Spring Break 2011 is almost here! What are your plans? As you dust off the RV and head out on the road, here are some great destinations for you to consider...

South Padre Island, TX: Situated in the southernmost tip of Texas at the south end of Padre Island, SPI, as the locals call it, offers sun-seekers over 34 miles of beachy paradise. With an average March high hovering near 80 degrees, you can’t beat this area for a sunny spring getaway. The area abounds with activities, including para-sailing, windsurfing, jet skiing, sunset cruises, and dolphin watching.
>> Check out our Rio Grande Resorts

Phoenix/Scottsdale, AZ: Aside from the beautiful weather, there are still plenty of Cactus League games to catch for baseball fans. Plus, there’s plenty of golf, casinos, hiking, climbing, watersports and all kinds of sightseeing tours – all-terrain, aerial, jeep and more!
>> Check out our Arizona Resorts

Orlando/Kissimmee, FL: Besides the theme parks, Orlando offers plenty of attractions, including SeaWorld, the Spence Lanier Pioneer Center, MLB’s Grapefruit League, plus March 26-27, catch the reenactment of the Civil War Battle at Narcoossee Mill.
>> Check out our North FL Resorts

The Greater Ft. Lauderdale area: This sunny locale offers 23 miles of sandy beaches where you can soak up the sun, skimboard, snorkel or take in the ocean’s delights aboard a glass bottom boat. As a gateway to the Everglades, Ft. Lauderdale provides the perfect stay and play location while you explore the wild beauty of the area.
>> Check out our Fort Lauderdale Resorts

Don’t miss the March issue of TrailBlazer magazine. In the March issue, we’ll head to the Florida Everglades, offer some decorating ideas for your RV and provide some very timely tax tips! To subscribe, visit www.TrailBlazerMagazine.net.

Did you know that approximately 18,000 whales will pass by the Oregon coast from March through June as they make their way to Alaska’s Bering Sea. According to the Oregon.gov web site, the week of March 19-26 is “Spring Whale Watching Week” and trained volunteers will be present at 26 sites in the state to show visitors gray whales. Both Pacific City and Whalers Rest are the perfect home base for this event thanks to their proximity to the viewing sites.
>> Check out www.whalespoken.org for detailed listing of the sites!

Everyone is Irish on St. Patty’s Day!

Thursday, March 17, 2011 marks this year’s St. Patrick’s Day holiday. As you hit the road embarking on your spring travels, take a break and add some luck o’ the Irish to your journey with a comforting loaf of freshly baked Irish Soda Bread.

Slainte! (Cheers!)

Irish Soda Bread
Ingredients
4 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for currants
4 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch dice
1 3/4 cups cold buttermilk, shaken
1 extra-large egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
1 cup dried currants

Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.

Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the butter and mix on low speed until the butter is mixed into the flour.

With a fork, lightly beat the buttermilk, egg, and orange zest together in a measuring cup. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the buttermilk mixture to the flour mixture. Combine the currants with 1 tablespoon of flour and mix into the dough. It will be very wet.

Dump the dough onto a well-floured board and knead it a few times into a round loaf. Place the loaf on the prepared sheet pan and lightly cut an X into the top of the bread with a serrated knife. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean. When you tap the loaf, it will have a hollow sound.

Cool on a baking rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Source: www.FoodNetwork.com (2006, Barefoot Contessa at Home, All Rights Reserved)

Got a great idea for something we can highlight in our next issue? Send your comments and suggestions to TrailNews@EquityLifestyle.com.

Until next time, happy camping!

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