Girl Camper

On today's show I am sharing the results of my online survey asking Girl Campers for their favorite things they won't camp without. There were so many things that I decided to just start with their favorite kitchen things. Whether you Camp Like a Girl with all the comforts of home or go with a simpler style you will probably find something here that you want to take with you.

Ice Maker - An indulgence for sure but one that I have learned to love. It's great having ice on demand and not worrying about whether the campground is out of it. I know I will always have it for a cool drink. I have the Igloo version but there are lots out there varying in price from $89 to $150. I set mine up as soon as I arrive and fill it with jug water. As the ice is made I put it in zip lock bags and store it in the freezer. I always have enough to share!

Blackstone Grill - Everyone is talking about the Blackstone Grill and I have resisted this purchase so far but I see what the buzz is all about. These grills offer a lot of great options for outdoor enthusiasts and home BBQ enthusiasts. They come in many different sizes. You can adjust the temperature on different sides of the grill so you can have a lower temperature keeping food warm on one side while cooking something at a higher temperature on the other side. You can cook several different foods at one time so you can do pancakes, eggs and bacon all on one unit. Less pans to clean. You season them like a cast iron pan and like cast iron they get better with time. It has a grease collection system that makes cleaning up easy. I normally camp alone or in small groups but think this would be just the ticket for big Girl Camper events and parties at home. I like that it is available portable models and I could use it at home as well as the campground.

French Press Coffee Maker - So many people brought up the French Press. It's great for boon docking and camping with hooks ups as well. A French Press allows you to make coffee to your taste and can be used to steep loose tea and herbs as well. They can be a bit of a pain to clean because you don't want those coffee grounds going down the RV plumbing system but when making coffee for one or two it's just the ticket. French Presses are always available at thrift shops too so you can give them a try without making a big investment.

Coffee Carafe - Those Grandma things that our mothers always used for company or to put the leftover coffee in on a Sunday morning are making a comeback with Girl Campers. I used one when I had my vintage trailer that did not have a hot water heater. I would heat up water in the morning for my French Press and then put the extra in the Urn to save for later when I wanted to have a cup of tea or an instant oatmeal. It was also handy to have to wash my hands in warm water or wash a few dishes. They are also always at thrift stores for a few bucks so you can see if you'd like it without busting the bank. Our Girl Camper friend, Yvonne Artis from Texas bought one and customized it to match her trailer by coloring over the 1990's pattern with permanent Magic Markers!! Brilliant!

Clever Dripper Coffee Maker - This is a great way to "brew" coffee in a drip system. This is a mug top funnel that you add a filter to and the amount of coffee grounds that you like to get the depth of flavor you like. The difference between this drip system and others is that the holes in the bottom of the funnel are small and that allows the water to steep the grounds longer. I have a Melita that the water runs through so quickly that I put it through twice to get a strong enough cup of coffee out of it. The clean up with these is a lot better than the French Press to because you just gather the ends of the filter and throw it and the grounds away and then just rinse the funnel. Costs about $25.

Electric water kettle - A big favorite with Girl Campers is the electric water kettle. If you are camping in a vintage trailer without all of the upgrades or are a dedicated tent camper this is a great tool to have around. When I am rustic camping and using a shower bag at a state park I love not relying on catching the temps at just the right time for a warm shower. I fill my shower bag about 1/3 full with hot water and top it off with cold until it's just right for a shower. It's also great for filling a hot water bottle, washing dishes in warm water and making coffee in a French Press. Even if you have a camper with all the bells and whistles this is a great way to boil water quickly and not use your propane heating up water the slow way. Lots of the Girl Campers love this model made by Smeg, a European company that makes beautiful retro styled appliances. They make a great toaster too!! Kind of pricey but special. I've got a $20 one from Amazon. Does the trick but not nearly as pretty!!

Jet Boil made the list with our tent campers who love it for it's quick boil feature. These are perfect for hikers and tent campers and work on a butane fuel source. You can get several different attachments to use with the butane fuel pack but a favorite is the Jet Boil Flash Cooking one available from REI for about $75. It's the fastest way to get boiling water quickly that saves you fuel which for hikers is second only to a good pair of hiking boots. 

Instant Pot - This is another favorite item that so many Girl Campers use and I to date have not taken the bait on. It's a programmable pressure cooker that does A LOT of stuff!! It cooks 70% faster than traditional methods. It works as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, ricer, cake maker, yogurt maker. It saute's, sears and steams. You can also use it to warm food and sterilize things. They range in price from $65 to $130.

 

Three in one Kitchen - This is another of those Girl Camper favorites I have been seeing for years and can't believe I haven't succumbed to purchasing. These are made by the Nostalgia company that makes lots of fun stuff! There's A LOT of bang for your buck in this item. It's a toaster oven with a griddle on top and a mini coffee pot on the side. What I love about these is that they take up less space in your RV than trying to store three separate items; they look great on a counter top; they have a sweet retro style; they come in a few different colors so you can match your decor to them and they just are just so cute!! They also cost about $65 which I think is a bargain!

