soi news su-13 - scamp owners · a 12 volt cooler within reach is a great place to keep the cheese...

SOI

Summer 2013 Scamp Owners International Volume XV Number 3

In This Issue

News

Debra Foster’s 2006 16-foot Scamp and 2007 Honda Pilot tow vehicle at Frontenac State Park in Minnesota.See her report on page 16 Photograph by D. Foster

From The Editor’s Desk ScampCamp 2013Great Parks Scamping FoodSad News RV batteriesSOI Mailbag Modifications & ChangesBook Corner Recipe CornerFuture ScampCamps Frontenac State Park

SOI News Summer 2013

Rod CransonEditor

My return to Crater Lake National Park thissummer will be a memory trip back to the

many summers I spent working in the park.

From the Editor’s Desk

The 3rd Edition of CraterLake - Gem Of The Cas-cades is based on Rod’s

experence at Crater LakeNational Park.

Rod passes the Scamp 1keys to Bill and Mary JaneHoward in West Virginia.

Photographs by K R. Cranson

Over the 15 yearsas editor of the SOINews I have tried toencourage members toshare their travels/ad-ventures/modificationsor other types of infor-mation with other mem-bers. Recently, theseefforts have been re-warded and more ar-ticles and images havebeen contributed to en-rich each issue of thenewsletter. To thosewho have made a con-

tribution, I wish to say “THANKS” onbehalf of all SOI Members. Have youan “egg” related article that is strugglingto get into print? If so, send it to me.

This issue features two contribu-tions, Dick and Lynda Freed’s reporton the great gathering we had duringScampCamp 2013 at Highlands Ham-mock State Park near Sebring, Florida(page 3). Sharing her information onanother great destination, Debra Fos-ter shares her love for Frontenac StatePark along the Mississippi River in Min-nesota (page 16). Thanks for both thesearticles and associated photographs -hope everyone enjoys them. Also, besure to check out Julie Cassaday’srecipe for Easy Coffee Cake on page13.

A couple years ago I put our 5th

Wheel Scamp up for sale, but didn’tget any interest. After we returned fromFlorida in March, I tried again andthought the same thing would happen.Then, in late April, I received a call fromBill Howard. He drove up to visit andcheck out Scamp 1 - and decided he

wanted it. However, when we tried to getthe hitch moved from our Dakota to hispickup, it became clear the process wouldtake a few days. So, the solution was forSharon and I to deliver the trailer to Bill’splace in West Virginia.

Since the creation of Scamp OwnersInternational in 1999, there have beengradual changes along the way. Member-ship has grown, the SOI News has gonedigital with the addition of color, the SOIMembership Directory was established,member contributions have increased, andcommunications have improved signifi-cantly. Now, some major changes for SOIare being planned and I hope to announcethem in the 2013 Fall Issue of the newslet-ter. Stay tuned.

As you read this issue of the SOINews, we are either in the middle of plan-ning for a trip to Oregon or actually on ourway. One reason for this visit to Crater LakeNational Park, and other western nationalparks, is to introduce our youngest grand-daughter - Nicole, 10 - to the park. Hermom spent many summers at Crater Lakeduring the late 1970s and early 80s whenour family lived there from June to Sep-tember. I served as a Seasonal ParkRanger. Nicole will be our final grand kidto visit the park.

Finally, as you are out Scamping thissummer, keep an eye out for other SOIMembers along the highways and in thecampgrounds. Sharon and I extend ourbest wishes to you for a great summer.

Rod

“A people that values itsprivileges above its

principles soon loses both.”

Dwight D. Eisenhower

Summer 2013 SOI News

15th Annual campCampHighlands Hammock State Park

By Dick Freed

R e c o r dnumbers of Fi-berglass trailerenthusiasts gath-ered this pastFebruary atHighlands Ham-mock State Parkin SebringFlorida. 63 trail-ers, with 112

campers were registered for the event. Inaddition, several SOI Members stoppedby for a day to bring the total number toover 130.

Although themeet was scheduledfor Monday throughFriday, many peoplecame a few daysearly. On Sundayevening, to begin tobuild community, andto test out equip-ment, a movie WeBought a Zoo! wasenjoyed by the earlybirds.

Monday included registration andset-up of campsites. The traditional “Chili

D u m p ”was heldt h a tevening asthe camp-ers broughttheir favor-ite Chilir e c i p e sand addedthem to ther o a s t e r sand crock

pots. Along with the Chili, there weremany salads and dessert items contrib-uted to make the evening dinner a realfeast. A big thank you to BettyMcAdams and Lynda Freed for help-ing to organize the Chili dump. FloydClark and Wayne Felker took over thecampfire duties to make a good fire forthe first night of ScampCamp.

On Tuesday morning, LyndaFreed led a craft session, making ‘‘beadgizmos.” A free afternoon was followedby the annual “Getting to Know You” PotLuck dinner, with hot dogs and suppliesprovided by Dave and Marty Krack,and also supported by SOI. The fore-cast for later in the week included rain,and so the Thursday movie night wasmoved to Tuesday. Everyone enjoyedSimon Birch.

