Waking from a Dream

 

 

 

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
 

    ~ H. Jackson Brown Jr. ~

 

 

Just this morning I awoke from a beautiful dream. I dreamed that my wife, Gina, and I, loaded our four cats and a coon dog in a 37' motor home and set off on an amazing adventure that spanned 5 months, 9 states, and nearly 8,000 miles. 

 

In this dream, we headed south through Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. We had an amazing time with friends in Dallas, Texas (apparently I used to live there), then eased on down to Killeen to see Gina's uncle. (Seems a little fuzzy now, but I guess he's some kind of decorated war hero). From there we met an old friend in San Antonio and then actually stayed at an RV resort near Padre Island where we soaked in the pool and hot tub, and had drinks by the ocean. I even swam in the Gulf of Mexico! It was freezing!

 

From there the dream led me west where Gina and I stayed in a dusty old biker camp ground from where we toured Big Bend National Park. Then we eased up north a bit where we fell in love with a place called Davis Mountain State Park. It was all so beautiful in my dream. Seems we even had to stay longer because of an ice storm. While there, we even attended a star party at the famous McDonald Observatory and learned about the constellations of the Northern Hemisphere. 

 

In this dream, it seems we were reminded we left Nebraska to escape the cold, so we left the Davis Mountains of West Texas and headed for Arizona after a short stop in New Mexico. While in the heart of the desert southwest, we saw places like Tuscon and Apache Junction. We spent amazing time with dear friends in Mesa and had drinks on a lovely outdoor patio. We left there to make a pit stop in Yuma where we met the first of new lifelong friends. (Dreams are funny, aren't they)? 

 

In this dream, so it seems, we were so close to California that it seemed silly to miss Joshua Tree National Park. So away we went to explore unique foliage and wonder at the mesmerizing rock formations. We even shared space with "our people" at a Saturday flea market. 

 

The dream turned dark as we were led to a place called Quartzite. It was a sad, dark place and I was nearly awakened by the poverty, dry air, and wind. But the Sandman kept me down and I was able to explore beautiful native culture and milky quartz mountains outside the area, all with my amazing bride by my side.

 

Once released from the darkness, we ventured in this dream to places of wonder like Sedona, where we stayed with people like us in the red rock hills. I could see petroglyphs  and ancient dwellings, gorgeous rock formations that had vortexes, and so much more. In my dream, it was such a magical place with SO many people. We even visited a place in the dream called Amitabha Stupa. It felt so magical.

 

The next place I recall from the dream was the most wondrous of all. The views took our breath away and it felt like we could fly as we looked out over the astonishing expanse of the Grand Canyon. There was wildlife like elk, wild horses, and ravens. And the sunsets were difficult to describe. I'm almost positive I must have awakened Gina with my tossing and turning as I tried to process the vivid nature of my dream.

 

The next scene from the dream was Utah and seeing very dear old friends for dinner and drinks. Not only that, it seems we met a new family that will be with us forever. I can still see wind caves and formations and a place called Lone Rock. I even seemed to get to take pictures from a trip Gina arranged.

 

The next stop in the dream was New Mexico and places like Sante Fe and Albuquerque. From there it was Colorado to see family, and then on to Nebraska to see more family and then... POOF!!! I was awake.

 

But it wasn't a dream, was it? My wonderful bride, Gina, and I, truly did take the trip of a lifetime. We stayed in more amazing places than you can imagine. We have incredible friends in Dallas. Thank you to all who spent time with us. Gina's uncle truly is a decorated, retired Lt. Colonel from Korea and Vietnam and it was amazing to hang with him and his daughters. We really did go to the beach and we really did swim in the ocean. And at 65, perhaps for the last time.

 

We saw stars like you scarcely get to see, met amazing people, some of who are now lifelong friends, and many who we'll likely never see again. People like us, just trying to squeeze it all in while we can. We love you all and special thanks to Chuck and Tyler for taking a risk, to Tammy and Eric for sharing the road with us, to Lilly and Carl for being soul family, and to many others we met along the way.

 

We truly did visit and hike most of the vortex rock formations of Sedona and we prayed before the Amitabha Stupa. We peered into the abyss that is the Grand Canyon and wondered at the site of Horseshoe Bend. We meditated on the rim of the canyon and I'm teaching myself the native flute. We hung with our Hippie peeps in California, Sante Fe, and Albuquerque and we soaked in all the native culture we could muster.  Even our tour guide for my Waterhole Canyon photography birthday present was Dine (Navajo).

 

We gazed out over the dry expanse that was once Lake Powell and hiked to Lone Rock; a place you could once only reach by boat. We learned about the history of places like Lake Powell and Glen Canyon. We cried at the realities of places like Hoover Dam and Lake Mead.

 

We shared an amazing anniversary with Gina's family and then spent a week at the ranch with the grand kids. And then we were home. There is so very much more to this entire trip that is simply beyond the scope of what I care to write. It was magical. And it was the epitome of why people need to leave their town, state, and/or country, even for a bit.

 

We came back to a place that hasn't changed. Our house is the same. The farmers are still poisoning their crops and over-watering, while the nearby town struggles for drinking water. The locals still mostly worship a sad little excuse for a man and call him president. The buildings look the same. The people are the same. The routines are the same. The heaviness of not being where we belong amongst our true people is the same. Nothing has changed, save one thing...us. WE have changed.

 

We use our water like we only have 100 gallons to last a week. We use far fewer lights and we shower less. We don't spend our evenings in front of the television. Instead, we read or play rummy, just the way we did for 5 glorious months. Just the two of us in our own little world. 

