Without understanding what she would become for us, we picked the perfect RV name.
Realization hit like a slap
We let The Burrow go today. It was time. I did not want to sell her but knew that it was the best thing. We have been in our new, still un-named coach, for three months. I wanted to find someone capable of appreciating The Burrow and how much she still has to offer. I feel like we found that person and he is now her new owner. But I was not prepared for the realization and emotion I felt as I followed Ken while he drove The Burrow to her new home. The realization and emotion her sale invoked made me realize we had given her the perfect RV name.
Our Beginning
When Ken and I started our journey in The Burrow, I was both mentally and physically broken by chemo and radiation. It was a slow process to trust her. Post-traumatic stress disorder manifests in odd ways. For me, every mile was an expectation that something terrible would happen. I had no mental strength and a complete inability to advocate or defend myself. Anxiety was a constant companion in our early travels.
Things did go wrong. Like the tire debacle or our Walmart parking ordeal. These, and other events, were more than we expected. I can laugh now but when happening, it was overwhelming. Ken, ever my rock, managed it all and I helped when I could. As we added the miles, it gradually became okay. I could muster the energy to manage two hundred-forty square feet of living space. I could make it three hundred miles down the road, albeit slowly, without becoming a panicked, babbling mess.
I improved physically too. Early attempts at hiking were arduous. We would repeatedly stop to rest because I did not have the strength to walk a half mile. Ken was so patient with me while I struggled to be normal again. But each difficult hike ended with a cozy night, safe and comfortable in our Burrow.
A refuge for healing
The Burrow provided an opportunity to stay engaged in new sights and sounds. To breath in and heal in awe inspiring nature. I saw ancient trees, painted deserts, volcanos, pristine caves, waterfalls, wildlife, beaches, and sunsets. She gave me the opportunity to forget the dreaded diagnosis of stage IV cancer and to marvel at what I could have missed.
Goodbye
The Burrow has been my security blanket for five years. And today I am giving her up. My sentiment may be silly to others, but she has played a key role in allowing me to heal. I will always treasure the memories we made with her and the sense of safety she gave me until I could achieve a better mental and physical place in my life. What a perfect RV name we gave her.
The Burrow was the perfect RV name Art Credit Jessica Boehman
The Aura frame sits silently, automatically changing the view every five seconds. First, a wildflower strewn meadow and flowing creek … flip … a thunderous and glittering waterfall …flip … giants called Sequoia trees that smell like life and command reverence … flip … acres as far as the eye can see of washed reds, pinks, blues, and greens in the Painted Desert … flip … a fog shrouded art deco bridge along the rocky Oregon coast … flip … acres of flowers pop with color in an Iris Garden … flip …
Were we really there?
Memories of RV Life
Our RV life became surreal. The only proof is in our memories and the digitally shifting pictures on the Aura frame. There was a modern day journal too. Armadillo Tails, a blog page, shared when filled with gratefulness of life still lived and enthusiasm to share our travels.
perched on her bedroll throne
Our little Reef Fish
Ken and I were back-country canoe campers in the early years of our relationship. Most weekends would find us somewhere on a river or at least looking for a new one to paddle. The memories are fading as well as the old pictures printed from 110 film cartridges. He remembers some events, I remember others. The pictures are harder and harder to find. Then we had another daughter. The canoe was too small so we purchased a sailboat and continued making memories with both our girls. My wish is we had kept a journal of those wonderful canoe and sailboat trips. It would be a reminder for our oldest daughter, who as a three-year-old perched on her throne of bedrolls, made memories of rope swings and alligators, clear tannin-stained rivers, and large-mouthed bass. And for our second daughter, of being rocked to sleep by the gentle lap of waves on the boat hull at night and days in the sun, skin turning golden while she snorkeled the reefs of the colorful Florida Keys.
Our Country in Chaos
By mid-March of 2020, along with the rest of the country, our lives became chaotic when Covid halted us at Medina Lake RV Campground in Texas. Here we must give a shout-out and thank you to Thousand Trails. Other full-timers struggled to find an RV park amid closures and varying state laws. Thousand Trails members, currently in place, were able to stay.
Pandemic information and state rules changed weekly, so after three months, we made safety plans and with our small but mighty tribe, left Texas to continue traveling.
Armadillo at Lake Medina
Hard Decisions
Life was brewing chaos for Ken. His doctor said he needed to return to South Florida for surgery. We made arrangements and returned in October of 2020, spent the holidays with family then moved back into our stick and brick to prepare for Ken’s surgery in January of 2021.
A piano, RV life, and goodbye
Did I mention we moved back into our stick and brick home? A Piano, RV Life and Goodbye was posted to the blog as we prepared for Ken’s convalescence. The decision to move back into our home was a good call. He could have never come back to the Bigfoot (our class C RV) for a recovery that required the first month in an assisted-lift recliner. His recovery continues as I write this post. New full-time nomads often ask, “What about medical care while you travel?”. Our answer, you need to plan and prepare for all contingencies because life can quickly go sideways.
Joey, older but still playing
The housing market was on fire, and it was a good time to make repairs and put the house up for sale. In addition, we were anticipating the birth of a new grandbaby and knew continued travel would require a larger coach for an aging pet and his parents. With plans made, we felt good about how all these happy events would play out. And they did. Albeit not as easily or happily as we anticipated and not on the projected timeline.
RV Life Became Surreal
Even in the best of times, these life events would be challenges. Add that life is one big curve ball to plans and expectations, throw in a little Covid lockdown, and it explains our current state of wonder about how RV life became surreal and the explanation for why we are still in Florida, sitting in our new coach, looking at amazing pictures flip past on a digital screen.
Were we there?
Yes, we were there!
