I’ve said it many times, don’t wait for the last minute to plan your camping trip, and don’t wait to make reservations because RV parks and campgrounds book quickly, especially for those holiday weekends. Well, I didn’t take my own advice – really I wasn’t given enough time, but either way you look at it, it didn’t work out well for my family.
We have a wedding on Labor Day weekend. I know, before you say it, a wedding on Labor Day weekend is unheard of, people just don’t get married on the last weekend of the summer and they don’t ask others to give up a grand and glorious long weekend. But it happened to us, so we tried to make the best of it and combine our wedding plans with the last long weekend of the summer and haul our RV to northern Michigan.
That plan, not such a good idea. Northern Michigan, a destination for thousands during the summer, is not an easy place to get an RV site for the weekend, any weekend, much less Labor Day weekend. I called all of them in the area we would be and I got the same answer from all of the park owners – “Sorry, we have no openings.”
I did have a glimmer of hope for a fleeting second. One park owner said she would know on Friday morning if she would have an open site. A young man was calling back to tell her for sure if he would take the sites he reserved. So, I hoped. But then she told me the “but.” The sites had no electricity. I, unfortunately, have not yet invested in a generator, so no electricity would not do. I kindly said thank you, but no thank you.
So, I wondered is this the way it is everywhere. I know in my own state of Indiana sites are difficult to come by, but we’ve found some. After making some calls, I find that it is typical; many park owners are having good seasons.
It seems there are many reasons, but people are still going camping, even though we’ve seen the numerous stories of RV manufacturers struggling, and some even closing their doors. But even though there may be fewer people buying new RVs, those of us who are using them do not seem to be dwindling. And let’s face it; it’s still a good idea.
To compare, even though our gas mileage when hauling our RV drops from an average of 16-17 mpg to 7-10 mpg, we take our own food and we rent a site for somewhere between $25-$45 a night. And, our fun is right there. We may do some activities around the campground, sightseeing and spending money, but we’ve really saved on our accommodations. We had to get a hotel room for our wedding excursion, and at a rate of $95, plus taxes and fees, and then eating out, we spent much more than the $250 in gas it would have taken us to go the distance and back.
Others have done the math and it seems that park owners are benefiting from that mathematical calculation. Talking to Klaas Bakker, owner of Lake in the Wood Campground in Narvan, Pa., he said his park has experienced a great summer.
“We’ve been full every weekend and we’re booked through Nov. 1,” he said Nov. 1 is the park’s last weekend of the season.
Bakker said his guests have come from all over the country and the world, with guests from Europe, as well. But he has run local ads about staying close to home and that has helped, as well. “People are more destination oriented,” he said. “We have lots of activities and are family oriented.”
Lake in the Wood added a theme this year and printed Gnome money for the park, and also has its Gnome Café. “We just made it fun,” Bakker said.
And that seems to be the consensus for the summer. Fun was in and campers and RVers were filling the parks in many areas of the country. While I wasn’t one of them for the last holiday weekend of the summer, I’m not done. My family loves late summer and fall camping and we’ll haul the rig a few more times, enjoying the crisp mornings that lead to hiking that sometimes doesn’t get done in the heat of summer, and cool nights with huge bonfires that seem more enjoyable when thwarting off the cold.
Enjoy!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Try RVing even before you purchase your own rig
During the Independence Day Weekend – known as the 4th of July to most – we camped in northern Michigan on the Manistee River, near my hometown. It was there that I saw a few young campers, reminding me of my husband and I when we started camping in tents. Some of them had tents, some popup campers and some with nothing at all. But they weren’t left out in the cold, they were in a cabin.
Like many RV parks and campgrounds, this park offers campers without the accessories – a popup camper, travel trailer, motorhome or even tent – to spend the weekend with their camping friends or on their own, enjoying the RV lifestyle with out the investment. The camping cabins or even RV rentals at many parks are rented to the user who then brings his own items for the weekend.
Some, like Sherwood Forest Camping & RV Park in the Wisconsin Dells, rent the camping cabin basic, leaving it up to the new “RVers” to bring all their needs for the weekend, week or even longer vacation. The camping cabin provides them with a place to sleep, relax, hold their bonfires and even watch TV or use their laptop computers, if they so desire. The weekend campers use the same restrooms and showers that are available to other RVers, but they don’t haul in their own RV or tent.