 

We're more acutely aware of the tragedies befallen our native brothers, murdered to the tune of over 50 million, while indigenous peoples continue to disappear without a trace, all while the lesser-aware stomp their feet about immigration while standing on land their ancestors colonized. And in general, we're simply more in tune to the racism, bigotry, and misogyny that grows like a cancer throughout our land. 

 

And we are most certainly more in tune with the irresponsible and wasteful nature of so many people who share this amazing planet. We saw large quantities of trash in some of the most sacred of places. And most of all, we're beyond cognizant of the fact that our nation is about to get really thirsty.  The southwest is in millennial drought stage. Both Lake Mead and Lake Powell are within weeks of Dead Pool, where they won't be able to produce reasonably priced power. And thanks to irresponsible irrigation of alfalfa owned by foreign interests, it won't be long before people will be going to war over water to drink.

 

Some would say I'm too alarmist. Check with me again when your tap only drips. You aren't alarmist enough.

 

It was 5 months of learning, hiking, absorbing, wondering, and loving. And if I can do it again with my amazing wife and partner, I'll  do it tomorrow. You simply have to get in your car or RV and drive. There's so much to see, so much to do, and so much to learn. And it won't be here much longer. 

 

 Oh... and aliens are real. They've already come and gone.  

 

 

 

 

Caverns of Sonora - A Lesson in Power and Patience

 

 

“Its beauty cannot be exaggerated, even by Texans.”

~Bill Stephenson~

 If you're a rock hound, crystal-lover, or cave enthusiast, this blog is for you. Let's talk about the Caverns of Sonora.

Yesterday, I did a TikTok video which basically summarized the camping grounds at the Caverns of Sonora. You may or not be a TikToker, but regardless, I gloated about the wonder of their amazing gift shop, then came down pretty hard on their camping facilities, which I stand by. The gift shop is beyond amazing and their camping facilities suck. But...that was before we took the guided tour of the caverns.

My wife and I have toured several caves/caverns and joked a bit about how "If you've seen one cave, you've seen them all." You haven't. The Caverns of Sonora offers a 1 hour and 45 minute tour (ours went a full 2 hours), complete with a competent tour guide. It's a workout that encompasses going 155 feet (16 Stories) underground in warm and humid conditions. The total distance down, up, and all around is about 1.8 miles. The price? 28 bucks. A bargain at twice the price.

We were blessed with a small group of four people who all shared an appreciation for the wonder of the cavern. Our tour guide, Dakota, was amazing and took time to answer questions, offer history, tell us personal stories of paranormal activity, and even let the old folks rest as necessary.

This cave was unlike any we've seen. The path is narrow and you're up close and personal with all the formations. And there are a LOT of differing formations. And no, you cannot make any type of contact with the formations lest you be held on federal charges. They're serious about protecting the sanctity of this natural wonder.

You can Google pictures of the place, or better yet, make the trip to see it for yourself, but the message we got was not just the beauty of the place. The truly important message is HOW it got to be what it is today and how long it took to accomplish.  

While this cave was discovered in 1909, the miles and miles of rooms and paths and formations took millions and millions of years to form through the power of water. Once underwater, this magnificent cavern was formed over time, by the sheer power of water. Trillions upon trillions of gallons of water transformed rock into a masterpiece.

But what is TRULY amazing are the multitude of unimaginable, mineralized formations, formed in the course of many millions of years...one drop of water at a time. One particular piece being formed is happening at the rate of 1 mineralized drop of water every 3 hours. For me, it's an incredible lesson in the power of patience. At one drop every 3 hours, in 10 million years that water will have joined a stalagmite and stalactite into a beautiful column of florescent wonder. And this cave is full of billions of examples of that process already in-process or completed.

It's a lesson for us, don't you think? We can be both powerful and patient. Sometimes, it can be necessary we clear a path with brute force. And sometimes, we take life one drop at a time, knowing the best is to come at the hands of our patience. Like a painting worthy of an art gallery, we may start with broad strokes, but the beauty is in the details. It takes time to get good at choosing what works best...and when. 

Don't beat yourself up if you don't get it right the first million times. You'll get there.

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Stay safe. Be smart. We'll see ya on the road.

 

 

In or Out!!

 

"I do the outside. Your mom does the inside. That's what works for us."

~Billy Leatherwood~

 

If you travel in pairs and you're wondering how to split up tasks to make your RV setup more efficient, this blog is for you. Although, this takes some practice! Let's talk about it. 

When I was a kid, my dad told me exactly what you see in the quote. Only thing is, he was talking about household stuff. Turns out, it works for RV life, too. Admittedly, Gina and I are still ironing out the wrinkles in our routine (mostly because I keep stepping outside the box), but we get better and faster with every setup. 

This applies mostly to back-in sites, but it can be applied to pull-thru's.  Just eliminate the jeep disconnect.

1. Once we're at the site, we determine the best place to unhook the jeep. Gina gets out, starts the jeep. I get out and unhook. She backs away, secures the jeep and heads for the RV pad where she directs me into the spot.  Her job is to make sure we're reasonably square, haven't backed in too far, and our rear jacks don't fall above any concrete bumpers. 

2. At this juncture, we basically switch. I go outside to hook up power, water, and sewer. I place the jack pads then come inside. In the meantime, Gina has been preparing to deploy the slide, removing things like paper towels and knives from storage and placing them on the counter, etc. 

3. I take my place in the driver seat while Gina monitors the level bubble and we deploy the hydraulic jacks to level the rig. Once level, Gina deploys the slide. And we're done.

