Trailer Life Magazine, March 2010

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Comments ContentsGo To:.com

AMERICAS BEST TRUCK.

*Dependability based on longevity: 1981July 2008 full-size pickup registrations. Silverado is a registered trademark and Chevy is a trademark of General Motors. 2009 General

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4 March 2010 TRAILER LIFE www.trailerlife.com

CONTENTS>

ON THE COVER:The Open Range Journeyerrounds the bend en routeto a campground in Ventura, California.Photo by Gary Bohinc

Departments5 DRIVERS SEAT

6 LETTERS

6 SNOOKS NOOK

8 AROUND THE BENDNews, events, people, places,parks & RV trends

13 RV ACTION LINEWe take action to resolve conflictsbetween consumers and RV dealersor manufacturers

15 THE OUTSIDERYou might have to get a little wet, buta rafting adventure on Californias KernRiver is well worth it

52 RV CLINICStraight talk from theTrailer Life tech team

56 10-MINUTE TECHReaders submit their favoritetried-and-true tech tips

57 NEW PRODUCTS

66 AMERICAS OUTBACKDiscover why the small town of Bereais dubbed the Folk Arts and Crafts Capital of Kentucky

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Ttime last year, a new trend had begun in the RV industry. InTTwake of rising fuel costs and a struggling economy, manyTTnufacturers had turned their attention toward lighter-TTght, more fuel-efficient towables and motorhomes. LastTTyears annual National RV Trade Show in Louisville, Kentucky,TTwhich is where new concepts and construction methods are often unveiled to theRV industry, demonstrated that the plethora of the larger RVs may be slowly wind-ing down. The full-featured big guys were still a part of the landscape, sure, butperhaps the time had come to begin a downsizing trend.

Fast forward to the latest Louisville Show and the trend continues. Once again, lightweight towables and more efficient floorplans were on display,

along with some pretty interesting innovations. From helium technology for sheddingpounds to fully recyclable building materials to a prevalence of composite compo-nents, it appears the lightweight trend may become the rule rather than the exception.Even 40-foot fivers have begun to utilize the weight-loss processes. So, we should ask,at what point does a trend become the norm?

I still maintain that it is every RVers right to have as big a rig as they please; afterall, we work hard for our money and should be able to spend it as we wish. Plus, thereare some great larger trailers available. However, it is very exciting and long overdue that manufacturers are recognizing that a few adjustments can lead to much morepractical and nimble designs than just a few years ago. And it certainly helps that thosesame manufacturers are thinking more long-term and adjusting their practices to in-clude recyclable, eco-friendly materials.

For a full report on all the latest from the annual Louisville Show, turn to New Trendsfor 2010, on page 41.

And, for a look at another emerging trend four-season-capable RVs a pair ofWalkthroughs feature two trailers ready for the worst Mother Nature can throw theirway. The Open Range Journeyer (page 44) and the Northwood Manufacturings ArcticFox Silver Fox (page 46) are both examples of four-season trailer-manufacturing tech-niques that have been around for some time, but are truly gaining in popularity in thelast handful of years.

Which leads us to another technology thats been around for quite some time: PVCroofing. A staple in the commercial district for decades, the easy-to-repair durable roof-ing material has made its way into RV applications, and we look forward to seeing howwell it stands the test of time. For a quick overview and installation, check out PlasticSpan, on page 48.

Whenever new technology designed to make RVing more enjoyable and user- andeco-friendly arises, we take notice and cheer for the new methods to continue to rev-olutionize our already wonderful industry. q

DJ VU?

DRIVERS SEAT>

by Kristopher Bunker

EDITORIAL

CREATIVE

PRODUCTION

CIRCULATION

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WINTER WORDS OF ADVICEThe January 2010 issue is a real winner! Imstudying my trailer options before pur-chasing a unit, so I subscribed earlier in2009 to learn as much as I can. Your win-ter tech article is a home run (WinterRVing). Now I know what to request forbatteries, genset, inverter and other cold-weather issues.

Mike Eggert, Novato, California

WARM ONCE AGAINShortly after the January issue arrived, wedeparted Colorado for Casa Grande, Ari-zona. We spent our first road night in SantaFe, New Mexico. It was very cold, down inthe mid-teens when we set up the rig. Thefurnace ran for about two hours and thetemp inside was only up to 50 F, with littleair coming out the vents. Thats when I re-membered the Furnace Troubleshootingarticle, and how it mentioned possibleproblems with the air ducts. I removed thegrill to access the back of the furnace, anda screw had come out and allowed the dis-tribution duct to become unattached. I re-placed the duct and screw and we werewarm and toasty once again!

Paul Ricks,Casa Grande, Arizona, for the winter

ULTIMATE IN RELAXATIONI appreciated the article On the SnowRoad in the January issue. My family has

LETTERS>

from our Readers

SNOOKS NOOK

Your winter tech article is a

home run. Now I know what to requestfor batteries, genset,

inverter and othercold-weather issues.

been winter camping in our 2005 Pilgrimfifth-wheel since we purchased it. Camp-ing in the winter is very peaceful up herein Wisconsin. I still cook all the meals overthe campfire, too! Make sure the furnaceworks and dress for the temps the ulti-mate in relaxation.

Glen Hennig, Beloit, Wisconsin

JUICY INFOYour January article on the Edge Program-mer was great (The Juice Is Loose). Ihave one that I put on a 2004 Ford 6.0-litertwo years ago. My fuel mileage is now 12mpg. Without the programmer it got 9.5mpg. I live in Colorado Springs, so most ofmy miles are above the 6,000-foot level.

Roger Anderson,Colorado Springs, Colorado

TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE?If add-on engine control modules work sowell, (more hp, torque and mpg) with noemission problems, then why dont themanufacturers install them as part of thenew car/truck package?

David Beatty, Livingston, Louisiana

Editors note: Many are not 50-state legal;before adding a programmer, check localemissions regulations to determine legality.

HELPFUL TUNDRA AND WIND RIVER TESTThank you very much for the review of theTundra and Wind River trailer. I have a2008 Tundra longbed and am in the mar-ket for a rear living space trailer, so this ar-ticle was rather timely.

Jim Brophy, Jackson, New Jersey q

Stop co pla g about t e o e! t s qu ete t a a est stop!

To contribute to this column, write to 2575 Vista Del Mar, Ventura, CA 93001,

or e-mail [email protected].

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AROUNDTHE BEND>

RV BUYERS GUIDE 2010Trailer Life and Woodalls have teamed up tocompile this years RV Buyers Guide, the mostcomprehensive listing of new RVs available for2010. The guide features photos, floorplansand specs for each unit, in addition to informa-tion on different types of RVs, buying tips andcontact information for the manufacturers. Ifyoure looking to purchase a new RV, this is amust-have. Be sure to get your copy today bycalling (877) 209-6655, or by logging on towww.rvbg.com.

