2021 SPRING COASTMAGAZINE
Road Trip Southern New Mexico
State Fairs They’re More Than Just Funnel Cakes and Ferris Wheels
SPRING DESTINATIONS Neskowin Creek RV Resort Neskowin, Oregon St. Croix River Resort Hinckley, Minnesota Wally World Riverside Resort Loudonville, Ohio
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CONTENTS
TRAVEL 13 State Fairs
GOOD SAM AND CAMPING WORLD CHAIRMAN AND CEO Marcus Lemonis MarcusVIP@goodsamfamily.com COAST TO COAST PRESIDENT Bruce Hoster CCRPresident@coastresorts.com
They’re More Than Just Funnel Cakes and Ferris Wheels BY DAVE G. HOUSER
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19 Road Trip
MEMBER SERVICES 64 Inverness Drive E. Englewood, Colorado 80112 800-368-5721 info@coastresorts.com COAST TO COAST WEBSITE CoastResorts.com COAST TO COAST FACEBOOK Facebook.com/CoastResorts EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Dee Whited ART DIRECTOR Nicole Wilson
Southern New Mexico STORY BY EMILY FAGAN & PHOTOS BY EMILY AND MARK FAGAN 26 How to Enjoy a Family Friendly Mardi Gras
Lake Charles, Louisiana STORY BY NEALA MCCARTEN
DEPARTMENTS 4 From the President 6 Member Matters 8 Resort Updates 31 RV Review
RESORT PROFILES 9 Neskowin Creek RV Resort Neskowin, Oregon 10 St. Croix River Resort Hinckley, Minnesota 11 Wally World Riverside Resort Loudonville, Ohio
Volume 40, 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 manuscripts or artwork. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced by any method without prior written consent of the publisher. ©2021 Camp Coast to Coast, LLC. All rights reserved. PRINTED IN THE USA. COVER PHOTO BY EMILY AND MARK FAGAN CTC59951 - 0221
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FROM THE PRESIDENT PUTTING MEMBERS FIRST Near Year – New Logo Coast to Coast has some exciting news to share! In 2021 we are introducing an updated brand identity for Coast to Coast via a new logo with a more contemporary design and typeface. This clean new look for Coast to Coast projects a brand image that is modern, fun, and energetic. The new logo is part evolution in that the four horizontal red lines on either side of our brand name call to mind the “wings” from our previous logo and give the new logo movement and energy. In addition, we acknowledge the strong bond to our parent company by adding the phrase “a Good Sam company” as a foundational element of the new logo. We feel the new logo better reflects a modern company that is always “on the move” to connect our members to thrilling new outdoor adventures and travel experiences. You will first start to see the new logo on our member website www.CoastResorts.com, followed soon after by conversion of all other member communications and marketing materials. We have also updated the individual product logos for Premier, Deluxe, and Classic in this same style. This brand identity update is happening in concert with an exciting Good Sam brand refresh that is being rolled out in 2021.
We hope you love this new look and new logo for Coast to Coast as much as we do. As always we welcome your feedback, so let us know what you think. Just email us at CCRPresident@CoastResorts.com While the Covid-19 pandemic affected travel for some of you last year, we hope you are able to hit the road for some great travel experiences this year to make up for plans that may have been cancelled last year. As vaccines become more widely available, and more people are vaccinated, life should slowly return to normal for all of us. However as new virus variants may cause additional spikes in new cases, resulting in new travel restrictions, please check with any resort or Good Neighbor Park before you visit to learn the latest restrictions. Also as we did all last year, we are continue to post a PDF on our member website, www.CoastResorts.com, to advise members of any resorts under restrictions due to Covid-19. You will see it at the top of the home page when you log in using your member credentials. Best wishes from all of us for safe travels this year. If you need help with your travel plans, remember you can call Coast Member Services Mon-Sat at 800-368-5721 for help with your resort reservations. Happy Travels!
MARCUS LEMONIS Chairman and CEO Camping World & Good Sam marcusvip@goodsamfamily.com
BRUCE HOSTER President Coast to Coast Resorts CCRPresident@CoastResorts.com
FROM THE PRESIDENT
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“ IF YOU’RE NOT HAPPY, I ’M NOT HAPPY. ”
Need anything? I’m here to help. CALL MY OFFICE 866.232.8790 or Email me at MarcusVIP@goodsam.com
Marcus Lemonis Chairman and CEO Camping World and Good Sam
CTC60136 - 0221
MEMBER MATTERS MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR COAST TO COAST MEMBERSHIP In the “From the President” column this issue we announced that Coast to Coast is unveiling a new logo in 2021. Since we are approaching our 50th anniversary in 2022, I thought you might enjoy looking back on the logos that have defined Coast to Coast since our founding in 1972. Original logo 1972 – late 1990s
Coast to Coast Resorts logo late 1990s – 2003
This logo retains the blue and green colors of the original logo but in a more streamline form that places more emphasis on the Coast to Coast name. The arch from the original logo now is a design element curving over the company name, but now it appears as a two-lane roadway. Like the original logo, this logo conveys that Coast to Coast can help you realize your travel dreams from coast to coast. Coast “wings” logo 2004 – 2012
This is the original logo for Coast to Coast which was in use for more than 25 years. The top part of the logo is comprised of mountains, sky, and either a sunrise or a sunset, no doubt signifying all the wonderful places in the great outdoors that you can visit with your Coast to Coast membership. The outline of the United States
at the bottom of the logo along with the golden arch clearly conveys that you can travel “coast to coast” with Coast to Coast. The principle colors used are green, blue, and gold.
