Come and Explore Central Arizona

Provided by our friends at the Desert Valley RV Resort.

Our park, Desert Valley RV Resort, is an oasis in the heart of Arizona's "Golden Corridor". We are located halfway between Phoenix and Tucson, right outside of Casa Grande, Arizona.

Desert Valley RV Resort is a new resort, currently in our third season of operation and we cater to the "young at heart". We have many amenities in our park for you to enjoy including: a heated swimming pool/Jacuzzi, horseshoes, a library, pool tables, shuffleboard, WiFi Internet, and much more. There is a lot to see and do in this area.

The Casa Grande Ruins is one attraction that people find interesting to visit in our area. It was created as the nation's first archeological reserve in 1892. It preserves an ancient Hohokam Indian farming and living community. The site was declared a National Monument in 1918.

If you are feeling like you are ready to try something new, then you might want to try sky diving at Sky Dive Arizona. Sky Dive Arizona, located in Eloy, is the largest sky diving resort in the world. They have a large indoor wind tunnel that many people enjoy before trying the real thing.

Visitors to our area often enjoy birds and there are several places near by that you might find interesting.

• The Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch is located on 600 acres off of I-10 and is the largest privately owned ostrich ranch in the United States. You can feed the ostriches, visit the Lorikeets compound and explore the area.
  
• Also visit the Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch in Gilbert. Admission is free. You can go on bird walks and observe over 200 different species of birds in the area. You can fish, walk your dog or just enjoy the area. They also have an observatory.
  

Many people enjoy shopping, excellent golf courses and wonderful restaurants in our area. We have reasonable rates and a lot of activities in the winter months. We were recently acknowledged by Trailer Life magazine as being in the top 300 out of their 12,000 parks. We hope you come for a visit and enjoy exploring the area.

Some other attractions near Desert Valley RV Resort include:

• The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson
  
• The Grand Canyon
  
• Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park in Phoenix
  
• Picacho Peak State Park, home to Picacho Peak which is the site of the Battle of Picacho Pass during the Civil War, which was the western-most engagement of the American Civil War.
  

For more attractions nearby see Attractions on the Desert Valley RV Resort website.

Other RV Campgrounds should feel free to share with us the wonders that may be found in and around their campground. Please send your article submissions to monty@elmonterv.com.

Camping, Chuck Wagon Dinner Show, Trail Ride and Rodeo in Dubois, Wyoming

Come to Dubois, Wyoming (Where Real Cowboys Work and Play), on a Thursday, June 18 - August 20, and camp at the Dubois Wind River KOA, enjoying all the scenery of the wilderness while camping on the Wind River in the heart of a small old West town.

Thursday night dinner is served at the Circle Up Chuck Wagon Dinner Show where Cowgirl Catering cooks up a full Dutch Oven meal like the cowboys enjoyed after a day on the trail. Then listen and laugh to the music of The Prickly Pair and the Cactus Chorale as they entertain you in the old West and Celtic way. Just $22.00 for adults and $6.00 for kids 11 and under. Saunter back to your campsite for a good night's rest.

The next day take a 2 hour horse ride on MacKenzie Highland Ranch's trails into the Shoshone Forest. Rides are $20.00/ hour per person. Longer rides are available for an added charge. They also have ATV's for rent if you have no spurs.

Upon returning to your campsite, get ready to Cowboy Up at the Dubois Rodeo. Enjoy Sally's burgers and Angus dogs before heading to the stands to experience a local rodeo where the competition is friendly but the cowgirls and cowboys are serious. Kids enter the mutton bustin' or race for the ribbons on the calves' tails. Dudes from the quest ranches compete for ribbons on the steers' tails. Tickets are available at the gate for $7.00/ adults and children under 5 free.

It's a late night of fun.

Then it's back to your campsite for one more night of camping along the Wind River. $43.00/ night for full hookups with TV and WiFi. The Dubois Wind River KOA is located 50 minutes east of Grand Teton National Park and 90 minutes east of Yellowstone National Park.