4. Sometimes, depending on location, I'll go out and put down our large pad, outdoor rug, and deploy the awnings.  

When we're leaving, this whole process works pretty much in reverse, but you can add dumping the tanks, which I do. Then Gina drops the pod in the toilet and adds water. She then brings in the slide. The last step is to start the rig and let the system air up so we bring in the jacks and have brakes!

Just a couple things I'd like to run past you if you're the outside person. When you're hooking up to electric, be sure the breaker is off before you plug in. Connect the pedestal end only, turn on the power and make sure your surge protector displays the colors to let you know the wiring is safe. Then, turn the power back off, hook up to the rig, and turn it back on. Try to avoid hooking your rig up to a hot source without verifying it first. And turn it off before you unhook it.

Also, if you're the outside person, stay with what you know. Gina is good-humored about it, but I've been known to come inside and start doing stuff to "help out." It rarely does help and it messes with the routine. I've also been known to hook the jeep up to the Blue Ox on my own (which is basically Gina's job) and I've been known to leave the emergency brake on (which makes a hell of a racket) and failed to unlock he steering wheel, which is also problematic.

So, because I've been prone to be where I don't belong and then done it wrong, we've developed a system of double-checking each other on both inside and outside stuff. It takes about 30 more seconds and saves lots of trouble down the road.

Look, the bottom line is, if you're working as a team, you'll be much better off if you divide the chores in ways that work for you. This is just what works for us. And we're getting pretty fast! If it doesn't go smoothly for awhile, don't worry. You'll get better and better. 

If you find this content helpful, please follow the blog and leave a comment. In the meantime,

Stay safe. Be smart. See ya on the road. 

Four-Season Campers and RVs

There's no such thing as a 4-season camper."

~Matt Leatherwood (and probably some other people)~

 

So, you and your partner (Or by yourself. No judgement) are heading out to the local RV dealership or maybe your friend, Bob's house, to pick out a snazzy new camper. You want to go where you want, when you want, so you're gonna pick up a fancy 4-season unit.

Well, before you get packed up to spend January in the Arctic or Canada, or hell, even Wisconsin, there's something you should know. There's no such thing as a 4-season RV. Let's talk about it.

Ok, so there is a label in RV land called Four-Season. Dealers love to use this term to describe campers (travel trailers, truck campers, fifth wheels, etc) that are "designed" to be used year-round - in hot summers and cold winters. "Oh, you betcha. This baby will keep you nice and cool in the desert and warm your toes during a snowstorm in Minnesota...eh."

But here's what you don't know and likely what they don't WANT you to know. There is no official industry standard defining what qualifies a rig as "four-season," meaning the truth behind that label varies greatly from manufacturer to manufacture, or from Bob to Hank. 

There is definitely a difference in campers when it comes to seasonal considerations. But regardless of make, model, and size, you simply MUST consider things like insulation levels, tank heating, heated underbelly, dual-pane windows, HVAC capacity, plumbing protection and more. These features do help prevent freezing pipes, etc. They help. They don't prevent. Don't confuse the two. A true four-season rig supports camping through extreme cold and heat without constant DIY attachments.

To be fair, there are some models that are considered by the industry to be pretty decent in the four-season department. In no particular order, (And I'm not promoting any of them one way or another and I'll tell you why in a minute):

Northwood Manufacturing who make Arctic Fox, Outdoors RV, and Nash; Northern Lite for truck campers; Oliver Travel Trailers are equipped with double-hull insulation, etc; Glacier Peak, and Bigfoot Trailers. All of these consider their rigs to be four-season and seemingly are better than many.

But here's the thing and why I don't support the label. None of these; not one single one of these is built like your house. They aren't built the same, insulated the same, heated the same, cooled, the same, sealed the same...and on and on. They aren't. Remember, you're staying in a tin can with paper for insulation. It may have two layers of insulation and some crap they call a heated underbelly, but it's still paper and crap. 

Now, if you'd like to consider a four-season camper as something you'd be comfortable taking between, say 25F and 90F, I could get behind that. But you won't catch me in anything, regardless of their claims, in any extremes. And I recommend you don't either. And we haven't even talked about cost yet!!

You'll be miserable trying to keep up with the temps, and no matter who makes it, you'll be adding features to keep it warm or cold. Extreme temps are no place for RVs of any kind, and that's another hill I'll die on. 

If you like this content, please comment below and let me know you've been here. And be sure to follow along at RVing with Matt and Gina on TikTok.

In the meantime,

Stay safe. Be smart. See ya on the road. 

 

 

 

 

Pulling a Toad

"

"I GO WHERE I'M TOWED"

 

If your primary source for camping is a motor home and you're wondering how to get to town for groceries once you're all set up, this blog is for you. Get ready to tow a toad. Let's talk about it.

 

As is likely evident by now, we do our RVing in a 37' motor home. We love everything about our house on wheels, but going this route comes with a unique set of options when it comes to getting around once you're set up. If you're pulling a 5th wheel or a bumper pull, you're already driving your vehicle for site-seeing and running errands. If not, you already know your rig probably won't fit in the parking lot of the Dollar General. Thus, you need a toad.

