Blog

With a yearly attendance of 300,000 one would think that not many people know of the extreme seclusion and overwhelming peace found at Anacapa, Santa Barbara, San Miguel, Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz islands only 20 miles away from the coast of California. And they would be correct. Channel Islands National Park is a respite from the fast-paced, crowded city life across the bay. Kayaks are the main form of transportation around these islands, which harbor 145 plant and animal species not found anywhere else in the world.

Those few who have discovered the park’s charms come to see whales migrating north and south, go spearfishing through giant kelp beds, and explore amazing sea caves. It is here, in a land stripped to its bare essentials, that these travelers seek to recover their own equilibrium through self-sufficiency and preparedness required for Mother Nature’s best offerings.

History of Channel Islands National Park

Because archaeologists don’t believe the Channel Islands were ever connected to the mainland, the islands contain several animal species not found anywhere else. There is also sign that ancient man was here 37,000 years ago, and a couple of human bones on the islands are 13,000 years old, making them the oldest remains ever found in North America.

Modern man was discovered living on the three northern most islands when Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo landed there in 1542. Two to three thousand Chumash Indians greeted him, and it was discovered that the ancestors of these Native Americans had been inhabiting the islands for over 8,000 years.

The Chumash had a highly evolved society here and developed trade between islands and on the mainland by building tomols, redwood canoes in which they could travel. But as Europeans began to move into California, they brought with them diseases that almost annihilated the Chumash people. Today about 5,000 tribal members live on the mainland.

While California filled with Spanish and Mexican settlers, the abundant fish in the area were not exploited until the Chinese discovered the Channel Islands and their brimming waters. Abalone was captured in record amounts in the late 1800s, and by 1915 California had to outlaw its shipment to China, as the popularity of the shells became even more profitable than the meat.  Now no abalone is harvested here, in hopes of encouraging the mollusks’ comeback.

By 1932, when a lighthouse was finally built on Anacapa Island, the National Park Service was alerted to the Channel Islands’ significance, and in 1938 President Roosevelt created the Channel Islands National Monument to protect the unusual species of animals, plants and natural history of the islands.

But it wasn’t until 1980 that three of the five islands in the monument were named a national park. By 2000 Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz had been added to Anacapa, San Migue, and Santa Barbara, as all became Channel Islands National Park.

Why Visit Channel Islands National Park?

Travelers will not get to the islands with their RV, but they will get pretty close. Ventura, California is the mainland destination, where boat service will take visitors to the Channel Islands, just 20 miles across the water.

Once on Santa Cruz or any of the other islands, let your feet do the hiking over hills, to sea cliffs and onto the beaches of America’s version of The Galapagos. Or sign on with a guide service and explore the many sea caves in a kayak. Return to the mainland when you are ready, and your home away from home will be waiting for you.

Places to Go

Here’s a look at some of the most important and interesting places you can visit while you’re at the park.

Lagomarsino Visitor Center

Located in the town of Ventura on the mainland, this center has information and exhibits about each of the islands, along with a bookstore and ranger-led programs on weekends and holidays.

Outdoors Santa Barbara Visitor Center

This small visitor center is located in the coastal mainland town of Santa Barbara. It has information not only on the Channel Islands National Park, but the Maritime Sanctuary and the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum.

Anacapa Lighthouse

The lighthouse has been guiding ships through the Santa Barbara Channel since 1932 and is still in operation today. Because of that, there are no tours inside the building, but an exploration of the area around it is enlightening.

Buildings originally used to house a crew and their families are today used by park employees. An antiquated, yet useful water collection system was set up and can still be seen here.

Things to Do

There are numerous activities on the islands, but visitors are reminded that there are no services. If choosing to participate, come well organized, trained and equipped for your activity, as you alone will be responsible for your success.

Sea Kayaking

Visiting any of the five islands in the park by sea kayak is an exhilarating experience. However, it is strongly suggested that novice kayakers use a guide service, because of the high risk for injury with quickly changing weather. Bring your own kayak or rent one on the mainland, and hire a concessionaire to take you across the channel, as there are numerous hazards there.

Santa Cruz Island is a popular place to kayak, with easy access to beaches, clear ocean water and a shoreline with sea cliffs and caves to explore.