Thanks to our friends at Dubois Wind River KOA for providing us with this description of what sounds like a very good time. Other RV Campgrounds should feel free to share with us the wonders that may be found in and around their campground. Please send your article submissions to monty@elmonterv.com.

RV Vacation Heaven Along Florida's Big Bend Coastline

Nature's Coast RV Resort is nestled comfortably in the charm of Old Florida, just a few short minutes to the emerald Gulf of Mexico and the tannin-colored waters of the Steinhatchee River. Located in beautiful, pristine and unspoiled Steinhatchee/Jena, Florida, a visit to Nature's Coast RV Resort will put you in the middle of a string of counties studded with emerald-like gulf waters, deep springs and rivers that stretch along the Florida's Big Bend coastline.

Take a day trip to one of several nearby Parks (Fanning Springs, Manatee Springs, Ginnie Springs, and more), featuring some of the largest natural springs in the world. For more information on the springs see:

• Florida Springs
  
• Florida Springs State Parks
  

Enjoy hiking, cycling, fishing, birding, camping, and remember to bring your picnic basket. For birding fans, be sure to check out the West Florida Section of the Great Florida Birding Trail.

Whether you choose to cast from a dock or venture into the Gulf for inshore, offshore or fly fishing, anglers are hooked on Steinhatchee. Many local marinas rent skiff and pontoon boats, or they can arrange daily charters for saltwater fishing. Popular catches include trout, red fish, snapper, cobia and grouper.

For an unforgettable boating experience, try your hand at scalloping from July 1 through September 10. Steinhatchee is known as the "Scalloping Capital of Florida" and boasts the most abundant supply of sea scallops in the state. Due to the popularity of scalloping, reservations should be made well in advance for both accommodations and guides, if needed. Nature's Coast RV Resort can "hook" you up with a local marina or fishing captain. And when you want water sports, visit the Gulf where canoeing, kayaking and scuba diving are popular pastimes. Canoeing and Kayaking enthusiasts can find an excellent resource in the Canoe and Kayak North Florida website.

If it is wildlife you seek, the West Indian manatee, Florida black bear, bald eagle, Florida sand hill crane, red cockaded woodpecker, least tern, gopher tortoise, Florida panther and many other mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians are some of the endangered species that call the Nature Coast home.

From the famous Suwannee to the Steinhatchee River with the unique Dixie Mainline Trail, tidal flats, and coastal marshes, Taylor and Dixie Counties are along Florida's upper Nature Coast, flooded with fun in Florida's Pure Water Wilderness.

A peaceful drive from any direction, Nature's Coast RV Resort is located on Hwy 358, approximately 90 miles south of Tallahassee, Florida and 70 miles west of Gainesville, Florida and is nestled only 1.5 miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico and one of Florida's most scenic rivers, the Steinhatchee. So…take a walk on the wild side or kick back and relax at our beautiful pool, stay in shape in our fitness center, gather your family fireside, or throw some horseshoes, Nature's Coast RV Resort is the perfect place for a one-of-a-kind Florida getaway.

Other RV Campgrounds should feel free to share with us the wonders that may be found in and around their campground. Please send your article submissions to monty@elmonterv.com.

Beauty and Fun in the Illinois Valley of Southern Oregon

Thank you to Glenn and Lori Woodbury, owners of the Lone Mountain RV Resort located in O'Brien, Oregon, for sharing the following with us...

Lone Mountain RV Resort is a new upscale RV park located in the beautiful Illinois Valley of Southern Oregon. The park is located in O'Brien Oregon, a very quaint small town. The resort is owned and operated by Glenn and Lori whose Grandparents settled in the Valley in 1910. They and their families have enjoyed four generations in this safe and close knit community.