FIVE-SLIDE FIFTH-WHEEL DRV Inc., the Howe, Indiana, manufacturer of rel-atively high-end fifth-wheels, is offering nine 31-to 38-foot floorplans in the 2010 Select Suite se-ries, an entry-level line thats priced beneath thecompanys Mobile Suites and Elite Suites. Builton a drop-frame with up to four slideouts stan-dard and an optional fifth vanity slide, the fiber-glass-and-aluminum Select Suites is availablewith full-body paint, a distinctive front cap, Cori-an countertops, hardwood cabinet stiles, frame-

less jalousie windows, 6-foot 6-inch front-bedroom ceilings and a large amount of ex-terior storage. Also standard is the Level Up leveling system, so you can level frontto back and side to side with the push of a button. The msrps start at $57,900.For more information, call (260) 562-1075 or visit www.drvsuites.com. Bob Ashley

THE RALLY 2010 IN LOUISVILLEThe biggest event of the year for RV enthusiasts is coming to Louisville, Kentucky, July 22-25, 2010, when Trailer Life and its parent company Affinity Group will be hosting its 11thannual RV rally. Located between St. Louis, Missouri, and Cincinnati, Ohio, Louisville iswithin a days drive of half of the nations population and is ranked as one of the top 10Safest and Culturally Most Fascinating places to visit in the United States. Similar to TheRally from previous years, youll find hundreds of RVs, thousands of new RV-related products, the populardog show, a golf tournament, local tours, top-line entertainment including the legendary actor-comedian Bob Newhart and this years The Rallys Got Talent show is sure to attract a crowd with plenty of talented RVers, who can compete for a spot on the show. For more information and to register, call (877) 749-7122 or visit www.therally.com.

NEWS EVENTS PEOPLE PLACES PARKS & RV TRENDS

Edited by Marleen Canniff

FAITHFUL TO OLD FAITHFULTheres nothing small about Yellowstone Na-tional Park. In its 2,219,789 acres, it has thou-sands of miles of trails; grizzly bears, bison,moose and elk as far as your eyes can see;more than 2,000 campsites; and nearly 3.3million visitors in 2009 alone an all-timerecord. This number reflects a 7.5 percent in-crease from 2008 and a 4.6 percent increasefrom the previous record of 3.15 million visi-tors set in 2007. Whatever the reasons for theincrease, visitors are no doubt committed toseeing the parks Old Faithful, which spewsanywhere from 3,700 to 8,400 gallons ofwater in a single eruption, but the park is alsobig on outdoor activities, wildlife viewing andgrand beauty. For more information, call (307) 344-7381 orvisit www.nps.gov/yell.

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Underwritten by Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and its afliates, Mayeld Village, OH. Available in most states and situations. Optional Disappearing Deductibles is subject to policy terms, and is not available for all RVs and coverage selections. 2008 Progressive Casualty Insurance Company. 08D00191 (04/08)

877-341-0321 PROGRESSIVE.COM LOCAL INDEPENDENT AGENT

Progressive Insurance, go to www.trailerlife.com/info

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LOW PROFILE, HIGH MARKSHi-Lo has redesigned the complete look inside and out for its 2010 lineup, and its2310H is just plain cool. The upper half of the unit is slightly larger than the lower halfso it can collapse for travel, and its low travel profile makes this 22-footer very easy totow. With a push of a button the trailers roof automatically raises in about a minuteusing its lifetime-guaranteed hydraulic system, turning it into a livable height of 6 feet6 inches with sleeping room for six. Its base msrp is $27,993, and it comes standardwith an air conditioner, double sink and three-burner stove.For more information, call (800) 337-6490 or visitwww.hilotrailer.com.

TRAVEL BAG FOR BREAKABLESHow to stow away the olive oil, jam, wine, shampoo, or anything else

that can break or leak, while en route to the next RVing destination canoften be a conundrum. The VinniBag from Ellessco is a new product that

solves this problem by using inflatable air chambers to isolate and immobilize itscontents and then seal them with a specially designed closure. The amount of inflation can be adjusted to suit the space availableand degree of protection needed. When not in use, the product stores flat, rolled or folded. Priced at $24.95, its engineered towithstand significant fluctuations in altitude and temperature and is reusable, recyclable and made of durable materials that willlast for many journeys. The company uses only 100-percent U.S. materials, labor and packaging.For more information, call (800) 915-8599 or visit www.ellessco.com.


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AROUND>THE BEND

NEWSWIREA report from the National AssociaA report from the National Associa-pti f St t P k Di ttion of State Park Directors hshowsh f 8 i i i kthat for 28 participating state-parkthat for 28 participating state park

systems all but Hawaii reported ansystems, all but Hawaii reported anincrease in camping The average in-increase in camping. The average in-crease in campground stays forcrease in campground stays for2009 over 2008 for these states was2009 over 2008 for these states was9

8 t7.38 percent 7 3 p Ai t h iAirstream has in-d it d ticreased its productioncreased its production b tby 50 percentby 50 percent

bsince October 2009 to meet growingsince October 2009 to meet growingmarket demand Because produc-market demand. Because produc-tion backlog has more than tripledtion backlog has more than tripledsince last year the company will exsince last year, the company will ex-y p y

d it d ti kf bpand its production workforce by 35p p y 35t t t th b t ipercent to support the boost in pro-percent to support the boost in pro

d i d d dduction and demandduction and demand S SSerro ScottySerro Scottynow has a fac-now has a fac-tory-direct pro-tory-direct pro-gramgramg offering aoffering agconsumer directconsumer-directdi t ldiscount, lower-discount, lowerb i dbase price andbase price and$$1 per-mile$1 per mileshipping Toshipping. Tolearn more about this new servicelearn more about this new service,visit www scottytrailers comvisit www.scottytrailers.com y TheTheP l i Wi t G ill bParalympic Winter Games will bea aly p c te a es ll eh ld i B i i h C l bi C dheld in British Columbia, Canadaheld in British Columbia, Canada,,March 12-21 in Vancouver WhistlerMarch 12 21 in Vancouver, Whistlerand Richmond and the local camp-and Richmond, and the local camp-grounds have opened early for thegrounds have opened early for theGames Victoria West KOA is currentlyGames. Victoria West KOA is currentlyyt ki ti Ttaking reservations: To save yourg y

ll (8 ) 6 i ispot, call (800) 562-1732 or visitspot, call (800) 562 1732 or visitwww victoriakoa com Porteau Covewww.victoriakoa.com. Porteau Covehas RV sites available on a first-has RV sites available on a first-come first served basis: To learncome, first-served basis: To learnmore call (604) 986 9371 or visitmore, call (604) 986-9371 or visit( 4) 9 937

t k kwww.seatoskyparks.com. yp



PET SITTER SERVICE FINDERAAllthhoouuugghh mmmaannyy ccaaammppggroouunndddss aanndd rreessoortss wwweellccoommmee ppeeetss,ssoommmee ddoo nnoott. FFoor ppeet oowwwnneeerrss wwwaanntinngg ttoo ffinndd thhee bbeesstt ccaarreefofoorr tthheeirr ppeettss wwwhheenn tthheeyy aaree uunnaabbblee ttoo bbrriinngg tthheemmm aalloonngg,PPeett SSittteerss Inntteerrnnaattiioonnaal ((PPSSI)) oofffeers aa ffreeee PPeett SSittteerr LLooccaatooor..TThhee ZZIPP ccooddee--ddrriivveenn sseeaarrcchh tooooll ooofffeerss eennhhaanncceedd ffeeaattuureess,eennaabblinngg ppeett oowwwnneerrss too coonndduucctt aa ccriitteerriaa-bbaasseedd sseeaarrcchh iinnleessss tthhaaann aa mmmiinnuutee. Ittss ddaattaabbaassee innccluuddeess 88,000000 innddeeppeennddeennttpprrooffeessssioonnaall pppeett-ssittttinngg bbuussinneesssseess ffoor ccuussttoomm-ttaailloorreeddsseerrvviicceess rraannggginngg frroomm ddaaaillyy ddooggg wwwaallkkss ttoo ccaarrinngg fooorr ppeettsswwitthh ssppeecciaaal nneeeeddss..TToo fiinnddd aaa ppeett ssiitttteerr nneeaarr yyoouu, ggoo ttoo wwwwwwww.pppeettssit..ccoomm/looccaattee.

