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
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?
It’s our first day to visit Grand Teton National Park and we are as excited as kids on Christmas morning.
🎶 It’s o’dark thirty when the alarm rings. Ken’s rings to the right of the bed and mine to the left where we are snug and warm. I crack my eyes open first, give him an elbow to the ribs and say “let’s get this show on the road.” It’s our first day to visit Grand Teton National Park and we are as excited as kids on Christmas morning.
Load up
Armadillo on the way to Schwabacher’s Landing hike
The plan for today is a sunrise hike on the Snake River at Schwabacher’s Landing. The promise, from reviews, is the hike will provide stunning scenery and photos to treasure. It is cold. The temperature is 39 degrees. We shiver while loading Armadillo with hot coffee, water, protein bars, and backpacks.
The thought crosses my mind “Is it worth all this?” But the commitment is made and off we go, as Ken drives through the Teton Pass with it’s twists, turns and ten percent grades. Kaye sleeps and I nod in the back of Armadillo while we stay warm under the blanket Kaye thoughtfully provided.
Are we awake yet?
Twilight appears to silhouette the town when we arrive in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. It looks like a fun place to explore but we push on, trying to reach the river before the sun peeks up over the mountains. Up, up the Jeep climbs, surrounded by the snowy peaks of Teton, Moran and Table mountains.
We keep our eyes open for wildlife as Armadillo rolls past the National Elk Refuge and are rewarded for our attentiveness. Five stately elk stand near the road. Two bucks hold enormous racks high on strong necks and appear like bronze statues. Zoom. We pass by too fast for a photo. Our memories will have to suffice.
Go time
We arrive at the parking area of the Schwabacher hike with little time to spare. The sun is moving up quickly and the parking lot is full. Full to overflowing. There is a collective groan in the Jeep.
Hurriedly everyone dons packs, grabs their poles and sets off. The river is crowded with early birds just like us. They too are there to capture, in photographs, some of the most beautiful scenery on earth.
We hike in, quickly snap some pictures and keep going. The trail follows a meandering creek. My hands are cold. My nose is cold. I keep hoping that walking a little more vigorously will make it better and it does. Eventually.
The reason we came
Soon the other photographers disappeared and then quiet and beauty surrounded us. Alone. Ken related that a review of this particular hike says not to bother going further than the first quarter mile. Nothing else is spectacular after that point. Au contraire. Nothing could be further from the truth but thank goodness others believed it.
It is the first foray into Grand Teton National Park for Ken and I. We hike quietly while soaking in the grandeur. I am reminded of early morning hunting trips with my Dad. Reminded of the peace and serenity a walk through the woods at sunrise brings to my soul.
Always grateful
These times remind me of how grateful I am to be here and experience this wonderful world. We hiked along the creek to its conclusion at the main river course then returned on our same route. The entire hike was filled with beautiful wildflowers spread across meadows and the towering snow-topped Tetons reflected in the mountain streams.
Upon our return, Ken and I along with Kaye and Tim, piled into the warm Jeep. The mood was happily exhausted in the car as we said goodbye and drove out of the park. A hearty breakfast on The Bunnery patio in Jackson Hole hit the spot after our early morning adventure.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
RV life
Would I get up again at o’dark thirty for a sunrise hike? You betcha. I would and we did again the next day. Some things are worth the effort you have to put in.
Our RV life isn’t always easy either. We put in a lot of work to be here. It wasn’t easy to dispose of a lifetime collection of possessions or to know that we would not be near our first grand-baby. But. We. Are. And grateful.
We all get to choose our life and how it will play out. Fill yours with all the things that feed your soul.
Always grateful👫
Tips And Links
We choose to stay about an hour and a half away in Swan Valley because the prices were exorbitant in Jackson Hole. This was part of the necessity for getting up so early. There is a visitor center in Jackson Hole so plan to stop there for all your information before entering the park. If you do choose to stay closer, be aware that the Teton Pass has ten percent grades for quite a few miles, is very twisty and is not recommended for RVs. The best approach would be through Alpine to Jackson Hole. Also, there are acres and acres of free and gorgeous BLM lands that are available for camping along the Palisades Reservoir that runs through Swan Valley. The Schwabacher Landing hike is suitable for any age or ability but is not ADA accessible, however, stunning views are visible with little effort even from the parking area.
Shelter in place is over but how do we move around the country safely? How to navigate covid and summer RV travel.