Coast to Coast was relaunched in 2004 with a 24/7 online reservation system as well as new benefits like condo vacation getaways. Along with this relaunch came a new logo, what came to be known as the Coast “wings”
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logo. The round center of the logo can be envisioned as one of the tires on your RV, complete with tire tread on the outside and a round hubcap in the middle. The “wings” on either side of the logo also convey travel, perhaps reflecting that Coast could now book air travel and condo vacation getaways for members in addition to RV travel. Added to the logo for the first time was the line “Est. 1972”, reflecting the credibility of a company that had been in business for more than 30 years. This line also adds to the overall “retro” feel of this logo. Coast “wings” logo with “Sam” 2012 – 2020
as their primary logo color. Of course Sam has his halo, acknowledging the “Good Samaritan” foundation of the Good Sam Club. New Coast logo 2021 –
With a more contemporary design and typeface, this clean new look for Coast to Coast projects a brand image that is modern, fun, and energetic. The new logo is part evolution in that the four horizontal red lines on either side of our brand name call to mind the “wings” from our previous two logos and give the new logo movement and energy. In addition, we acknowledge the strong bond to our parent company by adding the phrase “a Good Sam company” as a foundational element of the new logo. How many of these Coast to Coast logos can you remember? Email us at CCRPresident@CoastResorts.com with any thoughts or comments you have.
This logo retained all the elements of the previous logo, while introducing the face of “Sam” to the center of the logo. Sam has been the mascot for Good Sam for many years, and the inclusion of Sam’s face was meant to convey that Coast to Coast is a part of a much larger company (Good Sam / Camping World) that also has deep roots among RVers and outdoor travel enthusiasts. This logo also was redesigned with a more vibrant red color, also a nod to Good Sam who has always used red
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RESORT UPDATES ADDITIONS AND CHANGES TO THE 2021 DIRECTORY The 2021 Coast to Coast Resort Directory is packed with everything you need to navigate the network of Coast to Coast Resorts and Coast Good Neighbor Parks. To keep members up-to-date, each issue of Coast magazine includes any updates that have occurred since the last issue. COAST CLASSIC ARIZONA Page Springs-Sunrise Resorts, Cornville (page 129) Max RV length: 30 feet COAST CLASSIC RESORT TERMINATIONS MISSOURI Cloud 9 Ranch, Caulfield (page 159)
TEXAS River Bend Resort & Golf Club, Brownsville (page 180) WISCONSIN Chain-O-Lakes Resort Park, Eagle River (page 199) GOOD NEIGHBOR PARKS ARIZONA Verde Ranch RV Resort, Camp Verde (page 206): new website: www.campspot.com/park/verde-ranch-rv-resort GOOD NEIGHBOR PARK TERMINATION MICHIGAN Tiki RV Park & Campground, St. Ignace (page 215)
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RESORT TYPE: Classic LOCATION: Neskowin, Oregon SEASON: Year-round WEBSITE: www.soundpacificrv.com/neskowin-creek
Neskowin Creek RV Resort Enjoy both forest and coast at Neskowin Creek RV Resort
You may be surprised as you turn into this family- owned-and-operated private campground with 24-hour security. You know that the Oregon Coast is nearby, but the campground is beautifully enclosed in a forest setting. Once set up at your site, you’re not only close to the coast, but you’re also just off the renowned Pacific Coast Scenic Byway (U.S. 101). Once onsite, parked at your spacious site, you can choose from a variety of amenities. Enjoy catch-and- release fishing and an indoor swimming pool and hot tub. Meet new friends at potlucks and scheduled activities organized by a friendly and helpful staff. Other amenities right at the park include full-service restroom facilities with showers and laundry facilities. Your favorite four-legged friend can exercise at the dog run area. For your kids, let them enjoy the playground and game room. In addition to the amazing fishing in the surrounding
area, the local restaurants serve amazing food. Chinook Winds Casino is conveniently located in nearby Lincoln City for a fun night out on the town. Drive into Neskowin and visit Neskowin Beach State Recreation Site. A path leads from the recreation site down to the beach near the town’s famous Proposal Rock. Trails weave to the top of the rock, which provides an excellent view of surrounding tidelands. The name comes from the legend of Charley and Della. One day in the late 1800s, these star-crossed lovers headed out to a basalt sea stack above the Pacific Ocean and decided to get married. Della’s mom was thrilled and named the landmark “Proposal Rock.” Golf is also popular in the town of Neskowin, which has two enjoyable 9-hole golf courses in the center of town. Dazzling ocean coastline provides the backdrop for these two courses, which are set among marshlands and rolling, verdant pastures.
