Sometimes the best vacation tips can come from a neighbor.
Clarkston resident Jim DuFresne will be a featured presenter at the third annual Ford Field Camper, Travel and RV Show, March 3-6 in Detroit.
DuFresne is an award-winning writer and author of more than a dozen guidebooks. In 1980, as sports and outdoor editor of the Juneau Empire, he became the first Alaskan sportswriter to win a national award from Associated Press. Among his more than a dozen awards is the Charles Welch Award for the best color photography in 1990 from the Michigan Outdoor Writers Association and a national writing award from Outdoor Writers of America Association in 1993.
In 1982, Lonely Planet Publications released DuFresne’s first book, Tramping In New Zealand, and then followed up a year later with his second, Alaska: A Travel Survival Kit. Today, he is an outdoor and travel writer for Booth Newspapers, in which he covers recreational outdoor activities, ranging from backpacking and hiking to camping and fishing.
Last summer, Thunder Bay Press released DuFresne’s latest book, Michigan’s Best Campgrounds, a guide to the best campgrounds in the Lower and Upper Peninsula.
Research for those books made DuFresne a natural choice as a presenter to a wide variety of groups. His speaking engagements have included libraries, nature centers and outdoor stores.
DuFresne was a regular at the Pontiac Silverdome RV show, and will make his first appearance at Ford Field this week with ‘The Long Drive North: Exploring Alaska in Your RV? and ‘Campin? and Hikin?: The Best Campgrounds in Michigan for Campers Who Like to Hike.?
A Clarkston area resident since 1986 (‘It puts me pretty close to up north,? he said with a laugh), DuFresne believes there should be more investment in Michigan’s state parks and forests. Having visited other states, however, he believes his home state still has advantages because of natural resources such as lakes, rivers, beaches, forests and sand dunes.
‘Without the resources, you can have the nicest campground in the world, but who would want to stay there?? he said.
Alaska, meanwhile, is ‘the holy grail for RVers,? DuFresne said. His presentation will include tips that may surprise some novice travelers. For example, he does not recommend driving from the ‘lower 48? to Alaska unless the traveler has plenty of time. A better option, he said, is to fly to Anchorage (taking advantage of what he predicts will be low air fares) then rent an RV for an extended drive.
On the other hand, travelers shouldn’t shy away from the drive for fear of being stuck in the wilderness, he said. The Alaska Highway is all paved, with plenty of gasoline stations and amenities along its 1,500 miles.
‘But the scenery has not changed,? he said. ‘It’s still one of the great drives in North America.?
Working travel shows is work, but DuFresne enjoys the opportunity to sell his books in addition to speaking. He is close to completing his next book, which will focus on Michigan? sand dunes.
The Ford Field Camper, Travel and RV show will include vacation information from tourism bureaus and campgrounds. Other exhibits will feature accessories, towing systems and camping and cooking equipment. Tips and advice will be available from RV experts on selection, pricing, features, options, design and maintenance.
RVers can bring a recipe for the Campfire Cook-Along Recipes program and get online access to dozens of other campground and tailgate cooking ideas.
Hours are noon?7 p.m. Thursday; 3-8 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m.?8 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m.?6 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $7.50; $3 for children 6 ?14 and children 5 and under admitted free.
Internet Express Tickets, which include a free parking pass, are available online at www. FordFieldRVShow.com. Ford Field daily parking rate is $3 and more than 2,000 parking spaces are available adjacent to Ford Field. For more information, visit www. FordFieldRVShow.com or call 1-800-328-6550.