Helena is a site of early human activity; 8000 years ago, humans were residing in this breathtaking place. There are, however, areas of this wilderness yet to be discovered. It is this pristine, unknown nature that attracts hikers and campers of all sorts. It beckons the adventurous hiker and family RV campers alike!

Helena National Forest spans the continental divide, making it an area of geographical wonder. Helena and the surrounding area have a total of eighteen campgrounds. Here are some that are purported to be among the best.

1. Copper Creek is tucked among an abundance of spruce trees. It is a campground well suited to visitors who like to hike and fish. There is a significant bear population, so practice appropriate precautions such as packing food in airtight containers and not leaving it in your tent. Copper Creek also offers canoeing and fishing on Snowbank Lake.

2. Aspen Grove has a variety of ancient trees, deciduous and evergreen, making it a good choice for bird watchers. There is no hiking at this site, but fishing abounds. Aspen Grove is also a favorite among RV campers.

3. Vigilante is a campsite suitable for experienced hikers. It is one of the least developed areas, making it more of a wilderness experience. The hiking trails are challenging in this wild spot. It is located along Trout Creek, and you have to take out what you take in – in other words, there are no facilities for trash and rubbish. Fishing is available at Vigilante as well.

4. Cromwell-Dixon is, in contrast, one of the most developed campsites in the area. It has lovely views of valleys and meadows, and is good for families and individuals alike. Its facilities are RV-friendly too. There is no hiking or fishing at Cromwell-Dixon.

An area of interest in Helena National Park is the Gates of the Mountains. The Gates are an opening in a massive limestone gorge. You can take a boat tour to see the gates up close. The huge cliffs contain marine fossils many millions of years old. Mountain goats and bighorn sheep can often be spotted among the cliffs.

Interesting wildlife abounds, including some endangered species of plants and animals. The sand on the shores of “singing sand” beach are said to make musical sounds when you scuff your feet in the loose sand. There are amazing views of the water at many of the campgrounds.

There are accommodations of all sorts on Brackley Beach, including campgrounds, chalets and cottages. Depending on the site you choose, activities abound: clam digging, deep sea fishing, hiking, canoeing/kayaking, and horseback riding.

Camping

There are camping cabins and sites available for tent camping. Travelers can choose from sand or wooded sites. Clean bathrooms, a fire pit, and a picnic area are part of each site. Here are a few of the more notable sites.

* Brackley Group Tenting is a site dedicated to groups of campers only. It would be a fun way for multiple families to camp together, or for a large family reunion. At Brackley Group Tent area there are shelters that are enclosed, as well as bathrooms and a fire pit. Facilities for showering and laundering are a couple of miles away at the Brackley Beach Complex. The site also boasts a playground for children.

* VacationLand RV Park is surrounded by birch trees and has wonderful views of the water. There are over 70 campgrounds here for RVs, with over 200 hook-ups and 90 water and electric sites. Less than five miles away, there are beaches, Brackley Beach National Park, golf courses, and restaurants. It takes about 15 minutes to drive from VacationLand to the town of Cavendish. Anne Montgomery based the fictional town of Avonlea (in the Anne of Green Gables series) largely on Cavendish. VacationLand even has a heated pool.

Cottages

Brackley Beach features cottages and chalets as well.

* York Bay Place is close enough to the road for convenience, but visitors claim it is far enough away to feel peaceful and isolated. The cottages here are comfortable and quiet.

* Shaw’s Hotel Brackley Beach has 25 cottages surrounding it. They are open year-round and many of them have amenities like hot tubs and fireplaces.

Programs

There are interpretive programs available at Brackley Beach, and there is something for all ages. Freshwater ponds, woodlands, wildlife, and dunes are just some of the environmental gems that are explored in the programs. This hands-on approach can make your vacation at Brackley Beach memorable for the whole family.

Cultural programs are also available. These highlight the history of the native people.

Nearby Attractions

During the winter months, Elephant Butte is warm and mild, making it a popular destination for travelers from the north. While the park is centered around the lake, watersports are not the only activities at Elephant Butte.

1. Watersports

* Fishing – This is probably the most popular watersport at Elephant Butte. There are fishing guides for those who would like more information, and boat rental companies for going out on the water.

* Swimming – The warm waters of the lake invite swimmers. At some times during the year, the lake water recedes, opening up beach areas.

* Boating – As noted above, there are boat rental companies at Elephant Butte. Of course, you can tow in your own boat, too. You can also rent jet skis and other watersport equipment. Some people just like to spend the day boating on the lake.

* Water-skiing – With boats on clear, warm water, water-skiers can’t resist. If you don’t have your own gear, water skis are available for rent at the lake.

* Scuba diving – The clear waters of the lake are excellent for scuba diving.

* Canoeing – Also available for rent (or bring your own), canoes and kayaks provide another way to enjoy the water.

2. Other Activities and Sites

Camping

Elephant Butte has many areas for camping and picnicking. There are electrical hook-ups for RVs, and some of the campsites have grills and covered shelters. There are lots of amenities geared toward the comfort of the campers – showers, well-marked nature trails, playgrounds, and concession stands provide comfort and convenience.

