4 Opinions on the Eddie Bauer Airstream from the Experts
Any Airstream afficiando knows that there have been a number of co-branded Airstream. Brands that have been cast in Airstream form Victorinox, NASA and Design Within Reach, Mini Cooper and Mercedes Benz. The most popular co-branded Airstream right now, however, has to be the Eddie Bauer Airstream and four Airstream bloggers have been kind enough to offer their insights about it. While Airstream collaborations are often met with skepticism, each has found features they like. But are the features good enough to spend $75,000 for? Read on to see.
First, here are some pictures of the Eddie Bauer Airstream so you can see what everyone is talking about:
Opinion #1: Kristiana Spaulding, Silver Trailer, Designer of Airstream Jewelry and Airstream Interiors
What a wonderful collaboration of two companies that have had real staying power -- Airstream and Eddie Bauer.
The Eddie Bauer Airstream incorporates both brands seamlessly -- the classic lines of the Airstream with the outdoorsy palette, signature Eddie Bauer quilted fabric and stylish durability. It’s a beautiful blend of adventure and comfort in one.
Having traveled over twenty thousand miles with my dog, I’ve designed a lot of my Airstreams with my canine co-pilot in mind. I‘m particularly pleased to see that this trailer has considered the pet owner- with the outdoor hardware for the dog lead and outdoor shower. These small additions will make a real difference to Airstreamers with pets.
The back access storage is also a great feature. My husband and I often find ourselves in urban areas on our road trips home from kayaking. More than once we’ve had to skip a visit to the local museums and restaurants because we were preoccupied with gear out in the open in the back of the pickup truck. If we were towing the EB Airstream we could stash the gear in the back and off we go, from river to a night on the town.
I’m pleased with the look of this Airstream and look forward to seeing it out on the road.
Kristiana's Bio
Let me begin by stating I'm generally not a fan of co-branded vehicles and I would categorize a travel trailer as a vehicle in this case. A few attempts immediately come to mind such as the Ford Harley-Davidson truck, the Ford Nautica van, and the Eddie Bauer Ford SUVs. Maybe it's my cynical side getting the best of me, but it seems the only real benefit from most co-branded vehicles is for the manufacturer to extend their marketing reach to their partner's customer base. Combine that with seeing aging versions of not so great vehicles painted in a clothing manufacturer's livery, and it usually makes me think less about both products. The Nautica van wins first prize for me here.
That being said, I actually like the 2011 25 foot Airstream Eddie Bauer. While the basic coach layout seems nearly identical to the 2011 25FB Flying Cloud or 25FB International there's one huge difference which seems really handy for those who live an outdoor lifestyle via the rear hatch. The roll down screen allowing you to leave the hatch open is a nice feature also.
While it's no traditional toy hauler, if one were to haul kayaks or bicycles this could come in quite handy. Perhaps even a light dirt bike or scooter would be possible with an aftermarket ramp and solid tie down points. In addition, the added security of locking larger items in your trailer when away from it sounds very appealing.
However, a close eye needs to be kept on the somewhat reduced carrying capacity near 1300lbs due to the extra weight of the rear hatch assembly which will be further reduced by variable weights such as fresh and waste tank fluids.
Another consideration is reduced built-in storage space which is replaced by the folding dinette and lounge seats.
While I could personally live without the bells and whistles thrown in to make the visual appearance more unique such as the bedding and decor colors, one other huge benefit I see is the darker if not more durable flooring material which will help keep from unsightly dirt markings that irritate those of us with the lighter color flooring to no end. I could not see doing much off roaring with an Airstream, even with one that has slightly larger tires as the ground clearance is quite low and the risk of damage high.
Would I personally buy the Eddie Bauer Airstream?
Probably not. The combination of the increased weight and reduced storage would not fit my lifestyle interests. In most cases the items that I were to carry inside the trailer's hatch for outdoor recreation I would prefer to carry in or on my pickup truck tow vehicle which I don't fear damaging as much, and feel is more practical for loading and carrying equipment. Were I to use the hatch of the Eddie Bauer Airstream instead, I see scenarios where I would have to unload the items from there and load them in/onto my tow vehicle which would make me question why I didn't do so in the first place. For example, unloading kayaks into the water when I'm not camped right on the shore.
The Eddie Bauer isn't just a decor model; its features are directly inspired by outdoor adventurers' sporty 'Streamers who camp with bikes and boats and kayaks and kids who weighed in on their dream machine.
The most unique feature is the rear sport hatch that allows for outdoor gear to be stowed conveniently and safely, eliminating the bother of hoisting items on and off the tow vehicle roof rack. Expensive toys can be locked inside, away from thieves. (Gear, pets and kids can be hosed down before boarding using the outdoor shower.)
To a glamper who generally communes with nature from the tastefully appointed confines of my Design Within Reach Airstream, martini in hand, the biggest lifestyle benefit is that the back hatch invites the outdoors in. The door flips up and a screen slides down, barring entry to bugs but allowing for dining close to the views and a flow of air from front to back for sleeping with the night breeze.
What view, you ask? The premium oversized Michelin tires and higher wheel base provides the necessary ground clearance for offroading to scenic boondook sites, or nearer to the bike trails, lakes and rivers you've hauled all that gear to.
The decor is Eddie Bauer-simple (alas, no deer-antler chandelier) and the durable upholstery on the reconfigurable furniture is pooch-resistant and easy to clean. A final dog friendly feature: exterior tie-downs for pets on a long lead.
Rhonda's Bio
Oregonian RG Coleman explores the Northwest and beyond in a crowded Design Within Reach Airstream with a tall mate and two wet dogs. Follow her travel blog 'Streaming at www.airstreaming.net for pop history, humor, and tips for tiny trailering.
Opinion #4 - Mali Mish, Family Traveling Across the US in an Airstream 25 ft FB
If you are a parent, you have probably seen the Eddie Bauer line of strollers and car seats. Or maybe you have seen one of their Eddie Bauer edition Ford Explorers that have been rolling around for nearly 10 years.
Automobiles are not the only thing they have deemed worthy enough for the Eddie Bauer name, in early 2010, they collaborated with Airstream to create an one-of-a-kind PanAmerica that bears the First Ascent name. It spent the entire winter traveling between ski resorts searching of fresh powder and to lay down first tracks.
Talk about a match made in heave, the FirstAscent Airstream was definitely a head turner. It was completely custom built for the FirstAscent ski team on the then brand new PanAmerica platform. It was the first Airstream to feature a rear lift gate that turns a 34-ft trailer into a toy hauler with a garage.
A year later, the partnership culminated to the recently launched new model fittingly called the Eddie Bauer Airstream.
The Eddie Bauer Airstream is basically a souped up Airstream 25 ft FB. In fact, the 25 FB is the exact model that Mali Mish is. Ours happens to be the International Ocean Breeze edition but the floor plan is identical to the Eddie Bauer Airstream.
Here is Mali Mish on the day of us picking her up at the dealership back in October of 2008.