For the most experienced kayakers, San Miguel and Santa Rosa islands offer extremely challenging ocean conditions and weather.

Hiking

There are several miles of trails and dirt roads on the islands, making them great hiking paths. Each island is different, however, so here are links to the hiking opportunities on each. They include maps and descriptions:

• Anacapa Island hiking
• Santa Cruz Island hiking
• Santa Rosa Island hiking
• San Miguel Island hiking
• Santa Barbara Island hiking

Camping

Camping is available year-round on all five islands, with one maintained campground on each. Reservations are required, and each campground has pit toilets, but freshwater is only available on Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa islands.

Campers must pack water, food, and equipment in and pack out equipment and trash, as there are no receptacles. No fires are allowed, but campers can use enclosed gas stoves.

SCUBA Diving and Snorkeling

The waters in the Channel Islands offer some of the best snorkeling and diving opportunities in the world. Because of extremely windy conditions around San Miguel and Santa Rosa islands, it is suggested that divers explore the waters around Anacapa, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz islands to venture through sea kelp and caves.

There are also several shipwrecks to investigate, like the Winfield Scott, which sank in 1853. There is a guide service with rentals available on Santa Cruz Island.

Spearfishing

Many divers come to the islands with one intent, as the Channel Islands are considered one of the best spearfishing locations in the world.

All fishing on the islands requires a permit, and because some of the waters around them are included in 13 marine protection areas, fishermen should be aware of their location and limitations. It is illegal to fish in those areas.

Wildlife Viewing

There are more endangered species in this national park than in any other, so wildlife viewing can be extraordinary! Whale watching is a sport here, with 27 different whale species passing by the park. And seals, sea lions, and sea otters are found in massive numbers on the beaches and rock formations around the coastlines of the Channel Islands. Huge pods of dolphin play in the waters here, as well.

Underwater life is also colorful, with anemones, sunflower stars, garibaldi, sea bass and spiny lobsters. So be sure to bring your snorkeling gear!

When to Visit Channel Islands National Park

The Channel Islands are open year-round, and different seasons bring different opportunities. Winter can bring rough waters, so what might be a good time for whale watching is not the most enjoyable for boating. Kayakers await the calmer summer winds to explore sea caves and enjoy playful sea otters.

Huge colonies of brown pelicans breed here between January and October when they dive for anchovy to feed their young. Many travelers to the park do not care what time of year it is.  They have come to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, finding that somewhat elusive quality of peace and quiet on an island full of wonder.

Where You Can Stay

There are no fancy RV parks on the island, but each does have a primitive campground. So bring a tent and sleeping bag with you when you boat to the Channel Islands and enjoy a night or two under the stars.

If, however, you choose to use your motorhome or travel trailer as a home base on the mainland, here are a few campground options:

• Ventura RV Beach Resort – offers a wide variety of RV sites, tent sites and rental units with full amenities
• Ventura Oaks RV Park – located 10 miles from the ocean in the countryside, this campground has 60 full hookups
• Rincon Parkway Campground – located right on the Pacific Coast Highway, self-contained RVs park on the pavement with the highway on one side and the ocean on the other.

Getting to and Around Channel Islands National Park

To access Channel Islands National Park, visitors must take a boat. Boats leave from Ventura Harbor, and to get there take the Victoria Avenue exit off of Highway 101. Turn left on Victoria, right on Olivas Park Drive and right on Spinnaker Drive. Follow signs to “Island Tours/Island Packers” to catch a boat.

There is no transportation on any of the islands and no bicycles are allowed, so getting around is done by foot, boat or swimming.

Nature Straight Up

Coming to Channel Islands National Park is a conscious choice, as so much preparedness and self-reliance is required here. It won’t be a casual visit, but one that tests the metal of its participants. Do you want to experience nature without all the trimmings? No back-up, no assistance, but also no exhaust fumes, no drive-thrus, no racing to the office.

Just you and the wide-open land and water, experienced just as it was thousands of years ago. The Channel Islands are representative of Mother Nature without any filters, a perfect challenge for the adventurist.

---

Have you ever been to Channel Islands National Park?  What were your experiences there?

