2013 Spring

2013 Spring

GREAT ESCAPES: Saginaw Bay | Rushmore Shadows | Styx River RESORT | Syracuse Rally

TO

CoastResorts.com

Spring 2013

TO Dwelling on ancient mysteries in the Gila National Forest New Mexico Cliff-Hangers

Yosemite gateway to

Discover the western route to California’s national treasure

1 COAST TO COAST Spring 2013 • • • refresher course Coast to Coast Resorts Good Neighbor Parks Good Sam Parks

Contents travel

good sam and camping world chairman and Ceo Marcus Lemonis [email protected] coast to Coast president Bruce Hoster [email protected] Member Services 64 Inverness Drive E. Englewood, Colorado 80112 800-368-5721 [email protected]

10  The Long Way to Yosemite En route to the granite

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peaks, plunging waterfalls and sequoia groves of California’s most visited national park, take time to sample the simple pleasures of historic Tuolumne County. By nancy hoyt belcher 14  Highway to the Gila Dive into steaming hot springs, friendly ghost towns and mystifying ancient ruins on a road trip to New Mexico’s Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. By dave g. houser resorts 6 Saginaw Bay Resort Standish, Michigan 7 Rushmore Shadows Resort Rapid City, South Dakota 22 Styx River Resort Robertsdale, Alabama departments 4 From the President 5 Member Matters 5 Syracuse Rally 9 Resort Updates 20 RV Reviews 21 You’re the Experts

coast to coast WEBSITE CoastResorts.com Editorial director Valerie Law [email protected]

art director Nick nyffeler

Volume 32, Number 2. Coast to Coast (ISSN 1093-3581) is published quarterly for $14 per year as part of annual membership fees, by Coast to Coast Resorts, 64 Inverness Drive E., Englewood, Colorado 80112. Periodical postage paid at Englewood, Colorado, and additional mailing offices. Registration Number 558028. Publications Mail Agreement Number 40012332. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to P.O. Box 875, Station A, Windsor, Ontario N92 6P2. U.S. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Coast to Coast Resorts, P.O. Box 7028, Englewood, CO 80155-7028. Coast to Coast Resorts assumes no responsibility for unsolic- ited manuscripts or artwork. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced by any method without prior written consent of the publisher. Copyright © 2013 by Coast to Coast Resorts. PRINTED IN THE USA. cover photo : Dave G. Houser

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FROM THE President

Good News on Good Neighbor Parks Our familiar network of discounted public RV parks is still here for you

W e’ve heard from many of you regarding Good Neigh- bor Parks since the publication of our 2013 Coast to Coast

putting members first

Resort Directory. The question we get is, “Can we still use the Good Neighbor Parks?” It seems that we created some confusion on this point by including the Good Sam Park and Camping World SuperCenter locations in the annual directory and excluding the Good Neighbor Parks. Let me assure you that Good Neighbor Parks are still available for you to use as part of your Coast to Coast mem- bership. You can book stays at Good Neighbor Parks the same way you always have, either by using our online Trip- setter reservation system at CoastResorts.com or calling our Member Service Center at 800-368-5721. We also had feedback that you missed having a printed listing of Good Neighbor Parks to reference before and during your travels. As you already know if you’re reading this, we’ve printed a Good Neighbor Park Directory and We really do appreciate your feedback, so please keep it coming. included a copy with this issue of Coast to Coast magazine. Another change we made to the Resort Directory was to relocate some of the membership information previously found in the directory to our website and also to our mem- ber kits. When you receive your member kit after renewing your membership, or when you visit the website and click on Member Benefits, you’ll see that we’ve done a much more thorough job of explaining each benefit and how to access them. This update of our member benefit descriptions was also based on member feedback. Case in point was a member who wrote last year to tell me that he was at a loss to under- stand how to use the Family and Friends benefit (available

to Coast Deluxe and Premier members) because we never adequately explained it. I did some research and found that he was right. So now, both in the member kits and on our website, there’s a full explanation of this benefit and how to use it. We then conducted a complete revision of all our benefit copy to ensure that we fully explain the value of each benefit and tell you where to call or click to take ad- vantage of each one. We really do appreciate your feedback, as it points us to areas where we can better meet your needs. So please keep the feedback coming. And if you have particular input on the Resort Directory that you’d like to share, please drop me an email at [email protected]. We begin our planning process for the 2014 edition in the next month, and I’ll incorporate your comments into those discussions. As you make your travel plans this year, please consider joining us for one or both of our Good Sam Rallies in 2013. These four-day events feature world-class entertainers, hundreds of RV lifestyle seminars and exhibit areas filled with the latest products and services for your RV. We’ll be in Syracuse, New York, June 13 through 16, and Atlanta, Georgia, October 17 through 20. See the opposite page for more details or visit TheRally.com. Hope to see you there!