Quarantine at Thousand Trails Medina Lake has been pleasant. We have enjoyed the wildlife, trails, and atmosphere. Temperatures are rising lately and people are becoming frustrated with distancing rules. Face masks are second thoughts if at all.
Deer at rest in Thousand Trails Medina Lake
Get Ready for covid and summer RV Travel
It’s time for a change. Time to get rolling and start living our traveling lifestyle again. We started talking about leaving quarantine safety and realized traveling using our typical routine was not going to work. The four of us, traveling as a tribe in two RVs, put our heads together and came up with a safe traveling plan. Here are our tips for a safer Covid and Summer RV Travel.
Plan your destinations
We love dining out, visiting historical buildings, museums, and enjoying all types of city attractions. This year, we are avoiding indoor activities and focusing on hiking and canoeing. With that in mind, we looked closely at the available outdoor activities in the areas that interested us. We needed answers for these and other questions.
Armadillo ready for new adventures
Are the state parks open for visiting? Camping?
What is open to do in the National Parks in these area?
What about Bureau of Land Management (BLM) areas and State forests?
Are dump stations open?
Many answers can be found on the state websites with jurisdiction for that park. A great starting point is Wikipedia. The Wikipedia site provides information on State Parks in each individual state. It includes an interactive map and is a good first stop in your planning research. State Park List
For National Parks and Monuments, the National Parks System provides you options by State. Choose a state from a drop down list. A list of all National Parks and Monuments for that state will open. Some National Parks even have apps available for download to your smartphone. National Parks & Monuments
To learn about the many varied activities available on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land, the Bureau provides listings by state. Bureau of Land Management
If your decision is to be a little bolder, you may want to try restaurants, bars and other more crowded venues. A quick call will verify the business is open and ready to serve you; most restaurants are now offering curbside pickup, delivery, and dine-in. We are trying to find restaurants with outdoor patios.
Plan Your Route
Planning the first leg of our journey
After the destination has been decided, it is time to plan your route. This year takes a little more consideration. Here are a few examples of the type of questions you may want to ask.
Are quarantine rules in place for arrival from a different state?
Will restaurants and non-essential services be open?
Is the RV park you would like to go to taking new reservations?
This link will tell you how each state is currently handling the Covid19 pandemic and what services are partially or fully open. Covid19 Guidelines by State
After determining state guidelines, you can decide to stay or not. Please be sure to follow each state’s safety guidelines – or yours if they are more stringent.
Plan your expected activities
Some people enjoy sitting by the campfire or stargazing. Some enjoy dining out at new places. Other people love a strenuous hike or bike ride. Whatever comes to mind as perfect camping for you, make sure, through research, you will be able to do it and what special requirements you need to follow.
By making advance arrangements, we were able to enjoy a lovely dinner of Tafel Spitz prepared by chef/owner Denise at our favorite restaurant, Little Gretel in Boerne, Texas. It was a wonderful evening with great food, great friends, and in a lovely outdoor patio setting. If you are in the Austin/San Antonio area, be certain not to miss this restaurant.
An enjoyable evening with special dinner at Little Gretel
Plan and make your reservations
We are living in different times. Ken and I don’t usually bother with reservations. Now, reservations and confirmations are necessary for each leg of your journey. Here are a few tips.
Call the campground to make your reservation. You can ask if there are any special operating procedures and what amenities may be open or closed. Some campgrounds are using a remote check-in process similar to a late arrival check-in.
Note whom you speak with and get a confirmation number. Get a backup email confirmation.
Keep copies of all pertinent information and payments regarding your reservation.
Pay as little down for a deposit as you can. Stay flexible.
ReserveAmerica is the booking agent for most state parks. Be careful. A closed park does not mean an automatic refund from the park, or their agent.
Plan for your safety
Costco shopping in my safety gear
Follow all safety measures designated by the state you are in. It is your responsibility to know.
Stick to your own devised safety procedures. It is easy to get tired or complacent and let down your guard. Don’t do it.
Review your insurance policies and be aware of their requirements should you need medical attention.
Review all state Covid19 statistics. The numbers can be used as a guideline for determining where a little extra caution may be necessary.
My portable washing machine is coming in handy. It keeps me out of small cramped laundry rooms and saves considerable money. Read about this rugged little machine in The Laundry Experiement .
Covid and Summer RV Travel
Let’s get rolling. Ken and I are anxious and excited to start our Covid and Summer RV Travel. There are new states and parks planned and, our long-time friends, Kaye and Tim are traveling with us again. The lineup is full of great new adventures. Don’t be discouraged about what you cannot do. Be inspired by what you can.