Source link

Virginia is one of the eastern states that have a ton to offer. There are all kinds of places to visit from the beaches to the mountains. It’s a unique state and one with a rich and long history. If you get a chance, you should take some time and camp in this wonderful state. Some of the best places to camp and enjoy all of the natural places the state are its state parks.

Here are a few of the most beautiful state parks in Virginia. While this isn’t an exhaustive list, if you’re thinking of traveling to the state, then you should hit up at least one of these.

First Landing State Park

Located on Cape Henry in North Virginia Beach, First Landing State Park is comprised of over 2,800 acres of land for you to explore. Visitors can spend the day hiking, biking, swimming, boating, fishing, and picnicking. There’s plenty to see. You can spend some time on the sandy beach, hike in the woods, or get out on the water. It’s a fantastic spot for families to spend the weekend or longer.

You can camp right in the park. The park has over 200 different campsites. Some of those sites will have electric and water hookups, some will have only electric, and others will have no hookups at all. I suggest calling ahead of time to make sure there will be a campsite available for you when you arrive.

Douthat State Park

Douthat State Park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s a wonderful family park and has been designated as such since the 1930s. The park offers plenty, including beautiful mountain scenery, a 50-acre lake that is stocked with trout, four miles of streams designated for fishing, a sandy beach for swimming, and a whole lot more. You can rent boats, check out the amphitheater, shop at the gift shop, or eat at the on-site restaurant.

Camping is also available at the park. There are RV and tent sites at the park. Some of the sites will have hookups and others will not, so it’s best to call ahead and make sure you get the campsite that will work for you and your family.

Sky Meadow State Park

Offering beautiful views of rolling hills, Sky Meadow State Park is made up of 1,860-acres. It provides visitors with a look at life in Crooked Run Valley from the colonial times all the way up to now. There are various educational history programs available, which is one of the things that makes this park such a good choice for families. You can also hike, bike, or go horseback riding if you would like to.

You can camp in the park, but only primitive camping sites are offered. If you want to stay in your RV, Mountain Lake Campground is a pretty primitive campground but it welcomes RVers. It’s the closest. If you want something with hookups, then check out Watermelon Park Campground it’s a bit further away but offers many more amenities.

---

Do you have any parks you’d add to this list? Leave a comment below!

Source link

Having a portable grill with you on your camping trip is a must. It will keep you from having to …



Source link

Many times camping trips involve exploring new territory and discovering enticing attractions along the way. Passenger tour trains have that magnetic appeal for many RVers, providing a novel way to see hidden countryside not normally viewed from the road. Railroad passengers learn about local history, culture and the many colorful characters from the communities visited. Camping World wants to make sure you don’t miss the departing whistle, so we have created a series entitled RVing the Rails. You will find the most popular excursion trains to ride in each state, complete with any specialty trains they might offer.

Today we will explore the most popular trains in North Carolina:

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

When railroads came to western North Carolina in the late 1800s, they opened up the mountains to the outside world and were an immediate hit. Convicts were used to build the precarious rails and blast through mountains, creating Cowee Tunnel. As freight and passenger service scaled back, an enterprising group purchased the Murphy Branch of what was then owned by the Southern Railway System, creating an excursion train in 1988. The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad has been attracting riders by the hundreds of thousands every year since.

Railway and Locomotive Types

The railroad offers both diesel and steam locomotives, so passengers can select their trips based on the engine pulling them! Rolling stock ranges from open-air gondolas to enclosed first-class coaches on this standard gauge track.

Seating Options

The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad offers several classes of service on their trains. You can pick from:

• First Class – Enjoy a meal in an enclosed, air-conditioned coach with a private attendant and assigned seating.
• Premium Open Air Gondola – Your meal is served by an attendant as you peruse the scenery from an open car with a roof. Seats are assigned.
• Family First Class – Sit in an enclosed, climate-controlled coach with tables for lunch service in assigned seats.
• Crown Class – Assigned seating in an enclosed car with comfortable seats and unobstructed views.
• Coach Class – Seats are open in the enclosed car with windows that can be opened.
• Open Air Gondola – Bench seating in an open car with a cover with half walls for great views.

