RV Camping Life

Want an inexpensive travel trailer?  Like the look of airstreams but can’t afford the price?   You can build your own Teardrop Travel Trailer with easy online plans. Believe it or not, you don’t even need to weld – just buy a trailer frame at harbor freight. You can  visit Kuffel Creek for a reasonable pattern.  http://www.kuffelcreek.com/teardrop_trailer.htm

Is it as good as it sounds?  Well, yes and no.   Many people who own vintage vehicles love the idea of a teardrop trailer – perfect for going to car shows and showing off their car, while allowing extra room to stash a weekends worth of laundry.   However, most vintage vehicle owners who have done a restoration of a street rod or hot rod tend to have  some basic (or more than basic) handyman skills.   If you don’t have the skills yourself, you can purchase your own new model from various dealers for between $5,000 and $15,000.

The teardrop though may not be for everyone.  A typical layout includes a queen bed, and a flip out living area.  Great for a getaway for two, but not exactly great for 2-3 young kids.  While you can buy add ons like a side tent to increase the footprint of the trailer, it is by nature rather small.  For some people a week in a teardrop is perfectly heaven (especially if you’re used to sleeping in a tent).  For others, a larger pop-up or A-liner may fit the bill better.

Many people dream of camping full time.  For some people this dream becomes reality by work camping.  Work camping is a way of bartering for your campsite, electric, water, sewer, and possibly even internet and tv in exchange for working in the campground.

Did you think that your golf cart was just for golf? Many campers use golf carts to get around large campgrounds. Many work campers, too, use them for hauling not only themselves, but tools around the campground. They are especially popular with full time and work campers.  Before you bring your golf cart to your favorite campground, however, be sure to check that campground’s rules and regulations.  Some campgrounds only allow electric golf carts, some may prohibit golf carts all together.

Looking for a new camper or RV? Can’t wait until Spring? Head to a Camper Show near you and take a look at the newest models of campers including: pop ups, travel trailers, motorhomes, fifth wheels, and more. You’ll also be able to check out campgrounds in your area and see new gadgets and toys, including the coolest golf carts to drive around your campsite. My only word of advice is to bring plenty of money (or leave your wallet at home if you don’t want to be tempted by a bigger camper). Many Camper Shows do charge admission, so be prepared to pay $5-$10 to get in. Watch for coupons in local newspapers or online for a discount on admission. In exchange, you’ll get to comparison shop with many local and not so local RV dealerships, many of whom may be running “Show Specials”. Here’s a tip: Wait until Sunday for the best deals, when they may not want to drag that camper back home without a sale. Check your local camping association, rv dealer, or association for more details.

We have had to replace several sewer hoses of different lengths, not much to speak about until our recent replacement.  We purchased a Rhino Flex Sewer Hose. This sewer hose came highly recommended from friends of ours who live fulltime in their rv.

Rhino Flex Sewer Hose bends and clicks into the shape you need and remains rigid until you change it.  It is extremely durable and can withstand extreme weather conditions.  It comes in a 15 foot length with pre-attached fittings, such as the sewer hose elbow and a universal 4-in 1 adapter to create an odor tight connection to the dump station. Everything you need in one box!   It compresses into a four foot section to be easily stored in your rv bumper.  You can also buy attachments that come in five foot sections if you need more than 15 feet.

We like the flexibility of the hose and the fact that it stores into a four foot section.  Rhino Flex can be purchased through Camping World.

Smoky Mountain Vacation May 16 to May 25, 2007 (2nd week in Cameo Fifth Wheel)
Campgrounds:  Fort Chiswell in VA (good for overnight-no fires, but cable tv-5)
Creekside Rv Park in Pigeon Forge, TN (clean, small sites, cable tv-8)
Natural Bridge KOA in VA (on a hill, cable tv, some big sites-7)

May 16th Wednesday, After driving for approximately 7 hours through Pa, Md, WV,and Va. we arrived at Fort Chiswell Campground off of Route 81 for one night stay. After we got set up it did start to rain and Eliot wanted walked in the rain.