The peninsula’s beauty is protected and available for you to explore. Some folks may not appreciate the remoteness but others will revel in what this area has to offer.
Getting to the Olympic Peninsula
This is the second summer we have explored the Oregon and Washington coastlines. This year we were able to dig a little deeper and RV the Olympic Peninsula, an often overlooked gem.
Bordered by Puget Sound on the east, the Salish Sea on the north, and the Pacific Ocean on the west, the Olympic Peninsula is almost entirely covered by Olympic National Park and the National Forest. The peninsula’s beauty is protected and available for you to explore. Some folks may not appreciate the remoteness but others will revel in what this area has to offer.
The primary RV route to the Olympic Peninsula is by scenic highway 101, from either Olympia to the east or the Pacific coast to the west. However, you can also enter by highway 16 from Tacoma , or ferry your RV in from northern mainland Washington.
The map pictured contains a link to all the areas that are dog friendly. For more information, click the description at the bottom.
Quaint small towns line the shores of Puget sound. Lavender fields scent the northeast breezes. And Ken’s favorite, oyster farms cultivate their bounty in the clean waters of Willapa Bay. The drive into the peninsula is scenic and beautiful so allow yourself plenty of oooh and ahhh time.
Camping on the Olympic Peninsula Port Townsend
❤️️Honor system veggie stand near Jefferson County Fair campground in Port Townsend
We began our month in the Olympic Peninsula with a move up coastal highway 101 from Long Beach, Washington to the town of Port Townsend, where we met up with longtime friends from Texas, Kaye and Tim.
Located on the northeastern tip of the peninsula, Port Townsend boasts a historic waterfront with fabulous turn of the century architecture. The town is a ferry stop for the Washington ferry system bringing tourists to Port Townsend’s historic downtown and Fort Worden Historical State Park.
What to do in Port Townsend, Washington
Point Wilson lighthouse at Fort Worden
You can enjoy great restaurants. Stroll or bike through beautiful scenery where deer wander freely through town. Or tour the outer islands like Bainbridge or the San Juan Islands. Take a whale watching tour. You can even take your bike and catch a ferry to Victoria, B.C. for a day trip.
Lift a pint on the deck of Siren’s Pub & Restaurant and enjoy the scenic waterfront. Or visit one of our favorite Thai food experiences in all our traveling at Khu Larb Thai or their Little Rose Takeout. Good dining choices are available throughout the town. Port Townsend also boasts an extremely satisfying Jefferson County Farmers Market on Saturdays. They offer all manner of fresh farm products, entertainment and food. One other tidbit about this area, Port Townsend has one of the best organic food co-ops that we have found, The Food Co-op.
Port Townsend waterfront shops
Camping on the Olympic Peninsula Sequim
The next stop on our peninsula tour was Sequim (pronounced Sqwim). We stayed at the Seven Cedars Casino where you are welcome for three days without charge and there are even some 15-amp electrical hookups available.
We stayed the three-day limit and enjoyed their hospitality, gaming and restaurants. It was long enough too to enjoy one of the local farms during lavender festival, Purple Haze Lavender Farm.
What to do in Sequim, Washington
If you are considering a trip to the Olympic Peninsula, I would encourage you to time your visit with the Lavender Festival in July. Blooming fields, live entertainment, lavender flavored everything from margaritas to ice cream and beautiful hand-crafted items. And each farm offers something different.
Purple Haze Lavender Farm
Another memorable dining experience was the Alder Wood Bistro. They have an eclectic menu, including pizza. Of the six in our party, all six were happy with their dinner choices! A few days later, Ken and I returned for my birthday celebration with another helping of their crispy duck and Shaker Lemon Pie.
Shaker lemon pie – Alder Wood Bistro
Sequim is a
good location to position yourself for exploring if you do not want to continue
into more remote locations. There are RV
parks available, beautiful scenery and plenty of restaurants. Sequim is large enough to supply most of your
needs.
Camping on the Olympic Peninsula Into the woods we go
As you continue west, there are several options for stays. However, there is only one town with many supply choices and that is Port Angeles. We kept moving west but noted there were fewer opportunities for gas or groceries beyond Sequim.
