Operate a real diesel locomotive at this hands-on museum

The Western Pacific Railroad Museum is located in a former Western Pacific Railroad locomotive servicing facility in Portola, California, in the Sierra mountains about 50 miles from Reno. The 37-acre site includes a 220-foot-long, 16,000-square-foot diesel shop used from 1954 until 1974 as well as two and a half miles of trackage primarily of a balloon track and various yard tracks.

The museum has more than 35 locomotives and 80 cars of various types. Unlike many other museums, visitors to the Western Pacific Railroad Museum soon discover that this is a hands-on facility where they are encouraged to climb up in the cabs of locomotives, sit in the engineer's seats and browse through the many cabooses and passenger cars that are on display. 

The museum is one of the few places in the world where you can operate a real diesel locomotive (reservations required). It'll cost you $150 for an hour, but for anyone who's dreamed of being a railroad engineer, it's a mighty reasonable price.

The museum is open seven days a week, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., the first Saturday in April through the first Sunday in November. Learn more at its website.

Little America: The only motel in America with its own Zip Code

There isn't a whole lot of civilization between Evanston and Green River, Wyoming on Interstate 80. One notable exception is Little America, a giant truck stop and motel complete with its own post office -- Little America, 82929.

Named for Admiral Richard Byrd’s 1929 base camp in Antarctica, Little America has provided a similar haven to motorists since 1934.

Little America is the only motel in America with its own Zip Code, making it a memorable stop for anyone interested in visiting superlatives by the road. The truck stop is well stocked with the regular trucker and road-tripper merchandise. If you're hungry, grab a meal in the coffee shop or if you're not THAT hungry, a 50 cent ice cream cone is the best deal for miles.

And, heaven forbid, if your tow vehicle or RV is acting up and needs a mechanic, there's a repair shop that specializes in diesel engines.

We're sad to report that Little America does not have an RV park, but there's plenty of room to park for awhile to stretch your legs or take a snooze.

Bicycle the 'Route of the Hiawatha' trail in Montana, Idaho

For active breaks from traveling through the Inland Pacific Northwest, there are three must-do bicycle trails -- The Spokane River Centennial Trail, Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes and the Route of the Hiawatha Trail. All three are easily accessible from I-90.

The most majestic of the three is the Route of the Hiawatha Trail. Two years ago, a few of us RVers bicycled this immensely popular route, a 15-mile compacted gravel trail between the Pearson trailhead (elev. 3180) in Idaho and the East Portal trailhead (elev. 4147) in Montana.

Although bicyclists can travel round trip, most choose the shorter (3-4 hour) downhill experience and park at the East Portal, located about 2 miles off I-90 at the Taft Exit in Montana (5 miles east of Lookout Pass on the Idaho border) and take a shuttle bus back.

The downhill version begins at the East Portal of the very dark Taft Tunnel. Helmets and proper lighting equipment are required for all bikers.

(I was extremely glad I was wearing a strong helmet because immediately after emerging from the damp, 1.7 mile-long tunnel, my front wheel skidded sideways on a wet patch and down I went. Although I didn't know it at the time, I suffered a cracked rib when the handle bars slammed into my side. Thinking I only had been bruised, I went on to finish the ride.)

The trail has a 2% grade and travels through nine tunnels and across seven high steel trestles before reaching the Pearson trailhead.

The Friends of the Coeur d'Alene Trails Website tells us: "Along the trail, numerous interpretive signs provide information about the rich mining and railroad history in this scenic passage way through the spectacular Bitterroot Mountains, famous between 1911 and 1961 as the 'Route of the Hiawatha' on the Milwaukee Road between Illinois and Washington."

The Hiawatha trail is open through Oct. 2 from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. During the peak season, June 27 -Sept. 5, the hours are extended to 5:30 PM (Pacific Daylight Time). Day use pass is $9 ($6 ages 6-13). All children 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

The shuttle operates 7 days a week from 11 a.m. to approximately 4:15 p.m. through Sept. 11, with service on Friday, Saturday and Sunday until Oct. 2. (On weekends from June 27-Sept. 5, a fifth run at the end of the day is added ... so the last departure from Pearson would be at 5:45 PM.)

For nearby campgrounds visit the Idaho Panhandle Nation Forests Web site. Or click here for a wide selection of books on camping in the Pacific Northwest.

Photos: Top: Views of the Route of the Hiawatha. (Friends of the Coeur d'Alene Trails). Middle: RVer Jimmy Smith bicycling through one of the nine tunnels on the 'Route of the Hiawatha. (Julianne Crane) Bottom: View from one of the seven high steel trestles. (Julianne Crane)

For Father's Day, navigate to annual 'car show and shine' in Kelowna, British Columbia

The third weekend in June is always great fun in Kelowna, British Columbia.

For the last dozen years, thousands and thousands of people have swarmed over City and Kerry Parks on the shore of Okanagan Lake for the annual Boyd's Father's Day Car Show and Shine .

The free outdoor car show features more than 300 hot rods, bikes and rumbling machines. Vintage and classic cars crowd the parks and surrounding downtown streets.

