Recreational vehicles are awesome ways to travel. You have everything you need with you, wherever you are. At least if you remember to pack it before you hit the road. The thrill of the road is especially strong in the south as we’re heading to prime camping season.
Spring and fall, despite occasionally wacky weather, are the times when temperatures are moderate, humidity is lower, and in the spring, everything’s turning green. This time of year, everything’s starting to change colors -and despite the dry conditions in much of my part of the world, it seems the fall foliage is going to be awesome.
Before hitting the road over the weekend, I noticed the maples in our front yard are already starting to show color. Nothing like the vibrant reds and golds of “fall in full” but enough that you realize tossing a sweat shirt in is a solid travel idea.
Heading out to camp, we try to hit high spots as far as sightseeing, but we also like to travel without the crowding -or costs- associated with fee campgrounds. Because we like to visit farms, wineries and other attractions, we made the decision to join a pair of annual feel groups that have more than paid for their annual renewals: Boondockers Welcomeand Harvest Hosts.
In full disclosure, Harvest Hosts owns Boondockers, but we’ve found them both worth the dual fees.
Boondockers lists more than 3,600 private locations where RV travelers are invited to spend a night (or more in many cases). Some even offer water and/or power hookups. It’s a great opportunity to get to know people while traveling.
Harvest Hosts is more for the traveling foodie (we qualify). Harvest Hosts provides overnight stays (usually only a single night) at more than 5,000 farms, wineries, breweries, golf courses (yes, golf courses) and attractions across the country. We’ve stayed at numerous wineries, including a couple during special celebrations. The whole idea’s simple: you’re invited to stay at these thousands of small boutique-type businesses. Some even offer electric hookups. Once, when we realized we were running low on water, the vineyard owner opened one of his buildings, ran us a hose and filled our tank. The quid-pro-quo on this is since you’re staying at a winery, brewery, farm, whatever, it’s only reasonable to try their products. I’ve enjoyed artisan cheeses, prime cuts of beef, and some really decent bottles of wine because of those stays. The general rule of thumb is to spend $30 with your host - that’s a couple of small steaks, some nice cheeses, and/or a bottle of wine.
Neither of these organizations is expensive -especially when compared with the costs associated with campgrounds and full-service hookups. It doesn’t take long to realize that these are the upscale equivalents of Cracker Barrel Restaurant parking lots. Oh yea, if you didn’t know already, Cracker Barrel restaurants invite RV travelers to eat- and overnight- at their restaurants. I’ve done it a number of times, and the only thing better to me than a breakfast cooked on my campsite is a Cracker Barrel one with coffee refills, biscuits and apple butter. Biscuits aren’t normally on my camp breakfast menu.
If you’re looking to go further afield -like on our beautiful public lands, the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service offer lots of options from what they call “semi-developed” campgrounds (fee associated) to dispersed camping- nothing but open land. Dispersed camping is usually free, but you’re going to be boon docking it there- totally self-contained.
If you’re of the more mature generation (like me) or disabled, you can get the America The Beautiful Senior Pass or Access Pass they give you half-off camping on all federal properties. There are fees ($80 + a $10 fee for the Senior Pass, $10 fee for the Access pass), but they’re one-time.
There are other apps that can save you money, give road trip tips and more. I’ve used iOverlander2, The Dyrt, and Boondockers and Harvest Hosts.
But I also use- and enjoy reading- the RV Trader’s Block. They don’t just offer ways to sell or trade your current RV for something different, their blog is a great place to get tips on the RV lifestyle as well as reviews on the latest and greatest RVs coming to market.
Whether you’re tenting, popping up, or wheeling a full-scale motor coach, it’s a great time of year to be out on the road.
As always, we’ll keep you posted.
— Jim Shepherd