Armadillo Tails’ blog is there to re-read and remind us of the feelings and emotions, the mouthwatering restaurants, stunning views, and the experiences we had while traveling our big, beautiful country. I am happy to have chronicled the journey. And sorry to have stopped.
Going Forward
Ken and I will remain in Florida for the rest of this year and polish off the details of the major changes to our lives. We are learning about our new coach, spending precious time with grandbabies, healing, and organizing for retirement. The plan is to travel again. But we want to start with peace of mind about our health, our new to us Newmar diesel pusher, our family, and our future life plan.
❤️️❤️️
❤️️❤️️Precious granddaughters
There hasn’t been much time to write throughout all this chaos and change. Maybe that is an excuse, maybe not. Our memories will start remembering less. But digital photographs, with newer technology, will help us. It seems important to start again.
We look forward to marking off a few from the bucket list, as Armadillo Tails explores our fabulous home state of Florida and readies for further travels. Until the next post…we are…
Always grateful 👫
Edit. Bitsy and Butter, our feline fur babies, both suffered a fatal cancer diagnosis and are no longer with us. We miss them both.💔
“If you want something you’ve never had, you must be willing to do something you’ve never done” Anonymous
I love our RV life. I really, really do. But that darn piano is making me cry. A piano, RV life and goodbye.
Let me explain
Many years ago, when our relationship was still new, on my birthday, Ken gifted me something incredibly special. He purchased an old (1800’s) piano. He stripped it, refinished it, shined the brass and polished the wood until the piano sparkled like the great beauty she was, and then he gave it to me. I had expressed an interest in learning to play.
I knew then that I was in love with the man who could do something so thoughtful. It was one of the most meaningful and loving gifts Ken ever gave to me. I have treasured my piano for many years.
So, why the crying?
It has come time to let go of our house. When we started RVing, we hauled away boxes and boxes of things. Things to be distributed among our grown girls or put for sale on a Salvation Army store shelf. Diligently we combed through our belongings and purged. It was tough, the letting go.
But there were some things, some things like my piano, that got to stay. Because our daughter would be residing in the house while we galavanted around the country in an RV, we got a reprieve. Our reprieve is over now. The kids have moved on to their new home and it is time to sell our old one.
My daughter has found a buyer for the piano. Now I have to let go. The new owner will be coming on Saturday to take it away. She wants the piano so her two young children can take lessons and learn to play.
The empty wall
Will the new owner appreciate what we are letting her have? Will she appreciate the beautiful tone that the aged wood has acquired? The original ivory keys, all intact? That only a skilled artisan can make replacement hammer arms should one get broken? That I love the piano? That it is the hardest thing from our previous life I have had to let go of?
The key word I keep trying to remember is that my piano is a thing. It is, to me, a beautiful thing but is too large to be tucked away for sentimentality. It won’t fit in the storage space filled with trinkets that we place so much significance on. There is no room in the smaller footprint we press into this earth. Help for this change in our lives came from Becoming Minimalist.
I’m trying
I’m trying to keep it all in perspective. I still have the handsome, thoughtful man who gave me the piano, to say “I love you” to. He and I are living a rewarding life filled with new sights, fabulous experiences and have reconnected with old friends and made new ones. I value our new lifestyle and enjoy sharing on Armadillo Tails webpage.
But while we rush to experience the Fall season of our life together, the final chapters of Spring and Summer are coming to a close. That is what the piano represents. I need to have a good cry and say goodbye. It is hard to accept life will not go backwards and I will no longer have the piano as representation of Ken’s love for me and mine for him.
I am going to take one last picture of Ken and myself in front of the piano. Then I will let her go to a new home. It will be a treasured photograph to tuck away with our other trinkets. I will bring it out some day and remember how beautiful the piano was and how special I felt when Ken gave it to me. I’ll try to remember what is important is not the “thing” itself but the feelings it has given me. I hope her new home loves her as much as I did. I hope they create memories to savor with that piano.
No one ever said change or RV Life would be easy.
A piano, RV life and goodbye.
Always grateful. 👫
We have been spending our time while home in Florida enjoying smooches and hugs from our two year old granddaughter, visiting family and going to what seems like endless doctor appointments. We are hoping to have some big changes in 2021 so stay tuned.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and and Happy New Year!
The devastation in the Pacific Northwest from wildfires encourages introspection into what is important in our lives.
The wind has a snap of cold now and sadly we make our plans to head south and east. I say sadly because this year, as in our first year of travel, the west is burning and a portion of the south has been destroyed by hurricane Laura. We need to make travel arrangements in an increasingly dangerous and changing environment. We are heading home through fire…again.
California 2018
In 2018 we were trapped between the California Ferguson and Carr fires. Interstate 5 was closed to traffic. We waited while the Smoke Jumpers and Fire Fighters valiantly fought to contain the raging flames and protect lives and property. It was a scary situation. Waiting. Keeping tabs on the fire and making plans to get out safely when the green light was given.
Smokey valley
We did make it out safely but the carnage was heartbreaking to drive through. The dead and dying wildlife that had tried to run for their lives. The beautiful forests, reduced to char on either side of the road. Saved homes appeared like islands within the black. These visions remain in our heads to this day. And when we passed through the same section of Interstate 5 the following year, were distressed to see how slowly recovery is taking place. Old growth forest takes more than one of our lifetimes to come back.
Route Home Through Fire
It is with a very heavy heart that this year we find ourselves in the same situation. So we cancel reservations. Take a longer route around. Hope that the fire doesn’t reach us on the new roads chosen. Hope that we make it to our next stop along the way home.