To bring along a separate vehicle for just getting around town, you basically have 5 options for getting it there. Yes, five. Honestly, there may be more, but I can't think of any short of an air drop. And to be fair, I've only tried one of these. Here are the five:

1. Using a car dolly. The advantage to using a car dolly, is that it opens up your options to bringing along nearly any front wheel drive vehicle on the market. The disadvantage is that once your car is unhooked, you still have a trailer back there. Unless you're in a pull-thru campsite, you'll have to unhook it to back in...OR you're a way better backer than me.
2. Using a car trailer. The advantage to this one is that you can bring along any vehicle you can get up there. Car, truck, Side-by-Side, Mule, ATVs...whatever. This disadvantage would be similar to Number 1. Once you get your car unloaded, you still have to unhook the trailer to back up. Unless...you're better at backing a trailer with a short tongue than I am.
3. Using an enclosed trailer. This one comes with great advantages. If it's big enough, you can bring your car, tools, bicycles, lawn chairs, etc and it's all protected from the weather. The disadvantages would be the same as the first two, plus, you have considerations of weight. Be sure you have a rig with enough horsepower to tow this and expect your fuel mileage to be affected.
4. Flat-towing. This is the option we chose, but it wasn't without some serious investigating. If you invest in a good towing setup, like Blue Ox, this is a system that makes hooking and unhooking a breeze. We can do either with our jeep in under a minute. That's the big advantage for us. The disadvantage is that you're seriously limited to the vehicles you can tow.  Let me explain. Not very vehicle on the market is designed to be flat-towed. It's not as simple as just putting it in neutral and heading down the road. Modern transmissions can be ruined by this method. Be SURE you check with your manufacturer about your vehicle's specs on being flat towed. WE found, the simplest, most reliable vehicle for flat towing is a Jeep. There are those that will tell you they've been towing their Honda Civic (pick your own vehicle here) for years with no issues. Just remember, you've been warned. Your transmission guy will love you. And remember, no matter how good you are a backing things, DO NOT attempt to back up with this configuration. It's expensive to install the first time. Don't break it.
5. Tagging along. We have run in to more than one traveling team that split the driving. One person drives the coach, the other follows along driving the smaller vehicle. Advantages would be not having to hook up and unhook. And if you're tired of sharing the same space, I guess there's that. The disadvantage is that you're not spending road time with the person you chose to make the trip with in the first place. Kinda defeats the purpose, in my opinion, but you do you.

Whelp, that about covers it. I can't stress enough that you really, really need to do your homework on this one and determine what setup works for you. What kind of vehicle to you have? Under what setup can you tow it? What's your budget?  How far are you traveling? How much do you like your partner? And for god's sake, ask your mechanic and manufacturer about whether your vehicle is fit for flat towing.

If you like our content, please follow the blog and leave a comment. Look for us on TikTok: RVing with Matt and Gina. Also, Horsefeathers: Energy and Life. In the meantime:

Stay safe. Be smart. See ya on the road. 

 

 

 

 

Traveling with Pets

 

"Pets are not just animals; they are family members who fill our hearts with love."

 

"A house is not a home without the pitter-patter of paws." 

 

 ~Unknown~ 

 

If you're traveling with your pets or are considering traveling with your pets, this blog is for you. Lets talk about our furry loved ones. 

When Gina and I first started talking about longer term RV life, we had one dog and two cats. Then we had one cat, (RIP sweet Jerry), then we had two cats again (Welcome Roscoe!), then we had three when Molly just showed up from the feral group in our town. Then Molly had 4 kittens in my closet. We kept one, of course, soooooooo, now we have 4 cats and a coonhound. Is it a lot? It can be, but for the most part, it's highly manageable and we wouldn't be without them. They're part of our family...our home...whether that be in Nebraska or on the road. 

All that wonderful mushy stuff being said, there are a number of considerations to keep in mind when you're traveling with your pets. 

The first consideration for us was deciding which rig to get. We were fully equipped with the right truck to pull a 5th wheel or bumper pull. However, we didn't want that many animals riding in the truck with us all the time, and we refuse to leave them in the camper while pulling it. Please, don't do that. It simply isn't safe for your pets. If you just have one or two and you have room in your tow vehicle, then it's not an issue. If you have as many as we do, we felt like we only had one option: a motorhome.

After the rig your camping in is established, the rest is just remembering a few quick tips and handling the food storage and sleeping arrangments. So, here's a list you might consider.

• Almost everywhere you camp, be it BLM land, national parks, state parks, RV parks, Harvest Host, or wherever, will require your pet be on a 6' leash at all times outside the rig. That includes cats. If your pets aren't leash trained, get them that way before you pull out of the driveway.  Our cats stay almost exclusively inside, but a couple of them like to go out for a short visit on the leash. We do have a long lead for our dog that we use only when sitting in our lawn chairs outside. In SOME instances, we have stayed in places where I can find a remote trail or field where I can let our coon hound run a bit. Remember, this is generally not allowed and I'm not recommending it. But our Sugar likes it, so there. 
• Having 4 cats obviously creates a poop issue. We use a single, covered, igloo-type litter box in the bathroom. We us a silicon based product like Pretty Litter (there are others at places like Petco or Petsmart) and I cannot recommend those products enough. They are odor-free, incredibly easy to clean, and not that hard to find. Keep extra bags on hand. Are they expensive?  A little, but a single bag lasts up to a month for one cat. (Times 4). Seriously, this is a game-changer for a tight space.
• You have to plan ahead to stay stocked up on food for all your critters. Our dog is easy. She'll eat anything, but we still can't buy a 40 pound bag. It's too much storage space. Just plan ahead and buy smaller amounts. Same goes for the cats. They eat a urinary tract-based food which generally only comes in small bags anyway, but we can't buy 5 at a time...storage, remember?
• Water is not an issue for most, but because we've had cats with urinary tract issues, they ALL get distilled water. We buy 12 bottles at a time when home. On the road, it's 4 at the most.
• It likely will never come up unless you're crossing someone's border, but you need to carry proof of your animal's vaccinations. And let's be real, even if you're not likely to be inspected, having your animals vaccinated is a good idea. 
• Speaking of meds, be sure you stock up before you leave. Most pet meds don't take up much space. We got a 6-month supply of our dog's heartworm, flea, and tick medicine. And don't skip giving it to them, especially if you're heading south. Mesquitoes don't take a winter break down south.
• Climate is always a consideration. Our pets are all perfectly fine being left alone for longer periods when necessary. That said, if it's hot outside, your camper will bake a pet just like in a car if you lose power to your air conditioning. There are dozens of products on the market at varying prices that will allow you to monitor the conditions of your inside temp remotely. We highly recommend the investment.
• Be sure you vacuum...daily!