If you require cellphone/wifi service, proceed with caution as it gets much more difficult to find hot zones. Our attempt at the Salt Creek Recreation Area was a bust, and since everyone in our tribe required service, we had to say a sad bye, bye to this beautiful and peaceful campground.
We use Campendium to check on cell-service before we travel to a campground, and recommend it. But you can’t absolutely rely on the reviews to be accurate.
Camping on the Olympic Peninsula Sekiu
Our next
stop was Sekiu and I’m almost tempted to keep this one to ourselves. But since our readership is not in the
thousands, we’ll share.
Eagle waiting for salmon scraps on Clallam Bay
You can’t go much further west than Sekiu, Washington on the Juan de Fuca Highway, almost to the peninsula’s northwestern most point. Most of the RVers here have come for one thing. Salmon. The salmon swim up the strait to the smaller streams for spawning and the fisherman are there to catch them and fill the freezers they brought along.
Campsites & boat docks on Clallam Bay
Sekiu rests on the western edge of Clallam Bay. It is a fish camp. But it is one of our favorite RV stops in this region. Peaceful and quiet with abundant wildlife, we could even see Vancouver Island across the Strait of Juan de Fuca. It punches our happy ticket.
What to do in Sekiu, Washington
Commercial fishing boat in Sekiu
There are several campgrounds available around the bay and most all the camp spaces back up to or overlook the water. We camped at Van Riper’s Resort with full hookups, waterfront sites and a small store. Salmon fishing guides can be hired here too. Verizon service was very good, but ATT was non-existent.
Janet & Kaye enjoying campsite lunch at Van Riper’s Resort
Our time in Sekiu was a wonderful respite and a good location to launch exploration of Olympic National Park. But the remoteness and atmosphere at a fish camp may not be for everyone. If it is for you and you decide to go, be aware that there are only a couple of restaurants nearby (one that was not so great) so you will need to bring food and supplies with you. It is a good distance back into a town. Wild blackberries abound throughout this region and there are plenty of places to go picking. We enjoyed blackberry cobbler nightly, courtesy of Kaye.
What to see and do on the Olympic Peninsula
Cape Flattery
A visit to Cape Flattery will reward you with some of the most staggeringly beautiful scenery the continental United States has to offer. It is our northwest most point and is located on Makah tribal lands. Luckily they generously share this beauty with everyone. You arrive to a paved parking area and then hike to the point. It is a 1 1/2 mile round trip hike. Don’t pass this by if you visit the Olympic peninsula.
Restaurant stop on Makah tribal land
tribal cemetery totem
Olympic National Park
Wild lily in Olympic National Park
I’m embarrassed to say that we were enjoying our camping at Sekiu so much that we didn’t get into Olympic National Park as often as planned. What we did see made us commit to coming back again. Snow capped mountains (in July, shocking for us Floridians!), glaciers, marmots, and fields of wildflowers including beautiful wild lilies. It is a precious and spectacular place.
View from Hurricane Ridge hikeJanet & Ken at Olympic National Park Visitor Center
There are so many recreational activities that anyone can find something to do here. There are hot springs, challenging mountain hikes, bike paths, and the Hoh Rainforest. And if camping in State and National Parks is what you love, several are situated on stunning Pacific coastline
RV the Olympic Peninsula Conclusion
Several challenges exist if you are interested in visiting this area but all of them are easily overcome with a small amount of planning. That would be our best piece of advice. It is well worth your time to see Olympic National Park and to RV the Olympic Peninsula. Highway 101 is in good condition throughout. This is not a place you can easily just “wing it”. A little preparation will go a long way toward a fun and memorable experience when you RV the Olympic Peninsula.
Thanks to our friends and travel companions for the summer, Kaye & Tim. It was great sharing it all with you. Always grateful.👫
April was our last blog post as The Burrow shivered her way north to Bend, Oregon. The posts have been pushed to the back burner as we grasp every spare moment to explore our new surroundings.
Nomadic life is our new normal. We relocate our RV “home” every three weeks or so and it seems to be the travel schedule that works best. Two weeks is too little but after three weeks, it’s time to go.
Home
Armadillo & The Burrow at rest
With two years on the road under our wheels, our RV truly feels like home. The kinks are mostly worked out and the past year has allowed us to relax and enjoy the ride. “La Dolce Vita” is a phrase we embrace.
We met up with longtime friends in Port Townsend, WA, who have embarked on a nomadic lifestyle too. Our tribe is small but mighty and it has been truly fun to share these experiences with friends. I will admit though, traveling with three engineers can be challenging at times and the squirrels are still running rampant.
