Nevada Vacation Adventures

Who knew the "Silver State" could be so much fun? If you haven't planned a second Nevada vacation because you've already been to Las Vegas, it's time to start packing. There are hundreds of other attractions to tempt the most seasoned tourist.

Nevada Vacation – Outdoors
Did you know that fifteen minutes from the Vegas Strip, you'll find some of the most scenic hiking trails in the West? Red Rock Canyon is a photographer's dream, with gloriously colorful sandstone canyons, wild burros and lush stands of pines. If you prefer mountain vistas, be sure to visit Spring Mountains National Recreation Area. The scenery is just as breathtaking as the curving mountain roads.

We can't discuss Nevada vacations without mentioning what's there for skiers. Lake Tahoe, on the California/Nevada border, boasts world famous ski runs and plenty of other winter sports venues. Up in northeastern Nevada, ski buffs should check out Elko in the Ruby Mountains. This gorgeous area offers year-round mountain sports.

Whether you want to spend your time in Nevada hiking, fishing or skiing, you'll find the perfect spot to do it all. There are lots of other ways to spend your time, though, and here's information on some of those.

Nevada with the Kids
Plan a trip with the kids to Boulder City, a charming (gambling free!) small town just south of Las Vegas. Adjacent to beautiful Lake Mead National Recreation Area, it's the perfect jumping off point for an active Nevada family vacation. Whether your family loves boating, hiking, fishing, camping or simply sight-seeing, Lake Mead won't disappoint. And the friendly, casual feel of Boulder City will have you wondering why you haven't visited before.

Another great place for families near Lake Mead is Henderson, Nevada. Although it's moving rapidly toward three hundred thousand residents, careful planning has kept Henderson an attractive, family-friendly place to live and visit. Special attention has been given to creating beautiful outdoor parks and recreation spaces, so plan to spend time exploring the sporting possibilities. Lake Mead, of course, is a marvelous place to play, and having Henderson nearby ensures a multitude of vacation experiences.

One more place we simply must mention for families coming to Nevada—its theme parks! From Ultimate Rush & Thrill Park in Reno to GameWorks, AdventureDome and the Stratosphere in Las Vegas, there's something for adrenaline junkies of all ages. Check their websites for special offers to make the trip even more irresistible, and don't forget to bring your camera!

Nevada for Drivers
If you absolutely love NASCAR racing, there's no better place to see it live than Las Vegas Motor Speedway. This well-planned track is a favorite among fans, especially those inside the action at the infield RV camp! For more hands-on auto racing fun, book a day with the drivers at racing schools run by Jeff Gordon, Richard Petty and Mario Andretti.

Vacationers who prefer the driver in their golf bag should definitely plan a trip around the nationally-ranked courses in Nevada. Of special note are Wolf Creek in Mesquite and Edgewood Golf Course in South Lake Tahoe. Bring your clubs and settle in for a week (or two!) of golfing excitement.

There are so many more exciting activities to explore in Nevada! Pick one or two for this trip, then indulge a whole other set of senses on the next vacation. Answer the call of the desert; it's a wonderland of vacation excitement.

The Economy is Down, Camping is UP!

More and more people are rediscovering the fun, camaraderie, and joy that family camping delivers. The most amazing thing of all is that people are now realizing how inexpensive travel in a rented rv can be. We saw this article about people clamouring for campsites in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat and thought it told the story about the benefits and relatively low cost of rv rentals and camping very well: http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090422/ARTICLES/904219935

We've also noticed an increase in families renting motorhomes for family reunions. What better way to reunite with family and friends?

Four Perfect Florida Vacation Itineraries

There are hundreds of ways to have fun on a Florida vacation, but we have narrowed it down to four to help you decide. Pick and choose the vacation experiences that are sure to thrill your crew, and then grab your suitcases and get on the road to Florida!

