Camping with Pets

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Camping with your pet brings the whole family together to enjoy the experience instead of leaving the four-footed member of the family behind to worry about.

Just as you would pack what items to bring along for you, don’t overlook what your pet may need to keep him comfortable, too. Being prepared with the right essentials and equipment is the key to ensure a happy time on the road and in the woods. Also keep in mind when and where you plan to camp. The time of year and geographical location of your campsite can make a big difference in how and what you prepare for your camping trip. Know what the weather conditions are likely to be and pack accordingly. Read more

Will you live your Dream looking out the backyard window?

From the desk of the Firedude

A reprint from 2005

I recently have gotten many private messages from those who are wanting to or considering full-timing. Some say it’s their dream. I thought I’d offer my take on it for those interested. Keep in mind it’s just my humble opinion and I honor everyone’s needs and opinion on the matter. This is just mine………………………….

The ‘ol Firedude is a simpleton I reckon. I worked my whole 33 year career as a firefighter, paying the mortgage, taxes, fighting with my mower and weed-eater and looking out my backyard window. I always had this dream over the years of selling out and full-timing in my RV. Of course these were just dreams of a man who ran 100 mph every day chasing sirens and red lights and beat himself up over his career narrowly escaping death on a few occasions and in the end winding up with a disabling injury. One that’s not obvious to an onlooker but nevertheless there and painful at times to say the least.

Towards the end of my career I began to have those “dreams” more often of full-timing. For several reasons I couldn’t keep the house AND live my dream. That wasn’t what really bothered me though. What really bothered me is I realized I would probably never live my dream at all. It was just a “picture” out my backyard window. I retired at 50 with all my health benefits paid for for life and had my health. Not rich money wise by anyone’s standards. I was looking out my backyard window one day and it hit me. I just worked most of my life and now it was time to retire from a career I loved more than anything in the world. Now it’s time to sit here and keep looking out my window and maintain this house because I might need it someday. I’ll just keep sitting here looking out my window and having my dream.

Nope I sold the house, bought my RV and began living my dream. I wasn’t about to sit there the rest of my life worrying about what might happen down the road or even when for that matter. I have met so many people who sat and looked out that window at their dreams and never did anything about it because what ifs. Those folks passed on and never lived their dream. Not for me.

When I get too old or due to health reasons I can’t travel anymore I’ll simply put the RV I have at that time in a park somewhere or sell it and rent or if the opportunity and means arise buy a small place. Pretty simply. I don’t want a house to maintain or even worry about having to sell to pay for medical expenses or a retirement facility. I don’t want the maintenance of such either.. If I can’t live in my RV any longer due to age or health I figure I’ll have to go into a care home anyway! Surely if I couldn’t live in my RV what would make me think I could handle a large home and everything to go with it??

My dad always told me, son when your dead you are gone a long time so do what you want and live your dreams the best you can. He’s right. I am living my dream and enjoying every minute of it and refuse to sit around worrying about tomorrow. It may never come. I hope the guy who bought my house looks out that rear window and sees his dream. I’m glad I’m not still there looking out that window dreaming. I’m living it now.

I know my outlook is not for everyone, it’s just the view of a old retired fire captain who had a dream and decided to live it. Everyone has their own needs and opinions on such. I just couldn’t sit there and look out that window at my dreams anymore and do nothing but leave a butt imprint in a recliner because I couldn’t afford to go anywhere or do anything. That’s not me..

If you have the means to keep your home or bank the money to buy one later and it works for you then great! My RV is my home. I love my home and enjoy my home. In my eyes it hasn’t depreciated. It’s MY home. In the meantime home is where I park it. Pretty simple stuff.

Money and material things used to come into play. Not anymore. A simple life and happiness are my priorities. Not worrying about tomorrow. If I spent all my time worrying about depreciation and appreciation I wouldn’t have time to live my dream!

I’m not sitting there looking out my backyard window dreaming. I’m on the outside looking back in and glad I decided to do what I did.

Whatever you do just don’t fail to live your dreams!! There isn’t a next time. There’s a million reasons and excuses not too. I almost got hung up in that scenario. If I did I’d still be sitting there looking out that window as time passed me by. I’ve never regretted it and haven’t looked back.

Living my dream I found a pot of gold.and an Adventure to boot. Incidentally my RV is not a toy as some may say, It’s my home and a comfortable one at that.

