There is a reason only a few people drive their car into the city much less an RV.

If you have the luxury of staying a week or more then the convenience of having the RV may out weigh the inconvenience of having to stay so far away from the city.

We searched for a nice campground and finally found one, outside the city of course in Newburgh/New York City North.

This location is not to far from Orange County Choppers if you’re a fan.

The campground itself is large, has a nice swimming pool and a great little café.
They even cook up pancakes and coffee on the grill in the mornings.  Very friendly staff too, the campground offers a bus ride to the train station.
We tried that the first trip out, but waiting for the bus took longer than we cared to wait.
We wanted to get to New York City after all that’s why we came.

Luckily we had towed a car and could drive the car into the train station.

The car drive to the train station was a good 20 minutes and then the ride on the train was about an hour each way to get to the city.
The train was loud, not very busy the days we were there.
The directions were easy to follow and within a few minutes our son (14 at the time) was an expert train rider and ticket buyer.

Around the city we used the subway.  The subway was busy and not as user friendly with a lot of local New Yorkers in a hurry to get to their destination and the employees sick to death of tourist asking how to buy tickets and which ones they need.

We got to visit Grand Central Station.  Wow I could have spent an entire day there.  The fresh bread in the bakeries and the shopping was fabulous.  The hum of the hustle made it feel so electrifying. We also got off at stops in Harlem and the Bronx. It was like being right smack in the middle of an episode of Seinfeld or Law and Order.  We walked down Madison and 5^th Ave.

Our son got to see an entire different lifestyle than he had seen before and I believe it changed his expectations for his future.   We also gained a new respect for people and the value of diversity.

The hot dog and pretzel stands were just like we anticipated.

Everyone should travel to New York City at least once.  We walked Central Park, now THAT is a park.  We toured museums went to the top of the Empire State Building and walked until we couldn’t take another step.

We still believe the Empire Pizza we had was the best pizza ever.  I think  being on the streets of New York City added something special to the flavor.

We stopped for coffee across from The Trump Tower and talked about how fabulous it must be  to fly into the city, have a limo pick you up and drive you to the Towers.  I’m sure that’s a lifestyle we will never see, but I doubt if anyone in all of New York City was enjoying themselves more than we were at that moment.

We had tickets to New York Yankee Stadium to see the subway battle in the Bronx between the Yankees and the Mets.  We had been to Reds and Indians Games but this was Yankee Stadium.
So much EXCITEMENT filled the air we could barely contain ourselves.

Even though our seats were way up there the view was fantastic.
We stayed, like everyone, until the last out was made.

Then we headed for the thrill ride back on the subway after midnight.  It’s hard to try and pretend like you know what you are doing when you don’t. We took the subway from Yankee Stadium to Harlem and then walked a block to get to the train station.  We took the train back to our car.  I don’t think anyone slept that night.  The excitement of the game, the city and the transportation was more than any of us imagined it would be.

We have taken a few family vacations since the New York City Trip, but so far nothing has come close when it comes to the exhilaration we all experienced that year.

A family favorite RV get away for us is Lake Cumberland.

Lake Cumberland was created with the completion of Wolf Creek Dam in 1951.
The main lake is 101 miles long and over one mile across at its widest point with 1255 miles of shoreline.
Every year more campers and boaters seem to discover Lake Cumberland.

We camp at the General Burnside Island State Park and Resort in Burnside, Ky.
It’s a peaceful resort for campers, boaters, golfers and fishermen alike.
The campground features 94 sites with utility hookups, two central service buildings with showers and rest rooms, and a dump station.
They have a playground for the young and old alike, with a covered shelter to get out of the sun.
There is large swimming pool that gets quit busy on hot summer day.

The big attraction is the large beautiful lake.
The rocky banks on the lake tower above and on many occasions we have seen the mountain goats roaming around. The water is an emerald green color.

The lake is very deep, over 100 feet in many areas.
We have lost a couple of anchors because we didn’t have enough rope.

In many places the water is so clear you can see your toes while treading water.

The main creek arms are 10 to 15 miles long with numerous secondary and tertiary arms.
All the little arms that branch off the lake make it possible to find your own private cove to dock and swim.
There are several small water falls hidden in different coves.  Finding one is like finding your own hidden treasure.