Where have we been since the last blog?
“I’ve been everywhere, man I’ve been everywhere, man ‘Cross the deserts bare, man I’ve breathed the mountain air, man Of travel, I’ve had my share, man I’ve been everywhere. “
The Burrow is sporting a brand-new refrigerator and all the orchids have set spikes (they love their skylight). The animals are doing well although Bitsy is now wearing diapers. She decided that urinating on the floor was a good way to indicate unhappiness. As with most of the animal issues since moving aboard, diapering a cat was surprisingly easier than expected.
Upcoming Content Focus
I think I’ll tease these destinations out a few at a time. Maybe try to give my readers an idea what is
there to see or what may be remarkable in the area. As my friend said, “how many times can you
say beautiful and awesome?”. Everyone has
different ideas about the perfect travel destination so maybe we can offer you some
planning ideas.
Going forward, Ken and I would like to review the Thousand Trails campgrounds that we stay in. Membership in Thousand Trails can help stretch your camping budget and we are happy to be affiliated.
New ideas are perking and plans are being made for 2020. This need for new challenge, sights and experiences isn’t leaving us. The past two years have fed our wanderlust and the nomadic life is our new normal.
We are back in Las Vegas. When our friends say “goodbye” and head back to Austin for their holidays and we travel to Florida for ours, the tribe will be dismantled. We’re snowbirds now, enjoying the best weather and destinations. But stay tuned. There is so much more to experience as we share with you how nomadic life is our new normal.
Christmas card photos come to life in the Land of Giants.
Previously posted to Facebook on 5/18/18
Our explorations into this big beautiful country keep getting better and better. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks is our first impressions of this special place in the Sierra Nevadas.
A land of giants
Ken said it correctly in an earlier post, we are in the Land of Giants. Every steep hairpin curve upward in the High Sierra brings a new surprise. Spring flowers in vivid shades of purple, yellow, red and white cover the mountainside like colored carpets. Herds of deer glide silently by. Bear forage after waking from long winter sleep. Giant grey squirrels chatter. A Perrigrin falcon coasts through the sky. You are surrounded by multiple, massive, icy cold rivers cascading thunderously down onto rocky faces and through lush mountain meadows. The smell in the air is a perfume no chemist could ever duplicate; it is pine and flowers, fresh clean water and woods.
The clouds touch the mountaintops and dance along the brilliant blue sky, so close you want to reach for them. And under the giant sequoia and pines, where it is dark and shaded, Christmas card photos come to life.
If Yellowstone is the diamond, then Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are the rubies and the emeralds. The Sequoias are Titans wrapped in soft, warm, bark robes, sometimes two-feet thick.
Uncrowded exploration
We have had dumb beginner’s luck and visited here just ahead of the season, with its masses of tourists parading from park-to-park on the weekends; so during the week, we have this playground virtually to ourselves. We hiked for miles and rarely saw anyone. We picnicked alone in splendor.
Mother nature puts on a fantastic show in the High Sierra. Snow is still on the mountaintops, melting and creating waterfalls everywhere you look. Trickling ones, roaring ones, gentle brooks that feed the meadows. And slow, wide, meandering ones. You think you have seen the best. But then turn the corner and your eyes pop because you encounter something even better. A mountain, a budding tree, blossoming flowers, or wildlife.
Get out and GO!
Many of you have mentioned to us that we are living your dream; to go around in an RV or travel trailer and see the country. Ken and I would both say DO IT! Do whatever you can and drag your children along too. Weekends in a van or months in an RV. Do it. You will not be disappointed. The world is big……
Always grateful. 👫
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks have been our favorite National Parks so far. I hope our photos do it some justice.
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I’m not sure why we didn’t see Lava Beds National Monument when researching our route. The only defense is that you see so many forests and monuments on the map that if you stopped for them all, you would never make it to your destination.
North from Carson City
Our destination after Carson City, Nevada was Bend, Oregon with an overnight stopover in Tulelake, California. We researched our route and decided on Interstate 395 then across to State Road 139 at Alturas, California. The thinking was to stay east of the greatest elevation changes until the last possible minute and thereby save on gas. Our route choice was a good one and we made the very happy discovery of Lava Beds National Monument along the way.
I’m not sure why we didn’t see this park when researching
our route. The only defense is that you
see so many forests and monuments on the map that if you stopped for them all,
you would never make it to your destination.