Smoke covers the coast at Long Beach, Washington
We have never been privileged to visit one of the forests that is burning. Our Google map is full of pins along the ribbon of highway that runs through it. Of things to do and see. Hot springs, hikes, waterfalls and noteworthy landscape. All places we had hoped to get to one day.
Lost Forever
All this destruction makes me think about how fleeting our lives are. My childhood playgrounds are gone. The Cedar Key sand spit, swimming in Lake Catherine on a hot summer day, pastures and woods that I played in are lost to construction and growth. And I have a medical condition that still threatens, though the threat is softer now. After all this destruction, caused by Mother Nature, human carelessness, there will be more that no one — but especially our beautiful granddaughter, Harper — will ever see and experience again in this lifetime.
Helicopter uses water to quench the flames
It is true that you never know what is just around the corner of your life. Too much can change in a heartbeat. So, my friends, drink life up. Quit worrying about how nice your car is or how big your house, whether you have designer clothes or a fancy boat, or a purebred pet. These ‘things’ are not what matter to happiness. Experience everything you can, now. Use every opportunity you have to experience life. Be kind because we all need it. Consider how your actions may be affecting the environment we all need to survive and how your words may be affecting someone you love.
Armadillo exploring in previously fire-devasted mountains while smoke from another gathers.
Too soon, what you would like to do, meant to do, dreamed about doing, but didn’t, can all go up in flames. There won’t be a home through fire.
Till next week…..
Always Grateful 👫
Post Script. I wrote this blog post before we left the PNW while making our plans to get out and home. We have since safely made it to Las Vegas where the smoke from those awful fires clouds the air. The sentiment expressed in this post was further solidified as we made our way through some very awful sights and yet another hurricane has devastated the South. Thank you to all the firefighters and first responders who keep us safe and everyone who kept us in their thoughts and prayers.
The difference may be keeping you from the experience of a lifetime
Ken and I started considering RV life with the idea we would be camping in our RV. Exploring the great outdoors and enjoying wildlife and forests. And that is great. We love camping. On Armadillo Tail’s about-page we mention our extensive outdoor experience. Camping in some form has always been an important part of our lives and has provided many lasting family memories. In our dreaming and planning conversations, Camping and Traveling were both used synonymously.
Camping or traveling
So, we are pleasantly surprised to discover we are enjoying traveling. Not camping. The term Explorean seems to fit better. No sitting by the fire every night, no grilling all our meals, no showers in the bathhouse, or sand in our bed. Have we done some of those things? Yes. But camping is not what we spend most of our time doing. If I could impress one thing on anyone who is considering a travel trailer or RV, is the difference between camping or traveling. Deciding what you want to do with your RV is important.
Make a list
Making a list of your ideas should be the first place you start. This list can help you discover if you are a camper, a traveler, or a combination of the two. Some things you may want to list are:
Where do I want to go? Do you want to visit every National Park in the country? What about spending time alone, gazing at a starry sky in a pristine forest? Or maybe you love wooden roller coasters and want to ride every one in every amusement park in America. Put your dreams on paper. Make your bucket list.
How much time do I have to do this? If you live in a stick-n-brick home, then your time may be limited to vacations and weekends. Time and location may limit what activities you can do. Those limitations could also allow you to dip your toes into the RV lifestyle.
Will I bring children along? Camping can provide lasting memories for a young family. Campfires and room to run-and-play are the stuff children live for. And alternatively, there are amusement parks, ski-and-snowboard slopes, and museums like the Smithsonian in Washington or the Museum of Natural History in Chicago.
With your list complete, the lens will become clearer whether you are camping or traveling. But they are not exclusive to each other. Industry terms, like “campground”, has perpetuated the myth you must like the outdoors, woods, fires with s’mores and showers in the bathhouse, or none at all. (I will admit that I did, for the first time in my life, take a pay-shower. I kept asking Ken for more quarters. Seems my pay shower ended-up being very expensive.)
Traveling in an RV is far from that myth
Travel trailers and RVs have all the amenities of a home. If you don’t want to sacrifice any amenities, you do not have to. If you can drive, you can find the right rig for you. Don’t limit your life because you don’t like camping. Be a traveler who stays in campgrounds.
Using the RV to explore our world has been an eye-opening experience these last two and a half years. Our eyes have been opened to a different, more flexible way of living — an enjoyable, inspiring, and relatively safe way of life. If you would like to travel with others who share your interests, there is a group for that. Women can travel alone and feel safe with an accompanying support group. Budget-conscious seniors have Facebook groups, YouTube videos, and web blogs to help you keep your expenses to a minimum. RVing is a great way for someone who has medical issues or a handicap, to get out, go places, and do it safely and comfortably.
Can you tell we love traveling? I hope you have been convinced this may be a way to work on your bucket list. Where will you go?
Has it really been two and a half years of nomadic life? It was an amusing reminder the other day when a young man approached us and asked what was the routine at Jefferson County Fairgrounds Campground. He was either new to RVing or had never before ventured from the pricey, pristine campgrounds that make RV life sooooo simple. But for a steep price. Everyone can use a few extra dollars in their pocket. Here are a few places that we use for Thrifty RV Camping.
7 Cedars Casino
Our list will include places like fairgrounds and casinos that are free or inexpensive, listed by state. These are the good ones folks. The places that Ken and I would return to and that we felt safe. Safety is always important. Read why we won’t be using Walmart anymore.
Traveling within a small budget requires you to look a little further than the fancy places that are catering to a vacation style camping experience. We have found a few of those places and continue to add them to our list. My Google map is starting to look like one solid 📌 I need a list and the perfect place to keep it is here in our website so you can take advantage of these places too.