Wednesday was a busy day forScampCamp. On Wednesday morning,Floyd Clark started off the day with the“Tech Talk” where people could askquestions about fiberglass trailers, prob-lems encountered, and how to solvethem. Following the Tech session, theOpen House was held,during which camperscould display the modi-fications they had madeto their trailers andshare them with othercampers.

On Wednesdayafternoon SteveMcAdams gatheredthe group together forthe traditional

Flat Stanley keepseveryone current.

Lynda and DickFreed ScampCamp

Hosts

Official Portrait ofScampCamp 2013

participants.Photograph by S. McAdams

Floyd Clark Leads thepopular Tech Session.

Jack and Alice Vernezzevisit during the GreatGiveaway in the rain.


The Craft Session particpants enjoyedmaking crocheatd necklaces.


ScampCamp picture.Steve processed the im-ages and made copiesavailable to those inter-ested. That evening, thevolunteer staff at thecampground held theAll-Camp Potluck at theRecreation Hall. Aftereating, Susan and AlanSchroepfer providedentertainment for those

who stayed to enjoy the music.On Thursday morning, the volun-

teer staff offered fresh baked hot bis-cuits with homemade toppings, break-fast rolls, and coffee in the RecreationHall. Afterwards, Sharon Cransontaught a craft lesson in making crochetednecklaces. In the afternoon, the GreatGiveaway was conducted…… in therain…… under the carport! As the raincontinued, most remained inside theircampers for the rest of the day. Thatevening the Highlands Hammock Campvolunteers offered a great Soup Supperat the Recreation Hall, which was wellattended by campers in the park.

After the rain had stopped by Fri-day morning, Bob Anderson led an in-formative nature walk along the FernGarden Trail, one of the nice boardwalks

in the park. Later in theafternoon the annual tripto Homer’s Smorgas-bord in Sebring washeld, where we all ate“just a bit more than weshould have!” Theevening Campfire washosted by Dick andLynda Freed. High-lighting this final camp-fire event was wine-tast-

ing andsnacks. Agood timewas had byall.

S a t -u r d a ymorn ingmarked theend of pro-grammingfor theweek, asmost of the group began packing up to

head back home.My heartfelt

thanks to thosewho were notedabove in boldfaceprint for sharingtheir talents tohelp make theweek a success. Iwould also like tothank Jim andKate Filer,Rose MaryTobbe, and all theother park volun-

teers for their help in organizing and as-sisting with Scamp Camp 2013.Thanks toR o dCransonfor puttingtogetherthe framegame andprovidingSOI prizesfor the win-ners. Myapologiesto anyonethat have

Steve McAdams preparesto create the official

ScampCamp 2013 Portrait

Most of the 2010 SOI Alaska Adventurepaticipants gathered fora reunion at

ScampCamp 2013

Steve Blasko roasting hotdogs for the “Getting To

Know You” Potluck.

ScampCamp 2013 participants enjoyedseveal potlucks during the gathering.

Susan and AlanSchroepfer entertain

following theWednesday evening

All Park Potluck.

Libby and Paul Smith wonthis year’s Frame Game

Challenge - an SOISweatshirt.


helped and we may have missed with ac-tivities this year …… and a big thank you.

Next year’s camp will be held Feb-ruary 10 –– 14 (depart 15), 2014. As ofthe writing of this article we already have20 sites registered. If you want to attend,please make your resevations at HighlandsHammock State Park NOW. Then,please contact me with your registrationinformation. (Registration info and con-tact info appears elsewhere in this news-letter). Thanks to all for attending this year.We had a great camp.

Great Parks

Lake Louisa State Park

Just a fewmiles south ofClermont right onU.S. 25 is a niceFlorida State Park- Lake Louisa.This park is in thestate’s highlandsdotted with manylakes. It boostsand area of nearly4,500 acres,

mostly uplands, but some 10% lakes andwetlands. It opened in 1977 making it

one of the newer state parks.Hiking and biking are two

of the more obvious activitiesLake Louisa Park is noted for,but there are numerous others.There are several lakes withinits boundaries that allow fish-ing including two fishing dockson Dixie and Hammond lakes.In addition to the 23 miles ofhiking trails, there are 16 miles of trailsdesignated for horseback riding. If youget tired of camping,, there are 20 cab-ins along Lake Dixie that can be rented.

The campground consists of 60 siteson paved roads with nice level crushedstone pads. There are twomodern restrooms with hotshowers (partially solarheated), laundry facilities anda camper sink (also w/hotwater). Lake Louisa StatePark is very popular and thecampground tends to fill early,so you may want to get acampsite reserved well ahead of anyplanned visit. krc

The Lake Louisa campground liesbetween Hammond and Dixie Lakes.

One of the hikingtrails in the park

hugs the shorelineof Lake Louisa.

One of the 20 cabinsavailable for rent along

Dixie Lake.

Walkway leading down toDixie Lake’s day use

fishing pier and canoes-kayaks launch.Courtesy Photograph


Scamping Food

As we’ve traveled and campedover the years, a few ideas have devel-oped regarding cooking and eating whichwe would like to share.