Central Florida for Families
By purchasing a Central Florida Play Pass for each member of your family, you've bought them a whole world of Florida adventure. Central Florida attractions offer a welcome break from the long lines at other amusements, and there's something to interest almost everyone. Visit Cypress Gardens theme/water park and don't miss its world-famous water ski show! Fantasy of Flight in Polk City features an amazing collection of vintage aircraft and lots of activities for the kids. The Florida Air Museum at Lakeland houses the Howard Hughes aviation memorabilia collection, as well as dozens of fascinating exhibits on the development of American aviation. You get all that, plus admission to an art museum, a botanical garden and discount tickets to a first-rate rodeo, just by purchasing a Play Pass. What a great way to entertain your family this vacation!

Florida for Beach Combers
Would you come for a Florida vacation and miss those great beaches? There's Fernandina Beach, a great pick for families who want the beach without the commercial clutter. South Beach in Miami is, of course, the hot spot for couples and celebrity watchers. For friendly charm and great surfing, try Jensen Beach in southeast Florida. Other favorites include Naples, Fort Walton, Cocoa and Daytona. Try a different one each time you come, there's something special about every beach in Florida!

Florida Underwater Adventures
Scuba and snorkeling fans will find plenty to explore at Florida's Biscayne National Park. Abundant sea life attracted to the enormous live coral reef make for fantastic photo opportunities and days of diving enjoyment. Other superior diving opportunities for every level diver can be found at Deerfield Beach. One more tip for a great underwater adventure in Florida: Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary (now part of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary), a diver's paradise with four thousand submerged wrecks to discover!

Florida Festival Fun
Do you love a good party? Florida is definitely the place for you! You can plan a whole vacation around the festivals and celebrations you'll find in the Sunshine State. Here's just a sampling of some of our favorites:

• St. Augustine Lions Seafood and Music Festival: join thousands of seafood lovers for three days of fun every March in St. Augustine. Lots of kid-friendly activities, great music and a giant crafts fair.


• Jazz in the Gardens: also in March, jazz lovers will find some of the best in the genre at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens. Join thousands of fans for a rare opportunity to hear an eclectic blend of jazz in a party atmosphere.


• Suwanee River Jam: if you love country music, plan your Florida vacation around this giant music fest in Live Oak every April. First-run country acts share the stage at Spirit of the Suwanee Music Park for three days of jam sessions, great performances and a party you won't soon forget!


• World of Nations Celebration: Jacksonville's the place to celebrate the food, dress and music of almost three dozen countries at a giant multi-cultural extravaganza the first weekend in May. Get ready to thrill every single one of your senses at this amazing four day event!


• Florida Winefest & Auction - Wine lovers will not want to miss this annual event.


• Epcot International Food & Wine Festival - Another one for wine lovers held at the Epcot theme park in the fall.

There you have it - a sampling of some of the best a Florida vacation has to offer. Pick one experience, or sample a whole buffet. Whether you're travelling with the kids, by yourself or with that special someone, Florida's got the perfect adventure for you.

Colorado Vacation Adventures

When you sit down to plan a Colorado vacation, get ready to be amazed. Not only does Colorado offer some of the most glorious scenery in the country (if not the world), there is also a great vacation memory waiting around every turn.

Here is a quick list of vacation ideas for the Colorado traveler. Pick one or try them all, you can not go wrong when you vacation in the Centennial State!

Denver Area Vacation Ideas
Gateway to the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, Denver offers a stunning variety of vacation experiences. Families will want to visit the Riverfront district with its Children's Museum and Aquarium, while art lovers should plan time in the Golden Triangle Museum District. There is also an abundance of night life—from trendy LoDo to Colfax Avenue.

With a professional sports team for every fan, there's year-round sports excitement available. Whether you are cheering on the Denver Broncos at Mile High Stadium, the Nuggets at the Pepsi Center, or the Colorado Rockies also at Mile High, you will be glad you added "catch the game" to your vacation itinerary. One more vacation idea: if you love rodeo, don't miss the National Western Stock Show, Rodeo and Horse Show in January!

And it wouldn't be Colorado without outdoor adventures. With the Rockies at their doorstep, visitors to Denver are minutes away from skiing, tubing, fishing, boating and hiking excitement. Numerous ski villages emerge as you travel west from Denver along I-70, so winter sports exhilaration is never far away. Come to Denver for the vibrant urban experience, but be sure to save some time for outdoor sports fun, too.

