Volume 2. Issue 52
Welcome to the Full-Time RVer Newsletter, published every other Wednesday by RVtravel.com. Here you’ll find helpful RV-related and full-time RV living tips from the pros, travel advice, and anything else of interest to full-timers or those who aspire to be. Thanks for joining us. We appreciate you. Please tell your friends about us.
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This newsletter is sponsored by our friends at Wholesale Warranties.
Quote of the day
“Happiness? The color of it must be spring green.” —Frances Mayes
No more excuses. RV now!
By Gail Marsh
“As soon as the baby can walk.” “Just as soon as I finish grad school.” “As soon as the children complete grade school/middle school/high school/college.” “As soon as I retire.” I’ll admit it. I used the “as soon as” phrase so much during my lifetime that it became my go-to mantra. Whenever approached by an out-of-the-ordinary idea, I always made excuses. Now I regret putting off so many opportunities. Looking back, as soon as one hurdle was overcome, I immediately erected the next!
Never the “perfect time”
Turns out, throughout my life, there has never been a perfect time—for anything. Family responsibilities, occupation requirements, health constraints. You name it—everyday living can legitimately squash almost any idea. I used many excuses. But now? Now I have some regrets.
I think that I got bogged down by “life’s responsibilities.” Instead of eagerly accepting an opportunity, I’d mentally grind through all the reasons why the opportunity could never work. “Who will watch the kids?” “How will my job get done?” “Can we afford to do this?” All good questions, and certainly legitimate. Looking back, I realize that I concentrated only on the negative aspects of an opportunity, rather than searching for ways to make it work. What a mistake!
Did you miss last weekend’s RV Travel Newsletters?
If so, here is some of what you missed…
- ‘Everyone working at Camping World acted like they had tried to weld a turd to a garbage can!’
- America’s Outdoor Recreation Act likely to pass this time
- Is KOA ‘single-handedly ruining camping’?
- Think something is wrong with your RV? Perhaps check your memory instead…
Features
Some of these articles are from past issues of RVtravel.com and have been updated for this newsletter.
Finding the magic in unknown places, the reason we travel
By Emily Woodbury
There’s a special kind of magic that seems to rest in the air in the high California desert. I’ve felt a similar magic before, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, but it had been a while and it was nice to be reminded of what it felt like. Continue reading about the magic of new places.
“All I read about are problems! Is it even worth getting an RV?”
By Gail Marsh
This comment appeared recently in an RV blog I follow. The person posting their question about whether or not getting an RV was even worth it received hundreds of replies—the majority being fervently in favor of the RV lifestyle. The entire post stopped me in my tracks. I looked back on the last several articles I’d researched and written. To my surprise (and regret), many of the articles voiced negative aspects of RVing. Continue reading this upbeat post.
Everything to know about crossing the border between San Diego and Tijuana in an RV
By Cheri Sicard
The thought of driving from the U.S. into Mexico inspires fear and anxiety in many would-be travelers. In fact, it’s enough to make a lot of folks stay home. Especially when you add the stress of driving or towing a large RV, and making that crossing at San Ysidro, the world’s busiest land border crossing. That’s a shame, because Baja California Norte, just over the border from San Diego, has so much to offer RVers. The border crossing is not bad, especially if you know what to expect. Learn more in this very comprehensive article.
Reader poll
Quick tip
Keep a hose just for dumping tanks
You may already know this, but just in case you haven’t realized the value of this tip: Dedicate a hose strictly for use in tank-dumping operations. Use it for rinsing hoses, flushing tanks, etc. But be sure to keep it completely away from your fresh water hose to prevent cross-contamination. If you can, find a suitable container to keep it safely stored.
Don’t you dare miss today’s edition of our popular RV Daily Tips newsletter!
A beloved Texas roadside stop with the “best bathrooms in the nation”
When you’re on a road trip and your gas tank is nearing empty, your bladder is nearing full, and your stomach is grumbling, where’s the best place to stop? Well, if you’re in Texas, Alabama, Georgia or Florida, it’s going to be at the beloved Buc-ee’s, of course. Learn more and watch the video.
