missing your people.

There’s always a downside to even the best things. While living the full-time RV life is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, sometimes it’s tough. Right now, I’m sitting on a plane flying back to my RV home for the winter, a place I love. But even going back to a place you love doesn’t satisfy your need to be feel close to the people you love. I flew home for almost 2 weeks and while in some ways, it feels like I was there a long time, in other ways, it feels like I could use just a few more days. It always feels just a few days short.

I don’t miss the city life. I miss my people.

I love being on the road, being a mostly free spirit. Sure, life is still very structured with a 9-5 job, but I can do that job from anywhere. I like the simplicity of life on the road, but sometimes, actually every time, I go home, it’s tough to leave. People I love are there. People I used to see all the time, but now I never know when the next time I’ll get to see them is. Sure planes and trains and RVs can take you wherever you want to go, but I hate the feeling of missing people. It makes you feel hollow inside knowing that nothing you can do will bring them any closer.

So I sit on this plane thankful for the time I got with everyone back home, but still listening to sad music because sometimes, that’s just what feel good inside.

(Image quote created by me, song “Wherever You Will Go” by the Calling)

Full-Time RVers – How to Handle Taking Your Pet to the Vet on the Road

We get the question a lot about how we handle Cash’s vet situation living on the road full-time. It was really difficult with while he was a puppy because he had to go in for vaccinations every few weeks and each time he needed vaccinations, we were in a new location. We did a lot of research before deciding to get a puppy because we were very concerned about this aspect of having a dog on the road.

After all our research, we decided to use Banfield Pet Hospital as our Veterinarians of choice. Our main reason for this is their use of digital medical records. We’re simply able to make an appointment at whatever location we’ll be near and they’ll have his records already. We never have to worry about calling and having them transferred to a new Vet. We never have to give all our information to a new Vet. All we have to do is make the appointment and show up.

This has been a huge life saver for us. Cash has been to the Vet in San Francisco, San Diego, Las Vegas, Palm Coast, Jacksonville, and Phoenix already in his first year and a half of life. Puppies need so many vaccinations to keep them healthy and Banfield has taken care of us every step of the way.

Plus, they’re located in most PetSmart locations so we know we’ll always be able to find them just about anywhere in the country we may end up. This is so reassuring for us to almost always know we’ll have a vet wherever we are. Not to mention, Cash enjoys running around the store to find new toys and treats before his appointments, too! 🙂

Have questions about living in an RV with your pet? Be sure to send them our way. We’re happy to share our pros and cons about life on the road with a pup!

Get Ready to Enjoy Your Holiday Travel

I’d like to welcome back Jamie Strand, one of our guest writers, to the blog today! You can view Jamie’s previous article on our blog here.

The holidays are the perfect time to relax and unwind. And it doesn’t matter if you’re visiting relatives across the state or soaking up the sun a thousand miles away, if you want a stress-free holiday vacation, you have to plan well and in advance.

Get the best deals
For most of us, money is our primary concern over the holidays, so throwing a vacation in the mix may not seem possible; however, if you’re willing to book in advance and don’t mind being flexible with your dates or accommodations, you may be able to score a hotel, condo, or cabin for rates well below peak-season prices. Before booking through the big names, check out VRBO (Vacation Rentals by Owner) online. Most are privately operated vacation rentals and will offer a great deal to ensure their property remains occupied year-round. Flights, cruises, and even activities may be pre-purchased as well and often at a reduced rate. You may even find an RVs for rent on VRBO.

Secure your home
What’s worse than having a bad vacation? Coming home to a ransacked living room and zero presents under the tree. And though wintertime burglaries are slightly less prevalent than summertime home invasions, you’ll still want to take preemptive measures so that unscrupulous criminals don’t decide to unwrap your house for themselves. It’s best to lock all doors, windows, and the garage. It’s also a good idea to arrange for someone to keep an eye on your property, and let the neighbors know that you’re planning to be away, so if they see activity around your home, they can contact the authorities.

Travel on your time
Society has been conditioned to rush through the day in an effort to pack as much into daylight hours as possible. And even when we don’t have to hurry, we do. This fast-paced lifestyle contributes to what many call hurry sickness. The remedy is to learn to do things at your own pace, travel included. Even if you’re being pressured by family and friends to arrive at a certain time, you don’t have to follow anyone else’s clock. However, if you want to keep yourself sane and your family happy, overestimate your arrival time so that when you walk through the doors half an hour early, you’ll feel like you’ve accomplished something, and your family will praise your punctuality.