Site information is not guaranteed but will try to keep it updated and accurate. We would love to read your favorites too. Please comment with places that you feel fit the criteria for this list. If you tried any of these, tell us what you thought. You can reach us at janetandken@armadillotails.com or post in Facebook comment section.
The beautiful seaport city of Port Townsend should be on everyone’s travel bucket list.
Are you looking for a destination that ticks all the boxes for a great vacation or weekend getaway? We get to experience a lot of small towns but this town is certainly one of our favorites. And others agree. Port Townsend is named one of the most beautiful small towns to visit by several publications, including Travel & Leisure and National Geographic. Put Discover Port Townsend at the top of your list. Clubbing may be best explored in Seattle but if you are ready for history and nostalgia, romance and dining, boating or outdoor adventures, then you should look at Discover Port Townsend.
Water Street viewed from Bell Tower Park
Port Townsend is a boom-town that never boomed. And that is why the stunning Victorian-era architecture has been preserved for you to enjoy. A visit here is to experience what an 1800’s seaport may have been like. Temperatures hover in the 70s during summer months so exploring by foot or bike is easy and pleasant. And if you don’t have your own bikes, they can be rented at Recyclery or PT Cyclery
Getting here.
By car, you head to the Olympic Peninsula, traveling North on scenic Highway 101. The more scenic route is from Olympia to highway 101 and through Hoodsport. Don’t stop — even though you will be tempted — or you will not get to Port Townsend. This drive is one of the most beautiful stretches of this famed highway. I highly recommend this route if you have the time. Mists roiling down from the Olympic Forest mountains. Vast views of Hood Canal (an underwhelming name for such a picturesque place), and narrow, historic bridges spanning bay sloughs. This road, on a warm summer day, is what convertibles are made for. You can also come through Tacoma and connect to Highway 101. Though faster, the drive is not quite as scenic.
No car? No worries. The Washington State Ferry System can get you here from several points on the mainland or from Seattle. You can bring bicycles and motorcycles, cars and RVs, on the ferry but make sure you have reservations well in advance of your trip. The Ferry fills up fast and traveling standby can quickly become disappointing. The ferry to Port Townsend is from Coupeville on Whidbey Island. The scenic ride is about one hour, so you have time to climb up top of the boat to enjoy the view.
Boating is hugely popular (understatement) at Port Townsend and marina facilities are available if you arrive by private boat at Point Hudson Marina and RV Park.
Where to Stay
Camping
Bring your own camp gear or RV and you have at least four different options.
There is a campground at Fort Worden Historic State Park. Ft. Worden has beachfront and wooded campsites and can be booked online.
Point Hudson Marina and RV Park is another choice for your RV. This park is in the heart of town and has sites directly on the water.
Jefferson County Fair Campground is a simple, inexpensive town option. It is an open field near Glass Beach, has some hookups and is within bike riding distance of downtown. These sites are first come first serve with a few full hookups.
The fourth option for camping is Fort Townsend Historical State Park. It is a few miles outside of town. This is an excellent option for easy access to wooded hike trails. There are only a few RV sites but loads of tent camping sites. These can be booked online.
Hotels
Hotels for every price range and type are in Port Townsend. Modern, historic, rustic, boutique, romantic are all available. Listed below are a few that we have seen but not stayed in. Be aware that some of the old buildings have stairs and no lift.
You may have a fabulous view from your hotel room but there is so much to pick from in Port Townsend that you probably want to explore some too.
What will catch your attention first is Water Street. As the port of entry for Puget Sound in the late 1800s, it is easy to imagine the scene. Sailors and businessmen, brothels and taverns, all teeming with activity. History claims Port Townsend was an easy place to be shanghaied. Today, a walk down Water Street is an enjoyable stroll filled with fabulous Victorian architecture. Buildings erected in anticipation of a railroad that never came, unique shops and eateries, pubs and inns.
Parks
Port Townsend is teeming with parks and open spaces. There is a park to enjoy the waterfront, a park to enjoy gardens, and walking trails crisscrossing the entire city. Surrounding the town are areas for hiking, biking, and birding. Here a few of our favorites.
Mt. Rainier viewed from Whidbey Island hike
Fort Worden Historical State Park
Difficult as it may be to leave Water Street, you would be remiss to skip Ft. Worden. Walking tour pamphlets are available at the Friends of Fort Worden Visitor Center. You will learn about the oldest building, Alexander’s Castle, built in 1883 and available for overnight stays. This building was used to film scenes in the movie An Officer and a Gentleman. You can dine in the Guard House Pub, or picnic on the parade grounds. Children (and grown husbands) will especially adore climbing on the concrete gun batteries that remain where placed over 100 years ago to protect Puget Sound.
Ft. Worden also is home to the photogenic Point Wilson lighthouse (no tours but great photos) as well as the Marine Science Center. Canoes are available to rent here.
Point Wilson Lighthouse
Chetzemoka Park
Chetzemoka Park is a labor of love and it shows. Established in 1904, Chetzemoka Park is the oldest city park in Port Townsend. Hedges of antique roses greet you as you enter to lush plantings of Rhodedendrons, mature trees, brick pathways and a stunning view of Admiralty Bay and the mist covered Cascade Mountain Range.
Potting Shed – Chetzemoka Park
Relax and enjoy the view in the wooden swings or bring a picnic and use a provided grill and table. There is plenty of room for children to run in this park and is easily accessed by foot or bike if you are staying in town.
A small dog park is available here.
Bell Tower Park
Make sure to visit the tiny Bell Tower Park, a seventy-five foot fire tower built in 1890. A brass bell in the top, still there, would signal where a fire was located. The view here is pretty impressive too.
Jefferson County Fairgrounds
Joey
If you are traveling with a pup and need room for them to run then this is where you want to head. Plenty of open space is available here to play fetch or let your pet stretch their legs.
