By Christina VanGinkel
The first time I visited Colorado, nearly twenty years ago, one of the towns I was fortunate enough to call upon was Cripple Creek. Cripple Creek was still a sleepy little town back then, reminiscent of many old west flavored towns scattered about the state. It sat nestled amongst the mountain vistas that were and still are such a big draw for tourists all over the world. At that time, gambling as a source of revenue was being talked about, but it had yet to make a comeback. Where gambling had once thrived in the over one hundred saloons that dotted the face of the town, and then been banned as the flavorful old west town tamed down, it was once again legalized in 1990.
Home to Limited Stakes Gambling (meaning that all bets are limited to a maximum value of five dollars), Cripple Creek is also home to many fine restaurants, and various attractions including many old west flavored ones. From ghost walking tours, which combine a walk and tour of some of the most celebrated ghost sightings around town, to meeting some descendants of the very mules that made this mining town what it was during the heyday of the mines, there are some unique ways to pass the time in a town known for its casinos.
The state of Colorado itself is a wonderful place to visit. With tourist stops ranging from the tops of mountains to caves, there truly is something for everyone to see and experience in the state. For this reason alone, whether you are considering planning a family vacation or a trip for yourself or as a couple, Colorado is a fine place to consider.
You can take the kids on all sorts of daytrips, and then sneak off to the nightlife that a town such as Cripple Creek offers, for some fun adult entertainment in the form of the Limited Stakes gambling. On the other hand, enjoy the nightlife morning, noon, and night if you are traveling without kids! Several of the casinos also offer arcades for the kids to enjoy some gaming in during the day.
While in Cripple Creek, be sure to enjoy the fine dining in their many restaurants and retire for the night in one of their many historically located hotels. There is plenty to see and do, and if you enjoy gambling, but dislike to fast paced, huge crowds of places such as Las Vegas, then this might be just the atmosphere you have been searching. Unless you come for a visit though, it will be hard to find out if it is all the things, so many people believe it to be.
Located just west of Colorado Springs, which is home to numerous tourist attractions of its own, Cripple Creek was once considered one of Colorado's foremost ghost towns. With laws put in place before the gambling took over the town, many of the original structures were preserved, providing much of the fun of the old west theme that the town has long been famous. While it would not in my opinion still qualify as a sleepy ghost town as it surely was the day I first visited twenty years back, it nonetheless still has a lot to offer for anyone interested in Colorado's historical buildings and history rich in ghost tales. There is the Butte Opera House, which is open year round, and restored to its original 1890's glory, the Cripple Creek District Museum, which is located in the original location of the Midland Terminal Railroad Depot, or the Old Homestead Museum, an original 1890's brothel in Cripple Creek's Red Light District. There are gold mines, rock climbing, hiking, even a skateboard park. Cripple Creek is a town that offers something for everyone in the family.
Fees for these and other attractions vary, with some of the attractions open year round, and others only during the summer months. If you are planning a vacation to Colorado, be sure to put Cripple Creek at the top of your list of towns to stop by and visit. You may end up staying for the whole trip though, as there are attractions and activities all around town, day and night, just waiting to be discovered.
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Friday, April 28, 2006
Wish You Were in Dixie? Visit Historic Richmond
Richmond, Virginia, is famous for lots of things, too many to name; one of the biggest is its ties to Civil War America. Richmond was the home base of the "Confederate States of America," the place where the Confederate White House, occupied by Jefferson Davis, was located. Although time has taken a big toll on America's Civil War sites, many of Richmond's historical homes and buildings have been preserved or restored. Here you'll discover some homes and churches that witnessed Richmond's role in the "War Between the States."
Richmond is such a big city that its historical properties are split into many different neighborhoods. One of these neighborhoods is known as the Franklin Street District. Here you can find 19th century homes ranging from the early 1800s to the Victorian era of the 1890s. Among those that stood during the Civil War are the Cole Diggs House, the Kent-Valentine House with beautiful stately columns, the Ritter-Hancock House, and the Price Home, also known as the Dooley-Madison Rest Home. There is additional amazing architecture spanning decades; you can find some wonderful stone and brick homes that resemble castles with walkways and round rooms.