Astronomy

Campers have described some of the campsites as “no frills,” and that also means no all-night lighting. Star gazers will revel in the lack of peripheral light.

Elephant Butte Dam

Built between 1911 and 1916, Elephant Butte Dam was the largest man-made water reservoir of its time. It is 206 feet high and 1,674 feet long.

Ancient History and Geology

Many millions of years ago, Elephant Butte was under an enormous ocean that was relatively shallow. After the waters of the sea receded, Tyrannosaurus Rex dinosaurs hunted and lived there. T-Rex fossils have been discovered at the park, along with many other kinds of fossils. There are exhibits of the historical geology of this ancient dinosaur hunting ground.

Hunter-gatherers lived in this part of the world until 1000 AD, living off the rich diversity of plants and animals. Slowly, humans disappeared from the area, only to return in a modern era.

Here are some things to see along the way, as well as places where you can stay.

Washington State

* You can begin your trip at Cedar Lane RV Park where you can hike, ski, or explore the islands.

* The west coast of Washington State has beautiful, dense forests. Like much of the west coast, this area is protected from development and is accessible to the public.

* Olympic National Park is a lovely place from which to start your trip. Its ancient wilderness is a sanctuary for all kinds of wildlife and plants. Visitors claim it feels like a sanctuary to them as well.

* As America’s only rainforest, Olympic National Park is a must-see. It is a temperate rain forest where you can view wildlife in a peaceful setting.

Oregon

* Loon Lake Lodge and RV Park in Reedsport is easy to find right off the highway. It is located in a natural setting along the shores of a lake. It is open year-round, and is suitable for tent camping as well as RVs.

* Experience incredible sand formations at Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. You can rent a dune buggy and view all kinds of wildlife and explore the dunes.

* Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area is in Agate Beach, just north of Newport. It is home to a beautiful lighthouse overlooking Cobble Beach.

California

* Kamp Klamath on the northern coast of California is in the middle of the Redwoods. Fish for salmon and buy what you need at the nearby convenience store.

* Along California’s central coast, Cabana Holiday Resort is near some of the major tourist attractions. It has RV sites and fully-equipped cabins.

* Hearst Castle, halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, is located in the hills of San Simeon. It was the dream home of millionaire William Randolph Hearst. Its stunning architecture has elements of a Roman villa and a medieval castle.

* Drive the Big Sur stretch of highway along the California coast. It is said to be one of the most beautiful drives in America.

* Redwoods National Park is a beautiful place to stop along the California coast. While many of the redwood forests are inland, at Redwoods National Park the trees are near the beach. There are campsites here, and lots of good hiking.

* In San Diego, you can take a whale-watching cruise. Gray whales abound in these protected waters. San Diego also has a famous zoo.

Other Places to Stay

Food

You can bring and prepare whatever food you like without having to depend on expensive restaurant fare. (This is especially advantageous for those with food allergies or on special diets.) It saves money to bring your own food as well. If different travelers are hungry at different times, they can help themselves.

No Air Fare

Airlines tend to be expensive, and the security hassles can be a headache. With RV travel, you are in control of your schedule. You can change it any time for any reason, making it a much more flexible way to travel than airplanes.

Better than a Hotel

With an RV, you take your bedroom with you. You also take your kitchen, bathroom, and living room! An RV allows you to bring some of the comforts of home along with you on your trip. You need not worry about the cleanliness or cost of a hotel room, and you certainly don’t need to worry about a lack of vacancies. You will sleep in the same place every night, which helps family members – especially young ones – feel more secure.

Pets

Many hotels won’t accept pets. Therefore, you have to board your pets or pay a pet sitter, which is expensive. It can also be stressful for your pets. An RV allows you to bring your pets along if you choose.

The Bathroom

Having a bathroom handy is a real plus. You won’t have to stop as often if travelers can use the bathroom whenever they need to.

Other RV Campers

If you stop at an RV camp site for the night, it can be a real joy to connect with other like-minded campers. You can participate in a mini community of RV travelers.

Here are eight fun things to do with your holiday pictures.

1. Scrapbook. There’s a reason this hobby has become so huge; it’s fun and you can create amazing memorabilia with scrapbooking supplies. Additionally, you can keep your children busy for days by setting them up with a handful of photos and a box of supplies. It’s the perfect rainy day activity and a great way to preserve family memories.

2. Make cards. Digital photography has done more for the family photo album than make it easy to store photos. You can print photos and make holiday cards, postcards and stationery to send notes on. I will also send you a $5.00 Starbucks Card if you open a FREE Gift account at www.sendoutcards.com/50925. To get the card you must send a heartfelt card to someone you care about, all this for FREE.

3. Make gifts. Calendars, mugs, t-shirts and shopping bags can be made from family photos and a good printer and an iron. For the mugs, mouse pads and other items you can send your photos off to a company and have them made.

4. Make a puzzle. There are services available online that let you create a jigsaw puzzle from your photos. You can give them away as a gift, put them together yourself and shellac and frame them, or just do it as a fun way to spend an afternoon.

5. Organize your photos and share them with other family members online. Register with Flickr and create a family photo album. Invite family members to view and share their own images.

