How to Photograph the Stars while RVing
RVers share a passion for the outdoors. Often while camping with friends and family we catch ourselves reveling in the stars. How do you capture a moment like that? Here’s our simple guide to photographing stars with a DSLR camera while out on the open road.
What Kind of Camper are You
Camping comes in many different forms. Some consider camping an activity that involves hiking into the middle of 
nowhere and sleeping under the stars whereas others prefer Glamping (Glamorous Camping). It’s important for you to know what type of camper you are and also the people who are heading out on the RV Trip with you so you can design a schedule to make sure everyone has an enjoyable time. Continue reading “What Kind of Camper are You”
We are nearly there, Winter is nearly at a close… or at least that’s what the calendar says. It sure is hard to see the sunlight at the end of the tunnel when the news is full of reports about the polar vortex and extreme winter snow/cold advisories. Maybe the next wave of clear weather is your getaway cue! If so, here are some tips for finding a great destination to enjoy a warmer climate while the next winter storm takes its course.
Try looking for the usual candidates for an RV destination: Florida, California, Arizona and Texas. Look for smaller towns if the crowds are of concern. If those seem to be a bit overdone and crowded, then perhaps you will find your destination elsewhere, like Puerto Peñasco in Sonora, Mexico. This little town on the Sea of Cortez is only about an hour south of Ajo, Arizona and is an excellent destination for RV travelers.
Still too difficult to get your RV that far through inclement weather? Maybe a two leg trip is called for. Many RV dealerships have rental programs and some even rent new models for you to try out before buying. Others may even have a delivery service where you can have your RV rental delivered to a campsite at a specific campground or RV park. Find a dealership near one of your destinations and see what they can arrange for you.
Finally, agencies like Cruise America, Jucy, and Escape Campervansall have commercial RV rental programs for RVs and converted vans. Consider flying into a large destination city like Los Angeles or Las Vegas and renting a vehicle to drive to your destination in the warm southern sun.
One of the greatest joys of being on an RV excursion is how it brings us closer to the natural beauty of the world we live in. For some that means simply going on a hike with a spectacular view as a destination. However, none of us are unfamiliar with the thrill of encountering wildlife along the way. Indeed, some of us camp for no reason other than to see spectacular wildlife in their natural habitat. By following some of these tips, you can make your wildlife viewing excursion even more successful.
The general rule of thumb for viewing wildlife is three-fold… be patient, be early, and be quiet. You will want to arrive at your viewing destination in the early morning, in most cases before dawn. Once there, you will need to find a comfortable place to be still and quiet. Don’t forget that wildlife often strive not to be found by predators, meaning they will remain hidden until things are quiet and peaceful. Waiting for that right moment can take a while, sometimes up to an hour. Do not give up! Wildlife viewing in itself can be like an act of meditation.
Come prepared with field guides so that you are able to identify the wildlife that you encounter, or anticipate natural habitat where specific wildlife might be found. Pay attention to edge spaces in particular, such as where forest gives way to meadow or a stream cuts through a canyon. Using binoculars or a telephoto lens on a camera is a good way to approach these habitats without being noticed by the local fauna.
Learn to interpret various animal signs, like tracks, markings, or droppings. These can lead you to areas where herd animals like big horn sheep or bison congregate. Move slowly, quietly, and deliberately while tracking and keep an eye out for viewing areas where you can remain out of sight from approaching animals.
Many rules of etiquette also apply, like leaving pets at home so as not to ruin other wildlife viewers’ experience. Additionally, leave things that make noise behind, like cell phones and iPods. Some wildlife have such a keen sense of hearing that even headphones with music can scare them off. Respect private property and sensitive habitats, as setting foot in these areas can disrupt the natural habitat of the wildlife you are seeking.
Lastly, be sure to bring a journal to document your excursion and the wildlife you encounter. While a photo can sometimes be captured successfully (be sure your volume is turned off if using a cell phone), a journal entry is always effective for capturing how you felt in the moment.
When it comes to road trips in the United States, we are gifted with some of the most beautiful driving vistas in the world. Whether it be the Pacific Coast Highway or Old Route 66, there is so much in store for the RV enthusiast. Besides the better known routes, here are a few byways you may not have considered, and perhaps should!
Arkansas: Talimena Scenic Drive
At only 54 miles, this winding drive includes some of the most beautiful autumn colors you will see. Equally breathtaking in Spring when the wildflowers are in bloom.