If you have a tour guide or know someone who is familiar with the area, you may enjoy knowing the name of each individual house you visit. If you love historic homes as I do, you'll probably want many photos (of course, be warned; if anyone is still *living* in these old homes, and in most of them people still are, it may look strange when you point your camera at their house). If you act like a tourist, they will probably leave you alone! Try to get pictures of plaques and markers as well. Some historic homes in Richmond can be toured, so hop online to a place like www.historicrichmond.com (or search the web) and ask the staff there when and where certain tours will be offered.
St. John's Church District (known as Church Hill), is also home to structures that stood during the Civil War era. No visitor should even consider coming to Richmond without seeing St. John's Church. Not only did it stand in the 19th century, but in its older form stood in the days of the Revolution and hosted the "speechifying" of Patrick Henry. The homes of Carrington Row were all constructed in the early 1800s (1818 to be exact) and are uniform in appearance. The Adams-Taylor House, Morris Cottage, and Adams Double House all stood in the 1860s. The Elmira Shelton House, a quaint red-brick home with simple but elegant adornment, is particularly interesting because of its connection to Edgar Allen Poe. His sweetheart (Elmira Shelton) once lived here.
Some historical structures are scattered throughout the city and aren't situated in any particular district. One of these is the Wilton House, an ancient edifice from the mid-1800s. It originally stood outside of town but was later brought into the city limits. The Tudor home known as Agecroft is by far Richmond's most historical building and the most interesting. You may find it difficult to believe it was built in the 1400s even though Virginia was not colonized until the 1600s. It's true! The home was actually moved from England, from an area known as Lancasshire.
Don't forget to learn all you can about Richmond and its role in the pivotal "War Between the States" before visiting the city, since it is most famous for that association. Look for the canals lying outside the city. Near the canals you'll find a building steeped in history; the Tredegar Iron Works. Almost all of the cannons used by the Southern Army during the war were made right here in Tredegar. The place itself was built in 1837, a mere twenty-four years before the start of the war.
Driving will probably not be an easy feat in Richmond even on the "slowest" hours of the day. This is where it helps to take a bus, tour, or other form of public transportation so you don't frazzle your nerves trying to get around. You shouldn't be afraid to ask directions. Even if you're a "Yankee," I guarantee Richmond's citizens *will not* bite. And don't try to put on a fake Southern accent to blend in; it's very noticeable, and all they will hear is a "Yankee" trying to sound like a Southerner!
By Lacie Schaeffer
Richmond is such a big city that its historical properties are split into many different neighborhoods. One of these neighborhoods is known as the Franklin Street District. Here you can find 19th century homes ranging from the early 1800s to the Victorian era of the 1890s. Among those that stood during the Civil War are the Cole Diggs House, the Kent-Valentine House with beautiful stately columns, the Ritter-Hancock House, and the Price Home, also known as the Dooley-Madison Rest Home. There is additional amazing architecture spanning decades; you can find some wonderful stone and brick homes that resemble castles with walkways and round rooms.
If you have a tour guide or know someone who is familiar with the area, you may enjoy knowing the name of each individual house you visit. If you love historic homes as I do, you'll probably want many photos (of course, be warned; if anyone is still *living* in these old homes, and in most of them people still are, it may look strange when you point your camera at their house). If you act like a tourist, they will probably leave you alone! Try to get pictures of plaques and markers as well. Some historic homes in Richmond can be toured, so hop online to a place like www.historicrichmond.com (or search the web) and ask the staff there when and where certain tours will be offered.
