RVParking.com
30Oct/100

Our Take on Mobile Internet

After years of planning and anticipation, Jay and Ayo quit their Wall Street and consulting jobs to take a number of years off from corporate life. Eight months in, they’ve lived in the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, and Israel. They are now exploring the United States by RV.

My wife and I live in a 24 foot Tioga motorhome. We’ve been traveling for nearly eight months now, and the most recent two and a half months have been in the RV.

Unlike some RVers, neither of us are software developers, engineers, or analysts. We don’t need connectivity for work. We do, however, love our technology and would never be caught without internet access on the road.

Enter our Palm Pre Plus, whose Mobile Hotspot application enables wireless tethering for up to five computers at once, all sharing the Pre’s lightning-fast 3G service. We use Verizon as our provider and couldn’t be happier. I can’t count how many times we’ve been the only ones in an area who have service. Those Verizon “Can you hear me now?” commercials are legit.

A while back, we blogged about our stay in Fossil Falls. There, in the middle of nowhere in the Mojave Desert I clocked 3 Mb/s download speeds. It rocked. All in one day I was able to wake up, go for a hike, eat breakfast, jump online with broadband connectivity, and then sit out in a canyon reading a book, miles away from anyone. Not bad.

The Mobile Hotspot application couldn’t be simpler to use. Two quick taps and our wireless network is ready to go, complete with WPA2 encryption. The phone’s WiFi signal offers impressive range, but the best part is that Mobile Hotspot tethering is free. Yes, there’s a five gigabyte cap for tethered data usage, but unless you’re streaming movies or playing World of Warcraft, five gigs isn’t as little as you’d think.

One downside to the Mobile Hotspot app is that it’s a power hog, and it’ll drain your battery much faster than regular phone use. The flipside to this is the phone’s ability to charge off of your computer’s USB port. We tend to keep the phone plugged in to a computer while using Mobile Hotspot, which solves our problems. (Especially when combined with solar and a HyperMac.)

The other downside - though I believe that it’s the case for all tethered phones - is that phone service and data service cannot be used concurrently. If you receive a phone call while using Mobile Hotspot, your internet connection will be put on hold for the duration of the call.

Overall, I give the Pre’s Mobile Hotspot a solid 9 out of 10 for on-the-road connectivity, with the only real downside being its power drain. I haven’t commented on the Pre Plus hardware and operating system (which I like), but I’ll note that the Pre 2 is hitting the market shortly and will be bringing the phone up to speed with an OS update, 1 Ghz processor, and 5 megapixel camera.

If you would like to follow our adventure, visit our blog at ourtakeonfreedom.wordpress.com.

Tagged as: , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments
25Oct/100

The Best Tool for Finding Free Wi-Fi On the Road: Resourcefulness

If you don't have tools like MiFi or satellite Internet, you may often have to go to other businesses to get your WiFi. Although this may sound like a daunting task, it is possible to do work from the road using only WiFi provided by local businesses as proven by todays guest bloggers, Sue and Joel from Canfield of Dreams.

Like most people, our primary experience with Internet access has been our own DSL/Cable/whatever at home and office, peppered with the occasional trip to Starbucks. When we chose to become a nomadic family, finding Internet access on the road hit our radar. We're both virtual workers conducting virtually all our business over the Internet and telephone. Our plan as nomads is three weeks house sitting here, four weeks with friends over there, with short trips in between. Most of our Internet needs would be met wherever we're staying. Since we're hopeless email addicts and occasionally have client deadlines that won't wait, we realized we would have to find Internet access while we were on the road.

I'm sure you would love a link to a website where you could enter your zip code and find all the free wi-fi in that area. I don't have it. I suspect no one does. The Internet is in its infancy and free wi-fi is embryonic.

At this early stage in its development, the best tool for finding free wi-fi as you travel is your own resourcefulness. If you're used to the stability of your own Internet connection at home or in the office, it might not occur to you to simply drive through residential areas with a laptop looking for a connection. And yet, that is an extremely effective method of finding Internet access.

