Uncovered Destinations
When it's time to remove the motorhome cover, fill the tanks and stock the fridge, you might want to hit the road for...
Kellogg, Idaho
Surrounded by the scenic Coeur d'Alene National Forest and Bitterroot Mountains in Idaho’s Panhandle, is a tiny town with a sign that reads: “This is the town founded by a jackass and inhabited by his descendants." Strangely enough, the humorous advertisement for Kellogg, Idaho (population 2,400) pretty accurately describes the town’s founding. Back in 1885, while a prospector was out looking for his lost burro, he spotted a large outcropping of galena (lead ore) shining in the sunlight. The prospector’s name was Noah Kellogg and it was his discovery that eventually led to the creation of the great Bunker Hill and Sullivan mines, which made the town flourish.
For over 100 years, the Bunker Hill mine and smelter were known world-wide as a leader in lead-zinc-silver mining. In fact, Kellogg is part of Idaho’s Silver Valley, named for the area’s rich silver deposits first found in the early 1880s. Bunker Hill ceased operations about 20 years ago, but visitors can still learn about the Silver Valley’s mining history at the Staff House Museum on McKinley Avenue. Mining equipment of all shapes and sizes is on display, as well as extensive metallurgical and mineral exhibits.
A definite highlight of Kellogg is actually found in low light conditions—at the authentic Crystal Gold Mine. Dress warmly, don a bright yellow hard hat, grab a flashlight, and follow your tour guide into the underground world of gold mining. For over 100 years, no one knew this mine existed. The original prospector simply disappeared, leaving his mine car, track, tools, and high-grade gold ore behind—sure signs he intended to come back, but strangely never did. During the years that the mine was lost and undisturbed, beautiful turquoise-colored smithsonite crystals formed on the walls. You’ll also see gold and wire silver, too. After the tour, pan for gold outdoors under the tutelage of your mine guide. Even if there’s no flash in your pan, you might find a star garnet—Idaho’s state stone. And what a rare souvenir that would be; these garnets naturally occur in only two places on earth—India and Idaho.
For over 100 years, the Bunker Hill mine and smelter were known world-wide as a leader in lead-zinc-silver mining. In fact, Kellogg is part of Idaho’s Silver Valley, named for the area’s rich silver deposits first found in the early 1880s. Bunker Hill ceased operations about 20 years ago, but visitors can still learn about the Silver Valley’s mining history at the Staff House Museum on McKinley Avenue. Mining equipment of all shapes and sizes is on display, as well as extensive metallurgical and mineral exhibits.
A definite highlight of Kellogg is actually found in low light conditions—at the authentic Crystal Gold Mine. Dress warmly, don a bright yellow hard hat, grab a flashlight, and follow your tour guide into the underground world of gold mining. For over 100 years, no one knew this mine existed. The original prospector simply disappeared, leaving his mine car, track, tools, and high-grade gold ore behind—sure signs he intended to come back, but strangely never did. During the years that the mine was lost and undisturbed, beautiful turquoise-colored smithsonite crystals formed on the walls. You’ll also see gold and wire silver, too. After the tour, pan for gold outdoors under the tutelage of your mine guide. Even if there’s no flash in your pan, you might find a star garnet—Idaho’s state stone. And what a rare souvenir that would be; these garnets naturally occur in only two places on earth—India and Idaho.
Rhyolite, Nevada
Winding throughout the silver state’s rich and colorful history, Nevada’s highways and byways are ideal for classic American road trips. Route 374 is a prime example and leads to the much-photographed gold ghost town of Rhyolite. Located about five miles from the California border of Death Valley National Park, visiting Rhyolite is free and worth a stop if you like to photograph crumbling yet interesting architecture. What’s different about this boom-town-gone-bust is that the buildings are mostly made of concrete, not wood. One creative miner, Tom Kelly, even built his home out of mud and 50,000 assorted liquor bottles since lumber was scarce!
Named for a mineral and founded in 1904 after a nearby gold strike, Rhyolite was quite the cosmopolitan city in its heyday— nearly 10,000 people lived here, supported by more than 85 active mining companies in the hills around the city. A network of 400 electric streetlights kept residents out of the dark, 45 saloons, an opera house, dance halls, and restaurants kept them entertained, and a railroad depot kept everyone connected. There were even public swimming pools! Unfortunately, the town’s reign of golden glory was short. Within about five or six years, Rhyolite began its career as a ghost town—the gold mines stopped producing and everyone moved away. Much of Rhyolite's infrastructure became a source of building materials for other towns and mining camps. Entire buildings were moved to the nearby town of Beatty and elsewhere.
Today, the skeletal remains of the Cook Bank building, Porter General Store, school, railroad depot, and other shaky structures still stand. It takes a little imagination to picture a busy modern town, but photos on a few interpretive signs help tell Rhyolite’s history. The Rhyolite-Bullfrog cemetery, with its many wooden grave markers, remains as well.
As you turn off Route 374 onto a gravel road (wide and well-maintained, suitable for all rigs) heading toward Rhyolite, you’ll be surprised to find a 15-acre outdoor sculpture park. Goldwell Open Air Museum is free and open to the public. Among the unusual pieces of art are life-size ghosts, a 25-foot high pink woman made of cinder blocks, a 24-foot high steel prospector accompanied by a penguin, and much more. This discovery is just one more reason to keep your camera handy; folks back home probably won’t believe you found all this contemporary art backdropped by a desert landscape and warning signs about rattlesnakes. Tread lightly!