RV meal prep for delicious chicken dinners on the fly
Winner, winner, chicken dinner! This article by Cheri Sicard contains a brilliant idea and delicious recipes that streamline your way to a flavorful homemade chicken dinner in your RV anytime. Yum! Check this out!
Your assignment
What advice would give an aspiring full-time RVer?
From the editors: We asked our readers this question. Here is one response:
“If you have never RVed before, rent or borrow an RV and take an extended trip to see if it’s for you. My second piece of advice is to chat with fellow RVers, especially the full-timers, for their expertise on every aspect of traveling full-time-expenses, useful apps, maintenance, handling mail, medical, domicile, etc.
“Finally, enjoy the journey and use back roads if possible. You will see the real America that way. Happy Trails from 14-year veterans of full-timing!” —Cheryl DeNoi
Featured recipe
Banana Bread in a Can
by Judy Drietz from Ivanhoe, MN
This banana bread in a can recipe is a fun and different way to prepare banana bread. We sprayed our cans with flour baking spray and the banana bread slid right out of the can. Once baked, the banana bread is super moist and full of delicious banana flavor. Pieces of walnuts add a nutty flavor and a little crunch. These are the perfect size loaves of banana bread to give as a gift.
RV Store on Amazon
Just about anything and everything you need for your RV at great prices. Visit now.
Contact information
Editor: Emily Woodbury
CONTACT US
Editorial (all but news): editor@rvtravel.com
Editorial (news): chuck@rvtravel.com
Help desk: Contact us.
Everything in this newsletter is true to the best of our knowledge. But we occasionally get something wrong. We’re just human! So don’t go spending $10,000 on something we said was good simply because we said so, or fixing something according to what we suggested (check with your own technician first). Maybe we made a mistake. Tips and/or comments in this newsletter are those of the authors and may not reflect the views of RVtravel.com or this newsletter.
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I started camping with my mother after I had some college course on outdoors or something like that. It was something we really enjoyed until I got married. Then we had a child and I ordered Parent Magazine for guidance. From the above it too agreed with what the blurb said. Don’t wait until you are retired or until your children are grown to travel. Make memories with your children while they are young. So I took their advice and made travel plans since ours was 9 months old. Camping trips, long distance trips and yes a trip to WDW. That was until my mother passed away 3 years ago. Then a year later we made a final family trip to the UP of Michigan. Then a year later I went to Maine to take on a seasonal job for the summer. Loved it so much I decided to go back again this summer. So with that said I am glad we did the trips and made the memories. Wouldn’t change a thing. So yes, take your children on those trips you can only dream of. Happy Trails.
There is also a Buckee’s in Crossville, Tennessee on I-40!
We have been camping since the early 60’s with boy scouts, etc. Bought our first 5th wheel in ’76 and have had a few more since then. We are now on our 2nd diesel coach and between the two, this is going on our 10th year of full time travels. No, we did not wear the 1st one out and it is still going strong with new owner and most likely will for another 20 or so years. My fist suggestion to anyone getting into this life style, DON’T BUY NEW! Purchase a well known still in business company that made a quality coach and the depreciation has disappeared on it. Foretravel, Newell and Prevost come to mind. All still in business and all make quality products! We opted for the Foretravel and we are on our second one. Also remember, a slide in the rig is a hole in the frame and issues happen with these. The more the less merrier! Trust me on this! Having sold RV’s before and understand what is involved with maintenance, etc., you are constantly learning and fixing.
Heading out tomorrow to see family, full timers here. As many have stated, if you wait, you may never get the chance. If you don’t like it, go back to the way you were, or just rent one and take one week long trip to learn basics. Then you have some idea.
As to: “No more excuses. RV now!”, “I’ll do it tomorrow” is often said. However, sooner or later there will be no tomorrows. Don’t wish your life away.
Excellent advice, Impavid. This is not an example of my philosophy of “Why do today what you can put off until tomorrow?” (That’s just for the yukky stuff.) Have a great day. 😀 -Diane at RVtravel.com
Driving an RV has an expiration date. “If not now, when?” was the question my wife and I asked each other for about a week before pulling the trigger and getting into the game. Sold our live aboard boat 6 months after we went ashore for recreation, travel and leisure. Never looked back.