RE: Advise for a COE in northern half of Mississippi?
We stayed here last spring and loved it. Wide, spacious sites right on the water in NW MS, about 30 mi. south of Memphis. Happy travels.
Arkabutla Lake
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
3905 Arkabutla Dam Rd
Coldwater, MS 38618-6548
Phone: (662) 562-6261
http://corpslakes.usace.army.mil/visitors/projects.cfm?Id=B400600
RE: PA:Tompkins and Ive's Run
Steve, we were just at Ives Run about a month ago and opted for the FHU sites in Aspen loop for our 38' 5er because we stayed two weeks. No view of the lake, but some trees on site.
My sister & BIL chose for their popup a non-electric site way up top in the Pine Camp loop situated right on the lake one mile away. Vault toilets & no showers. Wild turkeys and a porcupine strut across the dirt road at night. Cool, but might be disconcerting if you were walking it alone w/o a flashlight.
The loop halfway up the hill with lake views (forget its name) have W/E, but the utilities are far away. Bring long hoses/cords. Other than that, it's very nice up there and close to showerhouses.
There is one other loop near the marina that was undergoing construction but we really did not check it out.
Very nice CG. COE maintains it well. Small country store and laundry facilities also. We were not overly bothered by mosquitoes at all. Enjoy your stay.
RE: Kansas City to Watertown, NY
I-86 between Jamestown and Corning NY two weeks ago was under heavy construction. Just awful, but Watkins Glen was gorgeous. Ditto for Niagara Falls.
IMO, any road off the major interstates in PA is mountainous, with possible 13% grades. DH's knuckles are still white!
One thing to be aware of if you are new to the east coast is that many small towns off the interstates have low bridges, that keep getting lower as they resurface the road and forget to change the height signs. If you are intent on scenic back routes, get yourself a good trucker's atlas that shows these. Not a pleasant surprise.
RE: Oklahoma City Campgrounds Suggestions
It's a little east of OK City, but we've stayed at the Fire Lake Grand Casino RV park, which is free and has W/E, plus dump station. Go into the casino and get a free three day pass. When we left after three days to head east, they asked if we'd like an extension - free again, no kidding. We would definitely return.
It's right on I-40 near Shawnee. Worked for visiting relatives in the area, as well as sightseeing in the city. Bricktown riverwalk and the Memorial are must sees. Lunch at Toby Keith's restaurant was fun too.
Good luck. Here's the link to CasinoCamper review.
http://www.casinocamper.com/OK_Fire_Lake_Grand_Casino.htm
RE: a friend is hitting the road
Thanks for all the comments so far. As I said, I'm not sure of all the particulars yet, but I do know the desktop computer is not going with him. I think the prepaid phone is a good idea, too.
Please keep the ideas coming and I'll pass them along to him.
a friend is hitting the road
Long time reader here looking for advice and resources for an old friend changing lifestyles and hitting the road. I don't have a lot of details (I think he's a little ashamed that at aged 51 he's in a financial bind and looking at this as a last resort.)
He's healthy, divorced w/ 2 grown sons he's no longer financially responsible for, and unable to make his small business (surveying) go on in the SW. Great attitude about chucking it all (possessions and trappings) and living an adventure while young enough to do so. Don't know if he plans on tents, motels (if he finds work nearby), sleeping in his truck, or whatever. I've broached the subject of a small RV and awaiting his response.
So, this might not be an RV lifestyle question, but more of an alternative route. I'd love to be able to pass along some useful tips and websites to help him prepare. I've already talked him into maintaining a free email address so he can stay connected from public libraries, since he's ditching the PC and cell phone. He'll also need to figure out finances on the road, so I believe online banking is the way to go. Also, needs to reduce the amount of snail mail he receives.
He's overwhelmed, and I'm a financially secure RVer never having been in his situation, but he's grateful for info I've thrown his way so far. Any more would be greatly appreciated. Thanks to all in advance, for any direction you can give me. I've already shared with him what a loving and generous community of gypsies we are. ;)
RE: How Much
Staying in a ROD park is free. C2C used to be $8 but is now $10 FHU.
I think I asked this in another thread that is now closed. I have always been under the impression that you had to have a home park which costs money for the membership and possibly transfer fees if you buy an existing membership and then anuual maintenance fees before you could join ROD or C2C. I also thought you were responsible for those fees until you could sell the membership. Have they changed the rules?
No, the rules have not changed. One needs to buy into a home park first, which is an investment and requires annual dues. We bought new 4 yrs. ago, but have since discovered that there are many resorts to be bought into, new or used, that would have yielded entry into ROD or C2C.
As mentioned before, it requires research. Used memberships can be found on eBay, Craigslist, ad sections in back of most RVing mags, and word of mouth (friends, family, fellow RVers.)
If we were to do it over, we would search out a used one, or an inexpensive new one. Since we travel FT we never stay anywhere very long, so our home park is really meaningless. For example, we ran into a couple in CA who bought into a park in TN, sight unseen, for ~$400. With it they got ROD, which is what they wanted.
There are so many possibilities... :E
RE: Does The RV Make The Man/Woman?
We usually wave at passing RV's. Once in a CG we always make a point to chat with other 5er owners, especially those in Keystone products, the makers of our Everest. DH has picked up and shared lots of great info specific to our little 'home on wheels'.
RE: State Park fee increases in California
I am happy we have resolution. I can always choose not to stay in a CG based on cost, but to have parks close removes all options. Much better than the alternative.
RE: Part time full timing?????
