Campground Spotlight
Flag City RV Resort
Lodi, California
With so many people RVing today, campsites sometimes are in short supply. Add to that, for California at least, difficulties caused by droughts. Fortunately, Flag City RV Resort in Lodi, California, is adapting to both of these issues in positive ways.
As for RV spaces, Bobette Dowling, manager of this 180-site park, said the owners recently bought a few parcels of land nearby, and they plan to expand the campground in the future. “That is in the works,” she said.
It’s a good thing, since the park is more popular than ever. RV clubs and FMCA chapters use it as a meeting spot; it’s a winter refuge for snowbirds from points north; and lately, it’s been a haven for California RVers dealing with wildfire-related power outages. Ms. Dowling said, “Every year I say it’s the busiest year ever.”
The drier climate has brought landscape upgrades to Flag City. The park is running driplines to make sure the trees that line the RV sites stay happy, and decorative lava rocks are being installed where moisture-loving plants once lived. The new plan gives RVers more site room and lets the park conserve water. The “green” emphasis extends to a new solar array, which creates shade — as well as about 90 percent of the park’s power needs.
RV travelers like Flag City’s easy access from Interstate 5 and amenities such as free Wi-Fi, three laundry facilities, spacious rest rooms and showers, a clubhouse, a spa, a 3-acre fenced dog run, and a new pool heater. The latter makes the snowbirds happy, as it lets them use the pool in cooler months. And the dog run, well, it sure pleases the canines. “There are dog parties out there in the morning!” Ms. Dowling said.
Details
Flag City RV Resort, C10821
6120 W. Banner St.
Lodi, CA 95242
(866) 371-4855
www.flagcityrvresort.com
Flag City RV Resort is 33 miles south of Sacramento and 14 miles northwest of Stockton, near the Sacramento River Delta and other attractions. It is open year-round.
App File
Health Clubs And Classes
Here’s how to find nearby fitness facilities and classes so you can make good on your New Year’s resolution to exercise.
ClassPass: Users can find and schedule exercise classes and activities at more than 20,000 fitness facilities worldwide. Activities include running, strength training, yoga, boxing, dance, martial arts, and more. It’s also possible to stream audio or video workouts. Users receive monthly credits to use at any gym in the network; plan options vary. A free trial offers up to six classes in 14 days. After the trial, you are auto-enrolled in a $59-per-month plan. Visit www.classpass.com. The app is free for iOS and Android.
Zeamo: RVers who are often on the move can search for nearby gyms and purchase daily, weekly, or monthly passes (depending on availability). Start your search by setting a mileage radius. Then choose one or more fitness activities, such as treadmill, lap pool, basketball, indoor cycling, tennis, yoga, and more. You also can select certain amenities, such as massage, sauna, smoothie bar, etc. Once you’ve paid the daily, weekly, or monthly rate, you gain access to a facility by using a mobile pass at the front desk. Visit www.zeamo.com. The app is free for iOS and Android.
Books
Solving Murders With The “Yacht Yenta”
Regular readers of FMCA’s magazine are likely familiar with the long-running “Cooking On The Go” column by Janet Groene, F47166. In addition to her numerous FMCA contributions over the years, Janet is a prolific blogger; feature article writer; and author of dozens of nonfiction books about travel, boating, and RVing.
Janet Groene has released three books in her mystery series to date.
Janet recently added fiction writer to her resume with the release of several books in the new “Yacht Yenta” mystery series (First Edition Design Publishing). They are available as e-books through Amazon for reading on Kindle, Nook, and other devices.
Farley Halladay, the protagonist and listed author, went to sea, lost her husband, and is now landlocked, though she still sails the world as the Yacht Yenta via her online yacht booking business. “It’s too bad murders keep getting in the way,” notes the first book’s synopsis. Farley also cares for her one-eyed rescue dog; exercises with a brassy workout partner; solves crimes with a Haitian-born sheriff friend; and, drawing on her background as a former cook on corporate yachts, provides shortcut galley recipes for meals she cooks along the way.