The most well know falls is the 76 falls and there is always a large gathering of boaters there.
We always enjoy swimming under the ice cold falls and listening to the echo of the water crashing down while we stand behind the sheet of water.

If you don’t have your own water transportation no worries – they rent EVERYTHING you need to explore the lake.
Rental fishing boats, ski boats, pontoon boats, and houseboats are offered.

A six-lane launching ramp at Burnside Park resort provides you with the perfect access to a fun-filled day on the lake.

The lake offers several resorts. There are floating marinas like Conley Bottom Resort that offer sandwiches, cold drinks & ice cream snacks; some have air conditioning inside to cool off.

The Jamestown Marina Resort has a lot of activity, with a great  boardwalk for snacks, and a place to feed fish and turtles.  If you hit the right day there is often a para sail boater around.  If you have never tried para sailing I highly recommend it.

We like to walk the dock area and admire the many different boats.  They come in all shapes and sizes.  Some even large enough to live on.  Reading the names on the boats adds a little fun too.

I recommend everyone in the Midwest take at least one trip to Lake Cumberland.

If you are like us, one trip turned into more than 10.

Bring back photos your friends will beg to see.  Wouldn’t You Rather Wow! Them, Than Bore Them, With the Photos From Your Next Trip?

Your Advance Plan

Make sure your digital camera is in good working order before you go, and keep it in a water-and- shock-resistant case. Bring two sets of rechargeable batteries and don’t forget the charger and relevant cords, or if you’re packing light, a couple sets of high powered disposables.

You can never have too much memory. Packing an extra memory card is wise, as there is nothing worse than running out of room for pictures halfway down the Grand Canyon. Having a backup card also allows you to protect the spectacular, once-in-a-life-time shots from damage until you can get them transferred to permanent storage.

It may be tempting to lower the resolution so you can store more pictures, but you will regret this later as it may result in poorer quality prints, or you will be limited to smaller size prints. Set your camera at its highest quality JPEG setting and get more memory if you have to. You will appreciate this when you’re viewing and printing your photos after your trip.

Shoot, Shoot, and Shoot Some More

With a digital camera you can always erase the photos you don’t want. Take pictures of anything you find interesting and try to focus on some of the details such as: an attractive doorway or a colorful market, not just panoramic scenes or major landmarks.

Let your pictures tell a story by creating a visual diary of your trip. Include street scenes, interesting signs, people you see along the way. For variety take both vertical and horizontal pictures.

Get Personal

When taking people shots, don’t make the mistake of standing too far away. You want to be able to recognize the people in your photos. Get close enough so you can see the expressions on your subjects faces. Zoom in on individuals or capture them from the waist up. Pictures are often more interesting when you can catch people at candid, un-posed moments.

In posed photos, try to incorporate some of the background into your shot. Try snapping from interesting angles rather than simply head-on. Remember the Rule-of-thirds and position the most important subject at an intersection of two lines or Power Point.

Outdoors or In, Get the Right Light

When photographing in bright sunlight, setting your camera’s fill or forced flash is very helpful, particularly when photographing people.

Brilliant sunlight often makes people’s faces look harsh, casting dark shadows under the eyes and accentuating wrinkles. The daytime fill-in flash will soften the lighting and make the images more flattering. Your family and friends in the photos will thank you!

Make it Last All Year

When you get home you can edit, crop and enhance your favorites using the photo editing software that came with your camera or a more advanced software like Foto Finish or Photoshop Elements. Consider adding drama to your images by turning some of your color photos into black and white or sepia tones and then upload all your images to an online photo printing service like Ofoto or Shutterfly for fast and convenient prints. Get more information on these and other services at: http://www.takebetterdigitalphotos.com/

You can take your best snaps and use your photo editing software to create a photo calendar or make photo cards for personal notes, or to email your favorites to family and friends.

Most of all, have fun with your camera this summer or whenever you get the chance to vacation!

You can take your best snaps and use your photo editing software to create a photo calendar or make photo cards for personal notes, or to email your favorites to family and friends.

Most of all, have fun with your camera this summer or whenever you get the chance to vacation!

