In these difficult times, often we consider just staying at home with no vacations. Many of us are out of work and can't afford any kind of vacation. So under theses circumstances what do you do? There are alternatives. Instead of that long 2 week trip out west, try a shorter trip closer to home. Instead of staying at private campgrounds, stay at state parks. Instead of full service camping, try a little more primitive camp spot. Sometimes, the primitive spots are actually more beautiful and private, giving you a unique camping experience. Second, plan carefully. Meals can be budget breaker unless you plan them carefully. Eat breakfast at the camper, carry a picnic for lunch and cook you evening meal over the campfire. We have done this before and it is amazing how much money can be saved by not eating out. The cost of food can fit nicely in your standard food budget from home. Third, plan your activities carefully. Instead of going to amusement parks and high cost tourist traps, visit state parks or national parks. Try hiking or biking on trails. Activities such as this have an added benefit in helping you get into shape.
By not eating out, utilizing state parks, national parks, and choosing activities such as hiking and biking can save significant money, and add to your general health at the same time.
Losing your job can create a more stressful situation then working. Looking for work can be stressful and demoralizing at the same time. A short vacation can restore you mentally as well as physically. When you return, you can resume your job search with more vigor and enthusiasm. This can help you gain interviews that maybe you would not have received before the vacation. Further, it can restore your family as well and create a family search for a job rather then you assuming the whole burden yourself.
Good luck and happy camping

Well it's Christmas and was very cold. We had all kinds of ice, snow, rain, below freezing. We had half of the city out of power and people living in shelters. My sons friends ended up staying with us as they didn't have power. Why am I saying this in a camping blog? What a great time to plan a trip. Especially one that will take you south to the warmer areas. Locate a great area. We are thinking about Savanna GA or somewhere in South or North Carolina. Research what sites there are to see. This is a great family time, planning the trip. This can also help to keep costs down as it is always better to plan the days rather than have no plan. It is easier to plan ahead, save better and have an idea how much the trip will cost. The money can be in the bank before you leave and nothing will make it to the charge cards. Do a lot of research and find the perfect campground. It doesn't need to be near the city. If you can find the campground anywhere near, say within 1/2 hour to 1 hour drive, that would be OK. Best to find a campground centralized to the general area you want to visit so you can go 1/2 hour to 1 hour in any direction and cover a wide area.
Happy camping

As I sit here very late on Christmas Eve and reflect on the last year I remember that tonight my family and my father sat around the table playing domino's. And I realize that during the Christmas season we all want to be with family maybe even more so than receiving presents. I was laid off of my day job two months ago so Christmas presents are a little slim. My sons are taking this rather well and enjoying being together and having fun. I realize this is really what we should be doing around this season. Tomorrow on Christmas day, I will be enjoying the day with my father and sister and brother in law along with my wife and two sons.

I realize that when we camp in our RV, we don't have a TV, we don't listen to the radio, we don't listen to movies, or even read a paper. We go out and have fun during the day and at night sit around the table and play games. To me this is the vacation. We are all dashing around in four different directions, all with our own agenda. We are enjoying each others company and enjoying our family. As a result, we return back home stronger, closer and rested, with no stresses.

I recommend taking games, and leave the world behind. Forget the TV, Radio, newspaper and enjoy the family.
Have a very merry Christmas and remember what we are about. This is the birthday celebration of Jesus. Because of Him, we have hope. So remember the hope this season.

Thanks

Well winter has set in with a vengeance! We had ice up to 1/2 inch with a great deal of damage. Trees are down everywhere and half the city is without power. For the first time in the last 20 years, we at our house have power and fully functional. How fun it is to stay warm in my hours and plan for a fun summer vacation. We are still not decided between going south or going east to New York. A lot will depend on the economy. Whatever the economic situation, it is still fun to plan a vacation. If it is not possible for the next summer, then maybe the next year. South could also be done in the winter.
Happy Planning

Where to go? That is the question. With so many places to go, I go through this every winter. I like to go to places I have never been before so look forward to my summer vacation. This year I think it's between Savanna Georgia or upper New York. Over the next few months I will start going though the process of determining where we are going to go.
Savanna Georgia was my wife's pick and upper New York was my idea although both have merits. So we will be doing some research to determine which may be best for us at this time.
Sounds like fun.

Well now what? The economy is crashing around us and we are talking about RV camping. Isn't that a little excessive. After all, isn't the economy in a shambles and who can afford to go on vacation! It's my opinion who can afford not to go on vacation in a RV. Camping in an RV can save so much money that it can make a vacation perfect because now it is affordable.
However, jumping into a rental RV without preparing reminds me of the movie RV with Robin Williams. He obviously had no idea how to prepare for camping and had none of the basic skills. I understand that is the point but it does remind me what good preparation is. So how to prepare. What should be done. I go through a check list.

• Check tires and lug nuts. Make sure proper pressure and lug nuts are tight.
• Have all the ketchen items are there
• Have Black water tank sanitizer in the RV.
• Have games, card, and other items.
• Pack clothes, bed items, sleeping bags or blankets, pillows

You get the idea. Everything you want to make sure to take should be on your list. Also take the research information so you make sure you can execute your plan.

Happy camping.

What does a RV camper do during the winter waiting for camping season to start. I always plan my next seasons camping trips. I get double mileage from this as I get to be excited during the planning stage as well as experiencing the trip it self. Our family likes to sight see all the sights and tend to plan camping in areas that are full of places of interest to go see. We spend a great deal of time investigating what there is to do, see, or shop. We like areas that have small interesting shops, unique sights, and parks. We have covered most of Michigan (at least lower Michigan), Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio. We have also been to Kentucky, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. We have also camped in Missouri, and New York. So what do we do

1. Determine where we want to go.
   
2. Determine distance and time to get there
3. Research what we can do there
4. Build a schedule

This allows us to enjoy our trip to the fullest, while insuring we have enough money to complete the trip. We have a strong general idea how much the trip will cost so we can save the money to go.

More on pre-planning later.

Enjoy your camping.

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