Tag: rv travel blog

RV Life Became Surreal

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?
  • RV Life Became Surreal
  • RV Life Became Surreal
  • RV Life Became Surreal
  • RV Life Became Surreal
  • RV Life Became Surreal
  • RV Life Became Surreal

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.

Janet and Ken Stand next to piano
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.💔

Discover Port Townsend

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.

What to do

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.

Thousand Trails Crescent Bar

Take a bite of the Apple Capital of the World

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.

Barn "Thank you Farmers"
Washington barn
Large apple with "washington"

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 river
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

Columbia River at Crescent Bar
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 Crescent Bar recreation room
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

Pathway through Grant County Recreation Area
Biking, walking, jogging path through the recreation area.
Joey the Labrador is swimming
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
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

street view of Leavenworth, WA
Leavenworth, Washington
Janet with a face mask
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

apples on the tree

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

aplets & Cotlets apron

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

Pybus market poster

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 trees
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👫

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.

Affordable RV Travel

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

Bigfoot logo with reflection in glass
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 of Thousand Trails Lake Tawakoni
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.

Cost Breakdown Membership vs. A’la Carte

$ 35.00 – Average per night
x 140 – nights		 $4900.00 – 140 Campground Chgs.
– $2700.00 – TT Membership
$4900.00 – Total Campground Chgs. $2200.00 – Savings
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.

washers in laundromat

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.

Della portable washer

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?

Until next week…..

Always grateful. 👫

Tips and Links

Road to Bliss

Perfect days or moments pop up in tiny towns throughout our travels.

On Our Road to Bliss

Dipping our toes in the chilly water of Deloris River

Cottonwood seeds float on a gentle breeze as the waters of the Deloris River ripple past. It’s a balmy 72 degrees and the sun is shining. You hear young girls laughing in the distance. You see them next, braving the chilly waters as they ride their raft downriver on a swift current. This is where we currently are on our Road to Bliss.

Birds flit through dappled shade, off to tend newly feathered fledglings. Deer step to the waters’ edge for a cool drink. The day is crystal clear. Perfect. I want to hug it close and never let go.

Unexpected Surprises

Ken and I feel privileged to spend time in some awe inspiring places. National Parks that portray the majesty of our country. State Parks and forests that protect some of our country’s greatest treasures. But perfect days, those come unexpectedly. Those are the days you want to bottle like fireflies. To tuck away for safekeeping until they can be savored again in the winter years of life.

Perfect days or moments pop up in tiny towns throughout our travels. These small towns struggle valiantly to get you to see them. They beg you to stop and experience the town through their eyes. They beckon with natural resources, creativity, and sometimes even with a little bit of gonzo and flair. The results can often be more perfect than they know.

A Delightful Carousel

A special day could be at the historic 1909 carousel in Albany, Oregon where children and adults ride wooden, hand carved zebra, bison, a giant frog, or other fantastical menagerie. Where the community has come together as volunteers to create this one special, beautiful thing that everyone and anyone can enjoy because the last ride of the day is always free.

Dining

Other times, we find these moments in an outstanding restaurant like Little Brown Hen in Florence, Oregon or Little Gretel in Boerne, Texas. Many come to mind. Places where the chef/owners take pride and pleasure in serving mouthwatering and memorable food.

Flower Farms & Festivals

There are flower farms like Schreiner’s Iris in Salem, Oregon or Purple Haze Lavender in Sequim, Washington that work all year to open their businesses to offer you a day of meandering garden delight. Imagine musicians playing and flowers perfuming the air as you sip wine and stroll acres of floral beauty.

Read here about our visit to Sequim and the Lavender Festival.

More to Find

Calico Ghost Town

Hot springs, ghost towns, festivals, historic hotels, market days, swan boats or a simple meal by the campfire. You never know where your perfect moment will happen.

Conveyance for Finding Your Bliss

This is what traveling in an RV is. It is the conveyance for finding your bliss. Your perfect moment. Your perfect day. If you slow down and look, it is there in offerings from small towns across the country. Towns that may never have been discovered if you flew over them on your way to that other, fabulous destination.

There is an RV for every age, ability, price and comfort level. Have you ever dreamed about what it would be like? Would RVing be hard? Expensive? Can I (we) do it? It is worth exploring as an option. Everyone deserves to find their bliss and to tuck away some perfect moments. Maybe yours can be found in the destinations you uncover while traveling in an RV.

Always grateful.👫

Pacific City, Oregon

Wallydocking?

