Fun in the Olympic Penninsula

First of all, if you have never been to the Olympics, you are missing out! This is one of the most beautiful places in the world and according to National Geographic, “Romantically Wild”. There are so many things to do in the Olympic Peninsula but I will cover a few just to get you going.

Photo from: olygamefarm.com

The Olympic Game Farm is a fantastic start. This is great for the whole family. Take a drive through 84 acres to see buffalo, tigers and yes…the waving bears. If you don’t feel like a drive. Take the family into the petting farm and aquarium. There are many animals for the kids to ooh and ahh over! 

www.olygamefarm.com

For the main attraction… the scenic Olympic National Park.

Take a rainforest tour through the Hoh and Quinault rainforests. Be transported to another world (Or so it seems). See Sitka Spruce and Cedar trees that reach a height of 300 feet tall.  Moss covered trees, winding creeks and gorgeous falls will definitely win your heart over. The Forests are not the only incredible activity. Enjoy a Whale watching cruise or if you are seeking more adventure, do some river rafting. Did you know that Olympia has the largest herds of Roosevelt Elk in the world?

www.nationalparkreservations.com/park/olympic-national-park/activities/

Waterfalls! Don’t forget Waterfalls!

Be witness to 22 of most beautiful waterfalls right here in the Peninsula. Many trails are www.olympicpeninsulawaterfalltrail.com

Well, if the beautiful forests, waterfalls and whale watching don’t draw you in, maybe a relaxing bike ride on the Olympic Discovery Trail (www.olympicdiscoverytrail.com) will. The ODT runs 130 miles from Port Townsend to the Pacific Ocean; passing through Sequim Bay Park (A 92 Acre Marine camping and RV park). While on your bike head east 3 miles to the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal center and house of myths. Visit master carver Dale Faulstitch and his team carve the Native American totem poles. These very poles are seen throughout the Peninsula. Learn about the Native roots here Olympia (www.jamestowntribe.org).

 Or head west to the Dungeness River Audubon Center. See the Historic Railroad Bridge State Park and take a guided bird walk. Don’t forget to take a peek at the Driftwood Sculpture Exhibit www.olympicdriftwoodsculptors.org

Lastly, a must see is the Dungeness Spit, one of the world's longest natural sand spits. The area was declared a national wildlife refuge in 1915 because of the abundance of bird species. Just over 250 species call it home.

Well, if you want adventure, beauty, whales, wildlife, waterfalls and forests. It’s all right here in the Olympic Peninsula in western Washington.

Editor: R.C. Norman

OUTDOOR GEAR:The Life Straw

The Life Straw

The Best Gadget of the year according to Time Magazine is the "Life Straw"!

This is a personal water filter. Huh?  Personal Water filter? Yes. The Life Straw is a large easy to pack ( Only 9" long and 1" in diameter) and carry filter with a straw built in. The Straw is supposed to remove 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria and exceeds the EPA guidelines for E. coli, Giardia and Cryptosporidium oocyst.

With high standards for Filtration this gadget uses no batteries, has no moving parts, has no iodine or iodinated resin and is BPA free. The Life Straw will filter up to 264 Gallons of water or 1000 Liters and guess what? It can be bought for less than $20!

A number of people have tested the Straw and have had great results using it in streams, lakes and all types of water in the outdoors. The claims have also said there was no added taste and it ensured them from getting sick. Sounds like a winner. This item is sold at Bass Pro shops.

The Healthiest Water is on the road!

The Healthiest Water is on the Road!

Finding healthy water is becoming more a of a challenge in today's modern culture. Many flocked to the idea of purchasing bottled water. Which is an easy and accessible option but have you ever wondered where that water comes from and what other ingredients might be in it? You might be surprised to find that the water you drink is from another country and may have other ingredients other than...water. The result of the bottled water industry has birthed many options, some are artesian well sources, some ionized, some filtered and some a combination of all the above. Well, you and I both know that the best water you can drink is the water that comes from nature but if you cannot get a direct natural source of water then I will a give you a couple great options for bottled purchases.