We're certainly not advocating trespassing or any kind of sneaky, unethical behavior. In the past most wireless networks were secured. This was partly to prevent the bad guys from getting in; but mostly because in those days Internet access was metered. Yes, folks, there was a time when you could not buy unlimited Internet access. What that meant was a single neighbor casually watching a movie over your Internet connection could use up your month's allocation of bandwidth in 90 minutes. It just made sense to limit access to a limited resource. Metered Internet access is almost impossible to find in the U.S. these days. Unlimited access is becoming the norm most places, thus removing the primary reason to secure a wireless connection.

A note about security. As a 20-year veteran of computer networking and security, I would suggest that you have someone that knows what they're doing check the security configuration of your personal computer. It's just good sense. There is a difference between securing your computer and locking down the inherent sharing capabilities of your wireless equipment. It's also my personal belief that if the bad guys want into your machine or network, they'll get in. Ease of use versus security is always a trade off. When it comes to sharing wireless networks, I lean strongly toward openness. I depend on the configuration of my individual computers to protect me from casual unfriendlies.

Most of my acquaintances leave their wireless networks open and unsecured. They're not afraid of hackers and actively encourage others to share their unlimited Internet usage. If you're driving through a small business area or residential neighborhood and notice an open, unsecured network, chances are very good that its owner has left it open with the intent of sharing it. We are bombarded with information about security almost daily. I personally find it hard to believe the average person could accidentally leave their wireless network unsecured. However, if for any reason the idea of what was once known as 'war driving', cruising a neighborhood looking for an open network, bothers you, there are alternatives.

If your travels take you through a large city, you will find a Starbucks, a Perkins Family restaurant, a Radio Shack or some other small business offering free wi-fi. If you Google the words 'free wi-fi' and the name of the place you're in, I'll be astonished if you get less than a dozen possible options. Again, for those of you who might, like me, be a little hesitant to 'take advantage', I have been delighted by the welcoming attitude of the folks who've given us free wi-fi along the way. The Wired Monk in Surrey, BC, Canada, the Starbucks in Rapid City, South Dakota, the Northern Exposure Computer Center in Torrington, Wyoming--all thanked us for visiting them and encouraged us to use their free wi-fi even if we didn't buy a thing. In today's economy, generosity is rapidly becoming an important marketing tool. If you're passing a Starbucks, need Internet and don't need coffee, they'll welcome you with open arms. You're not taking advantage; you're simply accepting the generosity they offer.

We found Internet connections in unlikely places. Driving across the wide open spaces of South Dakota we stopped in a small town, parked outside a classic car museum and connected to the Internet while Sue checked on a client project. Before shutting down she realized the wireless connection was from an RV Park we couldn't even see, not the building we were parked in front of.

The Radio Shack in Torrington, Wyoming was a surprise. We drove through this small town looking for our usual suspects, major chain coffee shop or restaurant, Internet cafe advertised as such, and saw nothing. Sue walked into the Radio Shack and asked where we might find a wi-fi connection, assuming that the local geeks would have it wired. And we were invited to use theirs--absolutely free. They even gave our little girl two scoops of ice cream for the price of one. So there's another angle. If you can't find an Internet connection on your own, stop anywhere that people are used to being asked for directions or where they may know the local computer landscape and ask. We've had excellent results every time.

Sometimes it's just a matter of trying. My mother has never owned a computer and may never own a computer. We expected during our three-day stop with her to find Internet access elsewhere. But when we opened our laptops we found an excellent connection while sitting comfortably in her living room. It was stable and powerful for our entire visit. I hadn't even planned on checking.

There are websites which are trying to aggregate real life information about open wi-fi hot spots. If you like, contribute the hot spots you found to one of these, or use them to find wi-fi near you. But your most powerful tools for finding wi-fi on the road are a little bit of resourcefulness and the willingness to try.

Bio:
Joel D and Sue L Canfield and their little one, Fiona, are conducting a nomadic experiment. September 30th of 2010 they gave up their fixed place of residence to travel the U.S. and Canada and they hope eventually the world. You can read about their adventures as they happen at http://CanfieldofDreams.com where you can also pre-order the book they're writing and the movie they're making and even make arrangements for them to come visit you.
Tagged as: , , , , , , , , No Comments
20Oct/104

Be a Water Conservation Warrior from the Road

Today's guest blog post comes from our contest winners, Rene Agredano and Jim Nelson. In this post, the first in our series on green RVing, they share some unique ideas about how to save water while on the road. Did you know that eating more barbecue can help save water? Read on for that and more eco friendly RVing tips.