St. John's Church District (known as Church Hill), is also home to structures that stood during the Civil War era. No visitor should even consider coming to Richmond without seeing St. John's Church. Not only did it stand in the 19th century, but in its older form stood in the days of the Revolution and hosted the "speechifying" of Patrick Henry. The homes of Carrington Row were all constructed in the early 1800s (1818 to be exact) and are uniform in appearance. The Adams-Taylor House, Morris Cottage, and Adams Double House all stood in the 1860s. The Elmira Shelton House, a quaint red-brick home with simple but elegant adornment, is particularly interesting because of its connection to Edgar Allen Poe. His sweetheart (Elmira Shelton) once lived here.
Some historical structures are scattered throughout the city and aren't situated in any particular district. One of these is the Wilton House, an ancient edifice from the mid-1800s. It originally stood outside of town but was later brought into the city limits. The Tudor home known as Agecroft is by far Richmond's most historical building and the most interesting. You may find it difficult to believe it was built in the 1400s even though Virginia was not colonized until the 1600s. It's true! The home was actually moved from England, from an area known as Lancasshire.
Don't forget to learn all you can about Richmond and its role in the pivotal "War Between the States" before visiting the city, since it is most famous for that association. Look for the canals lying outside the city. Near the canals you'll find a building steeped in history; the Tredegar Iron Works. Almost all of the cannons used by the Southern Army during the war were made right here in Tredegar. The place itself was built in 1837, a mere twenty-four years before the start of the war.
Driving will probably not be an easy feat in Richmond even on the "slowest" hours of the day. This is where it helps to take a bus, tour, or other form of public transportation so you don't frazzle your nerves trying to get around. You shouldn't be afraid to ask directions. Even if you're a "Yankee," I guarantee Richmond's citizens *will not* bite. And don't try to put on a fake Southern accent to blend in; it's very noticeable, and all they will hear is a "Yankee" trying to sound like a Southerner!
By Lacie Schaeffer
Fort Matanzas - Florida's Forgotten Outpost
When researching historical attractions in St. Augustine, Florida, the Castillo de San Marcos, built in the 17th century, is immediately one of the first things you will find. Unfortunately Fort Matanzas, located near adjoining Anastasia Island and completed in 1742, is largely ignored. This fort, though small, is still a great St. Augustine side-trip. Remember that the only way to get to Fort Matanzas is by ferry; the structure actually sits on a patch of land known as "Rattlesnake Island." Don't let the name fool you; this barren strip is actually one of St. Augustine's most beautiful places because it hasn't been completely taken over by development as many other nearby places have.
Fort Matanzas is a Spanish fort and helped to keep pirates and other enemies at bay during the turbulent years between 1700 and 1750. The English sieges in 1702 and again in 1740 made the soldiers even more determined that, although the Castillo guarded the main city, another fort would be needed to protect the back end of St. Augustine. Thus Fort Matanzas, so named because of the French "matanzas," (slaughters) that happened near this site, was begun.
It is important to learn every aspect of St. Augustine's history that you can possibly can before arriving. Learning the history behind Fort Matanzas opens the door to a part of history nearly forgotten. Once you arrive on "Rattlesnake Island," take time to read the signs that explain the function of the fort and the history of the surrounding area. You can tour the inner rooms of the fort, including the main lookout, soldiers' quarters, cannon deck and other small but fascinating places. The sentry box may be of particular interest to small children.
The soldiers' quarters area is especially small, but a well-appointed room where you can see what life was like in the 18th century. If you've visited the Castillo, you will notice that some of Fort Matanzas's rooms are like smaller versions of the rooms in the Castillo. The officer's quarters are still a very tight squeeze but the furniture is somewhat finer, perhaps from showing off the difference in rank. Some parts of the fort may only be accessible at certain times, so check to see what your tour will cover when you arrive. Be sure to remember the fort is not very large and there are small spaces, tight squeezes and narrow sentry boxes to navigate around. Keep on eye on younger children. Please remember to tell children not to climb or sit on walls or cannons; not only can it harm the fort itself, but could pose a danger to the children.