Riding Options

There are two different trip experiences available from the Bryson City Depot:

• Nantahala Gorge Excursion – Ride along the Nantahala River to the gorge for a stunning view of North Carolina’s mountainous scenery. Passengers can select to travel by steam locomotive or diesel engine, depending on the day.
• Tuckasegee River Excursion – Enjoy a relaxing trip through the countryside from Bryson City to Dillsboro, passing by the set for the movie “The Fugitive.” Select a diesel or steam locomotive as your engine of choice.

Specialty Trains

• Uncorked Train – Indulge in first-class service with a private attendant pouring samples of wines professionally paired with cheeses and a surf and turf meal. All passengers will receive a commemorative wine glass with their ticket.
• BBQ and Brews – Enjoy slow-cooked BBQ with beer tastings from local breweries on an evening dinner train. Guests will travel to the Fontana Trestle and watch the sunset before returning to Bryson City.
• Moonshine Experience – offered on some of the Nantahala Excursion trains, this trip will help you thinking there are stills in every holler when you sample triple distilled craft moonshine!
• Freedom Train – Join the 4^th of July celebration with a train ride along the Nantahala River, enjoying an all American BBQ dinner while onboard. Arrive back at the depot just in time for Bryson City’s fireworks celebration. This train offers a wide variety of services and car selections.
• Peanuts Train – Put the kids in their Halloween costumes and hop on the Great Pumpkin train ride for a visit to the pumpkin patch. A one-and-one-half-hour layover provides time to enjoy trick-or-treating, games, marshmallow campfire treats and a visit with Charlie Brown and the Gang. Select from three classes of service and grab your tickets early!

Length of Season

The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad is chocked full of train rides, with a season that starts in April and finishes at the end of December with a Polar Express train. Check their schedule to find an excursion that fits yours!

Craggy Mountain Line

Initially begun as the Ashville & Craggy Mountain Railway, the line never raised enough money to complete the tracks to Craggy Mountain. The few miles it did conquer were electrified in 1905 to prove that trolleys could handle increasing freight traffic. By the mid-1950s, steam engines ran the line along the French Broad River, but they ceased operations in the 1960s and the line fell into disrepair. In 2001 the Craggy Mountain Line, Inc. purchased the last three-and-one-half miles of track and put trolleys back to work. This time they were transporting tourists as a scenic mountain train.

Railway and Locomotive Types

The Craggy Mountain Line consists of electric trolleys that run on standard gauge rails. The cars themselves are open-air gondola cars with covers for protection from the elements. The railroad also has a collection of rolling stock in differing stages of renovation.

Seating Options

Open seating is available to all, with no assigned classes or cars. Passengers travel in restored covered gondola cars.

Riding Options

There is only one type of trip on the Craggy Mountain Line, as it covers seven miles round trip. There are no side spurs, but the journey is an enjoyable one that lasts about an hour and fifteen minutes.

Specialty Trains

• Jingle Bell Trolley Train Ride – Join Santa for a holiday ride on the trolley, complete with cocoa, and maybe you will get to tell him about your Christmas wishes!
• Dinosaur Day – Search the forests around the trolley line for Jurassic-sized critters as you head out on a dinosaur adventure.

Length of Season

The Craggy Mountain Line Railroad runs every Saturday from April through October. Trolley rides leave at 4pm, but specialty rides have added departures. Check out their schedule here.

Tweetsie Railroad

Tweetsie Railroad had an auspicious beginning as part of East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad that ran from Johnson City, Tennessee to Boone, North Carolina back in 1882. By the mid-1950s, the line was abandoned and the locomotives sold. In 1957, however, the opportunity to return Locomotive 12 to its birthplace near Boone provided the impetus to design a western town around the railroad. Eventually, a steam locomotive shop opened on the property to restore and rebuild engines from around the country, and the Tweetsie Railroad became a full-fledged theme park.

Railway and Locomotive Types

Two coal-fired narrow gauge steam locomotives are used to move the Tweetsie train through the mountains near Blowing Rock, North Carolina.

Seating Options

All seating is open, with no assigned designations. The three-mile excursion is enjoyed from open-air gondola cars with covers.

