Fall Is Better — For Travel

Above, camping at Fort Massac in Metropolis, Illinois. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Is fall a better time to travel?

That question arises every so often. I actually prefer autumn to summer. There are a number of benefits to traveling in the fall. The primary one for me is less crowds.

Albuquerque station KOAT has posted an article with the position that fall is better.

They begin it with:

Sure, an escape to the beach or cooler mountain air or the arctic air-conditioning of a museum comes not a moment too soon when summer really starts to heat up.

But if you can wait until the season winds down, the rewards can be significant – both in terms of savings and experience. And after the summer the world has had – with record heat, uncomfortably warm ocean water, devastating wildfires, epic crowds and high prices – the relative calm of traveling in September and October will be right on time for many travelers.

Is fall a better time to travel than summer?

To read more, go here. 

USA Today: Why Fall Is The Best Time To Go Camping

Above, camping at the Fort Massac campground near Metropolis, Illinois. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The summer will be over in a month, but that doesn't mean that camping season is over. On the contrary, autumn is the best time to pitch a tent or head out in an RV. Fall camping is one of my favorite pastimes. 

At least, that's what a new article from USA Today says.

Here's a snippet:

If you hate heat and mosquitos, had a hard time reserving a campsite, or couldn't quite find the time to get away this summer, don't worry. The optimal time to go camping is actually after Labor Day. 

From Maine to Minnesota, South Dakota to Arizona and beyond, the weeks following Labor Day (the unofficial end of summer) are a delightful time to pitch a tent or park your RV. Summer’s searing temperatures are cooling. Humidity is drying. Mosquitos, black flies and other buzzing and biting critters become less of a torment.

To read more, go here. 

Is Traveling During A Pandemic Safe?

Above, the Ohio River near Fort Massac, Illinois. Photo b Armand Vaquer,

Is traveling safe during a pandemic?

That is the million-dollar-question. But it gets answered in an article in The Spectator, the student newspaper from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. 

The article does have some common sense tips on avoiding contracting coronavirus. 

It begins with:

Over this past winter break, I had no plans. My plan of no plans changed when my parents decided to drive our motorhome across the country to Florida.

It was a welcomed change of plans.

Before we left, I was nervous to leave Wisconsin with the COVID-19 pandemic still raging on, but my nerves were alleviated quickly as soon as we got going. In fact, by the end of the trip, I had determined that traveling is probably safer now than it ever has been.  

My family and I took every precaution and planned the trip so that we would encounter the least amount of people possible to limit our chances of getting sick. We succeeded, and I don’t think I got within three feet of anybody outside of my household the entire three weeks we were there.

To read more, go here. 

RVing In States With Self-Quarantine Requirements

Above, The Beast at Fort Massac State Park in Metropolis, Illinois. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

With most national park, state park and private campgrounds being closed (by choice or by government orders), it is not a good idea to be traveling now.

I live a mile away from a Flying J travel center in New Mexico and I've noticed a lot of RVs still stopping there and on the road. Most are travelers and some are transporters taking new rigs to dealers.

Each state has set up their own rules during this pandemic and RV Life has posted a summary of most of them.

They begin with:

As I mentioned last week, the biggest full-time RVing drawback is a virus. But that’s not the only downside. It’s the self-quarantine restrictions that accompany it. 

Traveling when the COVID-19 pandemic is in full swing put everyone’s health in jeopardy. And now state governments want to make sure you don’t do that. 

Chances are good that the United States will not issue strict lockdowns as seen in European and Asian countries. The federal government has limited legal authority to do so. But state governments can take matters into their own hands with recommendations and advisories.

According USA Today, the following states are now requiring new or returning visitors to self-quarantine. Remember, this information will change during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To read more, go here. 

Do It Yourself RV's Guide To Autumn RV Camping

Above, autumn camping at Fort Massac State Park near Metropolis, Illinois. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Autumn has been with us for a little over a week. Now is the time to take advantage of cooler temperatures and the lack of crowds to see the fall colors around the country. Since retirees don't have to go to work anymore, they can head out in their RVs to enjoy traveling.