Dining
Port Townsend is a tourist town and because of this boasts a wide assortment of restaurants to choose from. You won’t find much fast food so keep that in mind for a busy day. Here are a few that we have eaten in and would return to.
In addition to restaurants, there are brewery tours and cider tours. Spend a laid back day sampling their wares. Deli fast food is available at Safeway and the Organic Co-op.
So much more
There is so much more in Port Townsend than I can list. Better writers than me have sung the praises of this little city. Ken and I are so thankful that we stumbled into this lovely little place in our first year of RV life and have returned each year since. If I haven’t convinced you to Discover Port Townsend then let me give it one more try.
Balmy summer weather; lunch on a high deck overlooking Puget Sound; deer nibbling in lush grassy yards; a quiet hike along the shore; a wooden boat festival; market-day with delicious homemade treats; sailboat tours; visiting a fragrant lavender field; fresh seafood; picturesque marina; driftwood covered beaches; wild blackberries to pick; unique and interesting shops; over 300 Victorian homes; a quiet shore-side coffee; a secluded picnic; Glass Beach; a steampunk festival; a romantic dinner.
Want to learn more about traveling the Olympic Peninsula? Read our previous blog post, RV the Olympic Peninsula.
Till next week…….
Always Grateful👫
Tips and links
Before booking a hotel stay, be aware the older buildings may only have stairs to the upper floors, so no elevators. Make sure someone will be able to help you with your luggage. Pets may ride on the ferry but must stay in your vehicle for the entire ride. If you have time to kill before the Coupeville ferry on Whidbey Island, there is a small restaurant within walking distance. And if you want a little casino action, there are two available, the Suquamish Casino in Poulsbo about an hour away, and 7 Cedars Casino in Sequim about thirty minutes away.
After spending time in stunning Big Sky and a few days in the western chic of Bozeman, Montana, we were excited to continue our travels to Thousand Trails Crescent Bar in Washington, one of our favorite states. The first year RVing we spent time in the wheat fields of eastern Washington at harvest time. The experience was uplifting. We felt thankful to the farmers for their hard work and grateful for our country’s bounty.
Washington barn
Camping near the Apple Capital of the World, Wenatchee, was our next stop. Just like the tourists who flock to Florida –oohing and ahhing over orange groves — I couldn’t wait to see big, beautiful apple orchards. To stand amid the fruit trees, see their bounty, and experience their grandeur. So what if someone was going to laugh at me.
West from the Rockies
Bozeman, MT to Crescent Bar, WA route
Motoring west from the beautiful Rocky Mountains on Highway 90, we anticipated our next destination. The road was in good repair. The mountain passes not too difficult for the Burrow’s Banks Power assist. Guessing the types of crops planted by the highway kept us entertained. Identification signs started appearing on the fences and proved how hilariously wrong we were.
Arriving at the road to Thousand Trails Crescent Bar you encounter a short, steep, three miles of twisty descent to the valley floor with an awesome view of the Columbia River. My foot was pressing the imaginary brake and we made it safely down. At check-in, the park appeared to be clean and tidy. I knew from photos there were river-view spaces and asked about any open ones. The ranger said he only had two spaces that were appropriate for our size and amperage. We took our map, unhooked Armadillo, and went to our assigned campsite.
Membership
Thousand Trails path to Columbia River
The ranger’s idea of appropriate space is a small-site, backed up to the major road into the recreation area. There is no shade or noise barrier. This campsite was going to be our home for the next three weeks. The idea of listening to traffic noise for that amount of time sent me postal. The usual procedure at Thousand Trails campgrounds is to go and locate whatever spot you would like and return to the ranger and inform them. A drive through the park revealed many open and nicer campsites.
We returned to the check-in gate and discussed our placement with a different ranger who told us they needed those nicer spots for people with fifty-amp requirements. Excuse me? Thousand Trails membership entitles you to thirty-amp service. There is an additional nightly charge if you require fifty-amps. We offered to pay additional charges for a better campsite. But there is no additional charge at Thousand Trails Crescent Bar. I was angry at that revelation and went back to the Jeep. This needed to be Ken’s problem to negotiate.
Customer service
Janet photographs the Columbia River at Crescent Bar
Everyone who is a member of Thousand Trails has purchased a membership and pays roughly the same amount of dues. We informed the ranger of our unhappiness at being treated as second -class members because of our size and amperage requirements. She politely showed us a few alternative sites. Was it river-view? No. Shaded? No. Quieter? Yes.
Is this the wave of the future with Thousand Trails? There have been a lot of changes to the company recently. Reducing dues for RVs that use fewer resources should be included if this is the new procedure. I guess you have no chance of ever being situated at a river-view location in Thousand Trails Crescent Bar if your rig is only thirty-amp. Maybe you get lucky if no one with fifty-amp requires them. There were a few tent campsites located with a view.
The park
Thousand Trails gazebo and recreation room overlooking the Columbia River
Thousand Trails Crescent Bar sits high above the Columbia River. The park commands stunning views for those lucky enough to have those campsites. The recreation building is situated on the bluff, as is a gazebo for watching picturesque sunsets.
However, high-temperatures prompted me to undertake a project for outside window covers, as a heat-wave smothered the northwest. We hope to share the project with our readers after a few more refinements to the covers.
We had no further problems during our stay at Thousand Trails Crescent Bar. Covid19 makes using park restroom/shower facilities risky so we don’t do that. Campsites appeared to have plenty of space for even the largest rigs with slide-outs or extra tents. ATT and Verizon cell service were both three bars.
