I follow several blogs of full timers and we are full timer wannabes in waiting.
How do those of you who travel do your research for where you are going?
Do you rely on a publication? They seem to become outdated frequently and could be expensive to replace.
Do you rely on the internet, if so any particular site you could share or recommend?
We have not joined Escapees or Workamper yet, the only membership we have and it has already paid for itself is Passport. We currently camp two weekends a month and with the Passport discount it is amazingly reasonable!
I am gathering information for our full time status and need to be prepared and I have received invaluable information from this forum.
Thanks. Susan
Luvglass said
04:17 PM Aug 2, 2009
When we cross a state line we usually stop at the visitors center and pick up some information, and then again when we get to the particular town we are going to stay at we visit their visitor center. These coupled with internet searches usually come up with more things than we want to do in our slowed down lifestyle.
Good luck,
NorCal Dan said
04:44 PM Aug 2, 2009
We go where we find work. Once we have jobs lined up we do research the area for things to see and do. We took last winter off and bummed around Arizona and New Mexico. I doubt we will do that again...it's expensive when you don't have anything to do but spend money :)
FWIW, all our jobs have been found through Workamper.com.
igotjam said
08:08 PM Aug 2, 2009
What Fred said. We do exactly that.
pierreandcolleen said
05:39 AM Aug 3, 2009
In addition to what Fred said, we use the book 1000 Places to do and See Before You Die in the USA and Canada and we also like to visit the National Parks. Other than that we kind of play it by ear (I used to plan everything in my life - now I just go with the flow). I also like to avoid the interstates and big cities if I can since I hate lots of traffic.
Have Fun! -Colleen
Jim01 said
07:05 AM Aug 3, 2009
Do you like mountains? The Ocean? Rivers? Desert?
The choice is yours. Find a state on the map that has those features, and do a search on the Internet. You'll find enough information to keep you busy for a lifetime.
For instance, one of these days, we want to follow the Mississippi River from it's source, to the Gulf. I just did a search on the "Great River Road", and found tons of info.
Whatever you like, it's out there. Once you go full-timing, you're pretty much free to do or see what you want.
Enjoy,
Jim
Sandra said
07:46 AM Aug 3, 2009
We just plan an area that we want to go to and do it! This year it was the north part of Lake Superior in Ontario.
Hogladyrider said
08:32 AM Aug 3, 2009
I was not clear in my original post, sorry
Let me try this another way, hopefully not lost in internet translation.
Let's say I want to travel from Florida to Texas in my RV. What means would be used to research campgrounds to stay at, routes to take to keep me off the highways, etc.
Or are you saying you "wing" this as well? I am not concerned with places to see and things to do when I get there, it is what method do you use to get there?
I agree with NorCal Dan, if I had a job via workamping then I would have an end means and just have to get there, which is what we are planning for.
Thanks again! Susan
Judy said
08:48 AM Aug 3, 2009
We use the internet for Campground Reviews and since we belong to Thousand Trails and ROD and Passport America we use some of those campgrounds as well. We do wing' it at some places also. We have Woodalls Campground Directory but find the internet to be more up-to-date. southwestjudy
NorCal Dan said
12:29 PM Aug 3, 2009
When traveling we plan about 200 miles a day but it depends on a lot of factors. If I get tired of driving, maybe traffic was bad, then we stop sooner. We use the Trailer Life Directory to find parks, check ratings, and get phone numbers. We usually pick 2 and then call them. If we don't like what we hear on the phone we find someplace else. You can learn a lot about a place by the way they answer questions. We have a set of questions that we ask, and then we make the decision about staying based on the phone conversation. I let the DW handle this and I trust her judgement.
The questions we usually ask:
1. Do they have a pull-through available that can handle a big rig?
2. Do they have a pet play area?
3. Cost and if they accept CC or only cash? What is included in the rate they quote? Do they charge extra for anything?
4. WiFi...free or $$, that is in working condition, and will work from our site?
5. If we need anything, ie. groceries, is there a place reasonably close to the park?
We have learned that you can't rely on the directory as things change...best bet is to ask specific questions when you call the park. Questions 1-3 are important to us, even when just overnighting. The other questions come into play if we plan to stay a few days or weeks. Between the rating in the directory and the way they answer our questions we will make a decision.
I know, not very scientific, but it seems to work for us. Hopefully you find something useful...
Hogladyrider said
05:26 PM Aug 3, 2009
Very useful info Dan, thanks! Those things you included in your questions are all important to us as well, we travel with our pets as well.
Thanks Susan
Mallo said
06:09 AM Aug 4, 2009
I would add to Dan's questions how is the cell phone coverage can you make and receive calls. But this is critical for my job and may be less important for others.
Mallo
Acorn said
07:14 AM Aug 4, 2009
Dan, how far in advance do you call.... day before, or same day?