Riding Options

There is only one type of trip on the Tweetsie Railroad. A half hour journey on the tracks covers about three miles and there are no side spurs or one way tickets to purchase. Just sit back and enjoy the ride through the Blue Ridge Mountains!

Specialty Trains

• Railroad Heritage Weekend – Tour the locomotive shop and memorabilia room, take a ride on a vintage coach car and enjoy a historic trip behind a 76-year-old steam engine during an epic weekend for railroad enthusiasts.
• Ghost Train – Take a ghastly ride on a ghoulish train, venturing through a black hole, freaky forest and a warp tunnel before trick-or-treating and touring a haunted house, if you dare!
• Tweetsie Christmas – Join holiday revelers on a night train through the Blue Ridge Mountains, with lighted tracks and Christmas trees, a holiday showcase and Santa, of course!

Length of Season

The Tweetsie Railroad and all its park attractions are open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from April 5 through October 27. Specialty trains have specific dates of operation, so be sure to check the schedule.

---

 

Join the thousands of RVers that have a love affair with trains and ride the rails on your next camping trip. Check out the other excursion trains available on a state-by-state basis in our series, RVing the Rails.

Source link

Explore the world of active volcanism at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Visitors can see land being added to the largest Hawaiian island, as eruptions continue to spit lava into the air. Wandering over rugged lava flows from previous flareups gives a renewed sense of awe at the magnitude of power within our earth’s crust. Witnessing the strength of a tiny plant pushing its way through this new “soil” also demonstrates nature’s tenacity in renewing life.

History of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park covers over 300,000 acres of wilderness, tropical forests, deserts and two major volcanoes on the big island of Hawaii. Kilauea and Mauna Loa were considered sacred homes of the Hawaiian goddess Pele, and as such, the volcanoes became places for human sacrifice to their goddess. As recently as 700 years ago a temple was built for that purpose. It was destroyed by a lava flow in 1997.

More recently battles that took place in 1790 were interrupted by an unusually violent eruption, and footprints from the soldiers and some women and children were left as permanent remnants in the lava. They can still be seen today.

The park region became popular as a tourist attraction by 1840, when an enterprising individual constructed a building to sell food to visitors. Eventually, a permanent structure was created and became known as the Volcano House, sitting on the rim of Kilauea and its Halemaʻumaʻu Crater. It later became a hotel with several accessory buildings.

Lorrin Thurston was an investor in the Volcano House and became the driving force behind the establishment of a national park here. To drum up support, he printed editorials in favor of the measure in his newspaper, the Honolulu Advertiser. In 1907, the Hawaiian territorial government coerced 50 congressmen and their wives to come to the park and enjoy a dinner cooked over lava steam vents.

After 9 years of haggling over boundaries, costs and landowners’ opposition, Hawaii National Park became official in 1916, the seventh national park. In 1961, it was renamed Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, after splitting from Haleakalā National Park on the island of Maui.

Places to Go

There are a number of highlights to visit within the park. Here are just a few:

Kilauea Visitor Center

Located at the entrance to the park, the visitor center has trail information, rangers, a park movie with an overview of the natural and geologic history of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a bookstore and current road conditions and closures.

Volcano House

Begun as a thatched roof building where food was sold to visitors in the 1840s, the Volcano House is now a string of buildings on the rim of Halemaʻumaʻu Crater that constitute a hotel. The original structure dates from 1877 and houses the Volcano Art Center today.

Crater Rim Drive

Beginning at the visitor center, this drive offers an overview of steam vents, craters, shield volcanoes and previous eruption locations around the Halemaʻumaʻu Crater.

Chain of Craters Road

Spurring off Crater Rim Drive, the Chain of Craters Road takes travelers to several craters that have experienced recent venting and eruptions. Only 19 miles long, the road traverses lava fields, ending at the coast, where the ocean has cut Holei Sea Arch from the lava. Along the way, visitors will note that Chain of Craters Road itself has been covered in lava in recent years.

Puapo‘o Lava Tube Tour

Take a ranger-led tour through tropical forests to a lava tube. Because of the fragile nature of the tube, no children under the age of 7 are allowed. Tours are held once a week, and reservations are required a week in advance.