Fort Matanzas is important not only for its historical past but also the many creatures that call Matanzas Inlet their home. Be on the lookout for seafaring visitors and ocean birds. If nature is your thing, check out Fort Matanzas's website at www.nps.gov/foma and find out if there will be a nature walk when you plan to visit. This activity may not be a winner if you've traveling with kids, unless they happen to love birdwatching or spotting exotic plants. Another great attraction offered at various times (check their page to find out what's happening when) is a torchlight tour of Fort Matanzas. I would definitely recommend checking into this just for the sheer uniqueness of the tour.
If you visit Fort Matanzas, be sure to stop by St. Augustine's huge 17th century fortress, El Castillo de San Marcos (The Castle of St. Mark). For a while known as Fort Marion, visitors can be glad the original Spanish name was restored because it evokes so much more romance and adventure. The courtyard, separate rooms, and gun deck with its many cannons make the Castillo a must-see for the St. Augustine traveler. The site of Fort Mose (a fortress no longer standing that once housed an African American colony) is another military site you may want to study.
Fort Matanzas (and also Castillo de San Marcos) are owned and operated by the National Park Service, so if you have questions about either site, don't be afraid to ask. Many Park Service staff you may encounter will be able to answer queries about anything from St. Augustine's past to where you might find the restrooms!
If you come to Fort Matanzas, take lots of pictures; even if the space of small, there is history covering every inch of the structure, from it's beginning in the 18th century to its much later restoration.
By Lacie Schaeffer
Fort Matanzas is a Spanish fort and helped to keep pirates and other enemies at bay during the turbulent years between 1700 and 1750. The English sieges in 1702 and again in 1740 made the soldiers even more determined that, although the Castillo guarded the main city, another fort would be needed to protect the back end of St. Augustine. Thus Fort Matanzas, so named because of the French "matanzas," (slaughters) that happened near this site, was begun.
It is important to learn every aspect of St. Augustine's history that you can possibly can before arriving. Learning the history behind Fort Matanzas opens the door to a part of history nearly forgotten. Once you arrive on "Rattlesnake Island," take time to read the signs that explain the function of the fort and the history of the surrounding area. You can tour the inner rooms of the fort, including the main lookout, soldiers' quarters, cannon deck and other small but fascinating places. The sentry box may be of particular interest to small children.
The soldiers' quarters area is especially small, but a well-appointed room where you can see what life was like in the 18th century. If you've visited the Castillo, you will notice that some of Fort Matanzas's rooms are like smaller versions of the rooms in the Castillo. The officer's quarters are still a very tight squeeze but the furniture is somewhat finer, perhaps from showing off the difference in rank. Some parts of the fort may only be accessible at certain times, so check to see what your tour will cover when you arrive. Be sure to remember the fort is not very large and there are small spaces, tight squeezes and narrow sentry boxes to navigate around. Keep on eye on younger children. Please remember to tell children not to climb or sit on walls or cannons; not only can it harm the fort itself, but could pose a danger to the children.
Fort Matanzas is important not only for its historical past but also the many creatures that call Matanzas Inlet their home. Be on the lookout for seafaring visitors and ocean birds. If nature is your thing, check out Fort Matanzas's website at www.nps.gov/foma and find out if there will be a nature walk when you plan to visit. This activity may not be a winner if you've traveling with kids, unless they happen to love birdwatching or spotting exotic plants. Another great attraction offered at various times (check their page to find out what's happening when) is a torchlight tour of Fort Matanzas. I would definitely recommend checking into this just for the sheer uniqueness of the tour.
If you visit Fort Matanzas, be sure to stop by St. Augustine's huge 17th century fortress, El Castillo de San Marcos (The Castle of St. Mark). For a while known as Fort Marion, visitors can be glad the original Spanish name was restored because it evokes so much more romance and adventure. The courtyard, separate rooms, and gun deck with its many cannons make the Castillo a must-see for the St. Augustine traveler. The site of Fort Mose (a fortress no longer standing that once housed an African American colony) is another military site you may want to study.
Fort Matanzas (and also Castillo de San Marcos) are owned and operated by the National Park Service, so if you have questions about either site, don't be afraid to ask. Many Park Service staff you may encounter will be able to answer queries about anything from St. Augustine's past to where you might find the restrooms!