Others, like Camp Bell Campground in Campbell, NY, near Finger Lakes, offer a camping cabins or travel trailer rentals. Campers can really get an idea of what RVing is like, and dip their toe in the water so to speak, before buying an RV or their own.
And for those who truly enjoy pampering of sorts, Compton Ridge Campground in Branson, Mo., offers three types of camping cabins, including its luxury cabins that include a full kitchen with appliances, a bathroom with a shower, a screened porch, a fireplace and cable TV. They also offer two other cabins for those who prefer to “rough it” just a little more.
And whether they ever do buy an RV, the weekend rentals allow you to have a great RV vacation without buying the RV. It’s a nice way to introduce newcomers, or even those who make it one trip a year and don’t want to buy an RV, to enjoy the lifestyle.
Like many RV parks and campgrounds, this park offers campers without the accessories – a popup camper, travel trailer, motorhome or even tent – to spend the weekend with their camping friends or on their own, enjoying the RV lifestyle with out the investment. The camping cabins or even RV rentals at many parks are rented to the user who then brings his own items for the weekend.
Some, like Sherwood Forest Camping & RV Park in the Wisconsin Dells, rent the camping cabin basic, leaving it up to the new “RVers” to bring all their needs for the weekend, week or even longer vacation. The camping cabin provides them with a place to sleep, relax, hold their bonfires and even watch TV or use their laptop computers, if they so desire. The weekend campers use the same restrooms and showers that are available to other RVers, but they don’t haul in their own RV or tent.
Others, like Camp Bell Campground in Campbell, NY, near Finger Lakes, offer a camping cabins or travel trailer rentals. Campers can really get an idea of what RVing is like, and dip their toe in the water so to speak, before buying an RV or their own.
And for those who truly enjoy pampering of sorts, Compton Ridge Campground in Branson, Mo., offers three types of camping cabins, including its luxury cabins that include a full kitchen with appliances, a bathroom with a shower, a screened porch, a fireplace and cable TV. They also offer two other cabins for those who prefer to “rough it” just a little more.
And whether they ever do buy an RV, the weekend rentals allow you to have a great RV vacation without buying the RV. It’s a nice way to introduce newcomers, or even those who make it one trip a year and don’t want to buy an RV, to enjoy the lifestyle.
Monday, July 7, 2008
RVing a good way to vacation even in the current economy.
While the daily news continues to discuss the lagging economy and we’ve seen RV companies being impacted by slow sales, using the RV to travel is still a good deal, even with high gas prices.
With gas prices well over $4 a gallon around the country, hauling an RV gives you a moment to consider another means of travel. But once you start adding in your meals on the road, hotel rooms and airfare if you’re flying, taking your RV is still an economical and practical means for travel.
According to the biannual Campfire Canvass survey conducted by the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) found that despite high fuel prices, 82 percent of RV owners say RV vacations cost less than other types of vacations and they still plan to use their RVs.
According to the latest survey, 76 percent of RV owners intend to use their RVs at least as much this spring and summer as last year, but some changes were noted. Fifty-eight percent of those who said their travel plans would be affected said they would travel closer to home and 35 percent said they’d travel fewer miles. Another 34 percent of RVers said they’d stay longer in one destination.
My family is following suit. We are staying closer to home this summer and we are staying in one place longer. But we aren’t suffering for the choices. We still get to travel and still enjoy family time, just maybe closer to home. But it gives us a chance to discover things we may not have otherwise paid attention to in our own “backyard.”
However, there are those who aren’t changing plans. The study found that one-third of RV owners say fuel costs won't affect their travel plans. We also fit this group for our one long vacation. We’re still planning a trip to West Virginia to white water raft in August – before our oldest heads out to college. We’re looking forward to the adventure, but I’m not sure we would do it if we didn’t have our travel trailer.
Eating “at home” in the RV saves money, and renting a space for about $35 a night beats the price of a hotel room, which when I checked were around $110 a night. Even at the 10 to 12 mpg we get in the truck while hauling the camper, we’re saving money. And if gas prices are really a concern, there are always popup campers, which because of the light weight don’t have as great of an impact on the gas mileage.
