Anna started a thread..RV, CAMPERS, MOTORHOMES. It is a great thread with folks discussing their actual RV equipment..tips...tricks... problems...solutions
As a newbie RVer..I am interested in experiences. I don't want to muck up Anna's thread by asking off topic questions especially since everyone seems to be so seasoned and I want to save my questions for actual equipment topics. I would so love to hear stories, opinions, experiences about seeing this wonderful land and its people via an RV.

So, if you have the time and energy to drop in ..please do. Tell about why you choose to travel in this fashion .. and what your experiences have been. Tips, tricks, warnings, about what works and does not. Great places to overnight (or use as a base.)
I should start..

We just completed a purchase of a small RV. It is preowned. Low mileage ..it actually looks new having been garaged and purchased as a "stock" warehouse and transportation to assist an "undergoing a midlife crisis" fellow who wanted to walk the Appalachian trail and had a willing wife to drive the RV to meet him here and there to stock up..and rejuice

We have no idea what we are doing and are trying to learn about how and when to engage the generator...vs the battery (s) .. water and waste levels and hoses and fluids. ..and WHY should I not use the microwave while on the road? But enough about that.....

The WHY - I retired 3 years ago and my spouse still works. 64 and 69 .. He is afraid to quit...fear of boredom...invading my space... growing old.... the "honey do" list...
and so ...since we both like to travel...I thought an RV may lure him to retirement.... a day at a time...a trip at a time...

We both grew up in a borough of the big city..NY..

We currently have woods surrounding our home. After the kids left..when school systems and youth activities became not so important..we moved from a typical PUD family friendly neighborhood to the country "for the peace and quiet." And so we know silence...with a qualification ....when the bleating and croaking of the frogs are not drowning out any hope of conversation. We've got crows that holler all day too. Snakes slither up the trees and across the screens..Butterflies and birds are plentiful..mice nest in glove boxes. Basically, we have everything that one might get sense-wise from camping out in the open. No Bears!

Our dream has been to someday retire to a downtown area,. Unfortunately, a small (think 700 sq feet) downtown loft in a thriving and safe downtown would double the price of what we currently have and at triple the space. ..and truthfully...that downtown would be the same downtown day after day..and the odds are we would have to climb stairs in our advancing age.

When we travel...we look for historic cities. Bustling downtowns. We love to get up early and sit outside a downtown cafe eating very sticky sticky buns. We love to people-watch. We love to browse shops and see what american craftspeople are creating. We love to be around youth and families and activity. Young families and old farts like us strolling the sidewalks are our cup of tea. Old architecture tells a story about who we are and we love to be around red brick buildings and colorful flags and old cemeteries. Small cities and big cities are our Holy Grail. I love the smell and feel of steam belching through the grates of underground train tunnels. It warms and it reminds me of my days working on 3rd and 53rd. Freezing in those 60's mini skirts..platform shoes..panty hose not doing a thing for wind and cold protection.....running for that blast of underground steam to warm....Hot dog and knish vendors on corners..along with their karts ..wafting odors of sauerkraut and hot onions...and stale buns! It's heaven!!!!

Unfortunately, city hotels are big $$$$. Additionally, we like to go with little planning...we change our itinerary often...reservation making (and cancelling) can get dicey.

And so again...that RV made sense. It is compact enough to take right into the city or small town America with not too much parking stress.

It's big enough to store a "'find" should we stumble across that wee overpainted table in a second hand shop.

The queen electric sofa bed will accommodate this queen nicely.
The windows all round will provide a grand view while traveling .. a daily shower and a small 2 burner stove and microwave will suffice..I can whip up a decent meal on just about anything (thank you papa) and will help conserve the budget for those sticky buns and hot dogs. Roasting marshmallows 'round a campfire not necessary...but that small Lithuanian baker on that small street corner....oh yes...

So, that is a bit about me and what motivates and gets me out and behind the wheel to see America via the highways... what about you?
Are you seeking to commune with nature?
Wanting to meet folks on the road?
Do you camp for a day, week, months!
Do you leave the RV park..or can you be found back lot at CrackerBarrel?