If you come to Fort Matanzas, take lots of pictures; even if the space of small, there is history covering every inch of the structure, from it's beginning in the 18th century to its much later restoration.
By Lacie Schaeffer
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Fuel Cost Calculators and Saving on your Next Road Trip
By Christina VanGinkel
Like many Americans, my husband and I have become somewhat consumed watching the price if gasoline go up and down and then back up in recent months. With summer arriving in just a matter of weeks, and a few road trips in the planning stages, we have been trying to budget for the cost of fuel on these hoped for getaways. Without knowing what the cost of gasoline will be by the time we go, we know that coming up with an actual cost will not be possible, yet we hope that we will be able to at least judge it within a reasonable amount by using a fuel cost calculator.
A fuel cost calculator allows you to input information such as your starting point and destination, along with your vehicles make, model, and year. Some fuel cost calculators, such as the one online via the AAA car club, limits you on your starting point and destination to a select few cities across the United States, but will provide you with an estimated cost for both one way travel and round trip, along with distance in miles between the two points.
Another site, Road Trip America, has you input information such as number of miles you will be driving, how many miles per gallon your particular vehicle gets, and price per gallon. It will then figure your costs only after filling in this information. The site foes have a graph that allows you to look up your vehicle if you are unsure of what the average mile per gallon of your vehicle is. My Microsoft Trips and Streets software that came bundled with my Dell computer has a similar feature, with the added advantage of being able to instantly look up the distance between two points and offering tips on various driving routes. It does not allow me to look up the miles per gallon of my current vehicle though.
Tools such as these are increasingly becoming popular and will likely continue to grow in popularity. While no single tool can help alleviate the increase in the cost of gasoline, coupled with other tools and tips, such as making sure your vehicle is in optimum running order before heading out, together they will allow us to travel more informed. For someone who drives quite a limited distance in his or her daily routine, ignoring the soaring cost of gasoline can be accomplished. What happens though is when that same person decides to take a road trip, sticker shock at the pumps hits harder than they ever imagined.
Whether you are planning one or several road trips this summer, consider the use of tools such as these and other fuel cost calculators to be informed as to what the adventure will cost you. Then add on savings by driving as economically as you can:
Avoid piling on extra weight. If you have been toting around a trunk full of stuff, clean it out before you head out.
Use your cruise control. By maintaining an even speed as long as possible, your vehicle will potentially save fuel. This is one of those features that might not seem like a big thing, but when combined with other fuel saving tips has the potential to add up.
For much the same reason that using your cruise control helps to save gas, so does driving sensibly. If you are constantly mashing on the brake, then speeding up, and then hitting the brakes again, you are defeating how your engine uses fuel, and will suck up more than its fair share. Driving sensibly is not only safe and the right thing to do; it can keep more money in your pocket in the end. I actually read a report that said the fuel used when driving erratically down a stretch of road when compared to the same vehicle on the same stretch of road driving in a logical fashion was over twenty fiver percent! That could really add up when you consider the average cost of a gallon of gasoline is currently hovering near the three-dollar mark.
Be sure your car is in good running condition. Your tires should be inflated to their recommended level. Fuel and air filters should be cleaned or replaced as needed. Change your oil on time. A motor that is running, as it should, will most likely use less fuel than one in need of repair.
Like many Americans, my husband and I have become somewhat consumed watching the price if gasoline go up and down and then back up in recent months. With summer arriving in just a matter of weeks, and a few road trips in the planning stages, we have been trying to budget for the cost of fuel on these hoped for getaways. Without knowing what the cost of gasoline will be by the time we go, we know that coming up with an actual cost will not be possible, yet we hope that we will be able to at least judge it within a reasonable amount by using a fuel cost calculator.
A fuel cost calculator allows you to input information such as your starting point and destination, along with your vehicles make, model, and year. Some fuel cost calculators, such as the one online via the AAA car club, limits you on your starting point and destination to a select few cities across the United States, but will provide you with an estimated cost for both one way travel and round trip, along with distance in miles between the two points.