First, what makes the best water?
The natural process of filtering from the Earth. The best water comes from natural springs or aquifers. Our bodies being 60-70% water rely on a balance called Alkaline (Water Based). If acidity (An acid base from foods, toxins, chemicals, or dehydration) upsets the Alkaline balance your body is susceptible to all types of illnesses or inflammations. Yes, water is truly the best fuel for your immune system. PH or Potential of Hydrogen level is best in the human body around 7.4 or as I said earlier Alkaline. Most bottled waters contain a PH level of 5 or lower. The majority of bottled water on the market simply misses the mark when it comes to our health.

How to find the best water
As I said earlier, the best water is that which is natural. You will want to locate a natural spring near you. Yes, that's right. The best water is on the road (Or by the side of the road). Hooraay for the internet! Guess what you can do a search for one. Here is just one of the ways to find a spring. If you are worried about the PH level you can either have it tested, test it yourself or search the internet for other independent tests. Going to the spring is becoming more and more popular as people become aware that their tap water is just not up to standard (I wont talk about the affects of fluoridation on the body). I have friends that will load their truck up with large water bottles and fill them up weekly.  If it is too difficult for you to find a spring. A couple good bottle sources are Icelandic water which can be found in most major grocery stores and you can order it online and have it delivered to your door. Another, is the ever popular Fiji water. Icelandic has a higher PH than Fiji but both waters are great sources to to get your body Alkaline and give back to your body.

How much should I drink?
I'm no doctor but I have heard it really depends on how much you move, eat and secrete. I have heard some say a gallon a day, some say 8 -12 oz glasses daily. I try to drink at least 1-2 liters a day (Although my lifestyle is more sedentary from Monday through Friday).

Finding the healthiest water to drink may just be as close as opening your RV door.
Find a Spring. Drink well.

Author: R.C. Norman

RV Shows raise funds for WA State Parks!

Once in a while it’s just nice to see some good news…

Valley RV Supercenter is pleased to be a member of the MHRV Show Association which produces the Seattle RV Show and the Puyallup RV Show each year. As a not-for-profit association, MHRV donates some of the proceeds from these shows to organizations in need. For the past four years, $1 from all gate proceeds at these shows has been donated to our financially-challenged Washington State Parks and for the last three years, the presenting sponsor for the shows, WSECU, has matched that donation.

On June 15^th of this year, a presentation of those funds was made to State Parks Director Don Hoch and Winter Recreation Program Manager Pamela McConkey by MHRV’s Show Director, Dave Helgeson and WSECU’s VP of Consumer Lending, Julie Lind. With increased attendance at the shows this year, the donation totaled $19,414. This donation will help fund State Parks' activities that benefit the public, especially kids.

We’re very pleased to be a part of MHRV and the effort to contribute to our state parks to keep camping and recreational facilities a fun place for RVs and other outdoor activities. If you were one of the Seattle or Puyallup RV Show attendees, thank you for your support! 
Source: MHRV

Summer at Seaquest State Park!

                                                    Yurt Village at Seaquest Sate Park

Seaquest State Park in Castle Rock

Seaquest State park located in Castle Rock, WA has fun for the whole family. Its campground hosts 55 tent sites, 33 RV spaces with 16 being full hook up and 5 Yurts. Seaquest has 7 miles of deep forest trail for biking, hiking and ADA access.  Not to mention it is just across the way from the Mount St. Helens Visitor Center.

Seaquest Has Bathrooms, showers, on site firewood, horseshoes and volleyball. Just across the way at the Mount St. Helens Visitor Center, they offers educational activities and fun things to do for the family all summer long: including Ranger guided tours of the Wetlands, fishing and kids Junior Ranger programs.

Editor: R.C. Norman

Is the Family Vacation under attack?

Some say the family Vacation is under attack and that we are currently in a Vacation decline.

As Stated by Mark Ellert, President of Guy Harvey Outpost Resort. “Today, social concerns are many, including the economic pressures facing a vast segment of Americans, often generalized as the “middle class.” These economic headwinds have implications on the “sanctity” of the American vacation, and the emergence of “outdoor hospitality” as a sustaining trend in vacation travel”.

