Major events in Winthrop and Twisp

If you are looking for a Winthrop RV Park or Campground you might also like to know what is shaking in the Methow Valley this year...   Here's a list of the major events:

Winthrop '49er Days
May 11-13, 2012

Methow Valley Rodeo

May 26-27, 2012

Winthrop Rhythm & Blues
Festival
July 20-22, 2012

Methow Valley Chamber Music Festival
July 27 -August 4, 2012

Methow Valley Rodeo
September 1-2, 2012

Winthrop Auto Rallye
September 7-9, 2012

10th Annual Winthrop Chamber
of Commerce Goft Tournament
September 15, 2012

Christmas at the End of the Road
November 24-25, 2012

Winthrop Snowshoe Softball
February 16-17, 2013

It's always good to keep an eye on Methow Arts and the Confluence Gallery

Here you can find every single thing that's going on in the Methow: http://methownet.com/calendar.html

Ever feel like smoke is following you around the campfire?

Why is it that every time you sit at the campfire, smoke gets in your eyes?

You move to the right and it gets you. So you move to the left and it gets you! But why?

Fire takes in air from all sides. When you sit in front of the fire, the flames suck in the air between you and it. This leaves a vacuum. The smoke will quickly fill this vacuum, therefore "getting smoke in your eyes."

When you move out of the way, the same thing happens - more smoke!

To avoid this smoky phenomenon, build your fire near something larger than you and non-flammable. This can be a large rock, or even a dirt mound or sand bank. The larger object should create a greater vacuum, drawing the smoke towards it - not you.

Just a little known fun fact from your friends at the Pine Near RV Park and Campground! 

If you are looking for a Winthrop RV park, check us out at 316 Castle Avenue, Winthrop, WA 

Traveling & Camping with a Motorcycle -- Adventure Touring

The North Cascade Scenic Loop is an excellent choice for Adventure Touring.  Choose to take the Main Drag through the Methow Valley on State Rt 20 or jet off on some of our side roads.  It's an excellent route to take in some of Washington's finest scenery on roomy paved roads.  Also you can  take some lightly traveled detours and get out in the back country if you'd like.  

Speaking of back country, we highly recommend you check out Harts Pass while camping with us in Winthrop. A gravel road leads 19 miles from our neighboring area known as Mazama past the 2,000-foot slopes of glacially carved Goat Wall, and on to Harts Pass (6,197 feet), where it crosses the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). The road splits at the pass. Turn left (south) for nine downhill miles to the ghost towns of Barron and Chancellor, once home to 2,000 miners. Turn right (north) for three steep miles to Slate Peak Lookout.

When you park there, you’re at the highest point you can drive to in Washington State: 7,440 feet. A short walk leads to the lookout tower; be ready for spectacular 360-degree views of the entire Cascade Range. Harts Pass Road is steep and narrow; RVs and trailers are prohibited.  When planning your road trip please consider the following: The road is gravel and quite narrow.  The road is not plowed beyond Lost River in the winter and there is often snow remaining in June.

Make the Pine Near Campground your base while adventure touring in the Methow Valley.  We are one block above downtown Winthrop with easy access to all kinds of dining and entertainment! Check out our website for information about many of the things Winthrop has to offer.

For a little teaser about what you will view when riding Hwy 20 toward Winthrop, WA please check out Rob's Biker's Road Guide.

More News about Methow Valley Camping

Just a quick note to say we've been updating the Pine Near RV Park and Campground website.  If you are thinking about Twisp camping, Winthrop camping or Mazama camping you should check out the Pine Near!  Make our campground your headquarters for enjoying all the Methow Valley has to offer.

Our Winthrop RV park is one block off the North Cascades Loop.  Easy downtown access!

www.pinenearpark.com

New Owners of an old Favorite.  Fully Modernized Camping for 2012

Check out our Facebook Page for more interesting information about the Pine Near RV Park, Campground and surrounding area.

Planning a Road Trip in the Winter?

Planning a road trip to the Methow Valley in the winter is a great idea!  The shimmering snow and crisp, crystal-blue skies are definitely worth the drive.  Twisp, Winthrop, and Mazama are magical winter time stops for a road trip.  Follow Hwy 20 in to Twisp. You may want to make Glover Street Market (on Glover/Main Street) your first stop.  They have really tasty food and an excellent juice bar. Swing in to Winthrop where you can go ice skating or skiing for the afternoon.  No gear? No problem!  You can rent it all right in town!  Stay overnight with us at the Pine Near.  We are just one block above Main Street in Winthrop.  Meander down to the Rocking Horse Bakery in the morning where there will be espresso and an assortment of breakfast goodies waiting for you. While you are in the Methow Valley take a breathtaking drive right on up to Mazama.  Rent some snow shoes and spend the morning exploring in the snow.  We recommend you stop by Mazama Country Store for a homemade bagel.  They are to die for!

Now, here are some tips for Winter-time Road Trips...

