummingbirds, Violet- crowned hummingbirds, Broad-tailed hummingbirds, and Blue-throated hummingbirds. You aren’t limited to just spotting birds on the trails, though. Also within Madera Canyon are Clark’s spiny lizards, whitetail deer, blue fungus beetles, Arizona bark scorpions, and Sonora mud turtles. Santa Rita Lodge, Madera Canyon, Arizona Santa Rita Lodge is a well-known birding hotspot in Madera Canyon. The lodge’s feeders attract a variety of hummingbirds, making it a perfect place to observe these tiny creatures up close. • Feeder Frenzy: Multiple feeders hang around the lodge, drawing in hummingbirds like the Broad- billed and Black-chinned. • Observation Deck: A dedicated deck offers a prime viewing spot for bird watchers. • Guided Tours: The lodge provides guided birding tours to enhance your experience.
Hepatic Tanager, credit Michael Whited
Hummingbirds in the U.S. (Species in Each State) There are an estimated 365 species of hummingbirds in the Americas, with more than 25 species in North America, and more than a dozen of those spend their summers in the United States. Some even live here year-round. Here’s a list of hummingbirds that have been recorded in each of the 50 U.S. states: https:// birdfeederhub.com/hummingbirds-in-each-state/ If you, too, love catching a glimpse of the tiny, vibrant marvels of nature, a list of a few of the West’s top venues follows. Unfortunately for those of you in the East, the West is home to the most hummingbird species, so this is your opportunity to turn your rig West. Madera Canyon and the Santa Ritas, Arizona Riparian woodlands along the Santa Cruz River in Southern Arizona have an international reputation for birdwatching. More than 250 species of birds can be spotted in this pristine area, including 15 species of hummingbirds, but the most activity happens when migrating birds use Madera Canyon as a layover. April and May see the most activity during spring migrations and June and September are the best months to spot hummers. Be on the lookout
Rivoli's Hummingbird, credit Michael Whited
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We’ve experienced the hospitality of the Santa Rita Lodge and can only say that rolling out of bed to catch the sunrise and view the first visitors at the feeders is a never-to-be-forgotten memory. You can bet we’re going back. Proctor Road Trailhead, Madera Canyon, Arizona For those who prefer a more natural setting, the Proctor Road Trailhead offers excellent bird-watching opportunities. The trail winds through diverse habitats, attracting a variety of hummingbirds. • Scenic Trail: The trail provides stunning views of the canyon and its wildlife. • Wildflowers: Seasonal wildflowers bloom along the trail, drawing in hummingbirds. • Birding Hotspot: Known among birders as a prime location for spotting rare hummingbird species. Bog Springs Campground, Madera Canyon, Arizona For those who enjoy camping, Bog Springs Campground offers a unique opportunity to see hummingbirds in their natural habitat. The campground is surrounded by lush vegetation that attracts these tiny birds. • Camping Facilities: Well-maintained campsites with basic amenities. • Natural Surroundings: The surrounding forest is a natural magnet for hummingbirds. • Nighttime Birding: Experience the magic of watching hummingbirds at dawn and dusk. Ramsey Canyon Preserve, Hereford, Arizona The Huachuca Mountains, home to Ramsey Canyon Preserve, rise from the desert of southeastern Arizona and catch cooler air that creates both arid and subtropical microclimates in close proximity. As a result, the preserve is remarkably biodiverse, playing host to numerous hummingbird species. Watch for: Ramsey Canyon attracts 15 species of hummingbirds, some of which only migrate this far north. It’s a well- known viewing site for Violet-crowned and Berylline hummingbirds. April through September is the best bird-watching time for hummingbird travel. Desert National Wildlife Refuge, Las Vegas, Nevada While the Mojave Desert is certainly hot, it’s also one of the most extraordinary hummingbird travel sites. This 1.6-million-acre wildlife refuge, the largest outside of Alaska, attracts 320 species of birds,