TAKE TIME TO CELEBRATESilver Dollar City, the Home of AmericanCraftsmanship an internationallyawarded Branson, Missouri, themepark is celebrating its 50th year in2010 with a yearlong Take Time toCelebrate party. The festivities beginon March 18 with a new $7 millionride called Americas Biggest WaterBattle: Tom & Hucks RiverBlast. Thepark will also have special birthdayevents, top names in entertainment, newshows, a summer KidFest, a $50,000 prize giveaway and more special events lastingthrough December 30, 2010. The park features 100 craftsmen, 30 rides and attrac-tions, six world-class festivals, dozens of theaters and restaurants and the WildernessLog Cabins and Campground, which welcomes RVers with full-hookup sites. For information, call (800) 831-4FUN or visit www.silverdollarcity.com. For camp-ground reservations, call (800) 477-5164 or visit www.thewildernesslogcabins.com.

TRAILER LIFE March 2010 11

KABOOM!MP3 players are a great way to travelwith your entire music collection withoutlugging along hundreds of CD cases.However, if you dont have a newer stereowith a built-in auxiliary plug or an expen-sive adapter, youll be stuck with thetinny-sounding headphones that comewith the unit.

The Kerchoonz K-box is a portablespeaker unit that utilizes a layer of GelAudio Technology to turn nearly any sur-face into a speaker system with a truebass response. That means picnic tables,dinettes, floors, etc. all have the potentialto produce great-sounding music (wefound glass tables and windows producethe deepest bass).

We could hear the K-box and itsimpressive bass throughout each trail-er we tried it in, and it also allowed us toenjoy music outdoors without upsettingthe neighbors.

Charging the K-box is done with an in-cluded USB connection, and the unit oper-ates for about 20 hours between charges.

The product is compatible with elec-tronic devices that work on a 3.5 mm audiojack (also included), such as mobilephones and personal gaming devices.

The K-box retails for about $75 andis available for purchase on the Web atwww.kerchoonz.com/kbox.

Kristopher Bunker



Lets pretend this is a magic outlet.sYou couYY ld stick it anywhere. On a chair, rock, picnic

table and have the power you need for all your camping

conveniences. Thats the

way quiet, reliable Honda

portable generators work. Only they come in different

sizes and offer a three-year warranty.***

Happy trails!

*Warranty applies to all Honda GX Series Engines and GX Series-powered Honda Power Equipment, 100ccor larger, purchased or put into rental service since January 1, 2009. Exceptions apply. See full warranty detailsat honda.com. Does not apply to EU1000 models. Please read the owners manual beaa fee ore operating yourffHonda Power Equipment and never use in a closed or partly enclosed area where you could be exposed tottcarbon monoxide. Connection ofoo a generator to house power requires a transf fer device to avoid possible injuryffto power company personnel. Consult a qualified electrician. 2010 American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

hhh

Honda Generators, go to www.trailerlife.com/info

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OUT OF POSITIONAll bent out of shape after a repair facilityinstalled a part that was, well, all bent outof shape, a reader asked RV Action Line tointervene:

While driving our 1995 Jayco mo-torhome, it broke down two miles north ofHoover Dam and had to be towed toGaudin Ford in Las Vegas, Nevada. Oncethere, the service manager, Glen Aby, toldus Gaudin doesnt usually work on mo-torhomes due to potential liability issues,but he agreed to repair the coach anyway.

Three days later at a cost of$1,314.25 Gaudin had replaced the in-tank fuel pump, fuel filter and fuel strain-er, plus cleaned out the injector system.We went on our way to California.

After we left a Hollywood KOA camp-ground, our coach ran out of gas eventhough the gauge read a quarter tank.After I was able to finally reach a gas sta-tion thanks to some Good Samaritans we filled up and kept track of themileage rather than the fuel gauge fromthat point on.

Upon returning home in Kennewick,Washington, I took our motorhome toLegacy Ford in Pasco. There it was deter-mined that Gaudin had installed the fuel-gauge sending unit in a bent position.

I called Glen Aby and had him talk tothe mechanic at Legacy. Glen requestedthat Legacy Ford bend the unit back intothe correct position, which Legacy refusedto do, as it would create a liability issue ontheir part. So, Legacy installed a new fuelpump and replaced a cross-threaded fuel-tank strap for $1,245.44.

As a gesture of goodwill, Im offeringto share half the cost of repair by LegacyFord, and asking that Gaudin Ford pay

$622.72. They have not responded to mycorrespondence.

Alan Bates, Kennewick, Washington

In most cases we review at RV Action Line,somebody who has received improperlydone repairs asks for a full refund. Itseemed like Bates had made a rather gen-erous offer, considering the repairs atGaudin had apparently been done incor-rectly and led to further hardships. Wepassed along Bates letter in hopes ofGaudin recognizing the generosity.

We heard back from Bates a short timelater:

Gaudin Ford responded to our goodwillgesture in sharing the cost of repairing ourmotorhome, and has sent us a check for$622.72.

I believe that your intervention provid-ed the motivation they needed to resolvethis matter.

A.B.

TWENTY QUESTIONSAt wits end over more than a dozen tire fail-ures, a reader asked us to help get reim-bursement for damage done to his trailer.

Over the years, I have had 20 Carlisle Ra-dial Trail ST225/75R15 tires fail on my1996 Holiday Rambler travel trailer.

The latest incident occurred in August2009. Early in the month, I noticed thetreads on two tires on the trailer had sepa-rated. I contacted Yvonne Jackson atCarlisles Grand Prairie warehouse, who sentUPS to pick up the tires and return them toCarlisles Aiken, South Carolina, location.

At the end of the month, a blowoutfrom a different tire caused damage to mytrailer to the tune of $1,283.75. I againcontacted Yvonne Jackson, and followed

RV ACTION LINE>


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013-TL1003 RV Action Line 1/11/10 2:53 PM Page 13


After exhausting all other resources withoutsuccess, please forward information

(typewritten only) with copies of appropriatebills and correspondence to RV Action Line,

2575 Vista Del Mar, Ventura, CA 93001. Please include a self-addressed,

stamped envelope. No phone calls.

her request to send pictures, a statementof the incident, a copy of the bill of saleand a copy of the repair bill.

Carlisles answer to the claim was Im-pact wound, and no manufacturing de-fects, despite the fact I had sent them twoother tires from the same batch with sep-arated treads.

I always check my tires often, main-taining the correct pressure, and there wasnever any impact incident. I should alsopoint out that not one of the 20 Carlisletires has lasted longer than 2 years or5,000 miles. Can you help?

Grady Kirksey, Dallas, Texas

Fool me once? Shame on me. Fool me 20times? There must be a problem with themanufacturer. That being the case, we for-warded Kirkseys complaint to Carlisle.

The company responded:

On August 13, 2009, a claim was openedfor the customer, at which time he was in-formed of the correct warranty procedure.A request for the failed tire evaluation wasmade.

On September 18 two tires were eval-uated; the first showed evidence of an im-pact wound wherein the tire had brokenacross the tread, while the second had novisible issues. There was no non-confor-mance found in either tire.

