SCHOOL’S OUT! SURVIVING THE SUMMER WITH THE FAMILY IN AN RV
Ahhh, May. It’s the month the kids look forward to, as it typically means school is out for the summer. I know, I know – this generally terrifies parents since, well, the kids are now out of school and will be home all day. I can see all the parents shivering with fear already! What on earth to do to keep everyone occupied, keep the peace and make sure everyone has an enjoyable, but memorable, summer?  It’s time to hit the road and enjoy some quality family time in the RV, of course. The great thing about using your RV as a summer home is that although you’ll be sharing tight quarters at times, your living room and backyard will be the biggest and best ever. And the memories you create will be incomparable. Oh, and you can change your landscape anytime you want to just by moving on down the road. You’ll be living on wheels, after all! Now that’s pretty spectacular! Ever heard of “shunpiking?” Shun – to avoid. Pike – short for turnpike. Shunpiking = avoiding the turnpikes and interstates. Don’t get into a hurry. Take your time and take the back roads. Enjoy the picturesque panorama and experience nature’s bounty. It’s calming for the soul. Be realistic, of course. It’s not as if life on the road is full of unicorns who only toot rainbows. That’s only in the movies. You might encounter an obstacle or two. Don’t assume that hitting the road will immediately alleviate any problems already at play – whether it be a matter of attitude or behavior or inner turmoil.  Whatever issues you or your kids had before you left will likely still be there when you RV. Let’s face it – siblings have fought since the dawn of mankind and will continue to do so until the end of time (and probably beyond, too!). And if a particular habit or behavior someone has drives you crazy at home, it will still drive you crazy when you’re sharing a home on wheels that is not quite as spacious. Humans have a tendency to lash out at others when we are stressed out about things not in our control, and to be hardest on those closest to us. Don’t take things too personally, for this too, shall pass. Give it time and you might just notice that Mother Nature has a way of working things out and changing people with her magnificent beauty. She’s pretty awesome when it comes to things like that! She’s writing a soothing memoir and you’re a part of the picture. Get away and get closer. Those troubles might just melt away before your very eyes! A big challenge of the quasi-transient lifestyle is having to make new friends constantly. Just when you’ve established a good bond, it’s time for one of you to move on. It’s like changing schools as a kid, leaving all your friends behind every few weeks. On the positive side, you’ll have more time for new friendships. And you’re sure to meet lots of interesting and fascinating people from all walks of life. People whose stories are filled with delightful and captivating adventures. People who will become lifetime friends. Savor those new friendships! RVers are an incredibly friendly breed and will welcome you at happy hour or around the campfire at sunset. They’ll be there to help with anything you may need and never think twice about it. They’re just good friends. Every RVer is in the same boat and looking for some company along the way, so it’s never difficult to befriend fellow travelers. While most RVers you meet will be on vacation, there may be a few full-timers who live in their RV year-round. And maybe a few who haven’t quite reached their happy place yet. They’re trying to reach that place, they really are! A campground doesn’t necessarily promise to be a tranquil paradise filled with people who are as happy or excited to be camping with your kids (or grandkids) as you might be. Not all campers are happy campers, if you know what I mean. So be on your best behavior and mind your manners, while also allowing yourself to let your hair down, so to speak. If you know your neighbor is trying to sleep (after dark, course!), don’t let the kids unleash their inner animals and pretend to be Tarzan – swinging from the trees and hollering across the park for Jane to come join the fun. We know kids will be kids and they’ll soon get bored. How on earth can you be bored when every day is a new adventure, right?  Shake it up some. Keep things interesting. Change the pace. Hang out in the city for a day instead of hiking again.  Maybe rent a 4-wheel drive for a day of adventure. Keep in mind, though, that a 4-wheel drive just lets you get twice as far from help as a 2-wheel drive – so be safe! Float the rapids if there is a nearby river (remember the life-jackets, though!). Visit a wildlife park or zoo if there is one in the area. Or take in a movie, for a more relaxing (or at least not-so-active) few hours. Visit an area of town that has a rich cultural history – a great way to learn something new while on vacation! Ask around at the campground and you’ll probably find out there is an abundance of activities to keep everyone enthusiastically engrossed with their vacation. And don’t forget Mom and Dad time, too. Plan a date night. Go out to dinner, or maybe a little dancing, or hit a concert in the local town. Just spend some quality one-on-one time together. While getting ready for your trip and trying to figure out what you’ll need, don’t overdo it and think you need to pack the kitchen sink. You simply don’t need ALL THAT STUFF!  Take half of what you think you’ll need.  You’ll
