Does a bad boondocking trip kill the concept for new RVers?

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to our E-mail Digest or RSS Feed. We will then send you the stories that are posted each day in an e-mail digest. We use a service called Feedburner for delivery of these emails. You will receive an e-mail from Feedburner after you subscribe and you must click on that email to activate your subscription. Thanks for visiting and enjoy all the information! RV.Net Blog AdminBy Bob Difley In last week’s post,  A boondocker’s bag of tricks, among the many responses was one that got me thinking about how RVers view boondocking–especially those that don’t.  ”Bobbie” wrote: I don’t know why everyone raves about how great boondocking is. We went to Quartzsite, AZ to boondock with some friends who have gone there the last 4 years in January. The RVs were almost bumper to bumper, or side to side, just as close or closer than many campgrounds I have stayed in. The nights were cold, and we had to use our propane heater. We used about two- one lb. propane tanks per day. We were told we could not run our generators after a certain hour at night or until a certain hour in the morning out of respect for our neighbors. We got no tv service, even with the antenna. We took full showers every other day, with wash ups on alternate days. I like my long hot showers and missed not being able to have one. My friends went into town daily to Mesa RV for the free lunch, which would be great if it was close by but, it... Read more

Sealy Posturepedic Mattresses Now Available for RVs

Sealy Posturepedic mattresses are going on the road, thanks to an exclusive partnership with Dometic Corp. that will offer Posturepedic recreational vehicle mattresses for the first time, according to a recent news release. “With more than 60 years of designing and building Posturepedic mattresses with support in mind, we’ve realized that a good night sleep extends past the bedroom,” said Jodi Allen, chief marketing officer at Sealy. “Our new partnership with Dometic will bring quality mattresses to RVers no matter what their travel plans and type of RV while they enjoy the open road.” “This is a significant addition to our OEM product line. Sealy has the highest mattress brand awareness in the nation,” said Brad Sargent, vice president of marketing at Dometic. “There’s a lot of choice in the market for RV shoppers out there right now, so a Sealy Posturepedic mattress could easily be the deciding factor in making a purchase.” Founded in 1881, Sealy has been the top mattress brand since 1972 and was in the top ten recognized home product brands in a recent study alongside big names such as Rubbermaid, Tupperware, and La-Z-Boy. Sealy also has the highest customer loyalty and re-purchase rate, with the fastest growing specialty brands for the past three years. “Widespread poor RV mattress quality has long been a black eye on the industry, and RVers know it and talk about it. Too often you hear about people having to add mattress toppers or... Read more

It’s the little things that make a boondocking lifestyle – Part 2

By Bob Difley Last week’s post (of the same name) triggered the unlikely discussions of electric blankets and the CPAP (sleep apnea) problem for boondockers. But it was more than that, it was a discussion of what is important for our personal enjoyment. So let’s dig some more into how to cope with our individual quirks and idiosyncrasies (Qs & Is) when boondocking and exploring those destinations way off the beaten path. I’ll start with my wife’s Qs & Is (since I don’t have any). As a health and fitness nut enthusiast, a most important requirement for her is access to fresh fruits and vegetables (FFV). Let me emphasize fresh here. It was never a question of whether we would orr would not continue to eat FFV when boondocking, but how would we accomplish it off in the depths of the primeval forest way out in the desert where we liked to camp–miles from the nearest organic food or farmers market. Supermarkets were few and far between in most of the places we explored and they usually left her dissatisfied and the local stores were usually deficient in the FFV category–especially the fresh part–if they had any fruits and veggies at all.  The longest we could eke out the FFV supply before they withered into the inedible class was five days. As a result we had to build into our schedule and finances long trips to the nearest urban center for restocking. So off we would go, driving sometimes as far as 50 miles one way, and... Read more

BORING? NO WAY!

 By Monique Zander, the Never-Bored RVer  It’s Monique’s turn to comment on yesterday’s rv.net blog.  “Since there have been so many responses stating that the blog is not boring, I must clarify the statement in the previous blog. “Barry’s blogs are not boring.  On the contrary, I find them well written, entertaining and educational.  I appreciate his talent as so many readers do.  I am a creative person, but I’m not at all into computers.  Technology is not my thing.  I don’t even know how to type! “So proofreading Barry’s writing (I proofread every posting) about the process of formatting the e-Postcard, I found the technical how-to boring –  for me.  “Barry knew I would. “Barry writes in his wonderful intimate way, and I am his Number 1 fan.  We are a team when it comes to ideas.  “When I came up with the concept of the e-Postcard and how the finished product should look, Barry embraced it wholeheartedly.  I had no doubt that he could figure out how to do it, and, of course, he did. “Barry always welcomes my suggestions, additions or subtractions.  He asks me to proofread every article (he jokingly calls me ‘his cruel editor’).  By my own choosing, I don’t want to be involved with computers, and it’s okay with Barry.  He’d rather I spend my time cooking gourmet meals anyway. “Just as Barry and I are never bored, I do not find Barry’s blogs boring.” Monique In our next posting, we will address a few questions... Read more