We always have “dipping stick”pretzels in a gallon zip lock bag handy.Pretzels are a healthy snack and can evenbe almost a meal when dipped in coldpack cheese spread. They can behanded to the driver already dipped.

A 12 volt cooler within reach is agreat place to keep the cheese spread.It’s also good for cold drinks, grapes,carrots, sandwiches, and chocolate. With

SOI NewsPublication Schedule

Winter Issue - JanuarySpring Issue - AprilSummer Issue - JulyFall Issue - October


Sad NewsOne aspect of SOI is that many of or members are “seniors”

and thus often face health issues. Since the ScampCamp in Sebring,we have lost two members.

Earl Brown passed away on April 20,2013. He had only been ill for a month withacute lymphoma, probably brought on by hisimmunosuppressant drugs. His doctor recom-mended that he be placed in Hospice care,which we did. In the last several years Earlendured much pain from a previous back in-jury followed by months of waiting for an or-gan transplant. Then, while still recuperating from that organ trans-plant, he was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of cancer shortlybefore his passing. He had been an SOI Member for many yearsand will be sorely missed. ScampCampers will recall him as a tall,nice-looking man with a great smile, even when it was difficult forhim to smile. Earl is survived by his wife, Mary Bennett Brown, hisbrother-in-law, Rich Bennett and wife, Helen, along with many Scam-pers. Information provided by Mary Brown and John and MonikaPotter.

Barb Melton passed away on February27, 2013 while returning from ScampCamp2013 during a visit her sister Ruby in Memphis.She passed away in her sleep, a victim of heartfailure. She served as one of the co-host at theLand-Between-The-Lakes ScampCamp fallrally. Barb was a very religious person and wascomfortable with her beliefs. She was cremated and Hoby, alongwith her family, will take her ashes to Lake Superior in August. Sheloved Lake Superior, it was one of her favorite places to camp. Hoby,and her many friends, will miss her daily presence, abundant joy, andpleasant smile. Hoby and Barb Melton were long time SOI Mem-bers and have attended many ScampCamps in Sebring, Florida andother locations across the country. Information provided by DennisArcher and Floyd Clark

dinner at the campsite? Stop at a fast foodplace and pick up a side salad with a pack-age of dressing. Pop it in your cooler. Usethe top and bottom of the container as twosalad bowls at dinner time.

A camper kitchen can never have ev-erything. Here’s what we bring along:

- Quart zip lock freezer bags (they aresturdy and good for storing anything);

- A tightly closed container of sugar;- Salt, pepper, seasoned salt, Italian

seasoning, dried minced onion, vanilla;- A small bottle of oil (can become

salad dressing with some items from above);- Powdered milk, coffee, tea.

Some staples in the pantry:- Canned sliced potatoes (add dried

onion, soak, drain) for home fries;- Instant mashed potato packages;

Cooked rice packets; Packaged tunasteaks;

- Packaged mac and cheese; Pasta;Sauce;

- Chopped clams (for clam sauce,cook down juice with added dried onionand Italian seasoning, add clams and sauce,serve over pasta);

- Canned tuna (add to mac and cheesefor a complete meal, top with salsa if de-sired);

- Canned soup and stew for when itsreally late when you stop;

- Individual packets of buttermilk bis-cuit mix (it stays fresh. Make dumplings togo with the stew. Add sugar, vanilla, egg,and one cup milk for great pancakes.)

In the refrigerator, besides the usualbutter, eggs, milk, and beverages:

- Bacon (cooked at home andwrapped in paper towels and zipped inbags);

enough cold liquid inside, everythingwill stay cool until morning with the unitturned off, as it should be when the caris stopped. Want a fresh salad with your


RV Batteries

When it comes to batteries used toprovide power for RVs, things can get abit confusing. Be aware there’s a differ-ence between batteries used for avehicle’s engine operation - starting andrunning lights - and those used for “house”purposes, operating interior lights, waterpump, furnace, and other needs in an RV.

Starting, lighting, and ignition bat-teries are built to provide power in a hurryand later recharged. Starting an enginerequires a lot of power for a short pe-riod. House batteries, also known as“deep cycle” batteries, are designed toput out less power over an extended pe-riod of time.

Using a typical “car” battery topower your RV’s internal needs willquickly exhaust it - it’s just not designedfor the job. When shopping for a deepcycle battery for an RV, there are a num-ber of choices. The three basic types ofdeep cycle batteries each come with ad-vantages and disadvantages.

Most typical RV house battery isthe lead-acid or Flooded Acid type. Theyare filled with a liquid electrolyte, are theleast expensive of deep cycle batteries,and have a good track record over manydecades. In these “vented” types the cellcaps can be removed permitting the cellsto be refilled as needed.

Alternatively, the non-vented types,known as “maintenance free,” are sealedand do not require fluid monitoring. Gen-erally, the best choice for RVs is thevented batteries.

Of course, flooded acid batteriesmust be kept upright to avoid loss of anyelectrolyte. While being charged theyproduce hydrogen gas that must ventedoutside the RV. Flooded acid batteriesdo not “last as long” as other types. How-ever, they are a good choice for RVs ifthey are cared for properly - primarilykeeping the electrolyte level filled andavoiding discharging them below 50% oftheir rated capacity.

Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM)deep cycle batteries are likely the nextmost popular type for RV power. In thistype, the electrolyte is confined as a satu-rated fluid in a fiberglass mat. Conse-quently, they don’t need to be installed inan upright position. With proper care thistype will not give off gas like flooded acidbatteries and don’t require outside vent-ing.

AGM batteries are thought to lastlonger than flooded acid batteries. This

Flooded Acid Deep Cycle

Absorded Glass MattDeep Cycle

Gell Cell Deep Cycle

Courtsy Photographs

- Brown and serve sausage (storethe left over in one of those bags);

- Cubed steak, ham steak, chicken(available in stay fresh vacuum packs);

- Baby cut carrots and green (red/orange) peppers (great traveling dinnerveggies);

- Salsa (for chips and that mac andcheese); Real maple syrup (for those pan-cakes).

We often go to non-electric sites sowe don’t carry electric appliances. Per-colators still make great coffee. Tea iseasy. Toast? Melt butter in a non-stickpan. Flip bread to coat evenly. Turn as ittoasts. Great with eggs and that alreadycooked bacon done in the same pan!

These ideas certainly aren’t new, butmaybe haven’t been thought of before.Enjoy!

Lynn and Pam Eberhardt,Scottsville, NY


means they can be discharged and re-charged through more cycles. How-ever, they cost much more than anequivalent flooded acid battery. In ad-dition, how they are charged is muchmore critical.

Overcharging an AGM batterycan lead to swelling due to the hydro-gen gas produced. And, because theare sealed, the battery case may evenburst. While charging to 2.4 volts percell (14.4 volts on a 12-volt battery) isOK, a “float charge” (a charge left onan unused battery) of only 13.5 volts isa safe level.

Finally, there are Gel Cell bat-teries. Like AGM batteries, this typedoes not have a liquid electrolyte. Thesecan be installed in a non upright posi-tion and they don’t produce gas, sodon’t require outside venting.

This type requires the most carein maintaining a proper charge and arevery sensitive to over-charging. Ordi-nary conventional battery chargers cannot be used - they will destroy an AGMbattery. This type is likely the least usedfor RV power.

Bottom line, if batteries can be avertical position and vented, it is betterto use flooded acid type for RV power.

Modified from an article by Russand Tina DeMaris in the RV TravelNewsletter

From Baja - We are having ourown ScampCamp on the Baja in SanFelipe. Weather has been great but thelast few days have been windy andcooler. We will leave here Thursdayand head to Ensenada and then downto the whale watching and over toMulege. Don’t know how much furtherwe’ll go before we need to head back

north. Hope all went well in Sebring.Regards to all. Doug and Ginny Smith,Garden, MI

March 6, 2013 - It was Sunday,March 3, 2013 a clear day and I was settingat the table looking at the ducks and geeseon the Mississippi River and going throughtwo months of mail when the phone rings.At the other end was Kathy Dalbey, haveyou heard that Barb Melton passedaway? No I said. We just got home lastnight, been on the road as of the 4th ofJanuary. This is why we enjoy life and kepon the go with our 13-foot Scamp. Onenever knows when life will end.

We are glad that on this last trip wehad a good time (with) Barb and Hobyaround the campfires. Her loss will be felt atget to gathers in the future. Don’t say I can’tgo today, maybe later, you never knowmaybe late will never come. Enjoy campingevery day you can.

Sebering - at the 2013 ScampCampat Highlands Hammock State Park - was agreat time as all Scamp get to gathers are.We are home now with the Winter SOInewsletter and map looking at our nexttrips. There is a Fish Fry, then Minden anda trip out east. Then, Fall in Michigan,Minnesota and Tennessee.

The Winter SOI News said SOIMembership is down to 450 from 1,200. Ifeel this is because of the internet with siteslike Scamper, Fiberglass RV, and others.People say “why pay for SOI?” We do nothave a computer and know little about howto use one, we get out SOI newsletter frommy sister’s boyfriend. We want to thankRod Cranson for the SOI and hope it willkeep going. It’s too bad Scamp has nointerest in seeing the SOI newsletter stayaround. As one owner of a new Scamp saidto us on the way home from Sebering


“What is the future of Scamp?” He said“Jim, at Scamp, told him in 2013 Scampmade around 450 units.” That means SOIis but a few percent of Scamp owners.This is sad.

Happy Camping. Darlene andCorky Pieper, Port Byron, IL.

Interesting Comparison - Inlooking over the prices of the AirstreamManufacturers Suggested Selling Priceand comparing their prices to the Scamp5th Wheel, you could get two Scamp 5thWheel Deluxe Travel trailers with every-thing on it but a garbage disposal for lessthan $60,000. Two Deluxe Fifth wheelswould be much less than the Airstream. Ithink one could have as much fun in aScamp as they could in an Airstream andfor a lot less money. Further more theScamp Owners International folks aregood folks. Paul Ogle, Indian River, MI.