May 17th Thursday, After a late start we arrived in Pigeon Forge, TN at Creekside Rv Park.  Wow, Pigeon Forge has grown to a bustling tourist area and the traffic is horrific!  Dolly Parton did what she said she was going to do. ” Bring jobs to her people.”  There are gocart tracks, amusment ride parks, dinner theaters, shops, lodges, hotels, motels, restaurants and numerous tourist attractions.  At the campground we were assigned to site 8, which was ample size for fifth wheel, but was very narrow for Eliot’s freedom while attached to the leash.  It was great view and Eliot had plenty of room for several days until we got neighbors.  Campground is very clean and end sites are the preferred sites and but still overall very nice.

May 18th Friday,We were eating breakfast when we heard someone knocking on our window.  We lifted up the shade and was surprised to see a cardinal and his mate knocking on our window.  This cardinal greeted us another morning and he also made his rounds to other campers.  We decided to take  a drive to Cades Cove Loop in the park which is the best place to view wildlife.  We were very fortunate, we saw approximately 20 deer,7 bear (one lone male in a creek bed, a mother and three cubs, and two clinging to a tree), and a flock of wild turkey. We checked out the campgroud at Cades Cove and bought a snack to tide us over until supper.  For supper we made chicken shiskabobs over the fire.

May19th Saturday,Tried to avoid traffic in Pigeon Forge over the weekend.  Packed a lunch and decided to go to Cataloochee to see the elk that were reintroduced in 2001. Cataloochee is on the east side of the park in North Carolina.  We took the road direct through the park to Cherokee and then through Maggie Valley. Poor Maggie Valley!  What was once a beautiful town in the valley is now a ghost town thanks to Pigeon Forge! Deserted shops, motels and buildings, nothing like it was when we visited in 1990.  To get back into the park at Cataloochee, we had to travel a very windy dirt road which was a two way road, but for the most part room for only one vehicle. The road had no shoulder and sometime dropped straight off the mountain.  Later we discovered that once in the park, there is a campground there, and this is the only way in and out of this section of the park. We talked to a park ranger and he said we will probably not see any elk this time of the day, that the best time was early morning or at dusk, which we know from viewing them in Benezette,PA.. But we were fortunate and we saw three elk standing among the trees, grazing.  Two were bull elk and their antlers were in velvet.  The two bulls hung around and grazed for quite some time, while people took pictures and watched their every move.  Eliot was with us and he seemed non concerned about their existence.  On the way back through the park we saw a ruffed grouse.

May 20th Sunday, Did some shopping at Bass Po.  Jim wanted a pair of binoculars.  Went to a fifties diner for lunch. Lounged at the campground until supper. Jim made baked potatoes and babyback ribs over the fire. UMMMM!  Before dark we went to Gatlinburg at traffic light #8 and up the mountain into the park for a one way drive on Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. Came to an overlook and the sun was setting over the mountains.  By the time we hopped out of the truck the sun just plopped below the mountainslike it fell right out of the sky.  We were soon left to navigate the roads in the dark.  We put the windows down and we could hear the roar of the falls.  Tried to use flashlights to see them, but to no avail.  So we decided to go back tommorrow for a good look.

May 21st Monday, We went to the Tennessee Museum of Aviation and saw a P-51 Mustang land right before us as we stood on the tarmac taking pictures of the parked twin p-47 Thunderbolts.  Had lunch at an Italian pizza shop and had grinders. Then on to the Muscle Car Museum that we spent quite a while checking out all the cars.   Jim said he has never seen so many hemi’s in one place! Then back to Gatlinburg at traffic light #8 and up the mountain The falls were truly a beautiful site to behold. The only wildlife we saw today was a groundhog and birds.  As we were leaving the park we stopped to use the restrooms and the rangers were trying to open some guy’s car door that he locked his keys in the car.  Jim asked if they needed help that he was a licensed repo man.  Rangers were glad for the help and as soon as Jim started they had a call about an accident and had to leave.  They told the guy to leave their tools at the vistors center.  Jim has the car door opened before the rangers were out of the lot.  As we were leaving the lot we could see the guy throw his hands up the air.  We went around again and here he put the ranger’s tools in his trunk and locked his keys in again!  Jim could not help him without the tools.