Where do you like to put up?
What do you love...or just tolerate?
Why the RV instead of plane, boat, bike, car? And hotel.

What are your best times and worst times ?
Tips! Warnings!

Please share.

We had a travel trailer for many years, just so we could escape from NYC life on the weekends and de-stress. We really loved it but the RV sprung a leak at 11 years old and we just weren't inclined to deal with it, having gone through the same situation with it a few years earlier when it was just past its warranty.

The upside of trailer and other RV camping is that you bring your house with you. Your bed, your refrigerator and food that isn't deep fried if you don't want it to be. I can make sure my lettuce hasn't been handled by someone who didn't wash their hands, I don't have to deal with long waits for a sticky table and no song and dance when all I want to do is eat and leave. Don't get me wrong, I love the idea of staying in an upscale hotel with a pool but I am never fully comfortable in them, either the rooms are too dark or the chairs in the room too uncomfortable to read in and someone else has slept in my bed.

We had been talking about getting a small motorhome for many years, just because it was easier to handle than a trailer and tow vehicle. So this past October we purchased a 26 footer which has 1 slideout on the back for the bed. Its the perfect size for the dog and the two of us, is easy to drive and park. Its too small for our kids to borrow though, which means I don't have to worry about it being borrowed and returned in less than pristine condition if you get my drift.

We've only made 1 trip so far, as my vacation time was limited. We took a few days and went to Fairystone State park here in Virginia for the shakedown cruise, where we figured out where things needed to be stored, where hooks for caps and other equipment needed to go and how to use all the extras in the RV such as the outdoor TV, the loft bed (mattress pad removed so we can store things up there.) and the microwave/convection oven. I've never used a micro convection oven before so it was a learning experience. We knew from past experience with the trailer most of what we needed to stock the RV with, such as the stinky slinky, extension cords, antiskid lining for the cabinets and so on.
We found that we needed heavy duty padding on the mattress to keep my back happy. Also that a hanging shoe bag was perfect to hang from the loft platform over the drivers seat in order to store the dogs leash and brush and our shoes. Future plans may include small gas grill and a toad vehicle. We are hoping that next year we will be able to rent cars at the towns we are camping at and have them bring them to us. We'll see how that works out.

My plans for next year are to visit my far flung cousins, fellow escapees from the city, some of whom I haven't seen in a few years. I am hoping to retire in June of the coming year. We'll see!

Well, I learned a few things from your post and I few things I have to look up..like those slinky stinky (?) extension cords. I had not thought of non skid liners either. Good point. I appreaciate you taking the time to read my tome and to give such a nice long answer. I love to hear what other like to do and see. So, your main purpose is sort of like ours..avoid the hotels...and RV camping isn't the BE all of the trip. You want to explore towns a bit? I know what you mean about the kids..but ours will squash if need be...ugh. They better clean up. I got a temurP foam topper in anticipation of the back issue. There is a sofa along the back..and it has a motor that turns it into bed. It is Winnebago outfitted and so.how bad can it be? ...bad, eh? We have sooooo much to learn but it is too cold to go local.. so we are going to the Keys. How bad can it be..we won't freeze. Just need to get the water features down ...and what form of energy runs what. We are going to get it dewinterized down there. I saw a cute little Weber grill if we decide to sit outdoots and cook. The RV has an awning and we will pick an RV park that is nicer equipped before we choose one where we have to wing it. The TV plays DVD so ..I still have to read about WiFi but the iPad has a data plan. If I disappear from this site ...you all know I'm tangled in the black water hose..either that or it exploded and I jumped off one of those deepsea walls in the Keys... and drowned..this Brooklyn girl can't swim
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Make sure you know where your circuit breakers are and that you have spare fuses. Also you need a white hose (drinking water quality)for attaching to the campground faucet, its a pain to travel with a full tank of water, it keeps sloshing back and forth.
Actually with my back, I have a better time of it sleeping on the couch because it is firmer. Our is manually extended so that's a little hard for me to do but my DH does it for me before we go to bed so its ready when I get up with a sore back at 3am!.