We cruised up the highway, enjoying the sight of snow blanketing the forest floors. In the back of my mind, though, I kept wondering, did we move into the mountains too early in the season? And hoped that the answer was…it’s fine. We were nearing our overnight stop in Tulelake when the sign for Lava Beds National Monument appeared on the side of the road in what seemed the middle of nowhere.
The sign indicated that it was 16 miles to the park and, as we were ahead of schedule, floated the idea of heading there to look. We decided to continue to our overnight stop and try to include a quick visit before we pulled out for Bend.
Tulelake, California
Tulelake campground
Tulelake-Butte Valley Fairgrounds is a Passport America Park. If offers full hookup campsites in a lush, green, grassy area that is off to the side of fairground buildings and backed up to farm fields. This is a self-pay park and can still be used if you are a late arrival. Although there are not a lot of dining options nearby, it is a lovely and peaceful place to rest for a couple of days. There was a Visitor Center on the fairground property, though we didn’t go in. Happy with our camping site in Tulelake, we decided to stay two nights and see what was nearby.
Tulelake National Wildlife Refuge
White Pelican
Our first stop was the Tulelake National Wildlife Refuge. After driving around on dirt dyke roads, through acres of sweet potato farm fields, we decided that this place would be what we call “an armadillo roll”, as in, roll on by. We did see our first ever pheasants with their beautiful plumage and, funny to us as Floridians, white pelicans. If you are into birds, then you may love this place. Various, huge flocks were floating, flying, and fishing in the waters.
Lava Beds National Monument
We used the second half of our day to drive into Lava Beds National Monument. Ken and I figured to just do a quick drive through look. Wow! We are sorry that we didn’t skip the wildlife refuge and just go straight to Lava Beds.
Acres of diverse volcanic features vie for your attention in the Great Basin High Desert. Hikes, wildlife and battle sites also abound but the show doesn’t stop above ground. Of over 700 caves in the park, twenty five of them are marked and open to exploration.
Caves
Skull Cave entrance
The caves are graded from easy to difficult and are yours to explore on your own. Yes. That’s right. These caves are open for you to explore completely on your own. To make sure that you have all the equipment necessary, you must first stop at the visitor center and obtain a pass. There the rangers will brief you on safety and equipment, you will be screened for white nose syndrome and helped with what caves may be suitable for you. You will need;
A helmet (bike helmet will do)
Flashlight (can be borrowed from visitor center)
Suitable warm clothing/boots
Gloves
Water
There is something otherworldly
about being in a cave all alone. It
really isn’t for the faint of heart but is something that I feel privileged to
have done. We went into Skull Cave where
you descend, down and further down, about eighty feet, until you reach the ice
floor at bottom. And the temperature change is dramatic. We were freezing down there.
Lava tube opening
We hiked back to another cave for
an attempted entry but felt that it was too steep for our capabilities. Even though we couldn’t go in that cave, it was
a beautiful hike, late in the afternoon.
We were treated to deer foraging for their evening meal and some
beautiful sunset colors in the sky.
We will be back
This is one of the places that we are kicking ourselves for not knowing about and planning more time to spend exploring. There is a small campground at the park. Although beautifully situated It does not provide hookups and only has a couple of spots suitable for RV’s over twenty-five feet. However, the Tulelake-Butte County Fairgrounds was nearby and has full hookups.
Tule Lake Monument
In addition, after we left the area, we found out that Tulelake, California was also the site of a Japanese American internment camp and prisoner of war site. This site is now memorialized at the Tule Lake Monument. This monument would be of particular interest to our family because Ken is half Japanese. The only way to tour the buildings at this site is with a Park Ranger and can be arranged at the Park Visitor Center located at Tulelake-Butte County Fairgrounds. The very place we stayed.
Klamath Falls Lake & Crater Lake National Park
Joey finds a mud puddle at Tulelake-Butte County Fairgrounds
The proximity of Klamath Falls Lake and Crater Lake National Park (about 1 ½ hours), makes Tulelake a great basecamp for exploring an activity rich area. I’m really sorry that we didn’t research our stopover more fully but very happy to have stumbled on it. Lava Beds National Monument alone is worth the visit but everything else is icing on the travel cake.
Are you considering the full time RV travel life? The research and preparation can be overwhelming. Read below for ten things to know before you go RVing. Maybe you will find a pointer or some advice to make the transition a little easier, or what to expect when you get there.
