Percha Dam State Park, Arrey, New Mexico

This lesser known (and less crowded) state park is just south of the more popular Caballo Lake and Elephant Butte state parks. Although I haven’t been to the other two I think they are booked more so harder to get reservations. Just from looking at pictures, it seems like Percha Dam has more trees and...

Nauvoo State Park and Historic Site, Nauvoo, Illinois

Nauvoo is a place of historical significance and the state park is almost within walking distance of the historic village and visitor’s center. The LDS Church (Mormons) purchased and built up this town in the 1840s, after being kicked out of Missouri and before they were run out 15 years later, eventually settling in Salt...

Elk Rock State Park, Knoxville, Iowa

It's almost the off season, end of September, and so the park does have a little different atmosphere, fall leaves, some rain, and empty during the week and almost full on the weekend. This large state park has a "regular" or non-equestrian campground area and an equestrian area. Elk Rock State Park is on Red...

Oasis State Park, Portales, NM

This is a holiday weekend (Easter) and I wasn’t able to get a site with hookups so we are technically “boondocking” for 3 nights although I paid for the site.  $10 a night plus a $12 fee for booking online. This small state park is just a few miles from Cannon Air Force Base and...

The Bark Rangers at Petrified Forest National Park

We toured Petrified Forest National Park in early April by motorhome. Our first stop was the Painted Desert Visitor Center. There are several buildings here with a gift shop, restaurant and a bookstore/ranger station. I went in to the ranger station to get a map and to get my two Bark Rangers registered. Although while...

Calico Ghost Town, Yermo, CA

Sometimes you want to relieve old memories and it doesn't live up to expectations and sometimes it does. I hadn't been here in 20 years and didn't remember much from that visit as I was mostly just photographing but my expectations were high though because I used to love Knott's Berry Farm in the 60s...

12 States in 5 Months — A Wrap-up of My 2018 Travels

Here are the highlights of my 2018 travels in chronological order. Every place I stayed also has a Pet-Friendly-Report . I said good-bye to family and friends in Sacramento, CA on June 23 and headed south. I followed route I-40 and Route 66 to visit my son in OKC. Then continued on to tour the...

Cary State Forest, Bryceville, FL

This would be a perfect place to get away from it all and enjoy some quality time walking the dogs -- if you go when it's not hunting season. Unfortunately, I was just passing through on a quick trip to get home for the holidays. I checked in at 5:15 pm and left at 8:15...

Huntington Beach State Park, Murrells Inlet, SC

I had an extra 2 days and someone suggested this park so I booked for a Thursday and Friday night. There are 2 things I would have changed -- reserved the north campground instead of the south campground and stayed longer. If you love wildlife, this is definitely the place. However, the south campground is...

Andrew Jackson State Park, Lancaster, South Carolina

I was looking forward to spending a week here because it sounded really interesting and I was not disappointed. The camping area is small and sites are close together but, even so, we really enjoyed being here. There is an indoor/outdoor museum area with several buildings, a statue, and monuments. There is a lake big...