We use our WiFi for emails and the computers/Ipads/phones, its a Verizon and seems to work pretty well up and down the east coast. A lot of campgrounds provide it but you need to be pretty close to the office to get it. I just make sure its locked with a password.

Oh meant to tell you, try to get a map of the campground beforehand so as to avoid sites near the dumpsters, I've found that no matter how much they are sprayed they always give off an odor. And if you don't like light at night, make sure you have light blocking shades. If you are sited near the showers/toilets, the lights are usually on all night and people come and go at all hours. Better to go in a well lit station than in the dark woods for some of us, especially the tent campers.


Let us know what campgrounds you stayed at on the trip, I would find them very helpful!

In the past we have stayed at the Yogi Bear campground in Natural Bridge that was a good one and also at Cherrystone in Cape Charles VA right at the water, I just loved it. They were just starting out in clam farming when we were there.

In DC years ago we stayed many times at the Cherry Hill Park in College Hill Maryland when we visited DC. Not very picturesque but close to the metro.

On our trips to Florida we always tried to stay at Army Corps of engineers sites, they were usually well maintained. Haven't done so in a few years so not sure if they still are good to stay at.

Rosie, good segue into a slightly different RV topic. I look forward to following both. I'm rather opposite you. My husband and I are in our 60s, both retired, one dog, two adult children. We live in a rural area (minimum lot size is 5 acres, we own 15), but were both raised in cities. I don't have much interest in exploring city life, museums/galleries, sidewalk cafes, or other points of interest (not in a bad way, just not for me). I like to travel to experience the lay of the land, which changes so quickly and at times drastically. We usually travel on red, black or gray roads (we still use paper maps) and avoid urban areas. Logging in miles is not as important as just enjoying the changing scenery. When traveling, our RV is our home on wheels, and we like to camp where there is some amount of separation between rigs. Boondocking is not unusual for us. At camp, we enjoy day hikes (as long as the elevation gain is not too extreme), sitting by the fire, and being on water of some sort. My husband is much more outgoing than I am, and he always returns from a walk-about with the names and life stories of most fellow campers. I'm content to stay at camp, read a book, or do some crocheting. It works for us.

Two publications I can recommend for those of my persuasion: 'Off the Beaten Path' which is a state-by-state glimpse of little-known treasure spots. I can attest that the ones on the west coast have proven mostly accurate. 'Free and Low Cost Campgrounds' - self explanatory, senior discounts and/or primitive accommodations. Many would not work for large rigs. We are at the moment very small (8' camper on a pickup) but do plan to upsize to something in the mid-20' length.

I got my journal and I will use it. We are going to look for campgrounds and make reservations this week.

Thanks for the tip on fuse boxes. And the water hose. . I knew not to travel with it from Anna's thread, i bought a connector...clear so that when things are flushed out..I can see if all the way. I know about the ice trick, we will unwinterize in Florida and winterize as soon as we get home.
I also read that I have to have silicone tape. I bought a crank radio and it is a flashlight and it is a IPad, phone charger.

Deb we are very similar in demographics.. age, kids dog passed. She was Rosie! Ingot so used to being called Rosie on Dg...I let it stick. I miss her.
I have a GPS and I am directionally challenged BIG time sompaper maps not good but DH uses. I hope after this trip and not too many mishaps ..I will feel better...that first turn on ofmghe generator will shake me up.

Great tips about the campgrounds do I tell them up front which site I want ?? I camped many times in tents ( loved it ) set up a little home away from home then. I have a data plan on the iPad.. ATT is that whar you mean by wifi or something else?! There is a TV and a DVD. I know to get a spare regulator and a good electrical ( long plug) $$$$ boy those ain't cheap.
Todayni got the spongy no slide lining stuff for the cabinets. Imput twomfrypans I there and a French press and a toaster. I am thinking maybe an electric skillet. I do have the microwave .I guess will bring drinking water. Years ag had a collapsible plastic bag with a spicket attached..but square thing ..I may find one of those. We have a well at home but i fill jugs at Walmart. Anyway, I will post about my adventures as we go. I don't know about getting naked in that RV.. the curtains are black out ..

