If your RVing adventures take you into the Palm Springs area be sure to investigate the slots. The slots I am talking about are free and the payoff is priceless! Head east from Palm Springs on Interstate 10 to Indio, then southeast on Hwy 111 to Mecca. On the way you will pass by casinos with slots that require money to play, skip those. The slots you are looking for are hiding nearby in the Mecca Hills. The slots I am referring to aren’t money sucking machines, but beautiful slot canyons that can be enjoyed for free. No players club card or pocket change required. Plus, everyone that spends time to play these slots hits the jackpot! Ladder Canyon is one of the slots you will play, as you work your way up through the twisty canyon via a series of ladders. The jackpot is the great view over the valley when you reach the plateau at the top of the canyon.
Just like those casinos that host slots and let you camp for free, Ladder canyon allows free camping too, just with different amenities. Sorry, no asphalt, painted parking stalls, parking lot security lights or 24 hour traffic. At Ladder Canyon you will have to settle for spacious, beautiful campsites and dark starry nights. I guess us adventurous RVers will just have to suffer!

For complete information, check out: http://rvlife.com/index.php/Travel/ladder-to-the-sky.html

Entrance to Ladder Canyon                                Climbing for the Jackpot

Jackpot!

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In recessionary times, finding free camping spots helps stretch your RVing budget. Free camp spots are even better when they are private, out-of-the-way and in a scenic location. The very best free campsites of all are the ones that pay you for camping there! Yes, that’s right pay you and in GOLD! Join a local or national gold prospecting club and you will soon find out what I am talking about. Prospecting clubs maintain gold claims all across the western states. The majority are on public land which typically allow up to a two week stay. While camping on public land is available to everyone, membership in a prospecting club gives you access to gold claims behind locked gates. Federal mining laws guarantee access to valid mining claims. Club members, being part owners of the claim, have access to the gate keys held by the department of natural resources, forest service or BLM. Now that is a private camp spot! Thousands of acres of public land and you literally hold the key that grants you access with your RV. Once settled at your private camp site, break out your gold pan or other gold recovery equipment and see what golden treasures await you. At over $1,100 per ounce it doesn’t take too many specks of gold to make your free campsite that much more valuable. If “free is good”, “better than free“ is great! Who knows you may even find enough to pay your fuel costs for the weekend? Even if you don’t find any gold, the real treasure is the time spent out in God’s Creation, getting some exercise and spending some quality time RVing in a quiet, out of the way place. To find the prospecting clubs in your state, Google “your state” and “Prospecting clubs”. In Washington, your state wide club is Washington Prospectors. You can visit them at: http://washingtonprospectors.org/

Behind Lock Gates.

Gas Money!

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Are you a fan of Google Earth? I am. Google Earth allows you to inspect areas to explore before you arrive. You can determine which dirt roads are best to travel, view ruins of forgotten places and find boondocking campsites. The best part of Google Earth are the “Blue Squares” which indicate pictures posted by other users. Clicking on the blue squares reveals areas of stunning beauty, hidden canyons, old ghost towns or something else out of the ordinary.  Most of these places are worthy of a visit.
Use blue squares to enhance your next RV trip.
After planning the route for my next RVing Adventure I always check out the blue squares on Google Earth to see what else lies along the route. When I find something that appeals to my sense of adventure, I load the coordinates provided on Google Earth into my GPS receiver and them I am ready to find and enjoy the site when I am in the vicinity. Need some examples: for a unique adventure check out the plethora of blue squares at 33 37.034N 116 00.150W in the California Desert. Discover a rarely visited covered bridge in Oregon at 43 45.506N 116 00.150W

Plan a blue square adventure on your next RV outing and enjoy!

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Our RVing adventures have taken my wife and I to the most westerly place you can drive in the United States along with the most southerly. We have seen the northern most of this and that including the most northern Denny’s restaurant in the world. We have also traveled to the shortest river. Now we can add RVing the shortest highway in California to the list. In the small town of Coloma near historic Sutter’s Mill just off Highway 49, you will find State highway 153, California's shortest route, measuring a scant 0.55 miles long. The route takes you to Marshall's Gold Discovery Monument. Given the fact that the road is also narrow (16’) it also qualifies as an adventure in RVing. Enjoy!

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Depending on the survey, between ten and twenty percent of RVers list golf as an activity they enjoy as part of the RV lifestyle. When you think about it, the two do complement one another quite nicely. A motor home can pull the golf cart and trailer, or a toy hauler makes a great golf cart garage. Roomy storage compartments in today’s RV readily accommodate a set of clubs. After playing 18 holes with friends and family the RV provides a place to relax, visit and enjoy some refreshments. Many golf courses cater to RVers with on-site RV parks too, allowing you to lounge in comfort in your RV while you wait for your scheduled tee time. For more insights, check out Rick Stedman’s article in this months RV Life magazine at http://rvlife.com/index.php/Top-Story/rving-and-golf-mix-well.html If you are ready to fully immerse yourself in the RV / Golf lifestyle, be sure and visit Qwest Field Event Center February 12th - 14th. There you will find the annual Seattle RV & Outdoor Recreation Show and the annual Seattle Golf Show side by side in the same venue. A combination ticket for the two shows can be purchased at: http://mhrvlife.com/ which includes a free parking pass!