Do It Yourself RV has a guide for autumn travel.

They begin it with:

Fall is here! This means warm sweaters, yummy soups, and cozy nights cuddled up under blankets. For many, it also means it’s time to park and winterize the RV until next year. However, this is a big mistake. Why? Because fall is the best season for camping and traveling! 

There are countless ways to celebrate fall while traveling in your RV. Whether you plan on weekend trips close to home or doing some long-term travel, you shouldn’t have any trouble at all ushering in the autumn season in your RV. Below are several of our favorite ways to do just that.

Above, a view of the Ohio River from Fort Massac State Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here. 

First RV Trip Checklist For Newbies

Above, Fort Massac State Park Campground in Metropolis, Illinois. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When using your new or "new to you" RV for the first time, there are many things that need to be done that people often forget. Even experienced RVers sometimes forget to do things.

RV Life has a list of things for new RVers that they should pay close attention to.

They begin with:

Did you take the plunge and buy your first RV at one of the RV shows this winter? Are you getting ready to hit the road and head out on your first camping trip? Listed below is a brief, yet important checklist to ensure a great and safe season without any problems.

To see what the checklist items are, go here. 

A Year Ago: Reaching Metropolis

Above, Fort Massac State Park Campground had spacious campsites. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was one year ago today that I arrived in Metropolis, Illinois.

I left Springfield, Missouri early in the morning and primarily drove on state highways to get to Metropolis.

It was a nice ride, except the Auto Club Trip Tic was not detailed for the back roads I had to take once I got off the interstate and got a little lost. But I stopped at a market in a small town and a nice girl at the check stand helped out in pointing the way to a different interstate to reach Metropolis. I got into town about a half hour later.

Above, it appears that I made it to the right town as The Beast reached the Superman statue. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Once I reached Metropolis, I took a few quick shots of the Superman statue and headed off to the Fort Massac/Ohio River State Park to set up camp. Fort Massac only had electrical hook-ups at each campsite, but water was available to fill the fresh water tank and a dump station.

The following day, I roamed around Metropolis and photographed the Noel Neill "Lois Lane" statue and toured the Super Museum.

Above, the statue of the Man of Steel. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Then, the next day after that (Saturday), I attended Noel Neill's celebration of life services.

On Sunday, I headed south into Memphis, Tennessee and reached the Graceland RV Park by noon. After setting up camp there, I walked over to the ticket office to take the tour of Graceland mansion.

It is amazing that this was only the first week in what turned out to be a three-week trip.

Kentucky Civil War History

Above, a view of Paducah, Kentucky across the Ohio River from Fort
 Massac State Park in Metropolis, Illinois. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last November, I drove from Los Angeles to Metropolis, Illinois to attend Noel Neill's celebration of life services. While there, I stayed at the Fort Massac State Park campground. The state park is situated at the Ohio River. 

Across the Ohio River is Paducah, Kentucky. I drove through Paducah while en route to Memphis, Tennessee (it was about a 3 1/2 hour drive from Metropolis).

A longtime friend, Arleigh R. Kerr, now lives in Lexington, Kentucky and recently completed a class on the Civil War history of Kentucky. He sent a general email to several of us history buffs and I received his permission to post it here. Paducah gets a mention in his email (highlighted by me).

He wrote:

Just finished a four day class on the Civil War in Kentucky.  Learned lots of interesting stuff — some of which follows.  Three of the four classes were in a “class room”, fourth and last was a walking tour of the Perryville Battlefield — the decisive battle in Kentucky that saved Kentucky for the Union. 

First off, did you know that Kentucky was neutral during the Civil War?  Yup.  Fort Sumter incident was on April 12, 1861.  In May 1861, Kentucky legislature declared neutrality and refused to assist either side or supply troops.  Even though slavery was legal in Kentucky, the population and the legislature were decidedly pro-Union, while the governor was pro-Southern. 