Lesser Goldfinch, credit Michael Whited
including a number of hummingbird species— more than any other birding destination in Nevada. Watch for: Costas hummingbirds, which thrive in arid climates, nest in the refuge during late winter and early spring. Black-chinned and Anna’s hummingbirds also flit among the sagebrush and wetland habitats at the refuge. Bandelier National Monument, Los Alamos, New Mexico The Ancestral Pueblo people lived on the Pajarito Plateau in northern New Mexico until the mid-1500s, carving their homes into the volcanic tuff and farming atop the mesas in what is now Bandelier National Monument, a 33,000-acre park. It’s a favorite travel site among birders aiming to see not only hummingbirds but a wide diversity of birds more typical of western mountains, canyons and grasslands. Watch for: Broad-tailed and Black-chinned raise families in Bandelier National Monument. Calliope and Rufous hummingbirds flit among the monument’s cliffs, valleys, and streams. Davis Mountains State Park, Fort Davis, Texas Located in westernmost Texas, the Davis Mountains are a hummingbird travel heaven from July to October. With high elevation (5,000 feet) and levels of precipitation, the range is one of the Southwest’s sky
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Red-naped Sapsucker, credit Michael Whited
Descanso Gardens, Los Angeles, California The Descanso Gardens are another hot spot for hummingbirds. It sits on 150 acres of land. The plants are a tiny part of why so many people visit the Descanso Gardens. So many birds call this gorgeous place their home. Not only can you see birds, but deer may also be seen feeding on plants during early mornings. Hummingbirds that live or pass through the Descanso Gardens include Calliope hummingbirds, Anna’s hummingbirds, Allen’s hummingbirds, Rufous hummingbirds, Costa’s hummingbirds, and Black- chinned hummingbirds. Huntington Library Gardens, San Marino, California. Interestingly, this unique spot isn’t just a garden. The Huntington is also a library and art museum. The botanical garden section has a surface area of 130 acres and 16 stunning themed gardens. Bird watching is a popular activity for visitors. Hummingbirds you may see in the Huntington Library are Costa’s hummingbirds, Black-chinned hummingbirds, Rufous hummingbirds, Allen’s hummingbirds, and Anna’s hummingbirds. There are also several reptiles in the Huntington Library Gardens, like pond sliders, spiny softshell turtles, and southern alligator lizards.
island environments, making it a mecca for birds and other wildlife. Most hummingbird species in the United States have been spotted here. Watch for: Broad- tailed, black-chinned and Rufous hummingbirds are common, but don’t be surprised if Lucifer, Ruby- throated or Calliope hummers whiz by. Ornithologists found the first-ever Amethyst-throated hummingbird in the U.S. here. Nearby McDonald Observatory and the Nature Conservancy Davis Mountains Preserve maintain bird-viewing stations. Cabrillo National Monument, San Diego, California Cabrillo National Monument, a seaside preserve surrounded by urban sprawl, is an oasis for birds and other marine and terrestrial wildlife. The monument has both residential and migratory hummingbirds. Rangers offer guided tours and activities daily. Watch for hummingbirds along the 2 ½-mile Bayside Trail and elsewhere in the park. Watch for: During mating season, male Anna’s hummingbirds perform aerial acrobatics to attract a mate. Numerous coastal species winter here or migrate through, including Allen’s, Rufous, Black- chinned and Costa’s hummingbirds. In April, watch Calliope hummingbirds gather around the blooming bottlebrush trees. Many animals call this area home, including hermit crabs and gray whales.