There are obviously some differences between ours and the Eddie Bauer. The obvious and most significant one is the rear lift gate. What the lift gate allows the owner to do is to easily load kayaks, surfboards, snowboards, bikes and whatever you might be into directly into the rear of the trailer with ease. On top of that, it really brings the indoor and outdoor spaces together so you can sit at the dinette with all the comfort of home yet feel like you are connected with the great outdoors.
The Eddie Bauer Airstream also got a handful of added features that make it more suitable for the adventurous type like high ground clearance, larger wheels and tires as well as wheel wells to protect the aluminum body from those rocks you might fling up while towing her through the woods.
The interior also gets a special makeover in order to wear that Eddie Bauer badge. It is sort of a mash-up of the International line and the Safari (Flying Cloud) model with the essence of Eddie Bauer thrown in.
Unveiled a month ago at the world famous Sundance Festival in Park City, Utah, the new trailer officially goes on sale this month and will start showing up at your local dealer soon if it isn’t already there. If you like what you see, be ready for it to take a real bite out of that wallet. Simply fork out the MSRP of just north of $73,000, you too can be the envy of everyone at your trailer park.
So go out an get one of these bad boys. After all, it’s just money. As if you didn’t already know, just like diamonds, Airstreams are forever.
For the full post with pictures and a background history on Eddie Bauer, click here.
About Mali Mish
Mali Mish is the name we have given to our beloved Airstream that takes care of us while we are on the road. We have been proud owners of her since October 2008 and have been on many wonderful and exciting trips. Most trips span a few days to a couple of weeks reaching not too far out from our home base in Ventura, CA.On February 3rd 2010, we filled up the diesel tank and hitched up our wagon for the trip of our lives. We will be heading east for an indeterminate amount of time without a real destination. All we know is that we are going to see the Atlantic ocean by land and plan to explore and learn about everything we find along the way.
Travels with Andy – New Fulltimers Product Giveaway
We hinted that we had something exciting in the works for you and here it is! Andy Baird has given us 1 copy of his book, From Camping to Fulltime and his Eureka 2 CD to giveaway to two lucky RVers. Here's how you enter to win!
Please note: You can do any one of the following options to enter the Giveaway. We're not asking that you complete all 5 steps (though we would love that!). But every step that you complete will count in your favor as an additional entry. The person with the most entries will win one of the prizes.
- Visit the Giveaway post on Hit the Road Jacks blog here
- Leave a blog comment (extra point for including a link to your user profile on RVParking.com) on their blog post letting us know you are participating in the Giveaway and leave us with some sort of way to contact you!
- Follow RVParking.com and Hit the Road JACK on Twitter. Tweet the two of us saying you are participating in our Giveaway! So we know to count this as an Giveaway entry for you.
Official Rules - Entries will be accepted until 9pm PST Sunday, March 6th. Both winners will be chosen by amount of entries and announced in this post on Monday, March 7th. Good luck!
Eureka! One RVer’s Bright Idea for New Fulltimers
A while back, we took to some of our most trusted RV forums to ask what research our users (that's you!) did before making the transition to Fulltime RVing in preparation for a future post. Some of you replied with the names of books, e-books, and websites that you used for your research. That particular blog post is still coming but we did want to share one recommended website, Travels with Andy in the meantime. Below Andy shares with us his RVing back story and a couple of popular tips from his book, "From Camping to Fulltime" and his CD "Eureka 2 - Bright Ideas for your RV".
Upcoming Contest: We'll be giving away a couple free copies of both Eureka 2 and From Camping to Fulltime in the near future. So make sure to come back on Monday, 2/28 for the upcoming details for how to enter to win!
Eureka! One RVer's Bright Idea
I fell into RVing almost by accident. A friend was looking to upgrade from her small, 15-year-old motorhome to something larger; I had become fascinated by her tales of adventure, and when she mentioned that “Gertie” was for sale, I ended up buying the rig.
Once the initial thrill of having a cozy home away from home had worn off, I began to notice things that could be improved. After leaving my gas cap behind at a filling station, I made a simple wire gas cap holder so I’d have a place to put it while filling up. Then I worked on organizing Gertie’s storage space. I added a few halogen interior lights. It seemed there was always something more to do.
And I took photos, at first mainly to show my friends the enhancements I was making. But pretty soon I realized that I had the makings of a website, which I called “Improving Gertie.” I started getting a lot of compliments on the site. Complete strangers would email me to say things like “You have a well written, interesting site... Any wannabe, newbie or someone wanting fresh ideas (‘RVing 101’) should read ‘Improving Gertie.’ ”
The email that really caught my eye, though, was this one: “Have you thought about getting ‘Improving Gertie’ published in book form? I think it would be a great read, and a help to anyone thinking about RVing.” That set me thinking... and writing. I ended up expanding the “Improving Gertie” website into an electronic book with more than three times the material, covering everything from “home improvements” of all kinds to safety tips. I called it “Eureka! Bright Ideas for Your RV,” and it’s now in its second edition.
What is Eureka?
Over the years I’ve done a lot of tinkering with my rigs, and I’m always looking for ways to make them better—more comfortable, more space-efficient, more home-like. Eureka is a cornucopia of hints, tips, and projects based on my experiences. Everything from how to shower with less than a gallon of water... to plans for making a quilt that turns into a pillow... to ten useful things you can make with coat hanger wire... with more than 800 photos and illustrations showing how to put Eureka’s ideas into practice. But heck, why just talk about it? Here are a few quick examples.
The school of hard knocks
Here's a true story. When I was one year old, I fell down a flight of cast-iron stairs at Harvard's Museum of Comparative Zoology and landed on my head. Some of my friends would say that this explains a lot. It may account for the fact that I can't seem to see a shiny silver awning strut until I walk right into it.
Well, I'm not completely stupid. After a few bruises and a lot of embarrassment, I got the bright idea of slitting a couple of foam swim noodles lengthwise and slipping one over each awning strut. Now the struts are not only visible, but padded. No more black eyes!
Another tip: if your dinette table, like mine, has a leg that sticks out, you can cut off six inches or so of the swim noodle and put it on the bottom of the leg, where it'll keep you from stubbing your toes.
A stretchy solution
The small items in my medicine cabinet tended to wind up in a jumbled heap. Here's what I mean:
So I stapled a strip of 1"-wide elastic across that area, and now everything is nice and neat!
The first time I tried this, I put the elastic halfway up the space... but then discovered that it was difficult to remove or replace the items. Keeping it low (about an inch above the shelf) worked much better.
Turn up the pressure!
My old rig’s shower spray was a bit anemic, which made showering less enjoyable, not to mention taking longer. But I came up with a simple fix: plug half the showerhead's holes, and the flow from the remaining holes is twice as strong. I tested the idea first with tape, and it worked... so I laid a bead of epoxy glue around the outer set of holes, giving me a much more vigorous spray at the same water-saving flow rate.
