Places to Visit

A buzzard circles lazily in the cool, crisp air. Two mean-looking cowboys saunter down a dusty street lined with old clapboard shops with wooden sidewalks. The sound of their boots crunching the dry, crusty dirt is amplified by the trees that loom nearby. At the end of the street, a man with a silver star on his chest and his thumb hooked in his belt, steps out of the shadow and asks "What are you boys doing in my town?"

The cowboys stop and loosen their guns. "You must be the sheriff" the taller, meaner-looking cowboy spits.

This campground was a pleasant experience from the first call I made to the time we pulled out at the end of our trip. You have to call to book your dates. I was able to ask all of my questions, make my request for our spot and get some additional information as well. Upon arrival we were given a great spot(close to the dog run even though I had forgotten to request this). This to me is a place that listens when you make your reservations. They knew we had 5 dogs and obviously wanted to accommodate us. All of the campsites were level and long with paved roads.

If youve never been to Charleston it is certainly worth the drive into the downtown area. The historic homes and buildings as well as the art galleries and museums make it a nice day trip from the campground. We were here at Christmas time and we had never been to the Festival of Lights on James Island. If you are in the Charleston area from November through January 1 make a point of checking this out. The 2006 lightshow displayed more than 2 million lights arranged in 600 displays. This is held at the James Island Park and Campground.

For many people, the town of Ruidoso, NM is unknown. For me, it is a town that I have had a love affair with since my first visit in 1994. Located in the rugged Sierra Blanca mountain range of south central New Mexico, where it merges with the Sacramento Mountains to the south, Ruidoso is a town unlike what most believe the west would look like. At an elevation of 6,800 feet the views and vistas of mountains, pines and aspens along with many cultural and western events makes it a fun and beautiful place to visit as well as live.

On a recent trip to New Mexico we stopped for a few days in a town called Silver City, NM. In 1870, a group of American prospectors discovered silver in the hills and the silver rush was on. In ten months, the new town of Silver City grew from a single cabin to over eighty buildings.

If you have never been to New Mexico put it on your list for a future trip.
Wide open spaces, clear blue skies, incredible star gazing and friendly folks has made this state one of our all time favorites!

Five acres of exquisite gardens are a must see at this winery. The tasting room, cellar and gift shop are beautiful. I believe there is a tasting fee but it costs you nothing to visit the gardens.

Jordan makes a phenomenal Cabernet and you pay for it. Even if Jordan wines are a tad pricey for you, you can taste them by making an appointment for the tour. I would suggest doing this several weeks in advance as they book up quickly. The history of this winery is fascinating. The tour concludes with a sit down tasting one of the finest tasting rooms complete with cushy leather chairs and fine stemware.

On a recent trip to New Mexico we stopped for a few days in a town called Silver City, NM. In 1870, a group of American prospectors discovered silver in the hills and the silver rush was on. In ten months, the new town of Silver City grew from a single cabin to over eighty buildings.

Visiting during the time when the cherry blossoms are in bloom is a special treat. We stayed at Cherry Hill Park and Campground in College Park, MD. A bus comes right to the campground and takes you to the Metro system, no driving in DC. Contact your senator or congressman and they will send you all kinds of information and tickets to House and Senate sessions. Another plus is that all the museums are free.

9800 Cherry Hill Road

College Park, MD 20740

(301) 937-7116

www.cherryhillpark.com

If you're ever in the greater Cleveland area, do yourself a favor and check out the Cleveland Botanical Gardens. With over ten acres of beautifully landscaped grounds it's a great place to spend a relaxing afternoon with the family. Included within the gardens at CBG, the children's garden contains all sorts of activities for younger kids. Our 5 year old daughter just loves running around exploring every square inch of space. In addition to the outside gardens, the CBG has recently expanded to add the "Glasshouse" which explores both Madagascar's and Cost Rica's ecosystems.