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Specifications for the Linage LVT1 LENGTH: 20’ 11” HEIGHT: 10’2” WIDTH: 6’9”
2026 Grand Design Lineage LVTI and 2026 Winnebago Thrive By Howard J Elmer TWO FOR ONE
INTERIOR HEIGHT: 6’4” FRESH WATER: 34 gal GRAY WATER: 23 gal
GCWR: 12,600 lb GVWR: 9,950 lb WHEELBASE: 148”
Grand Design is a favourite among RVers—the 5th wheelers certainly. Building on that success Grand Design showed up at the Hershey RV Show with a motorized unit—one they say is built differently. No doubt they want to draw on their reputation with towables. “The Lineage Series VT isn’t a conversion—it’s a purpose- built adventure van designed by Grand Design for travelers who demand more from every journey. Built on the AWD Ford Transit chassis, the VT is the only RVIA-certified all- wheel-drive adventure van on the market, offering true off-grid capability with the safety and reliability of a fully inspected motorhome.” This off-road capable Class B is built on the Ford T350 (long) Cargo chassis. It powered by the 3.5L V6 GTDi engine and a 10-speed automatic transmission. It makes 310 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. This unit answers a question says Grand Design; that being the growing demand for sustainable travel options and the rising popularity of nomadic lifestyles. The design offers some exclusive, industry first features like a fully integrated pop-top option allowing the rig to comfortably sleep four. The Ford Transit chassis provides
a good foundation for what adventure van owners truly need: reliability, capability, and serviceability across North America. Some other unique features: A fully convertible AquaHaven Rainshower System, allowing campers to adjust the space from living room to shower. Features—a venting window, expanded shower height, luxe rainfall shower head, and flexible hidden drain. An industry-first Stealth Split AC System that moves AC components off your roof to save space while delivering superior cooling at 20K BTU capacity in near silence. A Custom Ford Raptor-Style Grille that makes a bold statement while driving. An industry-leading 48V Lithionics System that delivers reliable power for longer adventures away from shore power—up to 3 days even with AC. An industry-first Panoramic Double-Pane Skylight developed and manufactured in Europe provides an immersive experience with exceptional optical and thermal performance on the road.
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Specifications for the Thrive 22MBH EXTERIOR LENGTH: 26’ EXTERIOR HEIGHT: 11’4”
EXTERIOR WIDTH: 8’ AWNING LENGTH: 17’ INTERIOR HEIGHT: 6’8” FRESHWATER TANK (GAL.): 60 BLACK TANK (GAL.): 49 GREY TANK (GAL) 49 LP CAPACITY (LBS.): 40 GVWR (LB.) 7,000 DRY WEIGHT (LB.): 5,822 Furnace (BTU): 30,000
2026 Winnebago Thrive
Winnebago, to this day, is still best known as a builder of motorhomes. However, for more than a decade now they have offered towable travel trailers. Each season they seem to plow further into that field and this year is no exception. Shown at the Hershey RV show, the new Thrive is a lightweight travel trailer that is said to redefine glamping with sleek design, residential comforts, and standout features like the tinted and frameless front window, an Olympic queen-sized bed and exclusive new custom-built furniture. Those expansive windows frame scenic views, while the open, intuitive layout creates a seamless indoor- outdoor living experience. It’s elevated camping—without the oversized price tag. Who says you have to rough it? Kick back and enjoy the good life—anywhere. This year, rather than dropping another entry level priced unit—the Thrive is aimed at the mid-range and those
buyers who want the comforts and extras that come with that price in a smaller, lightweight package. In the galley you’ll find fiberglass countertops with molded sinks, soft-close cabinets, built-in utensil drawers, and pullout pantries. Thrive is available in a few different sizes and floorplans. The one shown here is the 22MBH. This bunkhouse model offers premium residential touches throughout. Comfort comes standard, too, with an Olympic queen-size Murphy bed, roomy bunkhouse, spacious U-shaped dinette, and abundant storage—all within a lightweight footprint. Expansive windows, an open living space, powered awning, and exterior kitchen create a seamless indoor- outdoor experience that’s perfect for embracing the good life, wherever the road leads, says Winnebago.