About the Author

The Editors at http://www.TakeBetterDigitalPhotos.com are committed to bringing you the most useful information about the rapidly evolving field of digital photography from a hobbyist perspective. Visit the Quick Tips page at http://TAKEBETTERDIGITALPHOTOS.COM/Quick_Tips.html for techniques you can use at your next event or photo opportunity.

Come to Florida’s Central Gulf Coast if you are looking for a sun-filled vacation that involves plenty of water and numerous activities. This area of Florida is located along the Gulf of Mexico, providing easy access to any individual who wants to fill their time with water sports and adventure. If you prefer the land, there are numerous attractions to meet your needs in addition to the gorgeous beaches that border the coastline. For everything you are looking for in a Florida vacation, visit the cities of the Florida Gulf Coast and you will not be disappointed.

Clearwater is an amazing vacation destination if you are looking for outdoor activities that will test your strength and abilities. Fishing is popular with visitors since the Gulf is home to more than 300 varieties of fish, such as snapper, king-fish, mackerel, tarpon, red fish, and sailfish. If you prefer to head out to sea rather than fish off the pier, you are likely to find a charter that can accommodate your needs since the Clearwater Marina is home to the largest fishing fleet on the Gulf Coast. For a personal adventure, find a captain who can take you to a private island where you can snorkel or collect shells. No matter what water activity you plan to partake in, Clearwater is sure to be an accommodating host.

If you prefer to spend your vacation all over the city, head to St. Petersburg for pristine beaches, water activities, and land sports that will leave you breathless. St. Petersburg and the barrier island of St. Pete Beach are known for their long, sparkling white sand beaches that glow under the sun. Spend your day relaxing to the sound of the waves, or get out in the water and go snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, or jet skiing. If you are looking for exercise on land, seek out one of the numerous tennis courses or hit the championship links at the Mangrove Bay golf course.

Madeira Beach is the perfect destination if you are looking for a low key beach experience combined with a gorgeous sunset. The area is quaint, it is located near an old fishing village, yet you can still find all the beach activities you could desire. There are deep sea fishing boats, dolphin-watching cruises, and entertainment boats that leave from this area, so be sure not to miss out on all the fun. If you are walking along the beach, however, be careful since there is a large quantity of sea shells.

Tampa Florida is a great destination if you need an action-packed, rather than the sit by the water, vacation. The biggest draw in this city is Busch Gardens, an entertainment park that combines the intrigue of a zoo with the thrill of roller coasters. For a more informative attraction, head to the Florida Aquarium. Here you can catch sight of sharks, stingrays, and schools of fish that are native to the state or participate in the Dive with the Sharks program. After the museums have closed, head to historic Ybor City to experience the center of Tampa’s lively nightlife. This area has been rehabilitated and turned into a National Historic Landmark District, contributing to the recovery of Tampa’s tourism.

With the multitude and diversity of cities along Florida’s Central Gulf Coast, it can be difficult to determine where you want to stay. However, since each location is supremely unique from the others, deciding what you want to do during your vacation will make your decision an easy one. After you determine what you want out of your trip, look into lodging that accommodates your desires. A Central Gulf vacation rental can put the water in your backyard or situate you in the middle of the city you decide to visit. Whatever you are looking for, there is a Florida Central Gulf Coast vacation rental that will meet all of your needs. Visit GreatRentals.com to find the Tampa, St. Petersburg, or Clearwater vacation rental that puts all the action you are looking for within reach.

About the Author

HomeAway.com has the most comprehensive selection of vacation rental homes on the Internet. For an alternative lodging option, look into a Central Gulf Condo for your next trip to Florida.

Busch Gardens originally opened in 1959. The original name of the park was Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and the park had an African theme. Later, it was called The Dark Continent and finally Busch Gardens Africa. The park is home to 2700 animals and a variety of great rides. Your family will enjoy learning about African animals and riding thrilling coasters in this park.

Rides at Busch Gardens

Kumba is a well known roller coaster in this park. The name means roar in the language of the Congo in Africa. This is a steel coaster that is 143 feet tall. The coaster reaches top speeds of about sixty miles per hour. Kumba has multiple inversions throughout the ride. If you love roller coasters, you need to ride Kumba during your visit to this park.