Leave work behind
A 2017 article published in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution revealed that more than two thirds of American adults spend at least part of their vacation time working. But, just as working at home after hours can interfere with your personal life, putting out fires at work while you’re on vacation can ruin your experience. Request your vacation time as soon as possible and work with your supervisor and coworkers to ensure they have a contingency plan and someone to handle your duties while you are away.

Focus on your health
Chances are, you’re going to indulge over the holidays, especially if you’re away from your own kitchen and can’t cook your own meals. You’ll also feel guilty about it. Even though the average American gains less than five pounds over the winter, we tend to look upon turkeys and treats with trepidation. We fear we will somehow enter a cycle of poor health if we have an extra serving between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The holidays are no time to count calories. If you want to enjoy your tryptophan-induced laziness, consider eating more fruits and vegetables in the weeks leading up to your trip. You may shed a few pounds and you’ll feel better about your dietary indiscretions. If you’re still worried about eating healthy on vacation, bring your own snacks and splurge only on your favorites.

While none of these tips can prevent family conflict, which is the #4 stressor during the holiday season, according to Psychology Today, eliminating other forms of stress may help you cope with your overbearing family.

Jamie Strand is an unashamed nerd. He teaches community college and loves spending time with his two daughters. He wants to share his love of science and math with kids today and that’s why he and a friend got together to create Scicamps.org.

Full-Time RVers: Favorite Products – HOKENA LED Road Flares

When you travel full-time, safety is a top priority on the road. We’ve always traveled with some road flares, but we can never seem to find them when we need them. Now that we have HOKENA LED road flares though, they’re stored in a nice little container so they’re always together in our truck in the event of an emergency.

With their magnetic backing, they’ll secure onto our truck just about anywhere and they’ll also magnetize to certain parts of our RV. We opted to keep these in our truck rather than the RV because we always have the truck with the RV but we don’t always have the RV with the truck. If something happens to us while we’re out driving around exploring, we’ll always have them with us. If something happens while we’re pulling the fifth wheel, we’ll have them with us, too. They’re great for hiking as well. Since they’re light weight and battery operated flares, we’ll definitely be adding them to our hiking packs moving forward – you can never be too cautious, especially when hiking in a large National or State Park.

We’ve partnered with HOKENA and we want to give you the chance to own their LED Road Flares/Emergency Lights. Head over to our Instagram where we’re doing a giveaway. HOKENA wants to send one of our lucky readers a road flare kit. Our giveaway will be open Wednesday, September 26 at noon (Eastern) and it will close on Friday, September 28 at noon (Eastern). For those not lucky enough to win, you can the discount code freeway10 HOKENA via Amazon for a 10% discount off your purchase – just use that code during your Amazon checkout for your 10% off! DISCOUNT CODE VALID UNTIL OCTOBER 7

Full-Time RVers – Campground Reviews: Florida Keys Edition feat. Campers Inn RV

Florida-Keys-Campground-Review-Campers-Inn-RV-Park-Full-Time-RV-Blog-Freeway-Gypsy

The Florida Keys boast so many campgrounds, it can be difficult to choose where to stay.We recommend camping in a centrally located area like Grassy Key in Marathon, Fla., so you can easily visit the other islands. Grassy Key is a short drive to popular destinations like Islamorada (30 minutes), Key Largo (1 hour) or Key West (1 hour and 15 minutes).

Since everyone has different campground preferences, we are reviewing two parks that are similar in price and located less than a mile apart from each other: Grassy Key RV Park & Resort and Jolly Roger RV Resort.

>> To view the full post, please visit the Campers Inn RV Blog.

7 Things All RVers Should Have on Board

Road & Home RV Supplies Full-Time RV Blog Family

We’ve been on the road full-time for a little over a year now, so I think it is about time for a must-have list! Whether you’re new to the RV lifestyle or you’ve been living or traveling in your RV for years, there’s just certain items you should always have on board with you. Here’s my list of 7 things every RVer should have on board.

