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| Taking
a break in Arizona1 |
The southern US
is a playground for refugees of the frostier northern climates and as the toasty
sun caresses the backs of winter weary visitors, the cold melts away to a distant
memory. The Gulf shores of Texas
have a plethora of warm beaches, conservation areas and sincere hospitality.
For desert seekers, Arizona
has carved out a reputation as a sun-worshipper's haven, with golf courses galore.
The aptly nicknamed Sunshine State of Florida
has a dazzling array of coastlines and theme parks, such as Disneyworld,
aimed at visitors of all ages and interests.
When the icy chill of winter descends on northern locales, such as New
York, Toronto,
and Chicago, many intrepid
travelers pack up their gear and hop into recreational vehicles (RV's), making
a beeline for sunnier climes. The comfort of home can readily be replicated
in today's modern vehicles, with every convenience neatly stowed in these road-ready
vans. Tech-savvy road trippers have embraced the Internet and blogs of their
adventures abound, complete with photos and pithy updates from the road. Part
of the joy of traveling with an RV is meandering along the highways and bi-ways
at an easy pace, taking in some of the world's most inviting and pristine scenery.
One way to gain the most from these memorable journeys is to pull into the bounty
of RV parks and campgrounds along the way. Road-weary travelers in need of a
relaxing evening surrounded by natural beauty, but with access to modern amenities,
can find their happy place using the following guide to RV parks and noteworthy
nearby attractions.
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| Cruising
through the red hills2 |
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ARIZONA: SUN-BAKED &
RELAXING
From the stunning majesty
of the Grand Canyon
to the storied stretch of road known as Route 66, Arizona has a cornucopia of
dynamic attractions for road-trippers looking to savor this vast and diverse
state.
The town of Buckeye, located 35 mi (56 km) outside Phoenix,
is dubbed Arizona's biggest small town and the residents pride themselves on
extending small town hospitality to visiting guests. On the outskirts of this
charming town, the Leaf
Verde RV Resort has a wide range of services, including a beauty salon,
which is ideal for winding down after a long day on the road. Golf enthusiasts
can unpack their clubs, slather on the sunscreen, and enjoy a cocktail after
tackling the course at the Painted
Mountain Golf Club, located in Mesa,
another Phoenix bedroom community. A scenic drive to the The
Golf Club at Eagle Mountain, outside Scottsdale
results in stunning vistas and the opportunity to tee off amid the majesty of
the McDowell mountains. Close by, The
Eagle View RV Resort
has a swimming pool for cooling off after a day on the links. Thirty five
mi (58 km) north of the Mexican border, the vibrant city of Tuscon
is a multicultural Mecca with a thriving restaurant scene. The
Adventure Bound Camping Resort has an excellent list of services and
is located in the idyllic mountains close to the cosmopolitan city.
Deep in the Sonoran Desert, the Apache
Junction Park is named after a famous gold mine and is now a thriving
tourist attraction. Natural trails offer spectacular views of the sun-baked
Arizona landscape and the Superstition Mountains are among the most striking
vistas in North America. There are 70 non-hookup campsites inside the park and
the Meridian
RV Resort, located nearby offers plenty of services for RV'ers, including
Internet and a library.
The weather in Arizona can vary greatly, depending on the location. In the desert,
temperatures may soar above 100º F (39º C) before dipping substantially
at night. Sunscreen, protective hats, and layered clothing is always advisable.
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A
heron takes a break on the beach3 |
DEEP IN THE HEART OF:
TEXAS
The sprawling and diverse landscape of Texas is legendary, and this massive
state offers a wide range of holiday destinations. Urban junkies will find all
the excitement they need in San
Antonio, also home to the Alamo
and a healthy array of quality restaurants and lounges. Following Highway 83
south, intrepid trekkers will discover the Zapata region close to the Mexican
border with its spectacular scenery, beaches, and lakes. Campgrounds
and RV parks, each with a variety of services can be found throughout
the region. The area is also home to hang gliding aficionados, who boast they
hold more world records than any other location known for the daredevil sport.