Silwy Magnetic Glassware - This is a very clever idea for marine and RV enthusiasts from Germany. The CEO of this German glassware company also happen to like caravanning as they say in Europe. He also likes to eat off real plates and drink out of real glasses. He was looking for a way to store and transport his glassware without worrying about it being broken. He created a set of glassware with magnets manufactured into the base. They sit on a magnetic matt (can be cut to size) on the floor of the kitchen cabinet and it keeps them from moving around. There are several options for glasses and magnets but my favorite is the magnetic bar which can be hung from the bottom of the kitchen cabinet with the glassware easy to retrieve when you go to make a drink. This metal bar though is so much prettier than the kitchen knife magnet bar that many people use in RV's. The magnet is very strong and it could be installed to use in the bed area to store remote controls or with the addition of a little metal basket your reading glasses or phone. You could also install it with metal baskets in the bathroom to hold toothpaste and brushes, razors, lotions or any item you use daily. It could be put on a wall for often used items like car keys and lighters. The glassware is really beautifully made and I was so impressed with the quality of these items. Like the Smeg kettle you get what you pay for so if you are a person who appreciates craftsmanship and buys things once and uses them for decades you will love the Silwy magnetic glassware. They have kindly offered Girl Campers a coupon code for a 10% discount. Use the code: Girlcamper

On this week's show I am highlighting some of my favorite new gear. It's time to clean out the camper and find a spot for all the new gear, gizmos and gadgets.

Out of the Box Camping is a quarterly subscription box delivered to your door for campers, glampers and RV enthusiasts. If you buy the annual subscription you can get your box with shipping included for $46.25. I think this is a great gift to give yourself or a camping buddy. I love surprises and with this box you not only get a great RV gear but you get treated to a surprise 4 times a year. Anything you don't love, you can regift to a friend. You can get a discount of $5 off your first order by using the coupon code: Girlcamper

Haul Guage "measures tongue weight, pin weight, payload, and gross combined weight in real-time with an OBD-II connector that communicates wirelessly via Bluetooth with an app on your iPhone or Android device."  It's a great way to get the information you want about your tow vehicle and trailer each time you use it. Most people take a different amount of geat depending on where they are going, how long they will be there and what they plan to do there. Adding a canoe, mountain bike or generators to your rig can really add a lot of weight. It's also a great way to get a measurement if you don't live near a scale. It costs $99 on Amazon and can be swithched from vehicle to vehicle.

Smart Bottle Inc. introduced the Wolverine Collapsible Water Carrier for camping and outdoors. These new containers are compact, collapsible, BPA free and durable. They are cost effective and come in several different sizes. The one gallon jug sells for $6.95!! Last year when I traveled to Colorado to boondock I had a lot of one gallon hard shelled water bottles in the back of my truck that I kept refilling. What I like about these jugs is that once they are empty they fold flat. They also have upped the design on them offering handles on both ends for easier pouring and grommets on the top and bottom to hang and connect them. I got the one gallon and 2.5 gallon jugs with the pour spouts.

Oxx Box is a heavy duty coffee maker made for those who drink coffee in the rugged outdoors at camps or construction sites. It's a single serve pot that works will all K cups so each person can choose their own blend. The machine is designed for heavy duty use. It has a cruxh proof chassis with a 1500 pound load rating. It can accomodate 8, 10, and 12 oz cups as well as adjust to fill a thermos. It preheats in 30 seconds and brews a cup of coffee in 70 seconds. It's weather and dust reisitant and has an 85 oz capacity water tank as well as a handle on the top for carrying it around.  It also has an integrated carbon water filter and a three foot long retractable cord. When I consider that I just ditched my second Kurig I think this is a great value. I am usually the one serving breakfast at my site and I think this will really hold up! It sells for $229 and has an optional carrying bag for an additonal $69.

Seed Geek Company is a Non GMO seed company started by a husband and wife duo that became interested in organic seeds when they started researching where their food came from. They started growing their own food and then began selling seeds to others. As they expanded their business they began offering organic non chemical solutions for health care products. Their Bug Off bar is not only beautiful but its made from mango butter, beeswax and sunflower oil with essential oils that repel insects. The bar is a nice size and comes in an easy to open tin container. They also sell other essential oil bars in little tins that are great for gifts, your pocketbook and your nightstand!!  It sells for $5.95 and smells fantastic.

Spot X is a two way satellite messenger that allows you to get and receive messages while you are in remote places. This has a lot of great features. It allows you to send an SOS in the event of an emergency which is recieved by a 24/7 search and rescue center. You would be able to message back and forth with the emergency resources and confirm that help is on the way. The device gives off a signal so you can be found. It also allows you to communicate with other hikers on the same trail as you. You can use it to check in and let your loved ones or hiking partners know that you have safely arrived at your destination. It's also a social media tool that allows you to post to your accounts from your trip. There is an annual contract required with a service agreement. I wish they had this when my son was hiking the AT. He still would not have thought he needed it but I would have felt better. Spot X sells for $241 on Amazon.

