Happy New Year

By Bob Difley Having never been a celebrant of New Year’s Eve, when that date rolled around I tried to find a boondocking spot as far away from the insanity as possible. I found that even one lone neighbor within a hundred yards or so could still disrupt the solitude of my campsite, so I sought to get completely away from others. It’s the curmudgeon in me. I figured it was successful if nothing–except maybe a coyote’s howl–woke me at the stroke of midnight. If you are also seeking solitude from New Year’s Eve  celebrations, I hope you have found that little-used dirt road that winds through a hidden canyon and accesses the perfect–and quiet–spot to celebrate the beginning of a new year, hopefully an improvement over 2011. Have a Happy New Year and a prosperous 2012. Check out my website for RVing tips and destinations and for my ebooks, BOONDOCKING: Finding the Perfect Campsite on America’s Public Lands (or for Kindle version), Snowbird Guide to Boondocking in the Southwestern Deserts (Kindle version), and 111 Ways to Get the Biggest Bang out of your RV Lifestyle Dollar (Kindle version).  Read More →

Let’s Talk KINDLE !

One of the hottest gifts this holiday season has been the Amazon Kindle. For those of us who like to travel, e-readers like the Kindle are a revolution. Now we can carry an entire library’s worth of books in one easily portable package. No more cramming books into every corner of the RV! Quite simply, e-readers deliver an enjoyable reading experience combined with a compact, lightweight package. My wife has a Barnes & Noble Nook (also a fine e-reader), but I have a Kindle. Amazon makes Kindles in many different varieties that serve different needs and different budgets. Kindles have fixed storage capacities, but even the cheapest current model offers 2GB (enough to store about 1500 books!). The author's own Kindle DX! My own Kindle is the Mac Daddy DX version. It features a large 9.7-inch black & white (e-ink) screen that is not backlit. The “e-ink” screen makes it easy on the eyes in all sorts of lighting environments, even bright sunlight. Overall I love my Kindle DX and its large display. But if there’s a drawback to my model, it’s that the DX is a bit bulky and heavy compared to the standard Kindles. It’s heavier in the hand. It’s also more expensive (thankfully, mine was a generous gift). I don’t think the DX sold particularly well, because Amazon isn’t really promoting it these days. The standard-sized Kindles are where the action is. Once you try one, it’s easy to see why. A standard 6-inch Kindle. My mother... Read more

7 Step Process to a Wise RV Buying Decision

Buying an RV is a major purchase decision. We don’t take the decision to buy a house lightly, and buying an RV is no different. You need to do your research and be well informed to make the best buying decision possible. Let’s take a look at my 7 step process to a wise RV buying decision. Step 1: Try before you buy This is perhaps the most important step of the process. It can be difficult to determine if an RV is right for you if you have never used one. Plan a weekend or week-long trip and rent an RV to try it before you buy. Renting an RV can be a good indicator to gauge if an RV is in your future. Another option is to spend a weekend at a campground that rents RV’s already set up on site. My only caution is that you don’t confuse not liking RV’s with not understanding how an RV works. If the rental dealer doesn’t give you a thorough orientation of the RV, or offer an instructional DVD you should consider purchasing a RV training DVD prior to renting the RV. Knowing how everything on the RV works can make the experience much more enjoyable. Step 2: Attend an RV show RV shows, like boat shows, are intended to introduce the new model year RV’s and to help disseminate RV related information to the RV consumer. RV shows are usually scheduled during the slower time of the year, the winter months, to help jump start the selling season. RV dealers from miles away will bring their wares to these shows. For the buyer RV shows put everything you need to see and learn about... Read more