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SPARKLING FRANKENMUTH Buildings with German architectural designs in Frankenmuth
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Sparkling Frankenmuth Christmas all year long Feature and photos by Richard Varr
Giant candy canes dangle from lampposts, sparkling in the night sky. Reindeer hop along a graveled life- sized diorama of sorts, pulling Old Saint Nick’s red sleigh brimming with presents. A golden illuminated Christmas stocking stands maybe ten feet tall; while singing and trumpeting carolers dressed in 19th- century Victorian-era garb stand before a giant Christmas ball ornament. There’s even a manger scene with angels rejoicing above. The Christmas spirit is upon us in Frankenmuth, Michigan, yet it’s only mid September. During my evening walk along the grounds of what’s touted to be the world’s largest Christmas store, Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland®, the twinkling lights are aglow—with a mix of colors and familiar holiday themes that most of us enjoy typically from late November through early January. But in this small riverside town and surrounding farming community, you can revel in the warmth of Christmas any time of the year. “It’s like having Christmas every day. It’s beautiful,” says store employee Cherie Miller. “When you come to work it puts you in a beautiful mood.” Bronner’s
Christmas decorations lit up at night on the grounds of Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland store in Frankenmuth
lives up to its reputation with more than 300 holiday trees and some 50,000 ornaments and other holiday items for sale. It’s open year-round except for a few holidays—it’s closed on Christmas Day. Often referred to as “Michigan’s Little Bavaria,” Frankenmuth was founded by 15 German settlers in 1845. Today, the town has a population of about 5,000 full-time residents, yet tourists flood its streets, restaurants, and other family-friendly attractions mostly during warmer weather months and the weeks
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leading up to the holidays. In addition to its German architecture and year-round Christmas celebrations, Frankenmuth is also known for its two impressive indoor heated water parks, famous chicken dinners, riverboat cruises, horse-drawn carriages, and a history museum. Flowers bloom in tasteful landscapes fronting stores and adding pops of color and beauty in decorated courtyards, most prevalent along South Main Street with its specialty stores and boutiques. I pass chocolatiers and fudge makers, and shops selling frozen bananas, sugar-powdered beignets, and gobs of ice cream. Gift shops hawk Frankenmuth T-shirts and Bavarian-themed souvenirs. At the Taffy Kitchen, employee Ashton Edie runs a machine stretching a mound of strawberry taffy. “What this does is help aerate it, giving it a nice chewy texture that it’s known for,” he explains. “I just finished adding all the flavors and colors, and this makes it uniform throughout.” The Frankenmuth Historical Museum outlines how the original 15 missionaries braved stormy seas on their voyage from their native Franconia region of Bavaria and then steamers to Michigan after arriving in New
Family style dinner at Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth restaurant
York. Their goal was to lend support to other German settlers and to introduce the Native Americans to the missionaries’ Lutheranism. A replica of the settler’s first log church stands on its original site along with the two church bells they brought with them. “They came here to spread the word of God,” explains Brooke Bronner, the Director of Marketing with the Frankenmuth Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB). “They liked the region for farming and milling.” The Historical Museum features life-sized exhibits of how they lived in log cabins along with artifacts including rusted kitchen pans, axes, saws, and other household wares. How did Frankenmuth become a Christmas Mecca? It all started with resident Wallace John Bronner’s love of the holiday’s old-world traditions based on his German roots. As a teenager, he started a sign painting business in the basement of his parents’ house, later crafting Christmas panels and decorations, and opening his first store in 1954. The growth of his business eventually led to the building of the current store that stands today, with subsequent expansions resulting in a showroom the size of one and a half football fields.