Sleep cheap
Many RVers use the Travasak “sleep sack”, a sleeping-bag-like pair of comforters with a removable bedsheet insert. It’s nice, but pricey at $150 to $230. I made my own sleep sack from a couple of sleeping bags and a couple of twin-sized bedsheets—an easy job for anyone with access to a sewing machine. Eureka includes my plans for making your own under-$60 sleep sack.
Doorstops in the cupboard?
Yup! In my kitchen cupboards I use doorstops—the kind that resemble tightly coiled springs—mounted upside-down on the cabinet shelves. They keep the stacks of dishes from sliding around, yet still make it easy to pull them out.
There’s more to Eureka than quick tips, of course. Full-length illustrated chapters cover topics such as understanding and troubleshooting your electrical system without being a technical wizard, connecting to the internet while on the road, keeping your refrigerator cool, building a pantry closet, and making the most of your limited storage space (I have lots of tips on that topic!). For example, here’s a link to Eureka’s complete chapter on electronic books and ebook readers—an increasingly popular way to save space and weight while traveling.
The best part of putting together Eureka has been the enthusiastic response from folks who’ve bought it. Comments have ranged from “Wow, what a gold mine!” to “A must for everyone with an RV” to my favorite: “Eureka is the best money I have ever spent.” No matter what kind of RV you own, you can pick up some bright ideas from Eureka. To get an idea of the book’s scope, you can take a look at the complete index or visit the Eureka homepage for more information.
Andy Baird was plodding along at a desk job, convinced that he couldn't afford to retire... until a friend introduced him to RVing, and he learned that as a full-time RVer, he could retire and live comfortably on a fraction of his salary. Since then he’s traveled over much of the US, and has written several books and many articles about his adventures. You can read about his experiences on his “Travels With Andy” website.
Family Boondocking in Quartzsite
Since several of you have requested RV destination posts that are written with the family in mind, today we bring you a post about family RVing in Quartzsite by Erin Provost, a mother of three who blogs at Provost Recess. We have many blog posts to come including another post in the RVing with Kids series about the National Parks Jr. Ranger program, reviews of the new Eddie Bauer Airstream from four RV bloggers with Airstreams, a post about RVing in Hot Springs Arkansas and more. Since we've added an RSS feed button to the blog, so it will be easier to keep track of the great things to come.
When the price to park on 500 square feet of asphalt starts rivaling a perfectly decent hotel room it gives one pause. After all, with an RV we bring everything we need with us.
To us, one of the great joys of RVing is boondocking. A free place to park is a welcome perk. (Think great justification for a dinner out sometime.) So, it is no surprise that we love Quartzsite, Arizona: arguably the boondocking capital of the world.
We have not visited during the main season, we prefer the off-season lack of crowd thing, but if you like flea markets Quartzsite’s reputation is unsurpassed.
There are different areas with different options. Knowing how long you will be staying and what amenities you will need can help you choose what works best for you. We have always been passing through and have planned to be completely self sufficient allowing for more seclusion. Therefore, we have always opted for the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land.
Our last visit we did have a hard time finding a place to dump when we were leaving town. In retrospect, we might opt for paying a $40 fee to one of the gated parks which would give us access to their dump for up to two weeks and still used the BLM camping area.
There are 5 BLM areas; we use the Roadrunner area which is on the 95, 5 miles south of Quartzsite at mile marker 99. It is on the west side of the 95.
When you pull off you enter a web of primitive roads, I uses the term road loosely here, that go in all directions. It can be daunting, at first, and I recommend arriving before sunset. Something we failed to do on our first visit. It turns out my husband finds it easier to avoid cactus, yucca, rocks and deep ruts when he can see.
Deciding where to park is a big decision. One certainly doesn’t want to park on top of another camper, but people’s space bubbles are all unique. Our loose rule of thumb is we want to be far enough away that we could leave our curtains open and not be observed. We don’t actually do this, but we like to know we could. No one wants to be on the wrong side of a fish bowl.
We find a place to park, not too close to any neighbors, and before we cool the engine the kids are out the door, running in a large circle hooting and hollering. Why? Because they can, and really, how often does this opportunity present itself anymore? Nobody is pulling into a KOA and behaving like this…. well, we certainly don’t allow it so the kids relish this opportunity!
Quartzsite is back to camping basics. Our perfect evening proceeds with dinner, a desert sunset (providing you have followed my prior advice,) a campfire (with your favorite associated activities,) and star-gazing (though not pitch black, compared to any city the stargazing is breathtaking. Our kids now understand why our galaxy is called the Milky Way.)
Board games, good books, long conversations, baking, long intricate games of pretend, there are so many ways to spend time when there is no where to rush off to. These make for the kinds of evenings memories are made of.
Fresh desert air and quiet cool nights make for good sound sleeping which in turn allows for my favorite aspect of Quartzsite; the desert sunrise. My daughter may rival me as the family’s biggest fan and the budding photographer and her trusty assistant were brave enough to be out in robes to capture the magnificent spectacle. Even my sleep-loving husband couldn’t resist the kids’ enthusiasm and braved the morning chill to get their pictures. After I provided the hats, mittens, and warm pumpkin tea of course.
I kindly volunteered to stay with our sleepyhead little one (you know, under the down comforter) and take my view from the window. She joined me eventually.
You can get your magic in so many ways and we found a little piece in Quartzsite.
Erin Provost is a wife and mommy to three. After living at the same address for 6 years, longer than she has ever lived at any single address her entire life, she decided it was time for a break, a recess if you will. As gypsies do attract, her crazy husband and kids completely agreed. They sold everything, fixed up a 1975 Newell and set off. You can follow their adventure at www.provostrecess.blogspot.com.
Entertaining the Kids on the Road & Staying On Budget
Today's guest blog post comes from Melanie Toast of Travel Toast who has a lot of great ideas about free and inexpensive ways to entertain kids on the road. Some things to come are a post about the Eddie Bauer Airstream from the point of view of Airstreamers and a post about where to park your rig for the Oaklawn races.
Let’s face it: RVing isn’t always the cheapest way to get around. Once you pay for gas, RV parks and propane, you might not have a lot left in your budget for entertaining the kids. The good news is that you’re RVing to show them something other than a video game or the latest Toy Story movie. You have the whole world on your doorstep and you want to create memories experiencing it with them! And with some creativity and planning, you can take advantage of it without going broke.
Here are some ideas we implement regularly to keep our crew of four kids adequately amused during our long treks across the U.S.
When You’re Stuck in the Car
When the kids are stuck in their seats traveling for several hours, it might be tempting to buy up the latest DVDs to keep them amused during the drive. You don’t have to buy out the store for fear the kids will get bored. We try to give homage to the traditional activities families used to engage in, like singing songs, pointing out interesting views and topography, reading books (individually) and sketching pictures. After driving around 30,000 miles so far this past year, we have yet to watch a movie in the truck. I do understand that there are times when you may want everyone to zone out. If that’s the case, we reach for an audio book. We have turned to audio books many times, listening to classics like Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island, Heidi and Alice in Wonderland. It’s entertaining and educational. Best of all, the best books are completely free to download to your iTunes or as an MP3 file. Here’s my favorite free audio book download site: www.booksshouldbefree.com
Park Memberships
You will most likely be close to a National Park no matter where you are in the U.S. If you buy the year pass (around $80 for the whole family) you can save a bundle and go as often as you like. When we visited Yellowstone, we drove in and out several times during a week. Just that trip alone saved us money. You can buy the membership here or at the entrance to any National Park.
