If you are looking for a great weekend vacation with the kids or grandkids and you find yourself near Monticello, Indiana… Indiana Beach is your destination.

We suggest to camp at the Indiana Beach Camp Resort…. is the largest privately-owned campground in America. Whether you’re camping in a tent, an RV, or renting a cabin, Indiana Beach Camp Resort has the perfect site for you. Relaxing with family & friends over a campfire and enjoying the star-filled night sky, a stay at Indiana Beach Camp Resort is the perfect escape getaway while visiting Indiana Beach Amusement Resort.

Amenities

Free Tram or Ferry Boat (check schedule) Transportation
Discount tickets to Indiana Beach Amusement Resort
Pet Friendly Resort
Free Wi-Fi hot spots
Playgrounds
Picnic Pavilion
Boat Ramp
Coffee/Snack Shop
Fun Center with Game Barn, Mini Golf, and Mountain Water Works ($)
5 Clean Comfort Stations
Handicap Restroom Facilities
Free Showers
Firewood & Ice ($)
Dump Station ($10 fee)
Propane ($)
Free Cable TV

Indiana Beach Amusement Resort is Indiana’s largest and most popular amusement resort & vacation playground. Home to over 30 rides and attractions, including five great roller coasters, a giant water park, six water slides, two campgrounds, but that’s just the beginningIndiana Beach Amusement Resort is Indiana’s largest and most popular amusement resort & vacation playground. Home to over 30 rides and attractions, including five great roller coasters, a giant water park, six water slides, two campgrounds, but that’s just the beginning.

When I was looking up the three previous Lighthouse Challenges, I ran across the Great Lakes Lighthouse Festival.  This is fairly close to homebase for us and never knew of it.  I am already making plans to attend.  I do enjoy visiting lighthouses - so I think this will be a special weekend retreat.

Great Lakes Lighthouse Festival
October 8 - 11, 2009
Alpena, Michigan

The four day event provides activities for the young and old including lighthouse tours (aerial, boat or personal vehicle), entertainment, and vendors.  The festival boasts over 100 maritime related vendors including lighthouse preservation groups, artists, authors and more.

Although the main site of activities occur at the Thunder Bay Recreational Center, 701 Woodward Avenue, Alpena, MI., many additional activities are held throughout the community.  From Saginaw to Mackinaw, lighthouses will be open for tours and visits!

2009 Maryland Lighthouse Challenge! 

Celebrate Maryland’s 375th Anniversary and visit some of the most picturesque spots in the state during the 2009 Maryland Lighthouse Challenge September 19 and 20, 2009.

Challenge Lights: The Chesapeake Lightship, Concord Point, Cove Point, Drum Point, Fort Washington, Hooper Strait, Piney Point, Point Lookout, Seven Foot Knoll and Turkey Point.

Visit one or more of these historic lights and receive a commemorative souvenir at each. “Meet the Challenge” by visiting all and receive a special completer souvenir to mark your accomplishment!

2009 Bonus Lights: Blackistone Lighthouse Replica and Sandy Point Shoal. Visiting these lights will earn Challengers two additional souvenirs.

Check back soon for details on special features to this year’s event! Downloadable event brochure available this spring.

Contact: Karen Rosage, Event Chair (410) 437-0741 or challenge@cheslights.org.

Again, another great weekend getaway - for little money…

Hello again.

When talking with the person about the New Jersey Lighthouse Challenge - they mentioned the Long Island Lighthouse Challenge. - May 17 & 18, 2009.

A cooperative effort of Long Island’s historic lighthouse preservation and education groups:

Montauk Historical Society, Montauk Point Lighthouse and Museum
Huntington Lighthouse Preservation Society
Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society
The Long Island Chapter of the US Lighthouse Society
East End Seaport Museum and Marine Foundation
Southold Historical Society, Horton Point Lighthouse and Museum

With
LighthouseTShirts.com

We hope to have more information by attending this year… Looks like alot of beautiful lighthouses!

in association with
New Jersey Lighthouse Society
Chesapeake Chapter of the US Lighthouse Society

Another phone call I received is about 3 different Lighthouse challenges on the east coast.  We have never participating in any of the three but it is free to attend and who doesn’t like lighthouses!  We are looking at putting an RV tour together bases on these challenges.  The other two are the Chesapeake Challenge and the Long Island Challenge.  I will give information on each of those in my next two blogs…

New Jersey Lighthouse Challenge - October 17 & 18, 2009.