On September 21 Carlisle was contact-ed regarding another tire failure, and, uponinspection, the claim was rejected based onevidence of an impact wound and no signsof non-conformance. At the customers re-quest, we re-examined the tires, and de-cided to stand by our original findings.

However, in an attempt to resolve thisclaim amicably, Carlisle will offer 50 per-cent of its rate for repairs in the amount of$560.88.

Rick Taylor,Manager of Quality and Service,

Carlisle Tire & Wheel Company

TIRED OF TIRE PROBLEMSUpset their warranty reimbursement wasdenied by a tire manufacturer, a coupleturned to RV Action Line for help.

Upon purchasing a 2008 Keystone Mon-tana fifth-wheel, we were offered a tire war-

ranty from National Adjustment Bureauand jumped at the chance to purchase itbased on previous bad experiences withtires on our RVs.

On February 16, 2009, while in Georgia,we drove over several large holes/widespaces between the concrete slabs on Inter-state 95. Because of traffic congestion, wewere unable to move to another lane. A driv-er next to us told us he could see exposedwires on the two front tires of the trailer.

We quickly exited and found a tire com-pany that could help us. Throughout the or-deal, we were focused only on getting thetires fixed, with the knowledge that we hada tire warranty to comfort us. We were un-able to get to the paperwork inside the trail-er due to the floorplan that makes the cab-inets inaccessible when the slides are in.

Once we filed a claim, NAB denied itbecause we didnt obtain prior approvalfor repairs. We feel the warranty shouldbe honored due to the emergency cir-cumstances, and because the paperworkwasnt readily available.

Tammy & Ed Calhoun, Schaghticoke, New York

There are a couple of red flags here. First,always and we mean always obtainprior approval when dealing with warran-ty issues. Thats the number one com-plaint we encounter at RV Action Line. Sec-ond, its hard to imagine an isolated inci-dent of running over uneven pavementcausing the wires to show on the tires.

However, we did pass the Calhounsclaim to National Adjustment Bureau forreview. We heard back from the Calhouns.

On November 23, 2009, we received acheck from National Adjustment Bureaufor half of our tire-replacement cost, witha reminder note to Call before replacingtires in the future. The words thank youdo not seem adequate in expressing ourappreciation to RV Action Line.

T. & E. Calhoun q

RV ACTION LINE

EDITORIAL/BUSINESS OFFICE

ADVERTISING

www.trailerlife.com

013-TL1003 RV Action Line 1/11/10 2:53 PM Page 14



People can become obsessed with anything the New YorkYankees, scrapbooking, counting calories, their golf handi-caps or the love lives of celebrities, to name but a handful ofexamples. At one time or another, Ive spent too much time,energy and money on an outdoor pursuit, becoming border-line obsessed with it, before finding another sporting endeavor to investigate, dwellon, become relatively proficient at, then all but abandon. For reasons I had not con-templated until recently, river rafting never called to me the way fly fishing, rockclimbing, golfing, mountain biking, kayaking, etc. have. But I feel the aquatic tug ofthe river now, and I have Californias Kern River and the Kernville-based outfitterMountain & River Adventures to thank for my newfound obsession, er, interest.

The 10 rafting trips I had taken over the previous two decades can be summed upthusly: Extreme heat that threatened to melt the rafters, who endured seemingly end-less stretches of sweat-filled boredom as the raft floated between distant rapids, thewhite water then eliciting screams of terror from wide-eyed civilians too scared to pad-dle as guides struggled to negotiate the rafts around boulders. I did have one great raft-ing trip, in Alaska, and it involved a dry suit but still proved to be miserably cold.

Mountain & River Adventures, however, introduced me to a different sport. I had vis-ited Kernville in the high desert at the southern end of the Sierra Nevada Range, 10

CALIFORNIA LOUNGE POSITIONWE ALL ASSUMED THE POSITION FEETDOWNRIVER, OUT IN FRONT; ARMS AT OUR SIDES;OUR BODIES SITTING, ALLOWING THE CURRENT TOGENTLY SWEEP US ALONG.

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miles from Isabella Lake a dozen yearsbefore, and in one day I had mountainbiked, hiked, rock climbed, fished, golfed,taken a scenic flight and rafted the lastactivity managing somehow to be almostentirely unmemorable (though perhaps ex-haustion played a role).

On this trip, though, I boondocked in abare-bones Forest Service campgroundcalled Halfway, which sits steps from theKern River. This waterway begins on theflanks of the contiguous United Stateshighest peak, Mt. Whitney, then descendsquite dramatically for 85 miles, deliveringsome of the best low-flow river rafting inthe world, as well as excellent fishing. Trav-elers who take Route 178 east from Bak-ersfield to the town of Lake Isabella will seea sign that warns of the Kerns dangers nearly 250 people have died in the Kernover the years, many of whom were notwearing life jackets. Statistically, it is moredangerous driving to or from Kernville thanit is rafting on the Kern, provided the rafterswear life jackets.

In addition to the personal floatationdevices we donned at Miracle, the put-inspot on the Lower Kern, below IsabellaLake, we put on helmets and received afar better safety talk than those deliveredby any of the other outfitters Id raftedwith. I was reminded that foot entrap-ment is the most significant danger, sowe were told never to stand in the riverunless the water was shallow enough forus to crawl in, thereby eliminating theprospect of our feet getting caught be-tween rocks.

The guide on my raft, Tom Peltier II,who lives in a 32-foot motorhome, told thefive of us on his boat that our bicepsshould play almost no role in our paddlingstrokes, since our cores and abs should domost of the work. This tip had never beenconveyed to me before, at least not in amanner I digested, and it proved to lessenthe soreness in my shoulders and armsthe next day to almost nil.

Three rafts shoved off into the river,and almost immediately Toms many yearsof experience guiding on the Kern revealeditself, since he was so adept at negotiatingthe first rapid gracefully that I momentari-ly wondered whether the trip might prom-ise more thrills than it delivered. This con-

cern proved completely absurd secondslater when Tom asked us if we wanted tojump into the river. The five of us aboardhis raft instantly launched ourselves wa-terward, the liquid being cold enough torefresh but pleasant enough not to chillus, despite our extended floats, of whichthere would be many. We all assumed theCalifornia Lounge Position feet down-river, out in front; arms at our sides; ourbodies sitting, allowing the current togently sweep us along and the smile onmy face, even as I bobbed through a smallhole in the Swim Rapid, indicated thatperhaps this rafting thing was worth ob-sessing over.

Since Toms five rafters had proven tobe enthusiastic, he asked us if we wantedto surf, by which he meant that wewould intentionally bury the nose of theboat in a hole, filling the boat with waterin the process and likely spitting some ofus out into the river. Of course, we all saidyes, buried the nose, then launched oneof us. We retrieved him, tried it again,launched the same guy from a differentposition in the boat and laughed like crazythe whole time.

And the trip proceeded to get betterfrom there. Whenever a stretch of rapid-free water presented itself, we California-lounged our way through it, then werepulled aboard so that we could negotiatethe eight Class IV rapids and numerousClass IIIs along the route, a journey of 12river miles that took about six hours tocomplete.

Around the halfway point, the guidespulled a raft ashore, flipped it, then laid aspread upon it from which we all made de-licious sandwiches. I introduced myself toguide Emily Sims, who had rafted the rivermany years before with her son, felt thetug of the river, then became a guide fouryears ago. Im not sure if that river-tug isstrong enough yet for me to pursue sucha career change, but as one rafter after an-other stood atop a ledge about 18 feetabove the water, then launched him- orherself into the river, splashing, then pop-ping up smiling, I fully understood the al-lure of river rafting. q

Mountain & River Adventures, (800)861-6553, www.mtnriver.com.