1. You need a hobby
Bitsy models crochet
And it has got to be one that doesn’t take up any
space. We arrived in Oregon earlier this
year than last, which has been great! We
got to do some playing in the snow that Ken and I had never done before. But what we did not know is that between the
snow melting and the sunshine starting, it is cold rain. Lots of cold rain. When we started out, I envisioned constant
motion, hiking, kayaking, sightseeing. I
did not envision being stuck in this teeny, tiny RV for one week solid. With bad tv service. And worse internet service.
I am rediscovering crochet now.
2. You will gain weight
Okay. Obviously, some
of you will be better about this than we are. But Ken and I can’t resist a good restaurant
and we are always on the lookout for our next awesome meal. Staying on budget helps but unless you cook
every meal at home, it’s difficult to stay on a healthy, well-balanced,
diet. There is just sooooo much good
food out there. Even the farmer’s market
sparks my inner Julia Child.
This is a tough one for us and if you have any coping
strategies, please comment and share.
3. The festival will be the week before or the week after you are there
We have the freedom to move and go wherever we would
like. But there is much to consider when
you move on to a new location. It takes
research. You research the roads,
weather conditions, where you will stay, what is there to do, and last but not
least, where will you resupply. Oh! And budget considerations too.
Oregon State Fair
It is great when a festival or fair, an event or celebration coincides with your visit. But basing your travels on these events is difficult at best. Most towns don’t do a very good job of marketing their events. So, a search doesn’t necessarily bring them to your attention. We have just missed tickets for events that we would have loved to attend, have been unable to get RV park reservations for a nearby event, or just didn’t know in time to make changes to our schedule.
We keep an event calendar of things we have stumbled upon
and may want to return for in the following year. There have been a few festivals that occurred
while we were there. But it isn’t easy.
Is there is something you have your heart set on? My advice is to plan, plan, and plan well in
advance.
4. You won’t have your favorite brand unless you stockpile it.
This is a tough one.
We do not like doing without our favorite products. And we have discovered even more of them
while living on the road. But you will not always find your favorites. Thank goodness it is Walmart that stocks the
best RV toilet paper on the market, as they are everywhere.
While we don’t have room to carry everything, we do add a
little extra in some cases. It makes me
sad at times, frustrated at other times, but is a small price to pay for all we
have gained.
If you must have it, make a place for plenty of it.
5. Cooking takes more organization in a tiny house
I used to love organizing the week’s meals in my stick-and-brick
house. In love with my refrigerator, my
world was good when the vegies were prepped and ready to go on its
shelves. The pantry overflowed with any
dry good or spice needed to express myself through cooking or trying a new
recipe.
Farm to Table Steak Salad & Hard Cider
Not so much anymore.
Each prep step is performed in a small space and must be cleaned before
I can move on to the next step. Each
ingredient has been established to be a crucial item if placed onboard. Each meal is planned and crafted for
ingredients and time. The meal planning
and organization skills that I honed when living in a stick-and-brick are
coming in handy. It used to be a feeling
of satisfaction, but now it is crucial to getting us fed a healthy, well-balanced
meal.
If you are planning to move into a tiny home, start by
putting away your pots and pans, your dishes and utensils, now. Learn how to cook with less and how to
organize more. It will be great
training.
6. You won’t need half the things you think you will
Releasing your possessions to move into a tiny home is
hard. If you have a vision about what
your new life will be like, that is a good thing. You need the visualization of your new life
to help you through the process of letting go.
But be aware that what you visualized may not be what it’s like (see
first item You need a hobby). So, bring that blender along because you will
be drinking margarita’s every night, take those fishing poles that you have
never had time to use. And tools, don’t
forget all the tools you will need. You
know, to fix things and build things.
We still laugh about a few of the items that we brought
along with us and continue to let go.
I’m not saying don’t bring them but be aware that you will have to
figure out how to get rid of unwanted stuff on the road.
7. Everything you need will be in the outside storage
Ken in the basement
Do you need pet meds?
They are in the outside storage, below.
Need those other boots? Also,
down below. Extra fruit that won’t fit
in the fridge, it is down below. See
what I mean?
This problem is directly proportional to the size of your RV,
but I’m sure it is universal. We just
don’t have all the space that we would like.
It happened in our stick-and-brick home and it happens here. All I can say is, try to remember what you
need before ten ‘o’clock at night.
8. Personal standards will slip
I can hear you now, denying that you will let things start
slipping. But most of you will.