ALONG THE ROAD ABOARD THE SUNSET LIMITED

By Barry Zander, Edited by Monique Zander, the Never-Bored RVers Yesterday, Sean and Kristy Michael posted the video about their trip aboard the QM2, which opens the door for me to follow-up with a ride I took a month ago aboard Amtrak’s Sunset Limited.   The train – another way to experience North America with lots of similarities to RVing … and lots of difference: An old way to find New Horizons: seeking out those new horizons is a mind-expanding experience, one that Monique and I are often finding.  But for the Thanksgiving Week, I took a different approach from our usual means of traveling. The Sunset Limited Pulling into the Station Both San Diego and Orange County airports, the two closest with flights eastward, presented problems for my trip to Louisiana.  If I were to fly to see my newest granddaughter, either Monique would have to drive me more than 100 miles to the airport, an expensive proposition considering the cost of diesel fuel.  Or I could shell out big bucks to park at the airport, which would also mean that Monique would be without a vehicle for a week. Driving the 4,000 miles alone was out of the question, leaving only riding Greyhound as the alternative for this quick trip …  but suddenly an idea hit me from left field – I investigated where I could catch Amtrak’s Sunset Limited headed eastward, and much to my surprise, it stops in Palm Springs just off I-10.  It’s about 45 miles from our cabin on the mountain. Before I invite you to board... Read more

VIDEO: the Queen Mary 2 in ROUGH SEAS!

On LonglongHoneymoon.com I have drawn an analogy between boats and RVs. Boats and RVs have a lot in common. Fiberglass, galleys, and water tanks come to mind. Many avid RV travelers are retired. Same goes for boats. But there’s one key difference: manufacturers don’t build gigantic RVs (“cruise RVs”?) that simultaneously accommodate thousands of people. I think we can all agree that this is for the best. Imagine the potholes 1200-foot long motorhomes would inflict upon our already Swiss Cheese roads. Parking would also be an issue. With with boats it’s a little different. They do build huge ships to accommodate thousands of people, and it all works pretty well. Here’s a short video I shot on one such boat last week. It’s also our Christmas card to the world. Yes, last week Kristy and I completed a transatlantic crossing (from Southampton, England to New York) aboard RMS Queen Mary 2. Those of you with a fondness for the golden age of ocean liners will appreciate this ship. The QM2 offers a travel experience that harkens to the past. Our seven night crossing included four nights of formal dining and events (coat & tie for gentlemen, nice dresses for the ladies). The trip also included a route that passed within 80 nautical miles of the RMS Titanic, and a couple of storms cranking out 30-foot swells and winds at gale force 10. Although this video isn’t the most technically RV-centric in the world, it is about travel, and I thought you... Read more

ONE MORE CHANCE

By Barry Zander, Edited by Monique Zander, the Never-Bored RVers Did you post your favorites? We were absolutely inundated with replies to last week’s blog about your favorite places and where you want to go RVing. SO FAR (that’s a hint at what this article is all about) … SO FAR, Yellowstone National Park is the leading spot of responders’ favorite places.  The Canadian Maritime Provinces leads the pack in areas people want to visit (EDITOR’S NOTE:  It’s on our itinerary for 2013). Some of you may not have told us your Top 5 or what’s on your Wish List of spots you want to visit.  Please remember, this is not like sitting on Santa’s lap and telling him what you want to find under the tree next Sunday. What this has evolved into is an excellent quick list of where to point your rig in the years ahead.  It’s a good basis for planning.  For instance, lots of folks "Hay Stacks" Along the Oregon Coast listed the Oregon Coast as a favorite.  That is a good beginning point for researching if it’s a destination you might want to set on your GPS (EDITOR’S NOTE:  It’s among our favorites). Another benefit for well-traveled RVers: as I promulgated your responses and read many of them to Monique, it brought back fond memories.  What a magnificent week we spent at Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota, a place we rarely think about.  Just reading the name was like returning to a beautiful, interesting spot. Canoes Built to the Voyageurs' Plans... Read more

Gourmet Italian Guest RV Cooking Show

Italian food has become standard fare here in America. It seems everywhere you visit you’ll find Olive Garden or even a Pizza Hut. But look a little harder and you’ll discover establishments serving delicious, authentic, makes-magic-in-your-mouth Italian with recipes passed down from generation to generation. That’s exactly what I found during my stay at Flying Flags RV Resort in Buellton, CA. In fact, I was looking for a celebrity chef to film a show with me. Luckily for all of us, the resort’s manager, Dan Baumann, is a bona fide foodie and had just the man for me – Chef Giorgio Curti of the famous Santa Ynez eatery Trattoria Grappolo. Upon hearing the news I did what every fun-loving RV Cooking Show host would do – planned a party!! But instead of filming in Studio A (our Jayco 5-er) Dan graciously offered a big, beautiful park model cottage. Nice! In this episode – Gourmet Guests – you’ll enjoy the fruits of our labor. Chef Giorgio prepares 3 absolutely amazing dishes for us: a seafood pasta, grilled sliced beef with arugula and a burrata citronella salad. Amazing! And don’t shy away, they only sound fancy and complex. Chef Giorgio specializes in easy and elegant. He made these terrific dishes “rustic” in honor of our outdoor lifestyle. Served up with some fine Santa Barbara County wine – Mosby Dolcetto for one – it was a fabulous feast that you don’t want to miss out on. Sure enough,... Read more