Marcus lemonis Chairman and CEO

Bruce Hoster President Coast to Coast Resorts [email protected]

Good Sam and Camping World [email protected]

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mem ber matt ers Mak i ng t he mo s t o f y our c oa s t t o c oa s t memb e r sh i p

New York State of Mind Gearing up for the first Camping World/Good Sam Rally in the Northeast

I f you’re among the many RV enthu- siasts who’ve been clamoring for a Camping World/Good Sam Rally in the Northeastern part of the country, your wish has been granted. Mark your calendar for our first-ever Rally in the Northeast, June 13 through 16, in the heart of central New York. We’ll plant stakes at Syracuse’s Em- pire Expo Center, home of the Great New York State Fair and one of the larg- est exhibit complexes in North America, as thousands of Coast to Coast and Good Sam members come together for an incredible RV shopping experience and invaluable RV education each day and unforgettable shows each night. The iconic Queen of Country, Reba McEntire, returns to the Rally stage for an encore performance after wowing the crowd last year at Florida’s Daytona International Speedway. And Mr. Las

Vegas, Wayne Newton, makes his Rally debut with his trademark song, “Danke Schoen,” and signature showmanship. Of course, the Rally’s about more than big-name entertainment, as the Empire Expo Center transforms into one of the world’s largest recreational vehicle shows with hundreds of new and used motorhomes, travel trailers and fifth-wheels, along with representa- tives from all the major RV manufac- turers. New RV equipment and travel gear will stretch as far as the eye can see, with merchandise ranging from RV headlights to tailpipes and clothing to cooking items. Rally-goers can choose from seminars on everything from full-time RVing to RVing to Alaska and activities from a safe-driving course to the Salute to Vet- erans, sponsored by Coast to Coast. For families with kids, the Rally offers day-

time activities for children and teens so parents and grandparents are free to at- tend the seminars and stroll the exhibits. With comfortable June tempera- tures and a convenient location where interstates 81 and 90 meet, the Syra- cuse Camping World/Good Sam Rally is the place to be for Coast to Coast and Good Sam members. For those who can’t get enough Rally action, the second of two 2013 Rallies revs into Georgia’s Atlanta Motor Speedway, October 17 through 20. Make sure to ask how you can save on registration fees when you call the phone number below to sign up. Camping World/Good Sam Rally 800-701-1399 TheRally.com

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member matters

Saginaw Bay Resort Four seasons of outdoor recreation on the sunrise side of Lake Huron

Saginaw Bay Resort’s prime location provides easy access to world-class walleye fishing, as well as boating, water-skiing and all sorts of outdoor recreation on and around Lake Huron. For more watery fun, the resort offers a beach and small lake of its own, com- plete with pedal boats and aqua cycles, as well as indoor and outdoor swim- ming pools and hot tubs. After settling in at one of the shady RV campsites, take a walk to the club- house and get familiar with the facili- ties. You’ll find a game room, a fitness center and an adult lounge as well as a handy snack bar and ice cream shop for grabbing a quick meal. The camp store and laundry facilities help make Saginaw Bay a self-contained retreat. The staff is proud of the resort’s family-friendly atmosphere, with planned activities, live entertainment and Sunday services in the chapel. Head to the state-of-the-art miniature

golf course to play a round with the kids, take a head-clearing hike on the nature trails that lace the property or get in a spirited game of volleyball, horseshoes, badminton or basketball. A practice tee on the property lets golfers improve their swing before set- ting off to play 18 holes at one of the nearby courses. Bird watchers can flock to Shiawas- see National Wildlife Refuge, a resting spot for more than 270 species, includ- ing dazzling white ibis and white peli- cans. Shoppers converge at Birch Run, with more than 170 factory-direct stores less than an hour away. The re- sort provides convenient door-to-door shuttle service to nearby Saganing Eagles Landing Casino. Saginaw Bay Resort stays open year-round, with winter sports rang- ing from ice-skating to cross-country skiing and ice-fishing, making this a four-season family destination.

Resort Type: Coast Premier Location: Standish, Michigan Season: Open year-round Website: OutdoorAdventuresInc.com Good Sam rating: 7.5/6/7.5

I f you think of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan as a mitten surrounded by water, then Saginaw Bay is the inlet that flows between the thumb and the bundled fingers. At the end of the inlet sits the small town of Standish, her- alded for its spectacular sunrise views across Lake Huron. Here you’ll dis- cover Saginaw Bay Resort, one of five Coast Premier Resorts in Michigan’s Outdoor Adventures network, includ- ing two that are just 15-minutes away.

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Rushmore Shadows Resort Rolling out the welcome mat for members in South Dakota’s Black Hills

Purchased by Midwest Outdoor Re- sorts in 2000, Rushmore Shadows rolls out the welcome mat at 163 spacious campsites, most of which have been lev- eled and upgraded from 30 to 50 amps of electricity. Pull-through sites are avail- able, and the Wi-Fi’s free. For visitors without RVs, comfortable rental cabins can be booked directly through the re- sort. A friendly staff and helpful security guards contribute to Rushmore Shad- ow’s safe, family-oriented atmosphere. The fun starts at the outdoor heated pool and hot tub where folks can make a splash or just take it easy in the sooth- ing waters. Stroll the grounds and you’ll find a pair of clean shower houses and equally immaculate laundry facilities. Guests mingle in the clubhouse, at the playground and sports courts, while walking their dogs on the hiking trail, and, of course, at planned activities that take place on weekends from Memo- rial Day through Labor Day. The resort

provides rental bikes and access to tour buses to the regional attractions. “We’re minutes from Bear Country USA, Reptile Gardens animal park, Fort Hays Chuckwagon, Rushmore Water- slide Park and Big Thunder Gold Mine,” says Gina Rose, operations manager of the resort’s parent company, Midwest Outdoor Resorts. Nearby Deadwood raises the stakes with more than 80 historic gaming halls and plenty of Wild West lore to go along with it. A 45-min- ute drive takes you to Crazy Horse Memorial and Custer State Park. Drive a little father to reach the Badlands and Wind Cave National Park, both fun fam- ily day trips. Naturally, you’ll find places to bike, hike, fish and canoe throughout the Black Hills and Rapid City. Rushmore Shadows’ sister resort, Hidden Bluffs, gives Coast to Coast members an equally warm welcome in the northern hardwood forests of Spring Grove, Minnesota.