Country Archer Jerky was founded in 1977 and produces the best organic jerky out there (my opinion)! I met these folks at the Outdoor Retailer Show in Denver and loved their product. I think Jerky is a great source of protein to have in my RV or in my car on a road trip. The Country Archer Jerky scored big with me because it is lower in sugar than most and really high in flavor. The beef jerky comes from all grass fed cattle and the turkey they use is raised with no antibiotics. All of the ingredients used are organic and there are no preservatives. The Jerkys come in sticks, bar and bags and have multiple flavors. The snack pack is 1.5 oz and costs $2 and the 2.75 oz bag costs $6. They can also be purchased in large bags from Costco.

Camco Weight Distribution Hitch - This is a variation of the Weight Distribution Hitch I have been using for two years and really love. The only drawback for this was that I sometimes couldn't get the bars into the receptacle. I just did not possess the arm strength to shove it into place but Camco has redesigned this product for weaklings like me. It is the same great hitch but it loads from the top now and drops down into place making it easy for Girl Campers and all RVers. Because it loads from the top it provides more ground clearance. The sway control can easily be turned off in dangerous or icy roads. It's new design also makes it quieter. There are several sizes available and they are available on Amazon at a starting price of $274.00

The Double Hammock by Grand Trunk was a gift I received last fall. I was only able to use it once before the end of the season but I am giving it high marks for style, comfort and ease of use. I loved that when it came it was buffalo checked! Very Girl Camper. I set this up and really liked how much fabric was in it. It can hold two or one who doesn't feel as if they're going to fall out. It's a great hammock to use as a chair as well as for an afternoon book nook. It was easy to set up pack away. I got the straps seperately for an additonal $29 which make it possible to hang them on a tree. Grand Trunk makes these from parachute material which is comfortable and dries quickly. They can hold up to 400 pounds and are triple stitched for added strength. There are a lot of fabric designs and accessories available. I think I'll be using this in my backyard as well as the campground.

Are you ready to shake off winter and get that camper ready to roll? Mark Polk is here today to talk about projects you can do yourself to get the camper ready for this season's camping adventures. Mark is the founder of RV Education 101 and an industry expert on safety, maintenance and RV repairs. There are a lot of RV maintenance projects you can do and Mark provides great tutorials and videos to encourage and instruct us.

I asked Mark about five things that I normally do myself and he gave me his tips on doing them correctly. Mark has more Spring Checks below so be sure to check them out.

Five Spring Rv checks to do before your first trip.

Battery - Assuming that you properly stored your battery at the end of the season these tips will help you make it ready for the coming season. If you left it over the winter without a trickle charge on it and it dropped below fifty percent, it may need to be replaced. Be sure to watch Marks whole video on battery maintenance in the at the bottom of the page.

Check to make sure it's charged.

Recharge it to capacity if you didn't do so over the winter.

Add water if necessary. Mark has a video for that below.

Check all of the connections to make sure they're secure and don't have corrosion.

Clean up any corrosion or dirt on the battery.

When working around batteries be sure to wear safety gloves and goggles.

Tires - Your tires are arguably the most important part of your RV. They carry you and your possessions safely to where you are going. If they are over or under inflated, have excessive wear or are not rated to carry the weight of your trailer you could cause a serious accident and injure yourself and others. Beheck for loss of air over the storage period. They could lose 3-10 percent per month.

Check the tire pressure with an accurate gauge. Tires can lose air at a rate of 3-10 percent per month.

Add air to the manufacturers specifications.

Check the tire tread.

Don't forget the spare tire.

Check the lug nuts.

Vents - Be sure to check the appliance vents on the outside of your RV. Bugs are drawn to the odor of propane exhaust and sneak in the vent areas to build nests.

Check the latches on your vents to make sure they are all working. Replace or repair as necessary.

Remove any nesting or bugs you find inside by thoroughly vacuuming the area.

Replace any broken panel covers.

Some RVers suggest placing a pet flea and tick collar in the vent area to discourage bugs.

RV Water System - After you have dewinterized your RV, there is a simple way to sanitize the tanks for the coming season.

Check for leaks. Mark has some simple tips in his video for making sure your RV lines are not leaking.

Sanitize the system with lots of fresh water and everyday bleach.

Mark recommends a formula of 1/4 cup for every 15 gallons the tank holds. After the bleach is placed in the tanks, run the water until you smell bleach coming from each faucet including the shower, bathroom sink and outdoor faucet. Let the solution sit for at least 12 hours.

Drain the bleach water and replace it with fresh water. Run all of the faucets again until you don't smell bleach.

Replace all of the water filters.

Trailer Hitch and Components 

Start by familiarizing yourself with all of the components of the hitch again.

Check all components for loose or rusted hardware or broken welds.

Make sure all of the nuts, bolts and pins are in good condition.

Inspect the hitch ball, the ball mount, the weight distribution bars and the sway control prior to towing the trailer.