So, if you’ve considered an RV, but think now’s not the time, you might want to think again. This might be just the right time to make your best deal since some RV companies are giving incentives for those in the market for a new RV in today’s economy.
And while the immediate picture may not be bright, the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association believes that the appeal for RVs will continue since “the basic demand for RVs is deeply rooted in family values, the enduring appeal of the natural environment and people’s desire to instill in the next generation their cherished traditions.”
With gas prices well over $4 a gallon around the country, hauling an RV gives you a moment to consider another means of travel. But once you start adding in your meals on the road, hotel rooms and airfare if you’re flying, taking your RV is still an economical and practical means for travel.
According to the biannual Campfire Canvass survey conducted by the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) found that despite high fuel prices, 82 percent of RV owners say RV vacations cost less than other types of vacations and they still plan to use their RVs.
According to the latest survey, 76 percent of RV owners intend to use their RVs at least as much this spring and summer as last year, but some changes were noted. Fifty-eight percent of those who said their travel plans would be affected said they would travel closer to home and 35 percent said they’d travel fewer miles. Another 34 percent of RVers said they’d stay longer in one destination.
My family is following suit. We are staying closer to home this summer and we are staying in one place longer. But we aren’t suffering for the choices. We still get to travel and still enjoy family time, just maybe closer to home. But it gives us a chance to discover things we may not have otherwise paid attention to in our own “backyard.”
However, there are those who aren’t changing plans. The study found that one-third of RV owners say fuel costs won't affect their travel plans. We also fit this group for our one long vacation. We’re still planning a trip to West Virginia to white water raft in August – before our oldest heads out to college. We’re looking forward to the adventure, but I’m not sure we would do it if we didn’t have our travel trailer.
Eating “at home” in the RV saves money, and renting a space for about $35 a night beats the price of a hotel room, which when I checked were around $110 a night. Even at the 10 to 12 mpg we get in the truck while hauling the camper, we’re saving money. And if gas prices are really a concern, there are always popup campers, which because of the light weight don’t have as great of an impact on the gas mileage.
So, if you’ve considered an RV, but think now’s not the time, you might want to think again. This might be just the right time to make your best deal since some RV companies are giving incentives for those in the market for a new RV in today’s economy.
And while the immediate picture may not be bright, the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association believes that the appeal for RVs will continue since “the basic demand for RVs is deeply rooted in family values, the enduring appeal of the natural environment and people’s desire to instill in the next generation their cherished traditions.”
Monday, June 9, 2008
May Blog
May Blog
The summer kicked off with Memorial Day weekend, the time when RVers hit the road for the first camping trip of the season for many people and families. But this year that holiday weekend and unofficial summer kickoff was met with gas prices hovering the $4 mark and diesel even higher. And guess what, many people still went camping.
Now, official numbers haven’t yet been released, and I did personally see many campers, travel trailers and motorhomes sitting in driveways. But I was looking. I wondered how gas would impact our camping and RV travel. I don’t know if it did or not, but AAA estimated that the number of Americans who would travel during the Memorial Day holiday would drop, with 37.87 million Americans expected to travel 50 miles or more from home, a decrease of nearly 360,000 travelers (0.9 percent) from last year’s total of 38.23 million. .
As I told you earlier, my family didn’t go out this year because our son was graduating from high school on June 1 and we had an open house and graduation to prepare for. That’s the only thing that kept us home. In fact, as gas prices creep up, we bought a new tow vehicle for our 29-foot Jayco. While many people are downsizing, we needed a travel vehicle to tow our travel trailer, and we’re not about to stop camping!
So, with a new truck in the driveway, we’re already looking ahead for the next opportunity to hitch up the camper and go. And we will go. We may make cuts other places, but camping is something the whole family enjoys. And our son is leaving in August for college, so there’s only so much time to still have the whole family together.
We have a few open houses left and a nephew’s wedding in mid-June, but after those are past, we’re heading out on the open road, even with more money going to gas. We’ll cut back other places and make adjustments, but camping with the family is a treat and a wonderful time for us to spend together with few outside interruptions. And we’re not alone.
The Campfire Canvass survey by RVIA found that 93 percent of RV owners intend to use their RV as often or more frequently this summer as last. And, more than one-third said fuel costs would not affect their travel plans. Others, however, said they will adjust their travel plans to conserve fuel by staying closer to home and spending more time in one place.