Sleep Apnea - How many mem-bers of SOI are using a CPAP or a BiPapto sleep. For those who do a lot of drycamping, how is it operated - batteryoperated charger or some other sourceof power? Paul Ogle, Indian River, MI

Awning Security - WayneFelker’s awning latch looks better thanmy bungee cord to keep the awning frombreaking loose on the road. It is possiblethat the reason awnings fall open is thatthey are not properly stowed. If you lookclosely at the top of each leg - while theawning is out - you see a tab extendingabove the pivot joint, and a tee shapedlug. The tab is supposed to engage a slotin the plastic end cap of the housing asyou swing the leg up into the stowed po-sition and the lug engages the inner edgeof the cover thereby locking the cover

Modifications - Changes

From Pop-Up to Scamp 16 - Af-ter years with a pop-up, often for onenight at a time while traveling, and deal-ing with wind and rain during set up ordeparture, we decided a new Scampwould be a lot nicer. However, wewanted to retain the best features ofour old system - small size and simplemaintenance.

We tend to stay in Nationalor State Parks. They are in interest-ing places and most have nice facili-ties with hot showers. We usually aimfor non-electric sites since they’re qui-eter and more likely to be available.

Our 2006 Scamp, one of thefirst completed after the factory fire,was designed to fit our camping style.We ordered it with: a larger batteryand two propane tanks - for peaceof mind; furnace - for coldAdirondack nights; air conditioner -for hot Myrtle Beach days; power

Cupboard where storage shelveswere installed for clothes.

Clothing storage shelves

down. But it is too easy to missthose details ... especially if you getin a hurry. It will deflect the plasticcap, and not engage the slot, ormiss the cover. On our 16-ftScamp, both end caps got pushedoutward and cracked. I had tocobble up gussets to pull them backinto place. Now, I make sure thelegs are properly tucked in andlatched, but I still wrap a bungeecord at one end for insurance. Ithink I will try something likeWayne’s design, perhaps a haspand snap. Wayne Collins,Dubuque, IA


roof vent - for all the other times. It also has front bunks - for

grandchildren visits; and side bath-room without any plumbing - toenclose an easy to deal with PortaPotti, which sits on a plastic boottray and is the large capacity size,the same height as a home com-mode. However, be advised:driving with a full top reservoir andempty lower one can lead to tip-overs.

Other features are a plasticgas can with a piece of hose at-taches to the sink drain and I’vewired the tow vehicle so it discon-

nects when the ignition is shut off.A few modifications have made

our Scamp just about perfect. we putLED bulbs in most of the lights to savebattery power. I changed the 110 voltfluorescent light to a 12 volt unit so wealways have a bright kitchen. we put a12 volt CFL bulb in a lamp fitted with apolarized plug to use inside or out atthe picnic table with an adapted 25 foot

extension cord.In additon, we installed a 12

volt pump and waterproof pushbutton switch into the existing wa-ter line/faucet to make washingmuch easier. Finally, followingPam’s suggestions, towel racksand clothing shelves were added.

The oak towel racksare mounted back to back, on op-posite sides of the bathroom door,with nuts and bolts instead ofscrews, to minimize stress on theparticle board. we had to fashiona door stop to prevent the addedtowel racks from being broken ifthe door opened too wide.We built the clothing shelves in the

Towel racks on the outsideof the bathroom door.

bottom of the closet, cut an opening andordered a door and plastic edging fromScamp. The shelves are made of cabinetryplywood, sanded and finished with poly-urethane and iron-on veneer.

Shelf spacing, frame support, andhinge mounting is provided by 1 x 2 clearpine. Hardware is from the local homestore. Towel racks and shelving would benice optional offerings from Scamp. Lynnand Pam Eberhardt, Rochester, NY.

Door Latch Replacement - Overthe last couple years I have seen a number

of Scampswith theoriginal doorlatch re-placed byone similarto thoseused inother RVs.This is achange thatI wanted tomake on

our 1998 5th Wheel. While heading backnorth after ScampCamp 2013, we spentan afternoon with Paul and Libby Smith inOrlando after Paul offered to install a newdoor latch. Prior to arriving at the Smith’shome, I found adoor latch at anRV store.- itcost about $43,but a checkonline suggestsit is available formuch less. Paulnotes his latch isa Fastec43610-09 andcost about $36.

The original door latch onthe inside of the door with

a bolt lock above.

After removing theoriginal door latch,

tape is applied toavoid damage to the

fiberglass.

Pictures by K R. Cranson

Inside of bathroom doorwith additions


Using a template tolocate the new latchposition, a series of

holes are drilled.

The firstjob is to re-move theoriginal latchthat requiresremoving justa couplescrews. Next,several stripsof protective

tape, blue painters tape works well, is ap-plied to avoid damaging the gel coat whileinstalling the new latch. After Locatingwhere the new latch is going to be placed,the new latch is used as a template to markthe area to be cut out. About a 10 to 12i n c hs q u a r ew h e r ethe lockwill be iss u g -gested.

Drillin themiddle ofthe “plug” to be removed with a 1/2 inchdrill bit - this should provide enough roomfor a metal jig saw blade to cut the hole.The more teeth on the blade, the better.After cutting and with the ‘plug’ removed,the resulting hole may need some addi-tion work to allow the latch to fit prop-erly. Depending on the door thickness, as h i mm a y b erequiredinsure aproper fitwhen thelatch if fi-nally putin place.

