Idaho is the “Gem State,” and motor home enthusiasts love it. What makes Idaho so wonderful? It has some of the best unspoiled natural beauty in the United States. It can also boast that it’s one of the most scenically diverse states in the union, despite its small size. Idaho is the most forested of all the Rocky Mountain States, with nearly half of its land covered in tall, whispering pines. More than half of the land in the state is federally protected, which means that it’s more than half national park. It is also one of the wettest of the Rocky Mountain States, with thousands of lakes, rivers and streams winding through its forested mountain terrain. That also means some of the best fishing in the Rockies.

You can thank the massive ice-age glaciers for the beauty of northern Idaho. When they melted, they left behind all the lakes, rivers and reservoirs that cut their way through the lush evergreen forests. Up in the north, where along the Montana border, are the Idaho side of the Bitterroot Mountains, a favorite mountain range of campers, hikers and fisherman all over the country. This is also the area where the famous French expedition crossed on its way to see exploring the Louisiana Purchase. The area is rich with history and culture. You can learn about the early journeys of explorers to the great northwest, and the Nez Perce tribe that still lives there and practices its traditional culture to this day.

In the central part of the state, you will find historical highways that cross the great rivers including the Salmon River, Little Lost River and Silver Creek. In the northeast, every highway is a scenic drive, and you’ll want to make sure you take your time and make lots of stops along the way. You can also see Craters of the Moon National Monument, a truly unearthly terrain of lava rocks, sagebrush and cinder cones. Craters of the Moon is so named because of its lunar landscape and eerie otherworldliness. It is definitely a place you’ll want to see along the way. In southern Idaho, the lush forest begins to give way to high desert. The Snake River winds through the high country, leaving an arid valley full of pretty desert scenery and lots of great fishing spots. Anywhere you stop along the way, you’ll find a decent motor home park. Idaho is known all over the RV world as the place to go, and there are great accommodations everywhere. Here are a few of the local RV parks that get the best customer satisfaction ratings.

Any one that has spent any time in Minnesota knows about the short growing seasons and the long winters. Infamous names in Minnesota wine growing lore include Louis Suelter, 1870 era German homesteader from Carver, Minnesota and A. W Latham, a Minneapolis transplant in 1865. Both of these men spent considerable time and effort producing new types of growing grapes adapted to the climate of the state.

Conditions as found in this state are not conducive to development of a substantial wine industry. However, the University of Minnesota reported in 2008 that the wine industry’s total impact to the state’s economy was a little over 36 million dollars. Employment was around 324 people with a labor income of around 10 million dollars. Some would say, “That ain’t hay”. Many grape varieties require special handling to protect them from the winter weather, including in some places burying the vines under soil for the season. Research has developed several hybrid and other grape varieties that are cold hardy. Grapes produced include Marquette, Frontenac Gris, Frontenac, Chambourcin, Chardonnay, Concord, Edelweiss, Delaware, La Crescent, La Crosse, St Croix and several others.

There are approximately 30 wineries in the state of Minnesota. Most are located within the lower Mississippi, Saint Croix and Cannon River Valleys in the southeast quadrant of the state. Most of these wineries have websites one can visit to get specific information on their operations. Wine crop harvest generally happens in September but will vary slightly depending on the variety. A recent addition to the wine scene in Minnesota is the Three Rivers Wine Trail. This Trail was established to feature the Wine Haven, Northern, Saint Croix, Falconer and Cannon River Vineyards in the southeastern part of the state. These vineyards are five of the oldest in the state. There are several events planned at these wineries and at the same time, you can explore towns like Chisago City, Stillwater, Red Wing and Cannon Falls.