Published September, 2000
People who lived in the century before last (now that was long ago) were privileged to see the amazing annual migration of the Passenger Pigeons. Huge flocks of these birds sometimes darkened the skies for hours on end heading south for the winter.
Today you can see another kind of annual migration. In fact, you can be part of it. You can join the many RVers who begin to worry when the first chilly winds blow in from the north, decide they don't want to winterize their coach or trailer, and make reservations for the coming winter somewhere in the southern tier of states. At times the roads are darkened for hours on end by Winnies, Nu-Wa's, Airstreams, Tetons, Prevosts, and all other sorts of carriages with colorful, odd names on their trek to the south.
But before you head south take the time to see the colors of New England. After the first frosts in September and October the leaves of trees and plants turn all shades of brilliant yellow, orange, red, and purple. Take a look at http://users.massed.net/~westgate/ to see just how colorful the foliage can become. Then if you need suggestions of when and where to go, take a look at the Visit New England.com website at http://www.visitnewengland.com/foliage.htm.
What!! You don't like trees! You're bothered by foliage! You're allergies kick in when you see a leaf! Then skip the trees and go to http://www.lighthouse.cc/ to see a Virtual Guide to all the New England Lighthouses. They give you suggestions on how to drive to visit all the lighthouses and if you are rabid about lighthouses there is even an organization you can join. At least visit the website once to see the neat flashing beacon in the animated GIF.
Of course, if you are still in Montana, you're going to have to scurry to see New England before winter sets in. Better check the roads before you head out. Take a look at the RWADirect website at http://rwa.metronetworks.com/rwadirect.html to see what to expect along the way. In fact, whenever you're planning a trip across country, check this website for road construction and driving conditions. It covers the entire country.
So there you are in Maine enjoying the colors, and they fade and fall. Suddenly it is getting colder and colder. What to do? You just hop onto Interstate-95 and head south. It runs all the way from Houlton, Maine, to Miami, Florida. Since I pull a big fifth wheel, I would probably take the bypass around Boston and New York, but who knows, some of you may feel adventuresome. In any case take a look at http://www.usastar.com/i95/camping.htm for a detailed camping guide to I-95.
Then there are those of you who don't want to go all the way to Florida. You started in Montana, drove all the way to New England to catch the colors and now want some more wide open spaces. Then Texas is the place you want to be. There is a lot to choose from. Take a look at Texas RV Travel Links at http://www.texasrv.com/travellinks.htm and Texas Trails at http://www.lnstar.com/mall/main-areas/txtrails.htm for some great suggestions.
On the way south be sure to stop off and visit the Smoky Mountains. They have color later in the season. Visit http://www.nps.gov/grsm/homepage.htm for more information about this great National Park.
What? You mean I still don't have you off the couch and traveling in your RV? Well, if you're just going to be a potato, at least take a look at Tom and Kay Seliskar's personal webpage. They do a fine job of documenting their trips with Tom's beautiful pictures and Kay's witty writing. Visit them at http://www.appleseedenterprises.com/ for a virtual trip on the road in the Appleseed.
And finally, if you want to be an RVer you have to know the lingo. Over the cold winter months ahead practice all the words you find at http://www.rvadvice.com/rvwords.html. The RV Advice website also has much more useful information, so if you study it all, by next spring maybe you too can take your RV out and see the real world.
Now for some housekeeping, here are some changes to previous links: Cottage Publications from the January issue has reorganized their bookstore site so you now go to http://www.cottagepub.com/. Notes from the Life on Wheels conferences mentioned in the March issue are no longer available. Listings of free Internet services referenced in the May issue have moved to http://www.internet4free.net/accessnumbers.htm.
Take care and drive carefully, and maybe someday we'll see you down the road somewhere.