When we first entertained the thought of purchasing an RV to travel around the country, I was mortified by the thought of us moving around some of North America's most beautiful places in a gas-guzzling house on wheels. Until we actually started fulltime RVing, we were avid backpackers who assumed that RVs were terrible for the planet, and that the people who drove them were selfish souls who cared little about the environment.

How wrong I was!

While they're typically not the most fuel efficient vehicles, RVs are actually one of the most environmentally friendly ways to travel and live. Even if you're just on a weekend getaway, when you travel by RV, you can practice environmentally-friendly ways that can help put less stress on the planet than flying from one destination to another. And if you're lucky enough to live in one fulltime, your tiny house can be more eco-friendly than a standard sticks-and-bricks home in suburbia. RVs use less water and energy, and we can go where the resources are, instead of trying to bring them to us.

Conserving water is one of the greatest things you can do to ease your carbon footprint while RVing. Some tips and tricks we've discovered during our time on the road include:

Water Catchment

When you're dry camping without hookups, saving water is critical. But for those times you're hooked up to utilities in an RV park, it's still not very eco-friendly to let clean water go to waste. For example, when you run water to take a shower, instead of letting fresh water go down the drain while you get the temperature just right, grab a large container to catch that burst of cool water. Keep it in the sink for washing dishes, or put it in your dog's water bowl.

Use Skoy Cloths

Paper towels kill trees, plain and simple. And while sometimes you can't avoid using them, Skoy Cloths (http://skoycloth.com/) are one way you can reduce your dependency on paper products for simple clean up jobs. These mighty little towels act a cross between a paper towel and a rag. Using a SKOY cloth is equivalent to using 15 rolls of paper towels in an average home. They have an absorption factor of 15 times their own weight, and can be used many times before getting so skanky the need to be tossed. Even after going into the trash, Skoy Cloths will completely biodegrade within five weeks of being tossed.

Sure, they're not as eco-groovy as a rag that can be re-used hundreds of times, but unlike a rag, Skoy Cloths dry within minutes after use, and they don't get stinky or mildewy, which tends to happen when you attempt to dry rags in a small space like an RV.

Waterless Cleaning

Just as you take a quickie “shower” with pre-moistened body wipes, you can clean your rig inside and out with waterless cleaners. My favorite is Dri-Wash (http://www.dri-wash.com/), a waterless, biodegradeable cleaner that can be used for everything from washing a rig, to cleaning your greasy stovetop, to removing tough laundry stains. I wouldn't have believed that a waterless cleaner could work so well on so many surfaces, until we parked our rig in a place that didn't allow vehicle washing. The Dri-Wash not only cleaned the rig better than any RV cleaner, it took out the black streaks and stubborn marks that had been on our rig for three years, which I assumed we'd just have to live with.

Dri-Wash comes in a concentrated form that you just add water to, and although it's not cheap, it also lasts forever. So far we've washed our rig once, our truck twice, and cleaned the interiors of both, all on one bottle of concentrate, with more to spare.

Eat More Barbecue

Some may find it hard to believe that eating barbecued food can reduce your water consumption, but it's true. Think about it; unless you're one of those obsessive compulsive types, you don't clean your grill every time you use it, right? Well, barbecues can make an entire meal without a pot, and all you're left with is cleaning up the dining ware. Supplement your carnivore appetite with a side of grilled veggies, and you've done the planet a favor!

Re-use Your Gray Water

Doesn't it seem like a huge waste when you flush your toilet with drinking water? Don't let that resource go to waste; re-use it first! Many RVers have designed grey water systems with an inexpensive simple pump and filer that cycle grey water from the tank and back up through the toilet, so that none of that precious clean water gets wasted. Just Google a phrase like “RV recycle gray water systems” to see what these inventive RVers have done.

Drink More Beer and Take Fewer Showers

Be a water-conservation warrior; drink more beer, take fewer showers and save the planet! Ok, I'm kidding . . . sort of.

These are just a few of the real-life RVing conservation tips we've discovered during our years of living on the road. Share your own experiences, and follow along with us as we embark on more adventures across North America, by visiting us at LiveWorkDream.com.