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RESORT TYPE: Premier LOCATION: Hinckley, Minnesota SEASON: May 22 – October 18 WEBSITE: www.midwestoutdoorresorts.com
St. Croix River Resort River adventure awaits you at this Minnesota resort
It’s time to grab your paddle and kayak or canoe and head to the St. Croix and Namekagon rivers. Together they form the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, offering more than 200miles of clean water that glides and rushes through a forested landscape. It’s also a great place for anglers and is home to 19 species of fish including walleye, smallmouth bass, sauger, muskellunge, northern pike, and lake sturgeon. Fortunately for RVers staying at the St. Croix River Resort in Hinckley, they can enjoy the river because it runs adjacent to this beautiful resort. In addition to your watercraft and fishing equipment, bring your ATV and follow the marked ATV trail to enjoy miles of fun. There are also walking / hiking trails for your pleasure. The spacious cul-de-sac campsites provide privacy not found elsewhere. There are also a number of cabins available for rent—all with very unique names. These include Annie Oakley, Davy Crockett, Meriwether Lewis, and Sacajawea, to name a few. In addition to the
unusually private campsites, enjoy the swimming pool, horseshoes, volleyball, badminton, and a playground. A conveniently located clubhouse and Wi-Fi hotspot also features a convenience store. You can choose quiet relaxation or get involved in as many planned activities as you wish. Check with the resort to discover whether the planned activities have been restored following Covid restrictions. Plan a picnic with the new friends you’ve made during your stay in the covered pavilion and then end your day with a glowing campfire and roasting marshmallows. Nearby, visit Minnesota’s largest state park: St. Croix State Park, with over 34,000 acres and two great rivers. Explore the rivers by canoe or with a fishing pole. Many species of birds thrive there: warblers, flycatchers, eagles, owls, and osprey are common along the St. Croix. Wildlife includes black bear, bobcats, coyotes, beaver, raccoons, gray and red fox, and deer.
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RESORT TYPE: Premier LOCATION: Loudonville, Ohio SEASON: April 1 – November 14 WEBSITE: www.wallyworldresort.com/
Wally World Riverside Resort A river runs beside this Ohio resort
The name says it all—Wally World Riverside Resort. In this case, the river is the Mohican River and you can see the river from most campsites. The Mohican is known for being one of Ohio’s largest outdoor recreational complexes and outfitters are prepared to take you on river adventures. Don’t worry about the weather, you can always take a swim in the heated outdoor swimming pool. Pick up any items you may have forgotten at the general store and enjoy a bite to eat at the snack bar. Meet new friends at the game room, ball courts, or playing horseshoes and mini golf. Relax in the hot tub. Activities directors keep you busy with planned activities and theme event weekends. And your four-legged friend is not forgotten at the dog park. Wally World Riverside Resort in Loudonville is situated along the historic Wally Road Scenic Byway in the heart of Ohio’s Amish country. With its location and access
to many area attractions, Wally World is the perfect vacation destination. Visit the Amish attractions and “The Little Switzerland of Ohio” in Sugarcreek, or explore the heart of Amish Country in Berlin, kayak or canoe down the Mohican River, hike trails in the neighboring state parks, or just relax by the water or your campfire. There’s so much to see and do you’ll want to come back again and again! If further exploration of Ohio is what you’re looking for, then Wally World’s location is perfect! Located halfway between Columbus and Cleveland, there is a world of sightseeing opportunities open to you. Nearby, visit the Everett Covered Bridge, which crosses Furnace Run. This bridge is the only remaining covered bridge in Summit County. In the 19th century, it was one of more than 2,000 in Ohio, the state that led the U.S. in covered-bridge construction.
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STATE FAIRS They’re More Than Just Funnel Cakes and Ferris Wheels
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Map by William Tipton
can be rolled in batter, dipped in oil, deep fried, and served on a stick. Fairs across the country seem to be vying for most outrageous honors when it comes to sinful new food offerings. For example: fried Jell-O, chicken-fried bacon, hot-beef sundaes, deep-fried butter balls—and a Texas State Fair specialty—the funnel cake bacon queso burger. Burp! Waistlines may suffer, but it’s all in good fun—so start making plans to visit at least one of our seven favorite American state fairs. MINNESOTA STATE FAIR Recently named by USA Today readers as America’s best state fair, “The Great Minnesota Get-Together,” staged each August in St. Paul, also is the nation’s largest state fair based on average daily attendance. In 2018, 2.05 million guests hit the turnstiles during the 12-day event, posting a record daily attendance of 270,426. This fair is world-renowned for serving the least healthy food ever fried by man. Of course, there are the midway rides, big-name entertainment, and ubiquitous livestock competitions, but many fairgoers come here simply to feed their faces. Among 31 new dishes this year: cheesy
The Texas State Fair in Dallas at sunset.
STATE FAIRS By Dave G. Houser
From the start, which was 1841 in Syracuse, New York, state fairs have convened largely to showcase and celebrate livestock and agriculture. Over the years, these fairs evolved into carnivals, notable for their “step right up!” revelry, rickety rides, freak shows, unhealthy foods, and unwinnable games. Today’s modern state fairs retain some of those elements but on a much, much grander scale. And with many of them now in their second century of existence, there’s plenty of history and tradition to celebrate. For most folks, attending a state fair is a fun and inexpensive outing that offers something sure to interest and entertain the entire family. For the 4-H types there are exhibits and competitions focused on agriculture and livestock. Midway rides, games and musical events provide non-stop entertainment. And yes, there is funnel cake—along with just about anything else that
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New York State Fair’s mechanical bull—kid-sized.