Inside, rows of decorated Christmas trees sparkle, many illuminated by some of the store’s 100,000 twinkling
Inside Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland
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lights. One tree stands out, decorated in red, white, and blue to celebrate this year’s 250th anniversary of America’s founding. Nativity scenes number 500 styles. Tree trims, gifts, and ornaments cram row after row of display racks grouped in sections with themes including teaching, firefighters, medical, babies, anniversary, and, of course, religion and churches. I find tree decorations of snowflakes, snowmen, icicles, elves and birds including penguins, peacocks, and owls, to name a few. I was particularly surprised to see RV ornaments dangling on hooks. “It’s more Christmas than you can probably ever imagine. You just have to see it,” says the CVB’s Brooke Bronner. “You can explain it, talk about how big it is, but until you get inside, it’s really hard to comprehend just how much Christmas there really is.” Also on the store’s grounds is the Silent Night Memorial Chapel, a replica of the chapel in Oberndorf, Salzburg, Austria that was built on the site of the original St. Nicholas Church where the Christmas carol Silent Night was sung for the first time in 1818. “It’s pretty spot on,” quips Bronner. In the afternoon, we board a so-called Frankenmuth FunShip (actually a covered pleasure boat) and chug along the tranquil Cass River. Our mini cruise includes tastings of wines from regional wineries paired with
locally made chocolates. “Something about putting people on the boat with wine and chocolate—it really makes people friendly,” notes boat captain Andrew Iliff. Another boating option is hopping onboard the Bavarian Belle Riverboat for a narrated tour along the river. The paddlewheel vessel accommodates up to 150 passengers and comes within full view of Frankenmuth’s iconic Holz Brücke Covered Bridge completed in 1980. Come dinnertime, we indulge in Frankenmuth’s famous family-style chicken dinners served at the Bavarian Inn Restaurant and Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth. “They say we’re known for chicken and Christmas,” notes Bronner, adding that both Zehnder’s and the Bavarian Inn are two of the largest independently owned restaurants in the country and that together they can seat close to 3,000 people and serve about two million chicken dinners a year. “At one time they were owned by the same family, but now they’re generations apart so they’re now owned by cousins,” adds Bronner. We dine at Zehnder’s and enjoy plates of golden fried chicken, Bavarian sausage, coleslaw, mashed potatoes and gravy, bean dishes, buttered egg noodles, and ice cream and sherbet for dessert.
The Bavarian Belle Riverboat on the Cass River in Frankenmuth
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a spoken and written language. They were seasonal and migratory peoples traveling along the waterways using their canoes,” explains Raymond Cadotte, the Cultural Center’s visitor services representative. One exhibit showcases how they built their wigwams, using tree bark to hold in the heat. “You can touch the birchbark with which they built their winter shelters,” explains Cadotte. “It dropped all the way to the ground to keep them warm, with grass and mud in between.” Other exhibits explain how the Anishinaabek used plants for food and medicine, the history of their fur trading, and the culture’s Seven Prophecies that predicted the arrival of Europeans. “What the Ziibiwing Cultural Center does is a lot of thought provoking,” continues Cadotte. “Some people come out of here more knowledgeable, while others leave angry or tearful because of what happened to the Anishinaabek. We want to invoke all of the emotions when learning about the people.” Another big draw for visiting Mount Pleasant is the massive Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort, owned and operated by the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Nation. The four-diamond property is home to the state’s largest gaming floor with thousands of slot machines and more than 70 tables for Blackjack, Mini-Baccarat, Roulette, and others. One of the casino’s most popular games is Bingo. Decorated with Native American themes, the resort also has a large pool, conference rooms, and features an Outdoor Summer Concert Series accommodating more than 13,000 spectators to see famous rockers and bands. Sporting enthusiasts will enjoy swinging their golf clubs at 13 area golf courses, while outdoor activities include hiking in preserves and nature parks, and kayaking or canoeing on the Chippewa River. Mount Pleasant is also the home of Central Michigan University, welcoming 11,000 students each fall. A vibrant college football season fills the school’s 30,000-seat stadium to see the Central Michigan Chippewas with fans cheering “Go Chips!” a tribute to the area’s Native American heritage. Mount Pleasant and Frankenmuth are, respectively, about a two-and-a-half and one-and-a-half-hour drive from Detroit, so if you’re heading that way, a few attractions are worth a stop. The Detroit Institute of Arts is famous for its wall-sized Diego Rivera industrial murals in a central atrium. The Motown Museum, in two adjacent neighborhood homes offers a close-up