Tires and Traction: You should have at least 1/8-inch tire tread depth and proper inflation. Cold temperatures have a lowering effect on tire pressures—check frequently to maintain adequate inflation. Carry chains or invest in winter tires (for mud and snow). In some states, you can use studded snow tires, but they are illegal in others. Traction devices often greatly increase your stopping distance, so control your vehicle carefully. "All-season" tires are not your best choice for poor conditions outside the sanded, sheltered streets of a city—make sure you have good lugged snow tires if you are traveling through heavy snow country.

Know the difference between standard brakes and ABS brakes, (click here for more about this) and how to use each. When using ABS, press the brake and hold it. Do not release the pressure. With standard brakes, use threshold braking. Press the brake pedal until the wheels begin to lock, then release just enough pressure to get them rolling again. It is important to have your brakes serviced so they do not pull to one side or the other.

Recommended Equipment:

• CB radio
• Cell phone
• Scraper and brush
• Folding shovel
• Jumper cables
• Tow rope
• Sand or cat litter (for traction)
• Flares
• Blankets
• Cold weather clothing (like insulated coveralls)
• A good flashlight (cold kills batteries, make sure they're fresh and carry spares)
• High-energy food (see sidebar)
• Drinking water
• Medications for longer trips.
• A can of lock de-icer (don't use hot water on glass or locks—it will only make things worse)

This is no time to get stuck with a flat tire, so make sure you have a jack, lug wrench and an inflated spare tire in good condition.

Get last minute information on weather and road conditions— The Department of Transportation (DOT) Web site is the best place to start. Washington Department of Transportation You need the latest information—weather FORECASTS (like those in newspapers) are notorious for unreliability! Ask about any potential avalanche conditions along your route.

Last but not least: Let someone know where you are going and when you plan to arrive.

Source:  http://www.roadtripamerica.com/travelplanning/Winter-Driving.htm

See you at the Pine Near RV Park and Campground :o)  www.pinenearpark.com

Tiny Trailer Camping

Are you worried about the amount of fuel you'd burn pulling a big travel trailer around?  Wondering where you'd store it when you are not using it...  Don't have a truck...

Consider a Tiny Trailer.  Teardrop camp trailers are lightweight and can be towed behind a fuel efficient car!  Our friends over at Tiny Trailer make a cozy cabin for two with hard sides that will shelter you from storms and allow you to comfortably sleep in bear country.  :o)  They have full length storage underneath for fly rods and camping gear.  The trailers are made with an efficient camp kitchen that has a pull out cook stove at a comfortable working height.  You can stand up under rear hatch, sheltered from the sun or rain while preparing meals.

Take a minute and check out the Tiny Trailer website. Tiny Trailers is locally owned and environmentally conscience.  What's not to love!

P.S. There's a chance you can request a lower price at RV Parks and Campgrounds since Jack's Tiny Trailers don't take up a lot of space.  It never hurts to ask!

Thinking of RV'ing in the Winter?

While most RVers head south for the winter some can and do enjoy the cold and the snow. Imagine yourself in the Methow!  You could afford-ably ski, snowshoe, snowmobile and more all winter!

If you plan to spend extended time in places like Winthrop that get below freezing for more than a few hours at night, here are a few things you should know:

1.  Choose the right RV: Most RVs are not made for cold weather. The amount of insulation does matter and the four-season rigs come with double-pane windows and heated basement compartments. If you are still looking, join RV Consumer Group to find out the rating of RVs you are considering.

2.  Winterize your rig: If you are living in your RV in a place like this, you can take some measures to keep the heat in and protect your RV. Put skirting in the form of bales of hay, boards or other material around the bottom of the rig. This will keep the bottom warmer and lessen the likelihood of your tanks freezing. You can put plastic or aluminum foil over windows and skylights to keep heat in. If your tank compartment isn’t heated, add a light bulb you can leave on in below freezing temperatures.

3.  Reduce condensation: When your rig is closed up tight, condensation develops, particularly from using propane. Keep a vent or jalousie window slightly cracked. Open cupboards and closets to let air circulation. Invest in a dehumidifier.

4.  Disconnect your hoses: Fill your internal water tank and disconnect your hose so the hose doesn’t freeze. Attach it only to fill the tank. You can use heat tape, but make sure that will be adequate. Ideally the faucet should freeze-proof or self-draining and the hose needs to be removed for it to drain. Attach the sewage hose only when time to dump. Prop the hose so it flows at an angle the entire way from RV to opening in the ground.

5.  Heating solutions: For long stays, get a larger propane tank that can be filled by a local company. It will be less expensive and easier than filling small RV tanks. Install a catalytic or ceramic heater. They are more efficient, though you’ll need a slight crack for air. You can also purchase electric heaters, though you’ll have to see whether propane or electric heaters are less expensive to run if you are paying for the electricity.

If you are a skier, you may be able to find a Workamping position near the ski trails or slopes!

There is no reason you can’t spend time in extremes if you are prepared for it.

Source: http://www.rvlifestyleexperts.com/free-rv-info/full-time-rving/rving-in-the-cold/