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THEODORE ROOSEVELTNATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

by Len Couisineau

R Vers headed to the Gulf Coast of Mississippimay be aware of the history of the Mississip-pi Delta and the blues rhythms that laborersgave voice to the music that still pulsesthrough juke joints and from store fronts throughout the re-gion. But these travelers may not be aware that they can ex-plore Mississippis natural rhythms at a series of outdoorhabitats collectively known as the Theodore Roosevelt Na-tional Wildlife Refuge Complex.

Seven of the Magnolia States 11 wildlife refuges belongto this complex. Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge was the firstto be established in 1936, and Theodore Roosevelt and HoltCollier Refuges were the last added, both created in 2004.Hillside, Mathews Brake, Morgan Brake and Panther Swampare the others.

At Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge, which is on the west-ern part of the state, not far from the Big Muddy and onlyabout 8 miles from the campgrounds in Leroy Percy StatePark, visitors can explore the refuges 13,000 acres. Hometo Louisiana black bear, bobcats, gators, raccoons and pos-sums, Yazoo is also a bird-watchers paradise. Sitting peace-fully at the Lizard Lake observation blind and listening tobirds improve the silence with their calls will undoubtedlylower visitors blood pressure. To add to this bucolic avianparadise, 300 wood duck boxes dapple the park.

Co-op farmers tend to corn, soybeans and winter wheatin the refuge, and remnant patches of daffodils and cannaflowers are found in places once occupied by sharecroppers.Seven Indian mounds exist within park boundaries. Achurch, a school and sharecropperscabins once decoratedthe landscape, but these man-made structures have sincebeen removed. For the visitors enjoyment there is the HoltCollier boardwalk through a cypress swamp, the observa-tion tower at Alligator Pond and the new carbon-sequestra-tion trail.

So popular is whitetail deer hunting in Yazoo that thetrophy bucks are pursued by hunters who arrive from morethan half the states in the Union and a handful of Canadianprovinces. Hunters here must use primitive weapons.

Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge is a verdant, restful placeto while away an afternoon, particularly on foot or by bicy-cle. And after travelers have investigated what Yazoo has tooffer, they can check out the other six members of theTheodore Roosevelt National Wildlife Refuge Complex. q

Theodore Roosevelt National Wildlife Refuge Complex,(662) 839-2638, www.fws.gov/trcomplex.

THIS LAND


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The wolf howl came at dawn.The beguiling melodyseemed to awaken thetown. Locals knew it wasnta wild wolf, but one of eight kept at theGrizzly and Wolf Discovery Center. Amongthe visiting RVers in the town of West Yel-lowstone, however, it was sensational.

Historically, West Yellowstone was theterminus for the Union Pacific Railroadthat brought passengers from Ashton,Idaho, on a short line, then by coach intoYellowstone National Park. The railroadpulled out in 1960, but the town remaineda major hub for RV visitors to Yellowstoneand the surrounding areas.

A park information center in townshares space with the Chamber of Com-merce and Montana Visitor Center. Be-sides free wireless Internet in a comfort-able lounge, the center offers friendlyhelp, maps, brochures and knowledge-able advice about the area. It doesnt takelong for a visitor to overhear rushedtourists ask the ranger on duty or visitorinformation person: We just have threehours. What can we see in the park?

People come into the center with alist. They say, We want to see, one, two,three and four. How can we do it thefastest way? said Marysue Costello, along-time West Yellowstone resident andthe Director of the Chamber of Commerce.I tell them Old Faithful is 30 miles fromWest Yellowstone. It takes time to drivethrough the park.

There are 12 campgrounds within Yel-lowstone Park. Seven operated by the Na-tional Park Service are on a first-come, first-served basis. Xanterra Parks and Resortsoperate five campgrounds within the parkand those sites can be reserved. There are

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many RV campgrounds in and around WestYellowstone, including one right in townwithin earshot of howling wolves.

Planning is required to take advantageof hidden opportunities in the area. In ad-dition to Yellowstone and Grand Teton Na-tional parks, the Targhee National Forestand Big Spring in Idaho, the Hebgen LakeDistrict and Virginia City National HistoricSite are nearby. Leave plenty of time toenjoy hidden discoveries.

If your route takes you to Bozeman,Montana, spend time ambling along MainStreet. The rotating horse at Bangtail Bikeand Ski Shop has been a landmark forgenerations. Shop in boutiques and stock

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Marysue Costello, a longtimeYellowstone resident, takes inone of the countless stunningviews at Yellowstone Park. Itsabout a half-mile hike to getto the Boiling River swimmingarea. Although not handicap-accessible, its well worth thetrip for those who can make it.A horseback ride on SunRanch is a great way toexplore the area. Elk withvelvet antlers are a commonsight at Yellowstone.




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up on supplies, or take a bike tour of Boze-mans parks. If you have young people intow, theyll love to climb on a climbing rockinstalled in the park where bike trails windnear creeks.

There are many ways to access Yellow-stone National Park from Bozeman. One ofthe nicest drives is down Paradise Valley.The road parallels the Yellowstone River.Take Interstate 90 east to Livingston thenhead south on 89. It is 95 miles to Gardinerand the north entrance to the park. Pausein town and take pictures of the stone archbefore driving through. The park archivebuilding does offer tours, but the facilitywas primarily designed for research.

From this point on Yellowstone isyours to discover. Maps, newspapers andinformation can be obtained at the gateand in Mammoth. Be sure to obtain Yel-lowstone Today, an official park newspa-per from the ranger. It contains updates onhappenings and important informationabout the park and its campsites.

The most important temptation toavoid is the caution every ranger gives:Wild game is wild. Drive carefully, since theroads abound with animals. Take photo-graphs from a safe distance. Be especial-ly careful and alert for traffic jams alongthe roads. People may not exercise soundjudgment when driving past a bear or herdof bison. Drive defensively and know thelength of your RV including the tow ve-hicle so length limits can be addressedwhen choosing campground sites.

One little-known highlight is the legalswimming hole located near the 45th Par-allel, exactly halfway between the Equatorand the North Pole. Thermal waters fromBoiling River make the spot unique onewhere visitors can soak in the warm river.Access to the spot is along a half-mile longpath, easy enough to walk but not handi-capped-accessible, and it is recommend-ed that you check on the status of the holeat one of the parks visitor centers beforemaking the trip, as it is often closed.

There is a great campsite at MadisonJunction. To reach the town of West Yellow-stone, take the park road here along theMadison River 14 miles to the west en-trance. West Yellowstone is a town with apopulation of 1,234 that is a hub for visi-tors to the park. Emergency services are

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available and there is a modern airport fa-cility in town.

There are many RV campgrounds inand around town, and many things to seeand do. The Yellowstone IMAX Theater of-fers screenings of Yellowstone and sever-al other themed big-screen films such asBears and Lewis and Clark. Nearby is theGrizzly and Wolf Discovery Center. Natural-ists let kids hide food for the grizzly bearsin a cage- and moat-protected setting. Thebears are released and spectators watchas bears forage for the hidden food. Theeight wolves in two packs provide interest-ing viewing and good photo opportunities.