In addition, 83 percent of the nation’s campgrounds reported that summer reservations are the same or better than they were in 2005, according to a recent survey by Michigan State University and published by the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds.
So, if there’s a will, there’s a way. And we’ll find ours on the open road leading to a camping destination. Make room at the campfire, we’re coming in.
The summer kicked off with Memorial Day weekend, the time when RVers hit the road for the first camping trip of the season for many people and families. But this year that holiday weekend and unofficial summer kickoff was met with gas prices hovering the $4 mark and diesel even higher. And guess what, many people still went camping.
Now, official numbers haven’t yet been released, and I did personally see many campers, travel trailers and motorhomes sitting in driveways. But I was looking. I wondered how gas would impact our camping and RV travel. I don’t know if it did or not, but AAA estimated that the number of Americans who would travel during the Memorial Day holiday would drop, with 37.87 million Americans expected to travel 50 miles or more from home, a decrease of nearly 360,000 travelers (0.9 percent) from last year’s total of 38.23 million. .
As I told you earlier, my family didn’t go out this year because our son was graduating from high school on June 1 and we had an open house and graduation to prepare for. That’s the only thing that kept us home. In fact, as gas prices creep up, we bought a new tow vehicle for our 29-foot Jayco. While many people are downsizing, we needed a travel vehicle to tow our travel trailer, and we’re not about to stop camping!
So, with a new truck in the driveway, we’re already looking ahead for the next opportunity to hitch up the camper and go. And we will go. We may make cuts other places, but camping is something the whole family enjoys. And our son is leaving in August for college, so there’s only so much time to still have the whole family together.
We have a few open houses left and a nephew’s wedding in mid-June, but after those are past, we’re heading out on the open road, even with more money going to gas. We’ll cut back other places and make adjustments, but camping with the family is a treat and a wonderful time for us to spend together with few outside interruptions. And we’re not alone.
The Campfire Canvass survey by RVIA found that 93 percent of RV owners intend to use their RV as often or more frequently this summer as last. And, more than one-third said fuel costs would not affect their travel plans. Others, however, said they will adjust their travel plans to conserve fuel by staying closer to home and spending more time in one place.
In addition, 83 percent of the nation’s campgrounds reported that summer reservations are the same or better than they were in 2005, according to a recent survey by Michigan State University and published by the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds.
So, if there’s a will, there’s a way. And we’ll find ours on the open road leading to a camping destination. Make room at the campfire, we’re coming in.
Monday, March 31, 2008
ARVC March Blog
ARVC March Blog
Is a seasonal camping space right for you, or should you take your camper on the road and experience several camping locations?
These are questions that campers may ask themselves at different times in their lives. Whether it’s when they get their first travel trailer or their third motorhome, different times in life bring different camping needs and desires.
Having a seasonal site - a destination that you can take advantage of each weekend or vacation that you can get away - makes sense to many people who see their RV or motorhome as a second home or vacation home. However, for others, the experience of finding someplace new to enjoy makes more sense, so they enjoy hitting the road each weekend or vacation time they can manage to get away.
But whether you choose to hit the same spot each time, knowing that your home on wheels with some possible amenities you won’t receive at a weekend only getaway - such as a permanent deck off your RV or knowing your weekend neighbors - or your choose the freshness of something new - visiting new parks with new experiences and activities, you can find many places to enjoy your RV. And with spring here and warmer days on the horizon, now is the time to make your choice - permanent or transient.
One way to decide is to try a park that offers seasonal sites during the summer and see what you think. Talk to the seasonal park users and see if they seem to have the same expectations from their destination as you.
Here are some questions you may want to ask yourself to determine what is best for you:
Do I want to haul my camper once this season, or would I rather drive it regularly to my destination?
Do I want to visit the same place each weekend, or each time I can get away, or do I want fresh experiences?
Do I want to leave things where they are, and just bring what we’ll need for the weekend or week, whatever the length of visit?
Do I have the time to make reservations for each weekend or vacation?
Would I rather make my reservation once - in the spring?
Will I use my camper enough to cover the cost of the seasonal site?