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At the upcoming Seattle RV & Outdoor Recreation Show February 11th - 14th at Qwest Field Event Center, Washington State Parks will be presenting a daily seminar entitled Volunteering in Washington State Parks. State Parks is suffering through the economic downturn along with everyone else, hosting is a great opportunity to help State Parks and yourself. Your volunteer labor saves the State Parks personnel costs, while you score a free full hook up RV space in exchange.

Following is an overview of the program from the Washington State Parks website:

As a host, you will represent state parks by greeting the public and helping set the tone for a pleasant stay. Hosts assist park staff and perform a variety of tasks depending on the park and the type of host assignment. Hosts receive free camping and hookups in exchange for performing these duties. A typical host assignment is 30 days. This may be extended up to 90 days at the park manager’s discretion. Hosts must provide their own RV and camping equipment. Hosts should enjoy working with the public, have the desire to accept new challenges and possess the willingness to learn about Washington state parks.

Camp hosts assist at overnight and day-use parks. They greet campers, answer questions and perform light maintenance particular to the park. This may include litter pick up, raking campsites or lawn mowing. Hosts may assist with other projects around the park based on the parks needs and the hosts’ skills and interests.

Come find out more at the Seattle RV & Outdoor Recreation Show. Washington State Parks will be presenting their seminar at 1:00 pm daily or stop by their show booth (#48). To save $2.00 off per person, dig out your January edition of RV Life and clip the coupon on page 15 or click on www.mhrvlife.com, purchase your tickets online and receive free parking at the show.

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Years of adventures have taken their toll on my RV. That’s why I can hardly wait for the Seattle RV & Outdoor Recreation Show coming up February 11th - 14th at Qwest Field Event Center, to see what’s new and if 2010 will be the year for a new RV. While the motor home market may take another year to rebound from the recent recession, travel trailer and fifth wheel manufacturers have been busy cranking out new innovations left and right. Jayco will be introducing the Monster Slide fifth wheel with a full wall slide out for unbelievable room. It contains all the comforts of home on the road, plus some! Industry leader Ron Nash purchased the defunct Fleetwood plant in LaGrande, Oregon. The plant reopened as Outdoor RV Manufacturing and is introducing three new travel trailer brands at the show. I hope to see you there! Oh and don’t forget to pick up your free copy of RV Life as you enter the show. Just look for the bright yellow bags.

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Arriving in Mariposa, California after RVing southbound on Hwy 49, you will be ready for a little happiness in your day. Those of you that have traveled the road know what I am talking about, the rest of you will just have to experience the adventure for yourself. Mariposa is home to Happy Burger, which boasts of the largest menu in the Sierra. The twelve page menu consists of gastronomical creations that will leave even the most experienced burger joint aficionado wondering what to order.  Twenty-one different burgers, a dozen varieties of fries ranging from straight to loaded, and shake flavors numbering twenty eight, start mixing the flavors and the possibilities are endless. Honored guests such as; seniors (55+), active duty military, public safety workers and honor roll students receive a 10% discount. If you are really happy while you are there, try out the karaoke on the patio and sing for joy. Note: There is a reason it is located on the patio! Rover is not forgotten at Happy Burger either as there is a special doggie dining area too! Don’t forget the laptop either as free wi-fi is available for us road warriors that need to stay in touch. You will find Happy Burger at the north end of town right on the highway. RV parking is available on the shoulder of the highway, but you may want to park a few blocks away as you will need to walk off a few calories before you continue your adventure. Comfort food, just another adventure in RVing.
For more information check out: http://happyburgerdiner.com

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A soon as I stepped into the store, I knew the place was old. The floors were the first indicators of the age. Worn floorboards showing shiny polished tops on the old square cut nails and tin can lids nailed over the knotholes. Rounding the corner revealed rolling ladders, old display cases and ancient brickwork. Narrow aisles with inventory stacked floor to ceiling testified to days of old before shopping carts and ADA laws. Placerville Hardware is the oldest hardware store, west of the Mississippi, and has served the community of Placerville, California continuously for over 150 years.  Since 1952 it has been operated by the Fausel family. Located in historic downtown Placerville, also known as "Old Hangtown," the store focuses on superb customer service and maintaining a unique inventory of items. I think there may have even been some RV supplies lurking on a shelf or two. Unique items may be an understatement, as the inventory includes such items as oil lanterns, gold pans, old fashioned toys and other items of yesteryear. I am sure I observed an old timer pay for his purchase in gold dust as we passed the cashier on the way out!
 
For additional information on the store's history visit:
 http://co.el-dorado.ca.us/stories/PlacervilleHardware.html

Store Hours: Monday- Saturday 8:00am-6:00pm Sundays 9:00am-5:00pm *Closed: Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Years Day
RV parking is limited in “Old Hangtown“. We parked the RV at a vacant service station just west of downtown and walked.

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Pulling the T-handle on that 3” valve on the roadside of the RV is probably the least attractive part of RVing.  I have never met another RVer that enjoys the ritual of dumping the RV tanks. Speaking of rituals, some RVers make more of a ritual out of it than need be, but that subject is best saved for another time and place. While dumping the RV tanks are unattractive, nothing says the surroundings need be. On a recent adventure through Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada I snapped a picture of the dump station shown below.
While the tanks drained, I just enjoyed the view. Dumping the tanks still isn’t high on my list of RVing activities, but with scenery like this it beats checking the engine oil on a hot day! Do you know of a more scenic dump station than the one pictured? Please share, via the comment link below.
I hope to see you on the highway in the New Year enjoying some RV adventures of your own.

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