Pu’u Loa Petroglyphs

Located along Chain of Craters Road, Pu’u Loa has more than 23,000 petroglyphs created over the past 500 years by local Hawaiians who believe the area to be sacred. Take a ranger-led tour into the lava fields to discover the stories of these drawings.

After Dark in the Park

The Kilauea Visitor Center hosts various speakers, bands and activities for park visitors every Tuesday night. Hear from scientists about recent eruptions, listen to local musicians, or learn about island customs and more.

ʻIke Hana Noʻeau

Meaning “Experience the Skillful Work,” these daily programs showcase experienced craftsmen, talented performers, and experts in dozens of fields. All share the cultural arts of Hawaii with visitors to the park. Programs are held at the Kilauea Visitor Center.

Things to Do

Outdoor activities abound in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Take a look at several here:

Hiking

There are several day hikes that can be enjoyed within the park:

• Ha‘akulamanu (Sulphur Banks) – Hot steam vents and colorful mineral deposits are a few of the highlights on this hike.
• Kīpukapuaulu – Hike through old-growth forests to see some of Hawaii’s rarest plants and insects on this loop trail.
• Devastation Trail – Walk a paved path through cinder landscape from a recent eruption to see how flora and fauna have recovered.
• Crater Rim Trail – A fascinating hike around the summit caldera of Kilauea exposes visitors to gasses and steam while passing through lush tropical forests and overlooking desert landscapes.
• Keanakāko’i Crater – This hike will expose visitors to the Keanakako’I Crater, which cannot be accessed by vehicle. The crater used to be a quarry for Hawaii carvers who used the basalt found there to make adze heads. The basalt was covered by lava flows in 1877 and again in 1974.
• Mauna Ulu – Hike up a forested cinder cone to view an eruption fissure, then enjoy a panoramic view of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea volcanoes.

Backpacking

Backcountry hiking can offer amazing experiences, but because some of the trails are overgrown and do not have recognizable cairns, it is advised that hikers know what they are doing. Here are a few hikes that will take visitors to some stunning overnight destinations:

• ‘Apua Point – Leaving from the Puna Coast trailhead, this hike travels over mostly smooth lava for 6.6 miles down to the coast. Tent sites are under three coconut trees, and the water is shallow, but swimming here is not suggested, as there are very strong riptides.
• Halape – This is a hot and grueling hike, but the destination will definitely pay off. Located eight miles from the Hilina Pali Overlook, hikers will arrive at a small black sand beach, pitching their tents beneath several coconut trees for some well-deserved shade.
• Mauna Loa – If hiking a volcano and staying overnight in a cabin on its shoulders is enticing, then this hike will not disappoint. Hikers that take on Mauna Loa need to be aware of the possibility for altitude sickness, as the mountain is over 13,000 feet tall, and be prepared for weather extremes.

Camping

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has two campgrounds within its boundaries. Both are accessible by car, but neither has water or electrical hookups.

• Nāmakanipaio Campground – This campground has restrooms and water with drive-in sites and a few rustic cabins for rent.
• Kulanaokuaiki Campground – With 9 designated sites, this campground has a pit toilet but no water.

When to Visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

The park is open year-round, and even with recent volcanic activity, it has managed to continue welcoming visitors. It is, however, a good idea to check alerts, as change can occur rapidly within the park’s boundaries.

Much of the park experiences drastic weather changes, so come prepared for the hot sun, cool nights and intermittent showers with wind any time of year.

Where You Can Stay

If you prefer to live on the edge, you can relax in a rented cabana with hammocks, an icebox and full bathroom facilities on www.HipCamp.com. You’re in Hawaii, so you should make a point of living it up and staying somewhere nice. Find a good place to tent camp or an Airbnb near the park.

Getting to and Around Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is located on the big island of Hawaii, approximately 30 miles from Hilo. The park is accessible via Highway 11 from both Hilo to the northeast and Kailua-Kona 96 miles to the northwest. Transportation is needed when visiting Hawaii Volcanoes, as the park has no central transportation system. It might be best to rent a vehicle at Hilo International Airport when you land.