© 2008 Tony Cornett originally written 2-11-05

Hope to Head East Next Summer

Hello all! I have been out of commission lately due to an illness in my family that I have been dealing with. In fact, as a result, I will be going to Kentucky and will be there for as much as four weeks which will be my first experience at full timing. I’m sure that will lead to an article about that experience.

Now, let’s talk about next summer. My wife and I would love to head east next summer and want to make it up to Maine. We would prefer to find a campground that is on the ocean. We are looking for one that ‘promotes’ relaxation! That is, we are not really into campgrounds that have regularly scheduled activities, but just some nice relaxation next to the ocean. 

Now, if someone has some suggestions in the ‘New England’ states area as well; that would also interest us . Again, we would like to stay near the ocean.

When I was young, my mother and grandmother took me to the New England states on vacation. We visited Mystic Seaport in Connecticut and also drove to Maine to get some lobster to bring back home. I don’t remember everything we did, but I remember it being a very fun and interesting trip.

My wife has always had the dream of visiting Maine. I personally think it has to do with her reading Stephen King books! Anyway, I think her dream of visiting Maine has rubbed off on me and now it is my mission to plan it out and make it happen.

From what I can figure, it would take me about three days to get there. That would be about 400 miles per day, which is the max I would want to drive on any day. So, that also means that I will need to make some plans for where we will stay on the way there and back. Or, we can ‘wing it’ while we make our way there and back.

So, if you have any suggestions, I would love to hear from you. I will be working these plans for some time and I am excited about going!

Thanks for reading and happy camping! See you next week!

Pet Boarding at Campsites?

One of our visitors mentioned that when visiting the Grand Canyon recently, she was surprised to find that the campsite in which they stayed had animal boarding. She said that it was very clean, had good rates and made it possible for them to go on a train ride that was offered. Read more

RV Today Archive- Estes Park CO

Looking for a destination high in the Rocky Mountains where you can ride horses, hike and get in tune with nature? Than Estes Park, Colorado, featured in this RV Today Video, is the place for you, with many people saying it is “quintessential Colorado”.

With its close proximity to The Rocky Mountain National Park, the village of Estes Park has been a fan favorite for years. In addition to all the shopping downtown you can also do a little rock climbing next to Mary’s Lake. While you are in the area, you can park your RV at Mary’s Lake Campground and RV Park. A favorite activity in the area is a horseback ride into the beautiful back country at the Aspen Park. Estes Park, Colorado is truly the best place to get away from it all and get in tune with nature.

End of the Summer? Maybe! End of Camping? NOT!

To many, many people this weekend seems to be the end of the camping season. When I was a kid, this weekend was the end of summer and freedom. After all summer of running around mainly barefoot, leaving the house in the morning and not having to come back until the streetlights came on (except you better be there for dinner!), riding your bikes, playing baseball, swimming, fishing, and having lots of fun, suddenly you had to put on new shoes and jeans as stiff as cardboard and shirts with buttons and GO BACK TO SCHOOL!

Well, I am here to say you don’t have to be as sad as a kid going back to school this time of year. Today’s campers are equipped with Heaters! In fact, even here in North Western Pennsylvania, temperatures are not going to be so cold for several weeks that you have to worry about getting that frigid. So, don’t let the time of year stop you from going camping!

Now for safety considerations, please check your heater and make sure it is operating properly. It should burn cleanly, and, after the first few minutes, there should be no strange odors. Any appliances that use flame (stove, heater, frig, water heater) should burn with a clear blue flame. Check the batteries, in your LP detector, smoke alarm and Carbon monoxide detector. Also, test them to make sure they go off! If you have heated tanks, you don’t have to worry about things freezing unless it gets really cold. Just make sure you remember to winterize when you come back if the temperatures are going to be below freezing.

Layers may be needed as the days start getting cooler. But, look at it this way, the bugs are going to start dying off at least up North. Last year in November we went down to the Okefenokee Swamp and almost got carried away by the Bugs!

Now, where can you go? Most of the Summer/entertainment park type of campgrounds are starting to close, and the kids have many activities like football and band. So we like to look closer to home. We also tend to do some less frantic type of activities, enjoying more nature walks, leaf peeping, elk watching, and sitting around the campfire.

So, maybe try focusing on the national park, state park or national forest, state forest campgrounds. These are often closer than you think and many can reach them within a hour or less drive. The sites maybe a little smaller, and there often isn’t electric or water, much less full hook ups. But, if you go closer to home and are only staying for a relaxing weekend with the kids, you should be able to get by. Look at it as practice for your dream trip to Yellowstone and boonedocking! Another bonus is that the prices are often very reasonable most being in the 15 to 30 dollar range, for a night’s stay.