The Madison River Canyon is easilyreached from West Yellowstone. Drivenorth on 191 then west on 287. If you likehorseback riding, Parade Rest GuestRanch is on the right about a mile along287. Marge Wanner, General Manager,and the wranglers will set you up on ahorse suited to your skills. WesternMountain Cookouts are Monday and Fri-day nights, and you can get there by

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The entire area especially MadisonRiver offers world-class trout fishing.

horseback, hay wagon or horse-drawnsurrey. The cookouts boast plenty ofsteak, chicken and all the fixins, plus mu-sical entertainment and western hospital-ity. Parade Rest is a walk-only horsebackoperation and the mountains and mead-ows of U.S. Forest Service land behind theranch provide vistas of Hebgen Lake.

In 1959, a massive earthquake dra-matically reshaped the areas landscape.Campers were cut off and cabins pushedinto Hebgen Lake by the force of thequake. Today, there is great fishing in Heb-gen Lake and the Madison River. For thosewho want to paddle, hook up with David

Robinson at the Kirkwood Resort and Ma-rina. David will guide kayak trips or rentkayaks and describe where the best ospreyand eagle-viewing sites from the water are.There are many RV campgrounds right onthe Hebgen, and Pam Sveinson is welcom-ing at the Kirkwood Resort. She evenleaves fuel pumps on for credit-card serv-ice at night, since it is the only fuel avail-able for many miles on 287 in this area.

Nearby is Quake Lake, where trees re-main as dead sticks in the water, stark re-minders of the force of the earthquakethat caused a landslide which blocked theMadison River. A visitor center offers infor-mation and an overlook of the area.

Further along 287, before reaching thelittle hamlet of Cameron, the Madison Val-ley is sheathed between the GravellyMountains and the Madison Range. CurtisBrown, a fishing guide who has spentmost of his life fishing the Madison Riverin this area, says that every fly-fishing en-thusiast, at least once in a lifetime, will fishthe Madison. There are 4,200 trout per

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mile, according to Curtis statistics.The Lodge at Sun Ranch, an ecolodge,

is located outside Cameron, nestled be-tween the mountains. If theres a hankeringfor exquisite food and lodging in luxuriousaccommodations with a hot tub facing themountains, then park the RV and stay for along weekend. Horseback riding, fishingand hiking with naturalists are special here.

Highway 287 leads to historic VirginiaCity. Gold was discovered in a creek bedjust outside of town. A pillar marks thespot. Take a tour in town and step back intime as a guide unlocks some of the oldstorefronts and points out boxes of drygoods, gloves, ladies hats and fashionsfrom the turn of the century. There is a sitewhere desperadoes were hanged, anddont miss boot hill outside of town, wherethe desperadoes and others who diedin town were buried.

Leave time in Virginia City to enjoy thesights. The town is RV-friendly, and park-ing is allowed on public streets while youexplore. Nevada City is nearby, another

hamlet of restored homes and buildingsthat gives visitors a clear picture of theheydays before the strikes petered out.

If your time is over then double backon 287 and head back up to Bozeman on84 or stick on 287 to reach Interstate 90for points east and west. There is wonderand discovery at almost every detour inthis southwest corner of Montana. Takingtime to explore the nooks and cranniesmakes that discovery fun with adventureat every turn. Find your own honey hole fortrout fishing tucked away where least ex-pected. Savor experiences like broiledfresh-caught trout on a campfire withinearshot of a gurgling creek and howlingwolf ... even if he isnt entirely wild. q

Montana Office of Tourism, (800) 548-3390, www.visitmt.com.West Yellowstone Chamber of Com-merce, (406) 646-7701, www.westyellowstonechamber.com.Parade Rest Guest Ranch, (800) 753-5934, www.paraderestranch.com.

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ROAD DOGSTRAVELING WITH MANS BEST FRIEND IS

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by Julee Meltzer

Its been said that RVing is not so much a nationwide pastime as it is a na-tional passion. This makes sense in a society that was largely built on thefortitude and success of spirited explorers and adventure-seeking pio-neers. Americans have been RVing now for more than half a century ... andits still all about exploring and adventure seeking. After all, with an RV, you dontneed reservations, a tour guide or even a definite destination. All you need is anRV, a sense of adventure, a reliable map and a good dog. At least thats whatJohn Steinbeck thought in 1960 when he took a three-month road trip across Amer-ica with his poodle, Charley. In his now-famous Travels With Charley, Steinbeck de-scribed the 10,000-mile journey he made in his custom-built truck camper. AlthoughCharley certainly wasnt the first dog to go RVing, hes probably the most famous.

Dogs in particular make ideal travel companions. Besides providing protec-tion and good company, dogs encourage us to pursue healthy activities, like hik-ing and exploring. In addition, with so many dog-owning RVers on the road, dogsare a terrific way to meet people.

Designed specifically for RVers with pets, the following tips will help you tohave a safe and enjoyable trip.

031-TL1003 RVing With Dogs 1/11/10 2:48 PM Page 31



CALL AHEADEven if a campground states (in an ad or adirectory) that it is pet friendly, always callahead to make sure they will actually ac-cept your dog(s). I have occasionally arrivedat a supposedly pet-friendly RV park withmy two German Shepherds only to find thatpet friendly meant only accepting dogsthat weighed less than 20 pounds. Simi-larly, some campgrounds prohibit specificbreeds while others tack on excessive feesfor families that travel with a dog. RV parksthat are genuinely pet friendly tend to havereasonable pet policies. Some even havespecial provisions for dogs, includingfenced-in play areas, pet-friendly hikingtrails, family dog shows and more.

COME PREPAREDBefore your next RV trip, have your pet ex-amined by a vet to make sure its in goodhealth. Above all, make sure its rabies vac-cinations are up-to-date and well-docu-mented. Some campgrounds may even re-quest a copy of your dogs vaccinationrecords, so make a few extra copies andbring them along. If you plan to visit Mex-ico, have your vet fill out a health certifi-cate. Make sure your dogs tick and fleatreatments are up-to-date and have yourdog checked and treated for heartworm.If your pet is taking prescribed medica-tions or is on a specialized diet, be sure tobring plenty of each just in case your triphome is delayed. For extended stays, besure to get written prescriptions for allyour pets medications. That way, youll beable to get them filled while on the road.Other than that, bring plenty of their reg-ular food, some toys and a comfortablebed for them to sleep on.

ANTICIPATE PROBLEMS ON THE ROADWhen it comes to RVing, your pet is as de-pendent on good planning as you are. Forstarters, make sure that you have anemergency road service policy (such asGood Sam RV Emergency Road Service).Getting stuck in the breakdown lane of abusy highway isnt nearly as stressfulwhen help is on the way. On that note, de-vise a backup plan for your pet if your RVhas to be taken in for repairs.

For example, dog-show professionalstypically travel with large groups of expen-sive dogs that are kept in cages. Because

RVs are their preferred mode of transporta-tion, they have to be prepared for prob-lems on the road. If their RV breaks down,they will have a rental truck delivered totheir current location. They can count onthis option because they have already con-tacted the truck-rental companies thatserve the area in which they are traveling.

Make sure you have enough fire extin-guishers and take the time to perform afire drill before you leave. In the event of areal fire, you wont have the time to lookfor a leash or figure out what to do withyour dog.