Resort Type: Coast Premier Location: Rapid City, South Dakota Season: May 1 through October 15 Website: RushmoreShadows.com Good Sam rating: 9/9.5/10

T oday’s RVs have made it easier for travelers to see the granite visages of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roos- evelt sculpted atop Mount Rushmore, and Rushmore Shadows Resort makes it easier still. Tucked among the towering ponderosa pines midway between Rapid City and the majestic national monu- ment, this Coast Premier property beck- ons to Coast to Coast members traveling through South Dakota’s Black Hills.

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member matters

Broaden Your Travel Horizons Make the most of your vacation time with Coast Premier, Coast Deluxe and Coast Classic Resorts, plus Good Neighbor Parks and Good Sam Parks

This year’s Coast to Coast Resort Directory made a big splash by bolstering our connection with the Good Sam Club and introducing some exceptional benefits, including significant savings at Good Sam Parks. Members cheered when they read about the 10 percent nightly discount avail- able at more than 2,100 Good Sam Parks, extending their travel options to every state and province. On the other hand, some members let us know they were disappointed not to see the network of Good Neighbor Parks in the pages of the 2013 Resort Directory. The good news is that members can still book reservations at their favorite Good Neighbor Parks at reduced rates. GOOD NEIGHBOR PARKS As always, members can search through the hundreds of Good Neighbor Parks on our Internet-based reservation system, Tripsetter, and book discounted stays for as little

rectory. As in the past, the 2013 listings provide an address, phone number, website, open season, check-in and check- out times, maximum RV length, rental options, driving directions, GPS coordinates, amenity icons and other help- ful facts for each Good Neighbor Park. New this year, most listings also include Good Sam’s three-tiered ratings. Within the network of Good Neighbor Parks, Coast to Coast offers discounted rates at numerous Encore RV resorts. During these resorts’ peak seasons, members can make Tripsetter reservations at select properties and receive 25 percent off the nightly rate, payable in Trip Points. At other times of the year, members can book stays at Encore resorts for 1,500 Trip Points per night. A $3-per-night resort fee, collected in cash, also applies. To view the dis- counted rates for individual Encore resorts at various times of the year, go to Tripsetter and click on Check Availability. GOOD SAM PARKS Beyond spending time at Coast to Coast Resorts and Good Neighbor Parks, you can broaden your travel horizons by taking advantage of free membership in the Good Sam Club, the world’s largest organization of RV owners. Active Coast Premier and Coast Deluxe members receive compli- mentary Good Sam Club membership, and Coast Classic members are entitled to a one-year membership when they join Coast to Coast Resorts. As explained in the 2013 Resort Directory, Good Sam Club benefits include 10 percent savings off the nightly rate at the newly expanded network of more than 2,100 Good Sam Parks. This discount applies 365 days a year, with no blackout dates.

as 1,500 Trip Points per night. But because so many members requested a printed listing this year, we’ve gone ahead and published a supplemental Good Neighbor Park Directory for your convenience. You’ll find the new 48-page guide to the network of Good Neighbor Parks bundled with this issue of Coast to Coast magazine. Inside the guide you’ll see the same detailed listings of Good Neighbor Parks you’ve come to expect in the annual Resort Di-

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Unlike Coast to Coast Resorts and Good Neighbor Parks, Good Sam Park reservations can’t be made using Tripsetter. To book a stay at a Good Sam Park, call the loca- tion you’d like to visit or see if the park takes online reserva- tions on their website. When you arrive, present your Good Sam membership card at the check-in counter to earn the 10 percent discount. Good Sam Parks are listed in the 2013 Resort Directory starting on page 211. As part of the Good Sam Family, Coast to Coast is working every angle to extend the network of RV destina- tions and expand your membership benefits. We hope the growing number of Coast to Coast Resorts, Good Neighbor Parks and Good Sam Parks in combination with our annual Resort Directory and supplemental Good Neighbor Park Directory help you get the most from your 2013 travels. understanding good sam ratings Whether your travels take you to Coast to Coast Resorts, Good Neighbor Parks, Good Sam Parks or a combination of all three, you can rely on Good Sam ratings to tell you what to expect. Designated each year by Good Sam’s professional inspection teams who travel to RV parks across North America, Good Sam ratings give an overview of the ameni- ties, cleanliness and environment of each location on a scale from one to 10, with 10 being the highest. Here’s how to interpret the three numbers in the Good Sam ratings: • The first number judges facilities and amenities, such as interior roads, registration area, RV sites and hookups, security, recreational equipment, swimming pools, laundry room and building maintenance. • The second number gauges cleanliness and complete- ness of bathrooms including the tidiness of the floor, walls, toilets, showers, sinks, counters and mirrors. Full points in each of these areas merits a star. • The third number deals with visual appearance and environmental quality, measuring the aesthetics of the entrance, landscaping and grounds and how the facility blends with the natural surroundings. You’ll notice that some of the Coast to Coast Resorts, Good Neighbor Parks and Good Sam Parks don’t have ratings in this year’s directories. Be assured that we plan to have inspection teams visit all of the resorts in 2013 for Coast to Coast’s 2014 Resort Directory. 10/10 H /10

resort updates additions and changes to the 2013 resort directory

The 2013 Coast to Coast Resort Directory and supplemental Good Neighbor Park Directory are packed with everything you need to navigate the network of Coast to Coast Resorts, Good Sam Parks and Good Neighbor Parks. To keep members up- to-date, each issue of the magazine includes resort updates, with directory page numbers for easy reference.