We love Thousand Trails and will continue to sing their praises. Read why in our blog post Affordable RV Travel. See how you can receive a $100.00 discount to dip your toes into Thousand Trails membership by clicking our link in the Tips and Links section at the bottom of this page.
Things to do
Biking, walking, jogging path through the recreation area.
Joey at play
The feature that keeps campers coming back again and again to Thousand Trails Crescent Bar is it’s proximity to the Grant County Recreation Area (See Tips and Links for additional camping info if you are not a Thousand Trails member). From the campground, you can access a shade dappled, wide, paved path that winds along the Columbia River for about three miles. Along the path are dog-friendly beaches for you and your pooch to enjoy a swim, mounds of blackberries to pick, a boat ramp, and golf course. Picnic tables invite you to spend the day on the clear waters of the river. Thousand Trails Crescent Bar also has parking for your boat or jet skis, so bring your toys along with you.
Golf course in the Grant County Recreation Area
Crescent Bar area has two small restaurants, an ice cream parlor and pizza joint near the RV park. There is also a small, well stocked camp store at the golf course clubhouse.
Bavaria in the Cascade Mountains
Leavenworth, Washington
This is how we roll
Need a change from playing in the Columbia River? Head up the road about a forty-five-minute ride to Leavenworth, Washington where you feel as if you have stepped into a Bavarian village. Shops and restaurants are plentiful in this delightful, pedestrian-friendly town nestled in the Cascade Mountains. In addition to the shops and restaurants, there is a city park that borders the Wenatchee River where you can walk or bike the shady paths, picnic, and swim. Several companies offer rental kayaks, paddleboards, or tubing down the river. Leavenworth Outdoor Center, RiverRiders, and Osprey Rafting Co. are among several local companies that rent equipment and transportation.
Apples, peaches, cherries and more
Thousand Trails Crescent Bar is near Wenatchee, the self proclaimed Apple Capital of the World. The farmland is rich and irrigated by the mighty Columbia. There are apple orchards, peach orchards, vineyards and vegetable fields. It is truly a cornucopia. You would be wise to take advantage of what is fresh at the time of your visit. The peaches were abundant and sweet at the time of our visit. We enjoyed them daily in salads, as snacks, in smoothies and grilled. Enjoy wine? Then make time to visit the many local wineries for a tasting.
Candy in Cashmere
The Liberty Orchards Company has been in business since 1912 and produces Aplets and Cotlets. Aplets and Cotlets are apple and peach fruit gels with nuts and a sugar coating, similar to Turkish delights, or lokum. We have loved them for years and routinely buy them for holidays. The company offers a tour of their kitchen and packing room, which we did and enjoyed. We then purchased, in their ample gift shop, a few candies for the road.😋 Really. Only a few candies.
Crunch Pak sliced apple snacks, who many people are familiar with, are also produced in the town of Cashmere.
Supplies and stuff
The town of Wenatchee is about twenty-eight miles away and can provide just about anything you may need as far as supplies and groceries. They boast Costco, Walmart, Home Depot, Fred Meyer and Safeway, as well as a mall and various restaurants. The Pybus Public Market is permanent and pleasantly situated along the river. You can shop for fresh produce, handmade items, and satisfy your appetite at several of the restaurants available. We also would recommend a wonderful, small pub around the corner, called McGlinn’s Public House.
If you are interested in hiking, there are many trails to choose from near Thousand Trails Crescent Bar. Alltrails is an excellent phone app to see what is nearby wherever you may be camping.
Apple orchard near Crescent Bar
My biggest disappointment in the area……apple orchards. My expectations were of grand old trees covered in fruit. Reality is trees pruned so severely I actually felt sorry for them. They are pruned to a V shape, only two branches remaining and wired to metal frames. According to our research, this is how you make an apple tree produce more fruit. I will never look at an apple the same way again.
Until next week…We are
Always Grateful👫
Tips and Links
Golfers will love this Crescent Bar facility. This county golf course is just a short stroll or cart ride away, with views of the Columbia River. Others courses are available nearby.
Crescent Bar gets to extremely high temperatures. It is dry. Visit during spring or fall weather unless you are bringing your boat and will spending the days in the cool waters of the Columbia. Your pup will love it here because all the water access points through the recreation area are dog-friendly.
Thousand Trails Membership – Get out and camp with $100 off a Thousand Trails Camping Pass. Purchase in the next two weeks to reel in this deal!
Pssst. Want to know how to save? Read our tips for Affordable RV Travel
Ken recently read an article that left us shaking our heads. The topic was the high expense of RV’ing and how it really is not as affordable as people think. We started discussing it and decided on sharing the topic of Affordable RV Travel with our readers. This blog post is primarily directed to people who are traveling full-time in an RV or considering full-time living. However, if you are a vacation RV’er or weekend camper, keep reading. We can all use a little extra money in our pockets.
Ken and I try to keep our expenses equal to one Social Security check. We try. This ensures we are living below our means and we have enough tucked back for emergencies. Emergencies happen. Stress is minimized when you are prepared.
Pick Your RV Carefully
Our Bigfoot with reflection in the window
This is where you can lose money quickly and could be an entire blog post by itself, so do your homework. Ken and I decided to buy used because we were n0t sure we would like the RV life. The idea was that if not, then we wouldn’t have much invested when it was time to quit.
We narrowed our choices down to a few manufacturers and pursued them throughout the country. Our future rolling home was located in Corpus Christie, Texas. We flew there, decided to buy our Bigfooot, and arranged to return at a later date for her transport to Florida. These are the bare minimum suggestions we have.
Finding and Purchasing Your RV
Thoroughly research the seller. Whether an individual or company, it is a good idea to find out who you are dealing with. Our first sale fell through because the seller unreasonably wanted us to travel cross country with all cash for the purchase.