Tagged as: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 4 Comments
18Oct/103

Announcing the Winners of RVParking.com’s First Review Contest

Monday is upon us, which means it's time to announce the winners of the Fall Review Contest, but first, I'd like to thank everyone who submitted reviews in the past five weeks. Every review helps RVers make a more informed decision about where to stay, making RVParking.com a more useful resource. It's been great to see so many new members pop up. We're glad that you're part of our community.

And now, onto the winners:

First the two winners for the best review, who will each be receiving a $50 gas card, are NuRVers (for his review of Lost Alaskan RV Resort) and OkieDave for his review of Glen Ayr Waterfront Resort.

With 32 reviews between September 7 and October 15, LiveWorkDream.com wins the prize for the most reviews. Stay tuned to the blog for an upcoming guest blog post from them about RVing and the environment, as well as an upcoming WiFi related post.

There will also be another contest so keep visiting the site for more information. I got to read many great reviews during the contest, so I hope that you will all keep adding reviews.

Thanks,

Nicole

Tagged as: , , 3 Comments
13Oct/102

Verizon MiFi: Our Choice for Getting Online

Continuing our series on getting online from the road is a review of Verizon MiFi from the authors of Hit the Road JACK.

When we were in the stationary home, we used cable for our internet needs and we loved it. It was quick and very reliable but it just wouldn’t work for us in this lifestyle. So, through the years we have tried all sorts of ways to connect to the internet while traveling.

Our first year up at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, we used satellite for our internet connection. It was not very reliable and we were constantly getting bounced off, but it was our only option at the time.

Many businesses, including libraries, coffee shops, hotels, RV parks and campgrounds offer free WiFi. The only problem with using there service is that it is not always convenient. Many places turn it on and then off again, so those late nights or really early mornings the service might not be available to us. Also, many of the WiFi offered is not reliable and definitely not protected, so doing personal business is not advised.

MifiA few years ago, when Verizon introduced the Wireless Broadband service, we were hooked. We started with the PC Card, then updated to the USB Modem, then finally to the MiFi just a short time ago.

Through the years, we had one card or modem and it was usually on my computer. Jerry was not into the internet as faithfully as I was and he was content with using the WiFi, if and when it was available. But something changed a short time ago, he got hooked on the internet as much as I did. We discussed getting another card and/or modem but they did not offer a family plan as they have with the cell phones. We would have to pay the same price we were already paying for the first card and we just could not justify that cost, that was until they introduced MiFi.

The nice thing about getting the MiFi was keeping our current plan. Since we received our PC Card when the service was first introduced, we received a great plan, a plan that they no longer offer with unlimited usage and we are grandfathered in, so changing our plan will not be an option.

The MiFi 2200 fits in the palm of our hand and is so convenient to use. We ordered it online since there was an additional bonus for doing it there and it was delivered the very next day. The setup was so simple, turned it on and followed a few menu clicks and it was complete. Within minutes, we were both online enjoying the internet.

Mifi1We usually use it while it is plugged into the power in the RV but it also has battery power. Several times we took it outside while we listened to the rushing sounds of the river we were parked next to or as we watched the animals frolic in the woods. MiFi 2200 makes it convenient to enjoy nature but still be connected to the world and the connection seems stronger than the USB modem we had for years.

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/mobilebroadband/


OUR BIO

The first time we discussed our dreams was shortly after we were married. The dreams that lied deep within that we hardly shared with anyone, because they were so bizarre that we were almost embarrassed to tell another person. But, we had always been able to share our heart’s desires with one another, so we did.

We spoke about traveling around in a RV, taking photos, writing our stories and having them published. We finished each others sentences, we shared what we had kept inside ourselves since we were very young but the stories matched. Even though we knew we had to do this once and for all we once again met up with too many obstacles and put it on hold for another 6 years while a life that we thought would make us happy continued on.

Then, the turning point in our lives happened when my baby brother at an early age of 40 passed away, leaving behind many of his dreams unfulfilled. During those last moments of his life, we shared some deep secrets with one another and he made me promise to get on with my life and to follow my own dreams, never again allowing anyone or anything to stand in the way. This began a year of research, finding opportunities to make a living while traveling the country.

