Category: Comfort at Camp
Valdez is for Campers, RVers, and Adventurers!
November 30, 2011 by Melissa A. Trainer · 2 Comments
Photo by Michael De Young/ATIA Are you planning a road trip to Alaska? Are you thinking of traveling to and camping in America’s Last Frontier next summer? If so, then I would like to suggest adding Valdez to the itinerary. I must admit that I haven’t been there myself, but it was on my “to do” list when we lived in Anchorage about five years ago. Unfortunately, we got sidetracked with other destinations that summer, but when I was at the Alaska Media Road Show in Santa Barbara about a month ago, I was fortunate to meet with Colleen Stephens while I was there. Colleen is from the Valdez Convention and Visitors Bureau. She seemed to know exactly what I was interested in! Colleen explained that Valdez caters to campers! I was really happy to hear this because camping in Alaska can take a fair amount of initiative and organization. I know this because I’ve done it many times myself! Colleen explained that Valdez has many RV sites around town and that many... [Read more...]
Patti’s Saga of an RV Rookie: Does he/she want an iPad or bear spray for Christmas? And your wallet says what about that?
November 14, 2011 by Patti F. · 3 Comments
I hope that heavy feeling in your chest doesn’t portend heart trouble, but rather, is the resultant pressure that comes from knowing December is around the corner. Yes, “tis the season of “What am I going to get him (her, them) for Christmas?” which can carry its own weight. Sometimes the expectations of Christmas feel like a worrisome burden; of course, that misses the whole point of a holiday established around an event filled with grace, love, and forgiveness. But that’s another blog… For now, let’s look at Christmas gift ideas for RVing, and in general: Categories: Costs an arm and a leg and Doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. Costs an Arm and a Leg: #1 Ipad: they’re shockingly cool to have in your RV (or anywhere) and can do everything short of conceive children for you. Soon, I bet they’ll have an App for that. The iPad includes its own e reader; I love reading in bed with the back light (that my Nook doesn’t have). #2 Nook, Kindle or some other great e-reader.... [Read more...]
ARRGGGGH!!!!!! (Finding a digital TV signal)
October 13, 2011 by Professor95 · 2 Comments
It was around five o’clock before we finally pulled off the highway into a nice, cozy little campground away from the traffic noise of the Interstate. Once on our site I pushed some buttons to lower the leveling jacks, run out the slides and open the awning. Both water and power were right at the side of the RV where it was easy to hook-up. Boy, I love this push-button automatic stuff – it makes setting up so much easier than the old way. This campground offers no cable hook-up and the canopy of huge trees overhead renders the satellite dish useless. I want to catch the six o’clock news and then the National News that follows. I have about 30 minutes to get the TV tuned in. My only choice is to find the terrestrial stations in the area. So, I crank up the “Batwing” TV antenna with the Wingman attachment and turn on the TV. Since all of the TV stations are now digital, as is the TV, before I can even think about positioning the antenna I have to hit menu on the remote,... [Read more...]
HOW TO BECOME A MILLIONAIRE
September 29, 2011 by Professor95 · 9 Comments
The air smells magnificently crisp and clean. There is no trace of the usual smog or exhaust fumes. When I take a deep breath and fill my lungs full, I feel refreshed and stronger. The sky is dark blue. Only a few cumulus clouds move across the horizon. The temperature is a perfect 78 degrees and the sun gently warms my exposed skin. There is no noise – no cars, no trucks, no boom boxes, or sirens. The only sounds I hear are the ocean waves breaking onto the sand in front of me. No, wait – that was a seagull calling out as it flew overhead. Moments ago, I was kicking the light brown sand with my toes as I walked to my reclining chair next to a small tidal pool. I brought a cold drink with me. It sits at my right so a smooth movement brings the cool amber liquid to my lips. My doggie, Oscar, is digging in the sand to my left – his leash in my lap. Nancy is further to my right enjoying a book downloaded to her Kindle. The book I have in front of me is thrilling. ... [Read more...]
Trailer Mod — Dinette Becomes Couch — Shazam!
September 28, 2011 by Traveler8343 · Leave a Comment
Our Cabin On Wheels - The Fun Finder X 189FBR Some folks asked me to describe a modification that I made to our trailer. After a few trips, it became clear (to me) that our floorplan wasn’t optimal for our use. The pictures below, from another Fun Finder 189 FBR, with the “endless red” color plan, illustrate the standard setup. Although DW accused me of wanting to “tear our new trailer apart,” my goal was more constructive. The floorplan for the 189 FBR included a dinette with benches facing each other across a foldable table that can be dropped into a lower position to create a 30″ wide bed. When set up as a dinette, very little space was left between the edge of the table and the front of the kitchen sink; our “hallway.” It was a squeeze for the two of us to pass by. The other problem with the factory setup is that there is nowhere to relax and watch the TV that is mounted above the rear end closet. You have to either lie on the bed or sit... [Read more...]