RVIA EXPO, LOUISVILLE KY

Linda and I are getting the motorhome ready for our annual trip to Kentucky to attend the RVIA show in Louisville to gather information on the general state of the RV industry, and to view new products at the show.  We will be reporting on events as they occur, here on RV.net blog. Read more  Read More →

RV Cooking Show – Aunt Lucy’s Thanksgiving Stuffing & 3 Hidden Gem National Parks/Monuments

Happy Thanksgiving RV.net readers!! Growing up, this stuffing permeated my holidays. It’s the one we enjoyed when spending time with Aunt Lucy and her brood and, if we couldn’t be together that year, enjoyed at our house. It’s a staple at my Thanksgiving table all these years and miles later and one I’m not willing to compromise on. But that doesn’t mean you can’t. In fact, if it were up to my chile-lovin’ husband, we’d add roasted green chiles to this year’s batch (but not going to happen). Check out my “Additional Tips” on this episode’s webpage for ways to customize this dish or enjoy it like Aunt Lucy makes it. Either way, it’s delicious! While the stuffing is cooking I’ll take you on a quick tour of something I’m mighty thankful for – three of my favorite lesser known National Parks/Monuments  – and I’ll offer my .02 on what’s not to be missed when visiting the parks. Check it out: Make our Crockpot Turkey Breast – see the video here. And don’t forget Mom’s Famous Thanksgiving Cranberry Sauce…yum! FOR the ADVENTUROUS (or simply curious): Gourmet Trash Can Turkey From all of us at the RV Cooking Show, we wish you and those you care about a memorable Thanksgiving holiday. Evanne RV Cooking Show PS – What do you call the Thanksgiving turkey stuffing? Stuffing or ??? Leave a comment…we’d all like to know :>  Read More →

RV Cooking Show – White Bean Pesto Dip and Central Massachusetts

  We’ve been dedicated tenters, pop-up lovers, travel trailer testers, and 5th wheel dwellers…and made lots of terrific friends along the way. One set of friends recently hit a milestone in their business – Pine Acres Family Camping Resort in Oakham, MA celebrated their 50th year as a family owned/operated park – three generations strong! Randy and Denise invited us out to celebrate (and helped us add “cabin campers” to the list) and graciously agreed to film this episode of the RV Cooking Show.  Read more  Read More →

RV Cooking Show – San Antonio Called…It’s Time to Grill Fajitas!

Healthy, fresh & delicious…are you in?? I just couldn’t hold back any longer. Thoughts about San Antonio’s Fiesta Celebration (and Cinco de Mayo) have been swirling around my head and making my tummy rumble. Have you been to San Antonio? It’s a terrific place to visit with plenty of things to do. Of course there’s the Alamo but did you know that there are also four equally dazzling missions along the San Antonio National Historic Park Trail? Art is everywhere you turn in this town but has anyone told you about the slightly zany yet oh so compelling Toilet Seat Museum? And of course, eating is its own reward in San Antonio. Restaurants abound…especially on the fabulous Riverwalk. But if you are looking to relax and enjoy your campsite try your hand at some simple, delicious, authentic fajitas on the grill. Yep, this episode of the RV Cooking Show tours a few of San Antonio’s better known spots and a couple hidden gems then takes you on a culinary journey of the very best Tex-Mex kind – Fajitas on the Grill!  Indeed, we use the grill to make everything from the marinated chicken breast to the flour tortillas. My mouth is watering just thinking about them! Have a go, print the recipe, and let me know what you think about this episode of the RV Cooking Show – San Antonio and Fajitas on the Grill. Evanne RV Cooking Show  Read More →

Friends, not grandkids, key to happy retirement – or not?

Some couples who consider full-time RVing have a difficult time leaving the grandkids. In fact, sometimes it prevents a couple from making that choice or causes them to get off the road. However, a British study by the University of Greenwich found that participants who had friends or a social network were more likely to be happy in retirement. Having grandchildren mattered little. Read more  Read More →

Getting deeper into our search for the ideal DP

We have had a lot of good comments throughout the course of this series of posts on finding the ideal DP.  In this post, I am going to list the first 10 topics that were brought up, along with my thoughts on the subject.  I would like to hear from all of you about your thoughts and experience with each topic.  When we are finished, we should have a pretty good start on a roadmap for finding the ideal DP. 1. hydraulic vs. electric slides  Since I have only had electric slides, I can’t offer an opinion on hydraulic slides.  I would like to open this one up for comments.  Has anyone had hydraulic slides and is willing to offer an opinion?  What would really be nice is if someone has had both and can offer a comparison of the operation. 2. three point vs. four point leveling I have had both 3 and 4 point leveling systems.  I understand the advantage and disadvantage of each.  After using both systems, I think I prefer the three point over the 4 point jacks.  This is not a hard core feeling, just slightly tipped in that direction. 3. electric vs. hydraulic vs. air leveling Here is another situation where my experience is limited, specifically to hydraulic leveling systems.  I would welcome comments on the other two systems from actual users, and particularly from those who have experience with two or even three of the systems. 4. single piece vs. split windshield. Although I have only experienced the split windshield, I can understand the desire for a large, single piece... Read more

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