So, don’t let the end of summer end your camping for the year. Get out while you can enjoy the warmth of the fire and make memories with your kids.

Your Obedient Servant,

Gary Smith, Jr.

Hey Ranger! Need a Travel Game? Try Mascot Mayhem

Sooner or later we all experience one of those days when bad weather confines us to the camper, or perhaps you’re on the road and in desperate need of a diversion from “Are we there yet?” Either situation is a good opportunity to try a travel game I’ll call Mascot Mayhem.

All you need is a state highway map or road atlas and a little imagination. If you’re a high-tech traveler, you can probably use the map on your GPS unit or laptop computer. Read more

Tyler’s RV Tips

Several years ago when I first wrote my E-book titled, “A Collection of RV Tips” my youngest son, Tyler, was six years old at the time. He has been RVing since he was a baby. Tyler came in my office asking what I was doing. When I explained that I was writing some tips for RVers he got very excited and pointed out that he had a bunch of tips for RVers too. He started rattling some tips off, and when he finally finished I was quite amazed at how many he had to offer.

Recently I ran across Tyler’s RV tips and thought you might enjoy reading them.

Read more

Recreational Activities with Pets

Every day, people travel with their pets. Whether traveling for business or pleasure, they are always on the go. When they are off the road, they may go to the beach, visit dog parks or just have their companions with them wherever they may be throughout the day. In their down-time, they may play Frisbee or catch with a tennis ball or some other sort of fun activity with their four-legged friend. Read more

And we wonder why the younger generation isn’t embracing RVing?

In the August issue of the Good Sam Club member magazine, Highways, I wrote about my fears and trepidations about my 27 year old son’s RV tour through Mexico with his friend and his dog…all aboard a 1982 Minnie Winnie, completed with surfboards strapped to the top. Holding my breath for most of the trip, I had visions of rushing down to Mexico to “save” them from all kinds of lurking dangers, or even worse, having to try and bail them out of a Mexican jail.

Raising children has never been an easy task. Those of us who have been through it can look back at the joy, the craziness, and the frustrations of those years, and then reality hits. At some point, the kids grew up and we lost control. We teach them many things in life, but eventually they become adults and begin to make their own way in this world, whether we agree with it or not.

Both of my children have presented me with various challenges over the years. Watching them grow and testing their mother with their new found independence was a tiring, often sleepless experience, to say the least.

Somehow we all survived those teenage years. Despite my convictions that it would be impossible for either of them to survive without me, they moved on to college, to travel, to work and earn their own living - all without Mom to hold their hands.

Try as I might, I was unable to dissuade Ryan and his friend (also named Ryan) from taking their Mexico adventure. So I waited with baited breath, while these two young men, (both well over six feet) surfed their way through Baja and down the Mexican coast to Puerto Escondido, E-mailing and texting about what a great time they were having. The Winnebago held up, the surf was good, the Mexican people were helpful and friendly, and I’m sure they didn’t bother sharing some of their other experiences with me.

I breathed a sign of relief when my cell phone got the reassuring beep, texting they were back in the U.S., having made it successfully through Immigration. They were headed for a welcoming harbor….a Good Sampark in Arizona.

Little did I think that this would be where the real problems were lurking. When they pulled up to this beautiful resort-like campground in the elderly Winnebago with the surfboards on the roof, they were told in no uncertain terms that this was a 55+ park. However, since it was the middle of July, they would be allowed to stay for one night only. While checking in, an elderly resident approached the manager to make sure that there were absolutely no children on board. The dog wasn’t exactly welcomed either - Ryan was informed by another resident that he had to drive the dog in his car (which didn’t exist) to the “dog area” of the park.

All of us in the recreational vehicle and campground industries often wonder why the younger generation doesn’t embrace our wonderful RV lifestyle. It’s just too bad that some RVers have difficulty accepting fellow campers who may not be of the same generation, have the same interests, or have the same level of rig because these problems don’t always occur.

When my children were young, I took pride in exposing my children to the adventure of travel. From the time they were babies, they traveled, mostly by RV, throughout the United States and Canada. We took trips to Mexico and rented motorhomes in New Zealand. Their sense of adventure still remains and I am happy that they want to continue these adventures, even without Mom along!

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