Coast to coast resorts COAST classic addition WASHINGTON

Willow Bay Resort, 6607 Highway 291, Nine Mile Falls, 99026. 509-276-2350. Reservations: 360-466-4468. Website: AraResorts.com. Directions: From I-90 in Spokane, take Division exit 281. Follow 3 miles to Highway 289 (Francis Street). Turn left and continue about 20 miles to resort. GPS: 47.8804/-117.6571.

COAST DELUXE CHANGE CALIFORNIA

Emerald Cove–Colorado River Adventures, Earp. Resort change: Coast Deluxe to Coast Premier. Physical address: 2715 Parker Dam Road (page 122).

COAST DELUXE deletion south carolina Cypress Camping Resort, Myrtle Beach (page 174). good neighbor parks GOOD NEIGHBOR DELETION CALIFORNIA Twentynine Palms Resort, Twentynine Palms.

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Lingering along Route 120 in California’s historic Tuolumne County

Story and Photography by Nancy Hoyt Belcher

As much as I love visiting Yosemite National Park, it was always a mind- numbing drive getting there. I zoomed along, anxious to arrive, oblivious to what I might find along the way. Then I discovered Tuolumne County and learned that, with a little planning, getting to the park’s northwestern gateway could be fun. Now I drive slower, take a few detours and linger along the way. Entering this historic Gold Rush region, your first stop should be Jamestown, less than a 10-minute detour off Highway 108/49 from State Route 120. Despite its small size (just over 3,000 residents), Jamestown is an enclave for stars of the silver screen. You can meet two of them at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park on the Sierra Railway of California, also known as the Movie Railroad.

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In Columbia’s oldest brick building, bookstore owner Floyd Øydegaard greets Gold Rush buffs.

It’s easy to spend a full day here, strolling Columbia’s wooden sidewalks and observing yesteryear as proprietors in period dress fashion soap, candles and leather goods.

The big attraction here is Engine Number 3, the only 1891 Rogers lo- comotive in the United States and the most filmed train engine in the coun- try, starring in movies from High Noon to Hidalgo. On weekends from April through October and during the holiday season, the steam train revives old-style rail travel on 40-minute rides. Not to be eclipsed is Engine Number 28, featured in Clint Eastwood’s 1992 Oscar-winner, Unforgiven . The two engines share space with a movie prop area and other vintage locomotives and coaches that have ap- peared in feature films, TV shows and commercials. Jamestown itself has served as a lo- cation for films and video productions including 1969’s Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and the 1970s TV series Little House on the Prairie. Beyond all of the movie and train lore, Jamestown is worth the short detour just to browse for antiques along the town’s historic Main Street.

Three miles from Jamestown, at the junction of highways 49 and 108, you’ll come to Sonora, with a population of 4,866. Tuolumne County claims 54,953 residents, and Sonora, the only incor- porated town, is its largest community. Lined with buildings from the mid-1800s through the end of the Victorian era, So-

nora is home to antiques shops, galleries, museums and, remarkably, two live the- aters. The town’s most prominent feature is the 1859 St. James Church, a gothic- steepled structure said to be the oldest Episcopal church building in the state. Known by locals as the Red Church, it’s now an Anglican house of worship.

MAP BY DONNA SCHMIDT

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Mother Lode: Tuolumne County’s Gold Rush towns, above, and Jamestown’s Victorian-era Emporium, right.

Four miles north on Highway 49 takes you to Columbia, another Mother Lode boomtown that sprang up virtually over- night. Twelve square blocks have been preserved as a state historic park where visitors can experience California’s larg- est collection of Gold Rush buildings, among them an assay office, a barber- shop, firehouses and the 1855 Columbia Gazelle office. Good thing there’s a large parking lot because no vehicular traffic is allowed in this living-history setting un- less it’s horse-drawn. It’s easy to spend a full day here, strolling Columbia’s wooden sidewalks and observing yesteryear as proprietors in period dress fashion soap, candles and leather goods. You can watch a black- smith at his anvil, roll along in a horse- drawn stagecoach, try your luck panning for gold and sample sarsaparilla at a couple of saloons. On most days you’ll hear the strum of a guitar or banjo from an old-timer sitting on the boardwalk. Theatergoers can catch a performance

at the restored 120-year-old Fallon Hotel, then feast at the Fallon’s old-fashioned ice cream parlor. For chocoholics, it’s a treat to taste the hand-dipped chocolates at Nelson’s Columbia Candy Kitchen. They’ve been making sweets since the late 1800s. A must-see for memorabilia, the Columbia Museum tells how $87 million in gold was taken from local hills during the town’s heyday when citizens supported an astonishing 40 saloons. In nearby Tuolumne City, you can toss back a shot of whisky like a pros- pector at the Black Oak Casino. While the three-level wood-and-glass building seems incongruous in this town of 2,000 residents, it blends in nicely with the trees in the adjacent Stanislaus National Forest. The 164,770-square-foot casino is owned and operated by the Tuolumne band of Me-Wuk Indians and features 1,000 slots and 24 game tables as well as a 24-lane bowling alley and a family- friendly arcade with video games. The last stop before reaching Yosemite

is Groveland, another small town with old-time charm. Most of the historic buildings sit right on Route 120, includ- ing the Iron Door Saloon and Grill, said to be the oldest saloon in California. Nifty historic photos line the walls, and on weekends the place is hopping with live blues, country and rock. If you have time for more Gold Rush history, check out the small but worthwhile Groveland Yosemite Gateway Museum before mak- ing your way to the national park. For More Information Tuolumne County Visitors Bureau tcvb.com California has six Coast Classic Resorts, nine Coast Deluxe Resorts, three Coast Premier Resorts, seven Good Neighbor Parks and 190 Good Sam Parks. Consult your 2013 Resort Directory, your Good Neighbor Park Directory or CoastResorts.com for more information.