Command Hooks – Let’s be real. Command Hooks were secretly invented for RVs. Ok, maybe they weren’t actually invented for RVs, but there truly is no better way to hang and organize items without drilling holes or damaging walls. With the various types of hooks available now, you can use Command Hooks to organize just about anything in your RV. We use them for everything from key hooks to cord organizers to décor hangers.
Diffuser – While this one might not be a necessity, a diffuser is a great substitute for candles. I love burning candles and the aroma they disperse across a room, but since it really isn’t safe to burn candles in an RV, I’m almost always diffusing scented oils for a clean, fresh environment.
Level – I hate when our RV doors slowly creep closed or the shower doesn’t quite drain all the way because we aren’t precisely level. While we might not always get it just right, we keep a small level right inside the door of the RV, so when we park at a new location, it is always easily accessible.
Tape Measure – While a tape measure is good to have on hand for a variety of uses, you can use it to determine if you have enough space to let your RV slides out. The worst thing is when you get parked and leveled, but you go to put your slides out only to find out you’re an inch too close to something like a tree or the electric box. Open your tape measure to your slides and use a permanent marker to mark your distances. If you have multiple slide depths, be sure to mark the various depths on your tape measure.
Surge Protector – I think it goes without saying that surge protectors are immensely valuable, but I often see people hooked up to electric without them. Don’t use the mentality of “There are no storms here” or “The power never goes out here” when deciding whether or not to use a surge protector. A power outage is always out of your hands, and it only takes one time for an electrical surge to cause damage. Did you know many of the RV surge protectors come with a replacement warranty? Some companies will replace your surge protector for free if it gets fried from a surge.
Tire Pressure Gauge – Never leave for a trip without checking your tire pressure. We travel with an air compressor in our front storage so we can always fill our tires on the go. While you may not have room (or the weight capacity) for an air compressor, a tire pressure gauge weighs next to nothing. Keep one in a handy location and check your tire pressure before traveling in your RV. This will help keep you and your family a little safer on the road. Plus, tire pressure is a huge contributor to gas mileage.
Extra Hookup Supplies – No matter how you travel in your RV, whether it be casual travels or full-time living, you should always have extra supplies for hooking up at campsites. We see so many people purchasing longer water hoses, additional sewer hoses, and even new electrical cords from campground stores. While it is nice that a lot of campgrounds have these items for purchase, they are frequently overpriced and often not exactly what you need. Most people buying in a campground store are purchasing out of necessity rather than by choice. By traveling with an extra set of hookups, you’ll always be prepared, no matter what situation may arise. Road & Home has put together a nifty Ready for the Road Checklist and we travel with extras of almost all the items on their list. You just never know what kind of campground setup or hazard you may run across while traveling!

*We’d like to extend a huge thanks to Road & Home for sponsoring this blog post and sending us a backpack of supplies including their Ready for the Road Checklist which you can find HERE. Road & Home products can be found online via their website and at many Lowe’s stores across the country.*

7 Things All RVers Should Have on Board

Command Hooks – Let’s be real. Command Hooks were secretly invented for RVs. Ok, maybe they weren’t actually invented for RVs, but there truly is no better way to hang and organize items without drilling holes or damaging walls. With the various types of hooks available now, you can use Command Hooks to organize just about anything in your RV. We use them for everything from key hooks to cord organizers to décor hangers.
Diffuser – While this one might not be a necessity, a diffuser is a great substitute for candles. I love burning candles and the aroma they disperse across a room, but since it really isn’t safe to burn candles in an RV, I’m almost always diffusing scented oils for a clean, fresh environment.
Level – I hate when our RV doors slowly creep closed or the shower doesn’t quite drain all the way because we aren’t precisely level. While we might not always get it just right, we keep a small level right inside the door of the RV, so when we park at a new location, it is always easily accessible.
Tape Measure – While a tape measure is good to have on hand for a variety of uses, you can use it to determine if you have enough space to let your RV slides out. The worst thing is when you get parked and leveled, but you go to put your slides out only to find out you’re an inch too close to something like a tree or the electric box. Open your tape measure to your slides and use a permanent marker to mark your distances. If you have multiple slide depths, be sure to mark the various depths on your tape measure.
Surge Protector – I think it goes without saying that surge protectors are immensely valuable, but I often see people hooked up to electric without them. Don’t use the mentality of “There are no storms here” or “The power never goes out here” when deciding whether or not to use a surge protector. A power outage is always out of your hands, and it only takes one time for an electrical surge to cause damage. Did you know many of the RV surge protectors come with a replacement warranty? Some companies will replace your surge protector for free if it gets fried from a surge.
Tire Pressure Gauge – Never leave for a trip without checking your tire pressure. We travel with an air compressor in our front storage so we can always fill our tires on the go. While you may not have room (or the weight capacity) for an air compressor, a tire pressure gauge weighs next to nothing. Keep one in a handy location and check your tire pressure before traveling in your RV. This will help keep you and your family a little safer on the road. Plus, tire pressure is a huge contributor to gas mileage.
Extra Hookup Supplies – No matter how you travel in your RV, whether it be casual travels or full-time living, you should always have extra supplies for hooking up at campsites. We see so many people purchasing longer water hoses, additional sewer hoses, and even new electrical cords from campground stores. While it is nice that a lot of campgrounds have these items for purchase, they are frequently overpriced and often not exactly what you need. Most people buying in a campground store are purchasing out of necessity rather than by choice. By traveling with an extra set of hookups, you’ll always be prepared, no matter what situation may arise. Road & Home has put together a nifty Ready for the Road Checklist and we travel with extras of almost all the items on their list. You just never know what kind of campground setup or hazard you may run across while traveling!