Another site, Road Trip America, has you input information such as number of miles you will be driving, how many miles per gallon your particular vehicle gets, and price per gallon. It will then figure your costs only after filling in this information. The site foes have a graph that allows you to look up your vehicle if you are unsure of what the average mile per gallon of your vehicle is. My Microsoft Trips and Streets software that came bundled with my Dell computer has a similar feature, with the added advantage of being able to instantly look up the distance between two points and offering tips on various driving routes. It does not allow me to look up the miles per gallon of my current vehicle though.
Tools such as these are increasingly becoming popular and will likely continue to grow in popularity. While no single tool can help alleviate the increase in the cost of gasoline, coupled with other tools and tips, such as making sure your vehicle is in optimum running order before heading out, together they will allow us to travel more informed. For someone who drives quite a limited distance in his or her daily routine, ignoring the soaring cost of gasoline can be accomplished. What happens though is when that same person decides to take a road trip, sticker shock at the pumps hits harder than they ever imagined.
Whether you are planning one or several road trips this summer, consider the use of tools such as these and other fuel cost calculators to be informed as to what the adventure will cost you. Then add on savings by driving as economically as you can:
Avoid piling on extra weight. If you have been toting around a trunk full of stuff, clean it out before you head out.
Use your cruise control. By maintaining an even speed as long as possible, your vehicle will potentially save fuel. This is one of those features that might not seem like a big thing, but when combined with other fuel saving tips has the potential to add up.
For much the same reason that using your cruise control helps to save gas, so does driving sensibly. If you are constantly mashing on the brake, then speeding up, and then hitting the brakes again, you are defeating how your engine uses fuel, and will suck up more than its fair share. Driving sensibly is not only safe and the right thing to do; it can keep more money in your pocket in the end. I actually read a report that said the fuel used when driving erratically down a stretch of road when compared to the same vehicle on the same stretch of road driving in a logical fashion was over twenty fiver percent! That could really add up when you consider the average cost of a gallon of gasoline is currently hovering near the three-dollar mark.
Be sure your car is in good running condition. Your tires should be inflated to their recommended level. Fuel and air filters should be cleaned or replaced as needed. Change your oil on time. A motor that is running, as it should, will most likely use less fuel than one in need of repair.
RV Travel
By Christina VanGinkel
Travel in an RV has been a time-honored pastime for many families. This summer, I see there is even a comedy starring Robin Williams that is a spoof on this type of travel. Yet, for many families, this type of vacation is the one type that can allow even large families on a budget to travel together. As more baby boomers come into an age that they not only have older children, but also grandchildren, many people believe there is going to be a renewed surge in this type of travel. Even with most RV vehicles being anything but a gas saver, when compared to the combined cost of travel by other means, such as air combined with other costs such as hotel stays and eating each meal out, RV travel can still offer huge savings. Figuring out how to travel and keep your sanity is the last major hurdle for many families in the decision making stage of whether or not to choose this type of vacation.
There are things to consider, and tips to follow, but if you are serious about having the vacation of a lifetime, in an RV, it can be done. Just ask the millions who have gone before you and done just that.
Many companies rent out RV's from basic to deluxe models. Rental can be for various timeframes, from a few days to a month or more. Even if you plan to purchase an RV, it might be wise to rent one first, to be sure that this sort of travel is really for you. It is best if you rent one that will be equal to the size that you plan to buy. Some companies even offer a rent before you buy plan. These plans allow you to use an RV that you intend to purchase on a trial basis first. Most people continue through with the purchase, but a select few realize that RV travel is not for them. Others become so enamored with this type of travel that they spend as much time as they can doing it, some even retiring to RV parks for their golden years.
Choose a destination. Too often first time RV travelers feel that the RV itself is the vacation. It is not. You and your traveling companions can only be impressed by the inside of the RV so long, and then you will need to focus on where you are going and what you will be doing once you arrive.