Minnesota’s giant slide is a favorite with the younger crowd.
sriracha funnel cake bites, Turkish pizza, and deep-fried avocado. 2021 dates: August 26–September 6 (Labor Day) 1265 Snelling Avenue North, St. Paul, MN 55108-3003 www.mnstatefair.org • 651-288-4400 GREAT NEW YORK STATE FAIR America’s fourth largest state fair also holds the distinction of being the oldest. The nation’s first state fair was held in 1841 in Syracuse and it lends credence to the fact that such fairs aren’t exclusive to America’s heartland. Both the event and its venue have undergone a huge transformation over the years, most recently in 2015 with a $50 million restoration of the fairgrounds on the shores of Onondaga Lake. An amazing schedule of activities and events, ranging from an exhibit featuring an 800-pound butter sculpture to piglet races to birds of prey demonstrations, routinely attracts more than a million visitors annually. Foodies flock to the fair for the Taste New York Food Truck Competition that hosts 40 of the state’s top food trucks. 2021 dates: August 20–September 6 (Labor Day)
581 State Fair Boulevard, Syracuse, New York 13209 http://nysfair.ny.gov/ • 315-487-7711 THE EASTERN STATES EXPOSITION (THE BIG E) Billed as “the biggest event on the East Coast,” the Big E Fair brings all of New England together (that’s six states, including Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont) for this annual festival staged in West Springfield, Massachusetts. All things being equal, the fair’s Avenue of States features full-sized replicas of all six original state houses. Each state house serves ambassadorial duty with exhibits and demonstrations keyed to its history, industry, and culture—and tasty samples of its favorite foods. Grab a bite of lobster or baked potato at Maine House or perhaps some Ben & Jerry’s ice cream or maple candy at Vermont House. You get the picture. 2021 dates: September 17–October 3 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield, MA 01089 www.thebige.com • 413-737-2443 IOWA STATE FAIR The state fair is Iowa’s biggest event—and it was ever more so in 2019 when a record 1.17 million visitors
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The livestock exhibition and judging at the Texas State Fair is an opportunity to see livestock up close.
Enjoy checking out the bacon buddies at the Iowa State Fair.
Meet the Clydesdales at the Kentucky State Fair.
and a couple of dozen Democratic presidential hopefuls congregated in Des Moines for a festival of fried foods, carnival rides, farm animals, and campaign speeches. In addition to its quadrennial significance as a campaign stop, the Iowa State Fair is famous as home (since 1911) to its now-iconic butter cow sculpture, and for having more food vendors (200) than any fair in the country. While there’s plenty of big-name entertainment—Toby Keith, Zac Brown Band, and Hootie & the Blowfish among those performing in 2019—the real emphasis here in Iowa is on the food—and serving it on a stick. More than 50 items are available in stick form, including apple pie, sausage and waffles, bacon-wrapped riblets, and deep-fried brownies. 2021 dates: August 12-22 3000 East Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50317 www.iowastatefair.org • 515-262-3111 STATE FAIR OF TEXAS They say everything is bigger in Texas, and the state fair is certainly no exception. It is the largest and most widely acclaimed fair in America, a massive enterprise attracting more than 2.2 million visitors annually and generating some $50million for the Dallas area economy.
Symbolic of the 24-day extravaganza is “Big Tex,” the instantly recognizable 55-foot-tall cowboy statue that serves as the event mascot. He is (you guessed it) the world’s tallest cowboy. Fair Park was home to the nation’s tallest Ferris wheel (212 feet) as well—until it was recently displaced by taller wheels in Orlando and Las Vegas. Fair-related festivities include a parade in downtown Dallas, an auto show, an exhausting roster of agricultural and livestock shows and exhibits and the traditional “Red River Rivalry” college football game between Oklahoma and Texas. The fair has long been a pioneer in the development of deep-fried foods and some recent additions include fried banana splits, chicken-fried bacon, deep-fried chicken noodle soup, and deep-fried Fruit Loops. 2021 dates: September 24-October 17 3921 Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd., Dallas, TX 75210 www.bigtex.com • 214-565-9931 KENTUCKY STATE FAIR The Bluegrass State’s annual fair takes place at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, where more than 600,000 visitors are expected to swarm the 520 acres of indoor and outdoor exhibition space during an
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A favorite at the New York State Fair is the dog Frisbee show.
The Kentucky State Fair has a beautiful queen and fun mascot.
The floriculture contest at the Iowa State Fair is a colorful event.
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Enjoy the mighty midway at the Minnesota State Fair.
The food can be the best part at the Texas State Fair.
MONTANA FAIR The biggest happening in Billings—if not the entire state of Montana—rolls around every August when the state fair makes its nine-day run at MetraPark. It’s a traditional agricultural exposition / carnival that draws nearly a quarter of a million visitors each year. Nearly 10,000 participants vie for cash and ribbons with entries ranging from crocheting to cattle. The Thomas Carnival operates the midway featuring dozens of rides and those aggravatingly unwinnable games, while stages around the grounds provide entertainment including music, comedy, variety acts, and shows for the kids. Night shows include concerts and a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s Pro Rodeo. Food choices are staggering and they range from ordinary—corn dogs, pizza and chicken nuggets, to outlandish—chocolate dipped bacon and deep-fried butter—but the fair favorite is “Vikings on a Stick.” Served up in the thousands by the Sons of Norway, it’s a spicy oversized meatball, breaded and deep-fried and served on a stick. Many folks say it’s the main reason they come to the Montana Fair. 2021 dates: August 13-21
11-day run in August. Thrill rides abound and, of course, there’s plenty to eat—but most activities take place in the fair’s 1,200,000 square feet of indoor space that features exhibits, including health screenings, acrobatic shows, illusionists, home improvement demos, and numerous competitions ranging from quilt-making to beer brewing. Musical entertainment includes the Texas Roadhouse concert series and the Kentucky State Fair Talent Classic that showcases the skills of 13-to-21- year-old performers. The Gourmet Garden features demonstrations by chefs and bakers from across the state (technically it’s a commonwealth) that offer cooking demonstrations and competitions. The Kentucky State Fair World’s Championship Horse Show is one of the fair’s most prestigious events, bringing together more than 2,000 elite saddlebreds in competition for $1.2 million in awards. 2021 dates: August 19-29 937 Phillips Lane, Louisville, KY 40209-1398 www.kystatefair.org • 502-367-5144
308 6th Avenue North, Billings, MT 59101 www.montanafair.com • 406-256-2400
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Road Trip SOUTHERN NEWMEXICO
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The Riparian Trail at Oliver Lee Memorial State Park.