So, that's basically it. Although traveling without our pets would be "simpler," it would be so much less fulfulling.  They seem to love the road as much as we do.

If you like our content, please follow this blog and leave a comment. In the meantime...

Stay safe. Be smart. See ya on the road.

Matt 

 

Park Review: Bit O'Heaven RV Park

 Bit O' Heaven RV Park

www.bit-o-heaven.net

(956) 464-5191 

1051 W. Business Hwy 83
Donna TX 78537 

 

If you're curious about tightly-packed, 55+ RV parks for snow birds in southern Texas, this blog is for you. Let's talk about Bit O' Heaven. 

 

To be honest, we had no plans to go this far south on our 5 month journey, but we had some friends contact us while we were in San Antonio. They told us that in only 4 more hours, we could be in beautiful Donna, TX where they stay in their park model...ok two park models, a motorhome, 3 golf carts (one of which they let us use), a pickup, hotrod, and mustang convertible. You gettin my drift here? This is NOT RVing on a budget, although we did get a price for a weekly stay that equated to about 30 bucks per night for full hook-ups. 

 

Let's talk about the good stuff, first:

 

1. The park is clean.

2. They have a decent dog park with all the supplies

3. They have two heated pools (one inside and one outside) with hot tubs which were nice and hot!

4. They have a huge array of activities from dances, to live music, to Bocce Ball, mini golf (sort of), yoga, two club houses, etc. They even have a dirt track for remote control cars and pickle ball courts. A full time entertainment director sees you stay as busy as you want to be. We don't like to be that busy.

5. It's only 30 minutes to Nuevo Progreso and an hour or so to South Padre Island. 

6. The electric and water seem to be reliable.

7. It's gated and everyone gets a unique code. Unless it's yard sale day, in which case the gate stays open for the general public. So basically, it's secure...sort of.

8. The staff was great. We really did get excellent service on every front from the park staff. 

 

Now the bad stuff:

 

1. The non-permanent pads for people coming through (like us) are grass, with one small concrete pad as a "patio." The grass is thick with stickers that stick to everything. And it wasn't just our site. They're everywhere. And that means our dog's feet were covered in them. Our shoes, clothes, RV tires, Jeep tires and clothes were covered in them. And THAT means they were in the camper. We'll be finding remnants of them the whole trip. Even if I loved this park (which I don't), this one item would make me never rent or buy here. 

2. The units, whether temporary or permanent, are WAY too close together. Every unit is packed in like sardines. Definitely not our jamb.

3.This one is politically based, but it applies in our case. It may not in yours. If you're a Trump-loving MAGA Member in good standing or prefer to call our beloved Gulf of Mexico the gulf of america, or think tariffs are good for our economy or that our attack on Venezuela was a good thing, or that Charlie Kirk was a nice man, this place is absolutely your cup of tea. If you're highly liberal, empathetic, and woke like we are, this is DEFINITELY not your place. Are there other liberals amongst the herd? Probably, but every conversation we had with anyone we met would lead you to believe otherwise. 

 

If you love butting up to your neighbors property, don't mind stickers on your shoes and love talking about how your cult leader is saving our country, this place is absolutely your home away from home.

 

It most definitely is not our kind of place and we won't be back at any price...at any time. But hey, the weather was nice.

 

Stay safe. Be smart. See ya on the road. 

 

 

 

 

 

Pulling a Rig

               "Remember when I asked for your opinion?  Neither do I."

~Everyone~ 

 

If you're new to RVing and you've ever wondered, or are wondering now, how big a truck you need to pull your bumper pull or 5th wheel, this blog entry is for you. 

Undoubtedly, this is likely the most contested debate I've come across on Facebook, regardless of what RV group or page you belong to. But, believe me when I tell you, I often seem to hold the minority opinion about this one. I've been called things like over-cautious, ignorant, uninformed, and stupid (yes, stupid. And you know how I've said you can't own an RV and be stupid). I've even had them use the"Tell me you've never pulled an RV without telling me you've never pulled an RV."

Well, I HAVE pulled an RV and numerous other trailers of varying lengths and weights. Like I said, this is often a minority opinion, but this is an RV hill I will die on. I can wiggle on other topics like what kind of fuel additive to use or what RV app you prefer, but I refuse to budge an inch on what rig I'll use to tow a camper. You may be mad at me now, but you'll thank me later. Or, you'll ignore me now and your mechanic will thank me later. Your call.

Before I get too deep, I get it. There CAN be some exceptions, but they're rare. I've talked to more than one asshat, er um, expert that explained to me they've pulled their 40' 5th wheel all over the country with their 1/2 Ton Ford and they've never had an issue. They've even used hyperbole like, "Can't even tell it's back there." I'm yet to hear someone make that statement with a bumper pull, but I'm sure they're out there. And look, who am I to say? I've never pulled a camper with a Ford, but still, I'm calling BS to all of it. Ok, so finally, here's why and I love to start with this little tag line. Repeat this any time you're questioning an RV decision:

"Just because you can, it doesn't mean you should."