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to the Gila Highway

Scenic byways, awesome views and ancient cliff dwellings in America’s original wilderness area

Story and Photography by Dave G. Houser

“There they are!” my brother Al shouts, pointing up from the steepest sec- tion of the mile-long loop trail leading us to the Gila Cliff Dwellings. Set high in a sandstone canyonwall inside a series of water-carved alcoves, these dwellings are remnants of a 40-room village—an ancient condo of sorts— that served more than 700 years ago as home to about a hundred Mogollon (Mo-go-yon) people. Hunters and farmers, they grew corn, beans and squash in the valley below, hunted deer in the hills, wove yucca baskets and produced distinctive pottery. But their safe and self-sufficient lifestyle lasted only a few decades from the late-1270s to about 1300.

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conditions or mobility issues. Visitors are advised to wear shoes that provide good traction and support and to bring sun protection and plenty of water. Our approach to the Gila from south-central New Mexico led us from I-25, just south of Truth or Conse- quences, west on State Route 152 (exit 63) through the resurrected ghost towns of Hillsboro and Kingston to Silver City. We couldn’t resist pulling the Win- nebago in under a row of century-old

Modern carbon and tree-ring dating techniques have pinpointed their arrival in the canyon, as well as their departure, but scientists and other experts aren’t certain why the Mogollon left so abruptly and after such a brief stay. This mystery only added to the fas- cination of our visit last summer to Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument and the surrounding 558,000-acre Gila Wilderness Area. This was America’s first officially designated wilderness area (1924), and it in turn is ensconced within the vast 3.3-million-acre Gila National Forest, which covers a great swath of southwestern New Mexico. Climbing a set of steep stairs to enter the first of six caves that reveal evidence of habitation, we had to use a bit of imagination to picture it as once being a communal kitchen. A volunteer Forest Service guide (there’s generally one on duty in each of the caves) pointed out the excavated foundations of three small food storage rooms, a hearth and a pair of circular depressions believed to have supported large round-bottomed pots. Cave Two was much more revealing of Mogollon architectural skills. Here the cliff dwellers built eight rooms on two levels, with the second floor balcony supported by original wood beams, or vigas. The workmanship is clearly re- markable. Nearly 80 percent of the origi- nal structures has survived through the centuries. A closer look, however, points to some fine modern-day restoration and preservation on the part of the National Park Service. The Gila dwellings had been looted and seriously damaged by the time Adolph Bandelier published the first archeological report on the Mogollon complex in 1884. When the government finally stepped in to protect the site in 1907, the NPS had a sizable rescue mis- sion on its hands. Cave Three proved the most enchant- ing with its narrow, clamshell opening

that protects against weather extremes and extends to a large natural amphithe- ater where scientists suggest the magic and mysteries of the world were likely celebrated. Remnants of reed cigarettes, seashells and exotic bird feathers (trade items, likely from Mexico) found in the cave lend credence to the theory that this was a ceremonial site. M oving at a leisurely pace that al- lowed time for photography and to chat with guides, we spent about two

To Albuquerque

G I L A N AT I O N A L F O R E S T

25

Mogollon

Gila Cli Dwellings National Monument

Glenwood

Gila Hot Springs

Truth or Consequences

15

180

Kingston

35

Caballo Reservoir

Gila

15

Mimbres

Cli

Pinos Altos

Hillsboro

152

San Lorenzo

Hatch

Silver City

27

61

26

90

70

26

180

Lordsburg

To Las Cruces and El Paso

Deming

To Tucson

10

0

20

40 Miles

hours exploring the dwellings. The trail is fairly level except for the steep section (including 180 stairs) leading up to the caves. That section could present prob- lems for folks with heart or respiratory

shade trees in the center of Hillsboro, a rustic, somewhat ramshackle 1877 mining town. In its time, Hillsboro was one of New Mexico’s largest cities, but it’s now home to just 200 or so artists,

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writers, ranchers and miners. It’s also the only place between the interstate and Silver City where you can rustle up some grub. We tied into burgers and en- chiladas (both excellent) at the General Store Café, which is equal parts of both

road but easy to miss because Highway 152 skirts the original town site and the turnoff to Main Street is flanked by a dead end sign that discourages the less intrepid traveler. There’s an old hotel, an assay office and a nicely restored bank that proudly displays its original teller windows. Truth is, there’s not much left from the town’s heyday in the 1880s when the population soared to 7,000, providing a solid customer base for its 27 saloons. Minimalist campers might enjoy a stay at the Forest Service’s primitive campground near the intersec- tion of Main Street and Route 152. As Route 152 winds up into the Black Mountains, the views become increas- ingly majestic, providing panoramic hints of why this route is part of the Geronimo Trail National Scenic Byway. The fearsome Apache leader was native to the Gila, and during his epic standoff with the U.S. Army he and his warriors took refuge in the region. Dense forest and frequent switch- backs make for slow going. About 8

miles west of Kingston, 8,828-foot Emory Pass marks the route’s apex. There’s a viewpoint and parking area that will handle all but the largest rigs and from which you can catch a glimpse of Kingston and the twisting road you’ve just traversed. Plying the Camino Real, or King’s Road, which linked Mexico City with its colonial capital of Santa Fe, the Span- ish regularly passed through the region along the nearby Rio Grande but never established a permanent settlement in