The Illinois Valley offers a little bit of everything, including:

• Hiking
  
• Golfing
  
• Fishing
  
• Rafting
  
• Gold Mining (see: Oregon Gold Adventures)
  
• Swimming in Crystal Clear streams, rivers and lakes
  

For more ideas check out the Southern Oregon Vacation Guide put out by the Southern Oregon Visitors Association. There are also some very unique attractions, including:

• Crater Lake
  
• Oregon Caves National Monument
  
• Redwood National Park
  
• Kalmiopsis Wilderness Area
  
• Rough and Ready Botanical Garden
  
• Great Cats World Park
  

The Illinois valley is also within the Rogue Valley Appellation which is part of the Southern Oregon American Viticultural Area (AVA). There are several wineries located within the valley including:

• Bear Creek Winery
• Bendock Estate / Windridge Vineyard
• Bridgeview Vineyards
• Foris Vineyards Winery
• John Michael Champagne Cellars
• LongSword Vineyard
• Troon Vineyard
• Valley View Winery
• Wooldridge Creek Winery

The Lone Mountain RV Resort offers seasonal rates and can easily be your home for a night, week or a month.

So if your travels take you to southern Oregon, visit the Lone Mountain RV Resort. They promise you will want to return again and again. For more information visit the Lone Mountain RV Resort website at http://www.lonemountainrv.com/.

RV Camping, Golf & Breathtaking Beauty

As you may imagine, we have a lot of communications with various RV campgrounds. One who we have been speaking to recently, Cherokee Springs Golf and RV Resort, was kind enough to share some of the great things that can be done from their RV campground.

Cherokee Springs Golf and RV Resort is off Scenic Highway 89 between Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon in southern Utah's "color country". Cherokee Springs is literally a wonderful place to come up to - at an elevation 7200 feet the golf course at Cherokee Springs is one of the highest west of the Rockies.

Cherokee Springs Golf and RV Resort is located in what is known as Utah's "color country", a name derived from the similar scenic features and vivid and varied scenery that can only be described as breathtaking. Some of the wonderful natural resources that can be visited from the park include:

• Bryce Canyon National Park & RV Camping Ideas – Bryce Canyon, Utah
  
• Grand Staircase National Monument
  
• Capitol Reef National Park
  
• Dixie National Forest
  
• Kodachrome Basin State Park
  
• Escalante Petrified Forest State Park
  
• Anasazi Indian Village State Park
  
• Lake Powell in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
  

Other activities nearby include scenic drives, horseback riding, ATVing and mountain biking. You can actually bike or ride trails that lead from the resort all the way to Bryce Canyon via the back country. The fishing at Panguitch Lake or in the Sevier River is great and there are lots of hiking trails around.

Of course you should not forget that at the Cherokee Springs Golf and RV Resort you can enjoy the 9 hole, par 36 golf course offering a challenging layout and scenic views. You may also bring your horse as they have a 9 stall barn, riding arena and pasture area.

So if your travels take you to southern Utah's color country, check in on our friends at the Cherokee Springs Golf and RV Resort. You can get more information on their website www.cherokeespringsresort.com or you can call them at 435-619-0391.

And remember, if your RV travels take you to the State of Utah, El Monte RV can accomodate you from our Salt Lake City RV Rental location.

Other campgrounds, please share with us the cool things that can be done in and around your campground. Contact Val at vluongo@elmonterv.com to share your stories.

San Francisco Vacation Ideas for Everyone!

Where do we start explaining the experience that's called "San Francisco?" With so many things to do here on vacation, it would take several books to do it justice! That's why we've chosen to break things down to major categories to get your vacation dreams rolling.

San Francisco Museums and Galleries
Art and history lovers, in particular, should take advantage of the wonderful assortment of museums and galleries on their San Francisco vacation. The enormous Asian Art Museum at Civic Center offers visitors a glimpse of art from every Asian culture in the world. For interactive exhibits, film series and world-class collections, you should also take a trip to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

If American Art is especially interesting, be sure to visit the de Young Museum, located in Golden Gate Park since 1895. And don't miss the spectacular Legion of Honor museum, also located on the Pacific near Golden Gate Bridge.

Gallery browsers will find paradise in one building at 49 Geary Street, home to more than a dozen galleries featuring art across the spectrum. Fans of emerging artists will enjoy the offerings of Andrea Schwartz Gallery in the South of Market neighborhood. No matter what your taste in art, you won't leave San Francisco disappointed!