May 22nd Tuesday,Went to Cherokee, NC via the park. Had lunch at steak buffet and then toured the Cherokee Indian Museum.  We did some shopping and found “Cinder” a Ty beanie baby bear to add to our collection of travel companions. Coming back through the park we spied two Canadian Geese standing next to the road,  Parked the truck in downtown Gatlinburg and stolled up and down the streets lined with shops. Did some souvenior shopping .

May 23th Wednesday,Mr Cardinal and mate knocked on our window again this morning greeting us with a bright sunshine filled day. Packed a lunck and went for one last drive to Cades Cove Loop.  As we drove through the first meadow, we saw two wild turkeys grazing.  We went quite far before all the traffic stopped as people were watching a fawn.  We then saw momma bear and her three cubs again.  Right before we left the loop, we saw buck with velvet antlers, grazing beside the road.  Time to say goodbye to the Smokeys and back to the camper to take Eliot back.  Needed to do a grocery run and wash the truck.  the rest of the afternoon, we sat outside the camper enjoying our last day.  Chef Jim prepared a delious dinner of grilled steak, shrimp and baked potato.  I cooked the corn and set the table.  We had a brief thunderstorm, barely made the grass damp, but it smelled like a spring rain.  Prepared for leaving in the morning.

May 24th Thursday, Left campground at 9:00 am , back on the road again. Traveled to about 3:30, stayed at The Natural Bridge KOA site 7, very close off of Route 81. Campground is on hilly terrian, but nice.  Our site has lots of room, but we will only be here overnight. Went to the Natural Bridge since we were so close.  Hiked to the bridge and then to the falls about a mile and a half round trip.  Saw a wild turkey wandering close to the walkway.

May 25th Friday, On the road home.

Have you ever been to a campground and you had electrical issues… brownouts, blackouts, blown fuses?  We have experienced all of these issues, and after it happens it makes you wonder if it affected your rv electrical system in any way!   The delicate electronics for your furnace, refrigerator, and hot water heater can easily be damaged!  Air conditioner units, microwave ovens, TVs, DVD players, and 12 volt converters can also be damaged by voltage that is too high or too low!  Any voltage less than 102 volts or greater than 132 volts is unsafe for your appliances / equipment in your rv.

There is a local campground that we spent lots of weekends camping there due to some of our family members having a seasonal site that had terrible electric.  You could blow a fuse just by using your toaster!   The campground had several owners and every time an owner was new there was the promise “to fix the problem”.  Our family members no longer have a seasonal site at that campground and the electric problem still is not fixed.  Unfortunately, this problem still exists in older campgrounds.

A surge protector can protect against voltage spikes that can cause severe damage to your valuable electronic devices in your rv, but beware, do your homework before you make a purchase!  Surge protectors come in 30 and 50 amps, so first select the correct amperage for your rv.   Next check out how the surge protector works.  Some are simply a surge protector like the type that you would use for your computer.  Others detect not only a surge of electric but also wiring faults and high and low voltage.   Some will only work until you receive a surge of electricity, and then need to be replaced.  Some will restart themselves after a surge but they are also more expensive.   Some are designed to be hardwired to your rv and others are designed to plug directly into your site’s electric box.

There are many choices and many manufacturers for a surge protector for your specific need to give you peace of mind for anywhere you spend the night!

I wanna be a full time camper!  The more that we go camping and the more people that we meet that live full time in their camper, the more I desire that lifestyle and think I could thoroughly enjoy it!  Full timers spend their summers anywhere in the country from Maine to Washington and come fall they begin to head south.  Many travel about the United States and have seen much of this beautiful vast country.

