RV Blog for Frugal RV Travel

May 16, House on Fire Ruins

Thu, 16 May 2013 23:59:14 GMT

Directions and geographic coordinates for House on Fire Ruins. This amazing cliff dwelling in southeast Utah is surprisingly easy to get to - once you know where it is.

May 7, Unique Motorhomes

Tue, 07 May 2013 19:44:58 GMT

Over the years we have encountered some strange and unique motorhomes.

May 1, Grand Circle

Wed, 01 May 2013 21:24:05 GMT

Page, Arizona is the hub of a wheel called the Grand Circle - an area that inculdes the National Parks and Monuments that dot the varied terrain of northern Arizona and southern Utah and Colorado.

Apr 23, Sedona to Grand Canyon

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:02:11 GMT

RV boondocking with pretty rocks and near a really big hole in the ground (Sedona to Grand Canyon)

Apr 9, Water in the Desert

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 21:20:11 GMT

Finding water in the desert: sometimes a suprise and always a decadent treat

Apr 1, Superstition Mountains

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 17:06:57 GMT

Camping along Apache Trail in the Superstition Mountains with stunning scenery.

Mar 19, Tucson Boondocking

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 20:18:32 GMT

We know quite a few Tucson boondocking options but, despite best-laid plans, ended

Mar 12, Big Bend

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 06:18:23 GMT

Big Bend National Park never disapoints. It's still our favorite camping in Texas.

Mar 2, Texas Drought

Sat, 02 Mar 2013 18:45:24 GMT

We had heard about the Texas drought but it only became real when we saw it in person.

Feb 20, Tex-Mex

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 06:20:46 GMT

We were all about Tex-Mex this week - a day trip to Mexico and to our favorite Texas city, San Antonio.

Feb 12, Texas Gulf Coast

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 16:55:06 GMT

The Texas Gulf Coast is always inviting. With free boondocking on many of its beaches, why don't we spend the entire winter here?

Feb 8, Texas Time

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 06:00:51 GMT

It's February and we're overdue for some Texas time.

Feb 1, Gulf Coast

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 04:35:19 GMT

Free camping on Florida's Gulf Coast, from Naples to Homossasa, thanks to the hospitality of Boondockers Welcome members

Jan 26, Everglades

Sat, 26 Jan 2013 22:37:53 GMT

Are there alligators everywhere in the Everglades? If so, how can we feel safe walking or camping there?

Jan 20, Interview about Boondocking Tonight and Casting Call for RVers

Sun, 20 Jan 2013 13:05:39 GMT

What's New? Marianne on "Road Rebelles" Radio! This evening, Sunday, Jan 20th at 9pm EST, I will be the guest on the "Road Rebelles" online radio show. You can listen to the show LIVE or after it airs here. This is a call-in show, so listen live and get a chance to chat with me, ask your questions, or tell your stories about Boondockers Welcome or boondocking in general! Casting Call for a new reality TV series on TLC! We recently received this casting call and wanted to pass it on to all RVers: RV Owners: Major TV Network Wants to Hear Your Story! Major cable TV network is currently seeking RV owners for an upcoming pilot. If you live in any type of home-on-wheels and love the open road, we want to hear from you! Seeking all personalities and lifestyles. Whether you have a unique story to tell, or have an RV like no other, please tell us a bit about yourself by emailing: RVcastingUSA@gmail.com.

Jan 20, Florida

Sun, 20 Jan 2013 12:52:35 GMT

Can we see Florida on our usual tight RVing budget? So far, the answer is, yes we can!