When you’re too chicken to paint…
September 15, 2011 by Dana Ticknor · 2 Comments
One of the things that I have wanted to do since going fulltime 2 years ago, has been to decorate the rv. Now, I’m really not opposed to the neutral color scheme that each of our rvs has come with, but to leave them totally unaltered has seemed somewhat impersonal for our ‘home’. I know lots of other families on the road that have been brave enough to paint their rvs, and while I have loved every color scheme that I have watched unfold on their blogs, it just has never given me enough courage to take the plunge and pick up the brush. I love the trendy colors that I have been seeing, and even having the process laid out for me in pictures hasn’t overcome the fear that I will regret starting the never-ending ‘updating’ painting in our rig. So, being a more timid interior decorator when it comes to our rv, we have gone the safe route… and have loved every bit of it! When it comes to decorating that goes a bit beyond the towels and rug that... [Read more...]
DO NOT visit Washington D.C…………..
September 14, 2011 by Professor95 · 9 Comments
… Unless you have a week or more to spend touring all of the museums and facilities. Seriously! We drove up to DC last week to meet three of our friends from out-of-town. Fran was from New York, Paul from southern California and Selena recently arrived in the USA from China. None of the three had ever visited our Nation’s Capitol. They were totally blown away by the sights – especially Selena! Cherry Hill Campground Office Entrance Nancy, Oscar and I parked the RV just north of the Capitol at Cherry Hill Park in Maryland. Our friends checked into a nearby motel. The best way for visitors to get into DC is to use the Metro system. DO NOT even think about trying to drive into the city. To board the Metro from Cherry Hill Park all you do is walk up to the bus stop in front of the park office. There you catch a bus for a very short ride to the College Park Metro Train Station on the green line. You should purchase your fare tickets at the campground office... [Read more...]
VISITED BY AN UNWELCOME GUEST (This one will not be invited back!)
September 1, 2011 by Professor95 · 3 Comments
We met on the Internet It was not in one of the usual chat rooms, or singles dating sites like eHarmony or Zoosk as one might expect. She just popped up out of nowhere and introduced herself without hesitation. At first, I was shocked at how forward she was – her blatant introduction caused me to become suspicious and worried. She was young, wild, and a “fast mover”. She didn’t seem to be the least bit bashful and announced her intent to visit the clear blue waters and white sandy beaches of the Bahamas – even if she was not welcome. There was some mention about coming to North Carolina and Virginia. Maybe she would stop over for a night and we could spend a little time together. My sleep that night was restless. I couldn’t get her off my mind. I dreamed about our possible meeting. I got out of bed and picked up my laptop computer, logging into her personal social network site. I had to see what she was doing at the places she visited. Her most recent... [Read more...]
Our cottage on the road
August 30, 2011 by Canadianladybug · 5 Comments
There are many advantages to have an RV. The main one would be to have your home on the road with you when you travel. It helps you save money because you don’t have to stay in hotel (which can be expensive for a family of six) and you don’t have to go to restaurants all the time. But today I want to highlight another advantage of owning an RV. Recently, we attended a wedding with our four kids. Our youngest, Jasmine, was the flower girl. The wedding was being held on the Quebec side about 1 hour 45 minutes from our home. We needed to be there on the Friday for the rehearsal and on Saturday for the wedding itself. We had permission to bring the RV with us and park it next to the house where the wedding was happening. They had rented a farm and had access to it for a few days before the wedding. So on Thursday my husband drove to our campsite and went to get the RV. Let me specify to you that parking a 30 foot RV on our driveway is not an easy task... [Read more...]
Practical Glassware For Camping
August 29, 2011 by Melissa A. Trainer · Leave a Comment
Do you have a favorite type of wine or pilsner glass for camping? If not, then check out the non breakable portable wine and spirit glasses from GSI. The collection features stemless wine glasses, nesting wine glasses, pilsner glasses, and others. All of the products are BPA-free and are made to survive rough and tumble service for campers and outdoor enthusiasts. Of course, they don’t have the same luxurious feels of other wine glasses, but they get the job done and are easily stashed in a camper cupboard or a loaded backpack. We have had a set of the nesting wine glasses in our camper for many years. They’ve endured bumpy trips throughout Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula, up to Denali National Park, and down the Alaska Canada Highway through Yukon Territory and British Columbia. They store beautifully and are easy to clean. Basically, they are a simple item that can add a little bit of luxury to an outdoor excursion. –Melissa A. Trainer
