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RV Vacations: Ten Tips
Perhaps you have wondered about taking an RV vacation. It seems like fun and you'd like to try it, but you aren't sure if it's for you. Well, it's a growing industry. Annual RV retail sales topped $14 billion in 2004. As baby boomers take to the road, the RVing pastime and lifestyle are becoming increasingly popular. If you have a hint of the RV itch, then here are 10 common reasons for taking an RV vacation: Getting Back to Nature: If you are interested in the great outdoors, an RV is a great way to vacation. You can visit state or national parks, tour famous landmarks and simply enjoy some fresh air and natural settings. Take a hike or go fishing. Try white water rafting or canoeing. Play some golf, go swimming, ride your bike. Get some exercise or simply do nothing but enjoy your surroundings.The Comforts of Home: In an RV, you can have the best of both worlds. Enjoy the great outdoors with more creature comforts than tent camping. Whether you own an RV or try a rental, most RVs are well equipped. You will likely have a kitchen with microwave, fridge and stove, a TV and VCR, beds, living and dining areas and bathroom with shower. Many RVs have slide out rooms that increase the living area at the touch of a button. You can sit outside under your awning, get out of the rain if the weather changes, and turn on the air conditioner if it gets too hot.Family Matters: Family members of all ages tend to connect with each other when they are away from their normal routine enjoying a simpler lifestyle. Remember that family togetherness can be a double-edged sword. While the RV is comfortable, it is a small living area for a large family. If you are renting, bear this in mind in choosing the size of your rental RV. During the day, try to spend time outdoors or in different activities, so that each family member gets a bit of personal space and time for themselves. But the minor logistics can be managed. The general consensus among RVing families is that an RV vacation tends to bring the family closer together with more communication and the sharing of good times.Cool for Kids: An RV vacation can be a great way to travel with children. They can go out to play or take part in campground activities. There are likely to be other kids to meet and new places to explore. Children of all ages will enjoy an old-fashioned campfire complete with stories, songs and stargazing. And most kids think it's pretty cool to be in an RV "home on wheels".Campgrounds: There are many choices in campgrounds and RV parks. In peak season and tourist areas, you should make reservations. Look for the amenities that are important to you. Campgrounds may have swimming pools, lakes, boating, fishing ponds, miniature golf, playgrounds, hiking trails, game rooms, walking or bike paths, tennis courts and activities for kids and adults. You may find dances, barbeques, contests or other entertainment. RV Clubs are worth joining to get campground discounts and other services. Consider the size and setting of the campsites and check out overall campground ratings in campground directories. Also consider proximity to other attractions or landmarks that you want to visit.Flexibility: In an RV, you have the flexibility to change locations if you get the whim. But take this with a grain of salt. For popular destinations, you may not be able to pick up and find another campground without a reservation. You also want to strike the right balance between seeing different areas, the amount of time spent driving and ensuring you have enough time to relax. Cautions aside, an RV can give you a lot of freedom and spontaneity. RV travel appeals to an inner pioneering spirit and allows you to create your own adventure as you go along your way. You can explore the country at your own pace or take off for last minute mini-vacations, tailgating events and weekend trips.Affordability: The question of whether it is cheaper to take an RV vacation doesn't have a "one size fits all" answer. The comparison really depends on the type of vacations you would take instead, as well as the way in which you plan to RV. For a one-time trip, you can compare the costs of renting a suitable RV to the costs of hotels, airfare or other means of travel. Or if you are considering regular RV vacations, you may want to purchase a motorhome or towable trailer. In this case, you would need to factor in operating costs, maintenance and the purchase price. In an RV, you can save money by cooking meals at home vs. dining out. You can minimize expenses if you take advantage of activities and amenities already included in the campground rate. Fuel expenses can be managed by reducing the distances traveled and staying longer at a given campground or park.Driving the RV: Driving yourself gives you control over where you go and the pace of your travel. You don't have the hassle of airline counters and keeping to schedules. You can stop and take a break when you choose. You don't need a special license to drive an RV. Sure, it takes some getting used to -- but the number of RVs on the road should tell you that it is doable. Practice on your own (or with one other person) before you load up your passengers. Take advantage of any classes available through your dealer or one of the many RV organizations.How about a relaxing vacation for a change? How many times have you returned from a trip saying you need a vacation from the vacation? Now don't kid yourself - if you are the type who likes to schedule all the details of a trip, that's not going to change simply because you are traveling in an RV. But in choosing an RV vacation, you may shift your thinking and be more apt to use your time off as an opportunity to truly relax and unwind.Test out the RV Lifestyle: The RV vacation may serve as a test drive to gauge your overall interest in the RV lifestyle. There are RVers who spend several weeks per year in RV travel. Other RVers take off for months. Snowbirds are RVers who make an annual trek to warmer climates for the winter season. And then there are fulltime RVers whose only home is their RV. Many of these people started out by vacationing in an RV as a way to try out the RV lifestyle.
Copyright 2005 Your RV Lifestyle, all rights reserved. Reprinted with permission. Publication is permitted provided the resource information at the end of the article remains intact, and links are live. Please notify the author via the Contact Us form at http://www.your-rv-lifestyle.com, providing a link to the location of the article, or a copy of the newsletter. About The Author
Jill is a fulltime RVer and the editor of http://www.your-rv-lifestyle.com, where you can find more advice for choosing, affording and enjoying your RV lifestyle.
MORE RESOURCES:
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Outdoor Illinois magazine to publish final issueThe State Journal-RegisterBy CHRIS YOUNG The Illinois Department of Natural Resources will discontinue publication of its Outdoor Illinois magazine after the March issue. Outdoor Illinois, a full-color, slick-paper monthly magazine with a circulation of more than 26000, ...and more » |
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On Outdoors: Living the RV lifeMinneapolis Star TribuneSales of recreational vehicles are booming, with the biggest growth among families with kids, and of lighter models that can be towed by more vehicles. Rick and Brenda Allanson of Edina are longtime RVers. They are on a trip to the Black Hills of South ...and more » |
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Outdoors report: Feb. 8Houston ChronicleGood trout have been taken on the flats on the north end of the lake on Corkies and MirrOlures. Waders have scored on the edge of the channel on the moving tide. Winds were light out of the northeast. Water temperature at Eagle Point was 57 degrees ...and more » |
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Outdoors: Nearly Picture-perfectArizona Daily SunThe walls of Picture Canyon are nearly vertical and barely 10 yards apart in some spots. In winter, the full discharge from the Wildcat Hill wastewater treatment plant sends a torrent of water over a series of ledges in the canyon.and more » |
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Outdoors: Eastern Fishing and Outdoor Exposition at DCU CenterWorcester TelegramThe 36th annual Eastern Fishing and Outdoor Exposition runs Friday through Sunday at Worcester's DCU Center. Exhibitors will showcase tackle, hunting gear, boats, and exciting fishing and hunting trips. The expo is always fun for window shoppers, ... |
The West Australian |
Great outdoors beckons thrillseekersThe West AustralianThe Peel Region, which includes Dawesville, Mandurah, Dwellingup and Pinjarra, has a number of outdoor activities for travellers looking to raise their heart rate. First stop for the adrenaline junkies is the Harvey Estuary for a jetski ride.and more » |
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The great outdoorsIndian ExpressRescuing a fellow crew member from drowning and getting the Arthur B Hanson Rescue Medal for it gave me both an adrenaline rush and a better outlook in life,” says US-based photographer Geet Sharma. He goes back to July 17, when during the 2011 Chicago ...and more » |
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