There are four roller coasters in addition to Kumba in the park. The Python and Scorpion coasters are very popular rides. The Gwazi is an eight hundred foot wooden roller coaster. Montu is a steel, inverted roller coaster that is also very popular. There is plenty here to keep the roller coaster enthusiast in your family happy all day long.

There are several water rides to help you cool off on a hot Florida day. You will find that some are great for younger kids, while others are better for the older children and adults in your group. The Tanganyika Tidal Wave, Stanley Falls Log Flume and Congo River Rapids are some of the more popular water rides in the park.

The park has several rides that are geared toward the younger guests. The Congo and Timbuktu areas have rides for children. The bumper cars are always popular with children. Your kids may have fun digging in the sand in the Egypt section of the park. The sky ride is fun for the whole family.

Animals at Busch Gardens

The park is home to approximately 2700 African animals. You can view the animals on rides such as the Rhino Rally. This is a jeep ride through the animal habitats in the park. The safari and river ride takes you on a land and water safari to experience the animals from both vantage points.

The Myombe Reserve is home to the Great Apes of Africa. Here you will see chimps, gorillas and many more ape species. The Serengeti Plains area is home to free roaming African animals. In this area, you will see elephants, giraffes, zebras and more. The Edge of Africa is where you will find rhinos, white Bengal tigers and hippos.

Busch Gardens offers one feature that the other amusement parks in Florida do not offer. They have a rain guarantee. If your day at the park is spoiled by rain, you will be given free admission to come back to the park another day. This is a great feature, especially in the summer. The weather during the Florida summer can be very unpredictable. You will not have to worry about missing out on the fun with this guarantee. To save even more money, ask about flex tickets that include admission to other parks, such as Sea World, Universal Studios, Wet and Wild and Islands of Adventure.

Hands Down my 2 personal favorite parks are still Kings Island near Cincinnati Ohio and Cedar Point near Sandusky Ohio.

In my opinion traveling to the parks in an RV makes the trip more enjoyable for everyone.

When I get in the traffic line to the entrance at Cedar Point my mind always wonders back to my childhood years, sitting in the back seat of my parent’s car with my cousin.  We couldn’t wait to get in and run to the new ride, whatever it was that summer.

Now that I enjoy the peaceful side to an amusement park trip the Camping at Cedar Point is a treat in itself.  They have a very nice campground called Camper Village that offers 209 RV sites and a newer area called Lighthouse Point that opened in 2001 with 97 luxury RV sites with some cottages built around the perimeter.  Having Lake Erie as a backdrop the sites are surprisingly serene for an amusement park site.  You can just hear the hum of excitement from the park enough to keep you anxious to get back inside.

They have added early entry into the park for campground guest.  How fun.  Start the rides earlier.

In my childhood when Kings Island first opened in Ohio, anyone that could ride “The Beast” and survive had a really cool summer story to share.  I think that was the beginning of the Ohio parks battle every year for the fastest, highest, best new thrill ride.

The Beast is still a favorite ride of mine but somehow it’s not quite as torturous as I remember it.

I think Camping at Kings Island provides a great place to head back after an exhausting day to watch the fireworks by the campfire.  PERFECT.

Paramount’s Kings Island Campground has more than 300 roomy campsites, all equipped with picnic tables and fire rings. Full 3-point hook-ups for RVs and tent sites are available too. Plus, all the action at the park is just a short walk or FREE shuttle ride away!

No matter what your favorite amusement park trip is, if you are lucky enough to enjoyit  in an RV, life is GOOD!

If you have an RV camping story please post a comment.

2)      Everyone is relaxed when the day starts, because you weren’t squeezed in the car with 4 kids in the back seat.

3)      Once at the park you have a nice cool place to rest out of the sun.

4)      You have a private place to change clothes after the soaker rides.

5)      You have an extra storage place for the giant teddy bear you won.

6)      You can have great sandwiches and drinks without spending a week’s salary.

7)      If a rain shower pops up, you have a nice dry place to relax, instead of crowding under the canopy.

8)      Grandma and grandpa can take a nap, or read a book while other’s still enjoy the rides.

9)      You can take advantage of the half price second day, because your not exhausted.

10)    You can stay until the park closes and only have a short walk to a good night’s sleep.