State Park, we headed toward another similar spot: Oliver Lee Memorial State Park. But a little over halfway there, after 90 miles of driving through vast desert landscapes, we saw a brown sign on the highway: "Museum - Missile Park - Next Right." Intrigued, we took the detour and soon found ourselves wandering through a giant pin cushion of long skinny missiles aimed at the sky. Each of the historic relics stood as if ready to launch. Plaques next to each one gave the name and years the missile had been in use. Suddenly we had "faces" for names we had only read about in news stories over the years like Pershing, Patriot, and Howitzer. One bore the stenciled words, "Scud Buster" on the side. There were a few drones and many airplanes from different eras scattered about the park too. Some were painted bright colors and others had been decorated with menacing eyes and teeth. Back on the road after this brief introduction to America's missile history, we arrived at Oliver Lee Memorial State Park. It is a small park that lies on the western edge of the Sacramento Mountains and boasts a scenic campground and two wonderful hiking trails. Our favorite trail was the ½-mile-long Riparian Trail that goes into a gorgeous rocky oasis filled with trees. We could hear the sound of trickling water ahead and then the trail opened into a private sanctuary of flat stone slabs and large boulders
Oliver Lee Memorial State Park Campground and mountain views.
ROAD TRIP Story by Emily Fagan Photos by Emily & Mark Fagan
New Mexico is full of hidden jewels, and we took a fabulous RV road trip from one fascinating destination to another while traveling from west to east across the southern portion of the state. Our first stop was rugged Rockhound State Park, which is nestled up against the Little Florida Mountains in the southwestern corner of New Mexico. This small state park has two lovely hiking trails that loop from the campground hub out into the rocky hills. We paused frequently as we hiked to survey the massive views. Dragon Ridge and Florida Peak thrust up out of the flat desert in the distance like islands in a wide sea. Glorious shades of pink and orange filled the heavens at sunrise and sunset, and the tiny homesteads dotting the desert valley sparkled under the vast dome of sky. At night, the full moon rose silently above the peaks and cast a haunting silver light across the land. After enjoying the quiet, scenic beauty of Rockhound
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The Riparian Trail at Oliver Lee Memorial State Park.
Tortillas stacked up at the Alamagordo tortilla factory inside Lowes Signature Marketplace supermarket.
with mini waterfalls under a canopy of trees. We hiked this trail almost every day of our stay, relishing the cool dampness in the air as we left the hot dry desert behind. The other hike at this park, Dog Canyon Trail, climbs more than 3,000 feet for more than five miles one way from the trailhead to a mountain peak, going almost straight up the steep hillsides in many sections. There are two "benches" on this hike, and folks we met at the start of the hike told us either First Bench or Second Bench would be a good turnaround point if we didn't want to do the entire 10-plus mile long round trip. After passing a small sign that indicated First Bench was up ahead, we kept an eye out for a park bench along the trail, figuring we'd have a seat and enjoy the view. When no such bench appeared and then a sign indicated Second Bench was up ahead, we suddenly realized that these "benches" were not chairs at all but were large flat grasslands the trail traversed as it ascended into the heavens. We laughed for a long time at our naive mistake. We also paid a visit to the neighboring Oliver Lee Ranch House. This refurbished home was the hub of Oliver Lee's massive ranching empire at the turn of the last century. Touring the homestead was an enlightening step back in time into the wild west. Oliver Lee came to New Mexico
from Texas as a teenager in 1884 and, in 1893, he began construction of a sprawling ranch complex that included many outbuildings and barns. He was a gunslinger who, by some accounts, shot and killed his way into power. At his peak, he controlled more than a million acres of ranch land. His ranch house was later acquired by the National Park Service but fell into disrepair until 1971 when Disney Studios restored and modified the house for the movie, Scandalous John . Further restoration and excavation began at the ranch in 1984, and today many of the rooms resemble their original late 1800’s appearance. Snapping back to the modern era, we visited the town of Alamagordo about 15 miles north of the state park to provision our trailer. This part of the world has deep Mexican roots, and we were thrilled to watch tortillas being made at Lowes Signature Market. They have a "tortilla factory" at the back of the supermarket, and right in front of us we saw delicious hot flour tortillas dropping onto a conveyor belt and parading past to be deposited into stacks and placed into waiting bags. We grabbed a bag of warm tortillas and couldn't help but snack on a few before we even made it to the check-out counter! Just a little west of Alamagordo lies White Sands National
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The moonlike landscape at White Sands National Park.