San Francisco Family Adventures
With great public transportation like the MUNI and BART rail systems, families will find it easy and fun to get around San Francisco. Take a ride to Pier 39, a child's wonderland of shops, arcades and a very special carousel! Keep going to the San Francisco Zoo, where rare animals, rides and interactive exhibits will keep the kids going the entire day. Your budding scientists will thrill to the Exploratorium, chock full of fun and facts for the entire family.

One more suggestion for active families-stop by Golden Gate Park for hours of outdoor recreation. Let the kids discover the wonders of Steinhart Aquarium, and be sure to take older youngsters on a bike ride across the Golden Gate Bridge!

San Francisco Vacation Menus
From remarkable fresh seafood to elegant Euro-Cuisine, San Francisco offers more dining adventures than you can ever imagine! Some of our favorite districts—Union Square, with its sparkling selection of both trendy and venerable eateries; Russian Hill, the perfect place to find chic bistros and sushi bars; Chinatown, where Chinese cuisine takes on every shape and flavor, and North Beach, for fabulous Italian fare. No matter what whets (and satisfies) your appetite, San Francisco vacationers can find the right meal.

There's so much more to do in San Francisco. Come the first time for the highlights, and then plan to mine more treasures each time you return.

And don't forget that if you RV Vacation plans start in San Francisco, be sure to check out El Monte RV's San Francisco RV Rental location...

Get the RV Bug - RV Rental Vacation Video

RV bug? No not an insect, it's the bug to hit the open road and see the wonderful sites and attractions that our country has to offer. Get the bug to see it in a way that you have never seen before - from the cab of an El Monte RV rental.

Check out El Monte RV Rental's new RV Camping Video

• RV Rental Vacation Video - Great Family Vacation Ideas from El Monte RV Rentals on YouTube
• RV Rental Vacation Video - Great Family Vacation Ideas from El Monte RV Rentals on the El Monte RV site

You're sure to get bitten by the RV Camping vacation bug after watching the video. Then give us a call and we will get you started on a dream vacation in your vacation home on wheels - an El Monte RV.

How About Looking for Gold on Your Next Vacation?

Old ghost towns, echoes of the wild west, and that yellow metal that has driven everyone crazy over the ages. Who could ask for more adventure for their next RV vacation?

Yes, you can go recreational gold hunting and many properties have facilities for recreational vehicles. The Lost Dutchman's Mining Association (LDMA) operates numerous properties across the United States. Many of the properties have facilities for RVs including full hookups. These include Italian Bar northeast of Sonora, California; Loud Mine between Dahlonega and Cleveland, Georgia; Stanton an old ghost town located approximately 2 hours northwest of Phoenix, Arizona; Blue Bucket south of Baker City, Oregon; and Vein Mountain about half way between Asheville and Hickory, North Carolina. The LDMA also operates other properties with much more rustic facilities or no facilities at all. Membership in the LDMA is required to prospect on the properties.

The site GoldFeverProspecting.com provides a nice list of places where you can recreationally look for gold. Another list of gold mining camps may be found on the Gold Miner's Headquarters web site.

For additional information you may also want to check out Gold Panning Vacation on the e-goldprospecting.com site or Family Vacations to the Old West on FavoriteFamilyVacations.com.

So if your are looking for an RV Vacation with a lot of adventure, why not try your hand at looking for gold? Maybe you will strike it rich - well maybe not rich, but you just might bring home enough precious gold and memories to make it a wealthy adventure.

Tips for a Successful RV Vacation

An RV vacation can be a lot of fun! It can make for a great family adventure, and it is typically less costly than other types of vacations. According to PKF Consulting, a consulting firm with expertise in travel and tourism, RV vacations are 27% to 61% less expensive than other types of vacations studied.

While an RV vacation can be fun and relatively inexpensive, there are a few basic pointers to for a successful trip.