Sept 4, 1861, Confederates were to the first to violate Kentucky’s neutrality by invading western Kentucky and building Fort DuRussy near Columbus to control the upper reaches of the Mississippi River.  Two days later, Union forces under General Ulysses S. Grant crossed the Mississippi and entered Paducah, Kentucky.  Three days after that, Kentucky Legislature voted resolution ordering the Confederates to withdraw, but only the Confederates.  The governor vetoed the resolution.  Legislature overrode the veto and ordered the US flag to be flown over the capitol.  Sept 18, 1861 Legislature voted to end neutrality and took the side of the Union. 

Over the next year, there were a number of Confederate attempts to invade Kentucky, none of which were successful.  The south desperately wanted Kentucky.  Kentucky was the economic center of the area.  They even reserved the center star in the Confederate battle flag for Kentucky.  The North too, saw Kentucky as the key to control the west.  At the beginning of the war, Lincoln is supposed to have said, “I hope to have God on my side, but I must have Kentucky”. 

Fall of 1862, the Rebels made another attempt to take Kentucky.  They easily defeated Union forces at the battles of Richmond and Munfordville.  They captured Lexington and the state capital of Frankfort.  Then they tried to install a puppet pro-Confederate governor, only to have the inauguration ceremony interrupted by Union cavalry.   

About an hour southwest of where I live in Lexington is Perryville.  And it’s there where two armies converged on October 9, 1862.  55,000 Union troops versus 17,000 Rebels. 

After an afternoon of fighting, Confederates had pushed back the Union forces about a mile.  Fighting stopped for the night, by morning the Rebel army had withdrawn — they discovered fresh Union troops were arriving.  Confederates retreated into Tennessee and never again threatened Kentucky. 

Interesting little tidbits.  Kentucky U. S. Senator John Crittenden had two sons: Thomas, who became a Union general and George who was general in the Confederate Army.

Above, the Interstate 24 Bridge that connects Metropolis, Illinois and Paducah, Kentucky. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

According to stateparks.com:

[Fort Massac] served briefly as a training camp during the early years of the Civil War, marking the last time U.S. troops were stationed at the site. The fort was abandoned after a measles epidemic in 1861-62 claimed the lives of a substantial number of soldiers of the Third Illinois Cavalry and the 131st Illinois Infantry, who were using the fort as an encampment.

It is interesting that Gen. Grant's forces entered Kentucky at Paducah. 

Finding Fresh Water For RV Water Tanks

Above, The Beast at Fort Massac State Park in Metropolis, Illinois. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During my recent trip back east to Metropolis, Illinois, with the exception of one night at a rest area in Missouri, I stayed at private and public campgrounds where fresh water was available for hooking up to or for filling my fresh water tank. I usually fill up the fresh water tank before departing.

On some occasions, like staying at a national park or dry camping at a clamp-out with E Clampus Vitus, a full tank of water is needed for the toilet, cleaning and washing.

Sometimes, finding a source for filling an RV fresh water tank is occasionally difficult, but RV Life has an article on likely (and unlikely) places to fill up.

They begin with:

During our RV adventures across the Western U.S., my wife and I may go weeks without staying in a conventional campground with hook ups. Dispersed camping in the boondocks is our preferred place to camp. It’s quiet, typically close to the places we want to explore and the price is right. While there many ways to save water when dry camping,  sooner or later we need to fill up our freshwater tank. A lot of the times we fill our tank at the common and convenient locations, while other times we have been surprised of where we were able to find freshwater for dry camping.

At Fort Massac State Park in Metropolis, Illinois, there were no water hook-ups at each campsite, only electricity. But, they had water faucets at various locations for RVers fill their water tanks.

To read more, go here.  