Notice the decline of Vacation days used by Americans below:
- In the year 2000 Americans vacationed on average for 20 days
- By 2013 that number went down to 16 days
-Just last year, only 51% of Americans used their vacation time (By Harris Interactive/Glassdoor) and just 50% of those that used their vacation time only used it for 1-3 days according to Consumer Trends.

Could the fall of the Vacation be the lack of paid vacation to workers?

According to the Department of Labor only 55% of Americans who worked in the private sector had paid Vacation.

Could it also be that employers don’t encourage Vacation or frown upon paid time off? Or could it be that the worker is fearful of using their vacation time due to financial, work related or Employer pressure? Maybe planning a trip is just too much work in itself.

Whatever the reasons, we can see that there is a trend and Vacations are decreasing as the American worker is working longer with fewer breaks.

How long can one go without sufficient time to rest and rejuvenate?

According to the Framingham study, there is a strong connection between those who don’t vacation and the risk of heart disease. The study says that female Homemakers who took vacations every 6 years or less doubles their risk of Coronary disease than that of the homemaker that vacationed at least twice a year.

A 2012 review of the American Journal of Epidemiology showed that a 10 hour work day increases the risk of Coronary disease by 80% than that of the normal 8 hour work period in both men and women. The reason is the longer exposure to psychological stress. A study from the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health also shows that those who work 55 hours as opposed to 40 hours, a week have a lower cognitive function which includes a poorer vocabulary and reasoning.

A study from Sweden’s Upsalla University found that Vacations promote mental health and even help to increase and restore their co-worker’s mental health.

Is there a cure for the common Non-vacationer?

 Maybe…

The RVIA (Recreation Vehicle Industry Association) said that in 2014 RV Sales are up and restored from the days of recession. They report that 9 million families now own an RV. Between the ages of 35-75 RV ownership is rising with the greatest purchases in the age range of 35-54 according to a Michigan study. The average RV owner is roughly 48 years of age with a wage just slightly above the median income level. However, there is an RV for every budget and family style and it looks like RV owners are younger than what they once were.

The style and affordability of RV’s have become increasingly diverse. At your local RV Center, you have the option to purchase a Tent trailer that can be towed by almost any SUV, car or small truck, in the price range of 12-16k (Almost half the price of a new car with payments incredibly low because of the allowance to finance with 12-15 year contracts). You can also upgrade to a Travel Trailer, Fifth Wheel or Motorhome depending on your affordability and needs. Don’t forget you can claim most Jayco RV’s on your taxes and get money back (See your tax guy to find out if your RV qualifies).

Keep in mind that today’s RV is not just made for the Happy Camper. It now has all the modern conveniences and amenities that a hotel may have with the freedom to go where you want. Large beds, full kitchens and bathrooms, AC, heat, refrigerators, TV and satellite stations. And the freedom to travel to any of the 16 thousand RV parks nationwide which include water front parking and spectacular views.

Looking at cost; in a Vacation Cost Comparison for 2014, prepared by PKF Consulting USA showed a family of four roughly spends $1,700 for a 3 day campground stay, travel and cooking all of their meals (In Class A Motorhome). If you compare a flight and hotel, the cost goes up to nearly $3000 (roughly a 50% increase in cost)! Most RV Campgrounds charge $25 a night in comparison to even the low grade motel this is half the cost.

Yes Vacationing is down… but RVing is up. There are great options if you feel you need to get the family out of the house and according to the facts vacationing is not a luxury it is a necessity.

Author: R.C.Norman

Great RV Parks of Washington!!

The Waterfront at Potlatch is a winner.

 It actually is a winner of "The best Northwest Escapes" sponsored by Evening Magazine.

The Waterfront sets on the Hood Canal with a beautiful view and lots of activities.

Another Beauty is Anderson's RV Park on the Ocean

A very popular choice situated near the shores of Long Beach. This park offers fantastic views and great times on the beach. Fly a kite, beach comb, or build a bonfire!

Ready for Mountain camping?? 

The Thousand Trails RV Camping Preserve is a hit!

Visit the Bavarian town of Leavenworth, do some Ice Fishing or just let the Cascade Mountains take your breathe away.

Editor: R.C.Norman