We travel, main highways, country roads and many of the roads less traveled. We either work or are spectators at many of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, eventually accomplishing every track on the circuit with a photograph of each of us in front of the race track sign. We also play a little game of achieving a photo of every state line we pass, but we have to do this in action, while driving, no stopping and taking the easy way out. If we miss one, we then know that we will need to take another trip someday through that state.

One of our favorite things to do is to stay, play then review the popular sightseeing locations, as well as many of the small “mom & pop” businesses and share this unbiased opinion with our many readers. Living this lifestyle has allowed us in just a few short years to visit, the Grand Canyon, Mall of America, Mount Rushmore, Niagara Falls, Gateway Arch, Soo Locks, and so many more then we ever imagined we would ever see. Doing this all on such a small budget that our readers are able to see themselves doing it too is also another benefit we share.

At times we each must travel many miles in the opposite direction to get ourselves on course once again but knowing our home is in our hearts at all times makes the travel easier. Our home is also right where we are at that very moment living our dream, traveling this wonderful country, taking photos and sharing our stories with our readers. Come join us and see where our journey leads us, our plans often change as we learn to live our lives from a much deeper place deep within ourselves.

Tagged as: , , , , , , , 2 Comments
7Oct/100

Fall Contests: The Best Reviews so Far

It's a month into the fall review contest, with only a week to go.

Here's an update the reviewers with the most reviews. Remember, whoever submits the most reviews between September 7 and October 15 will win a portable solar power pack.

1. LiveWorkDream.Com - 30 reviews

2. Don C - 9 reviews

3. OkieDave, julierecker, RVRoadTrip - 8 reviews

4. ADVofRVLife - 6 reviews

5. psandefur - 5 reviews

Then, there are two prizes -- $50 gas cards -- for the authors of the two best reviews. We have many great reviewers, making it hard to choose just two. Here are the two best reviews so far:

"Waterfront Jewel" for Glen Ayr Waterfront Resort by OkieDave:

"This is a pristine park that is so perfect that it looks like it was built yesterday although it's been there for a long time. Everything is perfect, painted, grounds groomed, motel and office are beautiful. Great hot-tub big enough for 15 with very strong jets. That will relax those tense muscles from driving all day. Across the street is the Hood Canal with a boat dock where you can fish or just relax with a glass of wine. Has a pavilion with several gas fired BBQ's, and burners to cook your clams etc that you just caught and eat them in the picnic area with gazebo . We were quite impressed with everything. Probably the nicest park we have stayed all summer. I would recommend it to anyone in the area of the Olympic National Park or a weekend trip from that area. We stayed there in a motorhome."

I feel that this is a jewel of a review, because although it's short I get a clear picture of the park as I read it. I already have an idea of what to expect in terms of the general feel of the park and the amenities. I also have an idea of what I can do right after I arrive at the park.

"I can see stars from here!" for Lost Alaskan RV Resort by NuRVers:

"The Lost Alaskan is a big rig friendly park at the edge of Alpine, Texas. The park is easy to get to when passing through Alpine, and the registration process is friendly and easy. A great first impression.

The sites are arranged in long rows, and most sites are pull-throughs, making it very convenient for overnights - or lazy parkers like myself. The roads are packed gravel, and the long and decently wide sites are gravel as well. There are nice pine trees throughout the park.

A nice feature of the park is their dog area near the entrance to the campground. There are also a lot of grass around the perimeter of the park, which gives it a nice feel. The laundry room sufficient for task at hand. I never look inside the bathhouse, as I have one of those in my RV :) There is also a pool that appears to be open only during the summer.

My only two gripes - the internet provider is HughesNet, which means you get a long list of "don't do this" when you check in, and you can make a sandwich between clicks because of the latency. Verizon 3G service made up for that shortcoming, and Verizon cell service was strong.

The other issue we had was extremely low water pressure. I think they know about it, as we were told "we have the water pressure regulated, so you don't really need a regulator". They were right. I could run faster than their water flowed. But, we have an RV, so we simply used the water pump to supplement the low pressure.

The "chocolate mint on your pillow" for the night ended up being their "star gallery", which was a cheesy wooden enclosure with chairs inside. At night, you walk in to the enclosure and look up to be treated to the most amazing view of the south Texas sky. The little enclosure did an amazing job of blocking out the little campground lights, and gave more stars as a result. Fun, cheesy, perfect for an night walk. Loved it.