Gliders may often be spotted sailing through the skies above the Zapata airport.
Further north along the Gulf Coast in Galveston,
the
East Beach Galveston Island is a hot spot for sun bathers and adult
good time seekers, with a licensed beer patio and a rowdy college crowd. The
Dellanera RV Park mirrors the lively atmosphere of the nearby beach.
A short drive south, tranquility awaits at The
Enchanted Oaks RV Park in Rockport, which is located adjacent to a nature
preserve and has modern facilities. The
Padre Island National Seashore spans 113 miles (180 kms) of the pristine
Gulf Coast and may be easily accessed by the J.F.K. Causeway. This natural paradise
is also home to the endangered Kemp's riley turtle nesting grounds. Located
30 mi (48 km) southeast of Corpus
Christi, there are several rustic campgrounds within the park, including
the highly recommended Cameron
County Isla Blanca Park, with over 600 RV spots.
The weather in Texas is
primarily moderate, with balmy summer temperatures reaching into the 90ºF
( 32º C) and cooler days with rain occurring in the winter months. Evening
may also bring temperatures that dip into the 30ºs (- 1º C). Hurricanes
have been known to blow through the region and many RV parks and campgrounds
close their grounds for public safety. The season typically stretches from June
to October.
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| A
Florda boardwalk stretches out to sea4 |
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FLORIDA: SNOWBIRDS IN
PARADISE
The lush landscapes and astonishing shorelines of Florida beckon Snowbirds from
around North America and beyond. From the family fun of Disneyworld
and Epcot
Center, to the romantic hideaways of Key
West, the Sunshine State is paradise for sun-seeking trekkers eagerly
escaping frigid climates.
The
Gumbo Limbo Environmental Complex in Boca Raton is a refuge for nesting
sea turtles and is home to a butterfly garden. The center is set in a hammock,
which is a diverse and robust hardwood forest. This family friendly park also
features walking tours of the lush plant life and visitors can steal an up close
encounter with stingrays, sharks and sea turtles in the aquarium. The
Highland Pines RV Resort Park, located in nearby Deerfield Beach has
a lively bingo night and is also close the sensational Gold Coast beaches.
Established in 1969, the Hobe
Sound National Wildlife Refuge, 20 mi (32 km) north of West
Palm Beach is an educational opportunity for family members of all ages
and also features spectacular beaches and gift shop. Two-hundred and thirty-three
miles (375 km) to the south, Key West is home to manatees, mangroves and boasts
some lively nightlife. RV'ers can find a place to pull up for the night at
Leo's
before setting out to explore the natural wonders of this exotic wonderland.
Miami's South Beach
is an adult playground, with jumping clubs, striking art deco architecture,
and a stunning stretch of beach. Campgrounds are few in this high end area,
but the Miami
Everglades has campsites, cabins, and pull through spots for trailers
and RV's.
While visitors to Florida enjoy a balmy climate for a good portion of the year,
tropical storms and hurricanes have been known to tear through the region and
keeping the radio tuned to local stations is advisable when travelling through
the state.
Journeying through the American South offers a wealth of photo
opportunities and is a relaxing, slow-paced way to explore the balmier states,
creating sun-tanned memories. Grabbing a few more snapshots and taking one final
dip in the surf before loading up the rig and heading north, back to the blustering
snow and cold, RV'ers reap the benefits of leisurely travel with little or no
itinerary.
If you enjoyed this feature,
take a cruise through these other fabulous WorldWeb articles.
• Roadtrippin'
in Montana
• A
Weekend in Las Vegas
PHOTOS COURTESY OF:
- RV plus rock formation;
Florida, USA
- Road through Arizona;
Arizona, USA
- Heron on the beach;
Arizona, USA
- Boardwalk;Florida,
USA
United States