Have the RV inspected. If you are not RV savvy, (don’t worry, you will get there) there are businesses who will inspect the RV before you buy. Don’t be afraid to make your sale contingent on an inspection report. Camping World offers this service and we used them but don’t fall down the rabbit hole of getting them to do the repairs.
Expect additional costs to repair items needing attention or updating.
Choose a domicile state for tags, insurance, etc. Some are more friendly to RV’ers than others.
Getting on the Road
One of the first realizations we made after getting underway is that full-time RVing has the potential to get expensive. I looked at Ken one day and said “we have got to do something to get a handle on this. We can’t sustain this level of spending”. Our park costs were killing us. An average cost of $35.00 a night (good luck) equals $245.00 per week before the addition of taxes. Roughly $1000.00 per month. In addition, RV parks are tacking on additional charges for pets, extra people, resort fees, and other special add-on charges.
After some research, we decided to dip our toes into the waters of Thousand Trails membership with a zone pass. For about $550.00 per year in dues, plus $49.00 per region, we could camp in any Thousand Trails park for two weeks at a time. We then would have to leave for 1 week before returning back to a park in our zone. We could continue to go in and out for the entire year at no cost other than the costs for that one week out, and the initial dues and region costs. (This worked out to 35 weeks for the annual dues and region cost, and 17 weeks we had to pay elsewhere).
View from RV window of Thousand Trails Lake Tawakoni
Eureka
We were hooked and found our secret to Affordable RV Travel. I know that Thousand Trails is not everyone’s cup of tea. But if, like us, you enjoy a more wooded setting (most Thousand Trail parks), good locations, activities, and almost FREE camping, then we feel some of the complaints can be overlooked. Ken and I have since upgraded our membership on the resale market at Campground Membership Outlet. This allows us to camp park-to-park for a three-week stay at a time, without leaving for the week out, albeit we do have to move to a different park at the end of the three-week stay.
Savings in the 1st year based on 140 nights of camping in Thousand Trails vs. Commercial campground
In 3 months we paid back the cost of our membership and the more days you stay in Thousand Trails each year, the cheaper it gets. During our week out, before we upgraded, we discovered more ways to save.
More Ways to Save on Stays
Palouse Co. Fairgrounds
Puyallup Fairgrounds
Medera District Fair
Favorite Fairgrounds
Fairgrounds and Expo Centers often have RV parks for a lower rate than commercial parks. They also can sometimes be free of taxes because they are government owned. This is helpful in high tax states. We have a list of favorites including beautiful, downtown Santa Barbara, California at their Earl Warren Showgrounds.
Stay a week or month to get reduced rates. Staying just 1 or 2 nights is the most expensive way to travel. Most commercial parks give a price break for weekly and monthly stays.
Hipcamp is a source for finding reduced cost camping. It works like Airbnb that anyone who has a space to rent, can. Be aware of any service fees before you book.
National parks, state and county parks can be a real cost savings but are sometimes booked up well in advance and may have extremely small size limits.
BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land is usually free but is probably boondocking. We don’t do this often because of our pets, Butter and Joey. With no services, there is no air conditioning for them.
There are several apps and memberships that are free or can be purchased, at minimal annual cost, to get a free or reduced stay. Harvest Host, Passport America, Park Advisor and Good Sam are a few we keep on hand.
So Much to See
Here is the hard part. Just slow down. Literally and figuratively. There are times that you need to move quickly over many miles. Try to keep those long, fast moves to a minimum. It is not a race. If you do the math you will see the benefit of taking your time.
At 8 mpg and $2.19 per gallon (national average per AAA), it will cost approximately $1,000 to drive from Key West, Florida (southernmost point of the Continental US) to Cape Flattery, Washington (northwesternmost point of the Continental US), or a distance of approximately 3600 miles.
Budgeting
As you can see in the previous example, making a moving budget is imperative to keeping your costs under control. Keep your total monthly miles within the limits you set. We try to keep our moves to 1 per month, and only move approximately 250 to 300 miles. In this way, we keep our fuel costs under $100.00 monthly.
It is hard when first getting started. You want to race from one great place to another. If you are limited in time and have the finances, then certainly go for it. But if you slow down, you may find your Road to Bliss and enjoy more Affordable RV Travel.
I’m Here – Now What?
You finally get to your destination and you can’t wait to go see it all. If you just run out and do that, you could blow your whole week’s budget in one night. Here is where research and patience pays off.
Savings on Fun
Drive to the local Chamber of Commerce or Visitor Center and get literature. What looks good or interesting to you? Did you see something really great while on your tour of the town? Next….
Check Groupon or Living Social for any big ticket items that you might be interested in. It could be dining out or sightseeing tours, glass blowing classes or museums. These digital coupons can be huge savings.
If you don’t already own one, buy a National Park Pass for $80.00 annually or if you are over 62, $80.00 for a lifetime pass. If you stay in one state long enough, it can be cost-effective to buy their annual pass as well.
Dining out can be pricey so cook at home and use the local farmer’s markets for some of the best produce around. Pack picnics for your explorations. You can eat for a week on what one, nicer dining experience costs.
Replace dining out with ice cream or coffee. It will be a fourth of the cost but you still get to enjoy the ambiance of main street, municipal gardens, or maybe a beautiful casino.
Go online and look up free things to do in the area. It is amazing what is available. Museums, farm tours (with delicious tastings), flower festivals, winery tours, local events, historical and quirky sites. Atlas Obscura is a great place to find the zany and unusual.
Go hiking, biking, canoeing, snorkeling or whatever you like and are capable of. This country offers loads of outdoor experiences for free. Alltrails is a great resource for finding great choices and options.