NorCal Dan said
08:46 AM Aug 4, 2009
We usually call about 2 hours before we plan to arrive. What normally happens is I start to get tired of driving and I tell my navigator to find a place to park it :)
TXRVr said
11:16 AM Aug 4, 2009
Assuming that the destination is far away like the FL – TX one you mentioned, our route is pretty much based on fuel and campground costs. When multiple stops are involved, we try to plan them around less expensive campgrounds that have good reviews. When one can get a decent over night campground for $20 or less, lotsa money can be saved to buy fuel. We research fuel prices in different states and try to take advantage of the cheapest prices.
If we are just wandering, then we do some research using the tourist books and guides previously mentioned then use back roads that will accommodate our larger rig. If you haven’t already, I’d suggest that you learn to decipher the road colors on whatever maps you typically use. A black road in some states is just as good as a red road and in others it’s to be avoided in a large RV.
Hogladyrider said
03:29 AM Aug 5, 2009
Roads and maps are no problem for us DH is a former over the road driver so I am strictly a passenger which works for me, although someday I would love to learn to drive our rig!
For now our weekend escapes are life savers for us and VERY affordable thanks to passport. We stay at a premium park for two nights with tax and all the extras the total is $34.88, heck we couldn't get a flea bag hotel in FL for one night for that price and we have free WiFi, pool, cable, electric, sewer and great people to chat with when walking the dogs.
I hang at the pool and read, people watch, if any show up, and swim and honey hangs out at the RV on the internet.
In the summer we usually go out for fresh seafood Sat evening the rest of the year we cook and sit around a campfire in the evening. This is our SALVATION from the rate race we have to endure Mon-Fri and the price of $34.88 thanks to Passport makes it even better. Passport isn't available on the long holiday weekends but that is ok the savings the remainder of the year makes up for it, our sanity is worth the extra.
You all pretty much again, provided the feedback I was seeking, there is no one publication it seems to be a combo of several items, which will work for us as well.
How do those of you who travel do your research for where you are going?
Do you rely on a publication? They seem to become outdated frequently and could be expensive to replace.
Do you rely on the internet, if so any particular site you could share or recommend?
We have not joined Escapees or Workamper yet, the only membership we have and it has already paid for itself is Passport. We currently camp two weekends a month and with the Passport discount it is amazingly reasonable!
I am gathering information for our full time status and need to be prepared and I have received invaluable information from this forum.
Thanks.
Susan
Have Fun!
-Colleen
Do you like mountains? The Ocean? Rivers? Desert?
The choice is yours. Find a state on the map that has those features, and do a search on the Internet. You'll find enough information to keep you busy for a lifetime.
For instance, one of these days, we want to follow the Mississippi River from it's source, to the Gulf. I just did a search on the "Great River Road", and found tons of info.
Whatever you like, it's out there. Once you go full-timing, you're pretty much free to do or see what you want.
Enjoy,
Jim
I was not clear in my original post, sorry
Let me try this another way, hopefully not lost in internet translation.
Let's say I want to travel from Florida to Texas in my RV. What means would be used to research campgrounds to stay at, routes to take to keep me off the highways, etc.
Or are you saying you "wing" this as well? I am not concerned with places to see and things to do when I get there, it is what method do you use to get there?
I agree with NorCal Dan, if I had a job via workamping then I would have an end means and just have to get there, which is what we are planning for.
Thanks again!
Susan
southwestjudy
Thanks
Susan
Mallo
Assuming that the destination is far away like the FL – TX one you mentioned, our route is pretty much based on fuel and campground costs. When multiple stops are involved, we try to plan them around less expensive campgrounds that have good reviews. When one can get a decent over night campground for $20 or less, lotsa money can be saved to buy fuel. We research fuel prices in different states and try to take advantage of the cheapest prices.
If we are just wandering, then we do some research using the tourist books and guides previously mentioned then use back roads that will accommodate our larger rig. If you haven’t already, I’d suggest that you learn to decipher the road colors on whatever maps you typically use. A black road in some states is just as good as a red road and in others it’s to be avoided in a large RV.
For now our weekend escapes are life savers for us and VERY affordable thanks to passport. We stay at a premium park for two nights with tax and all the extras the total is $34.88, heck we couldn't get a flea bag hotel in FL for one night for that price and we have free WiFi, pool, cable, electric, sewer and great people to chat with when walking the dogs.
I hang at the pool and read, people watch, if any show up, and swim and honey hangs out at the RV on the internet.
In the summer we usually go out for fresh seafood Sat evening the rest of the year we cook and sit around a campfire in the evening. This is our SALVATION from the rate race we have to endure Mon-Fri and the price of $34.88 thanks to Passport makes it even better. Passport isn't available on the long holiday weekends but that is ok the savings the remainder of the year makes up for it, our sanity is worth the extra.
You all pretty much again, provided the feedback I was seeking, there is no one publication it seems to be a combo of several items, which will work for us as well.
Thanks!
Susan