Indiana: Ohio River Scenic Byway
Spotted with vineyards, art galleries, and historic small towns, this 303 mile stretch of beautiful forest and meadow is simply magical. Clifty Falls State Park is along this route with its gorgeous limestone cliffs for a change of scene.
Massachusetts: Mohawk Trail
One of the most scenic drives in New England. As the name suggests, the original trail was a part of life to Native Americans. When you see how beautiful this stretch of highway is, you will understand why.
Missouri: Highway 19
The Ozark National Scenic Waterways are some of the most beautiful terrain in the world and Highway 19 runs right through much of it. Nearly 200 miles of lakes and mountains.
North Carolina: Blue Ridge Parkway
This 470 mile stretch through Appalachia is simply one of the most charming drives in America. You will need to plan for more than a single day in order to take it all in, but it will be worth it for sure.
Utah: US Highway 89
This is 124 miles of every terrain that the diverse State of Utah has to offer. From sweeping canyon lands to gorgeous mountain passes, it will take your breath away.
Are you new to RVing? If so, chances are that you’ve noticed a certain lexicon of words and phrases that other RV enthusiasts throw about regularly. Do you not want to appear like a newbie, but have no clue what people are talking about? Look no further! Here is a crash course in RV terminology 101.
Dry Camping – Camping without hookups for electricity, water or sewage.
Boondocking – Dry camping in remote areas, typically with no fees associated for camping.
Moochdocking – Dry camping for free on someone else’s property, like a driveway belonging to a friend or relative.
Gray Water – Waste water that goes down the sink, shower or bath.
Black Water – Waste water and waste that goes down the toilet.
Shore Power – Electrical hookup for power, often in the absence of water and waste water hookup.
Full Hookup (FHU) – A campsite that has RV hookup for electricity, water, and sewage.
Converter – A device that changes 110v AC power into 12v DC power.
Inverter – A device that changes 12v battery power to 110v AC power.
Dinghy or Toad – A vehicle that is towed behind an RV.
Dry Weight – The weight of an RV without any fuel, fresh water, waste water, propane, passengers or supplies.
Dual Electrical System (DES) – An RV electrical system that runs both hookup electricity and/or self-contained battery or generator power.
Dump Station – Location where gray water and black water tanks can be emptied.
Full-Time (Full-Timer, Full-Timing) – Living full-time out of an RV.
Generator – A power supply that is run by gasoline, diesel, or propane to provide self-contained 110v AC electrical power to an RV.
Honey Wagon or Honey Dipper – A mobile service that will empty black water and/or gray water tanks from where you are camped if sewage hookup or dump station is not available.
Hula Skirt – A skirt installed on the rear bumper of a motorhome to prevent debris kick-up while driving.
Kingpin – A device that connects a fifth wheel to a towing vehicle.
Reefer – Slang for refrigerator.
Rig – Slang for RV.
Self-Contained – An RV that is able to supply water, drain, and electrical needs without hookups.
Snow Bird – Someone who travels in an RV to warm climates during winter months.
Toy Hauler – An RV capable of indoor storage of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), motorcycles, golf carts, or other large recreational equipment.
Winterizing – The process of making an RV safe for winter storage.
Workamping (Workamper) – Working remotely to operate, contribute to, or volunteer either on-line or on-site, while living and traveling in an RV.
Planning an RV trip can sometimes be a bit of a headache. For pet owners, one of the road blocks most often encountered when planning a vacation is “who will take care of the dog while we are away from home?” But you’re bringing your home *with* you… so why not bring the dog along too? There are many benefits to bringing your dog on your next RV trip. Here are several that you may not have considered.
You’ll have no need to invest in doggy day care, which can become expensive. Instead, invest in caring for your pet in your RV with items like a bed, a kennel if needed, staked tie outs, compact storable fencing, and other items for your dog’s comfort and protection on the road. It is a one time investment instead of day-to-day, plus you’ll gain the happiness of having your pet with you.
Having a dog about can keep wildlife like deer, raccoons, opossums, and squirrels from getting into your campsite to forage. Of course, if you want these creatures about, you can always put the dog inside.
Speaking of putting the dog inside, even the smallest dog makes for an effective alarm system to keep unwanted visitors from lurking about your campsite. While campsite theft is not something we like to spend a lot of energy thinking about, it does happen from time to time. A barking dog that alerts you and all of your neighbors is an effective deterrent against would be thieves.
Finally, including the dog in your trip is good for both you and your pet. Dogs are very social animals and being apart from family can be very stressful for them. Instead, bring them along for the adventure and bonding. You will enjoy having your best friend with you too.