As Route 152 winds up into the Black Mountains, the views become increasingly majestic, providing panoramic hints of why this route is part of the Geronimo Trail National Scenic Byway.

and features a sign near the entrance that reads: “If you can’t find it here, we can tell you how to get along without it.” Kingston is about 9 miles up the

the Gila. The Spaniards did engage in some copper mining just east of pres- ent day Silver City, although their op- erations were constantly thwarted by Apache raids. It wasn’t until a rich silver strike in 1870 that aptly named Silver City sprang to life, transformed from a tent camp to a city of fine buildings, nearly

Resembling a Western movie set, the Pinos Altos Historic Museum unearths gold nuggets of information. Right, Silver City’s vibrant galleries and cafés rival Santa Fe’s.

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all of brick produced from local clay. By 1873 it had its own newspaper, 15 saloons, three dance halls and a block- long red-light district. Billy the Kid emerged from here as a skinny young

The town took a hit during the sil- ver crash of 1893 and was further bat- tered by a succession of massive floods around the turn of the century. Relying on its fine climate, Silver City held on

seat and home to Western New Mexico University, Silver City has evolved into a vibrant, congenial community that reflects a comfortable balance between historic and hip. We poked around the Historic Busi- ness District along Bullard, Broadway and Market streets where nicely re- stored facades of 19th century buildings house smart galleries, boutiques and cafés, recreating the ambience of a cen- tury ago. We checked out the colorful Yankie Street galleries, plopped down for a snack at the Javalina Coffee House and Internet Café on Bullard, and later perused exhibits at the Silver City Mu- seum. Housed in an impressive 1881 red brick Italianate-Victorian at 312 W. Broadway, the museum preserves many local memories and boasts a particularly outstanding collection of photos of the city’s dramatic floods.

Billy the Kid emerged from here as a skinny young gunslinger who went by the name William Bonney to become a Wild West legend, adding considerable

color to the town’s tumultuous history.

Another visual reminder of the floods, and a stark one at that, is Big Ditch Park, a gaping arroyo right in the heart of the business district that was Silver City’s Main Street until the flood of 1895. Only one structure, the well-kept 1885 Warren House, survived that and subsequent deluges. The ditch is now nicely landscaped and lined with walk- ways and picnic tables.

A walking tour of Silver City showcases the former boomtown’s diverse culture and rich history.

gunslinger who went by the name Wil- liam Bonney to become a Wild West legend, adding considerable color to the town’s tumultuous history.

for a time as a “paradise for consump- tives” with a sanatorium for the treat- ment of tuberculosis. More recently, as a popular tourist destination, county

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A n early morning departure for the Gila Cliff Dwellings found us steer- ing north on State Route 15, soon com- ing upon Pinos Altos, the area’s original ghost town. Gold was being mined here as early as the 1850s, and surviving buildings include an opera house from the 1870s, a rough looking museum and the Buckhorn Saloon, said to be among the region’s best eateries. Beyond Pinos Altos, the highway becomes rather challenging with steep

and Reserve. Our homeward trek would lead us along State Route 12 to Datil and east on U.S. Highway 60 through Mag- dalena and on to I-25 at Socorro. Leaving the Gila wasn’t quick and easy, as we were sidetracked by one of the region’s top attractions—another ghost town, this one with a long gold mining history that lasted into the 1920s. It’s a steep, twisting climb up State Route 78 past the abandoned Little Fanny Mine to Mogollon, where relics from mining booms litter the town’s Main (and only) Street. The place is surprisingly intact, and it’s clearly the most picturesque of the region’s old mining towns. It’s kept alive by a handful of dedicated residents who

operate a café and a small museum. The locals are understandably quirky but kind and inviting—save the rattlesnake that Al nearly stepped on, coiled up within striking distance of the museum entrance.

For More Information New Mexico Tourism NewMexico.org

New Mexico has one Coast Deluxe Resort, three Good Neighbor Parks and 44 Good Sam Parks. Consult your 2013 Resort Directory, your Good Neighbor Park Directory or CoastResorts.com for more information.

grades and hairpin turns. It’s a beautiful two-hour drive (part of the Mountain Spirits Scenic Byway) and it was quite fun to drive in our nimble 24-foot Winnie Vista. Still, we wouldn’t rec- ommend the route for trailers or large motorhomes, especially when there’s an easier, though longer, alternative for reaching the monument from Silver City via State Route 35. Following our visit to the cliff dwell- ings and a relaxing hot-water soak and overnight stay at the RV campground at nearby Campbell’s Gila Hot Springs Ranch, we retraced twisty Route 15 back to Silver City. Then we headed north on U.S. Highway 180 toward Glenwood

Hiking trails and ladders lead to the Mogollon culture’s mysteriously abandoned cliff dwellings.