RV Socks
I cannot count the number of women in RV parks who have decided to quit covering their grey. A particularly scary sight was a woman pumping gas into her RV wearing pink fuzzy slippers and what looked to be a housecoat. Shaving every night gets a little difficult when you have a tiny shower and limited hot water. Personally, I am still trying to decide where loungewear is acceptable in public. It is very comfortable in the RV, and I don’t want to take it off.
How about mealtime? I
hate paper plates but have been sorely tempted to use them just to make my
cleanup a little easier. And fresh is
best, but I find I am using more dried
herbs because there just is not enough room to have it all.
But my biggest surprise… getting your hair done. You are never in the same location. So,
unless the plan is to keep coming back to your stylist every six to eight
weeks, you are at the mercy of someone new.
I have had a couple of questionable stylists, which is why, I think, so
many women in RV parks have given up and are letting their grey grow out.
9. People living in RV’s are strange
You will be the only normal ones. But be
prepared to meet some of the nicest people around. Ken is an introvert and even he has come home
with information or help gleaned from the other campers. It’s a great group of people and most
everyone loves to share what they know.
We have learned of great places to visit, to stay, and even had fresh
trout given to us by a fellow camper who had extra.
Keep an open mind and remember that you too chose this
lifestyle, so maybe normal is relative.
10. One cellphone provider will not be enough
This point is simple enough. One provider is not enough. It does not matter if you have Verizon. Or AT&T, or T-mobile, or, fill-in-the-blank. Ken and I have different phone providers, and a third hot-spot provider. Even then, we sometimes have no service and must go to Starbucks, or McDonald’s, or other establishment offering wifi.
Research this one thoroughly, as it can have a huge impact
on your budget.
You’ve got this
These are the ten things you should know before you go rving. We understand it is hard to process, figuring everything out before you move onto your RV. But relax, give yourself plenty of time to make the transition, and do not worry too much. There is always a store to buy it in, always a friendly person to help you, businesses that are catering to this lifestyle and, if all else fails, the internet to help you figure it out. And the reward is worth it.
Well, I cannot say the thought has not occasionally crossed my mind, but it crossed my mind long before we moved onto an RV. An RV hasn’t changed that we occasionally get aggravated with each other. We live in about two hundred and forty square feet. With a large dog. And with two cats. There is no way to do that without there sometimes being friction.
It’s been over a year we have been together practically twenty-four seven. So, I thought now would be a good time to share some of what we have learned about getting along in close quarters or our RV relationship Survival methods.
Remember why you picked each other.
When you are crammed together, and your companion starts to get on your nerves, it is time to remember all the wonderful qualities you originally saw in them. Are they kind? Thoughtful? Loyal? Or funny? Now is the time to remember what made you so excited to be with this person. It is also the time to remember, this, most likely is not worth getting angry about. If it truly is a problem for you, wait until later, then kindly explain how their habit or behavior affects you.
Have clear tasks or jobs that you each do.
In other words…stay out of the other person’s lane. If it is their job, then let them do it, however they like — okay, admittedly this one is difficult for me. Clearly you should be cross-trained. Either person should know what to do in an emergency, or if the other person can use a hand (after you ask). But let each person do their tasks their own way.
Make sure that you each get to do something you wanted.
It sounds silly. But sometimes you are so excited about a new location you end up running around, trying to do everything, except what each of you truly wanted to. Take your time. Make sure you get to do the thing or activity that is most important to each of you. There is no guarantee that the opportunity will come around again.
No Screaming.
You just would not believe what we have heard other couples yell at each other. It’s actually a great lesson in what not to do. You will encounter stressful situations at some point in your RV travels. Slow down. Be patient with each other. We find it helps to speak face -to-to face if we are having a problem, say, ummm like…parking the RV. Find out what the stressed person needs to relieve their pressure.
Say “you rock” sometimes
You are the only source of support for each other out there. Make sure to tell the other person when they do something awesome.
I suspect this type of togetherness is similar to having children. A bad or weak relationship is made worse but a good relationship grows stronger. Ken and I have survived the children and for us, the RV life is making our relationship stronger than ever.
And….
If all fails, and you need a little alone time, here is my favorite tip. Unhitch the tow and drive alone for a while. Turn up your favorite music. Sing as loud as you want. Dance in the seat. Do it for however many miles it takes but usually about sixty is good for me.
These are some of our coping strategies. Do you have others? Leave a comment and share your RV relationship survival tips.
