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The Sun Valley Guide magazine is distributed free three times a year to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area communities.

Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express newspaper will receive the Sun Valley Guide with their subscription.

photo by Chris Pilaro
photo by Chris Pilaro 


All Roads Lead to Idaho's Dixieland

Megan Thomas pops in on fall’s flourishing River Run RV city, and finds it full of jazz-loving nomads. Photos by Chris Pilaro.


Bud and Wanda Armstrong exchanged their permanent California address for the open road a few years ago. The Armstrongs are among a handful of full-timers, or permanent recreational vehicle residents, who annually make their way to Sun Valley for fall’s Swing ’n’ Dixie Jazz Jamboree.

“Our health is very good, and we want to see a lot of country. We know a lot of people who waited too late,” said Bud, a retired fire chief. The Armstrongs explore the West, breaking along the way for jazz festivals, such as Sun Valley’s jazz extravaganza. “It’s the Rolls Royce of jazz festivals. All the venues are indoors and the acoustics are good.”

For the past seven years, the couple has attended the Sun Valley festival, enjoying the ample considerations provided for RV attendees. Sun Valley Company, owner of the resort, opens its River Run Village parking area, situated at the base of Bald Mountain along Ketchum’s western edge, to hundreds of overnight RV travelers during the jamboree. The gravel lot becomes a sea of vehicles ranging from million-dollar coaches to rustic campers. In 2005, approximately 300 vehicles parked at the base of the famous ski mountain during the event.

photo by Chris PilaroThe tradition of catering to RVs began 17 years ago with the first jazz festival. RVs were welcomed at the Sun Valley Lodge and Sun Valley Inn parking lots. As attendance grew, the parking was moved to the more spacious parking area designed for the luxurious River Run Lodge, with its mountain access and shops. “This is the only place I know that they accommodate all these RVs at no charge, plus they furnish showers,” Bud said. Sun Valley Company provides access to showers and bathrooms, even furnishing towels, and allows free parking during the event as a welcome to jazz lovers. “You knew that (RV travel) was part of that particular culture, the people who follow the jazz festivals … It was something we anticipated, accepted and embraced,” said Jack Sibbach, spokesman for Sun Valley Company.

The amenities augment the experience, even for the Armstrongs, who own a luxurious home on wheels. Home is a deluxe Country Coach—more first-class yacht than Boy Scout camping. The Armstrongs’ RV features all the comforts of home, including a queen bed, washing machine and dryer. Plus, the land yacht boasts a premier entertainment system that features a 32-inch, flat-screen television, DVD player and five-speaker surround-sound system. For the occasional entertainment indulgences, the oversized leather driving chairs swivel to face the rear of the cabin. “It’s got about everything,” admitted Bud.

The luxury vehicle is also equipped with wireless Internet access—an essential addition to their full-time RV lifestyle. The couple pays their bills online and communicates with relatives and friends via e-mail.

This high-tech, nomadic lifestyle is far removed from rustic tent camping, but it seems to attract similar adventurous spirits. “We are active. We like to go hiking,” said Bud, who is also a trail runner. Last year he ventured on a side trip to northern Idaho. “We like to spend two weeks everywhere we go, so we have a chance to see the country,” he said.

The scenery at the temporary River Run home base isn’t bad either. The parking lot boasts mountain views enhanced by autumn’s brilliant aspens and the gurgling Big Wood River. Best of all, jazz aficionados enjoy the prime Wood River lot without the valley’s typical real estate prices.

Jazz fans converge on the property in a range of motorhomes, camper vans, travel trailers, towable RVs and truck trailers. Spots are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis with vehicles parked in organized rows throughout the property. Last year’s event saw attendance of vehicles from British Columbia, California, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Montana, Colorado, Utah, South Dakota and, of course, Idaho.

The temporary River Run residents represent a diverse but growing community of American RV owners. Nearly 8 million U.S. households own at least one RV, according to a University of Michigan Survey Research Center study completed last year. For some owners, their mobile lifestyle is also a way to make a living. Harry Beckmann and Mabel Klingenberg, of Tacoma, Washington, peddle Tahitian Noni juice from their top-of-the-line RV. An informational video detailing the benefits of the anti-oxidant juice often rolls on their television screen to recruit potential buyers and distributors. The couple combines leisure with work, using their home as a portable office. “It’s kind of nice to have a business with a motorhome,” said Harry.

photo by Chris PilaroAcross the lot, Jacquie and Bob Kiefer, of North Lake Tahoe, California, use their RV as a second home. “This is our condo on wheels,” said Jacquie. The couple’s 350-square-foot space provides sufficient room for Dillon, a standard poodle, to accompany his traveling parents. The vacationers enjoy amenities like an illuminated wineglass rack, heated floor tiles and outdoor steps that assemble at the push of a button. The Kiefer’s personalize their parking site with an outdoor patio, complete with floral centerpiece perched on a picnic table. The makeshift patio connects with the neighboring RV, which is occupied by friends. The couples met at an RV repair shop, bonded through the lifestyle and reunited at the jazz jamboree.

Like many who make the Swing ’n’ Dixie Jazz Jamboree an annual destination, the Kiefers also visit jazz festivals throughout the country. However, Jacquie describes the Sun Valley venue as the best, by far. “We like the parking and the beauty of the place. It’s just gorgeous.”


Jazz up the fall

The 17th annual Sun Valley Swing ’n’ Dixie Jazz Jamboree takes place October 18 to 22 at venues around Sun Valley and Ketchum. The premier musical event features more than 40 bands of acclaimed jazz musicians from across the United States, Canada and the Netherlands, performing more than 300 concerts. Organizers expect 7,000 people to gather in the valley for a variety of jazz-inspired events.

The gathering invites jazz-goers to tap their toes, hit dance floors and relish the sounds of swing. Events include a swing dance competition, free swing dance lessons, a marching band salute and continuing college education classes. Free shuttle buses offer comfortable travel between more than a dozen musical venues.

As a preview to the jazz celebration, a free community concert is offered Tuesday, October 17, featuring Igor’s Jazz Cowboys at the indoor ice rink in Sun Valley. The Afterglow Dinner presents Bob Draga, Joe Fos, Claudette Stone and Big Band Swing Design in concert Sunday, October 22, at the Limelight Room, Sun Valley Inn.

This year’s highlights also include a three-hour salute to our northern neighbors called the Oh Canada Day, Friday, October 20, at the Sun Valley Ice Rink. Five Canadian-based bands, Dixieland Express, Belvedere Broadcasters, 51st Eight, String of Pearls and CanUs will play along with Canadian Bruce Innes, a Sun Valley favorite.

An adult all-events badge costs $100. Students ages 13 to 18 can buy an all-events badge for $15. Children under 13 are free. Prices vary for day badges. For more information, call (877) 478-5277 or visit sunvalleyjazz.com.