Who will all be going with you? Will you be taking any pets or young children along? If so, what extra accommodations will need to be made? RV travel can often find various age groups traveling together, and in close quarters such as an RV, they get to know each other well. It is hard not to see grandma first thing in the morning when you are sleeping just a few feet away from each other. Bring along a card and board games to keep from becoming bored between attractions. Books and magazines are also necessary, and if traveling with small kids, make sure to pack a few favorite toys and their bikes if you will be staying in parks that will accommodate their use.
Make sure rules are in place before heading out, and that they are followed. Simple things like everyone having a few simple chores will keep the vacation a vacation, and not leaving a big mess at the end of each day with everyone arguing about who is going to clean it up. Institute a few mess avers too, to help keep down on the chores. Everyone, including kids should take off their shoes before or upon entering, especially if you are parked anywhere that might feed the mess problem, such as in a muddy campground with it pouring rain outside.
Traveling by RV is a great way to explore your state or the whole United States for that matter. There are RV parks that offer rustic camping to deluxe parks that have swimming pools and restaurants. If you are considering trying this much-loved form of travel, do not let this summers expected high gas costs deter you. When compared to other forms of travel, an RV vacation is still a bargain.
Travel in an RV has been a time-honored pastime for many families. This summer, I see there is even a comedy starring Robin Williams that is a spoof on this type of travel. Yet, for many families, this type of vacation is the one type that can allow even large families on a budget to travel together. As more baby boomers come into an age that they not only have older children, but also grandchildren, many people believe there is going to be a renewed surge in this type of travel. Even with most RV vehicles being anything but a gas saver, when compared to the combined cost of travel by other means, such as air combined with other costs such as hotel stays and eating each meal out, RV travel can still offer huge savings. Figuring out how to travel and keep your sanity is the last major hurdle for many families in the decision making stage of whether or not to choose this type of vacation.
There are things to consider, and tips to follow, but if you are serious about having the vacation of a lifetime, in an RV, it can be done. Just ask the millions who have gone before you and done just that.
Many companies rent out RV's from basic to deluxe models. Rental can be for various timeframes, from a few days to a month or more. Even if you plan to purchase an RV, it might be wise to rent one first, to be sure that this sort of travel is really for you. It is best if you rent one that will be equal to the size that you plan to buy. Some companies even offer a rent before you buy plan. These plans allow you to use an RV that you intend to purchase on a trial basis first. Most people continue through with the purchase, but a select few realize that RV travel is not for them. Others become so enamored with this type of travel that they spend as much time as they can doing it, some even retiring to RV parks for their golden years.
Choose a destination. Too often first time RV travelers feel that the RV itself is the vacation. It is not. You and your traveling companions can only be impressed by the inside of the RV so long, and then you will need to focus on where you are going and what you will be doing once you arrive.
Who will all be going with you? Will you be taking any pets or young children along? If so, what extra accommodations will need to be made? RV travel can often find various age groups traveling together, and in close quarters such as an RV, they get to know each other well. It is hard not to see grandma first thing in the morning when you are sleeping just a few feet away from each other. Bring along a card and board games to keep from becoming bored between attractions. Books and magazines are also necessary, and if traveling with small kids, make sure to pack a few favorite toys and their bikes if you will be staying in parks that will accommodate their use.
Make sure rules are in place before heading out, and that they are followed. Simple things like everyone having a few simple chores will keep the vacation a vacation, and not leaving a big mess at the end of each day with everyone arguing about who is going to clean it up. Institute a few mess avers too, to help keep down on the chores. Everyone, including kids should take off their shoes before or upon entering, especially if you are parked anywhere that might feed the mess problem, such as in a muddy campground with it pouring rain outside.
Traveling by RV is a great way to explore your state or the whole United States for that matter. There are RV parks that offer rustic camping to deluxe parks that have swimming pools and restaurants. If you are considering trying this much-loved form of travel, do not let this summers expected high gas costs deter you. When compared to other forms of travel, an RV vacation is still a bargain.
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