A country of great diversity, Mexico is the traveller’s paradise. A unique mix of cultures means that Mexico can cater for all tastes. From deserts to volcanoes, ancient ruins to modern resorts, Mexico has something for every tourist.

Mexico is full of history, as befits a country that was once ruled by the passionate and warlike Aztecs, one of the most advanced civilizations in the western hemisphere. Their capital, in Modern-day Mexico City, was full of massive stone pyramids and temples, the remnants of which lay under the modern city. The colonization of Mexico by the Spaniards provided a great deal of colonial architecture, and the violent centuries that followed provided the continent with one of it’s strongest independence movements, which can be found by visiting the Centro Historico and Coyoacan.

Although the Aztecs were wiped out as a political group, their descendents still live in Mexico City, and the ancient culture exists in events such as the Day of the Dead, feast-day of dead souls which falls at the beginning of November. Many people are fascinated by this festival, and anyone with an interest in the native culture should certainly visit Mexico in time for this celebration.

As well as ancient history, Mexico also provides some of the most interesting modern resorts. Mexico City itself provides many modern entertainments, which considering its size (it is the third largest city in the world, with a population of 22 million), including art galleries and restaurants.

Baja California can offer some of the most exciting holidays in Mexico, with kayaking, diving, and whale watching in the Sea of Cortez, as well as the possibility of guided RV tours of the area, aerial tours of the Copper Canyon (a canyon four times larger than the Grand Canyon), which can also be accessed by the famous ‘train ride in the sky’, a mysterious and inspiring place.

Even if you wish to do nothing besides go sailing or fishing Baja California can cater for your desires. Cancun, as well as offering kayaking and diving, also has facilities for golfing. It is here that you can see the famous bullfights once a week, and cockfighting and dancing can also be found at the Plaza de Toros Cancun.

Anyone interested in adventure holidays will like to know that Actun Chen, the famous cave system full of stalactites and stalagmites and natural stone formations. Beyond the caves is jungle, 988 acres of wildlife trails and tropical vegetation. Not too far from Cancun is the Tres Rios, which boasts snorkelling in its section of the Great Mayan Reef. For those who want a more relaxed experience, Guadalajara is noted for its cultural arts, such as the Degallado

Theater, and the mural by Jose Clemente Orozco (part of the 1920’s Mexican mural movement) which is at the Cabanas Cultural Institute. The city has many interesting museums, as well as a fantastic selection of resorts, all part of a city which has become more business orientated If you are looking for beaches, Mexico boasts some world-class white sands, with surfing, fishing and clear waters, plus parts of the Great Mayan Reef just a few feet from the shore.

Some of Puerto Vallarta’s beaches are only accessible via boat trips, and the Isla Contoy (reached by boat from Isla Mujeres) has a fantastic, almost uninhabited beach, and Los Cabos’ rocky beaches are great for laying back and catching the sun. If you want beaches with exclusivity, there are some private beaches at the Costa Alegre, which also boasts exclusive resorts; while Punta Allen’s low-cost hotels are some of the best getaway locations in the country.

Of course, Mexico is not just about history and beaches. Mexico City has a fantastic nightlife, as you might imagine from the mix of Latin, Cuban and alternative music clubs in the city. It also boasts trendy nightclubs and an area nicknamed the ‘Soho of Mexico City’. Other places, such as Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta, also have sophisticated nightlife. Son Cristobal has a music scene that is fun and exciting, while not taking too much out of your budget. It is the ideal place for people who want to spend their nights barhopping, and everything is in walking – or staggering – distance).

It would not be fair to talk about Mexico’s nightlife without mentioning Cabo San Lucas; the capital of Baja California for an after-dark scene, casual bars line the main streets, as well as the beach front. A rowdy, lawless feel makes this the nightlife for the adventurous. Mexico is so full of different aspects that at times it can seem surreal; you can walk the paths of the ancient Americans in the morning, surf or laze on the beach in the afternoons, and go out clubbing at night, and usually all these things are within the same city. Lively and fascinating, this country is a must-see for both the adventurer and the sun worshipper alike.

About the Author

Orson Johnson writes for Holiday Velvet, a website providing listings for bed and breakfasts, villas, hotels and Apartments in Venice