Inspect the hitch receiver on the tow vehicle for any loose hardware or broken welds.

If you have a motor home and tow a touring vehicle, inspect the tow bar and all towing components.

More great RV Tips from Mark

https://rv101withmarkpolk.com/2019/03/22/diy-rv-spring-checks/

Check out and subscribe to Mark's YouTube channel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cr07PuhvRdo

Photos by Mark and Dawn Polk

On this weeks show I am sharing all the details of our Fly and Drive vacation to parts warm! We left cold and snowy New Jersey with temps in the 30's and flew to warm and sunny LA. Once there we picked up a Class C Motorhome that we rented from El Monte RV in Van Nuys, California. We were in deep need of sun but also in need of a camping fix. Our trailer had been parked in the driveway for over four months and it would be at least another six weeks before it would be safe to de-winterize it. Our niece  was getting married in Palm Springs, California the first weekend in March and I had a big RV industry event in Salt Lake City, Utah the third week in March. I could fly home and go back 10 days later or, I could rent an RV, get a camping fix and get some sun. I’d never been in this part of the country before and couldn’t pass up the opportunity to explore it by RV without having to spend five days driving there.

The 25’ Four Winds we rented had a great floor plan and was a 2018 with only 25k miles on it.

I contacted El Monte in Van Nuys, California to ask if I could do a one way rental, picking it up in LA and dropping it off in Salt Lake City. Although it is not an option at all of their 20 locations across the country, it was available from Van Nuys to Salt Lake City for around $850 for ten days. I have never driven a Class C before so I decided I wanted the smallest and least complicated model available. I chose the 25' Thor Four Winds without any slide outs. It had a rear bed with a cab over bunk for extra sleeping and a booth that folded down to create an additional bed.

The swivel chair was a favorite spot for my husband. He claimed it as his official chair!

When we first pulled into the Van Nuys location there were several motor homes parked up front. We noticed a sign hanging from the rear view mirror on one of them that read, "Vacation Ready - Pettit!!" and boy, were they correct! We were vacation ready! The pick up went very smoothly and we were at the location less than 90 minutes. We watched a 20 minute video on the motor homes systems which I recorded on my phone just in case we needed reminding. All of the systems were very similar to my travel trailer and we never needed to revisit the video. The staff was great and had all the paperwork ready ahead of time. We opted to take out an insurance policy with our agent from home before we got there and we saved a lot of money by doing that. The El Monte policy was $30 per day. We were planning a ten day trip so that would have added up. Our agent wrote us a policy for the ten days for $35.00. After all of the paperwork was done the El Monte rep took us out to our unit and walked us through all of the systems showing us how to operate everything! We left with total confidence.

I thought the greeting on the rear view mirror was such a nice touch!

El Monte offers a convenience kit for a small additional fee but we opted to bring our own sheets, pillowcases, towels, table cloth, dish towels and blanket along with dinner service for two with cutlery and minimal cooking utensils. We purchased a coffee pot, frying pan, some tupperware, plastic cups that we rewashed and used over and over and four pillows from Target. We spent less than $50 on those items and the items we brought from home were all in a carry on that we didn't pay an additional airline fee for. I loved having my own sheets, blanket and pillow cases. It felt very homey and immediately made me feel like I was in "my" RV.

Having our own linens really made us feel at home. I’ve had this checked table cloth at many camp outs.

I was a little nervous about driving something so big but wasn't on the road for more than five miles when I realized that it's just a big truck. I drive an F150 as my daily ride and use it as my tow vehicle. It didn't feel much different than my own truck. We thought that it might be a hassle to have to use it for everything since we were not towing a touring car behind us but it actually wasn't. The opposite was true. It was very simple to unplug and hit the road with each morning.

We were lucky enough to catch the Super Bloom at Joshua Tree National Park. You have to go to the south entrance to catch it.

When we toured Joshua Tree National Park we loved being able to pull over at the rest stop and make lunch, use the rest room and take a power nap before continuing our tour of the park. Normally when I hit the wall halfway through a tourist day, I just want to get back to my campsite and be able to put my feet up. With the motor home I was able to take advantage of more things in one day.

Taken at Keys View overlook in Joshua Tree National Park. You can see the whole valley from here including Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, and Coachella.

Since our niece got married in Palm Springs we decided to stay there an explore that area first and then move on to Las Vegas. We left our Air B and B where we stayed with family for the wedding and headed to the Palm Springs/Joshua Tree KOA which had all kinds of amenities we took advantage of. They are open year round and were full of snow birds on their way north after a winter in the warmth.

At the Palm Springs KOA. I promised my husband if he would come with me I wouldn’t drag him to every tourist site within 100 miles. I kept my promise to wind down and just relax.

The location offered a nice pool and three different mineral springs to soak in. We took advantage of that everyday! From there we were able to visit Joshua Tree National Park and do some of the tourist things in Palm Springs. We also just took a day to unwind at the campground. The sun and palm trees were so inviting and we relaxed, read and broke out the water colors. My husband used the gym there each day and also really enjoyed the library and billiards room.