I recommend this park for a night, week, or month - as long as the Verizon 3G service hangs in. Cute little town."
I chose this review, because like OkieDave's review, I get a clear feel of the park and the surrounding area. NuRVers goes into a lot of detail discussing registration, site arrangement, the park terrain, the dog park and the laundry room. I also appreciated the way he organized the review, allowing a paragraph for each of his gripes about the park: HughesNet provided Internet and low water pressure. The level of detail about Internet and cell phone reception was great.

There's still a week left, so get as many reviews as you can for a chance to win.

Tagged as: , No Comments
6Oct/101

What to Ask When Selecting a Campground for Your Family

Continuing our series on RVing with kids, Tonya Prater of Live the Adventure tells us what to look for when choosing a campground for your family.

When it comes to selecting the perfect campground for your family, chances are we won’t be looking for the same amenities even though we both have children. As a mother of teenagers, a campground with a playground and scheduled activities is no longer an option we consider important. Give my kids good cell phone reception and Wi-Fi access so they can brag on Facebook about what a great time they are having roasting marshmallows over the open fire and they’re pretty content.

Setting the age of our children aside, selecting a campground really boils down to preference. Personally, I prefer to stay at campgrounds that offer large sites, clean bathrooms and friendly campers. What I don’t want is to arrive at our site for what we hope is a relaxing weekend and find ourselves right smack in the middle of a major drink fest with obnoxious neighbors loudly proclaiming obscenities and staggering around the camp until they pass out on their picnic table. Unless you are that person, chances are that’s not your idea of fun either.

So, how can you be confident that you are selecting a campground that will be free from such annoyances? If at all possible, talk to someone who has stayed there. What was their experience like? Read a campground review. Call the campground directly and ask them about their facilities and policies.

The first thing I ask is if the campground is family friendly; meaning, are families welcome?  It’s a bit uncomfortable to show up ready to camp and realize that the camp caters towards an older clientele or doesn’t discourage a party atmosphere.

Since my children are my most beloved possessions and I watch too many horror flicks, I always ask about security and will choose a campground with 24- hour security over one without.

I also prefer to stay at a campground with a firm lights out policy. Though the majority of campers we’ve encountered are more than courteous,  if the campers next to me are blaring their radio at 1 in the morning, I want to know that someone will tell them it’s time to go to sleep. I like campgrounds that are clean and well maintained. They don’t necessarily have to be the newest campgrounds or have the most up to date facilities, but they do need to be well cared for. I’m not a clean freak or anything but, I have been known to take a couple cleansers along with me just in case. God bless the inventor of Clorox disinfecting wipes!

I wouldn’t have thought to ask until we learned the hard way, but I now confirm that campfires are permitted at our site and ask if firewood is available for sale or if we can bring our own. There’s nothing worse than making a run to the grocery store for hot dogs and ingredients for S’mores only to find out that open fires are prohibited. After all, it’s not really camping without a campfire is it?

What type of activities, if any, is offered? Is there a pool, fishing, disc golf, bike or hiking trails nearby or on site?  Are pets welcome? Can you make advance reservations or is the campground first come, first served. If so, is there anything going on in the area at the time you plan to visit that would make it hard for you to get a spot?  Do you have young children? Are sites available near the restrooms or playground?

By spending just a little bit of extra planning, whether you’ll be staying one night or one month, it is possible to find just the right campground for your family. So before you embark on your next camping adventure why not spend a few minutes talking to a representative from the campground? It could save you a lot of disappointment later.

Tonya Prater and has spent the better part of the last five years traveling with her husband’s job while roadschooling their three teenagers.  After living in their RV for the past 18 months they have finally settled down in a stick home once again. Though they now live in a home with no wheels, they dream of traveling once again. You’ll find Tonya blogging about their experiences at www.thetravelingpraters.com.

Tagged as: , , , , 1 Comment
2Oct/102

The Joys of RVing with Children

Today's post in our series about RVing with children comes from Kara Lynn Becker of JoKars Wild. Since she lives in a trailer with her husband and eight children, she knows all about the joys of RVing with children.