Don’t go anywhere. Just enjoy the park you paid for. A campfire with s’mores, a float down a river, pool, or puzzles. Most campgrounds offer something both relaxing and enjoyable.
The Best RV Buy Ever
We started out with stars in our eyes just like most of you will too. Very quickly though my starry eyes turned demon red when it came time to do the laundry. Public laundromats are dirty no matter how clean they try to keep them. Some RV parks don’t even try. Washers can hold residue from sand to pet hair, and more. You get the idea. They cost anywhere from $1.50 to $3.00 per load and another $1.50 to $3.00 to get them dry.
So, $6.00 a load, a load you had to mix colors for a full tub, can easily cost $20.00 to $30.00 a week. Yikes!!! That adds up when you are penny pinching.
You are fortunate if you have an onboard wash and dryer and if you haven’t purchased your RV yet, may want to consider it as a necessary item. But, sigh, many of us don’t. Here is my solution.
The Della portable washing machine is lightweight and small enough to carry in our storage compartment. I use mine outdoors but it can be used inside the shower if necessary. This machine paid for itself in just 12 short weeks at an average $20.00 per week. I have been washing with it for close to 2 years now and it is still running like a champ. For me, it has been my best RV purchase ever.
Live Your Best Life
Ken and I feel like we are living our best life. We use the above strategies so that we are able to go more, see more, and do more. I hope we have given you the confidence to consider the RV lifestyle in spite of financial misgivings. There are ways to do anything you want. How badly do you want it?
I had heard of Moab, Utah but never was it at the top of my list of places to visit. Anyone who drives a Jeep, though, knows that Moab is where Jeeps go to play. But Ken and I are Florida babies and enjoy trees, water, and woods that deserts do not have in abundance. Still, when our route to Yellowstone put Moab, Utah in our path, we had to stop.
First, Moab is the town that Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Parks is near. People say Moab to refer to the area but there is no Moab National Park. Unless you are camping on BLM land or in one of the national parks, you will be camping in the town.
Moab is Looking Promising
We arrived from southern Colorado via US Route 191. This is an easy route that at one time in our country’s history was a spur on a major highway (Route 91) from California to Canada. We started seeing fantastical rock formations along the highway. There are stripped turbans that look like Russian onion domes. Minarets standing alone in open fields. Sweeping arches and windows carved into the sides of mountains. Moab, Utah was starting to look a little more interesting.
It is hard to make a pleasant RV park in the desert, but Moab Rim Campark manages a fairly nice landing spot. Town is an eclectic mix of restaurants and shops, breweries and tour operators. The town is historic, inviting, and walk-able. Imagine a western desert town where everything, including the buildings, seems to be red dirt. This is Moab.
Arches National Park is a short five miles down the road from town, So after setting up the RV, Ken and I jumped in Armadillo, our Jeep Wrangler, for a sunset ride through Arches. It is a real treat when you are close enough to enjoy sunrise or sunset in a national park.
Our Sunset Ride
The entrance to Arches is quite dramatic. You climb the mountain face on a switchback road. (Road is on the mountain behind Jeep in the first blog picture.) Everyone ahead and behind you is visible because it is solid rock. There are no trees. The cars look like ants going to and fro from their nest. I made the mistake of looking down the mountain, swallowed hard, and faced forward from then on.
Park Avenue, Arches National Park
It didn’t take long before we were greeted with the first spectacular view, Park Avenue. Park Avenue is a one-mile trail through a canyon that towers with some of the parks most well known monoliths. The Courthouse Towers, the Three Gossips, the Tower of Babel, all famously photographed, can be viewed on this trail as well as some outstanding fins (thin-walls of rock).
Rock formations called fins
It is always amazing to me that each park we visit, while similar, is so different. The colors, the formations, the stunning views. Just when you think it will be repetitive, you are surprised and awed yet again. Does everyone’s heart swell when they see these beautiful sights? Ken and I continue to be delighted over and over.
Parade of Elephants – The Windows Section, Arches National Park
Rafting, Hiking and Picnics
Whitewater rafting on the Colorado River – Break time
Our stay in Moab is filled with hikes to the famous arches, nature’s frames to stunning landscapes. Some are visible from a car pullout but others may require a short hike. Still others require a strenuous hike. They are worth every step it takes to view them. There are over two thousand documented arches in the park. Some are large. Some are small. But each is perfect.
We enjoyed a tame whitewater rafting trip on the Colorado River with an evening picnic under starry skies. We hiked Canyonlands National Park and the scenery is just as jaw-dropping as Arches.
Pine Tree Arch
Moab, Utah is famous for its Jeep safaris, off-road courses, whitewater rafting, dinosaur tracks and the stunning arches and canyons. It is a destination that I’m glad we didn’t miss. I do wish we had planned a little more time.
Continuing Precautions
Covid precautions continue to play a large part in the decisions we make. From activities we do, to what time we do them, and where we camp, Covid is forefront on our minds. We continue to see what we can see and do what we can do to the best of our abilities. Traveling in the RV taught me very quickly that we will never see it all and we are too old to do it all. But there is plenty still to experience and we try to pack in as much as our short time on this beautiful earth will allow.
Till next week. We are…
Always Grateful. 👫
Tips and Links
Moab is hot. If you cannot tolerate the heat then be sure to visit during the shoulder season, March through May or September through October. There are plenty of hotels in the town and several RV parks. All services from groceries to restaurants are available and there is a good organic co-op. A dinosaur land is near the entrance to Canyonlands and would be perfect for young ones. If you are comfortable driving the twists and turns at night, a night of stargazing should be on your list to do. There are dozens of tour operators for anything you may want to try and most operators have an easy level for older, younger or beginners.