Ah, I had a Rosie dog as well, she was a medium sized mutt walk-on (just showed up one day). My current dog is Frankie, another medium sized mutt from the local dog pound, and she is getting up in age (12). She has lately developed a bunch of those old-dog fatty tumors (lipomas) but otherwise seems to be holding in there. I do give her joint supplements and fish oil, and wet her food down with an herbal tea blend I concoct. She travels with us, which is another reason we like an RV.

Re campsites: some parks will let you reserve ahead of time and you can usually pick your spot from afar. Most have web sites with site maps to help you choose. I know the Washington State Park website even has a photograph of each campsite, which is helpful when choosing ahead of time. I don't have much experience with RV parks, we refer to those as 'cordwood camping' and only use them as a last resort. I find them more expensive than state or county campgrounds, way less privacy, often no firepit or even a picnic table, many times just off major highways -- but with the advantage of laundry facilities and full hookups, usually a small store. They are plentiful and those giant RV books seem to focus more on RV parks than campgrounds. My guess is RV parks are a good choice for one-night lay-overs, or for those who will be using their RV as more of a motel alternative and will not be hanging at the park all day.

We have friends who have taken a couple cross-country trips towing a small trailer. They park for several days in campgrounds just outside major cities, then use their tow rig for day-trips to museums, monuments, galleries, and such. Suits them well.

For us, the campground IS the destination and we often spend a couple days exploring the immediate area before moving on. Sometimes our total miles driven may be less than 100, but even that short drive can be a total change of environment.

We rarely plan ahead, which can be problematic. We do now have a cell phone with internet connection, and that will likely change our habits.

So far, knock on wood, we have not stayed in the parking lot of a WalMart! No offense to those who travel that route, it can certainly be a money saver. Just not very picturesque. We have occasionally stayed overnight at rest areas, typically on a long drive-day when trying to burn some miles - arrive late, sleep, leave early. They can be noisy, especially if you are near a refrigerated big rig that runs all night.

Do keep us posted on your trip, I am making notes of good campgrounds all over the U.S. in the event we take a cross-country trip.

I will...but fair warning..we are of the overnight variety...and I was looking forward to the crackerbarrel society! But I imagine if we squash in the grandgirls in we will do the campground and bring tents! I used to do that a lot..tent camp...and loved it. Loved lake george area... woodstock....catskills. I imagine it is all grown up now.

In Arizona we've enjoyed staying at Karchner Caverns. We tour the caverns and stay in their camp ground. It's a desert area, but full of neat plants. Best not in the summer when the heat is brutal. We like it in Fall, winter or Spring.
One time we had the whole campground to ourselves during the fall.
http://azstateparks.com/parks/...

Arizona is on the list.DH has a cousin there

There are some nice RV parks in Tucson, Showlow, Payson, Prescott and Flagstaff. I don't think there is much in the Phoenix area. Come any time but summer. You wouldn't care for summer around here, unless you just stayed up near Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon.

Ah, but no (and good use of this thread). Very close to Phoenix (a bit east) is Superstitious Mountain with a very nice clean campground at its foot (perhaps half hour drive?). My sister went a bit further up from Superstitious and found a lake campground that she really enjoyed as well.

We also enjoyed campgrounds around and about Lake Havasu. Not so crazy about Quartsite, although it IS an experience. We boondocked in the disbursed sites and wandered around town a bit. My take-away is Quartsite is the biggest yard sale I've ever seen.

Toward the beginning of our retirement, my husband kept telling me we would retire to Arizona. Done deal in his mind. I had my doubts, and suggested we should first VISIT Arizona. Hard to transplant a couple of soggy PNW natives to the dry SW desert was my thought. So, we took an extended road trip through the SW desert, and it is a lovely lovely region. But...I would not be a happy camper there. I don't do heat well, and the dryness is another adverse factor for me. I really like to have trees and water around me. So, not a fit for me. Great place to visit, and I'd love to do so again.

Random thoughts...

You're right. I remember you mentioning the superstition mtn one. There are nice lake one on that route too.
We had to get the NM place because I can't hack the entire summer in the Phx area. It's brutal and getting worse.