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rv review

Dynamax Trilogy Step up to a stately fifth-wheel trailer that’s anything but austere

I t’s funny what’ll catch your eye, like the lack of win- dows on one side of a fifth-wheel trailer. But that’s how the Dynamax Trilogy from Forest River drew me in. This trailer has a driver’s side that’s all about automotive smooth: frameless slide-outs, radius corners, slick looking sidewalls and a single tiny window at the back of the rig. After looking at it for a while, I eventually got it: focus all the activity on one side of the trailer while offering a wall of privacy on the other. Simple, really. The privacy wall is just one of many features in the Tril- ogy that’s aimed at full-timers and snowbirds. These owners spend months, if not years, at a time in their RVs, and the appeal of the design should never wane. That’s why Dyna- max builds radiused sidewalls and uses fluid styling and eye-catching exterior paint like the slate-fade treatment on the model I tested. Designed to stand up to the rigors of full-time travel, the Trilogy has a heavy-gauge aluminum tube frame in the side- walls and roof and I-beam steel floor frames.

I towed the Trilogy 3800D3 (with a dry weight ap- proaching 15,000 pounds) more than 300 miles while hooked up to the new Ram 3500 dually and can say that its road manners are solid and predictable, even in the gusty winds we experienced. It tracked easily, and the drive was pleasant—no white knuckles. Inside, the Trilogy is decidedly upscale, and the price (just under $100,000) reflects that, but then so do the fit and finish. From the homey fireplace and beautiful cherry cabinets to the handsome stone fascia below the flat-screen TV, this well-appointed fifth-wheel is dressed to impress. The Trilogy’s sense of style extends to the freestand- ing dinette, which is not only attractive but also has some clever space-saving features. The hardwood tabletop has a flip-up extension for dining with guests, and both it and the seat cushions lift to reveal hidden storage space. In fact, many other Trilogy features have dual uses, including stor- age areas below the bed and even beneath the flip-up steps. For hosting guests, a hide-a-bed sofa easily converts to a

20 COAST TO COAST Spring 2013

you’re the experts

FIVE-MINUTE BATTERY FILL Here’s our method for filling RV batteries in about five minutes: 1) Get an RV water-heater tank rinser. You can buy one at Camping World for about $5.29 with the Good Sam discount. 2) Place a screw in the

bottom of an empty 2-liter soda bottle. 3) Fill the bottle with distilled water using a funnel. 4) Screw the rinser onto the top of the bottle. 5) Turn the bottle upside

down with the rinser lever in the off position and take out the screw to make an air vent. 6) Fill your batteries by switching the lever from off to on as you go from cell to cell.

sleeping area with an air-inflation mattress. In the kitchen, there’s plenty of drawer space below the center island that’s opposite the stainless-steel convection- microwave oven and recessed cooktop that holds spills (great idea). The Trilogy’s stainless-steel refrigerator has a water spigot and icemaker in the door, just like home. And that’s the point. There’ll be a lot of living in a fifth- wheel like this, so they’ve included all the features of home, including a standard Dyson rechargeable vacuum stowed neatly on its recharging rack in a closet. What else would you bring from home? A large shower? A second vanity? A roomy king-size bed? They’re all here. The passage to the bedroom cuts through the wall-to- wall bathroom that’s dominated by the 28-inch-deep-by-60- inch-long shower. Above it, the tinted sky-dome provides natural light and added headroom. One bedroom vanity has a popup mirror and storage space, and another includes a single-handle-faucet sink and a mirrored medicine cabinet. Past the king bed, the walk-in closet uses the entire nose of the trailer to great advantage. You’ll never run out of shoe space here.— Howard J. Elmer

Ron and Nancy Viggiani Breckenridge Lake Resort, Tennessee

GROCERY BAG CADDY Here’s another great idea for storing those plastic bags you get at the grocery store. Don’t toss out that gallon water con- tainer or milk jug. Wash

it, leave the lid on and cut a 2-inch hole a couple of inches up from the bot- tom. From there, just stuff your plastic bags through the hole. You can stuff as many as 30 bags in one container and store them easily. We have one jug inside the camper and one in the belly box.

Dynamax Trilogy 3800D3 GVWR: 18,000 pounds

Freshwater: 64 gallons Gray Water: 80 gallons Black Water: 40 gallons LP Gas: 97 pounds DynamaxCorp.com

Alan W. Kunst Sr. Lake Shore Resort–Outdoor Adventures, Michigan

Dry Weight: 14,800 pounds Length: 41 feet, 10 inches Height: 13 feet, 2 inches

OHC

SHARE YOUR RV KNOW-HOW You’re the experts on RV travel, and we’d like to hear from you. Please email your tips and accompanying photos or sketches to [email protected]. Make sure to include your name, the name of your Coast to Coast home resort and your mailing address. If your tip is selected for publication, you’ll receive $25.