If you ever get the opportunity to talk to a full time camper, you will be so envious of his/her lifestyle.  One couple that we know, spend their summer and fall in Mexico, PA and the rest of the year in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  Other dear friends spend their winter and spring on the road in the southern United States.  Last year they went to Mardi Gras in New Orleans.  This year they will be in Texas and southern California.  Other friends will be in Hilton Head, South Carolina for the winter.

Most of the women we have met, carry their sewing machine and or other crafts with them such as quilting, crocheting, knitting and embroidery.  I tend to bond immediately with them for I have a passion for all types of needlework.  I am amazed that they continue to sew, quilt, knit, crochet and embroider all the time they travel and find a home for all their supplies!

We also have friends that work year around and move from place to place about every six months.  Friends that we made this year are originally from Colorado and Oklahoma.  We have spent the entire summer with them, laughing, playing and camping.  But alas, fall is upon us and it will soon be time to say goodbye.  It is not easy to say goodbye, but we will always be friends for we have a tie that binds us – the love of camping!

Everyone was a “newbie” to camping at some time in their lives. And over the years we have gained a lot of knowledge of campers in general that we take for granted on every trip. But to a “newbie” all this can be quite overwhelming! Holding tanks, black water, gray water, water pump, battery disconnect, etc, can be too much information for someone who has no prior experience, much less just learned of these things yesterday!

This past weekend, we have experienced running into “newbies”. They have lots of questions, and sometimes did not get the full instructions at the RV dealer on proper use of equipment. For the most part, they are in dire need of all kinds of items and information!

Giving too much of your knowledge just makes them more confused, let them ask the questions and then showing them how is the best solution. If you see someone who is struggling with a task, offer your assistance. Offering your assistance is often greatly appreciated and a good way to make new friends.

If you are a “newbie”, going camping with a friend who already has a camper is a great way to learn. But also don’t be afraid to ask your camping neighbor or the people working at the campground for the majority of them are campers too!

We were getting hitch–itch and were anxious to see our friends that are work camping in Hilton Head for the year. We decided to meet in the middle between us and that took us to Virginia, North Carolina border. The first six days we spent at Lake Ridge RV Resort in Hillsville, Virginia. It was great to pull in next to our friends and camp beside them. It was wonderful to set by the fire eating peanuts and laughing and talking! We spent most of our time together, enjoying every minute!

The first day we went to Mount Airy, North Carolina, which was not very far from Hillsville, VA. Mount Airy is the home of Andy Griffith and there are several blocks of town dedicated to the Andy Griffith show. We spent several hours there enjoying the old cars and the memorabilia from the show. You can even go to the jail and get your picture taken behind bars!

One day we spent a day at a winery, Chateau Morrisette. We toured the winery and did some taste testing. We also did some sight seeing on the Blue Ridge Parkway. We saw lots of wild turkey and a coyote. We spent one day hiking and at the top of a mountain and a fighter plane came by and because of its speed, we could not hear it coming until it was on top of us and as it left us. It was amazing! One day we packed a lunch and spent a day at Hungry Mother State Park. It is a beautiful state park and it also has camping available.

The next five days we spent at Optimistic RV Resort in Morgantown, NC. The campground we stayed in was beautiful with a creek flowing through the property. The creek was full of fish and the geese and their offspring migrated toward the water every day. The sunsets were gorgeous!

From there we visited Grandfather Mountain, which has a mile high swinging bridge built in 1952. The bridge was rebuilt and redesigned in 1999. Grandfather Mountain towers at 5, 946 feet. Wow, what a view! We also visited Blowing Rock which is North Carolina’s oldest travel attraction. Also another great view!

We spent time at Daniel Boone Native Gardens that feature native plants. What a beautiful, delightful stroll after a brief rain shower! We visited two of the Mast General stores in the area and spent more time sight seeing the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The weather was not all sun and the days that we had rain we found different activities to do, like playing in the campground game room, going to Camping World, and going to Carolina Coach (a RV dealer) to see what was new for 2010.

All good things must come to an end and we soon had to say goodbye and head for home!