Jan 12, Unhooking a travel trailer while boondocking

Sat, 12 Jan 2013 17:50:57 GMT

Q. I will be pulling a 28' travel trailer next Fall across the country. I bought four of your books about boondocking. I am very new to this, so I was

Jan 11, boondocking with 40' Motor home

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 13:24:12 GMT

Q. Do your boondocking guides note limited motor home lengths/sizes? A. Yes. Every boondocking area in the guide is referenced with a foot note that tells

Nov 14, Considering RVing

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 02:35:05 GMT

Q. I am getting ready to retire and I have just now considered selling off everything for RVing. Don't know diddley squat about it. Have a lot of questions,

Nov 13, Heads up - about parking in Van Horn Texas

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 04:25:56 GMT

Jaimie at RVLifestyleExperts.com just shared this information about Van Horn, Texas. I just thought I'd pass it on. (We've stopped there for gas and groceries on past trips but won't in future - I'm emailing to let them know why.)

RV Lifestyle Experts - Illegal to park RVs in Van Horn

You may want to send an email about parking in Van Horn, TX. If you are traveling through west Texas, Van Horn is a place you might be tempted to stop. And, you might get a ticket. Alternative towns are Balmorhea or Fort Stockton. From friends in an RV group we belong to: “The ordinance wording allows Law Enforcement to assume all stops, any time of day or night are for sleeping, allowing an $85 ticket to be issued. Stays over 4 hours are mentioned, but it is much easier to avoid RV unfriendly towns than to argue over a sheriff's stopwatch accuracy. “We understand that there are no signs on the recent ordinance that target RVers and not trucks. An RVer stated they pulled into the truck stop parking area, where they have stayed many times before, right behind McDonalds for a nap and breakfast. When they awoke several hours later, there was a ticket taped to the windshield. ‘Violation of City of Van Horn ordinance 12/2010. Fine of $85 payable by money order only.’ The City Manager has said she was pressured by the RV parks in her city to enforce the ordinance. “It may be time to send emails to the City of Van Horn, TX telling them of our displeasure. Our feeling is that since Van Horn, TX is RV unfriendly we will just not give them our business. See the ordinance 12.12." Here are Van Horn email addresses: City Manager: franmalafronte@vanhorntexas.org Mayor: okeylucas@vanhorntexas.org Publisher, Van Horn Advocate: lsimpson@vanhornadvocate.com Van Horn Economic Development: edc@vanhorntexas.org 432-283-7494 Van Horn Visitor's Bureau: info@vanhorntexas.org 866-424-6939 CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DIRECTORS: 432-283-2043 Sooky Borrego, President Larry Simpson, Vice President Patricia Golden, Secretary/Treasurer

Oct 4, Roadtrek

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 21:53:02 GMT

We've had quite the summer - and winter is shaping up to include fun adventures with a new (to us) Roadtrek camper!

Jun 20, New Frugal Boondocking Guide Now Available

Wed, 20 Jun 2012 13:02:09 GMT

The long-awaited Frugal Shunpiker's Guide to California Boondocking on the Coast and in the Sierra Mountains is now available! This second California guide covers two routes: one into the state's high country - the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains, and the second following the coast from Ventura to Fort Bragg. Both are prime and much desired summer destinations.

May 18, I'll be on CBC Radio - Live! Today!

Fri, 18 May 2012 21:55:28 GMT

A first for me: a mainstream radio interview! Craig Lederhouse of CBC Radio Regina has asked me to be part of his Afternoon Edition show today! It airs live from an RV in Wascana Park from 4pm to 6pm (CDT). To listen in live go to www.cbc.ca/sask and click on"listen live" in the top right corner. My interview is scheduled for 5:50pm. And after that, Rae Crothers of Travels with Miranda will be interviewed about Fulltime RVing. I've often said, I'm a writer, not a speaker. Wish me luck - I'm slightly nervous... After the show, listen to the recorded interview at: http://www.cbc.ca/afternoonedition/episode/2012/05/18/how-to-rv-save-a-few-bucks/

Apr 19, Pssssst.......Boondockerswelcome.com - Pass it on!