More than 20,000 spectators are expected to listen to live rock 'n roll music by Kenny Blues Boss Wyne and Floyd Vedan. The Dance City Academy will give special performances.

There are always numerous food tents with all kinds of delicious goodies, including amazing BBQ beef dogs (around $2) and ice cream cones.

If that isn't enough, look for craft booths ... and ... face painting. This year proceeds go to support the Canadian Cancer Society.

On my 2009 visit to the festivities and car show, my favorite classic was the the Coca Cola Chevrolet delivery van and custom mini-trailer owned by Carole and Barry Blomme.

Kelowna folks can really throw a party.

If you go:

13th Annual Father's Day Charity Car Show/Shine

When: Sunday, June 19, 2011, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Where: City Park, Kerry Park

Mill Street, downtown Kelowna, BC

Contact: 250.868-2693

Photos: 2009 Kelowna Father's Day car show by Julianne Crane.

Campobello Island

Campobello Island was the summer home of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The cottage is now the centerpiece of the Roosevelt Campobello International Park, which is funded by both the US and Canadian governments. Although in the Canadian Province of New Brunswick, Campobello Island is accessible by land only from Lubec, Maine, which bills itself as the easternmost town in the United States. During July and August there is ferry service to and from Campobello from Deer Island, NB and another ferry from Deer Island to mainland New Brunswick.

The Roosevelt cottage contains furniture and artifacts original to the Roosevelt family including many photographs of the family enjoying the wonders of this beautiful island.

Campobello Island is largely a fishing community, and since it is located in the Bay of Fundy, it experiences those extreme tides the Bay is known for. The 30 square mile island has several picturesque lighthouses, several restaurants, and a usually cool summer climate.

Herring Cove Provincial Park on the island has a campground and golf course. There are also two private campgrounds in nearby Lubec, ME.

Campobello Island may be a bit difficult to get to for RVers who don’t live in New England, but it is well worth the effort.

Map Courtesy: NewBrunswick.com

Photos: Lew Pinsker

New campground at Colorado's Elkhead Reservoir State Park

Elkhead Reservoir State Park is located in the Yampa Valley in northwestern Colorado. Home to a 900-acre reservoir, this state park provides endless recreational opportunities including boating, swimming, picnicking, wildlife watching, hiking, fishing, biking, camping and countless opportunities for photos.

The newly built Bear's Ears campground at Elkhead Reservoir includes 16 campsites with fire pits, picnic tables and shade shelters.

Watchable wildlife is abundant at Elkhead Reservoir right now in June. There are lots of little critters running around. Depending on the season, large herds of elk, deer and pronghorn can be seen in and around the park. Hawks, eagles and owls are regularly seen throughout the year. Also found in the area are bears, coyotes, bobcats and mountain lions which are not seen daily, but pass through on a regular basis.

Montana's St. Ignatius Mission, historic art

If you are traveling anywhere near Glacier National Park in northwest Montana this RVing season, plan a short cultural stop in the small town of St. Ignatius, about 50 miles north of Missoula.

The community, currently on the Flathead Indian Reservation, dates back to the mid-1800s when Jesuit missionaries founded St. Ignatius Mission.

By the early 1890s, Indian peoples and missionaries began construction on the building using local materials. The "million bricks were made with local clay, the lumber was cut in nearby foothills, and the striking interior murals" were created by the mission's handyman ... and extremely gifted amateur painter.

These incredible frescoes are 58 compelling reasons to pull off the highway.

"Brother Joseph Carignano (1853-1919), an Italian Jesuit who was the cook at the mission for many years, painted 58 frescoes on the walls and ceiling of the church, despite no formal art training and only being able to work on the murals in between his regular jobs," writes Jan Krause in the Lake Shore Country Journal.

"The frescos depict scenes from the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, as well as portraits of several saints. Behind the main altar is a triptych of the three visions of St. Ignatius Loyola, and above that a mural of the Last Judgement. Pictures of Mary and Joseph adorn the side altars. These vibrant paintings throughout the church are awe-inspiring, appearing as fresh as if they had been painted yesterday."

In addition, there are two very special paintings of the Salish Lord and Lord's mother (in Native American form) located in the back of the mission. The grounds also feature a log cabin, now a museum, which was the original residence for the Sisters of Providence when they first arrived in the 1860s to start the girls' boarding school.

The Mission Mountain Range is a beautiful backdrop to this "historically interesting" and "artistically dramatic" mission church.

Contact Information:
St. Ignatius Mission
PO Box 667
St Ignatius, MT 59865
Phone: (406) 745-2768
Hours: Daily 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. in the summer; 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. in the winter; Sunday Mass - 9:15 a.m.

Admission: Free, donations accepted.
Directions: Approximately 50 miles north of Missoula, just 2 blocks off Hwy 93 in St. Ignatius. Signs are on the highway, and the mission can be seen from Hwy 93.

Photos: St. Ignatius Mission; interior view with frescoes painted by Brother Josepha Carignano. Courtesy: St. Ignatius Mission.