Will I use my camper more if I have it readily available for spontaneous trips?
Will I tire of the same place?
Do I see my RV as a second home?
Do I see my RV as a home on wheels that can take me to new places?
Whatever your answers to these questions, here are some parks you may want to try. They offer both weekend and seasonal sites.
* Honcho Rest Campground, Elk Rapids, Mich. Opened May 1-Oct. 7 with 58 sites.
* Adirondack Camping Village, Lake George, N.Y. Opened Mid-May-Mid-Sept. with 165 sites.
* Pinecrest RV Park Resort, Russell Springs, Ky. Opened April 1-Oct. 31 with 50-plus sites.
* Beaver Lake Campground, Custer, S.D. Opened March 1-Oct.1
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Spring Break is a perfect time to begin camping
While many people hit the roads and skies to find warm weather for those weeks dedicated in March and April as vacation weeks from school, whether you call it Spring Break, Easter Vacation, Spring Vacation, it’s a time when schools let out for a break from school work and parents take the opportunity, in many cases, to take a break as well and head to warmer weather for a week of sun and relaxation.
But if you have a week, why not take your camper or motorhome along for the ride? Those warm weather destinations also are home to many RV parks and campgrounds, and why not save some money along the way?
We all know it’s cheaper to cook your own food, rather than eat out, and staying in a park at park rates beats the hotel, plus you have more than just a bed – you have your own little house with a living area, kitchen and dinette area, as well as some privacy in the bedroom and sleeping areas.
And there’s no waiting on flights that are delayed.
Plus, that leaves more money for other things, like souvenirs and entertainment.
Although we aren't going to be able to take a family spring break trip this year, we have been known to haul our camper to the shores of the
A few years ago we made the trek to
PirateLand has its own private beach on the ocean, giving us easy access to the sandy shoreline, the salty water and all of its inhabitants. We walked and jogged the beach, discovered shells, which my daughter insisted on taking home - all of them, and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
PirateLand offers its guests a pool if they Atlantic temperatures are too cool for their liking, as well as its
So, when planning your spring vacation, don't forget that your RV isn't only for the summer camping season. Think about breaking it out early and checking out the parks near your destination, whether it's Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, Texas, whatever warm weather area might tickle your fancy.
Some other parks in those warm weather vacation areas are:
Apache Family Campground
Camper’s
Colonia Del Ray
Greyhound RV Park
Hatch RV Park
Marina Village RV Park
Padre Palms Travel Park
Puerto Del Sol Resort
Go Camping,
Thursday, February 21, 2008
I know the warm weather’s coming
While we await the newest snowstorm to hit the
While I consider our summer activities – which must be planned around our son’s high school graduation, other family graduations, my nephew’s wedding and our daughter’s sports and 4-H – I think about the cost of gas and what that may or may not do the camping and RVing industry. For us, we may stay a little closer to home than we did last year, although part of that is just the hectic summer schedule. The other part is that we need to buy a new tow vehicle and we’re trying to make the right decision.
But while I contemplate these things, I also want to let those of you who are able to spend more time in the RV to consider working at campgrounds and RV parks – known in the industry as “workamping.” This is one way to make some money while you’re on the road and let your RV work for you.
Earlier this month, Workamper® News – a publication aimed at those who want to find ways to earn money and in some cases other benefits while spending their time traveling in their RV – held two job fairs to assist those interested in workamping.
For those of you who have an interest, there are a few suggestions the publication gives, such as identifying the type of work you want and the area where you’d like to spend some time. And, make sure you understand the agreement with your new employer.
There are also other things to consider. If you’re married, do you and your spouse want to work, or just one of you? This could determine where you look for a position, considering what the park needs.
Positions can be part-time or full-time, and some positions can even be on a volunteer basis.
Whatever your needs, there are many positions at parks – from being campgrounds hosts where your site is identified as a place for other campers and RVers to get information, and even in some cases, a cup of coffee in the morning, to cleaning bathrooms and other facilities. Some might work in camp stores while others work as recreational directors. The positions vary and the pay varies. Just make sure you understand all the terms going in, so neither you nor your new employer will be disappointed. Once you’ve signed on to work at a park, just as any employer, they are counting on you fulfilling your commitment.
Summer’s coming! Enjoy!
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