Inside Zehnder’s Splash Village Hotel and Waterpark in Frankenmuth
Two Indoor heated waterparks also make Frankenmuth a great family destination. Zehnder’s Splash Village Hotel and Waterpark feature more than 50,000 square feet of pool areas that include a six-story raft ride and a looping body slide. Geysers shoot up within a pool also used for water basketball and volleyball. There’s a lazy river, dumping bucket, and splash area, and the so-called Perilous Plunge four-story tube slides. Part of the Bavarian Inn Lodge, the Bavarian Blast Waterpark includes 16 waterslides, a huge wave pool and its so-called Not So Lazy River attraction. Adults can relax in private cabanas and at a swim-up bar. Family fun activities also include laser tag, a mini-golf course, climbing walls, a ropes course, and game arcades. When the German settlers first arrived in 1845, they engaged with the local Chippewa Indians as part of their missionary goals. We learn more about this Native American history when visiting Mount Pleasant, a college town located northwest of Frankenmuth and reached in just over an hour via Interstate 75 and State Highway 20 West. Mount Pleasant is the county seat of Isabella County, which is home to the Isabella Indian Reservation. Our first stop is the Ziibiwing Cultural Center, which highlights the culture and history of the Michigan Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe and other Anishinaabek Native Americans of the Great Lakes. Life-sized dioramas and displays showcase how the native tribes survived for generations. “Prior to the colonizers coming here, the original people had both
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Inside the Taffy Kitchen shop on South Main Street in Frankenmuth
look at the small studio where Motown greats like the Supremes and Four Tops got their start.
Ohio, where the country’s first successful aircraft was developed. One of the Village’s most popular experiences is riding in a vintage early 20th-century Model T car. It’s a truly remarkable experience to see the actual chair from Washington’s Ford’s Theater in which Pres. Abraham Lincoln was sitting when assassin John Wilkes Booth fired the fatal gunshot on April 14, 1865, shortly after the end of the Civil War. The rocking chair’s deep red upholstery remains intact but faded with parts of it crumbling and still soiled with hair oil and blood stains. “The importance of this is not the blood stains but what happened in this chair and how that has changed our lives even today,” says museum presenter Tim Pendell. “In my opinion, Lincoln would have handled Reconstruction and bringing the North and South together a lot better than (President) Andrew Johnson or anyone after that. But we’ll never know.”
Fresh produce, homemade pies, cheeses, and Italian seasonings fill tables and vendor stalls at bustling Eastern Market. Alongside the multi-towered General Motors Renaissance Center, the Detroit RiverWalk stretches 3.5 miles along the river with benches, public art, parks, and a lighthouse. But if you make only one stop in the area, visit the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation and adjacent Greenfield Village in Dearborn. Key museum exhibits include prototypes and original early 20th-century cars, planes, and locomotives; the refurbished bus in which civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat; and former presidents’ cars, including the very ones in which John F. Kennedy was shot (original chassis only) and in which Ronald Reagan was driven to the hospital after his gunshot wound. Along the streets of Greenfield Village are some of the workshops of American icons of industry and invention, including Thomas Edison’s lab where his light bulb first illuminated, and the Wright Brothers actual home and cycle workshop from Dayton,
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Frankenmuth.org MeetMTP.com VisitDetroit.com
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STOP AND SMELL THE WILDFLOWERS Camas blooms in Packer Meadows Idaho
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Stop and Smell the Wildflowers
regions), we accidentally bumped into a raucous display of red, yellow and lavender wildflowers while driving the spectacular Chief Joseph Highway (WY- 296) northwest of Cody, Wyoming. Again, this scenic drive is worthy of at least one excursion, if not two, at any non-snowbound season. The road climbs through awe-inspiring sweeping turns and ascends into the mountain peaks. There it joins the stunning Bear Tooth Highway, which descends back down past several gorgeous alpine lakes to Yellowstone National Park in one direction or to the village of Red Lodge, Montana, in the other. Driving the Chief Joseph Highway in early July, huge fields of wildflowers beckoned us, and we stopped to stroll along a two- track dirt road into their midst. Vibrant red Indian paintbrush waved in the breeze alongside lavender lupine. The dirt road took us into the woods where brilliant yellow daisies poked up from the forest floor in between and around many fallen logs. We were fortunate to have this dazzling display of wildflowers all to ourselves except for the buzzing bees and other insects that were very excited by the floral banquet.