Remember when I bought my shiny new 28' Patriot? It weighed in dry at about 5,500 pounds. Loaded, that probably equated to 6,500 or 7,000 pounds, water, gear and all. Maybe less, but the truth is, it doesn't matter.

My loaded, 1/2-ton, Chevy Silverado Z71 was equipped with a towing package and rated at roughly 9200 pounds of towing capacity. My RV dealer and I had a long discussion about this.

"I don't think I have enough truck to pull this."

"Oh, that's plenty of truck and you even have a couple thousand pounds to spare!"

Made perfect sense to me, so I had them custom install the hitch and adjust the height. I hooked up my shiny new camper and pulled out of the parking lot. It took me two blocks and a trip up the entrance ramp to a freeway, along with a long blast from a trucker's air horn to determine, I did NOT, indeed, "have enough truck." 

Would it pull it? Sure, but it grumbled and groaned each and every mile and my mileage dropped into the single digits. It wasn't just a little "not enough truck." It was a lot "not enough truck." But, damage done, I eased on down the road to state park after state park, then pulled to South Texas and back, them made two trips to Oklahoma and another two to Kansas. The transmission began to slip on the last trip back from Oklahoma, but I was expecting it to go out long before. That was a $6,000 lesson learned the hard way.

Again, I can hear the arguments about cost, and brand of vehicle, and on and on and on. And if you're pulling your camper to the lake and back twice in the summer, you can pull it with your lawn tractor for all I care. You'll likely be fine. But if you're going full-time, nearly full-time, or simply going further more often, you need a bigger truck. Period.

Right here is where people start talking about tongue weights, horsepower, load limits, towing capacity, horsepower, blah, blah, blahbiddy, blah. You can give all that crap consideration if you want to check the boxes, but you'll check ALL the boxes, if you just get a bigger truck. And by bigger, I mean at LEAST a 3/4 Ton and while you're at it, go ahead and get the F350 or Chevy 3500 dually and make it a diesel. Yep, that's gonna set you back $85,000 to $150,000 these days depending on options. But it'll save you twice that in heartache and repairs. 

Yes, it's excessive. If you're pulling a tent camper, pop-up or something in the 17-20 foot range, go for it. Use your jeep or 1/2 ton or something lighter. You'll be fine. If it's bigger, your truck needs to be, too. You can do math until you're blue in the face, or you can simply use a rig big enough, or better yet, bigger than enough and your math solves itself. And as far has the hitch you use, have a professional install it and set it up.

If you like this content, please follow the blog for more tips.

 Stay safe, be smart. See ya on the road

 Matt 

 

Where the Rubber Meets the Road

"Don't make me use my safety manager voice."

~Random T-Shirt~ 

If you've ever wondered about the importance of good tires on your rig, this blog is for you. Let's talk about it.

Several years ago, I bought a brand new, 28' bumper pull. Pulled it right off the lot with my sparkly 1/2 ton Chevy Z71. (We're going to talk about that WAY more in later blogs). I had no clue what tires were on it, how they were rated, or even the brand. They were brand new, right? 

For the first several months I only pulled from state park to state park every 14 days. Clearly, I was living in it. I had exactly zero issues with my shiny new camper and my soft, glowing tires. Zero.

But next, I decided to pull my 28', 7,000 lb (loaded) rig from Nebraska all the way to Corpus Christi, Texas.  (I promise, we are SO going to talk about towing very soon). You know how many tire issues I had on that trip? Also, zero. Do you know why? I was LUCKY!! I mean, I was beyond lucky. I drove too fast for too long because I hadn't a clue. It was winter, so the pavement was cool, and apparently I had them aired up correctly, but I now know I dodged bullet after bullet.

Ask almost any RVer, full timer or otherwise, what their most common roadside issue is, and they'll tell you. It's tires. Do you know why? Because the tires that come on your new camper are crap. With rare exception, they aren't rated appropriately for the weight you're carrying nor the speed you're driving. If you're running with your factory-installed tires in the summer, driving more than 65 mph, with them supporting 3-5 tons of tin and cheap wood, the question isn't whether or not you'll have a blowout. It's when. 

I had a lengthy discussion with an RV tech once about tires. (which now makes me a certified expert. lol). What he told me made the blood run out of my face. According to this tech, most RV tires are rated to pull 50 miles at a time at 50 mph or less. In other words, these tires are meant for the weekender who stocks up on beer and runs down to the local state fishing lake. They are (IN GENERAL!) NOT meant to be pulled down the road for miles on end at speeds you should avoid.

So, what can you as an RV owner, do to reduce the odds of you having a blowout? Well, the most obvious would be to replace your crappy tires with light truck tires, 10 ply or above. Whether you do that or decide to roll the dice on your crappy ones like I did, you can also do things like making sure the air pressure is correct, keep your speed under 65 mph (or less, what's the rush?), and when possible, avoid towing in extreme conditions, especially heat. And for god's sake try to stay off the logging roads. 

But wait, there's more!

My wife and I now own a 37' diesel pusher and pull a Jeep TJ toad (and yes, you need to pay attention to the tires on your toad, too). We bought the rig used with low miles and the ginormous semi-truck tires on this thing looked great. No cracks in the sidewalls, great tread. Away we went down the road to places like South Dakota, Wyoming, North Carolina (Yes, North Carolina while carrying my mother-in-law and sister-in-law, two cats and a coondog). Know how many tire issues we had? Yep. Zero. Know why? Again...LUCKY!!! 