Our other favorite membership is an annual membership to the North Carolina Zoo and Aquarium. For less than $80 bucks, you can access almost every zoo and aquarium (and some science centers) in the U.S. for free or at a big discount. If you’re not on the road fulltime, check out the benefits of joining your local zoo and see if a membership will give you the same benefits. Otherwise, you can easily joining the NC Zoo at this link. You can check out the local wildlife which is an excellent way to get to know a state.
Free Museums
Bigger cities may offer “free days” for their major museums downtown. For example, Chicago has several museums with free days, usually on a Thursday. If you’re near a city, call the local tourism bureau and ask about freebies.
Libraries are Everywhere!
You may not be able to get a membership if you’re just passing through, but you can still have plenty of fun at the local library of the town you’re visiting. Many libraries offer free puppet shows and craft events that do not require a membership. Plus you can get in some reading time to boot! Go online and do a search for “library” plus the name of your city. Many post calendars with upcoming events.
Sports and Fun at the Local Park
We always travel with our tennis rackets and tennis balls looking for an opportunity to check out the local courts. It’s great to have a family sport that you all enjoy. You could keep a basketball with you or a soccer ball as well.
Aside from sports, local parks are fun to check out, and many have free treasures you won’t want to miss. We just spent some time in Nashville where we saw the replica of the Greek Parthenon at the city park. We didn’t pay for the ticket to go inside, but walking and climbing around the grand building was great fun in itself!
Bikes & Scooters are a Must
Kids love their bikes and scooters. Bring them with you and let them ride around the RV park and bring back stories of all the wild things they see. (Once my son came back shouting, “Dad, I saw a trailer dump its sewage all over the road!”) For some reason, if your kids are on a bike, it’s more thrilling to them than just walking around. Plus, if you bring your own, you can find a local bike path and have a family outing.
Games That Don’t Involve Staring at a Television or Computer
I’m talking Monopoly, Risk, Sorry and even Texas Hold ‘em. Our six-year-old is so good at Poker now, I’m thinking of taking her to Las Vegas when she turns 21 so she can pay for a new fifth wheel (after she and her siblings destroy our current one!). Games are fun, especially when you’re looking back at each other from across a table. You can find a bunch at garage sales or eBay for next to nothing. Plan a game night once a week and try to stick to one game at a time until everyone masters it. It’s an investment, but so
worth the memories. (Plus it’s free!)
Okay, Watching a Movie Once in a While Is Not a Sin
Especially if it’s cheap! Since you’re on the road, renting movies from Red Box is a great convenience and very reasonable at only $1 per night. You can find them at most Wal-Marts, Wal-Greens, and many McDonald’s, and you don’t need a membership. If you really want to save a buck, sign up with them online for freebies and you can get a code emailed to you each week, good for a free rental. You can also use their website to locate a Red Box near you and even reserve a movie at a specific location. Check them out here: www.redbox.com
For more tricks and tips, or to see what we’re up to, check out our website at www.TravelToast.com
Snowbirding: Across the Generations
Since snowbirding season is still in full swing, we bring you another snowbirding post. This time, Marty and Patsy Martin from Napkin Dreams tell us about snowbirding from a family perspective and give advice to other RVing parents trying to navigate their way through snowbirding season. We have several great blog posts coming up, including a post about the junior ranger program mentioned in this post.
When the average 40 year old thinks of RVing in Arizona in the winter, he probably conjures up thoughts of retirement and the golden years. You know, traveling around to the south with a little bitty dog and plenty of free time. That would be the normal picture.
Our family has never chosen the normal route.
We didn’t want to wait for our retirement years to travel this great country. We wanted to make memories with our kids. We wanted to enhance their education by living history and experiencing science. We wanted to enjoy traveling today because there are no guarantees for tomorrow. So with the ability to work from anywhere, we loaded up our newly christened RV Howard, laid out a rough travel plan and headed out on a two year adventure with our five boys and python snake.
That’s right, five boys, dad, mom and a snake in a 32-foot recreational vehicle! Some may call us loony, but we actually like each other and like being together, so it’s working out pretty good four months into the venture. Naturally part of the plan was spending the winter months in the warm states and the summer months up north. This fall went fairly smooth as we visited Missouri, Oklahoma and Kansas. The campgrounds and parks were quiet during the weekdays and full of activity during the weekends.
Then we moved a little farther south and hit snowbird time and territory. We have spent the last two months in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. All in all we have had a very positive experience mingling with the retired set. There have been some pitfalls but numerous good points of RVing during the height of Snowbird season. And I think it is safe to say that, for the most part, we have enjoyed it. But we have had to make a few adjustments.
First the challenges: The biggest challenge is finding an RV park that accepts children.
Actually many parks say 55+, so even my wife and I don’t fit the criteria. And often, it is hard to identify the parks that only accept seniors. There is nothing more embarrassing than driving into a park, registering, and then be told we can’t stay once they find out we have children. Some areas are far more difficult to find RV parks that accept families than others. By far the most difficult locality to find a place to stay that we have encountered is the Phoenix and Tucson areas. We found southeast Texas parks to be very inclusive of families. In fact, we didn’t find any RV parks that had a problem with children. It was a little surprising to us to find ourselves having such a hard time in New Mexico and even worse in Arizona.
Now I understand why some parks and also their patrons want this type of exclusivity. There has been a time or two when we have been parked next to a pile of obnoxious kids who were loud, bullies, destructive or in short just plain and simple problem children. Most families do a good job of keeping their kids in hand, but the frightful few hurt the rest of us. Of course even the best behaved kids can have bad days and melt downs, so I could never guarantee that my own five wouldn’t be disruptive in these quiet little RV parks. So far though, we have had no complaints!
In light of this issue we have boondocked in a few places, but this leads to another issue. Several places along the road we have found Wal-Marts that posted signs reading “No overnight parking.” I wonder if this is because of pressure from local RV parks? So what is a family to do? Unwelcome in the RV park and at Wal-Mart? Research has been our answer. For this internet access is a must. We have been able to find family-friendly RV parks in most major towns after a lot of research on websites.
Our second challenge – cost.
Many parks that can easily fill up during snowbird season, do not accept the half-priced club we belong to, so we have paid quite a bit more in staying at these parks then we were accustomed too. I suppose if we had decided to winter up in the north we wouldn’t have this problem, but aren’t willing to make quite that much of a concession for a saving a few bucks.
Our third small challenge (which hasn’t been a big deal for us) is dining out.