The

Using a saber saw, anopening for the new latch

mechanism is cut out

The replacement doorlatch features a dead

bolt with a separate keylock.

A final sizing of theopening finishes the

preparation before install-ing the latch.

place on thedoor framewhere thecatch se-cures thedoor mayneed to re-inforced.On myScamp anew piece of steel strap was installed andreinforced for the catch. The new doorlatch is a nice improvement over theoriginal one that is still being used on newScamps. If offers a secure lock alongwith a deadbolt, both using the same key.It also looks nice. K R. Cranson, Lan-sing, MI.

Route 66Quick Refer-ence Encyclo-pedia - Withthis handy ref-erence, novicesand seasonedroadies havequick and easy access to essential in-formation about this famous highway.Providing a list of important terms ac-companied by descriptive articles andillustrations, this guide details the route’shistory--including the origin of the slo-gan “Get your kicks on Route 66”--commemorative festivals, useful highwayterms, maps, and its most famous andquirkiest attractions. A Question & An-swer section with trivia questions andtheir unexpected and fascinating answersprovides further information that will al-low road warriors to impress friends andfellow travelers with their knowledge ofthe route, while a supplemental list di-

The SOI Bird Sez:What modifications or

changes can you share withother SOI Members?


rects dedicated fans to more detailedinformation on one of the most historicand beloved drives in America. Pub-lished 2008. 208 pages, Cost: $12.95

Route 66 Backroads - Knownas the Main Street of America and theMother Road, Route 66 is the nation’’sbest known highway. Once the micro-cosm of a culture increasingly con-nected by automobiles, its sights andattractions are now a fascinating reflec-tion of a nation on the move. Travel thisiconic highway through the heart ofAmerica with the colorful Route 66Backroads. Use it as a guide or put iton your coffee table.

This lavishly illustrated book steersyou from Chicago to Los Angeles, trav-eling through the lowlands of the Ameri-can Plains and the high plateaus of NewMexico and Arizona, from the GreatLakes to the mighty Pacific Ocean, andthrough major metropolises and remotecountry towns. Branch away from theMother Road, and you encounter gemshidden beyond today’’s standard mo-tels and tourist traps -- quaint frontiercommunities that date back to thenation’s westward expansion; the legacyof ancient native cultures; and awe-in-spiring natural wonders.

State parks, wildlife refuges, mu-seums, historic sites, literary landmarks,and much more are there to be exploredwithin a few hours’’ drive from the pathof Route 66. The fifty trips included hereoffer new travel opportunities for thethousands of road-trippers who followthis legendary route, looking for some-thing more. Softeover. Published 2008.208 pages, Cost: $21.24.

RV Adventure: Route 66(DVD) - Join filmmaker and RVer JohnHolod as he explores the Mother Road

from Chicago to L.A. by motorhome.When Route 66 was commissioned in 1926it soon became America’s “Main Street.”Now, replaced by Interstates, it remains anostalgic ribbon of mostly two-lane high-way that reveals an America of yesteryear.Join John on this 2,000 mile RV journey ashe explores classic drive-ins, gas stations,and kitschy roadside attractions, all fromthe perspective of an RVer. Join John as hevisits museums along the way as well ascampgrounds where you can stay as youexplore this fascinating highway of yester-year. Along with the Alaska Highway, driv-ing Route 66 is at the very top of manyRVers “must visit” lists. Cost: $19.96.

Campers Daily Log - Keep trackof 45 different daily activities including fuel,mileage, expenses, weather and activitieswith this compact, 7" x 4 1/2" vinyl looseleaf journal. The back of each page pro-vides room for notes and memos. Plus 10checklists in their own section and blank,lined pages for entering other trip details.This is a favorite record-keeping journal forRVers year in and year out. You’ll love go-ing back to it later to relive your trip. Cost:$12.76.

Couteous Photographs Strange and Unusual

Small RVs are often cnstructed ormodified to create some interesting ve-hicles. Here are a few found in recentmonths.

A unique 5th Wheel “egg.”Picture by Chris Kidd


Future ScampCamps

Yellowstone Gathering - July 14-19, 2013. So far we have 5 folks com-mitted to meet in Yellowstone NationalPark and another 4 “maybes.” We arecaravanning from Vegas on Saturday, July

Easy Coffee Cake(Scamp Tested)

1 - 8 oz Cream Cheese1 - 12 oz tube of Crescent Rolls½ cup Sugar3/4 teaspoon Vanilla1/4 cup Melted ButterMixture of Sugar and Cinnamon

(more sugar than cinnamon) for toppingMix soften cream cheese, sugar and

vanilla. Unroll crescent rolls, line a 8 x 8inch greased pan with ½ of the rolls.Spread cream cheese mixture on top. Putthe other ½ of the rolls on top. Brush withbutter or spray butter on the second layer.Sprinkle with the sugar cinnamon mix andbake at 350° for 30 minutes. I used atoaster oven.