While on the return trip from North Carolina, we happened to park next to a guy that had the same Freightliner frame we run on and we started comparing notes. Apparently, he'd been on the road with his rig for 12 years or more and he had a few great suggestions. In the midst of all that he took a lap around the rig and took at hard look at the tires. Now HIS face turned white.

"Did you know these tires are all over 10 years old?" he asked. 

I responded, "Well, first of all, how do you know that? And secondly, so what? They're in great shape."

That's when I learned something VERY important about big truck tires. "Young man," he said. "Truck tires don't wear out. They TIME out." 

"Say what?"

Basically, he made me promise we'd at least replace the steering tires when we got home, which we did...at $650 each (remember, we're RVing on a budget. And while this definitely falls under the "Do as I say, not as I do" category, we've continued to run on the drive tires with no issues, yet. It's in the budget and if you're in our situation, I'd tell you to do it sooner than later. We do check them for damage frequently, keep them properly inflated, keep them covered when we sit more than a couple days, avoid speeds generally over 62 mph (1500-1700 rpms), especially in the heat, and...remember those two steering tires? Yep, those are spares and our jeep serves as a holding cell for them while we travel. Is it ideal? No. Should you do it? Also no. 

While this is by no means intended to be expert advice, it is some stuff that we've learned along the way and we hope it helps. As always, your mileage may vary...literally and figuratively.

If you like the info found in the blog, please become a follower.

Remember...Stay safe. Be Smart. See ya on the road. 

  

 

 

Keep It or Sell It: The Great Debate

 

“In every homeowner lies the heart of the place they call home.”

"Home is where you park it." 

 

If you're at that stage of RV living where you're trying to make a decision about keeping your home or selling it all and hitting the road, this blog entry is for you. Along with what kind of truck to pull your rig with, this HAS to be among the top debates amongst RVers. 

Let's talk about it. 

Look, I get it. I get the allure of the adventure. I get the rush of selling it all and hitting the open road. I really do. I was a firefighter for nearly 24 years. I've felt the rush of entering a home with ambient temperatures at the ceiling of 800 degrees fahrenheit, or more. It was SO exciting! But here's the thing. I never went in without backup or a RIT team standing at the ready. So, before you sell it all and hit the road, let's talk about some questions to ask yourself. It's imperative you be honest. 

1. How old are you? Assuming you're retirement age or older, how much longer can you unhook, crawl underneath the rig, or even walk up the stairs to your rig?

If you're still young, this is less of a factor than someone my age (65). If the unforeseen happens, you have time to recover physically or financially. For me, I'm one wrong step away from breaking a hip and being unable to drive our Class A. Where would we go?

2. What will you do with the funds from selling it all? The obvious answer is that you'll invest it in something that promises decent returns. If your plan is to use those funds to finance your travel, then refer back to question 1.  

Here's the financial thing to consider and I'll use an example. We met a couple in South Dakota who had sold their house and belongings in California to RV full time. They invested the money and told us they'd use it to buy a different place when they were done on the road.  BUT, and be sure you're honest about this question, will your investment keep up with the appreciation of the housing market? If you know it will, go for it. If you're not sure, you're going to leave RV life with a mortgage. However, it's a fact that some folks have a long-term care facility already picked out. We don't.

Obviously, if you're still young and/or working, or rich, this is a moot point. You can do what you want and be safe. If you're living on a small fixed income the way we are, I encourage you to think longer term.

3. Can you afford to do both? We're blessed in that we CAN do both. We can keep our safety net, but only because our modest house is paid for and so is our Class A. (An older model, low mileage diesel we got for a song).

4. How is this going to fit in with your family life? The kids still going to come visit? The grandkids? Are they all supportive? 

When it comes to this "debate," we easily see both sides of the aisle. There are SO many mitigating factors.

It's becoming more and more common for people to choose RV life as a means of survival. Mortgages and rents are ridiculous and, as we've discussed in other blogs, there is a way to travel on the cheap. Likewise, our world continues to become seemingly more stressful and divided, and living on the open road has so much appeal, it's difficult to put into words.

There's just one more thing I want you to consider, especially if you believe RV life is cheaper than home ownership. (It can be, but it isn't always). Imagine putting your brick and mortar on a trailer and pulling it down the road. Imagine what that would do to it. In essence, every time you move your rig, you're putting your house through an earthquake. Eventually, you will have damage and you will have costly repairs. Remember, it's a good idea to be handy and/or rich.

Even if you decided to park your rig permanently, don't make the mistake of thinking you'll be able to cool it in the summer or heat it in the winter like you can a brick and mortar. You're living in a tin can with paper-thin insulation and it will NOT be the same. Obviously there are exceptions to all of this, but in my experience, very few. People get caught off guard with this last one all the time. 

It's a decision clearly left to the individual and no one can tell you what's best for you. I can tell you the conclusion we reached, and if possible, we'll never be without a place to come back to. We're happy to be a resource, but we certainly can't tell you what's best for you; only what's best for us. 

If you like our content, please follow the blog to receive instant updates and comment about what decision you've made and why. We all do best when we help each other.

Stay safe, Be smart. See ya on the road. 

 

 

 

 

 

Broad Strokes: Some Things Before You Get Started

“It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations, if you live near him.”     ~J.R.R. Tolkien~

 

I've seen enough social media advice regarding RV's that it seems imperative to always include a small disclaimer. I am not an expert on RV repair, RV planning, or most anything else regarding RV life. What my wife and I both are, is a source for you to put in the mix as you make your own decisions about things. 

If you're just getting started on RV life, or if you've been doing it for awhile with only weekend trips on Memorial Day, this list of broad-stroke items are some things you might consider before you ever get started. Questions you need to answer for yourself, if you will. My intention is to cover each of these and more in some detail in later videos. But for now, start doing your homework before you ever pull out of the driveway.