OHC

TABLE & CHAIRS

SOFA

DRESSER/ LCDTV

STORAGE

OHC

OHC

W/D PREP

SHOWER

KINGBED

DRESSER

RESIDENTIAL REFER

STDTV 40" FIREPLACE

DOUBLEDOOR PANTRY

NOOK

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resort report checking in at one of our favorite resort affiliates

Styx River Resort Southern comfort and year-round fun near the Gulf Coast of Alabama

H alfway between Mobile, Alabama, and Pensacola, Florida, Styx River Resort provides an easy stopping point for RVers zipping down the interstate or meandering along the Gulf Coast. On the outskirts of Robertsdale, the hub of Alabama’s Baldwin County, just a mile off I-10, this Coast Premier Resort is one of eight destinations owned by the Ocean Canyon Properties group that welcome Coast to Coast members. Whatever season you visit this year- round resort, you’ll appreciate the prime location and amenities. For RVers, full hookups, Wi-Fi and pull-through sites are all available. For motorists, well- appointed rental cabins and larger cabi- nettes offer all the comforts of home. “We recently completed the acquisi- tion of Styx River,” says Ocean Canyon’s

everyone together for potlucks, family games, dances and other activities. For convenience, there’s a general store and laundry facilities on the premises. The resort gets its name from the Styx River, which flows right through the property. Ask about tube rentals to take a float down the river or just enjoy the swimming beach. Speaking of beaches, the ocean breezes and sugar white sand of Gulf Shores await just a 30-minute drive away. Styx River Resort has been welcom- ing guests with open arms and warm Southern hospitality since 1983, and with the recent improvements from Ocean Canyon Properties, the welcome is warmer than ever.

Mike Beckelhymer. “This has been a long time in the making, which has given us ample time to contemplate the upgrades and expansion we envision.” Recent changes at the resort start with the newly remodeled two-story clubhouse pavilion, equipped with four big-screen TVs where guests gather to cheer on their favorite teams on game days. The clubhouse also houses a bingo hall, billiards, poker tables and separate areas for adults and kids. The resort’s café has undergone a makeover of its own with new walls, flooring, tables and menus. If you visit in the summer, don’t miss the fish-and- hush-puppies special on Fridays and the grilled steak on Saturdays. Other

enhancements include improving the roads and upgrading some 30-amp sites to 50 amps, as well as construction of ad- ditional sites on newly purchased land. Cast your line at the stocked fishing lake on the recently acquired neighboring property. The playground, game courts and miniature- golf course add to the fun. The staff brings

Resort Type: Coast Premier Location: Robertsdale, Alabama Season: Year-round Website: OceanCanyon.com Good Sam rating: 8.5/6.5/8.5

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Camping World is your one-stop-shop for everything you need for the RV lifestyle. Along with over 10,000 quality products, Camping World also offers new and used RV sales, professional installation and maintenance, collision repair and remodeling, RV rentals and so much more! With over 95 SuperCenters nationwide, a state-of-the-art call center and an award-winning website, Camping World is serving the needs of RVing families across the nation.

FREE CATALOG! GO ONLINE OR CALL & MENTION CODE: MZ XE

RV Sales • America’s largest retailer of Recreational Vehicles

• The Best Manufacturers, the Best Floor Plans, the Best Prices • 1 Year Free Roadside Assistance with every RV purchase • The Industry’s Best Finance Options Retail SuperCenters • Over 10,000 innovative RV parts & accessories • Nationwide network of over 95 SuperCenters • New SuperCenters Opening Soon • Great Prices, Huge Selection and Quality Expertise RV Rentals • Affordable round-trip & one-way daily or weekly rentals • Class A and Class C motorhomes that sleep 6-8 persons • Convenience packages available to minimize packing • Call 877-CW-RENTS (877) 297-3687 or go online to RVRental.com for reservations PROCARE RV Service • Installation, Workmanship & Price Match Guarantee* • Over 1,300 Service Bays & 800 Certified & Trained Technicians • Full service and repair for any RV • Professional washing, waxing & detailing with RV Spa • National Network of Service Centers

Collision Centers • Expert body, collision & remodeling work for any RV • Over 60 Collision Centers nationwide • State-of-the-art equipment • All Workmanship 100% Guaranteed Good Sam Club • Club Members SAVE up to 30% Every Day at Camping World • Receive Fuel Discounts with Pilot Flying J • Enjoy 10% SAVINGS on the regular nightly rate at 1,900+ Good Sam RV Parks & Resorts—no black out dates • Take Advantage of Preferred Rates on RV Insurance & Emergency Road Service • Visit CampingWorld.com/GoodSam for More Information

*The service, repair or installation must be for identical work and the guarantee applies to labor only. Competitor estimate may not be more than 30 days old. We must have the opportunity to inspect the vehicle and we reserve the right to verify the competitor’s estimate amount. A standard supply charge is added to each work order. Installation & collision repair guaranteed as long as you own your vehicle. Service work guaranteed for 12 months. See store for additional details.

Call 888.857.6625 • Click CampingWorld.com • Visit SuperCenters Nationwide

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2013 Syracuse, New York

Great Entertainment PLUS, a Chance to Come for FREE!

4 unforgettable days at the Camping World/ Good Sam Rally in Syracuse, NY! Gear up for good times, great entertainment and all things RV at the Empire Expo Center, June 13 through 16.

Just look at some of the things we have in store for you:

Photo By Ron Behrmann

Reba

Queen of Country: Thrill to country music and TV icon Reba in an encore performance after last year’s unforgettable show at the Daytona Rally! Mr. Las Vegas: Prepare to be starstuck by Wayne Newton as he brings his electrifying Vegas style and showmanship to the Syracuse Rally stage! PLUS – Don’t miss the Food Network’s Surreal Gourmet, Bob Blumer. Come recognize our military veterans at the Veterans Salute ! Cheer on your favorite dog at our ‘ Empire State Dogs’ dog show ! Exciting Optional Tours including Niagara Falls!

Wayne Newton

Bob Blumer

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As a limited time, special offer you may be able to come to the Rally and camp for FREE! * Call 800-701-1399 today to see if you qualify; hurry space is limited. Visit us online at TheRally.com for more information! *Early bird days and electric are available at an additional cost.