The New Jersey Lighthouse Challenge® is a not-for-profit event presented by The New Jersey Lighthouse Society, Inc. for the purpose of raising public awareness of lighthouses in general and New Jersey’s lighthouses, specifically.  It is a rain or shine, two-day event held during the 3rd weekend in October when 11 land-based lighthouses are open for visitation and climbing.  During this weekend, the public is invited to visit any or all of the sites along the Challenge route.

At each site visited, participants of the Challenge receive a complimentary souvenir depicting that particular lighthouse. Collect all 13 and you will receive a complimentary “completion” souvenir at your final stop to commemorate your achievement.

We hope to have have more information this October to do a full size blog on this informative event.

I received a call last week from a gentlemen wanting to give us information on a new RV Resort.  He wanted help getting information about his Ranch and Spa out to the public.  I was more than happy to put a blog in for him.

Sangre De Cristo Resort Ranch & Spa

The Resort is 1500 acres and is being built at the base of the Sangre De Cristo mountains just off route 66 and the historic Santa Fe Trail.  The property has a pristine river running through it, full of trout just waiting to be caught.  In addition, the Santa Fe National Forest is only minutes from our front gate and has 1.6 million acres offering a lifetime of hunting, fishing and hiking possibilities. 

The resort is being designed with a new concept in lot layout that will provide you with the upmost privacy while taking advantage of the open panoramic views (no RVs right next to you).  All lots are oversize and will have full hook ups and free Wi-Fi.  This property will be for RVs only (no tents).  

Amenities at the Sangre De Cristo
Relax and enjoy the comfort and charm of the Sangre De Cristo Resort Ranch and Spa. See why they call it a, “Travelers paradise.”

Featured amenities include:

1500 Acres, secure and gated
New design layout of lots (no RVs right next to you)
Oversize lots
Drive thru lots
Full hook ups with 50amp
Free Wi-Fi
Showers
Laundry
Propane
Dump station
Spa
Saunas
Bar
Restaurants
Library
Internet rooms
General store
Gift Shop
Coffee and ice cream shop
Mission Chapel (great for weddings)
6700 square foot Activities /Conference Center
Movie theater
Card and game rooms
Fitness building
40 Resort rooms each with bath, fireplace and veranda
Pool
Hot tubs
Tennis courts
Shuffel board
Horse shoes
Driving range
Putting green
Horse stables
Trout fishing
Hiking
2500 foot private landing strip
Full time General manager
Full time Activities director
Full time security

Take a few minutes to fill out their survey.  It looks like a great weekend get-away.  If anyone does stay here - let us know what you think!

In the last blog we took you to the popular Lincoln attrations.  This time we will focus on the other historic sites of Springfield, Illinois.

The campgrounds that we suggest is Mr. lincoln’s Campground and the Double J Campground & RV Park in Chatham.  Double J Campground has 61  full hookup sites and 71 sites with water and electric.  They offer wi-fi internet and leashed pets are welcome.  Most sites have a fire ring and every site has a picnic table.

Again, the attractions in Springfield are plenty.  We do suggest the Frank Lloyd Wright’s Lawrence Memorial Library. This working library, located in the Lawrence Education Center, was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for Susan Lawrence Dana. She wanted a tribute to her father, Rheuna Lawrence, once president of the Springfield School Board. The library was restored in 1992 and contains information about Frank Lloyd Wright. Admission is FREE!

The Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon in Washington Park is suggested.  As well as many old homes in the area…Elijah Iles House, Vachel Lindsay Home, Dana Thomas House and Edward’s Place.

If you are interested in government - and Springfield is the capitol of Illinois - you will find the Illinois State Capitol building.  Free tours are offered on the hours and half hour most days.

Shopping in Springfield is always fun.  You can choose from the White Oaks Mall, Southwest Plaza and the Sangamon Center North.

Kids attractions include Boulder Creek Fun Park, Prairie’s Edge Farm in Rochester, Illinois and all the fun stuff a person can do on Lake Springfield… boating, fishing, canoeing, kayaking or paddle boats.

Another Golf Course of interest in Springfield area is the Edgewood Golf Club located in Auburn, Illinois. The tree lined bluegrass  fairways are easy to walk.

With the 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln it is only fitting that we plan a trip to Springfield, Illinois - final resting place of our 16th president.  Springfield has so many attractions that we have divided it up into two sections.  The next blog will be more of the historic sites of Springfield were this one centers mostly on Lincoln.