Just chilling with some watercolors at the Palm Springs/Joshua Tree KOA.

From Palm Springs we headed to the Las Vegas and stayed at the KOA at Sams Town. I think I'm the only person who's never been to Las Vegas. We loved, loved, loved the campground. It was a neat and tidy little city of RV's! Chris, the campground manager, met us in his golf cart and led us to our site when we came in the wrong entrance. The staff here was really exceptional from the employees on golf carts delivering our order of Omaha Steaks right to our site, to the store staff unlocking the store for me at 9:00 as they were leaving so I could get cold medicine.

The KOA at Sams Town in Las Vegas! It’s a little RV city with heart!

We really loved the quiet atmosphere at this campground. Even though it was urban camping and only a few miles from the famous strip, it was really peaceful. Shuttles take RVers to and from the casinos and shows so there’s very little vehicle noise. The pool, bathrooms and laundry facilities were so clean and we caught up on laundry while there. After so many days of cereal and microwaved oatmeal, my husband also really enjoyed the casino breakfast buffet!!

Our ride to Hoover Dam on Pink Jeep Tours. Great value!

We day tripped it to Hoover Dam using the Pink Jeep Tours service at the recommendation of our camp host. For $95 each we were shuttled in a big pink Jeep with 3 other couples and a very engaging and informed driver. She was a long time local and gave us a great oral history of Las Vegas and the Hoover Dam. It was well worth the money and nice to be a passenger.

The bridge from Hoover Dam.

The KOA at Sams Town is a great location to fly to and rent an RV. The manager told us that many people pick up their El Monte rental in Las Vegas because the flights are so inexpensive and there are so many sights to go to from there. The Grand  Canyon is only three hours away. They often stay there the night before and load the RV with goods from the Walmart across the street. When they return  from their travels they leave the chairs,!coffee pots and other camping equipment they purchased and can’t take home. We donated our coffee pot to the pile of camping supplies for renters that they keep on hand.

The Sams Town Casino adjacent to The Las Vegas KOA is completely covered with indoor waterfall, light show, shops and a food court.

Our last little lesson learned on this trip had to do with food. Normally I take precooked and frozen meals with me in order to have good meals without fussing. After about 6 days on the road and too many sandwiches substituting for dinner, I got the idea to surprise my husband with an order of “real food” from Omaha Steaks. For about $89 I got 4 filet mignons, four burgers and four chicken breasts as well as potatos au gratin and mini apple tarts with caramel. We had great meals for the rest of our trip for less than the cost of dinner for two at a steak house. Omaha Steaks delivered them overnight to the KOA and they arrived the same day we did. I’m definitely going to use them again because the food was delicious and I didn’t waste time looking for a grocery store or shopping. It turned out to be a great option for camping because the food comes in varieties and single servings. Win, win! I’m imagining my next solo trip with steak one night, chicken the next and fish after that.

I only wish I’d thought of this sooner! I always give Omaha Steaks for gifts but now I’m going to gift them to myself.

I feel like our “seeking sun” vacation was just what we needed to get us over the winter hump in cold Nee Jersey. I was so in need of a camping fix. Just standing in the camp store at KOA looking at bags of charcoal gave me hope that we’d be out there again soon. It also inspired me to plan a trip to the Pacific Northwest and rent an RV. There’s so many places I want to camp in but don’t really want to drive to. I am imagining several trips a year to events that Girl Campers are holding that I can fly to and rent an RV to share with other women coming from afar.

The Sams Town KOA had small sites but beautiful communal areas to sit, relax, visit and grill....

Most people think of the Ford Ranger as that old, small, white truck that service industries used for a fleet vehicle. The cable guys truck. The pest control guy. Your local plumber. The Ranger was everywhere you looked from it's debut in 1987 until production stopped in 2011. The truck was small, practical and inexpensive.

Ford has brought back the Ranger and it is NOT your light duty, clean up the back yard, truck anymore. This mid size truck has a EPA estimated MPG of 21/26 city and highway, seating for 4-5 and offers and a starting price of $24,300.

Ford has also created an off road adventure version of the new Ranger that Girl Campers and any outdoor adventurer that wants a smaller truck with great MPG will be sure to love. It offers a 2.3 liter turbo charged four cylinder engine that will provide horsepower of 270. The Ranger has a gas engine that in testing has shown the best MPG of all the mid sized gas powered rivals. With an added tow package the Ranger can tow 7,500 pounds and has a payload of 1,860 pounds.

To hear more about the new Ford Ranger tune into today's podcast interview with Chad Collandar from Ford.

On this week's show I am chatting with friends and co founders of the Road Trip Mojo site about the music festival scene and Rving. These two things go hand in hand and Jeff Zbar and Barry Bluth have a love for both. They've combined that love to create a website that helps fellow music and Rving aficionados find the festivals, navigate the best ways to get there and introduce us to those in the know.