The trails are alive with food! Sometimes, it just takes a keen eye to locate it. Fruits like blackberries and apples are pretty easily identified, while mushrooms for instance require more rigorous identification before eating. It is always best to have a field guide for the region you are visiting in order to identify edible plants in the wild and many are available for purchase online or to check out from your local library. When staying at National and Regional Parks, be sure to check in with rangers and campground hosts about collecting edible plants in the wild. Here are a few universal plants in North America that you may come across, and taste, on your next hike.
Dandelion – The humble dandelion can be eaten entirely, from flowers to leaves to roots. Young leaves and flowers can be added to salads or eaten raw, while older leaves and roots taste best boiled.
Cattail – This easily identified marsh plant is another plant that can be eaten nearly in its entirety. Young shoots just appearing out of the water are great chopped and steamed like leeks and have a wonderful nutty flavor. Roots are a little fibrous, but can be peeled to the soft, white inner core, chopped, and fried like potatoes. Be careful to inspect the water source where the cattail grows and avoid plants growing in polluted water.
Wild Onion – If it looks and smells like an onion, it can be eaten like an onion. If it does not smell like an onion, leave it be. Related and smaller garlic and chives can be used in the same way and can add some wonderful flavor to any foraged plant on this list.
Purslane – If you are a gardener or tend to your lawn at home, you are probably already familiar with this widely available “weed”. It can be eaten raw or cooked and is a wonderful addition to other mixed greens collected on the trails. Purslane is high in beta-carotene and omega-3 fatty acids and grows low to the ground like a miniature succulent.
Milk Thistle – Milk thistle leaves take a little work to prepare, but the resulting cooked greens are both nutritious and delicious. Use gloves or a bandana to collect the leaves from the plant, cut the spines from the leaves, and boil for an easy meal with other greens, roots, or fruit.
There’s nothing quite like having fresh baked goods in camp. A certain magical wonder happens with fresh baked cookies or a loaf of banana bread straight from the oven in your RV. But what if you don’t have an oven or toaster oven in your RV? Incredible things can still happen with a dutch oven, a campfire, and a little courage.
For those unfamiliar, a dutch oven is a large cast-iron pot with a matching lid. This cookware can be hung over, set off to one side, or placed directly in the coals of a campfire. Temperature control can be a little challenging, but most baking recipes can be adapted using some general rules. If you have an oven thermometer, these work great for an accurate reading of temperature inside your dutch oven. Otherwise, once the dutch oven has been raised to heat, dust some flour onto it. If it burns quickly, your oven is about 250-300 ºC. If it browns slowly, your oven is about 200-250 ºC. If the flour turns only slightly golden over a minute or two, your oven is about 150-200 ºC.
Next, simply adjust your recipe for baking utensils. A piece of parchment paper in the bottom is perfect for about 6 cookies, to bake just as they would in your oven at home. A small square baking pan or loaf pan can be used for sweat breads, biscuits, brownies, rolls, and cakes. If you are extra brave and attempting yeast bread or sourdough, a boule can be formed by hand and baked directly on the inside surface of the dutch oven or over a small rack placed in the bottom.
Baking time should be roughly the same as what you would use at home. Be sure to check inside of your dutch oven, but not so frequently that heat is lost and baking is slowed. Once baked, items will need to be removed from the dutch oven quickly and cooled on a rack. If items are “near done” but need a little bit more time, the dutch oven can be removed from the fire and allowed to continue baking while the oven cools.
Even if you are a seasoned traveler with your rig, chances are that backing up your trailer into a camp site or parking spot still gives you a little anxiety. For others of us, the mere thought conjures dread. Not to fear! Here are a few tips and tricks that will have you backing like a pro in no time.
Scout Ahead. Walk the potential parking location to identify any hazards and mark them clearly if needed. Whenever possible, walk the site with a second person and have them be your spotter as you back in. Make sure your spotter has eye contact with you in the mirrors at all times. If you do not have a spotter, watch in your mirrors for all hazards you were able to identify on your walk.
Adjust your mirrors. You want to be able to see the rear bumper of your trailer at all times.
Orient your steering wheel. Place your hand on the bottom rim of the wheel. Moving your wheel hand to the left will turn the trailer to your left, while moving right will turn it right.
Make small, slow movements. There should be no rush to get into your parking spot. Take your time and make deliberate movements while backing. Don’t be afraid to pull out and try again if things aren’t lining up right.
Make the S-Turn. An S-Turn is executed in four steps, as follows:
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