* In addition to the sugar cinnamonmix I added 1 tablespoon of raw sugar. Itmake a nice little crunch. Julie Cassaday,Waynesville, NC.

Teardrop Motorhome

Nice Paint Job!

Courtsey Photographs

Colorful Scamp - A local artist isusing her circa 1960s Scamp when shegoes to shows. Her real name is LornaLovegrove. She is neat! These photoswere taken outside her gallery in Matlacha,Florida. It is the island we cross when weleave our home on Pine Island. Matlachais pronounced matt la shay. The accent ison the last syllable. Carolyn Wilson,Bokeelia, fl.

Looking for more greatrecipes to make in yourlittle “egg?” Try AliceVernezze’s SOI Cook-book - Scamp OwnersFavorite Recipes is stillavailable. It is packed withgreat recipes contributedby many SOI members.You can contact Alice byphone: 321-794-3181, orby E-mail:[email protected], orat 610, Satellite Beach,FL 32937. Cost is $5.00plus postage/handling.


ScampCamps

Gatherings of Scamps, and other small fiberglass RVs that join in, atvarious locations across the country are organized and hosted bySOI Members and others who wish to share the attractions of theirarea. These meetings have become a tradition of the group since thefirst gathering over fifteen years ago. All ScampCamps areindependent of Scamp Owners International, with all arrangementsmade by the individual(s) hosting the event. SOI does not sanctionor financially support any gathering or other activities conducted bya Scamp owner. SOI’s involvement is simply one of announcingthese events and offering suggestions to anyone interested in planningand hosting such a gathering. These suggestions may be requestedand will be sent as an attachment to an E-mail entitled “Hosting aScampCamp Guidelines.”

Come prepared to have a good time. Pleasenotify Steve McAdams if you plan to at-tend. [email protected]. or byPH: (417) 437-7489

The Scrambled Eggs annual fall gath-ering will be at Taylor Falls, Minnesota onSeptember 19th -21st, 2013. The locationis Wildwood RV Park & Campground.Phone No. 651-465-6315 orwww.wildwoodcamping.com and ask forthe scrambled eggs area. After you makereservations please call or email Dwayne(Pete) Peterson at 320-496-5137 or email:[email protected]. Hope to see lots offolks this spring in Minden at the spring out-ing.

Land Between the LakesScampCamp - October 3th to 5th, 2013(Th-Sa). Tentative plans include a Camp-fire meet and greet on Thursday (no foodserved). Friday will include a tech session,potluck dinner and group photo (bring aHawaiian shirt). An open house (decoratew/a Hawaiian theme) is planned for Satur-day along with a garage sale, door prizes(donations encouraged), buffet at BauersFamily Restaurant and Halloween partyback at the campground. A detailed sched-ule will be provide upon arrival. Make res-ervations in the Shortleaf Loop near sites319 & 338 (host and co-host sites) in thePiney Campground at: www.lbl.org or PH:800-525-7007. If Shortleaf Loop is full, tryLobiolly Loop. Only cost for attending iscamping fees. After making your reserva-tions, pleas send an E-mail([email protected]) or PH 931-801-7178, Dennis and Susie Archer

ScampCamp 2014 - February 10th

to 15rd, 2014 (M - Sa). Plan to join us earlyfor the 16th annual gathering by making your

13 for a week on Yellowstone Lake.We will stay there at Grants VillageCampground from Sunday, July 14 tillFriday morning July 19. Call Grants Vil-lage G.C. to make a reservation. Plansare to hike, fish, canoe, sightsee, horse-back riding (perhaps), enjoy Dutchoven meals, and relax in the Great Out-doors! ! Plan to meet us there. Con-tact ‘Gator’ Brian Johnson at E-mail:[email protected] for additionaldetails.

Lake Erie State Park, NewYork - A fall gathering is planned forSeptember 9-12, 2013. Make reser-vations through ReserveAmerica nomore than 9 months in advance. (ex-ample, to arrive Sept. 9, reserve asearly as Dec. 9, 2012). Sites 5 -30are the preferred sites. Sites 10-20 willneed a 50 amp to 30 amp adapter.Scamps, and friends of Scamps arewelcome to attend. There are no struc-tured activities planned, although therewill surely be campfires and potlucks.

ScampCamp 2013 partici-pants enjoy an evening

potluck, one of the manyactivites offered during

this annual event.Photograph by S.K. Cranson


and ruddy turn-stones. Autumnbird watchingbrings sightings ofmigrating eagles,tundra swans, tur-key vultures, andbroad-winged,red-tailed andsharp-shinnedhawks. In addi-tion to a multitudeof birds, wildlife including white-taileddeer, wild turkey, red fox, raccoon, opos-sum, coyote, woodchuck, squirrel, andbeaver can also be spotted.

The paved trail from thecampground to the picnic area in-cludes spectacular views of LakePepin, as well as many varietiesof prairie wildflowers. The pic-nic area also has a large enclosedshelter. Interpretive programs arefeatured at the park and firewoodand ice can be purchased at thepark headquarters.