When staying in Branson, at the beginning of our adventure, we spoke with a nice retired gentleman who gave us some helpful hints. One of his hints involved the “Blue Hairs” as he called his flock. “When you are in Mesa and other such points this winter, wait to go out to dinner until about 6:30. Us "Blue Hairs" like to eat at 4:00 pm and you’ll never get a seat for a big family until later.” Since we don’t frequent restaurants all that often this hasn’t proved to be a huge issue for us. But it is definitely something to think about when you are planning to eat out.
Now, the benefits of RVing during the winter season are almost as numerous as the challenges.
Benefit - Our kids seem to find foster grandparents everywhere
We have thoroughly enjoyed hobnobbing with the snowbirds. The biggest benefit is that our kids seem to find foster grandparents everywhere. While we were in Corpus Christi over Christmas, our kids were fussed over and even given special gifts.
On Christmas Eve we all went to a Christmas Karaoke being held at the RV Park’s Community Hall. All of our kids were asked to come up front and sing along with the microphones. Then they were given roaring applause and hugs from the retirees in attendance. Even our teenager enjoyed the attention and gave some bows, hamming it up as usual.
One of the retired couples told our boys that if they were really good on Christmas Eve, Santa could make it snow sand dollars. It was with wonder-filled eyes that our sons opened the blinds on Christmas morning and found sand dollars hanging all over our tented dining area outside the RV. Those sand dollars are now a cherished Christmas ornament and will probably be a memory that we will re-tell every year throughout our son’s lives.
Our children are always greeting and meeting the four-legged “children” of the snowbirds, which is usually fun for both ends of the generational spectrum! Even on tours and sites, the retirees have been very friendly and effusive in their attention to our kids, making them feel welcome and special.
Benefit - Offseason travel leads to relative lack of crowds
One of the other benefits of visiting sites like the USS Lexington in Corpus Christi or Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico during offseason is the relative lack of crowds. It’s been wonderful to roam around sites like these and be able to learn about them without crowds pushing and jostling each other to get a better view. There are even fewer crowds at activities like the junior ranger programs and swimming at the beach! Most of the park rangers at national parks have given our kids an amazing amount of personal attention, answering all their questions and sharing their knowledge with our kids. In fact, we have tried to make sure that we take our sons to most of these places when other families have their children in school.
Benefit - Escaping cold weather reports
Of course, the biggest benefit of RVing in the south during Snowbird season is that we can sit back and smile as we listen to all the reports of cold weather, snowstorms and icy roads. It’s quite possible that our senior southern travelers have understood this all along. Once again, we find ourselves learning from our elders.
Where to Park Your Rig in the Sunshine State
The last time my husband and I spent a winter in Florida, we toggled between workamping and sightseeing. After we managed a pumpkin lot in South Florida for a couple of weeks, we spent some downtime lounging around an RV resort near Orlando. Then we headed back south for a month to manage a Christmas tree sales lot and wrapped up our Florida trip with an extended stay on the Gulf Coast. It was a great way to spend the winter because there was so much to see and do. With an abundance of sunshine, palm trees, activities and beautiful beaches, it’s pretty obvious why this state is a favorite among the Snowbird crowd. Whether you choose the Gulf Coast, the East Coast, or anywhere in between, there is no shortage of ideal locations to park your rig.
So, just where do you go once you hit the Sunshine State? It all depends on your RVing style. Looking for a ritzy crowd? You might like an upscale RV resort on the west coast in Naples. Love more of a laid back style? Check out the RV parks situated on the Gulf Coast in Florida’s panhandle. Nature lovers will enjoy one of the 50 glorious Florida State parks that have a campground. One such gem is Sebastian Inlet State Park located on Florida’s east coast about 15 miles south of Melbourne Beach. If wasting away in Margaritaville sounds more your speed, then make a beeline for the Florida Keys. And if entertainment options galore are what you seek, then check out the area surrounding Walt Disney World Resort. One of my favorite Florida RV resorts is located nearby. Encore’s Lake Magic RV Resort in Clermont has super spacious sites, two pools, tennis courts, and a clubhouse; just to name a few of the amenities. It’s proximity to my favorite amusement park seals the deal.
In fact, most of my favorite RV parks can be found within the Encore RV resort family and they are located all over the state of Florida. Their parks are full of amenities and many planned activities as well. Just visit their website, www.rvonthego.com, to find great daily and weekly specials at many of their resorts.
Guest Blogger Erin Lehn Floresca is the RV editor at BellaOnline.com. Visit rv.bellaonline.com for more information.
RVParking.com Picks
Miami - Miami Everglades Campground
"This park is great for quite, shade trees, walking, riding bikes, nice people, paved roads, pool and close to everything you need."
"Nice and quiet, friendly, well structured, shady places under trees.. One of the best places I have seen yet." Read more.
Naples - Lake San Marino RV Resort
"We found this park an absolute delight with many very friendly RV'ers. Tons of activities within the park, and a great location to get to shopping, restaurants, beach, etc." Read more.
Key Largo - Kings Kamp
"Beach access and beautiful mornings and evenings on the docks. Very helpful staff. I will stay again." Read more.
Bahia Honda Key - Bahia Honda State Park
"The most uplifting and amazing thing about the entire experience? The kids never complained once and still talk about their awesome camping trip." Read more.
Anastasia State Park in Saint Augustine, FL
Saint Augustine - Anastasia State Park
"This was a beautiful park: clean and very well maintained... Every site seemed to offer enough privacy and space, and there was a friendly, neighborly vibe. Within 10 minutes from the historic part of town, this park is ideally situated. From what I learned of other options in the area, this is definately the best place to stay."
"There are 2 sections to the park; we stayed in the Coquina loop, which is very shady and has secluded campsites. It is just a short walk to the ocean. There are sites very close to the ocean. The other loop is very open with only palm trees for 'shade'... We loved it here." Read more.
Orlando - Moss Park
"A charming natural oasis; hard to believe you are so close to Orlando's theme park mecca." Read more.
Clermont - Encore Lake Magic RV Resort
"The landscaping in the park is gorgeous, there are many amenities like tennis, swimming pools, clubhouse, etc. Each of the sites is wide and has enough lawn surrounding the sites to give lots of privacy." Read more.
Winter Garden - Winter Garden RV Resort
"The resort is one mile from one of the best bike trails in Florida and some of the best restaurants in the area. Two pools, a small fitness center, and a cypress-lined pond full of water fowl are resort highlights... Safe, friendly, and comfortable." Read more.
Sorrento - Wekiva Falls Resort
"Clean, friendly and the kids loved it!" Read more.
Ocala - Ocala RV Camp Resort
"This RV Park was nice ... Everyone was pleasant ... even the homeless dude that knocked on the door asking for money and stayed for dinner was nice." Read more.
Heated Pool at Ocala Sun RV Resort in Ocala, FL
Ocala Sun RV Resort
"Everyone was very friendly and accommodating... The laundry and showers are all newly renovated as is the recreation hall. There is always lots to do from bingo, cards, holiday meals, Saturday night entertainment and pool aerobics." Read more.