The park headquarters lies just off Highway 11, where the first of two roads within the park starts. Crater Rim Drive takes visitors around the rim of the Kilauea Crater, and Chain of Craters Road extends from Crater Rim to the rest of the park and all the way to Holei Sea Arch and the Pacific Ocean.

What Lies Beneath

Mark Twain’s instruction to “Buy land, they’re not making it anymore,” rings hollow in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Land is created almost every day here, bubbling forth from the earth’s mantle to become black lava as it hits the sea. The park is proof that earth is constantly changing, releasing pressure, building new landscapes and providing us insight into what lies just beneath the surface. What a remarkable picture it paints, full of power, wonder, and natural beauty.

---

Do you want to visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park? Why and why not? Leave a comment below. 

Source link

Many families across the country want to go camping but they can’t spend a huge amount of money on a new heavy-duty truck and an RV to make that happen. That’s where a lightweight travel trailer can come into play. These lightweight options are perfect for families that own an SUV, midsize or full-size pickup truck that can tow a reasonable amount behind it.

I’ve put the cut off at 4,500 pounds because that’s a good amount that many midsize and full-size pickup trucks and even many SUVs can easily tow. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the great options out there for families looking for a lightweight travel trailer option.

2020 Jayco Jay Flight SLX 224BH

The Jayco Jay Flight SLX 224 BH is a fantastic unit for a family thanks to ample sleeping space, a spacious bathroom, plenty of storage, a camp side kitchen and a large dinette for having family meals. There’s also an outside kitchen that helps keep the kids outside so you don’t constantly have to clean the floor of the RV.

This unit comes in at a lightweight 4,500 pounds, meaning you should be able to tow it with a variety of vehicles. It measures about 26 and a half feet long and can sleep up to five people, so you should have plenty of space inside at all time.

Check Our Inventory

2019 Crossroads Zinger 18BH

Another good option for families is the Crossroad Zinger 18BH. This unit lacks the outside kitchen that’s in the Jayco and it has a smaller bathroom, but it has everything else you could need, including a camp side kitchen, a dinette, bunk beds at the rear and a queen bed at the front of the unit. It’s shorter than the Jayco, which is why there’s a little less room in the bathroom or for storage.

The Crossroad Zinger 18BH measures about 22 feet long and comes in at a super light weight of 3,256 pounds. That means even a wider variety of vehicles should be able to tow it. The camper sleeps up to five people, meaning you can still bring along the whole family.

Check Our Inventory

2020 Coleman Lantern LT 17FQ

Coleman is a trusted name in outdoor equipment and for good reason. The company makes some of the best products. A good example is this Lantern LT 17FQ. The model features plenty of sleeping spaces for the whole family, a compact camp side kitchen a bathroom and a dinette for meals.

The unit measures only about 21 and a half feet and comes in weighing just 3,205 pounds, making it lighter weight than even the Crossroads model. The Lantern LT 17FQ can sleep up to six people in total, meaning you can have a bit bigger family and still make things work or bring a friend or two along.

Check Our Inventory

2019 Coleman Light LX 2125BH

Another good option from Coleman is the Light LX 2125BH the model features large bunk beds at the rear of the unit, plenty of room in the bathroom area, a spacious camp side dinette, and a kitchen across from that. At the front of the unit is a large sofa and Murphy bed.

Weighing 4,380 pounds and measuring about 25 and a half feet, the camper is one of the larger options on this list, but it does sleep up to seven people, making it the obvious choice if you have a large family or will be traveling with your smaller family and a couple of friends.

Check Our Inventory

2020 Heartland Mallard M185

The Heartland Mallard M185 is one of the more compact options here, but it’s a fantastic addition to the list. It offers plenty of sleeping area, a dinette for meals and a camp side kitchen. There’s also a small bathroom. While it’s not as spacious as other units, it does offer all the essentials for family camping.

The Mallard M185 measures under 22 feet long and weighs in at 3,632 pounds. It can be easily towed by just many different trucks or SUVs. The model also sleeps five people, so you’ll have enough room for the whole family in this compact option.

Check Our Inventory

---

Do you have any lightweight travel trailers you’d add to this list? Leave a comment below!

Source link