| Did you know that a day at the beach can have | | | | the Nanaimo River joins the Ocean. Campers |
| a positive effect on one's emotions? Or that | | | | here will enjoy water on three sides of this |
| even looking at a relaxing beach scene can | | | | park, and have their choice of sunny sites, |
| have a calming effect? Maybe that's why many | | | | river sites, ocean sites or secluded forest |
| people choose to spend their vacations at the | | | | sites. |
| water's edge, either at the ocean, lake or | | | | |
| river. | | | | New Brighton State Beach - Capitola, |
| | | | California: New Brighton State Beach is one |
| Where might you want to spend your next | | | | of the most popular state beaches in |
| "water vacation?" | | | | California, and chosen as one of the "Most |
| | | | Beautiful Campgrounds" by Frommer's. Located |
| On an Island | | | | in the town of Capitola, just south of Santa |
| | | | Cruz, this 93-acre park along the coast of |
| There are so many island destinations around | | | | Santa Cruz offers spectacular views of the |
| the world with fantastic beaches upon which | | | | Monterey Bay. New Brighton State Beach is |
| to relax, as well as great diving, snorkeling | | | | also popular for its family-oriented |
| and swimming opportunities. | | | | campground which sits on the towering bluffs |
| | | | high above the Pacific Ocean. |
| Most people instantly think of the Hawaiian | | | | |
| Islands of Hawaii, Maui, Oahu and Kauai. But | | | | River Rafting |
| if you've been to Hawaii and want to try | | | | |
| something new, how about St. John, the | | | | Whether it's rafting lazily down a river or |
| smallest of the U.S. Virgin Islands? St. | | | | an exhilarating whitewater rafting trip, a |
| John was voted one of the "Top 5 Islands in | | | | rafting vacation can be anything you want it |
| The Caribbean, Bermuda, and the Bahamas," by | | | | to be. If whitewater rafting's your passion, |
| Travel + Leisure in 2006, voted one of the | | | | why not try the Youghiogheny River Gorge |
| "Top 10 Caribbean/Atlantic Islands" by | | | | which passes through Ohiopyle State Park in |
| readers of Conde' Nast Traveler in 2006, and | | | | Pennsylvania? Not only will you experience |
| voted "All-Around Destination" by readers of | | | | some intense whitewater rafting, but you'll |
| Caribbean Travel & Life in 2005. | | | | also experience Ohiopyle State Park, which |
| | | | Woodall's Camping Life includes on their "Top |
| The climate on St. John is nothing short of | | | | 10 State Parks" list. |
| fantastic, ranging from the low 80s during | | | | |
| the winter to the low- to mid-nineties in the | | | | Whichever river you choose, do make sure your |
| summer. Lodging options range from pricey | | | | rafting experience matches the class of the |
| resorts on the beach (Caneel Bay Resort) to | | | | river. If you've never engaged in whitewater |
| quite reasonable modest inns with shuttles | | | | rafting before, you may want to start out |
| that take you to the beach. One such | | | | with a lower class, and go in a group with |
| modestly-priced inn is The Inn at Tamarind | | | | experienced guides. |
| Court. With 20 units, 14 with bathroom, The | | | | |
| Inn at Tarmarind Court starts at $110 - $120 | | | | Lakeside |
| for a double room in the off-season, $148 in | | | | |
| the winter. You can reach them at 800 | | | | The great thing about a lake is that there's |
| 221-1637. | | | | usually one within a couple hours where you |
| | | | live, so a great weekend getaway isn't far |
| Camping on a Beach | | | | away. But, if you're planning on a longer |
| | | | lakeside vacation with spectacular views why |
| Want a great view but don't want to spend big | | | | not consider Lake Michigan? |
| bucks to get it? Consider camping on the | | | | |
| beach, either with a tent or in your RV. As | | | | Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes |
| with islands, there are an abundance of great | | | | of North America, and has the distinction of |
| beach campgrounds from which to choose. Here | | | | being the only one of the group of Great |
| are three you might like: | | | | Lakes to be located entirely in the United |
| | | | States. Lake Michigan is bounded by the U.S. |
| Henderson Beach State Park, Destin, Florida: | | | | states of Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and |
| Henderson Beach State Park was named one of | | | | Michigan, but it is the beaches in Michigan |
| the "Top 15 Scenic Views" by ReserveAmerica, | | | | where most consider the lake to be at its |
| and is located just east of Destin, Florida | | | | most beautiful. The off-white sand of its |
| on U.S. 98. Tent and RV Campers here will | | | | beaches are often referred to as "singing |
| enjoy more than 6,000 feet of natural scenic | | | | sands" because of the distinctive squeaking |
| shoreline, with sugar-white sand beaches and | | | | noise made when someone walks across it. |
| emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico. | | | | That is due to the sand's high quartz |
| | | | content. |
| Living Forest Oceanside RV & Campground - | | | | |
| Vancouver Island, Canada: RV West Magazine | | | | Whichever water vacation you choose, the |
| readers have voted Living Forest Oceanside RV | | | | point is to go relax and rejuvenate. That |
| & Campground their favorite privately run RV | | | | means leave your laptop at home and your cell |
| park and campground. Located in Nanaimo, The | | | | phone off. The world can wait while you |
| Living Forest consists of 53 acres of | | | | enjoy the water and the view. |
| pristine forested land on a peninsula where | | | | |