Tampa - Bay Bayou RV Resort
"This park was amazingly nice with security, ponds and a large enclosed dog run." Read more.
Arcadia - Riverside RV Resort
"Riverside RV Resort is one of the finest campgrounds for Snowbirds in Florida. The management, winter guests, employees, and activities are outstanding." Read more.
Perdido Cove RV Resort & Marina in Pensacola, FL
"It is new and all facilities are current and well maintained. Having Marina sites is interesting and the shoreside sites give a great view of the intercoastal waterway. We found this to be a very nice resort. We would go back." Read more.
Fort Myers Beach - Red Coconut RV Resort on the Beach
"Very nice beach front site with very clean washrooms and showers."
"Friendly staff and everything is in good shape. Not the cheapest campground but worth the money, only downside is that Wifi is not free of charge." Read more.
Destin RV Online in Destin, FL - accomodates big rigs & tows
Destin - Destin RV Online
"Great tropical setting with extra large rear patios." Read more.
Snowmads
snowbird (noun): one who travels to warm climates for the winter
Everyone pays attention to the weather. Some go to the trouble to complain when it's bad. Like birds, some folks even migrate, spending summer wherever they call 'home' and moving south to better weather in winter.
Not many are willing to travel constantly in search of only the finest weather.
I can't help myself. I hate the heat. Um, and the cold.
Being born in Wisconsin, it's not that I can't deal with cold. Twice during my first 10 years we dealt with a temperature of -42F. For those of you keeping score, that's only -41C, since the two scales merge at -40. On any scale, it's cold.
Heat? I've coped with heat. Seven years of the dry heat of Sacramento, reaching 115 some summers, and 110 nearly all of them. But then, that's a dry heat, as everyone seems to love to say. I also endured seven years of Texas heat; days of 110 degrees and, literally, 100% humidity. The air is holding as much moisture as it possibly can; if there were any more moisture it would have to take a rain check. If you don't have air conditioning, you lay around gasping like you're a fish. Which, considering the air's water content, might not be a bad idea.
I've known people who thrived on extreme heat. I've known people who, given the choice, moved from San Diego, California, to northern Wisconsin. (Hi, Mom!)
Not me.
Humans spend an enormous amount of time and money creating living spaces to protect us from extreme weather. During our seven years in Roseville, a suburb of Sacramento, we dealt with months where we were sealed up in the house to prevent the furniture from melting. I've watched folks in colder places huddle by the fire, praying for summer.
Not me.
Those months in the airtight chambers of our house drove Best Beloved and I mad. We love air; space; light; room to move. More specifically, we love fresh air at a temperature fit for breathing. We love light that gently warms, not fiercely scorches.
We like a roof over our head, but otherwise, we'd sorta like living outdoors. We're determined to be where the weather invites rather than punishes.
Some of you will now point out that we used to live in San Diego, and we left. Doesn't southern California have perfect weather all the time?
Well, no; it doesn't. San Diegans all know about 'June gloom'; the marine layer of clouds that hangs like a pall over the coastal plain for the early summer. You can go days without seeing the sun. It doesn't rain; that would damage San Diego's status as a desert. (Note: the largest desert in the world is not the Sahara, as many believe, but the Great Southwestern Desert of the United States; start from the southwest corner and expand, oh, a lot; it's all desert, with less than 10" of rainfall a year, and in some years, no measurable rainfall at all.)
If you average San Diego's temperatures year 'round, it's not bad. But we don't live by averages, we live day by day. Knowing that the humid 87-degree day in August is balanced by the cold wet 53-degree spring day doesn't improve either of them.
No, I want great weather, outdoor weather, writing-in-a-lawn-chair weather all the time.
So, we're nomads.
Best Beloved and I packed up our Little One and our laptops and took to the road, working as unpaid house sitters, staying with friends, working anywhere there's an internet connection. We're not RVers; we're just nomads. We don't take our home with us; we find a new one as often as necessary.
House sitting means we go where someone is taking a vacation. When we first discussed it, folks suggested we'd be getting the worst weather all the time, since vacations tend to be time away from the bad weather. (Some new friends who live in Wisconsin take a week in Hawaii or California every winter just to break the frigid monotony.)
Yes, you might expect that we'd be settling for the worst weather wherever we house sit, while our hosts are off basking in perfection.
That's not how I roll. When I make a plan, I shoot for the moon. I'll settle for landing in the stars, but I don't aim for almost what I want.
I mentioned the heat in Sacramento; August is excruciating. Vancouver, BC, Canada, on the other hand, tends toward 73 degrees, which is not bad at all (and 40 degrees lower than Sacramento.)
Guess where we spent August this year? Three weeks in a gorgeous restored Victorian in a suburb of Vancouver, away from the heat of Sacramento.
Pioneer RV Park in Phoenix, AZ
We're hoping to spend two months of summer in Albuquerque, up in the foothills. A little warmer than perfect, but certainly not Texas or Sacramento. We'll be spending January and February in Phoenix, Arizona. We are not likely to either overheat or freeze.
We spent a month in Quebec, just east of Montreal, this fall. Glorious fall colors, brisk but beautiful weather. It snowed one night. We threw snow balls. It had the decency to melt away like a happy dream before we had to drive that afternoon, which we did on dry clear roads.
It takes adjusting, and we don't always hit it right. Our latest visit with my Mom was nearly a weather faux pas. The last three days it snowed, and the temperature dropped to preposterous single-digit numbers. Though Sioux Falls, South Dakota was next on our itinerary, we bagged it and headed south to Kansas City. Though the wind blew like a freight train all the way across Kansas to Denver, the sun was warm and pleasant. In the past couple weeks, we've rarely had weather requiring either shorts or heavy jackets. I aim to keep it that way.
I'm writing this in San Diego. The day we arrived, it was 87 degrees. Then it was 73 degrees. Today, it's supposed to be 62 degrees. Tomorrow, it's supposed to rain.
I can't wait to get out of this perfect (on average) weather for someplace, well, less average.
Joel D Canfield is a business author who, with his Best Beloved Sue, trains virtual workers to turn their existing skills into truly portable businesses. When they're done seeing the rest of the world they plan to settle in the west of Ireland, where, like Solla Sollew, the weather is Goldilocks-approved year 'round.
RVParking.com Picks for Locations Mentioned in this Post
Sacramento West/Old Town KOA, West Sacramento CA
"Nice enough park just outside the city limits." Read more.
Enchanted Trails RV Park & Trading Post, Albuquerque, NM
"Not a bad place to stay if you don't mind being near the freeway and 8miles from downtown. Management is friendly, sites are level and the facilities are clean (although the hot tub was broken when we visited)." Read more.
Phoenix-Metro RV Park, Phoenix, AZ
"Small park...great customer service...very friendly...nice outdoor pool and hot tub...nice and clean restrooms/showers and laundry facilities." Read more.