Likewise, determine your plan of ac-tion if your pet gets hurt or becomes seri-ously ill while on the road. If you can, pre-pare a list of emergency-care facilities inthe area, or travel with a ready-made di-rectory such as the Pet E.R. Guide (seesidebar). Organized state-by-state andcity-by-city, a directory such as this one en-sures that you always have the informa-tion you need on hand should you befaced with a crisis. PH

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MAKE SURE YOUR PET WONT GET LOSTNo one ever expects their pet to get lost,but every year thousands of RVers sufferthe anguish of losing a dog when they areaway from home. The trick is to be pre-pared. Make sure your pets collar fitssnugly and has an ID tag that includes itsname, your phone number and the nameof your veterinarian. Some owners alsoadd an e-mail address. In addition, find avet who will microchip your pet. If some-one finds your pet and takes it to a vet, thechip will enable the vet to contact you. Inany case, always bring a photo of your petin case you need to put up Lost Dogposters. Also, have a picture of you andyour pet handy so you can prove the ani-mal belongs to you once its found. Dontleave the screen door open a deter-mined dog can slip out before youreaware its gone. If you want to make surethat your dog never gets lost, put its leashon while its still inside your RV. And whenoutside, never let it off its leash.



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TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR PETThe biggest complaint about dogs atcampgrounds has nothing to do with theirbark, their bite or their behavior. If you pickup after your dog and keep it on a leash,you wont give people much to grumbleabout. In addition, experienced dog-own-ing RVers use a variety of techniques to re-main good neighbors. For example, if yourdog behaves aggressively toward otherdogs, walk it in an area thats away fromothers or take it out at odd hours whenother RVers arent around. If your dogbarks a lot, take it with you whenever youleave the campground. Also, when you ar-rive, ask if there are any sites that are rel-atively isolated. Life with a dog is easierwith a little breathing room.

If you leave your pet alone at a camp-ground, there could be a problem if some-thing were to happen to you while youwere away. Fortunately, theres an easyway to protect your furry friends in this sce-nario. Simply fill out two identical index

cards with the following information: yourname; cell-phone number; campground lo-cation and site number; the type, numberof and names of your pets along with anyspecial care they require; and the camp-ground contact information. Place one cardin your wallet (or purse) and another inyour RV, where someone can easily find it.Also, place a clearly visible sign on the doorof your trailer that lists all the animals thatare inside. You can also purchase a ready-made pet emergency info kit (see side-bar) to make this even easier for you.

KEEP YOUR DOG COMFORTABLEEvery year, hundreds of dogs inadvertent-ly suffer and die when they are left alonein a vehicle that becomes overheated inwarm weather. If youre staying in an areathat becomes warm, be careful whenleaving your animals alone in your trailer.Air conditioners occasionally stop work-ing and campground power outagessometimes occur. When this happens,

ROAD DOGS

your RVs interior may become too warmfor your dog. To minimize this possibility,install thermostatically controlled rooffans that automatically operate when the

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internal temperature of the trailer reachesa certain level. Likewise, always leave afew windows open in case of a power fail-ure or a gas leak. Remember to leavesome extra drinking water for your dogsand use window shades and awnings tokeep your trailer as cool as possible. Also,if at all possible, leave a key with thecampground manager. If theres a powerfailure, theyll be able to open up yourtrailer and take your dog out for somefresh air.

If your dog is disabled, make it easierfor your pet to enter and exit your RV bybuilding a portable ramp that can beplaced over your trailers steps.

LEARN ABOUT YOUR CAMPING ENVIRONMENTIf you plan to RV in a location that is fun-damentally different from your usual envi-ronment, research the area and be pre-pared. For example, if you plan on stayingin the desert, bring a pair of pliers and acomb on all your hikes. They will become

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indispensable for removing pieces ofprickly cactus from your dogs paws. Also,talk to the rangers. Theyll tell you some ofthe tricks that coyotes use to engageyour dog. Likewise, if you plan on stayingalong the southern New England coast-line, learn how to deal with ticks. Thesesmall but insidious creatures can transmitLyme disease to you and your dog.

If youll be staying in bear country,bring pepper spray and learn how toavoid bears. Never let your dog engageor antagonize a bear. If youre stayingnear a wooded area, never let your dogoff its leash. Dogs regularly get lost whenthey chase a deer too far into the woodsand then cant find their way back to thecampsite.

Likewise, at dawn and dusk, be sure tokeep your dogs leash very short. This isthe time that skunks dig for grubs andother treats. As a result, they are out in fullforce. If your dog does get sprayed by askunk, hell be sleeping outdoors for along time. In many cases, the campground

owner should be able to fill you in on someof the local risks.

LEARN SOME BASIC FIRST AIDIf a medical emergency occurs at home,you simply drive to your local vet. But ifthis same situation were to occur along abackroad in a strange town, it could be adifferent story. Although there are ways toget help while on the road, it almost al-ways takes longer than you think. In themeantime, your ability to provide compe-tent first aid could save your pets life. Yourbest bet is to first purchase a basic manu-al. Dont waste your money on a compre-hensive book you wont have the timeto read it during a real emergency. Themanual will also tell you how to create adecent first-aid kit. Dont bother withready-to-use pet first-aid kits they tendto be filled with frivolous items and oftenlack the essentials. In a true emergency,the most valuable piece of information isthe phone number of the nearest 24-houremergency animal hospital.

INVOLVE YOUR DOG INEVERYTHING YOU DODogs like to explore new areas more thananything else. They also love the out-doors. As a result, your dog may enjoyRVing more than you do. So if you reallywant them to have a good time, includethem in all of your activities. Take them onhikes. Let them frolic in the water. Throw aball. Set up an obstacle course. Grill themup a hamburger. If you take the time to in-volve your dog in all the things you do,theyll probably help you pack the nexttime you decide to go camping.

SAVOR THE EXPERIENCEDogs really are mans best friend. RVingand camping with your dog is a preciousexperience that will ultimately becomeone of your fondest memories. So the nexttime youre sitting around a campfireunder the stars with your family, yourfriends and your dog, take the time to ap-preciate the moment. After all, this isRVing at its finest. q

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GET AN RVERSVIEW OFWILDLIFEALONG THEOPEN ROADS ...BUT DONT GETTOO CLOSE! by Jim Couper

When your RV leaves the asphalt ofWurban centers and hits the wide-Wopen spaces, North America be-Wcomes a natural zoo of sorts, withWan amazing array of wildlife. Generating the most atten-tion in these parts are the wild beasts that are bigger thanmans best friend. Cars line up for miles to watch a bearor bison, while a skunk and mink can duck and slink with-out much motorist interest. Who among us does not getexcited when watching a moose munching on moss in amarsh or a mountain goat leaping from rocky ledges?

VIEWING ROADSIDE DIVERSITYNorth Americas natural inhabitants range from polar bearswhere the road ends near the Arctic to immense, prehistoricalligators lounging in southern swamps. Between these ge-ographic extremes you might see elk in the Rockies, wildhorses on the plains, javelina among the cacti, buffalo on theprairies and deer nearly everywhere.

On a trip over the southern portion of the Alaska High-way, I was immeasurably impressed with the size and num-ber of animals that inhabit the northland. Within a 200-milestretch, my wife and I spotted wild sheep, moose, caribou,

037-TL1003 Born to be Wild 1/11/10 2:46 PM Page 37



black bear, bison, deer, fox and a grizzly.Just past the middle of Nowhere, two hugehorses galloped out of the woods, crossedthe road and disappeared into the foreston the other side. We have driven RVsthroughout the world and have veeredaround camels in Afghanistan, avoidedelephants in India, missed guanacobouncing across the highway in Argentinaand halted for reindeer herds in Finland,but never has such a diverse group of an-imals appeared within such a short stretchof road as right here in North America.