I first met Barry and Jeff at the Florida RV Show two years ago. They are both from Florida and follow the RV scene as closely as the music scene. They were at the show exploring the many new RV's available and stopped by the Liberty Outdoors booth where I was showing off my Max trailer. I was hooked on their site the minute I logged on. First, I love their tag line, “camping with a better playlist,”  and I am giving them the completely worthless "Best in Show" award from Girl Camper for the “Best RV Influencer Tag Line.” The line to me reveals their low key attitude about enjoying life, camping, music, people, and the journey. Exactly the kind of people I like to travel with.

Jeff and his wife Robbie getting in the festival spirit!!

Jeff is a writer, entrepreneur, and pioneer for the work from home movement. He just celebrated 30 years of employment from his office off the kitchen. He and his wife are almost empty nesters looking forward to that light at the end of the parenting tunnel that so many of us Rvers longing to travel more have focused on.

Barry (r) with musician Shaw Davis at the Bacon and Blues Fest.

Barry by contrast is a dentist in a busy practice with a few more years to go before he can dig in for more RV travel. He lives in south Florida in a beautiful home on the water, enjoys cooking, and camps in a BIG and beautiful Fifth Wheel. He's come a long way from his and Jeff's first music festival in a borrowed tent.

Jeff and Robbie Zbar’s Freedom Express RV that has a great outdoor kitchen perfect for festival life.

To hear more of Barry and Jeff’s story on today’s podcast, click on the arrow below.

An epic picture from Lockn Festival 2018. Photo: Road Trip Mojo

Check out Road Trip Mojo for great festivals, interviews and tips for navigating the best camp sites.

Have you ever dreamed a really big dream? A dream that wouldn't make sense to most people? Have you ever thought of just chucking it?  Quitting your job, selling your house, retiring early and hitting the road for a year or two?  Leslie Abbott of southern California did and within one year of dreaming the dream, she made it happen. She retired early, sold her house and bought a Class C motor home and set out to see the country and connect with old friends.

Leslie’s Minnie Winnie and her tow car at Yosemite.

She's on today's podcast talking about what propelled the dream, the steps she took to make it happen, the obstacles along the way both and how she overcame them.

Life is good for Leslie in her new home on wheels.

Leslie has now been on the road for nine months. Long enough to have some wisdom about the full time RV lifestyle. She's learning about her rig along the way and herself as well. Leslie chose her model because she wanted to be able to have company. Two weeks after setting out Leslie had her first guests. Her parents  flew from North Carolina to the southwest to meet her and fulfill their dream of seeing the Grand Canyon.

It gave Leslie great pleasure to host her parents at the Grand Canyon and see her Dad fulfill a lifelong dream of seeing it.

She ventured north from there enjoying time with her sister and one of her nephews in the Ice Fields of Canada. Leslie is not traveling with a strict itinerary but rather a general idea of when she'd like to be by a certain time. When she left California she knew she wanted to spend the fall in New England and she did.

The Bay of Fundy at low tide.

 

In Central Park with her nephew Will.

To hear Leslie's interview you can click the arrow below.

Are you stuck in analysis paralysis? Have you seen so many RV's that you can no longer remember which one had the Murphy bed and which was the bunkhouse? There comes a time when you have to take all the spreadsheets, pros and cons and checklists and just PICK ONE before  you miss out on another season of camping!! Here's one more checklist to help you choose the right RV for you. .

Tips for Choosing an RV

Determine if you are going with a towable or a motor home. They each have their pros and cons and the decision will be different for everyone. A travel trailer allows you to have a touring vehicle available once you have unhitched and set up. A motor home will require you to break camp or tow a vehicle behind you to get around in once you have arrived but the travel itself is so luxurious. There's also safety advantages to a motor home that are important to many solo women travelers. Being able to pull away without leaving your vehicle if you ever felt unsafe is a big plus to many women. The first step in pulling the trigger to your RV dream is to decide which type of RV best suits you.

Decide which type of RVing you're most likely to be doing. Do you want to boondock for long periods of time in remote places with no hook ups or access to water? If so you are going to want to be looking at units with large holding tanks, battery and generator power and solar panels to boost your ability to stay off the grid longer. If your plan is to resort camp at full hook up campgrounds for a few weekends a year, you may be happy with an entry level RV that keeps you cool in the heat and warm in the cold.

What are your kitchen, sleeping and bathroom needs? Do you love to cook? You are going to want to pay close attention to the available prep space, cabinet storage and refrigerator size in the kitchen of the RV you are considering. It's also important to think about how many you want your RV to sleep. Will you use it alone or as a couple? Do you want the ability to host guests? Do you want a walk around bed or are you okay with a bed against the wall? Lastly, think about the bathroom. Do you prefer a three piece unit with a separate shower or can you live with a wet bath? Pay attention to the ventilation and lighting in the bathroom too. Many units have skylights and ceiling fans that make the bathrooms easier to keep mold free.

Pay attention to the kitchen, bathroom and sleeping area of the trailer and make sure it will meet your needs.