Janet Groene has released three books in her mystery series to date, including January Justice.
Janet says her Farley Halladay books are part of the “cozy mystery” category — light, quick reads with strong characters that adapt well to a series. Citing an abundance of RV-themed books already in that genre, Janet chose to give her mysteries a seafaring backdrop. Janet and her late husband, Gordon, lived on a sailboat before they began full-timing in a motorhome. Thus, nautical references abound as Farley takes readers on an international journey.
The first Yacht Yenta books were published in 2019: January Justice ($4.99), February Felony ($3.99), and March Malice ($3.99). The fourth title, April Avenger, is slated for release in 2020.
“You can see where this is going,” Janet quipped.
Visit Amazon.com to learn more about Farley Halladay and her Yacht Yenta mysteries, plus read a preview.
Food
Words From Southwestern Menus
Here’s a list that may help the next time you dine at a Southwestern or Mexican restaurant. Clarifications from the waiter take precedent, of course. And as they say in Spanish, Buen provecho!
- Camaron: Shrimp.
- Carne Asada: Grilled, thinly sliced meat.
- Chalupa: “Small canoe” — The name for a boat-shaped corn tortilla fried and filled with ingredients.
- Chile Relleno: “Stuffed peppers” — Typically, green peppers stuffed with cheese and then battered and fried.
- Chorizo: Sausage made with ground pork and spices.
- Flan: Cooked custard, usually topped with caramel.
- Flauta/Flautita: “Flute” — Small corn tortilla stuffed with meat or beans, then sealed and fried until crisp.
- Mole: Spicy, rich sauce often containing nuts, seeds, spices, chiles, and a touch of chocolate.
- Pico de Gallo: “Beak of the rooster” — Relish made from uncooked chopped tomato, onion, and chiles.
- Suiza: “Swiss” — Sauce that may include cooked tomatoes, onion, and chiles, plus cream or sour cream and cheese.
Travel
Birthplace Of “The King”
Avid fans of Elvis Presley, the “king of rock and roll,” know that his humble beginnings trace back to Tupelo, Mississippi. The modest two-room house where he was born on January 8, 1935, still stands and draws 100,000 visitors each year.
Visitors to Tupelo, Mississippi, can tour the home in which Elvis Presley was born.
Elvis’ father, grandfather, and uncle built the house. Elvis’ parents, Vernon and Gladys, fell on hard times, though, and were forced to move from the home when they could not repay the $180 loan they’d taken out to pay for it. Elvis was only a few years old. But Elvis grew up surrounded by extended family for the 13 years he and his parents lived in Mississippi.
In addition to touring the house Elvis Presley was born in, visitors to his birthplace museum in Tupelo, Mississippi, can step inside his childhood church.
In addition to touring the house, which is part of the 15-acre Elvis Presley Park, visitors can step inside Elvis’ childhood church, which was moved to the site. Within this Assembly of God chapel, Elvis became familiar with the Southern gospel music that became part of his repertoire. A museum and gift shop also are on site.
Visitors to Tupelo, Mississippi, can view a bronze sculpture, “Elvis at 13.”
Visitors also can admire the life-size bronze statue “Elvis at 13,” and they can view “Becoming,” bronze likenesses that symbolize his transformation from boy to world-renowned entertainer.
Elvis’ career forever changed popular music, but those who knew him said he remained humble in spirit, in keeping with his roots. Elvis died on August 16, 1977, in Memphis, Tennessee.
Each year when January 8 rolls around, his fans still think of him and wish happy birthday to “the King.” This year would have been his 85th. Guests are invited to tour the house for free on his birthday and enjoy some birthday cake. The Ultimate Birthday Tribute also will take place on January 8 at the birthplace, with a performance by Taylor Rodriguez, 2019 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist champion. All seats are $25. For tickets and information, call (662) 841-1245 or visit www.tupelo.net/birthday.
For information about special celebrations planned at Graceland, Elvis’ home in Memphis, Tennessee, go to graceland.com/elvis-birthday.