Pioneer RV Park, Phoenix, AZ
"With over 500 sites, most are seasonal and/or monthly but they have many that are dedicated to the daily and weekly rentals that are level, long pull through sites for the every size rig. A very accommodating and friendly staff. Nice size laundry facilities and restrooms/showers that are kept very clean. The activity center has something going on all the time and so many things to do, you could never get bored around here." Read more.
Snowbirding in the Southwest Desert
Once a year the Southwest Desert undergoes a magical transformation. The hot, forbidding oven of summer fades away and morphs like a butterfly into a balmy, inviting and almost weather-perfect destination. Endless days of sun, dry air, moderate temperatures and lots of open space make it an irresistible draw for snowbirds and RVers looking to escape the frozen North. With over 55 million acres of gorgeous desert stretching from California to Arizona there’s something for everyone here, from resort-style camping to laid-back parks and alternative “boondocking” (camping on public land without hook-ups).
The “beast” boondocking in Quartzite, AZ (Apr, 2010)
In Arizona, Mesa, Quartzsite and Yuma are the big favorites. Yuma is tucked in the far Southwest corner of the State and offers some of Arizona’s warmest weather, averaging in the mid 70’s in winter. It has over 60 RV resorts, several popular boondocking locations (including the gorgeous Imperial Dam which spills into CA) combined with a plethora of outdoor, cultural and community activities. Further North, Quartzsite is an iconic boondocking location which transforms from a dusty desert town of only a few thousand in summer to a teeming mass of hundreds of thousands RVers in winter complete with swap meets, gem shows and crafts. For $180 and a self-sufficient attitude you can stay up to 7-months in the LTVA (Long-term Visitor Area), quite the deal. A step further East the Mesa and Apache Junction areas welcome over 300,000 winter visitors and cater to RVers looking for both good winter weather and city amenities. In-between there are plenty of other beautiful spots from the red rocks of Sedona in the North to the low desert of Fort Mohave in the East.
Moving over to California opens up hundreds of additional RV locations. For resort-style camping snowbirds flock to the popular desert towns of the Coachella Valley including Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, Indio, Thousand Palms, Rancho Mirage, and La Quinta. Beautifully located in desert valley, surrounded by mountains and bounded by the gorgeous Joshua Tree on one side and ritzy Palm Springs on the other this is a place where you can play a game of golf on a world-class course in the morning, soak in a mineral hot-tub in the afternoon and go out for a night on the town all in the same day. Further West and with a more rural feel, Hemet in the San Jacinto Valley is another popular snowbird location with multiple RV resorts. And finally, for the hard-core boondockers “The Slabs” in Niland (Mojave Desert) is an ex-military base turned free RV parking destination and location of the famous Salvation Mountain.
Overall the southwestern desert is a place of many faces, and snowbirds flock to all of them. Prices in winter can vary anywhere from $700/month in a ritzy RV resort to absolutely free in The Slabs with every possibility in-between and the season stretches from late October until the desert flowers bloom in April. If you like dry, warm weather almost nowhere else compares and with all that space, you can really spread your snowbird wings and fly.
My Picks
Desert Hot Springs
Sam’s Family Spa: This is a quirky little park just a little out of town with the bonus of 4 on-site hot mineral baths. It’s not fancy, but is a great location to explore the area and come homefor a warm soak. Good monthly rates. http://www.samsfamilyspa.com/
What Other Reviewers Say
"It's definately a desert environment (not like Palm Springs, with an absurd display of grass), but Sam's does a really great job with their mineral spring baths and swimming pool area. The central area is beautifully landscaped with palm trees, grassy picnic areas, and a pond stocked with fish and lots of birds." Read more
Borrego Springs
The Springs at Borrego RV Resort and Golf Club – For those looking for a bit of luxury in the desert this is the place to be. Full amenities, pool, mineral spas and even wine tasting in the cute little desert town of Borrego Springs.. http://www.springsatborrego.com/
Quartzite
Boondocking in BLM land – If you’re looking for the “classic” Quartzite experience join the hundreds of thousands of boondockers that flock to BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land each year. In LVTA (Long-Term Visitor Area) spots such as La Posa and Tyson Wash you can camp for extended periods for a very small fee. On non-LVTA BLM land youcan camp for 14-days at a time for free.
http://www.quartzsitebusinesschamber.com/images/map.pdf
Yuma
Cocopah RV and Golf Resort – For those looking for a first class parkthis is the place to be. Located right next to a golf course with gorgeous views of the mountains and even a 2.5 acre dog-run on site. http://www.cocopahrv.com/
Boondocking in BLM land – For those seeking a more natural and“out there” experience there are several popular BLM sites in Yuma.Imperial Dam and Pilot Knob are both LVTA areas where youcan camp for extended periods for a very small fee.
http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/elcentro/recreation/ltvas/pilot_knob.html
http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/prog/recreation/camping/LTVA/imperial.html
Mesa
Mesa Spirit RV Resort – A long-time favorite with 55+ snowbirds becauseof it’s proximity to town and winter activities. Within 10 mins of everything. http://www.mesaspirit.com/
Other RVParking.com Picks
Arizona
Yuma
Yuma Lakes Resort "The staff was friendly, the facilities were clean and kept, power and utilities were sufficient. No problems, really smooth and pleasant trip for us." Read more.
Mesa
Towerpoint RV Resort - "Activities were abundant and the pools were absolutely great... If we were to ever settle down, which we do not ever plan to, but if we ever did, this would be one of our top choices to settle in." Read more.
Goodyear
Cotton Lane RV Resort - "This may end up being our new park to stay while in the Phoenix area…it is owned by the same owners as the Pioneer RV Park that we usually stay at but this one is located much closer to PIR." Read More.
Bullhead City
Ridgeview RV Resort - "The people were very friendly, both the workers and the guests and it looked as if their rules were enforced, we never seen a dog without a leash and owners were picking up after them."
"The staff is extremely accomodating and very helpful." Read more.
Lake Havasu City
Lake Havasu RV Park - "With security everywhere, quiet, dark and very peaceful which made it great for a good nights sleep." Read more.
Phoenix
Phoenix-Metro RV Park - "Small park...great customer service...very friendly...nice outdoor pool and hot tub...nice and clean restrooms/showers and laundry facilities." Read more.
Pioneer RV Park - "With over 500 sites, most are seasonal and/or monthly but they have many that are dedicated to the daily and weekly rentals that are level, long pull through sites for the every size rig. A very accommodating and friendly staff. Nice size laundry facilities and restrooms/showers that are kept very clean. The activity center has something going on all the time and so many things to do, you could never get bored around here." Read more.
Tucson
Beaudry RV Resort - "Just about the only decent choice in the Tucson area that isn't full of permanent renters, park models or age restricted." Read more.
Agave Gulch FamCamp - "Very clean park, new updated bathrooms, a little street noise in the early morning by the spots backing up to the gate that opens at 5:30am, but not too bad... Activities planned, great gym & indoor lap pool. Sites were level - on rocks, easy hookups, plenty of room not to make you feel too cramped. No cable tv, wifi is good." Read more.