Set a budget. Be sure to include the cost of annual maintenance, storage, insurance and purchase taxes in the price. Also include any upgrades you will need to make to your tow vehicle for weight distribution hitches, tow packages or lighting. Another budget component to add would be any after market products that you might want to purchase. Solar panels, tankless hot water heaters and keyless entries are a few common RV upgrades.

Become an investigator. After you have narrowed down your choice, get online and start getting user feedback. Search the internet for user groups, chat rooms, and articles on the model that you are leaning toward. Check out the YouTube users for videos on the use and any problems the unit might have. It's also a great place to see what modifications the owners are making. Consider renting one first from Outdoorsy or from a rental company. It could cost several hundred dollars to do this but could save you thousands if the weekend rental reveals that the bathroom, kitchen or floor plan is something that in realty is not practical for the style of camping you plan on doing. Go to RV shows and rallies and look at the different models in person. Lay on the bed, spin around in the kitchen and pretend you're showering in the bathroom. Make sure you can use the unit comfortably.

Choose a reputable dealer to buy from. Don't let price be the sole factor in deciding where you will buy. Check out the online reviews of different dealerships and see what customers are saying. Look at their social media presence is like. If they have no online presence ask them why? Find out how many bays they have in their service department, what the wait is like to get a unit in for service and if they take their customers ahead of those with RV's that were not purchased there. Ask what will be covered on pick up day. How long will the walk through take? Will you be allowed to video tape it? Pay attention to how you were treated when you first came in to browse? Were you greeted immediately? Before they showed you any units, did they listen to you and ask questions about what you wanted? Be aware that you can sometimes find a dealer that will sell you the unit at a lower price but they may not have the reputation or the ability to service it quickly.

Decide on new or used. RV show season is a great time to get a great deal on a model you like but don't discount the used RV either. Buying used from a reputable dealer allows the buyer to normally have at least a 90 day warranty that a buyer would not get from a private sale. A used RV from a dealer has also been completely gone over by their service department and any problems have been addressed. It is advisable to negotiate the start date of the warranty if you purchase the unit in the off season. Getting a warranty start date that begins at the start of the camping season when you will be able to use it and identify any problems. Lastly, buying used also allows you to scale your purchase, It is a way of getting into the unit you want by buying it at a lower price than the best year end sale of the same model brand new.

To see all the different types of RV's available go to Go RVing.

On this weeks show we are talking about keeping those camping resolutions. I polled the Girl Campers on line to see if they had made any Camping Resolutions for the New Year. They sure did and here are the top six and a few tips for helping to keep them.

So many people said that camping more often was a goal for 2019. Sitting around a campfire with friends, new and old, is always at the top of my list of favorite things to do.

#6 - So many people want to attend more music festivals. That's a good thing for sure and I have just the right people to help you out here. Follow along with my friends at Road Trip Mojo. Barry and Jeff are buddies whose families indulge their love of music and RVing and sometimes even join them. They combined their love of camping and their love of music and created an outlet for those who want to "camp with a better playlist!" They've got a great blog full of festivals, tips and their favorite venues. Check them out if you were one of the Girl Campers making music festivals a resolution for 2019.

#5 Camp with Dogs - So many camp with dogs and it is a topic we've covered before. In Episode 39 of the podcast I covered Camping Etiquette with Your Dog. You can listen to that here. Also always travel with your dogs records, any medicine you may need, extra towels and blankets, a way to secure the dog at your site and always have an ID tag on your pet. Even if you have treated your dog for ticks, always check for ticks after a hike.

#4 Boondock More. I covered the big Boondocking Experiment last season in Episode 135. I tricked my husband into camping without hook ups and told all about it! You can listen here. Other great boondocking outlets to check out are Boondock.org. - a great site created by Andrew Koransky a self professed frugal camper who shares his tips for free camping and much more. Also check out We're the Russo's. Kait and Joe Russo made their way to the nomadic life in 2015 by purchasing a Class B motorhome. Along the way they learned a lot and created some great YouTube content along the way. There are tons of APPs for boondocking including the All Stays App, FreeRoam and US Public Lands full of free places to camp. You can also check out the Visitors Centers in any town and ask where you can park for free.

#3 Outfit the Trailer for Quick Get Aways - I have always thought that if I had everything in the camper all the time I could take off whenever I wanted without a hassle. After I combined three camping lists and outfitted the trailer with everything I could ever need I still had trouble getting out of Dodge on Friday afternoons. I discovered that I had to rearrange the way I unload on a Sunday when I get home. I clean it on Sunday nights now and bring the dirty towels and linens in then. I throw those sheets right in the washer and put them back on during the week. When I have leftovers during the week, I create a camp meal or foil pack dinner and put it in the freezer to have ready on Friday night to toss in the fridge. No stops for food or meals on Friday night traffic and the meal is a good one. Here is a link to my episode on Simplifying Weekend Getaways. 