DID SOMEONE SAY FREE? THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED AND CAMPING OFF THE GRID
Sometimes you just need to take a break and get away. It can be healing for the mind, body and soul to escape from the grind of everyday life and experience the cornucopia of natural beauty and culture available just outside your back door. That’s why you bought an RV after all, right? You have the urge to get away, but perhaps life got in the way and you just didn’t plan ahead. Or perhaps everything is already booked for months. The other problem is that it can get a little expensive. When you get that longing to abscond, but reservation restrictions and budget constraints are a concern, there’s still a way – maybe even a better way – to dodge the big city. Embark on a new adventure and discover off-the-grid camping! Dispersed camping (also called boondocking or dry camping) is an inexpensive alternative to an RV park or campground. You can camp for free in many places, or for a very nominal fee. Beware, though, with dispersed camping, you are truly in the middle of nowhere and on your own. Like, in the boondocks! A genuine get-away-from-it-all experience. Think primitive camping in an RV! With true boondocking, you will have an undesignated, unmarked campsite. Nothing more. No amenities. No drinking water, no sewer, no electric hook ups, and probably no internet or phone service. But, there are also no crowds and no worries! Solitude – complete and utter aloneness with just you or you and your loved ones and nature and wildlife. Welcome to Paradise! You will need to supply everything yourself and most importantly, leave NO trace. If you pack it in, you must pack it out. No dump stations, either, so you’ll have to – ahemmm – bury your waste at least 6” underground if you are away from your RV (or hit the nearest dump station after your trip). While a stream or body of water may be nearby, make sure to boil or filter before drinking it. And if you plan on fishing or hunting for your food, check to see if a license and/or permit is required. Be sure to pack extra food, water and emergency supplies (and tools) just to be on the safe side. And don’t forget the bug spray! You’ll want to avoid ticks, flies, mosquitos, chiggers, etc. And snakes. Definitely, you’ll want to avoid the snakes! The bonus of boondocking, besides the seclusion and low cost factor, is that you will get to truly appreciate nature while enjoying the freedom from (most) rules and restrictions. The US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and Army Corps of Engineers manage vast tracts of public land, many of which allow dispersed camping. You can also check out Recreation.Gov and Campendium for more terrific low cost and/or free locations and ideas. No reservations can be made, so everything is on a first come, first served basis. Have a backup plan, just in case. Also have a Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) handy so you’ll know which roads and trails are open to motorized travel (that changes frequently). A few things to know before you head out off the grid: Stop by the ranger’s office to inquire about dispersed camping and any rules or regulations they might have. Pick up a map. Many areas don’t allow ground fires; be sure to check the rules first. Some areas require a fire permit. Always observe fire restrictions. Stay in a site that already has a campfire ring or other evidence of being a campsite, and don’t build a new one. Pack out the trash you create (and don’t leave it in the fire ring). Pack in, pack out. Bury any human waste under at least 6″ of dirt (or pack it out with you). Or stop by a local dump station on your way out (many rest areas have them). So much easier in an RV! Enjoy a stay of 14 days or less and then move on, though some sites now allow a 28 day stay. Many areas restrict camping to no more than 300 feet from a designated road and not within 200 feet of any water source. Most areas are dog friendly, though the pet must be under your control at all times. Respect the locals (that means the wildlife)! Remember that you are in their territory. Don’t leave food or trash where the smell might attract wildlife and keep food scraps out of the campfire. If you want to photograph wildlife, do so from a safe distance and watch for warning signs that they are agitated or annoyed by you. Practice LEAVE NO TRACE principles. When you leave, there should be no trace you were ever there. You’ll also want to be sure your vehicle is in tip-top condition before heading out. Spending the night on the road (or atop a highway overpass) because you failed to properly maintain your vehicle doesn’t really make for a great boondocking experience! Call Laszlo at Quality RV Solutions (817-764-1363) to schedule time to let he and his team give your vehicle a once-over and thumbs-up. While dispersed camping is not for everyone, it can be one of the most fulfilling and satisfying experiences. Take the time to do your research beforehand and be ready for a new adventure. Abundant opportunities and experiences await off the grid. Go ahead – take the road less traveled! Sometimes that makes all the difference. At least that’s what Robert Frost said! Oh, and don’t forget to share your experiences and pictures with us. We love to live vicariously through you!