Let's talk about it.

As you may have gathered from a couple t-shirts, I'm a retired firefighter who worked nearly 24 years in a very large, very busy metropolitan area. We had a saying in the fire service. "If it weren't for stupid people, we'd be out of work." No truer words were every spoken. As it turns out, my later years were also spent staffing a rescue boat on a 17,000 acre recreational lake. Stupid people on boats put stupid people on the highways to shame. And then, then I retired and began to RV. Sweet Mary there are a lot of people pulling or driving RV's that fly by the seat of their pants. They shouldn't be. It's dangerous.

If you're not one of those people and have done your due diligence, I apologize. But you also realize that what I've said is true. We're not perfect, but we've done a lot of homework. You should too.

Step One: Whether you're buying a new 42' 5th Wheel or a used camper van, you simply MUST become familiar with your rig. In fact, you need to become an expert. If it's new, get a thorough familiarization tour before you ever leave the lot. If it's used, have the previous owner go over ALL of it with you. Make a list. Get it all covered. Here is just a small list of the things you should know. (Remember, we'll get to some of these in detail on future blogs and TikTok videos, so be sure to follow us on both to get the latest updates). 

 -How much does your rig weigh?

-What is the tongue weight, if applicable?

-What's the minimum/maximum capacity for the vehicle I'm towing it with? (If applicable. I'll have A LOT more to say on this later).

What kind of tires does it have? How old are they? If new, just how cheap a tire did the manufacture use? 

How does the door lock? How does the awning operate? How do you level it? What is the fuel capacity (propane, diesel, gasoline, etc as applicable)? Holding tank limits (fresh water, gray water, black water)? How do you light the hot water heater and is it gas only or electric, also? How do you light the furnace?  Do you know what every switch in the entire rig does? Where is the fuse panel? Where are the breakers? How do you set the "mode" on your refrigerator and is it adjusted correctly? How does the microwave work? If used, when were the wheel bearings last serviced? Brakes? Are the wipers in good shape? Can you operate the thermostat?

This list is in no way all-inclusive, but it's a good start.  I would cautiously encourage you to consult social media and the caution applies, as well, to our content. I have had SOME success utilizing RV-specific Facebook pages (search for the groups that work for you), but I can assure you, those pages are wrought with ridiculous drama and answers will vary based on experience and smarts. Answers can be useful, but some of them are just plain scary and dangerous. Become informed!! YouTube can also be a great resource, and I have figured out more than one repair by watching videos related to my issue.

Once you have all your questions answered regarding your rig, I implore you; camp in it a couple times in your driveway. Feeling confident? Head to your local state park within 50 miles and do a couple weekends there. Take the risk out of forgetting things. Learn under the safety net of proximity things you still need to learn before you tackle a big trip. The road, RV parks, rustic campsites, etc are all full of people who aren't yet ready to be doing this. Don't be one of them. If it helps, I'd give the same advice to a person buying a motorcycle. Being informed may just save your life, or at a minimum, a major headache.  Even more importantly, it may save the life of someone else.

Look, I fully realize this one is a bit preachy, but if you're new, it won't be long until you understand why. Like many things in life, if we all work together to be advocates for each other, we all get a more fulfilling and safe experience.

Be safe. Be smart. See ya on the road! 

Reviewing Carbolyn Park, Pomona Lake, Lyndon, Kansas

  

 

 Camping Review: Carbolyn Park, Lyndon, Kansas

https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233450?tab=ratings 

*All information in these blog entries is intended to be just that, information. Our intention is not to tell you what you should or should not do. Our intention is to share our experience with you in hopes you can add it to your collective and make a sound decision that works for your particular situation. 

Two years ago,  my wife and I attempted a trip to Dallas, Texas to see some friends and march in the St Paddy's Day Parade. We made it as far as a place just south of Topeka, Kansas before our trip came to a screeching halt.

As we headed south from Topeka, a ridiculous gust of wind tore our awning from the side of our motorhome. When the awning met the highway shoulder, it took some of the front of our roof with it. After climbing to the roof to finish the deconstruction, we limped down the highway to the closest safe place. That place was Carbolyn Park near Lyndon, Kansas.

It was an oasis on a sandstorm of a trip and it was from there we regrouped to get our rig patched up enough to make it home. 

This year, as we began our five-month trek south, we determined to show eastern Kansas we weren't scared and took the same route with Carbolyn Park as the destination.

I've shared the link above and we highly recommend you pull up the site on recreation. gov. There you'll find size, prices, activities, etc. What you won't find is my opinion. So, let's talk about.

 Carbolyn Park is a US Army Corp of Engineers facility and has several sites available for camping, all with electric and water. We visited in December, so the park was closed. "Closed" means the power and water are both turned off. It's dry-camping heaven and the best part? It's free when the park is closed.

Remember in a previous video I mentioned getting your Senior National Parks Pass ($80)? This is one of several places it will come in handy. Even during it's open season, Corp of Engineer properties will cost you half the usual camping fee. 

Carbolyn Park is lovely. The pads are gravel, but two of them are pull-thrus. There is lots of shade and they have shower and bathroom facilities when they're open. I'm told the fishing is pretty good, too! 

Carbolyn Park is not a 5 star RV resort. It's a well-maintained spot in the road that provides inexpensive camping during the warm months, and free camping in the off-season. Just come prepared with your own water supply and propane for heat. 

It fits beautifully in to our plan of inexpensive travel and boondocking. I give it 4/5 stars. Your mileage may vary.

See ya on the road!!