Rippled sand and peaked dunes at White Sands National Park.
Full moon at Rockhound State Park.
Park, a fantastic, 275-square-mile expanse of what looks like pure white beach sand right in the middle of the Chihuahuan Desert. The "sand" is actually a gypsum dunefield that shifts in the winds, forming rippled flats, tall peaks and creased dunes. Before heading into the park with our truck, we walked along the boardwalk over the dunes near the Visitors Center for a preview of what the dunes and the dune vegetation were all about. But the best way to experience this moonlike landscape is go deep into the park via the Dunes Drive that winds through the sand to the heart of the dunefield. We felt like we were driving on a recently plowed snowy road with snow banked up steeply on either side. When we stopped to take some photos, we heard the shouts and laughter of kids nearby, and we were suddenly transported in spirit to a snowy hillside as we saw both children and parents sledding down the gypsum hills on colorful saucers. To our astonishment, we discovered that the National Park Service encourages visitors to play in the sand dunes. They even rent out specially waxed snow saucers that work best in this kind of "snow." We could see everyone was having a blast on the hillsides, and we later learned the National Park Service offers a video on their website explaining why saucers work better than
toboggans or flat sheets of cardboard. They also show how to control your snow saucer with your body and get it up to top speed! After watching the sledding for a while, we embarked on some slightly slower paced pleasures out in the dunes. We created footprint trails going this way and that, we laid down in the gypsum and made snow angels, and we took photos of the beautiful undulating patterns that criss-crossed the white sand in every direction. Unlike other places, unleashing our artistic impulses on this wild landscape was not destructive to the dunes in the least because the wind quickly replaces all imprints in the sand with its own patterns—offering a fresh easel to each day's visitors in much the same way shaking an old fashioned Etch-a-Sketch erases the lines to start a new drawing. As we wandered around, we found sparse vegetation here and there eeking out a living in the arid land and, far in the distance, mountain ridges edged the tops of our photos with a blue sawtooth pattern. Leaving White Sands behind, we continued our road trip in a northeast direction and took a brief detour off U.S. Highway 70 at the town of Hondo to head to the village of Lincoln. This National Historic Landmark is one of the best preserved and most authentic examples of an old Western town still standing in America today.
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Oliver Lee Memorial State Park Campground and mountain views.
Sunset at Oliver Lee Memorial State Park Campground.
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Outer Space Aliens greet visitors in Roswell, New Mexico.
Outer Space Aliens are everywhere in Roswell, New Mexico, even at Walmart.
We strolled between a small cluster of antique adobe buildings whose extremely thick walls were clearly visible in the windows and door frames. Lincoln was once at the center of the three-year-long Lincoln County War that erupted when a monopolistic ranching, banking, and mercantile operation was challenged by an upstart rival outfit. The political battles of this conflict reached all the way to Washington, D.C. President Rutherford B. Hayes replaced New Mexico's corrupt Governor Samuel Axtell with Governor Lew Wallace, and the new governor promptly threatened to impose Martial Law to calm things down. The gunfights were so brutal that one was fought while galloping on horseback for five miles and another was fought at a house that had been deliberately set ablaze, the occupants shot dead in their tracks as they ran out of the burning building. When all was said and done, the Lincoln County War took the lives of 19 people, and it ended with the death of Billy the Kid. The story reads like a movie script, and it’s hard to imagine the brutality of these events while gazing at the picturesque serenity of the little settlement of Lincoln today. After enjoying this history of the gun-toting inhabitants of the old Wild West in Lincoln, we made our way east along U.S. Route 380 to catch a glimpse of the wide-eyed
inhabitants of outer space in the city of Roswell. Roswell first landed on the map in a big way in the summer of 1947 when rancher W. W. "Mac" Brazel found some odd debris scattered across his ranch land. Newspaper accounts of his discovery conflicted with each other as soon as the first stories were reported in the press and, to this day, the facts of what really happened are few while the possibilities of what might have happened are many. Between military assurances as recently as the late 1990s that the debris was from a weather balloon, to eyewitness accounts in 1947 that the debris seemed otherworldly and possibly revealed a UFO crash scene, the tantalizing implications of what actually took place just outside Roswell nearly 75 years ago are endless. Today, the International UFO Museum and Research Center offers artifacts, replicas of original news articles and many other kinds of intriguing materials for the curious to ponder. For those who simply get a kick out of the tongue-in-cheek antics of little green Martians, the town is absolutely riddled with funky outer space creatures. Statues of aliens adorn every street corner, paintings of aliens fill countless store windows, and even at Walmart we found the huge almond eyes of green Martians were staring at us from the front windows and following our every move as we got a shopping cart and headed inside the store. We had a blast walking
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A pin cushion of missiles aimed at the sky at White Sands Missile Range Museum Park.
Oliver Lee Ranch House.
