RV Blog for Frugal RV Travel

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.

Jan 18, California Boondocking

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:29:28 GMT

Nearly 100 California boondocking locations across the state's Deserts and Eastern Sierra regions. Free camping in incredible, out-of-the-way scenic locations for RVs and tents.

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.

Nov 23, DL Bonus Book

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 23:19:06 GMT

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 11, Biggest Liar

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 04:09:47 GMT

If only we were better liars...this week's impromptu Saturday night entertainment was at Borrego Springs - the Peg Leg Smith Biggest Liar Competition.

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

Mar 15, Palo Duro Canyon

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 22:19:00 GMT

The drive west on the Interstates is a blur but when we reach Palo Duro Canyon, a Texas State Park, the fun begins.

Feb 28, tow cars?

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 03:09:13 GMT

What is a good car to tow when rving with a class a?

Feb 28, Very useful mini-guide, thanks

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 03:07:41 GMT

Just a few comments/questions. Pardon my newbie's ignorance - I'm in the early stage of my quest yet. 1) Inspecting a used 5th wheel or travel trailer

Feb 20, Travel Medical Insurance

Sun, 20 Feb 2011 19:17:18 GMT

Comparing quotes for travel medical insurance for Canadian Snowbirds

Feb 20, Boondocking RVers are very welcome in the beautiful Catskill Mountains

Sun, 20 Feb 2011 01:07:36 GMT

Belleayre Mountain Ski Center just off Route 28 in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York offers free overnight parking for RVs. With miles of

Feb 20, RV Friendly Communities

Sun, 20 Feb 2011 00:41:23 GMT

RV friendly communities officially welcome boondocking RVers to park overnight while enjoying the area.

Feb 18, Rachael Nevada

Fri, 18 Feb 2011 17:19:37 GMT

Out in the middle of nowhere on state route 375 is the little tiny town of Rachael Nevada. I encourage RV'ers to check it out. There is a Flying Saucer

Feb 16, IS ARIZONA SAFE ANYMORE ?

Wed, 16 Feb 2011 06:33:35 GMT

The BLM is putting up signs close to the border warning US Citizens not to camp below Highway 8 or close to the border. Not only is dope smuggling and

Feb 6, Who's the Boss?

Sun, 06 Feb 2011 15:30:04 GMT

Before becoming fulltimers, my husband and I both were in management positions. We are both problem solvers that like to be in charge. Once we retired

Jan 31, There is a difference between RV motorhome and trailer

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 00:45:19 GMT

An RV with an engine requires export clearance from US customs, and notice 72 hrs in advance. Also, this office is not open 24/7. Some are only weekday

Jan 8, For Canadian Full-Time RVers

Sat, 08 Jan 2011 23:24:34 GMT

There's not much good information available for Canadians who want to live full-time in their RV - Until Now! A new e-book (released today), Full Time RVing In Canada is a must read for all Canadian RVers. Most Canadian full-timers live "under the radar," afraid of losing health and other benefits. This, plus many other facts and down-to-earth advice for full-timing in Canada is tackled in a new e-book written by two Canadian writers with many years of full-timing between them. Rae Crothers and Will Imanse have teamed up to present the information many Canadian RVers spend hours looking for, in one neat package. I highly recommend this book!

Jan 2, Finding Work On The Road

Sun, 02 Jan 2011 13:59:36 GMT

Q. Hi, I just landed on your website and I LOVE it! We are about the same age, losing our home in Georgia and have been looking for an RV and work. The

Jan 2, Health Issues on the Road

Sun, 02 Jan 2011 03:16:28 GMT

Kel and I (Julie) have been retired (at 50) and RVing for 13 years. We pull a 20-foot travel trailer with a F-150 pickup, loaded up with kayaks and bikes,

Jan 1, The disease of Homesickness!

Sat, 01 Jan 2011 19:38:13 GMT

I am so grateful that I found this site, I was beginning to think I had totally lost my bearings. In the past year, I left my home to marry a wonderful

Dec 30, Moving out

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 16:10:20 GMT

We really enjoy all the information we get from this site. Most of it is very usefull. We also go to the Workampers web site for additional information.

Dec 30, RVing is full of wake-up calls

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 00:27:35 GMT

My wife and I are new to RVing this year, and our longest trip was 10 weeks, mostly AZ and NM. Planning longer ones in 2011. Examples of wake-up calls

Dec 30, Moving Day

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 00:24:44 GMT

Ray and I have been Rving full time for 7 years now. It took some adjusting from living in a stick house (like paying attention to the level in the black

Dec 29, Seven Years On The Road

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 05:22:54 GMT

My wife and I started our full time RVing in December 2003. We had a 33 foot 1993 Fleetwood Pace Arrow. It had a 460 CI Ford engine with 3 speed automatic

Dec 29, Really good advice

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 05:17:18 GMT

This information is so important, and quite unique. How-to info on acquiring and maintaining RVs is easy to find, but info on acquiring and maintaining

Dec 29, Fantastic Topic

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 05:15:45 GMT

Thanks Marianne for starting this subject/topic. As a soon-to-be solo traveler, and not so outgoing socially, my biggest fear in starting this journey

Dec 28, Very happy you've begun this conversation!

Tue, 28 Dec 2010 16:33:11 GMT

I've been subscribed to your blog for several months because earlier this year I decided that when I retire I want to live in a tiny RV and drive it all

Dec 26, Emotional Challenges

Sun, 26 Dec 2010 22:53:31 GMT

Are you (and your partner) prepared for the unique emotional challenges of extended RV travel?

Oct 13, Red Mountain is awesome

Wed, 13 Oct 2010 14:05:07 GMT

Red Mountain, north of Flagstaff is an amazing hiking destination. It's a dormant volcano and almost no one seems to know about it. I can't even recall