There are 2 campgrounds we suggest - Double J Campground in Chatam, Illinois and Mr. Lincoln’s Campground in Springfield.  For this blog we will make our homebase Mr. Lincoln’s Campground - only fitting.   There are many amenities at the campground for young and old alike.  They have pull-thru sites and can access big rigs too.  Pets area always welcome here.  Staff is very friendly as well.

To start our Lincoln tour off we suggest the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library.  Combining scholarship and showmanship, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in downtown Springfield communicates the amazing life and times of Abraham Lincoln in unforgettable ways.

Next stop would be the Lincoln Home National Historic Site.  Beautifully restored to its 1860 appearance, the Greek Revival house was Abraham and Mary Lincoln’s home for 17 years. In 1844 they bought it for $1,200 and some land from the Rev. Charles Dresser, who performed their marriage ceremony in 1842.

Dedicated in 1874, Lincoln Tomb is the final resting place of Abraham Lincoln, his wife Mary, and three of their four sons, Edward, William, and Thomas. The eldest son, Robert T. Lincoln, is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Also on the site is the public receiving vault, constructed ca. 1860, the scene of funeral services for Abraham Lincoln on May 4, 1865. In 1960 the Tomb was designated a National Historic Landmark and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966.  While here you can visit the WWII IL Venterans memorial, IL Vietnam Veterans Memorial and IL Korean War Veterans Memorial.

The Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices are within the only remaining building in which Abraham Lincoln maintained a law office. The site consists of the surviving portion of a three-story brick commercial block constructed in 1840-41. Exterior details reflect the then-popular Greek Revival architectural style.

Great places to eat in Springfield would include the Chesapeake Seafood House, Mariah’s Restaurant, Cheddar’s Casual Cafe and Gabatoni’s to name just a few.

If you need to do a little shopping in the area there is White Oaks Mall, The Gables (an upscale shopping plaza) and many downtown speicalty shops.  As with many large cities you will find a friendly Walmart here too.

Have children coming with you when you visit Springfield? Check out the Knights Action Park & Caribbean Water Adventure.

Also the Adveture Village.

Are you a golfer?  There are 2 courses we suggest - Bunn Park Golf Course and  The Rail Golf Club - Championship course.

If you are in need of medical attention there is St. John’s Hospital and Memorial Hospital - both excellent facilities. And if your RV is in need of medical attention there is a Double J RV that can help with service. This is also the second campground we suggest for this area.  Handy to the campground have service and parts all in one place!

If you are planning a trip to Springfield in Septmeber, you may want to check out the Route 66 Mother Road Festival.  Held every year, towards the end of September.

If you are looking for the GPS coordinates of Springfield they are approximately. N39O7933′  - W89O65349′.

Where spending a couple days or a couple weeks - these are a few attractions we find worth while to visit.  Enjoy your trip to Lincolnland.

New Orleans RV Campground is the campground of choice for our company.  Here you will camp next to the water on the Navagational Canal at the newest RV Campground in New Orleans. Big Easy - Big Rig friendly 20-30-50 amp, free cable and wifi.  Located just 1 mile off I-10 at exit 239 - south of Lake Pontchartrain - north of the Mississippi River and just minutes east of New Orleans business district, French Quarter & famous Bourbon Street. Over night camping, extended stay for your vacation or business pleasure.

One attraction that we always suggest is the Steamboat Natchez Riverboat Cruise .
This is a great way to enjoy 3 attractions-in-one … New Orleans food and music during a cruise down the Mississippi. Since this is a real steamboat, you’ll hear the beautiful music of its calliope (a musical instrument powered by steam that is atop the steamboat) as you stroll through the French Quarter — just follow the sounds to the river! Choose from a daytime cruise, or a dinner/jazz cruise featuring the Dukes of Dixieland.

A side trip to Oak Alley Plantation is also favorite. Oak Alley is truly the quintessential Southern Antebellum Plantation home. It is a massive Greek Revival home, supported by 28 columns, each 8 feet in circumference, with 15 foot high ceilings and 16 inch thick brick walls. The 13 foot wide veranda surrounds the house on all four sides, offering a splendid view, and ample shade and protection from the sun or rain. From the main entrance, two rows of 14 magnificent oak trees (now 250 years old) line the walk to the Mississippi River, a quarter mile away, hence the name “Oak Alley”.

If fine dining is on your list to do in New Orleans, and it’s breakfast time, a must try is “Breakfast at Brennan’s”. A culinary phenomenon since 1946,  Brennan’s in New Orleans has created some of the world’s most famous and imaginative dishes which continue to give great pleasure to millions of discerning customers and visitors to New Orleans.