I am at war with DH because he turns heat on too early in morning. I am desiccating! My lungs..my skin... I don't think AZ is for me....but that " big yardsale" would be! ... thank goodness that RV is small! I find the best stuff to use in the garden at those things. I wii take a photo of the last! Will make it a hanging planter. If the deer won't let me gave blooms...I am still gonna have 'em!

The RV has no long/tall closets. I guess I need to fold. I am glad I can pack light..don't care much about switching duds a million times...clean and no holes good enough.. no need for fancy tourist duds. Soooo glad I got old! Ha! I have to remember to store the two walking sticks. I love my walking sticks on the uphill.

We have a foam topper for the electric sofa..that may take up room .. I can put it in the shower area I guess. This RV has no over head bunk area / storage like some do.

So I gather there are a bunch of books...trial and error finding the best one ..that rate campgrounds. I will have to go exploring those

I live 2 hours from the NC Beaches and 2.5 from its mountains .. Beautiful country...wonderful talented people. I can't wait for the warm weather to start with our own NC mountains and Tenn and Virginia.. New York State will come after...that is where my family settled ...in the Catskills.

Edit to add my big yard sale find. A lamp shade..soon to be planter ..(I think)
I can put a tea light under it too..for a table top glow. $3.50

I find myself wearing the same comfy casual dresses over and over. Easy to layer, no binding while on the road. A simple shrug and chunky necklace can dress it up for times you might want to feel more 'presentable.' You might also check into clothes designed for travel - often lightweight knits. Tencel is another forgiving fabric. Look for things that will take little storage space and stay relatively wrinkle free (or totally wrinkled, like gauze). You can either attempt to coordinate everything, or just go with gaudy! Undies that dry quickly so you can do hand washing if need be. A good hat you will actually wear - I find ones with front bills rather than all around brims work best for me, so I can lean back in the truck or camp chair. For feet I pack flip flops, flats, hikers, and outdoor slippers.

Yes to the walking sticks, I have one my son made from a twisty branch, and my husband uses an old ski pole. Great for balance, I just can't jump over those logs quite as nimbly anymore! Our camper has a long side slot for fishing poles and such and that's where we keep the walking sticks. As you get used to your rig, you will quickly establish 'spots' for different things.

Invest in a couple good comfy (for you) camp chairs. You will spend a lot of time in them.

I would love to travel to the east coast at some point, but for the time being we are hanging on the west side. I agree with Rosie on the SW desert, too hot and dry for my taste. But beautiful. My aunt winters in Arizona and keeps telling me the 'dry heat' is different and I will love it. Hmmm. Nope. I'd rather have humid heat and soft elbows than that lung-searing heat that cracks your lips and feet. But, everyone is different.

Hmmmm, Rosie, you could have posted all this on "my" thread, it all would have "jelled" and it would have been in one place.

We are not "city" people either, we prefer to scour the country to see what we can see and find. With the 5th wheel, we can park it and still have something to drive for the seeing and doing. Plus, we can take the motorcycles and the bicycles and ride those too if we want.

Anna, I thought from your description your thread was geared to the travel RV itself...the bells, whistles, topics, What your RV is like...this is how we do it...what you do to make it more efficient..keep the cabinets closed, and so forth. I knew I could go there to ask operational questions and get tips..

I wanted this thread to be about the RV travels...What we saw and did .. best lil restaurant outside of this park...best park laundry, on the way to..we saw a barn painted with a ...and there is a wonderful cedar chest workshop... The travels...not the wheels...
I did not want to muck up your thread talking about that toilet I stopped at outside Macon Georgia that had a fur seat!

I did not want to muck up your thread talking about that toilet I stopped at outside Macon Georgia that had a fur seat! [/quote]

I read this and thought you stopped up a toilet! I had to go back and read it a couple more times to get that vision out of my head.

Oh, now I wouldn't have thought that at all.........the hijacking part, I mean. Well, now I have 2 places I can come and RV.

Yes, and I look forward to hearing about your travels and the things you see thru that windshield and do once you pull over and slide out those ...slide outs!