Pikes Peak Country Itineraries
Colorado Springs, Cripple Creek, Canon City and Manitou Springs, all within sight of Pikes Peak, each offer attractions to tempt the Colorado visitor. Pikes Peak, of course, is the granddaddy of all Rocky Mountain experiences, with its hairpin curves and breathtaking overlooks. Any visitor to this area should make the drive; hardier souls may even want to compete in the annual Pikes Peak Marathon!

Manitou Springs, with its beautiful Historic District, offers visitors the chance to taste mineral waters from the Springs that made the town famous. Local hospitality and the nearby Intemann Memorial Trail make this a lovely place for families to vacation.

Canon City and Cripple Creek each have plenty to interest Colorado visitors. The spectacular Royal Gorge Route Railway leaves the depot at Canon City and takes riders on an awe-inspiring trip into the Gorge. Visitors to Cripple Creek, on the western slope of Pikes Peak, will find this gold rush boomtown packed with history, adventure and scenic mountain beauty.

We can't leave our Pikes Peak itinerary without exploring Colorado Springs' vacation possibilities. Where else can you see beautiful Garden of the Gods and the U.S. Air Force Academy on the same day? Be sure to tour both, they are once-in-a-lifetime experiences. While you are in the area, why not try a float trip on the Arkansas River, a hot air balloon ride or a tour of historic Redstone Castle? It is all here waiting in the shadow of mighty Pikes Peak.

West of the Continental Divide
The western slope of the Colorado Rockies boasts some of the most gorgeous scenery imaginable. It is also home to endless Colorado vacation possibilities. Towns like Glenwood Springs, site of the enormous natural hot springs swimming pool, and Grand Junction, gateway to the red rock canyons of Colorado National Monument, beckon the visitor looking for the unusual.

East of Montrose, you will find the awe-inspiring Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. And we can't leave out the beauty and grandeur that marks the Continental Divide itself! A drive along Big Thompson Canyon into Estes Park and over the Divide on Trail Ridge Road has fueled vacation memories for millions of visitors.

Whether you come to explore the history, culture or outdoor adventure of Colorado, it is going to be time well spent. You will soon learn why it's impossible to stay away from Colorado.

Congratulations to the Contest Winner!

We would like to congratulate our newest contest winner: Chuck P!

Chuck won our blogging contest by posting his dream RV vacation on a blog and sending us the link.

If you want to read about Chuck's vacation you can find it here:
http://myrvlink.ning.com/profiles/blog/show?id=1635737%3ABlogPost%3A21778

Congratulations Chuck on winning your new Ipod Touch!

How About Digging for Diamonds on Your Next Vacation?

Yes, you read correctly. There is actually a place in the United States where you can legally dig for diamonds (and the fees are minimal - $7 for an adult, $4 for a child 6-12, free for younger)! That place is Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, Arkansas. Diamonds of all colors may be found at Crater of Diamonds, but the most common colors are white, brown and yellow. Rock collectors can also find amethyst, banded agate, jasper, peridot, garnet, quartz, calcite, barite and hematite and more.

Diamonds in excess of 5 carats have been found, most recently 5.47 CT. and 6.36 CT. in 2006. The most common sizes found, however. is .2 to .25 CT. But be forewarned, only about 1% of the parks visitors find diamonds. But it could make for quire a family adventure, and who knows...

For campers, the park has 59 Class B camping sites with water and electric hookups. For the bigger rigs, you might want to try the Arkadelphia Campground, 40 minutes away in Arkadelphia, AR.

Sure it costs less, but we think its more fun!

We just read an article about the cost of RV'ing being less expensive than other forms of travel. Just saving the cost of flights for families can often pay for the trip. My favorite part of renting RV's is that you only have to unpack one time. Instead of packing every morning and unpacking every night, you just unpack into the motorhome dressers and closets once and you are done with it until the end of the trip!

If you are interested in the article on how RV'ing can save you money it's here: http://www.readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=132481

The government wants to stimulate your RV purchase!

Apparently part of the stimulus package is to give people an income tax credit for the sales tax they pay on the purchase of a motorhome!

This story gives you the details:

http://www.pe.com/business/local/stories/PE_Biz_S_rv17.3c7b27e.html

I'm all for anything that encourages people to get out in motorhomes!