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN, WHERE ARE YOU GOING?

By Barry Zander, Edited by Monique Zander, the Never-Bored RVers This is Part I.  I’d like you to write Part II. “What’s your favorite place in your travels?”  How many times have we been asked that!  Our favorite place for RVing is North America.  I like to say our list of specific places is practically endless. In response to a letter we received last week from Nancy, I responded: Favorite places:  for me, everywhere.  For Monique, everywhere except crossing the Texas deserts and the Great Plains, but she realizes that it helps us appreciate other places.  There is nothing like western Canada and Alaska by RV, but in the contiguous states, so far we would say the Arkansas Ozarks; Idaho and Montana; Key West (military campground); Utah and the Northwest from Northern California upward.  I could go on and list another 10 or 20 favorites, but you’ll find out when you’re on the road.  We like changing scenery — the desert, the forests, the mountains, lakeside, riverside, oceanside.  Monique just interjected:  ”Tell them Bryce Canyon,”  ”The Great Lakes,” “What we like may not be what they like.” I’m now asking you to answer these two questions: 1) What are the favorite places you’ve been? and 2) Where are you going? In the comments section, just list up to five favorites from your travels and up to five places you want to visit. Please be brief.  Just list them … unless there’s something we should... Read more

Know your TMRs before it hits your wallet

By Bob Difley This week the Forest Service (FS) posted the motor vehicle travel regulations that are now in effect for the Williams Ranger District and the Tusayan Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest. These motor vehicle travel regulations are the result of the national Travel Management Rule which the FS has been working on for several years, and which are coming to all national forests in 2012. Details of the motor vehicle travel regulations and associated maps are available at any Kaibab National Forest office or online at the forest service website. And remember this little ditty that appears there also: “Be sure you know before you go! And please remember: Nature Rules! Stay on designated roads and trails.” What is important is that it is up to you to know the new rules for driving and boondocking in all the the National Forests (FS)–not just the Kaibab. There are two important changes with the new Travel Management Rule (TMR). The first is that you may no longer drive on roads not designated by the FS. Many roads have been closed–but not necessarily blocked or signed–though most of those were illegal roads that were created by off-roaders, hunters retrieving game, and other illegal uses so it shouldn’t affect RVers–except maybe for truck campers driving 4WD vehicles. Some of these trails, though, were being used by off road vehicles (OHVs) which will no longer be permitted, though there are also many legal trails for OHVs... Read more

YOUR DESTINATION ‘WISH LIST’

By Barry Zander, Edited by Monique Zander, the Never-Bored RVers Where to your want to point your RV in 2012? __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ For many of us, the holidays are an excellent time to plan for the days ahead when the weather warms up.   Have you thought about where you want to go and how to get there? Envision Spring -- Travel Time Ahead Those of you who use your RV to hop between the homes of parents or to impose on your kids and grandkids in distant states, you have an obvious starting point on your planning. Over the years we have crossed paths with lots of people who travel with a checklist at their side – “We want to visit all state capitals … visit the highest peak in each state … go to a different music festival every weekend … etc.”  Snowbirds will be packing up in two to four months to head north, ready to resume their alter-personalities on solid ground.  The point is, you may soon be on the move, heading for destinations. Here’s our recommendation:  Don’t just look at Point A (where you are now) and Point B (what you want to get to). Think outside the box – or more appropriately off the ribbon of interstate that can get you to Point B the fastest.  We suggest that you route yourself through at least one state park or national park on your way to your ultimate destination. Monique and I are journey folks.  We set our sights on... Read more

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