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 14:35:25 GMT

The buzz about Boondockers Welcome is getting louder. For the past two weeks, the word has been spreading quietly but steadily around the RV community. As of this morning, we have 75 driveway-parking invitations spread across 8 Canadian provinces and 30 USA states. All that, even before the first official press release which is now hot off the wires - just published this morning. Here is the link: http://www.wireservice.ca/index.php?module=News&func=display&sid=7966 If you'd like to help grow the club, a link to the above press release is an easy way to do so. You can also go to www.boondockerswelcome.com and use the icons (on the left) to "like us" on Facebook, "tweet about us", or share the site on your own favorite social network. A big thank you to the entire RV community for your warm enthusiastic response to this project! We promise to do our best to make this one of the strongest, most helpful, and fun RV communities on the web. We'll live up to the comment from one reviewer who said, " I think this is the best idea to come down the pike in a long time."

Apr 14, Park Overnight on Private Property

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 15:35:46 GMT

Keeping this project "under my hat" has not been easy. Finally, after nearly two years, I can announce: Boondockers Welcome Brand New! A membership site where RVers connect with eachother to offer dry-camping for a night or two on their private property. This club will only get better - join now to have free membership for life! How did this come about? I owe it all to my genius daughter, Anna; she made my dream a reality (check the site's About Us page).

Mar 4, Don't Automatically Pay Those Fees - They May Not Be Required or Even Legal

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 16:02:43 GMT

I was recently introduced to the Western Slope No-Fee Coalition. There's a very interesting movement going on to stop the federal agencies who manage America's public lands (Forest and BLM) from collecting fees that, by law, they have no right to collect. Don't automatically feed that iron ranger - read on...

Jan 27, Top 50 Frugality Blogs of 2011

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:25:11 GMT

I just found out my site is on the Frugal Dad list of the Top 50 Frugality Blogs of 2011. I guess I was so busy back in December that I totally missed the notice they sent me. I'm number 31 on the list but you'll want to bookmark this page and come back to it time and time again. There are many great sites there, all with sage advice for people in any walk of life who want to live smarter, easier, and better.

Jan 23, Boondocking in California

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 03:17:59 GMT

Yes there is boondocking in California! We found plenty of it on our recent trip through some of the state's most desireable areas.

Jan 22, Boondocking with a 40' RV

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 19:44:49 GMT

Q: What is the percentage, would you say, in all your books that this size of RV pulling a tow can get in and out of without difficulty? My other question

Jan 19, California Boondocking Guide

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:32:04 GMT

I know many of you have been waiting for this news: The long awaited Frugal Shunpiker's Guide to California Boondocking is now available - hopefully in time for some of your winter adventures in that state. California is so big and I ended up with so much information that the ebook guides will be in two parts. This first guide covers the deserts and everything east of the Sierras as far north as Lake Tahoe. Look for the second guide, covering summer destinations in California's coastal and mountain regions, to be released in time for your summer travels.

Nov 26, 2012 Campground Host Positions and LTVA Options

Sat, 26 Nov 2011 15:46:10 GMT

I was just on the BLM website and saw this: BLM is currently looking for Campground Hosts for all Bishop Field Office campgrounds for the 2012 season. For more information please contact Becky Hutto, Park Ranger at(760) 872-5008. This area, east of the Sierras is our favorite in California. For RVers who want to just hang in one spot, it would be a great place to spend your summer. But you don't have to take on host duties to stay long term. Few people know that they also have an LTVA program. $300.00 covers you from March through October. Permits are limited so apply now. It gives full-timers who spend winters in LTVAs in southern Arizona and California a similar summer option without putting on too many miles. Average summer temperatures are in the 90's (bearable). We checked out some of these BLM campgrounds on our recent trip. We especially love Tuttle Creek near Lone Pine.