Metropolis Attraction Reviews Posted At TripAdvisor

Above, the Super Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The attractions (and one restaurant) I visited in Metropolis, Illinois last November have been approved and posted at TripAdvisor.

Above, the plaque at the base of the Noel Neill "Lois Lane" statue. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

They are:

• Noel Neill "Lois Lane" Statue
• Superman Statue
• Fort Massac State Park
• Super Museum
• Fat Edd's Roadhouse

Above, the Superman Statue in Metropolis. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To access TripAdvisor, go here.

Reviews of Metropolis Attractions Submitted To Trip Advisor

Above, the Superman statue. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I've finally reached Metropolis, Illinois in my reviews at TripAdvisor. I took a cross-country trip to Metropolis last year.

Above, The Beast at Fort Massac State Park campground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The following Metropolis places have been reviewed and are pending approval:

• Noel Neill "Lois Lane" Statue
• Superman Statue
• Fort Massac State Park
• Super Museum
• Fat Edd's Roadhouse

Above, the Noel Neill "Lois Lane" statue. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To reach TripAdvisor, go here.

Made A Raid At R.E.I.

Above, The Beast at Fort Massac State Park in Metropolis, Illinois. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While cleaning around the apartment, I found my 2015 dividend voucher from R.E.I.

The voucher had an expiration date of January 3, 2017. I figured I'd better go and make use of it (plus, spending now will add more to my 2016 total for the next voucher that should arrive sometime in March). So, I headed up to the R.E.I. store in Northridge.

I picked up a few kitchen items that I needed for The Beast such as bowls (I had to rely on paper bowls during my three-week trip that I completed last month), a percolator to make coffee on the stove top when there's no hook-ups (and using the generator would wake up other campers) and a new thermometer for the refrigerator.

Speaking of kitchen ware, I found several camping plates with dividers while rummaging around in a kitchen drawer in the apartment. I forgot I had them. These are larger than the plates that I had been using, so I am switching them all out and making room for the percolator.

RV Park Reviews Posts More

RV Park Reviews has posted nine more of my campground/RV park reviews from my recent cross-country trip that lasted exactly three weeks.

I spent one night "boondocking" at a Missouri rest area off of Interstate 70 to save some cash after spending nearly $500 for two new tires. I don't think that warrants a review.  I stayed at twelve campgrounds in all during this trip. But here's nine campgrounds reviewed that were added.

They are:

Fort Massac/Ohio River State Park Campground (Metropolis, Illinois).

Graceland RV Park & Campground (Memphis, Tennessee).

Double J RV Park & Campground (Chatham, Illinois).

Deer Creek Valley RV Park (Topeka, Kansas).

Covered Wagon Campground (Abilene, Kansas).

Durango Year Round RV Park (Durango, Colorado).

Goulding's Lodge and Campground (Monument Valley, Utah).

Limon KOA (Limon, Colorado).

Needles KOA (Needles, California).

Graceland and Fort Massac State Park Campgrounds Reviews Posted

RV Park Reviews has posted two new campground reviews from my current road trip.

They are the Fort Massac State Park Campground in Metropolis, Illinois and the Graceland RV Park & Campground in Memphis, Tennessee.

Fort Massac State Park Campground

To read the review, go here.


Graceland RV Park & Campground

To read the review, go here.

Fort Massac State Park In Metropolis

Above, The Beast is poised to go to Illinois. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Thanks to Jim Hambrick, owner/operator of the Super Museum in Metropolis, Illinois, I know where I'll be staying while in town.

I asked Jim if there's any place to "boondock" in Metropolis and he suggested the Fort Massac State Park instead, which is not too far from the Super Museum and has a campground with electrical hook-ups.

According to Reserve America:

Dedicated the first Illinois state park in 1908 and overlooking the Ohio River at Metropolis Illinois, this park has a military history predating the Revolutionary War. 1802 reconstructed fort, statue of George Rogers Clark, museum and visitor center.

It looks to be an interesting place to camp The Beast at.