Sedona
Rancho Sedona RV Park - "Kids loved the creek and wild animals. We loved the trees and quiet location." Read more.
Ehrenberg
Colorado River Oasis RV Resort - "Doing our laundry was the best we have done…a lounge area where we were able to watch the Busch Race and I was able to work on a puzzle…time just flew by doing our wash." Read more.
Mohave Valley
Spirit Mountain RV Park "Huge sites…nice and clean restrooms/showers with nice layout with shower door locks…Laundromat was located right on premises…car wash next door with stalls big enough for RV’s" Read more.
Parker
River Island State Park - "It is nestled between the mountains with spectacular views right on the Colorado River and has a very sereneness about it." Read more.
California
Desert Hot Springs
Caliente Springs RV and Golf Resort "I would have given it a 5 if the streets weren't so narrow for back in's." Read more.
South Lake Tahoe
Campground by the Lake - "The spots are pretty large, but there is little distinction between the sites. The bathrooms were well maintained. The onsite hosts were super friendly and helpful." Read more.
Yermo
Barstow/Calico KOA - "The store carried many convenient supplies and souvenirs with a very helpful staff that also offered a free shuttle to Calico Ghost Town." Read more.
Nina Fussing is a blogger, writer of tales, animal lover, outdoor enthusiast and photographer. Together with her hubby they both left stressful jobs in the semiconductor industry for the dream of becoming full-time RVers and leading an alternative life. Join them in their travels with RV tips and tales at http://wheelingit.wordpress.com/.
San Antonio: Home of the Alamo and Spirit of Texas
Today's guest blog post comes from Betty Barnes, who some of you may remember from her great post about HughesNet back in September. Since she is a native Texan who has been attending RV rallies since she was a little girl, she's the perfect person to give an RVing overview of San Antonio.
When you think of San Antonio, Texas, what image comes to you? If you are like so many others, it is the Alamo, a hallowed symbol of Texan independence and spirit. Indeed, the Alamo is on my list of “must-see” places in the area, especially if you are visiting San Antonio for the first time. There are, of course, so many other places of interest and activities for all ages in and around “The River City.” Located in what one might consider as the heart of Texas, San Antonio is a crossroads of Interstates 10 and 35. The River City lies on the border of the Texas Hill Country and is an easy drive to Austin for exploring the capitol of Texas. The summers are typically Texan – hot! The winters can be pleasant, and the area is popular for migrating snowbirds seeking temperate climes during the cold months.
What Would You Like to Do?
Keeping in mind that I am a native Texan and therefore somewhat prejudiced (she says with a grin), some of my favorite spots in San Antonio include:
- The Alamo: This Texas shrine is located right in the middle of downtown San Antonio. Epitomizing the spirit of independence, honor, bravery and strength that I like to think all native Texans share to this day, the Alamo sees more than 2.5 million visitors annually. Although small by comparison to other historical sites at only 4.2 acres, one can almost feel the spirits of those who defended our state which was at one time its own country.
- San Antonio River Walk: Descend from the busy streets of downtown into the soothing realm of the River Walk. Stroll along the stones, browse through the shops, stop at a cafe or pub and watch the river taxis cruise as you dine on delicious Mexican food or sip a cool beverage of your choice. Why not even book a ride on a river taxi and soak in the sights and history of downtown San Antonio from a new perspective? Refreshing in the summer, definitely take a jacket with you during the winter months as you explore all that the River Walk has to offer.
- Casa Rio: Aah . . . Casa Rio! Growing up in Texas, you come to realize that you just cannot get “real” Mexican food once you leave the Lone Star State. Sitting here in South Carolina and talking to you about Casa Rio, well, shall we say it fills me with a longing for all those yummy dishes! Casa Rio opened its doors in 1946 on the River Walk, and my first memories of this renowned eatery are those of a child. My first visit was not in 1946, but it was many years ago. This is “the” place not only for a true meal of the region but to experience River Walk dining at its utmost. Go early for lunch or dinner, as it is very popular!
- San Antonio Zoo: My first visits to the San Antonio Zoo began in childhood and have continued through my adult years. Naturally, as a kid I gazed in wonder at all the exotic animals and enjoyed the exhibits specifically targeted for young folks. As an adult, I stroll through the extensive grounds with camera at the ready, looking for “the shot.” It is also fun to watch little ones perhaps seeing an elephant for the first time or munching down on a hot with much relish – both the condiment and the enjoyment!
- Japanese Tea Garden: Reopened in 2008 after extensive renovation, this oasis is located in Breckenridge Park, a short walk from the San Antonio Zoo.
- The Mission Trail: Five missions, including the Alamo, make up the Mission Trail. At least one of these missions still serves as an active parish with regular weekly services.
Also of note are SeaWorld, Fiesta Texas and HemisFair Park. HemisFair Park was built to host the 1968 World's Fair. (I was lucky enough to experience it as a kid during its heyday) and still attracts visitors with its Tower of the Americas and nearby museums.
Places to Land with Your Rig
Displaying the same diversity of San Antonio activities are one's choices in places to call home with your RV. As we all venture to different destinations with a variety of purposes and a mix of ages in our families, again, there is something for everyone! Below is a sampling:
Greentree Village North: Located at Exit 169 off Interstate 35 on O'Connor Road, this park has a variety of short and long-term residents. We stayed here in 2008 and found it to be a very comfortable location for taking in the sights of the city. Although not immediately downtown, the drive to The River Walk, Alamo and so forth was short, straightforward and easy to navigate. We enjoyed coming home to our campsite after a day of sightseeing and being away from the hustle and bustle of the downtown area. Would we return? You betcha! Read more on RVParking.com.
Admiralty RV Resort: According to their Web site, Admiralty offers shuttle service to Sea World, is located on the public bus system, and is 20 minutes from Fiesta Texas, the River Walk and the Alamo. I have not personally stayed at this park.
Travelers World RV Resort: This park on Roosevelt Avenue in San Antonio lists planned winter activities and location adjacent to a golf course for those of you desiring to tee off. Again, this is not a park I have personally visited.
Whatever your vision of a stay in San Antonio and no matter how much time you have to spend there, I am sure you will find a wealth of opportunities for fun, food and relaxation!
Betty Barnes is a nine-year cancer survivor, Reiki Master/Teacher, cyclist and drum circle facilitator. She and her husband Dave, originally from Scotland, began full-timing in their fifth wheel in June 2010, workamping as they travel the Lower 48. Betty's first RV experience was literally as a babe in arms over 50 years ago. She has camped under canvas, in a pop-up and travel trailers now a fifth wheel. Betty has seen much of Scotland, so now she and Dave are taking the opportunity to experience together the wonder and beauty of her native country. Betty maintains an active blog describing their adventures on the road at Phoenix Once Again. You are also invited to visit her Reiki Web presence here.
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