Frontenac State Park is also specialto me because it is the final resting placeof my faithful Scamp pup, Billie JoCocker. Billie’s name is carved in a treealong her favoritehiking trail and herashes weresprinkled at thebase of that tree. Itis also the parkwhere I first tookmy grandchildrenS c a m p i n g .Frontenac StatePark will alwaysbe a place of won-derful memoriesfor me.

reservation. Call: 800-326-3521 to makereservations, then email or call Dick andLynda Freed, the hosts, to report yourinformation. Even if you have to cancelyou won’t lose all your money - the parkwithholds only one day’s fee. Freed’semail is: richfreed@aol,com, Phone num-ber are: 814-449-9596 and their addressis: 511 Lauterbach, Frostproof, FL33843. Highlands Hammock State Parkis located at 5931 Hammock Rd, Sebring, FL 33872. Come join us for a greatexperience.

time seemed to stop in Frontenac. A walkthrough the little town of Old Frontenactoday gives one a sense of that bygoneera.

The park was also at one time thesite of a stone quarry, producing high qual-ity limestone. In 1883, limestone from thisquarry was used in the construction of theCathedral of St. John the Divine in NewYork City.

Located along the Mississippi Fly-way, over 260 bird species are regularlyseen in the park, making it a popular areafor bird watchers. Be sure to bring your

binoculars,since it is com-mon to seebald andgolden eagles,rose-breastedgrosbeaks ,h e r m i tthrushes, scar-let tanagers,b l u e - g r a ygnatcatchers,sanderlings,

Continued from page 16

Debra Foster’s 2004 Scamp in its natural habitatat Frontenac State Park.

One of the many variet-ies of wild flowers

found along the hikingtrails at Frontenac State

Park.

The final resting place ofBillie Jo Cocker, Scamp

pup extraordinaire.

View of Lake Pepin from a hiking trail along thebluffs, looking toward Maiden Rock, Wisconsin.


SOI NewsSummer 2013

Volume XV Number 3Published quarterly for Scamp owners andintended solely for their education, enjoy-

ment and entertainment. Neither SOI or thispublication is sponsored or supported by, noris there any relationship with Scamp Travel

Trailers or Eveland, Inc.Address communications and contributions to

SOI News226 Iris Avenue, Lansing, MI 48917

517-321-2473e-mail: [email protected]

Frontenac StatePark

by Debra FosterHastings, MN

Much of my youthwas spent in Maiden Rock,Wisconsin. Maiden Rockjust happens to be directlyacross Lake Pepin fromFrontenac State Park. AsI was growing up, I recalllooking across the lake atPoint-No-Point, a 430foot high, 3 mile long lime-stone bluff that is part of the

park. It is fitting then that Frontenac hasbecome my most often visited ofMinnesota’s state parks.

Frontenac State Park is located inGoodhue County on Highway 61, 10miles SE of Red Wing, Minnesota. Thepark is comprised of 2,961 acres alongthe Mississippi River bluffs. There are58 drive-in campsites in the park, 19 ofwhich are electric, and 6 cart-in sites.The campground has flush toilets andshowers, as well as vault toilets. In ad-dition, there is a group campground thatwill accommodate up to 35 people and

has vault toilets, open pic-nic shelters, and water.

Frontenac has 13miles of hiking trails, in-cluding a 2.6 mile HikingClub trail. There is onemile of surfaced bike trail.My favorite trail, BluffsideTrail, features some of thesteepest terrain in the Mis-sissippi River bluffs. Thetrail follows the top of the3 mile long limestone bluffand descends alongswitchbacks down 400

feet to the river below. It is always impor-tant to remember that what goes down,must also come back up! Along this trail,hikers can view In-Yan-Teopa or “rockwith opening,” believed to have been ofreligious importance to American Indians.

During the winter months, Frontenachas 5.7 miles of cross country ski trails witha winter trail center and 5.5 miles ofgroomed snowmobile trails. The camp-ground is also open year round with 5 win-ter sites, 3 of which are electric, remainingopen.

Frontenac State Park is rich in his-tory. Archaeological excavations in the parkdate back to the Hopewellian Culture ofapproximately 400 B.C. The park was asacred hunting and fishing area to the Da-kota and Fox Native American tribes. Fa-ther Louis Hennepin visited the area in1680. The French built Fort Beaucharnoisthere in 1727 as a base for trade with theDakota.

Two Jesuit missionaries built a fortthought to have been the first church inMinnesota. In the late 1850’s, the town ofFrontenac was founded. As MississippiRiver traffic increased, Frontenac becamea busy summer resort town. As railroad traf-fic increased and river traffic decreased,

Continued on Page 15

A beautiful vista of Lake Pepin (Missis-sippi River) can be seen from the picnic

grounds at Frontenac State Park.

Photographs by D. Foster

In-Yan-Teopa, a naturallimestone arch on top of a

bluff in the park.Couresy Photograph

“Bench with a view” at the end of theHiking Club Trail at Frontenac StatePark4972 - A beautiful vista of LakePepin (Mississippi River) can be seenfrom the picnic grounds at Frontenac

State Park

soi news su-13 - scamp owners · a 12 volt cooler within reach is a great place to keep the cheese...

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