Plan Ahead

The key to a successful RV vacation is planning. Anyone considering such a vacation should think about:

• Planning an itinerary that includes the places you want to go and things that you want to see.
  
• Mapping out driving directions that are easy and direct.
  
• Mapping out the places you will be staying. There are many resources to find RV campgrounds, including El Monte RV's own campground booking page and the websites of KOA (Kampgrounds of America), Passport America RV Campgrounds, Recreation.gov , RV and Camp Out West.com, and Thousand Trails to name a few.
  
• Making your reservations for both the RV and the RV campgrounds that you will be visiting.

Rent Early

Similar to vacation homes, RVs are in demand during peak vacation seasons. It is not at all out of the ordinary for an RV Rental company to have most or all of their RVs rented by early spring. Renting ahead also applies to space in RV campgrounds as well. The best RV campgrounds in the best locations also get booked early.

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.

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.

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.

Texas Vacation Adventures

"Deep In the Heart…" of every traveler should be plans to visit Texas! The Lone Star State has something for everyone - shopping, camping, hiking, whatever your adventure, you're going find it in Texas. Use this Texas Vacation quick-start guide to help you plan your visit.

Texas Vacations in the Great Outdoors
If there's something that there is plenty of in Texas, it's wide open spaces! Texas outdoor enthusiasts will be in heaven with the dozens of lakes and rivers. A great family fun idea: take them on a float trip down the Guadalupe River in New Braunfels. They just might gain a love of nature along the way.

Bring your camera and your hiking gear to Palo Duro Canyon State Park near Amarillo. Here's another inspiration; for a real Texas fishing vacation, why not explore the Hill Country, home to a dozen fresh-water lakes? And white water enthusiasts will find plenty of challenge on the Rio Grande River as it runs through Big Bend National Park.

No matter what your outdoor sport, Texas has a place to pursue it! Check out the Texas State Parks and Texas National Parks sites for even more ways to stay active while in Texas.

Texas - A Shopper's Paradise!
Ever wished you could take a road trip completely devoted to shopping? From the upscale Gallerias of Dallas and Houston to the outlet malls of San Marcos, Texas features plenty of locations to fill a shopping itinerary. If you're travelling with fellow shoppers, make sure to schedule time for the popular Grapvine Mills Malls in Grapevine - an enormous shopping destination with enough stores and restaurants to keep the whole group busy.

For something a little less typical, dig into the delights of El Mercado, San Antonio's Hispanic market. That's where you'll find cafes, shops, strolling musicians and a weekend farmer's market. Bargain hunters might also want to save some vacation time for Canton's First Monday Trade Days (in Canton, TX), the largest flea market in the US!

Bring your checkbook, and go home with Texas-style bargains. The Lone Star State is a great place to feed your shopping addiction!

Texas Family Vacation Ideas
Some great family destinations that will keep everyone happy include:

• River Walk in San Antonio - The River Walk along the San Antonio River is where restaurants, shops and festivals run for miles along a scenic water way. Take the youngsters on a boat tour to get acquainted with all the sights.
• The Alamo in San Antonio - The Alamo was the scene of the famous battle where 189 Texas patriots died in 1836 defending their land against a greatly superior Mexican army. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Texas. Alamo square also has a wealth of heritage architecture.
• The Tower of the Americas in San Antonio - The Tower of the Americas is a great place for an amazing view of the city of San Antonio.
  

Another great way to immerse your family in Texas is a tour of the theme parks of Texas, including: The

• Six Flags Arlington
• Six Flags San Antonio
• Sea World San Antonio
• WonderWorld Park in San Marcos

One more idea for a truly unusual family vacation - take the kids sport caving and kayaking on the Frio River west of San Antonio. While you're there, witness millions of Frio Bats on their migration from Mexico; imagine the stories the kids will tell back at school!

It's time to get to know the great state of Texas. Your Texas vacation plans will be the start of something big!

Related Resources

• Texas RV Rental and Vacation Resources
• RV Rentals Dallas
• RV Rentals El Paso
• RV Rentals Palmer
• RV Rentals San Antonio