Biting At The Bit
We're experiencing high 90º temps in SoFlo and it is snowing in Minnesota... Yes, it is the last day of April...go figure. It's so hot these last few days, my long haired Swiss Shepherd is struggling. We can't leave just yet. I still have visitors coming in the upcoming weeks and like I said, it's snowing up north and huge storms on the plains!
There are just 2 and a 1/2 months before I venture out on an 8,000 mile roadtrip,... just me and my pup. Time to plan & organize and make lists. Maybe my efforts will help get you out on the road. Truth be told, planning gives me as much joy as the trip itself. So let's start with where I am going.
The Wild Wild West
This trip is coming from the missed opportunities to see the National Parks in Utah. Long story, but this year I am going! I mentioned above about the heat and an 11 year old long-haired Swiss Shepherd that needs to cool off. So first we head north to visit family and friends and cool off a bit. I expect to be in Utah by September, praying that the heat will have broken by then and be out of that state heading south before the snow flies.
(Text in purple are links to websites)
I have been on Roadtrippers and have generated a map with destinations. It allows me to make notes to myself and it has buttons to click that will show me additional attractions and culture, hotels, dining, camping, points of interest and it gives me mileage and how much gas will cost! I think this is a great planning tool. Sometimes, I think it is cumbersome, but maybe I just need to learn the nuances better. This link will take you specifically to my map:
click here-->MY MAP
and I am hoping you will have a look and comment below on what not to miss if you have been out this direction. Please and Thank You in advance.
My lofty goal is to overnight as much as possible for FREE. My precious dollars will be used for gasoline, fun things to do, food and of course, WINE. Since Gerard is not traveling with me I do not get the benefit of his national senior access pass that allowed for 1/2 price camping. Bummer! I will buy the yearly pass and it will let me into the parks for NO entrance fee, but there is no discount on camping in the parks.
I have joined three sites that will help me accomplish my mission of overnighting for free.
Harvest Hosts- a network of wineries, farms and agri-tourism sites that invite self-contained RVers to visit and stay overnight for free! Membership is $40 and it has already paid itself off when I did the Outer Banks trip. The only condition is that you should purchase something that the host is selling and who doesn't need another bottle of WINE! This is dry camping, but sometimes there are services like water or electric and/or WiFi at some locations.
Boondockers Welcome- On this web site you can contact people from all corners of the world who love RVing, boondocking, and traveling on a budget.In North America in particular, many of us seek out Walmart stores, truck stops, and casinos for free overnight parking on route to our destinations. While we will likely continue to use these businesses, what would it be like to be welcomed by thousands of fellow RVers to spend the night parked on their private property instead? Plus I feel safe with like-minded and interested folks. The membership is $25 or $20 if you can offer space at your property.
Allstays- This is an app I downloaded on my phone. I think I paid $10 for it. Over 29,000 Campgrounds: Independent, KOA, National/State Forest, State Parks, Public Lands, Army Corps, National Park, Military, County and City Parks, casinos. Amenities noted include open season, rate range, sites, hookups, amps, big rigs access, tents or no tents, club discounts (Good Sam, Passport America, Escapees, KOA, 1,000 Trails, Resorts of Distinction, AOR, Coast to Coast), water, toilets/restrooms, tables, pool, playground, laundry, propane, pet-friendly, RV dump station, age restricted, big rigs, boat launch, trails, internet access and more.
My two new finds (and these sites are free) are Campendium and freecampsites. What I like about Campendium better than free campsites is there seems to be many more reviews of BLM land sites and photos of those sites. And most importantly, if you need 4x4 to get to some of them. Not wanting to get myself stuck in the middle of nowhere Utah! So photos- yes, a very good thing. I am a very visual person. If you are new to all this BLM= Bureau of Land Management- land where you can camp for free. And there is a lot land out west!
Being solo has changed how I travel in the ZiOsmobile. I have so much more storage space, not that I am going to overload or anything. There is definitely more room to stretch out and room for Sitka. I have more room to take jewelry making supplies and product to sell. Do I hear tax right off at year's end? I have some books.. ones I refer to that have their place in a cabinet (bird and butterfly id books, gemstone id books, rv manuals and my law of attraction books), but all my reading material is on my Kindle app. In that same cabinet is battery lantern and binoculars. So what else has to come along?–
What to pack
Pack everything but the kitchen sink.... cause my van has a kitchen sink and a stove top, microwave, and 5 cu ft refrigerator! Traveling is pure luxury in the ZiOsmobile. I use a memory foam mattress on top of my power sofa. I need more koosh. I have it covered with a grey duvet cover and another duvet over my down quilt. These are easy enough to take off and wash and serve as my sheets. Also stashed in a drawer is fleece sleep bag. I keep extra dark grey sheets for Sitka to sleep on part of the sofa bed with me.
