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Reader Jill Kramer shared this summer pasta recipe, which we pass along with two thumbs up!

Summer Pasta

1 lb. spaghetti, linguini (or pasta of your choice)

Two medium tomatoes, diced

4 tablespoons olive oil

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves

1 tablespoon chopped chives

1 tablespoon pasta cooking water

Parmesan cheese

salt & pepper to taste

Cook pasta until it's al dente, reserving one tablespoon of the pasta cooking water. Rinse, drain and cool pasta. Combine remaining ingredients in large bowl, add pasta and mix well.

Chef's note: this recipe can be augmented in any number of ways: toss in black olives, diced bell peppers, cubed fresh mozzarella -- whatever sounds good.

Thanks, Jill!  Watch your mailbox for a small token of our esteem.

Hidden Gem: Astoria, Oregon

The oldest American settlement west of the Rockies, Astoria, Oregon, sits on the Columbia River just a few miles from the Pacific Ocean. Surrounded by water and evergreen trees, Astoria also offers museums, galleries, shops and restaurants. More adventurous souls can enjoy hiking, golfing, and eco-tours to view bald eagles, ospreys and Great Blue Herons.  Learn more about Astoria here.

For more historic significance -- as well as rainforests and coastal vistas -- check out Lewis and Clark National Historic Park, where the Expedition spent the winter of 1805-1806.  

Photo Courtesy of the National Park Service

At the park you can follow the explorers' footsteps along miles of hiking trails, go canoeing or kayaking, view shipwrecks and lighthouses, tour the replica of the fort, and more.

Camping is available in nearby Fort Stevens State Park, as well as at private campgrounds.

Happy Birthday, USA, and Happy Independence Day to all of our readers! We hope you get a chance to get out and enjoy this grand experiment of this country of ours -- there really is nothing else like it on earth.

But when the festivities are over, if you've got a tip, recipe, story or something else you'd like to share with other readers, please send it in by clicking here.  (All submissions become the property of Winnebago Industries, so please don't send anything you don't want to share.)

Dealer Days Round-Up, Part 2

As mentioned last issue, Winnebago Industries dealers gather each year to, among other things, get a glimpse of upcoming models. Last month, we introduced you to the new Winnebago Forza and Itasca Solei.  Here, without further ado, is the second in our series giving you a peek at what our dealers had a peek at.

Meet the new Travato from Winnebago Touring Coach.

The latest all-new offering in the Winnebago Touring Coach lineup, the Travato 59G is built on the new fuel-efficient, gas-powered RAM ProMaster chassis.

And while this Class B van is less than 21 feet long (more than 3 feet shorter than the Era), don't let the compact footprint fool you.  This unique new floorplan is full-featured and perfect for an active couple or even a small family!

The Travato features a corner double bed that flips up to accommodate bicycles or other large items, while its split dinette with built-in 3-point seat belts converts into additional sleeping.  The Travato also features a powered awning, LED ceiling lights, Ultraleather swivel cab seats and a host of features you won't find in other Class B motorhomes, all at a price point thousands less than the competition -- that is, if it had any competition.

Look for the Travato to start hitting dealer showrooms this Fall.  In the meantime, you can find out more about this unique new coach on our website.

Learn more about the Travato, or find your nearest Winnebago Touring Coach dealer.

Saddle Up! For the WIT Club

July 21 - 26, Forest City, IA

Although nearly 1,000 coaches and their occupants will soon descend on Forest City, Iowa, for the annual WIT Club Grand National Rally, we have it on good authority that there's still room for those who have a last-minute hankerin' to join the party.

This year's Wild-West-themed rally will have the rally grounds hopping, with tons of activities, plus nightly entertainment from the likes of John Michael Montgomery, Jay and the Americans, Black Diamond and Jan McInnis.

There's also plenty to do away from the rally grounds, from touring the world's largest motorhome plant to a wide variety of general and special-interest excursions.

Ready to head over to the roundup?  Get the whole scoop here.

Read All About It!

We've always been big fans of the Winnebago Journey (and its sister ship, the Itasca Meridian).  It's smooth, spacious, powerful, luxurious -- in short, everything a diesel pusher should be.

It's nice to know we're not alone.  The Family Motor Coaching Association (FMCA) has featured the Journey 42E on the cover of its June issue, along with a five-page review. (The condensed-books version: they like it.  A lot!) 

You can check it out here, and learn more about the FMCA itself here.  And be sure to wish them "happy birthday" -- it's their 50th anniversary!