One of the ways I make weekend getaways easier is by freezing weekday leftovers in servings for two. This allows me to enjoy good food and eliminates the necessity of a stop at the grocery store before I leave or along the route. It's great to arrive at the campground and just heat up a precooked good meal.

#2 Go on First Trip - You;ve got to just do it. Find a group, sign up for a trip. No trailer is necessary, Get a rented cabin. Rent a motorhome. Bunk with a friend. Stay in a tent or car camp. You have just got to make it happen. All the information has been given here and on so many sites. The problem may be you. Don't let fear stop you. Join the Girl Campers at Setzers World of Camping for our Camper College or at our Wonderful Women in Waxahachie event April 25-28.

Our annual Wonderful Women in Waxahachie trip is a great place to learn how to Camp Like a Girl. We host every kind of Girl Camper. Experienced RVers, tent campers, car or van campers as well as the "new kids" who rent an RV, stay with a friend or at a hotel. Its the perfect event to get your feet wet!

#1 Camp More was the number one resolution. I had to ask, "what is stopping you from camping more?" There were a few things that I will cover here.

Expense. It's going to be costly if you are staying at full service campgrounds all the time. Consider state parks, Harvest Hosts, a seasonal site. If you join Harvest Hosts you can get 10% off by using the coupon code Girl Camper. Buy the book America's Guide to Free and Low Cost Campgrounds.by Don Wright. Every site in the book is under $20. Join a membership club like Escapees, Thousand Trails, Sam's Club.

Caring for Aging Parents. Here's a few ideas. If your parents are able, consider taking them with you. The change of environment is good for everyone. Ask an in law to give you some respite care. Bring in a caretaker and get a few days away.

Overcoming anxiety about traveling alone. Leaving what is familiar to you and sojourning to your destination can be daunting to those who don't travel alone often. Add towing to it and it can become paralyzing. Start by doing short distance trips until you are used to towing and driving out of familiar territory. Use your hands free phone to call a friend and catch up with old friends. It will pass the time and help you stay away from worry. Create a play list that you love and tune out!

Not much time off. Ask your employer for summer hours. Earn Fridays off by working an extra hour a day during the winter and building up comp time. Consider using one of your weeks vacation by using the days one at a time to create five three day weekends instead of one week at a time. You can get more out of five three day weekends than one full week.

Making a New Year’s resolution can be a little like setting a date to have lunch with a friend that always cancels. Sometimes we don’t really believe we are going to have to make good on it. In our series ‘Transforming in 2019’  we are taking a serious look at the things that keep us from doing the things we want to do. In week one we talked about The Mind Game. How to get in the right frame of mind for success?  In week two   our conversation focused on Dealing With Stumbling Blocks. What are those things that always trip us up? How can we identify them ahead of time and increase our chances of success? In week three we talked about Creating an Action Plan.  They say if you want to succeed at anything you create a plan and work the plan. Bob gave us some of the elements every good action plan should include.

On this weeks show we are talking about Dealing With Setbacks. They are going to happen. My dad used to look at all of the romantic endeavors of his children and say, “the course of true love never did run smooth.” That can be applied to just about anything we set our minds to do. It’s never Point A to Point B. When the setbacks happen, how can we deal with them so they do not derail our goals? Bob Thompson,  founder and CEO of Legion Transformation Center’s has led thousands of people to better health and fitness.  He specializes in helping those who want health and fitness but don’t particularly love exercise or eating right. Along the way he has learned a lot about human nature.  Here is Bob‘s advice on dealing with setbacks.

Doing the Next Right thing when you fall off your program is part of dealing with setbacks. If you ate fast food for lunch three days in a row, make a great meal and get back on program without beating yourself up.

Understand from the onset that there will be setbacks.  Enthusiasm will wain. You might become ill. You may be asked to work overtime at work and that will interfere with your action plan.  There will be situations you can’t control that will trigger you to fall back into old behaviors.  From the onset, identify ahead of time what things might be waiting in the wings to trip you up. Be ready for them when they happen and don’t let them become an excuse to quit.

When the setback happens, focus on what you can control and let the rest go.  Put your energy towards the things that will bring you back to your starting point. The food you are eating. The money you are spending. The people you are hanging out with. These are all things that you have control over. Hit the reset button as soon as possible.

Do the next right thing. Take action that will turn you back toward your goal.  Do not allow yourself to become comfortable in the “old self.“  Do not beat yourself up. Don’t allow yourself to become demoralized. Call a friend and ask for encouragement. Find a member of your tribe and share what you are dealing with. Try to think of the setback as a pause button. Press unpause and move forward.

Go back to the action plan and work it.  Remind yourself of what your “why“ is. Take the bigger picture here. Do not hyperfocus on the thing that is making you pause but instead pull back and look at the big picture.  Focus on the finish line and not what it is taking to get there. Behave like a long-distance runner. Don’t think about how much your feet hurt. Think about how great it’s going to feel when you cross the finish line.

Making lasting changes requires rethinking the systems we have in place. In our final installment we will be looking at staying in it for the long game.