More lists:
•small throw blanket to use inside or outside
•pillows
•folding clothes rack (for drying- i keep on command hooks in bathroom)
•folding table
•camp chairs
•outdoor bug candles
•insect repellant
•outdoor camp rug (i use a huge one, completely covers the space under awning)
•shorty westsuit and water shoes, snorkel gear when needed (the FL Keys!)
•hiking boots
•running shoes
•sandals and hiking sandals
•pull on ug type slippers i can wear outside
•socks and underwear
•two pair convertible pants, leggings and bike shorts
•long and short sleeve shirts
•two swimsuits
•shawl
•sundresses (i live in these)
•light jacket and rain poncho
•sweatshirt
•leather jacket and gloves
In the Kitchen
•collapsible pot
•small sauce pot
•french press
•iron skillet
•small crockpot
•small blender
•collapsible nesting measuring cups and nesting spoons, collapsible nesting bowls
•cutting knife and cutting board
•wooden spoons, spatula, tongs
•plates and bowls (mine are bamboo)
•stemless wine glass (mine are from wineries I have visited along the way)
•CORKSCREW!
•church key (anyone old enough to know that word?) cause you never know who will need to open a beer
•microwavable storage containers
•dish rags and towels, dawn dishwashing soap
•broom and dust pan (mine is a folding broom with telescoping handle)
•toilet chemicals
•disinfectant wipes
Bathroom
•towels
•shampoo, conditioner, body wash, razor, lotion, sunscreen
•first aid, throat lozenges, day and night cold medicine
•razor
•floss, toothpaste and toothbrush
•large dishtub (i use it to stand in and take a navy shower when boondocking and then throw out the water instead of letting go in the grey tank)
•SINGLE ply toilet paper
Important stuff
•Debit / credit card. -- - $20-$40 in small bills, roll of quarters. •Road service card(s) •Duplicate meds and eyeglass prescriptions •Xerox copies driver's license and passport, vehicle registration / insurance •Proof of medical insurance •current proof of pet shots •Emergency phone numbers (who to notify in cases of medical emergency
•camera and tripod
•waterproof gear bag and waterproof iphone bag •and the ever important backscratcher
The Nitty Gritty Stuff
•power cord and surge protector
•15/30 amp adapter, 50/30 amp adapter, extra extension cord (10 amp or heavier)
•water hose
•water pressure regulator
•water filter
•gravity dump hose and fittings just in case macerator ever has issues... ok where is the wood to knock on?
•disposable rubber gloves
•fire starters, lighter
•folding shovel (i take the hubbies Marine shovel from 58 years ago...lol) and hatchet
•leveling blocks
•tire pressure guage
•vacuum (Sitka has a ton of hair)
•3m rollers
•command hooks with extra command strips
•duct tape, zip ties, rubber bands
•permanent marker
•rubber mallet, wd40, small tube of silicone, pliers, screwdrivers, wrenches
•bungee cords
•batteries
•headlamp
•usb chargers
•wireless speaker
•small space heater (sometimes just need to take the chill off and don't need the propane furnace)
and all of Sitka's gear
This trip, I am considering a pop-up screen tent. I think it will make it more evident that we are occupying a site when we are out and about for the day. On one of the Facebook pages I am on, I heard about people returning to their camp site and find their belongings missing. With van camping that is our transportation, unlike unhitching a travel trailer or leaving the class A and driving for the day in your tow vehicle. Also it will could provide some shelter for the camp chairs and mat left behind at the site.
I have been thrilled by all I am learning in the groups on Facebook and am grateful to have this community of people to lean on while out on the road:
Women Who RV (where I stole the Important Stuff list.. thanx Pam S)
Liberal RVers
Roadtrek & Hymer Owners Group
Roadtrek Zion Owners Group
I really do want to hear from you all. I would love to have recommendations (like for a pop-up tent?), sage advice and would love your encouragement all along the way.
Can you hear Carly Simon in the back ground singing?
We can never know about the days to come But we think about them anyway And I wonder if I'm really with you now Or just chasing after some finer day
Anticipation, anticipation Is making me late It's keeping me waiting
Oh yeah, and I am bringing the guitar.