Explore these roadside delights Feature by Emily Fagan; photos by Emily & Mark Fagan
It’s always a thrill to see the happy faces of wildflowers smiling up at the world and dancing in the sun, and we’ve been fortunate to have witnessed some incredible wildflower displays in our RV travels. Some spots we’ve visited are well known, and people flock to them during the peak season when local websites and news outlets provide progress reports and recommended dates for wildflower peeping. Other places caught us by surprise as we were driving by, and we just had to stop and smell the flowers. Here are a few of our favorite spots:
Bush Highway in Mesa, Arizona—Arizona Poppies
An exquisite scenic drive along the Bush Highway on the northeastern edge of Phoenix is worthy of a day trip at any time. This short winding road soars over hill and dale, offering ever changing jaw-dropping views of jagged mountain peaks rising alongside the Salt River as glorious stands of saguaro cacti stand sentinel on both sides of the road as far as the eye can see. However, the whole landscape truly comes alive in March when the bright orange and yellow Arizona poppies blanket the landscape in every direction. Driving the Bush Highway from the Beeline Highway (AZ-87) south toward Saguaro Lake, there are a few places along the side of the road where you can pull over to park and take in the extraordinary Sonoran Desert views. Stately saguaro cacti dot vast fields of golden poppies backed by mountain peaks in the distance. The density of Arizona poppies depends on the winter and early spring rains, and various websites track the progress of these fiery little blossoms throughout the season. However, if it’s a good year, especially one that’s so good it’s called a Super Bloom, the color will knock your socks off. Once your eyes have had their fill of little yellow flowers surrounding the base of towering cacti that were mere sprouts back in the cowboy days, an outing on the Desert Belle paddlewheel boat on Saguaro Lake is the perfect way to top off the day.
Chief Joseph Highway in Wyoming—Indian Paintbrush, Daisies, and Lupine
In contrast to the well-known annual orange poppy explosion in Arizona (and other southwestern desert
Poppies in Arizona
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Pink poppies along Interstate 40 in North Carolina
Take plenty of insect repellent if you go exploring in this special area!
grand prize winner’s artwork appears on the next year’s poster for the festival. Whether you participate in this unique National Park event or simply stroll on the wildflower lined trails on your own (check out the Alpine Pond Loop), the cornucopia of mid-summer blooms is a must see.
Cedar Breaks National Monument in Utah— A Profusion of Color!
In the middle of July, sensational Cedar Breaks National Monument erupts in a vibrant display of wildflowers at 10,000 feet elevation. The flowers are so abundant that the National Park Service hosts a week-long Wildflower Festival there every year. Rangers lead Wildflower Walks on trails through the park’s meadows (generally a mile long or less) and they discuss not only how the flowers have adapted to the very harsh high desert environment, but which creatures do the vital work of pollination. Similar talks are also held in the park amphitheater for those who don’t wish to hike. For artists and children, as well as the kid in all of us, the Blooms of the Breaks Art Contest invites everyone to grab some art supplies or a camera and capture images of the stunning wildflowers enriched by their own creative vision. The
I-40 in North Carolina— Fields of Thigh-High Pink Poppies
One of our most memorable unexpected wildflower encounters was in mid-May on the side of I-40 in North Carolina. We were chatting away with each other as we drove on the interstate, fifth-wheel in tow, idly staring out the window. Suddenly, a vast field of enormous pink and red flowers appeared on the side of the highway. We slowed to take a closer look and noticed that people were pulling over into the breakdown lane to get out and take photos. We couldn’t help but join them. The field was so immense there was plenty of time to slow down and find a spot to park. In no time we were wandering through acres
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