Our Wallydocking story

Shift in thinking

It has been on my mind to write about this for a while. The incident I’m going to share happened last year and changed our thoughts about our overnight stays when on the road. I do not want to frighten anyone. I am not trying to cast a bad light on Walmart, or Wallydocking. The ability for weary travelers to pull in and sleep at participating Wallmart locations is a boon. But here is why we will not be utilizing their generosity anymore.

Self-defense

It is not necessary for this blog post, nor do I do think it is prudent to share our methods of self-defense. However, I will say Ken is a military brat and Vietnam combat veteran. I’m a Florida Saltwater Cracker.  Neither of us has any aversion to defending ourselves.

Happy Valentine’s Day❤️️

Map location of Vidor, Texas
Vidor, TX location – between Louisiana and Beaumont, TX

On February 14th we pulled into Walmart at Vidor, Texas around eight o’clock in the evening. Walmart management required us to park in a certain area of the lot so we motored to that side. Ken parked with the driver’s side along the curb, leaving about ten parking spaces in front of us to the next curb that formed the corner.

When we entered the Walmart parking lot we saw a battered, black pickup truck with writing all over it proclaiming God, guns, and country. We mentioned the truck to each other but otherwise, ignored it. I will say now that it is always a bad idea to ignore gut instincts and red flags.🚩

Per the usual routine, Ken and I went into the Walmart to pickup a quick dinner. It was Valentine’s Day so we went to the card isle, made our selections for each other and exchanged them. (Yes, the aisle exchange is how we give cards to each other now. After we exchange and read the cards, we put them back on the shelf. It is another expense cutter for Affordable RV Travel. Our spending and celebration complete, we went back to the Burrow to have our dinner and settle in for the night.

Too close for comfort

At around eleven pm we heard a car pull up directly beside our entry door. It seemed odd that someone needed to pull up so close beside us when we were the only RV in the parking lot. Ken opened the door and stuck his head out to be certain that everything was okay and saw a truck with two men sitting inside the cab. The men looked at him and said, “What do you want?”. Ken explained that he was just checking to make sure everything was okay. The men told Ken, in a threatening voice, to “Get back in your RV and mind your own business.”.

Oooookay.  We looked at each other, our danger meter ratcheting a little higher. We decided it was probably a drug deal and they were using our RV as a shield from the road.  Just let it go we decided, and they will probably be on their way in just a few minutes.

We were wrong

Soon after, another truck pulled up. This drug deal seemed to be taking a really long time. Ken decided to check our backup camera to make sure the bikes we carry on the Jeep were not being stolen.

Bikes carried on Jeep tire rack
Bikes carried on Jeep tire rack

To utilize the backup camera, the engine must be running.  As soon as Ken started the engine, one of the trucks immediately pulled in front of us at a horizontal angle and blocked us.  This completely hemmed us in and blocked our ability to leave — you cannot back up with a tow vehicle attached.  The danger level now sky-rocketed and Ken reached for the phone to call 911.

911 What is your emergency?

If you have ever had to call 911 then you may have experienced what we did. Since Vidor is a small town, they share the 911 switchboard with other small towns. This means the 911 operator has no idea where you are if you say, for instance, the Vidor Walmart. The operator didn’t seem to understand what the threat was. Ken had to keep repeating what was happening. We were growing completely frustrated with 911.

The truck with the two men in it then turned floodlights onto our RV which enabled them to see our movements through the blinds. At this point, I brought our dog Joey to sit down in the rear of the RV, on the floor, to make myself a smaller target.

The 911 operator dispatched the police but before they arrived, the truck beside us left. The truck in front who had been blocking our forward movement, pulled into a space correctly. End of scary story? Not even close.

The cavalry has arrived – wrong

The police department arrived, listened to our complaint and then proceeded to treat us like idiots. Like we were being alarmists. But if you know Ken and I, you know that we don’t rattle so easily. The police spoke to the person in the truck which had parked in front of us. The woman claimed that she too was camping in the parking lot and that the two “gentlemen” were checking on her safety. What a load of bull…..t. We realized it was the graffiti truck. The one advertising their love of God, guns, and country. Apparently God is okay with liars.

The police told us that she was the local crazy lady. That we shouldn’t be concerned about her at all. No one had an explanation for the two men who threatened us or why the local crazy lady needed to sleep in the Walmart parking lot. Crazy lady had committed no crime, therefore, the police could not do anything. They also implied that we were being ridiculous to be afraid of a crazy lady.