Beautiful mountain views from Oliver Lee Memorial State Park Campground.
the streets of Roswell taking photos of all the aliens we saw. This is a place that celebrates Martians and UFOs in style. We loved our time in southern New Mexico and highly recommend a visit. Whether you gravitate toward scenic hiking trails, or are drawn to Old West or military history, or love big outdoor playgrounds and warm weather sledding, or are amused by extra-terrestrial contact, a trip across southern New Mexico is sure to tickle your fancy! FOR MORE INFORMATION Map of sites: goo.gl/maps/CD6W78MAQZYZKg3q7 Rock Hound State Park: www.emnrd.state.nm.us/SPD/ rockhoundstatepark.html Oliver Lee Memorial State Park: www.emnrd.state.nm.us/SPD/ oliverleestatepark.html Oliver Lee Ranch House: www.humansystemsresearch.org/ preservation/oliver-lee-ranch-house-restoration White Sands Missile Park Museum: www.wsmr-history.org/ White Sands National Park: www.nps.gov/whsa/index.htm Lincoln New Mexico: www.lincoln-newmexico.com/ Roswell history: www.history.com/news/roswell-ufo-aliens-what- happened
The Riparian Trail at Oliver Lee Memorial State Park.
Mountain view at Rockhound State Park.
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How to Enjoy a Family Friendly Mardi Gras Lake Charles, Louisiana
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Krewe of Krews Parade. Photo credit Lindsey Janies
this event is a joy for the young spectators. Community groups sponsor the floats and any group can create their own entry into the parade, which is how I came to find myself as a bestower of beads. The number varies but has exceeded 100 floats—all with smiling folks throwing trinkets and candy. The fun starts even before the parade takes off when families converge on Lake Charles Civic Center to enjoy the activities, rides, and activities of Children’s Day. Youngsters can enjoy Mardi Gras arts and crafts and learn about the traditions and history of the carnival season. Another favorite is not focused on children, but still delights youngsters with its focus on dogs. The Krewe of Barkus features pooches in their Mardi Gras finest as they parade by the Civic Center. The title of "Mystical Dog" is given to the most strikingly costumed participant. Other quirky parades can include Jeeps on Parade, with decorated and festooned Jeep vehicles driven slowly down the parade route. Parades take to the water with lighted boats cruising along Lake Charles during the Lake Charles Mardi Gras Boat Parade. The finale of the season is the colorful and inventive
Children’s Parade. Photo credit Lindsey Janies
FAMILY FRIENDLY MARDI GRAS By Neala McCarten
A thousand small faces look up at me as I toss beads into the child-filled crowd. Arms raised and grinning with excitement, they catch the colorful glittering prizes. All Louisiana cities are filled with people who love the Mardi Gras season, and Lake Charles is no exception. But this lake-side city also offers fun-filled and unusual activities the whole family can enjoy. Child Friendly Parades Parades are abundant throughout the season, but to protect the young spectators the city has created “The Zone.” Designated as alcohol-and-tobacco free, families can all enjoy the parades together. But it’s the Children’s Parade that sets Lake Charles apart. As the name suggests, the floats are oriented to the youngsters who line the parade route and the whole route is family- friendly with no smoking or drinking. A strong police presence and dedicated community volunteers ensure
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The Chicken Run is a favorite among the children. Photo credit Lindsey Janies
The Children’s Parade promises candy and beads thrown. Photo credit Lindsey Janies
Mardi Gras Beyond Parades Everyone loves a parade, but Lake Charles goes beyond that with the pageantry of their Royal Gala. Open to the public for a nominal fee, the Royal Gala held on Lundi Gras each year is the only event in the state that allows the public to see all the Krewe's Royal Courts in costume. Although the Krewes are in fancy clothes, the attire for visitors is strictly casual. Open all year and located on the second floor of the historic Central School building (now the Central School Arts & Humanities Center), the Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu has the largest collection of Mardi Gras costumes on display in the South, and perhaps in the country. Visitors wander through a warren of rooms that had been classrooms to view the gorgeously ornate creations. Although most are for adults, the museum also exhibits costumes designed for children. There’s a section of the museum where the children can try on some masks, and an animatron describes part of the process of fabricating these bejeweled constructions. Going Beyond Mardi Gras Built literally around a lake, take a peaceful drive along Margaret Place and Shell Beach Drive to soak up the beauty of the lake and the views along the shores—and
grand parade sponsored by all of the Krewes. Restaurants and bars are open along the route, and enjoyed by the adults, but there is also that family-friendly zone where alcohol and smoking is not permitted. Chicken Run One of the most unusual events takes place in nearby Iowa (pronounced I O WAY). It’s certainly a parade, but much more. The Chicken Run tradition reaches back to when communities would come together to gather ingredients for a big community gumbo dinner. The parade includes all kinds of vehicles and even horses. After everyone has assembled, the lineup starts visiting local businesses and farms that have chosen to participate by donating food for the pot. Everyone is invited to get down and dance to zydeco music, played with an accordion and scrub board. As part of the tradition, and the source of the name Chicken Run, a live chicken is literally thrown into the air, sometimes multiple times or multiple chickens. As the bird lands and takes off flying, the children (and a few adults) scramble after it. In the past the birds were the donations to the gumbo pot, but now the activity is just fun for the kids, and a chance for the chickens to escape the farm. Spoiler alert—most are eventually found and returned.