Named for a mineral and founded in 1904 after a nearby gold strike, Rhyolite was quite the cosmopolitan city in its heyday— nearly 10,000 people lived here, supported by more than 85 active mining companies in the hills around the city. A network of 400 electric streetlights kept residents out of the dark, 45 saloons, an opera house, dance halls, and restaurants kept them entertained, and a railroad depot kept everyone connected. There were even public swimming pools! Unfortunately, the town’s reign of golden glory was short. Within about five or six years, Rhyolite began its career as a ghost town—the gold mines stopped producing and everyone moved away. Much of Rhyolite's infrastructure became a source of building materials for other towns and mining camps. Entire buildings were moved to the nearby town of Beatty and elsewhere.
Today, the skeletal remains of the Cook Bank building, Porter General Store, school, railroad depot, and other shaky structures still stand. It takes a little imagination to picture a busy modern town, but photos on a few interpretive signs help tell Rhyolite’s history. The Rhyolite-Bullfrog cemetery, with its many wooden grave markers, remains as well.
As you turn off Route 374 onto a gravel road (wide and well-maintained, suitable for all rigs) heading toward Rhyolite, you’ll be surprised to find a 15-acre outdoor sculpture park. Goldwell Open Air Museum is free and open to the public. Among the unusual pieces of art are life-size ghosts, a 25-foot high pink woman made of cinder blocks, a 24-foot high steel prospector accompanied by a penguin, and much more. This discovery is just one more reason to keep your camera handy; folks back home probably won’t believe you found all this contemporary art backdropped by a desert landscape and warning signs about rattlesnakes. Tread lightly!
Oregon's Fruit Loop
If you’re traveling through Oregon during the fall and take a drive that’s as colorful as it is delicious... don’t miss the 35-mile Fruit Loop (Highway 35) around Mount Hood! The Fruit Loop begins in the city of Hood River, just an hour east of Portland (Oregon's largest city) on Interstate 84. The scenic route, back dropped by 11,245-foot snow-capped Mount Hood, winds through orchards, vineyards, farmland, and friendly communities. Stop often at the roadside farm stands along the way and sample fresh apples, pears, nuts, baked goods, wines, and more. This time of year you’ll also find cider, corn mazes, u-pick pumpkin patches, and might even meet an adorable alpaca!
Oregon’s Hood River Valley is small, and so are most farms. Many are run by families in their third or fourth generation of farming. They tend 2.4 million fruit trees on 13,800 acres, accounting for nearly one-third of the fruit-tree acreage in Oregon. More than two-thirds of the state's pears are grown in the valley. The Hood River Valley is one of the few places in the nation that offers the complete experience of growing, producing, and then enjoying fruit and wine.
Fruit has been the valley's predominant industry since farmers started planting orchards more than 150 years ago, but the Fruit Loop itself dates back only to 1993 when the first map was printed. The mission of the first map was to promote the products and farms found along the Fruit Loop and encourage tourism. It worked. Today, over 125,000 Fruit Loop maps are printed each year. Highway 35 is open year round, depending on the weather, so you can visit any time. If you prefer spring, keep in mind that the lovely fruit tree blossoms are at their peak in mid-April. Fall foliage begins turning in September and continues through November.
If you’re a train buff, you might also want to tour part of the scenic Hood River Valley aboard the century old Mount Hood Railroad. The historic excursion train leaves from Hood River and travels through scenic forests, meadows, and numerous fruit orchards to the town of Odell or Parkdale. A live narration along the way covers local history and key points of interest.
Oregon’s Hood River Valley is small, and so are most farms. Many are run by families in their third or fourth generation of farming. They tend 2.4 million fruit trees on 13,800 acres, accounting for nearly one-third of the fruit-tree acreage in Oregon. More than two-thirds of the state's pears are grown in the valley. The Hood River Valley is one of the few places in the nation that offers the complete experience of growing, producing, and then enjoying fruit and wine.
Fruit has been the valley's predominant industry since farmers started planting orchards more than 150 years ago, but the Fruit Loop itself dates back only to 1993 when the first map was printed. The mission of the first map was to promote the products and farms found along the Fruit Loop and encourage tourism. It worked. Today, over 125,000 Fruit Loop maps are printed each year. Highway 35 is open year round, depending on the weather, so you can visit any time. If you prefer spring, keep in mind that the lovely fruit tree blossoms are at their peak in mid-April. Fall foliage begins turning in September and continues through November.
If you’re a train buff, you might also want to tour part of the scenic Hood River Valley aboard the century old Mount Hood Railroad. The historic excursion train leaves from Hood River and travels through scenic forests, meadows, and numerous fruit orchards to the town of Odell or Parkdale. A live narration along the way covers local history and key points of interest.
Read RV Life's Great Escapes Blog for More Destination Ideas
When you can't be behind the wheel of your Class A motorhome, Class C Travel Trailer, 5th wheel, pop-up camper, slide-in camper, or conversion van, protect your investment with an RV cover. Because your house on wheels spends a lot of time parked next to your actual house, you’ll want to keep it protected from the elements with a motorhome cover— choose either a soft RV cover or a rigid RV cover or a steel carport if you want more of a permanent motorhome cover. The most important thing is to extend the life of your investment by protecting it from weather, bird droppings, and scratches. A Motorhome cover, trailer cover, or camper cover is imperative when not driving your home on wheels for extended periods of time!