We asked the police to have “crazy lady” move her truck and at approximately twelve am, we threw things into sinks and cabinets and rolled out.

Where is Bitsy?

We were about 1 mile from the interstate on-ramp, on a four-lane highway, through the middle of Vidor. Everything had happened so fast. The animals were anxious. I looked around and couldn’t find Bitsy, our oldest kitty. I panicked and made Ken pull over into a large, strip mall parking lot so I could locate her.

And guess what?  It still wasn’t over.

The graffitied truck with the “crazy lady” followed us.  We watched as she passed by and turned into a gas station about a quarter-mile down the road as we pulled over into the parking lot.  Thank goodness Ken suspected her behind us and was paying attention.   I located Bitsy. Ken called 911, once again.

Our cat
Our old girl – Bitsy. Passed this year.

Maybe the police will believe us now

As we waited for the police to arrive, the truck came past us in the opposite direction, turning into another business about a quarter-mile past.  We clearly saw her.

The police arrived and again scoffed at us. Of three officers, two didn’t believe she was following us at all. We laid out several scenarios where we may be the targets of a hit-and-run, theft, or worse. We are from south Florida for goodness sake. These kind of things happen all the time down there. Texas is an open carry state. “Crazy lady” could shoot us as well as anyone else and we said so. And they continued to dismiss the two men as irrelevant.

Now we are angry

Janet's angry face
Really?

Again, the police said, “she has not committed any crimes.”. We understood that. We were both angry and disheartened by their dismissal. One officer did, however, offer to let us stay at the police station parking lot.

 We thanked the officers but let them know we felt it was prudent to leave their lovely town. They left and we proceeded to pull out.

Before we even made it out of the parking lot, the “crazy lady” who loves God, her country, and guns, came into the parking lot, driving directly at us.  Almost as if she wanted to play chicken.  Ken gunned the RV and we kept going.  Immediately after we got out of the parking lot, we saw the blue lights and the police pulled her over.  Finally.

Adrenaline fueled night

We didn’t stop. Not at the next town. Or the town after. Ken continued to drive through the night. He drove through downtown Houston and we didn’t stop until the adrenaline wore off and there were enough miles between us and Vidor, Texas.

We may have been targets of racism. It is what Ken and I suspect. After a small amount of research, we found that Vidor, Texas indeed had and may still have a reputation for racism and hate.

That is the story.  Now that we have had time to digest the situation a little better, I would like to give a few tips to anyone who will be boondocking at Walmart, or anywhere else.

What we did right

gas pump
  • The RV had a full tank of gas.  We had been on the road all day and the tendency is to stop, then wait until first thing in the morning to fuel up.  We don’t wait anymore.   We were able to get on the Interstate and keep moving for as far and fast as necessary.
  • We had permission from Walmart to be there.  I always call and check.  This gave us a small amount of credibility with the police officers.
  • We did not make ourselves at home by placing anything outside, opening any slides, etc..

What we did wrong

whiteboard with address
Whiteboard with current address
  • When we parked, we pulled up next to the curb.  That left us no where to pull out but to the front and right. Our position left us vulnerable to their blocking maneuvers. If you are going to overnight in a parking lot, leave plenty of space forward and on both sides of you.
  • Telling 911, Walmart in Vidor, was not enough. Always have a physical address in case of emergency. A white board is at our entry door now where we write the address of any location where we overnight.
  • Parking the RV under a parking lot flood light may have discouraged them.

Some considerations

  • You are not in a stick-and-brick home. My point? Gunfire would have gone straight through thin RV walls with no protection.
  • Police can do nothing unless a crime has been committed. You are an outsider in any town. Police will treat your claims with skepticism.
  • Gun laws vary from state-to-state and unless you spend a lot of time studying them you won’t know what is legal. Waiting until someone enters your domicile puts you at a distinct disadvantage.
  • And finally, you are sitting on top of gallons of gas and propane.  Even if some idiot with a gun had no intention of directing a shot at your person, their stupidity could still kill you.

I loved being able to rely on Walmart when we were moving from one location to another.  Now we use Harvest Host and Passport America to fill in the gaps.  We may use Walmart again if the circumstances warrant it.  But I know I won’t ever be able to relax and sleep soundly if we are Wallydocking.

selfie at Mesa Verde
At Mesa Verde National Park

Stay safe and happy travels.  Till next week…

Always grateful.👫