Hungry for something a little lighter, Café Beignet is a cup full of New Orleans’ best European traditions. For two hundred years, New Orleanians have savored every sip of their rich coffee accompanied by delicate, crisp beignets (ben-yays).

At what trip to New Orleans would be complete without a shopping trip. Riverwalk Marketplace is the premier retail attraction in New Orleans and is home to many of the city’s unique sights, tastes and sounds. Located along the Mississippi River in the heart of downtown New Orleans, Riverwalk is a half-mile of local and national retail shops, restaurants and entertainment that lies adjacent to the Morial Convention Center and Audubon Aquarium of the Americas.

And while you are along the Riverwalk take the kids to the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas. Walk beneath the vivid Caribbean Reef, marvel at the lush beauty of the Amazon Rainforest and journey the Mississippi River at Audubon Aquarium of the Americas where  penguins, sting rays, sharks and other deep sea creatures await your visit. Visit new animals and old favorites, too—including our beloved sea otters Buck and Emma!

The French Quarter is one of the most well known area’s of New Orleans.  Walk along Bourbon Street. See the rich history first hand. Hear live music and jazz bands. Visit antique shops or have a nice dinner.  There is something for everyone in the French Quarter.

Also located in the French Quarter is the Saint Louis Cathedral.  Few cities in the world are so identified by a building as is New Orleans. The city is instantly recognized by our cathedral and its position overlooking Jackson Square. The Cathedral-Basilica of St. Louis King of France is the oldest Catholic cathedral in continual use in the United States.

There are so many wonderful sights in New Orleans this is just a few of our top picks for a visit.

A popular vacation destination in Louisiana is Rayne, Louisiana.

Historic charm. Mesmerizing murals. Antique attractions. Old Louisiana come to life.  Rayne, Louisiana — city of friends and frogs. Where the simple things leave the biggest impression. And simply strolling through the streets is one of the most pleasant experiences you can have. For a day or two, there’s just so much to do in Rayne.

Rayne wasn’t built in a day. It goes back to the 1800’s when the railroad came to town. We were first called Pouppeville, but changed our name to honor the engineer who laid the tracks–Rayne.  Today, folks know us for our frogs, but it all started when a trio of Parisians, Jacques Weill and his brothers, began a profitable export business, shipping our hoppy residents to restaurants across the country. And then there’s St. Joseph’s Cemetery, listed in Ripley’s Believe it or Not! as the only known U.S. cemetery facing north-south. But this is only the beginning, and to learn more, you’ve just got to come visit.

The City of Rayne RV Park
 With a convenient location just off Interstate 10 in the heart of Cajun Country — fifteen miles west of urban Lafayette, LA and skirting a thriving small town with fabulous antique shopping, Cajun and American cuisine at  its finest, and one of the country’s last remaining five-and-dime stores - the City of Rayne RV Park has 737 HOOKUPS adjacent to the 20,000 square-foot City of Rayne Civic Center, the perfect location for any camper rally.

The Louisiana City of Murals
 Rayne has the distinction of being designated the official Louisiana City of Murals. This designation is the result of a cooperative effort between the City of Rayne and a group of citizens who formed the Rayne Beautification Board.  The Board commissioned Robert Dafford, an internationally renowned muralist, to decorate the blank brick walls of buildings in the town with renderings of the town’s history and its claim to fame–frogs!

Only in Rayne…
After the original church at Poupeville was moved closer to the Rayne Depot, at the current site of Rayne’s St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, a cemetery was laid-out to the south of the relocated church. Bucking Christian tradition, the graveyard began with the graves placed in a north-south position rather than the traditional east-west position (the east metaphorically representing the beginning of life with the rising of the sun and the west metaphorically representing the ending of life with the setting of the sun). Perhaps the gravedigger did not have a compass.  Perhaps the priest did not oversee the work of a common laborer. Whatever the case, the most commonly accepted version of what happened is that the graves were mislaid and before the mistake was discovered, too many people had been buried; the expense of reburials (not to mention the effect it would have had on the grieving families) was too great a cost. The citizens allowed the cemetery to remain as it had originally been placed, albeit at the expense of being a rarity in the civilized Western world. Such an oddity caught the attention of Robert Ripley, who included the St. Joseph’s Cemetery in his famous newspaper cartoon early in the century. Only recently has the graveyard again been run as an attraction in “Ripley’s Believe It or Not!” and people come from around the world to see the only cemetery in the Judeo-Christian world that faces north-south rather than east-west.

You can join us for a great 10 day trip to Louisiana with our Cajun Country.