Oct 24, Texas RV Vacation

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 14:53:20 GMT

A Memorable Texas RV Vacation - a suggested RV Itinerary for the best sites in Southern Texas

Oct 19, Our 2011 Trip Was Over Budget

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 14:17:33 GMT

Yes, the trip cost more than anticipated but we're not going to sugar-coat the report and certainly there will be no talk of raising our debt ceiling :-) Here it is...the final breakdown and tally of expenses of the California Dream Tour - the six-month trip we completed Sept 1, 2011. Although, per month, the costs worked out quite high compared to previous trips, we're not surprised. There were plenty of reasons for the increase. It had been three years since the last extended trip we documented. Five of the six months were spent in California - where fuel prices are the highest in the contiguous United States. Because the trip included research for my upcoming California Boondocking Guide, we put on a lot of extra miles to personally check every free camping option. We wanted to cover as much of California as we could so we were constantly on the move, spending only one or two nights in most locations. We spent more on campgrounds than on any other trip for two reasons: we were in prime tourist areas in peak summer season and, when fuel prices are high, sometimes it just makes sense to pay extra for camping rather than drive miles to save a few dollars. Over the trip, our camping costs averaged out at just $2.00 per night. Our RV is that much older and repairs and maintenance costs were higher. We're older too so our maintenance costs... er, I mean extended medical coverage, is also more expensive. Our usual total trip budget for the two of us has been $1000 to $1100 per month. On this trip we exceeded it by 30%. No matter what we blame it on, it's the way it is. Even frugal travel isn't free but then, neither is staying put in our sticks and bricks home where we are now - nesting, resting, and saving the pennies for our next adventure. Expenses for all our extended trips are listed here. Scroll down to California Dream Tour for the full breakdown of our 2011 trip.

Sep 28, 2011 California Adventure

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 02:43:53 GMT

Goodbye (for now) 2011 California adventure. Hello humble Ontario home.

Aug 27, Peak Bagging

Sat, 27 Aug 2011 23:42:37 GMT

On the last leg of our six-month trip, we finish with some Peak Bagging.

Aug 18, Bear Encounter

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 03:41:53 GMT

Woah - a bear encounter! Sequoia trees - the biggest in the world. Slackpackers picking up the pace.

Jul 24, The Seirras

Sun, 24 Jul 2011 21:51:47 GMT

Exploring mountain passes in the Sierras, old gold mining towns, unpretentious winemakers, and finding a campsite in Yosemite Valley without reservations

Jun 28, The Beach

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 22:29:34 GMT

Last week we arrived at the coast. Barefoot on the beach - our California adventure continues.

Jun 17, Our RV Life in The News Today

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 18:41:54 GMT

Guess what! Our life, as a couple traveling (and getting along) in the close quarters of a small RV was featured today on TODAY.com. Here's the link: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/43399930/ns/today-relationships/t/couples-close-quarters-squeeze-y-does-it

Jun 13, Kern River

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 19:40:58 GMT

We'd heard a lot about the Kern River Valley and Lake Isabella, but really didn't know what to expect.

May 29, Eastern Sierras

Sun, 29 May 2011 01:28:11 GMT

Highway 395 along the eastern Sierras. It took us over two weeks to go only 200 miles along our favorite California highway.

May 5, Death Valley

Thu, 05 May 2011 16:06:26 GMT

We escaped Death Valley alive. Now we think we're done with the desert.

Apr 24, Jojoba Hills

Sun, 24 Apr 2011 22:08:42 GMT

What a great surprise - Jojoba Hills - an unplanned vacation from our vacation

Apr 24, The Truth

Sun, 24 Apr 2011 21:53:40 GMT

It's time to tell the truth - I have'nt been totally truthful in these blogs...

Apr 14, Joshua Tree

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 21:34:46 GMT

Joshua Tree National Park brings out the twelve-year-old in us.

Apr 7, Birthday On The Road

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 17:54:15 GMT

My birthday on the road

Apr 6, California Desert

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 00:59:32 GMT

Our adventure continues, camping in the California desert.

Apr 6, The Slabs

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 00:52:47 GMT

Salvation Mountain and The Slabs - We all know someone who would love it here!

Mar 24, Crossing Arizona

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 16:14:51 GMT

Follow our 2011 travels. Crossing Arizona we stop to see an old friend, Belle Starr

Mar 15, New Mexico Blog

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 22:41:00 GMT

Follow our 2011 travels through New Mexico with my New Mexico Blog