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Visit a traveling exhibit inside the 1911 Historic City Hall. Photo credit Neala McCarten
Gumbeaux Gator is the mascot. Photo credit Neala McCarten
Visit live alligators at the Interstate 10 Visitor Center. Photo credit Visit Lake Charles
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Visit the Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu to see ornately festooned costumes. Photo credit Neala McCarten
Visit the Mardi Gras Museum to see specially made costumes for children.
the gorgeous houses. Then stop at Millennium Park to let the kids burn off some energy. Lake Charles has much to offer indoors as well. Imperial Calcasieu Museum displays life in the old Imperial Calcasieu region from the Native Americans to today and mounts art exhibits both from their permanent collection and specially themed events. Inside the 1911 Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center, visitors will find free traveling exhibits illuminating aspects of history, as well as art exhibits. When I visited, there was a fascinating collection of photos based on the life and death of President John F. Kennedy. Strictly for children, there’s the Children's Museum filled with pretend community businesses, interactive opportunities to play with science, and the ability to construct art projects. What would a trip to Louisiana be without alligators? A safe way to enjoy watching these primordial creatures is at the fenced-in pond called Cypress Pond, but if you want to really learn about alligators, and evenhold a tame little one, head to nearby Jennings (about 30 minutes away) and the free Alligator Chateau at the I-10 Visitor Center. The Chateau fosters rescued baby alligators and releases them back into the natural environment, and
The Crewe of Barkus features pooches in their Mardi Gras finest. Photo credit Visit Lake Charles
the staff is eager to educate the public about this often- misunderstood species. You’ll want to come for their family-friendly Mardi Gras, and you’ll want to stay to enjoy all that this welcoming, delightful city has to offer visitors of all ages.
FOR MORE INFORMATION 337-436-9588 • www.visitlakecharles.org/
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RV REVIEW REVIEW AND PHOTOS BY HOWARD J ELMER
2021 Airstream 30FB Flying Cloud Bunk
ended suddenly idle manufacturing plants created an opportunity. Plus, aluminum was cheap and plentiful. Byam built a sleek, riveted aluminum lightweight body and outfitted it with all the conveniences that he could stuff into that shell. This trailer caught on right away and Airstreams have been built much the same way ever since. Today an Airstream is much more than just the shape and the riveted aluminum body. Over time, it has gone from an ultra-modern design to what today we would call a “Cult Classic.” In fact, Airstreams today are in a class by themselves, yet as whole they have come to represent RVing as a lifestyle and the freedom that is associated with it. This is pretty heady stuff for any brand. And for Airstream I can see that this legacy is both an advantage and a burden. If you compare an Airstream trailer to other current RV offerings, you’ll be struck at how expensive they are. But when you dig into that price difference, you’ll find three key reasons for it. One, the build quality of an Airstream is second to none. Two, the resale value is the highest in the segment. And three, people will pay for what they want, and for many the Airstream is the only trailer that will scratch that itch.
Even people who know nothing about RVs know what an Airstream is. That’s the power of an icon. But to really understand how Airstream became that icon, you do need to know some of its history. It all starts with Wally Byam, creator of Airstream, a self- made man who enjoyed the freedom of camping and the open road—just not the sleeping on the ground part. His first trailer was a home-built tent contraption on a Ford Model T chassis—he soon replaced that leaky tent with a teardrop-shaped hard shell—then added a stove and an ice chest. Wally’s trailer soon gained admirers and this attention convinced him that this was a promising business. That was in 1929 and Wally started building trailers in his backyard; however, it would take another 10 years before the mass-produced aluminum-bodied trailers we know as Airstreams today came into being. The shift in thinking came after Byam had finished a stint working for Curtiss-Wright, an aircraft manufacturer during World War II. The use of aluminum and sleek aerodynamic aircraft design rubbed off on Wally—and as the war
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What else can you say about an Airstream? Well, an Airstream never looks dated. Its timeless design guarantees that the trailer you own is as new as any that roll off the line regardless of the year of manufacture. Not to mention this shape and look is what initially attracts most buyers. It’s a unique, artsy look that says, “Hey, I’m different.” Of course, from a marketing point of view, this is what every builder is going for. But with Airstream what sells those lookers, I think, are the interiors. This is where Airstream designers do have license to be creative—as long as their vision fits inside that iconic aluminum shell. As for the bunk model of the Flying Cloud, it will sleep six easily. This is unusual as most Airstreams lean toward couples. However, here we have a great bunk area in the rear with a double below and a single bed above— the area has lots of light and beautiful finishes. Right next to this space is the large bathroom with a generous counter and cabinets. The shower has a retractable curtain. In this trailer the front bedroom offers a walk-around bed, with nightstands and hanging closets, while above the bed finished cabinets are hung and lit to create a focal point in the room. It’s this attention to detail and decor that makes Airstream unique. For that
matter, each model of Airstream is offered in multiple floorplans, which gives customers a chance to find the exact interior that speaks to them. The kitchen in this trailer is right sized with decent counter space. The microwave is under the counter right beside the stove (no oven) that has a full fold-up cover. Above it all is a range hood with exhaust vent. The refrigerator / freezer is found across the aisle and requires a few steps to access. The dinette in this unit is over-large to accommodate family and friends. This is also where the flat-screen TV is found, giving the most direct viewing option to those on one side of the dinette and on the couch opposite. As for storage, it’s worth noting that there are a significant number of closets, cupboards, drawers, and under-seat storage in the trailer. The reason you’ll want to notice this is because there is almost no basement storage in an Airstream. This is a result of its low-profile design. Consider that with a roof mounted A/C unit, its max height is only 9-feet, 9-inches. While Airstream could add height, they don’t, it would mess with the look of the unit. And when all is said and done, the “look” of an Airstream is so very, very important to its owners.
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