Other critters weve met on American,Mexican and Canadian roads are porcu-pine, armadillo, wolves, coyote, skunk,fox, otter, beaver, mountain goats, pos-sum and cougar. Thats in addition to suchcommonplace creatures as groundhogs(including marmots, gophers, prairie dogs,etc.) chipmunk, squirrels and rabbits.

There are few states and provincesthat do not host herds of deer that canusually be seen in rural areas at dawn anddusk. Other deer family members such ascaribou, elk, wapiti and moose are spreadfrom coast to coast.

Bison are the weightiest and most im-pressive of the animals you may have thegood fortune of seeing from the safety ofyour RV. Standing up to 7 feet tall with alength of 13 feet and weighing as much asa ton, they can be found in selectedprairies and wooded areas in the north-central continent. From near extinction,the large North American land animal has

grown to a population of close to 350,000,although this is a far cry from the 50 mil-lion that lived here before European set-tlement. The best places to see the hugecreatures are Yellowstone National Park inWyoming and Wood Buffalo National Parkin Northwest Canada, which was createdto protect the last remaining Canadianbuffalo herds.

The huge snapping turtle, with a shellup to a half-yard wide, is found in easternwaterways. One could not imagine that aslow, lowly turtle could do much harm ona roadway, but there are numerous docu-mented cases of vehicles crashing intoeach other while rubbernecking driversstared at the crawling creatures. The bestplace for turtle watching is undoubtedlyHighway 27 near Tallahassee, Florida,where 10 species, including soft-shell, yel-low-bellied slider, cooters and snappers,are common. Unfortunately not all makeit across the road, and the conservationWeb site www.lakejacksonturtles.org saysa stretch of Highway 27 has the worldshighest mortality rate for turtles. The areais alive with other animals with 61 differ-ent species (not including birds) attempt-ing to cross a half-mile section of the high-way at Lake Jackson.

When it comes to animals, alligatorsare Floridas prime roadside attraction.Forget about Uncle Clems Genuine Alliga-tor Farm and go directly to Highway 41 thatcrosses the Everglades. The reptiles hangout in the waterways (especially in winter)

ZOO RULESq When you see one animal, be waryof others.

q Keep windshields and headlightsclean, and wipers in good condition.

q Pay extra attention at dawn anddusk, when animals are most active.

q No matter how cute, cuddly or pas-sive roadside animals may appear, donot feed them and do not get out ofthe vehicle. Nearly every animal canmove much faster than humans. Eventhe lumbering alligator can sprint to30 mph.

slow down stopping is better, if possible to allow them plenty of room to cross.




that run beside the highway. They range insize up to 17 feet long and can weigh aquarter-ton. Fortunately, alligators are notfond of hot, dry pavement so they seldomcross the road. Despite their numbers(close to one million) they normally do notpresent a driving hazard.

Looking skyward, one could devote alifetime to checking off names in a birdershandbook. Again, the ones that drawgasps from novices are the biggies ea-gles, condors, osprey, vultures, trumpeterswans, pelicans, owls, eider and puffins toname a few. And of course, anywhere thereis grass to be eaten, the ubiquitous Cana-da goose is sure to be found. The bestplaces for eyeing avian life are along thefour major flyways: Atlantic, Mississippi,Central and Pacific. The flyway boundariesare not sharply defined, ignore all bordersand often overlap, and if you follow thebirds south to Panama you will find that thefour flyways merge. Along the way you canspot as many as 350 different species ofbirds. If you are travelling near waterwaysin the interior of Washington or Oregon youare likely on the Pacific Flyway, so stop, getout the binoculars and guidebook, andtake a stab at identification.

RVers are most likely to see up closethe birds that spend more time on theground than in the air. These includegrouse (prairie chicken), quail, pheasants,roadrunners, turkeys and partridge.

Rivers and lakes are homes to aquaticcreatures we seldom have the pleasure of

seeing. And dont think small when itcomes to fish. Among the amazing waterlife is the alligator gar, found in lakes andriverways in such unexpected places asKansas and Missouri. The fish, with a snoutlike an alligator, can weigh a whopping 300pounds and exceed 7 feet in length.

Travels along the salty coasts providethe best opportunities to stop at scenicoverviews, grab the binoculars and sightwhales such as humpback, right, orca, gray,blue, finback and minke. Seals, sea lions,harbor porpoise, otter, dolphins and bask-ing sharks might also come into view. Themanatee is one of the treasures of Floridaswarm waters, and the slow moving, gentle,sea cow enjoys swimming in the clear riversand springs as well as in salt water.

I once spotted two snow monkeys atplay while driving past an old fruit treeabout 10 miles from my rural Niagarahome and I had forgotten my camera. Iwas excited about these newcomers to therelatively mild climate until I later heardthat they had escaped from a private zoo.Its a good idea to carry along a camera,binoculars and identification guides forbirds and animals whenever you plan tomotor out of the city. Its hard to convinceyour family and friends of what sights youmay have seen without a picture.

AVOIDING ROADWAY ADVERSITYFew things are as alarming as a half-tonmoose stepping onto the road as you

The Canada goose can often be found wherever there is grass to munch. Although theymay look docile, its best to enjoy the view from afar as it is with all roadside critters.

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BORN TO BE WILD

round a corner at twilight. One of the mostimportant things to remember when driv-ing rural routes is that animals rarely trav-el alone. Just as you give a sigh of reliefthat you missed the deer that fled acrossthe road, another one is likely to bebounding right behind.

Hoofed animals tend to travel in herds,and eight of the 10 most dangerous statesfor auto/deer accidents are clustered inthe northeast region, with the other twobeing Texas and Georgia. Deer whistlesmay help this matter. Attached to the frontof a vehicle, these whistles emit a high-pitched sound audible only to animals. Al-though theyve been around for severaldecades, its not clear how effective theyreally are, but you may want one just incase they help.

Signs warning of animals are com-monplace, but are not always effective be-cause animals do not always appearwhere the signs are placed. What worksbest is to try to reduce the interaction ofautomobiles and wildlife before they

meet. For instance, reducing the use ofroad salt to melt winter snow reduces thenumber of animals that come to the sidesof highways to lick up the residue.

Clearing a wide swath of vegetation atthe sides of highways allows motorists tobetter spot large creatures before theydart onto the road. Fences can be the sal-vation of both ungulates and humans.Studies have shown that on unfencedrural highways in big-game country, 63percent of automobile accidents involveanimals. On fenced sections, a mere 11percent of accidents involved animals.While fences can help to direct hoofed an-imals toward overpasses and underpass-es, other creatures such as cougar, coy-otes and black bear will dig beneathfences, climb over them or find gaps belowthem, so always keep your eyes open.

When in wild-animal country, mo-torists should be extra alert and scanahead from side to side. Obey speed lim-its and reduce speed at indicated wildlifecrossings and migration routes. qCa

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W fuel prices and tow-vehi-W versatility no doubt onWe minds of RVers for theWming year, RV manufactur-Wers tended to offer smallerWand lighter models for 2010 at the 47th Annual National RVTrade Show in Kentucky. This was especially apparent in theteardrop-shaped MPG trailer from Heartland Recreational Ve-hicles, which was named as one of two runner-ups for Best ofShow by RV Business, the industrys leading trade journal andTrailer Lifes sister publication.

Top-honor Best of Show went to Class A motorhomebuilder Tiffin Motor Homes, which also went small for 2010 withthe Allegro Breeze, the first 28-foot Class A

Trailer Life Magazine, March 2010

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Transcript of Trailer Life Magazine, March 2010