SURVIVING SEVERE WEATHER IN YOUR RV
Spring has arrived! Beautiful sunshine, perfect temperatures and longer days. Flowers and trees are beginning to blossom and bloom, and the wildlife is emerging from their slumber. If you haven’t already, I bet you’re thinking about getting the RV out of storage and hitting the road. A wonderful time of year for RVing! A few things to do in preparation of your trip: Schedule a visit with your insurance agent weeks in advance of your trip to review your policy. Your policy should sufficiently cover all of your needs, so make sure you have adequate coverage. Check your first aid kit to be sure all items are stocked and have not reached their expiration date. Band-Aids, bandage tape, a roll bandage, pressure bandages, butterfly strips, antiseptic ointment, antibiotic ointment, anti-itch/allergy ointment, burn ointment, foot powder/spray, irrigation syringe, medicated soap, Q-tips, cleansing wipes, scissors, tweezers, thermometer, alcohol, iodine, Hydrogen Peroxide, ibuprofen, aspirin, Tylenol, anti-nausea medication, anti-diarrheal medication, laxative, cough suppressant, daytime/nighttime cold, flu and allergy medication, cold pack, hot pack, sewing needle, dental floss, and don’t forget the latex gloves. Pack an emergency backpack in case you have to make a run for safety. Include items such as emergency contact information, identification cards, insurance information, cash and/or credit cards. These items need to be in a waterproof envelope. Also include in your backpack items such as bottled water, snacks and protein bars, extra batteries, phone chargers, medications, flashlights, a blanket, and a change of clothes. Be sure you have a portable cell phone charger such as a power bank or power pack, in case you find yourself without electric. Make a communications plan so you can contact loved ones during an emergency. Make sure you have at least 3 ways to receive alerts – a smart phone, internet, weather radio, local new stations, and local warning systems are a few ways. If you do not already have a weather radio, now is the perfect time to get one! It is an inexpensive, indispensable and essential tool. It broadcasts weather forecasts, fire dangers, travel conditions, storm warnings and emergency alerts around the clock. Now that you’re organized and prepared, let’s talk about the weather. Spring is prime time for severe weather. It’s storm season, after all! The possibility of torrential rainfall, flooding, thunderstorms, lightning, hail and tornadoes, followed by days of glorious sunshine and warm temperatures. Severe weather can have severe impacts on your travel plans when you’re on wheels! Preparation and planning is your best weapon. Knowing the forecast along your itinerary can save lost time, headaches, and even lives, therefore it’s important to know what weather conditions are expected along your route. Have a plan in case of a weather emergency. And have a backup plan, just in case. The National Weather Service, or NWS, is a great place to start. Check the forecast at www.weather.gov for the areas you will be traveling through. Understand that Mother Nature cannot be accurately forecast beyond 7 – 10 days, so you will want to check it regularly. Download free and/or inexpensive radar and alert apps on your computer and phones. A few we recommend are NOAA, NOAA Weather Alerts, Wunderground (Weather Underground), The Weather Channel and WeatherBug. Most weather apps can provide real-time updates and alerts. You may find yourself under a weather watch or warning. It’s vital to understand the difference between the two and critical to being prepared for any dangerous weather hazard. Watches and Warnings can be issued for extreme wind, flooding, severe thunderstorms, tornados, tropical storms, hurricanes, and heat. A Watch lets you know that conditions are favorable for a weather hazard (approaching storms are capable of producing flooding, high wind, large hail, or tornados). It means to be on guard, to watch for bad weather and be prepared to take action. A Warning, on the other hand, requires immediate action. It means a weather hazard is imminent and is either occurring (a tornado has been spotted, for example), or is expected to occur at any moment. Take action and take cover immediately. Grab your emergency backpack and head to safety right away. Warnings are urgent. Do not ignore them! If the forecast calls for bad weather, prepare ahead of time. Find an RV and/or camping spot that is in an elevated location and away from large trees. Secure outdoor items such as grills, patio/lawn furniture, umbrellas, toys, etc. before the storm begins. Don’t wait until things start blowing around to try and secure them. Close all windows. Put a headlamp at the front door of your RV in case you have to make a run for safety. As the storm approaches, unplug all electronics: computers, televisions, appliances, etc. Do not wash dishes, shower, wash your hands, do laundry, etc. Don’t do anything that involves water. Do not touch plumbing or metal, and avoid contact with electrical equipment and/or cords. RV’s are not the safest place to be during a storm. If possible, go to the campground shelter, or other sturdy building, to take cover. Know the nearest shelter or evacuation route, though NEVER attempt to outrun a storm. There is absolutely no reason to put lives at risk (including your own) in a panic. An RV is replaceable, your life is not! If you can’t make it to a safe shelter, then STAY INSIDE! Stay low in a hallway area, away from windows and cabinets (you don’t want a can of beans projectile aiming at your head if the cabinet door flies open!). Keep your hands on your lap or lay on the floor in a fetal position. Stay inside for 30 minutes after you hear the last thunder clap. Have your RV park address and site number easily accessible. It will be important if you should need to call 911. Know what county you are in, as weather alerts are often issued by county. Also know the names of nearby towns. If you are on the road, do NOT park underneath an overpass or bridge!