When you are in your RV and utter the words, "At home, I have to ...", you are not FTing, IMO. Where one stays or for how long matters little, but the beauty of this lifestyle is that you get to define it.
Typically, 'snowbird' (or winter Texan) refers to folks who maintain a home somewhere else and escape the harsh coldness of winter. They frequently are Canadians and those from northeast & north midwest. There are also reverse birds, who maintain a winter place in FL, etc. and then summer in the north (Pac NW, MI UP, Canada).
Seems to me the biggest obstacle you will face is your job, unless you can do that on the road. Sounds like you are describing extended vacationer, but if you want to call yourself a FTer, go for it. I won't snitch. :B
Good luck and have fun!
RE: New Full Timers
At the risk of sounding like a broken record here, I ditto the VZ cell and aircard. Simply hands down the best to meet a FTers needs, especially if traveling nationwide (and why wouldn't you?)
RE: Max lengths for National Parks & State Campgrounds Help...
It's worth noting that when dealing with NP & SP, it's not always the site length that restricts, but the inner CG roads. We've ruled out many in heavily wooded areas simply because navigation of a 38' 5er, towed by a long bed pickup, is not feasible.
While it is not convenient if one is trying to plan and reserve in advance, we've found it more prudent to drop the 5er elsewhere in private park or whatever and scout out the desired SP/NP in the TV. If we don't get to visit at that time, it goes into our 'info' bank for a return visit, with notations on which specific site will work.
Just something that helps us cautious old FTers... :W
RE: Everglades camping
It's a little further away so may not be convenient if you want to visit Everglades NP every day, but we stayed at Cypress NP north of it, on Alligator Alley. The reason I mention it is that it will definitely fit big rigs, plus there is electric, and water for filling as well as dump station. If you have your Golden Geezer pass, it runs ~$10/night. What we saved on that we put into diesel for sightseeing.
We day tripped down to Everglades once and over to Miami for some great Cuban food another day. Depends on exactly what you are looking for. Hope this helps.
RE: RV Park near san mateo
Folks, this is a chat forum. We are not providing a service. If you are, please tell me how you are being reimbursed, because I clearly missed that option when joining.
As with everything you will find on the internet, some info is valid, and some is just worthless opinion. By criticizing, (and yes, I really did take it that way), you only shut down those voices who are trying to help.
Perhaps you don't find the info helpful, but maybe the OP would take it upon himself to use it search further, follow up on a posted biz/phone number that would lead to something he COULD use. Who are we to determine what is useful, much less accurate?
I would not stop using this forum as a resource for RVing for the occasional off-topic irrelevant post, but I sure would if I routinely encountered the etiquette police. Just sayin'...
RE: RV Park near san mateo
I would say that this thread pretty much exemplifies why I rarely post here any more. Folks, if you don't like a post, use the scroll button, and not the reply one.
@ fordsooperdootydieselsmoker: I appreciate the effort and what you offered is just fine by me.
RE: Keep sewer valves closed!
Black tank stays closed till it burps. Both gray tanks stay open. Why would I want anything (soap scum, grease, food particles) sitting around in a tank stinking and sticking to the walls when I can immediately 'flush' it away?
Then we close the shower gray tank the day before we depart, just so it provides a sewer hose 'rinse' after dumping the black.
Other than this highly improbably horror story, I've never heard a good reason to close them. Try again? :h
RE: Want 2b newb,s
Agreed with the above. We went from occasional tent campers to FTers pulling a 38' 5er. We? laughs my DH, who does all the driving... :E
Take your time and bone up on the bevy of info provided here. Maybe rent a good size RV and try it out first. Then, when you make the plunge, you'll still feel unprepared, but it does get easier.
We're going on 4 yrs. FT and hoping to master that backing in stuff in the next couple yrs. or so. In the meantime, welcome aboard.
RE: Campsite saving / holding in state parks
If you're saving it overnight and unattended, I wouldn't use much more than an old cooler or beach chairs.
I guess I don't understand why you call it 'saving' a site. By your own admission you plan on paying for it, so you are using it, right? Folks who camp in smaller Class B's use them for sightseeing all the time while they are still using the site and just disconnect for the day.
Maybe I'm missing something, but then, that wouldn't be the first time... :B
RE: Hello Everyone
Welcome beckiesu. DH & I have been FT for 4 yrs. in our 38' quad slide 5er. It is a big rig, but we love the space and storage. We have decided that if we had to, we could go shorter, but would hate to compromise on the slides.
Unlike many others, I suppose, we don't spend a ton of time outside, so we really wanted our home to be spacious and comfy. Love my workable kitchen, king-sized bed and computer desk for my PC. (DH uses his laptop at kitchen table or recliner.)
Downside is that the size keeps us out of many state or national parks, unless we have been there before and know for sure we can fit in a specific site. So, we usually drop the 5er outside in a CG (private or membership preferred) and make day trips into the area we wish to explore. We also like to stay put and get to know our surroundings for about two week before moving on. Yes, it has its limitations, but works for us.
Hopefully, you gave some thought already to what you enjoy and how you will travel, so you will not be disappointed. Good luck and welcome to a great new adventure.
RE: Are all the coffee drinkers older people?
Gee, how did I know that bringing up SBUX would elicit this kind of response? :R
I am 50 y.o. and have drunk coffee as long as I can remember. My dear 87 y.o. MIL drinks and serves swill (pre-ground nationally recognized canned brand) that I almost would not bother with, except it would hurt her feelings. She hates SBUX because it's too strong.
No, I do not work for or own stock in SBUX. Yes, my 20-something kids drink coffee, too.