6. Create art. There are now companies that will take your photo and blow them up to a very large size. They’ll also modify the photo to look like a Warhol piece or a comic book frame, and there are many different styles and sizes to choose from. Your artwork will look great in your family room or a child’s bedroom.

7. Create a mosaic. Have you ever seen those large pictures created from hundreds of smaller pictures? You can create a mosaic too with your photos.

8. Get silly. Use one of the many online services or software programs to alter your images. You can add a beach scene behind your snowboarding gear, add bunny ears to everyone or change the background color. There’s no limit to what you can do to a photo. Monsterface, PiZap and Write On It are just some of the online options to go crazy with your photos.

9. Create an Animoto ,take you pictures and put them in a fun musical video. You can do them for FREE or for $30.00 you can do longer videos. Enjoy the fun.

The Everglades and Cypress Swamp are two of the most popular swamp tour areas in the country. In fact Everglade tours have been operating since 1953. The best way to experience all the swamp has to offer is by a boat tour.

Tour options

There are a number of tour providers in the area. Before booking, research the tour provider to make sure they’re reputable. Some boats hold just a couple, while others hold up to eighteen people. Decide in advance what type of tour you’d prefer.
Additionally, you can take a short 45-minute tour or spend a day on the swamp. The choice is yours.

What you can see

Expect to see any of the following:

* Bobcats
* Snakes
* Turtles
* Deer
* North American Crocodiles
* Alligators
* Panthers

You’ll also see an abundance of rare plant life in the swamp and amongst the mangroves.

What to bring

* Sunscreen
* Hat
* Polarized sunglasses – polarized helps you see animals below the water
* Water-resistant wind breaker
* Camera
* Bug spray/lotion. Apply it before the tour and before you get out of your car. Bugs generally aren’t a problem on the water but mosquitoes can get you on your way to the tour.
* Be sure to dress in layers. On the boat it drops 20 degrees and the air is wet. You can get cold even on a warm summer day.
* Motion sickness remedies if you’re sensitive to being on the water

What are the best times to go out?

Because Florida is warm year around, you can take a swamp boat tour year around. However, there are suggested viewing times.
In the winter, take an afternoon trip so you’re out during the warmest part of the day. During the summer, if you’re sensitive to heat, go in the morning to avoid the mid-day sun. And remember it rains often in the afternoon during the summer. Bring a change of clothes or wear raingear.

Here’s how to choose a good package tour operator.

#1 Find a local guide or an organization that specializes in the area you want to travel to. This is important because this person will know all the ins and outs of the area you’re seeing. They may be able to provide you with a few insider secrets, dining options and sights so you don’t have to stick to the tourist track.

#2 Credentials – Once you’ve decided on an area to travel to, and have found a listing of several local or specialty tour operators, check their credentials. Ideally you’re looking for someone who is both safe and reliable first. Find out what their licenses are and how long they’ve been in business. Ask for references and do an internet search for reviews on the tour operator.

#3 Personality – If you’re an adventurous person, then make sure the itinerary and the other group members are going to be like minded. And vice versa. If you enjoy seeing historical sites and museums then a zip line tour through the Costa Rican rain forest canopy may not be your cup of tea. Who are their customers? Do their demographics and description match you? Make sure the package and the company personality closely match yours.

#4 Guides – A package tour generally comes with guides. If the package tour isn’t a local one, then make sure the guides are local or are at least intimately familiar with your destination. And who do they use to transport you? Where is your lodging? What restaurants are you eating at? This is important; for a more local experience you’ll want the package tour to be using local businesses to provide services.

#5 Itinerary – Does the itinerary match your desires? Generally, you’re paying good money for a tour operator to fill your day with the best sights. If your itinerary isn’t full, what are you spending your money on? That being said, you’ll also want some down time so you can take a break.

#6 Is the company environmentally conscious? Now more than ever, businesses in the travel industry are conscientious about their effect on the environment. Find out what measures your potential tour operators are taking to mitigate their impact.

#7 Cost – The cost of a tour is of course an important consideration. However, it needn’t be your primary one initially. Once you know that a company is reputable, safe and provides an itinerary that meets your needs, then you can compare costs and find a company that best fits your budget.

Crater Lake – Like No Place Else on Earth

Crater Lake has inspired people for hundreds of years. No place else on earth combines a deep, pure lake, so blue in color; sheer surrounding cliffs, almost two thousand feet high; two picturesque islands; and a violent volcanic past. It is a place of immeasurable beauty, and an outstanding outdoor laboratory and classroom.

October to June, the park turns into a snow covered wilderness, receiving an average of 533 inches of snow annually. A wide variety of trails and unplowed roads provide winter enthusiasts with access to breath taking views, open slopes, and dense forests, making Crater Lake ideal for both day trippers and back country campers who are prepared to face the challenges of winter. By early spring it is typical to have 10 to 15 feet of snow on the ground. While snowfall is common in the Cascade Mountains, Crater Lake is one of the snowiest areas in the entire Northwest. Even in the long, harsh winter months, Crater Lake National Park can still provide the hearty visitor with a phenomenal outdoor experience.