travel

As every Chinook Rally comes around I look to see what cool places along the route I can visit. Many of you have done this for years. It is somewhat new for me and the chance to learn and experience always gives me a rush. Especially if I get to fill in a few new states on the map!

Heading out from Maryland, my usual first day, five hour ice-breaking drive, stops in North Carolina. I lived in Charlotte for three years in the late ‘80s. Love the state. Kerr Lake or Jordan Lake are my best stops to launch a road trip. Can usually get one of my favorite spots for sunset on the lake if I reserve early enough.

As I troll Instagram and Facebook I copy and keep links of places I may want to visit someday. I organize them in Google Keep by states, sometimes by categories. It helps me figure out routes and possible stops along the way. This rally helped me check Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Kentucky off my state's visited map.

Often what states have to offer is a surprise. North Alabama has almost 60 waterfalls. Kentucky is home to the largest cave system on earth. On some of my saved places I’ve done homework. Other times I just wing it along the drive.

My background as a journalist motivates me to share video, photos and observations on social media. I try to share tips on how to get there, what you’ll see, costs and pitfalls. I usually post these on the Chinook Facebook pages and my personal FB and YouTube @tvsmurphman.

This trip I scoped out some free, first-come, first-served campsites in the country’s newest national park, New River Gorge. I stayed at a Cracker Barrel in Beckley, West Virginia and drove to investigate in the morning. Free does not equal desirable. The “Army Camp” site was 2+ miles in on a paved then gravel road past houses. For a while a neighborhood dog stood guard to prevent me moving. When I finally got to the site, it was nice enough, but primitive. The river was nearby, but not worth the bumpy drive in. The “Grandview Sandbar” site had an easier drive in, but the narrow hill down with no turn around looked too much for Cecilia to take on. I’ll be skipping stays at these campsites.

Chasing waterfalls, exploring caves, hiking to stone natural bridges, gazing over scenic overlooks and quiet, stargazing by the fire are part of what makes hitting the road in the Chinook so appealing.

There is good and bad to be found along the road. All of it is an adventure.

Take some pics of the cool places you and your Chinook visit. Email to me with some background to include in our next newsletter. Email to: chinooktrailblazer@gmail.com

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Rich

SANTA BARBARA, CA Rally 2025 (21ST Annual) Monday Oct 6 (In) - Friday Oct 10 (Out) Sun Outdoors Santa Barbara 100 El Capitan Terrace Ln, Goleta, CA 93117 805-879-5751

This fantastic resort is situated in Santa Barbara, where the Pacific Ocean and Ynez Mountains offer a spectacular setting and stunning backdrop for activities and adventure. You can enjoy fun amenities like a heated swimming pool, our amazing market that features camping & beach gear, souvenirs, local wine, and craft beer. Gather for our seasonal outdoor movie nights on the market lawn or explore trails on docent-led hikes. The Chinook Club has reserved sites for 4 nights for a total cost of $391.20 which includes the nightly rate, a resort fee, a Military Discount, and a special Managers Discount. Sites still available: 844, 846, 847, 848, 849, & 874. Please call the RV Park at 805-879-5751 and reserve one under Mary-Esther Chaverela/Chinook Club. Possible Chinook group activities include a tour of Old Mission Santa Barbara, wine tasting, and a city tour of Santa Barbara. Hope to see you there! Host - Mary-Esther Chavarela Jan Pavia-Colabella VP Rallies, 310-503-7914

Wyoming is a landlocked state in the Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It borders Montana to the north and northwest, South Dakota and Nebraska to the east, Idaho to the west, Utah to the southwest, and Colorado to the south. With an estimated population of 587,618 as of 2024, Wyoming is the least populous state despite being the 10th largest by area, and it has the second-lowest population density after Alaska. The state capital and most populous city is Cheyenne, which had a population of 65,132 in 2020. Wyoming's western half consists mostly of the ranges and rangelands of the Rocky Mountains; its eastern half consists of high-elevation prairie, and is referred to as the High Plains. Wyoming's climate is semi-arid in some parts and continental in others, making it drier and windier overall than other states, with greater temperature extremes. The federal government owns just under half of Wyoming's land, generally protecting it for public use.