My family and I moved into a 29 foot travel trailer with 8 kids last May. Yeah, I know… crazy! But we have loved it. We are now in a stick house for a season, but we long to be on the road again. While it wasn’t always easy, there are so many benefits to RVing with kids! Whether you live full-time, are vacationing, or bringing your grandkids along for the adventure, you, too, can reap the rewards of RVing with children.

Do you have an aloof teen that has long stopped snuggling with you on the couch? Get a good rainy day stuck in the RV, and try watching a movie on a little TV screen. With only a 3 person couch, pretty soon even the “coolest” teen will be snuggled up at your feet.

joys-of-rving-with-kids-1

Do you find that even if you rent a house for a vacation, or even on your weekends, you spend all your time doing housework and not much relaxing? It takes literally minutes to clean an RV from head to toe and even less if you have those little ones help you. Also the kids come in handy for reaching into those nooks and crannies so common in RVs.

joys-of-rving-with-kids-2

Maybe you aren’t feeling as agile as you used to. Try filling up your RV with sleeping children and teens sprawled out on the floor, and then walk from one end to the other to get your morning coffee while not stepping on them. If you want to enjoy the peaceful quiet of the morning, you will quickly become quite adept at anticipating their movements and leaping over their limbs.

joys-of-rving-with-kids-3

Do you feel like you have to spend days upon days planning your wardrobe when staying at hotels? With an RV, it is easy to keep clothes stored in there all the time, so all you need to do is grab a few things and go. And did you know that while camping, it is perfectly acceptable to wear the same jeans two days in a row? Standard camping attire is just jeans/shorts and a tee-shirt. Grab a sweat shirt and your set to go. Don’t sweat it though!

joys-of-rving-with-kids-4

Do you long to run in the ocean waves, roast marshmallows in the fire, or sing silly campfire songs? Without kids you feel a little silly making s’mores or digging giant holes in the sand. Do you want to go on the bumper cars or ride the carousel? Take those kids along. No one will even bat an eye! With kids you can eat the most marshmallows, sing the loudest, or crash into 5-year-olds with bumper cars! And nobody thinks your weird…well, except your own kids.

joys-of-rving-with-kids-5

After living in Ohio for ten years our kids never had the opportunity to see the ocean in real life. They based their impressions of the ocean off of movies and books. My daughter had developed a fear of the ocean since she believed it was teeming with fish waiting to nibble on her toes. With our travels, we were able to take our kids to see the ocean for the first time. What a joyful experience!

joys-of-rving-with-kids-6

We have also given them a greater understanding of the States and geography. They have seen monuments and read plaques. History is coming alive for them! They have also learned to read signs and maps. See what new places you can discover and history you can learn with your kids.

joys-of-rving-with-kids-7

With our crazy lives and schedules, it can leave no time for family time. My eldest daughter said to me one day, “It has been forever since I’ve been really home. I feel like home is just a hotel…eat and then sleep.” RVing with children forces you to spend time together whether they or you like it or not. And after the initial shock of the close quarters, I think you will definitely like it. Take the time to invest in relationships with your kids or grandkids. Really listen to them. Find out what they like and don’t like. Explore your world with kids, and you will soon be rewarded with the joys of RVing with kids!

Kara Lynn Becker

Kara Lynn Becker

Kara Lynn Becker aka Mama K is the mother of 8 kids, and the wife to one extraordinary husband, Papa Joe. Her oldest child is 16 and her youngest will soon be a year old. All together they call themselves, JoKars Wild.

Over two years ago, her husband lost his job. This has sent the family on a tail spinning adventure. While losing their home, they had to figure out how to have a home for 10 people that cost little to no money. After much research, they decided to buy a 29 foot travel trailer to live and play in together. Recently someone has blessed them with a free house to live in, but the trailer is still considered home. Kara has taken to writing about the family’s trials and adventures on the family’s blog, JoKars Wild.

Join Mama K as she writes about JoKars Wild while continuing to homeschool four boys and four girls. It’s an adventure based on faith and love, but most of all a commitment of being in relationship with one another.

Tagged as: , , , , 2 Comments
   

Categories

Blogroll

Calendar

October 2010
M T W T F S S
« Sep   Nov »
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031

Tags

 
RSS Feed
RSS Feed