Flames and Trails: Minimizing the Dangers of Camping

RedRock RV and Camping Park Island Park Idaho Campground Review

I’d like to welcome a guest writer to the blog today! Welcome Jamie Strand!

Simply put, camping is awesome. The immersion in nature, sense of adventurousness, socialization under a starry night sky, and fresh nature air are just some of camping’s many perks; however, the enjoyment that camping provides should not be put at risk by unsafe practices.

There are two specific aspects of camping which must be carefully planned out and tended to in order to minimize the chance of personal injury and harm to nature and others. The first is hiking, a means which many tent campers rely upon to reach their campsite. The other is safe protocol pertaining to the camp fire, a near-universal facet of camping trips. An earnest approach to both hiking and fire safety will help ensure that your excursion is a success.

Hiking: The Right Steps
Hike Safe specializes in informing the public of safe hiking methods. The makings of a safe, scenic hike begin with planning and packing. Essentials pertaining to the hike include a compass, map, safety whistle, appropriate and sturdy footwear, warm clothing, water, protein-packed food, a jacket for rain and cold, a flashlight, and more.

It is also advised that you plan your hike well in advance of the trip, consulting park rangers or other authorities to ensure that the trail is clear and free of any obstacles or recent changes in terrain. Leave your hike plan with somebody you trust who will not be going on the trip, informing them of your planned route, expected time of travel, and plans in case of emergency.

It is recommended that hikers stay in pairs or larger groups, avoiding separation from their companions; however, those who choose to hike solo should adhere to these tips and the concerns which come with a solo hiking and/or camping trip.

Drinking alcohol before hiking is strongly discouraged, as attentiveness to where one is placing their feet as they hike is of the utmost importance. This is necessary to avoid both changes in the terrain – which may result in sprained ankles – and stepping on wildlife which may pose a threat.

Fire Safety: What Would Smokey Do?
In certain regions, wildfires are a very real threat. Campers must always be prepared for the worst-case scenario, which means knowing how to prevent wildfires as well as how to react should they be confronted with an existing one.

Most campers will find the prevention of wildfires most relevant, as safe fire practices should be adhered to by everybody who goes camping. Smokey the Bear serves as one of the foremost authorities when it comes to campfire safety, and his tips for choosing a fire pit location, preparing the pit, and controlling the fire once it gets going are wise.

If conditions are abnormally dry, it may be best not to light a fire at all; however, if fire-building is to occur, finding an existing fire pit is ideal. If a new pit is required, find a spot without low-lying or adjacent foliage, line the circular pit with rocks, and keep nearby a large water source while removing any flammable objects from the vicinity.

Once the fire is started, maintain vigilance as to its size, avoiding the addition of excess firewood once it comes to a steady burn. Ensure that those playing games do not come near the fire, and before going to bed, ensure that the fire is out and any smoldering logs are extinguished. In the morning, douse the fire pit with water and sweep your debris, as the party after you may not do so, resulting in an unnecessary fire hazard.

Safety First, Safety for All
So many wildfires have been caused by irresponsible campfire practices that Outside has called for the end of the campfire. Unfortunately, such a proposal is due mainly to unsafe camping practices by those who did not take the time to engage in campfire safety. It is imperative that one know when not to start a campfire, and if they do, how to adhere to behaviors that ensure the fire stays contained. In combination with hiking safety, the rules surrounding proper maintenance of a campfire must be exercised if a camping trip is to be regarded as a successful one.

Favorite Things: The Minimalists Podcast

The-Minimalists-RV-Life-Travel-Blog-Favorite-Things-Freeway-Gypsy

Let’s talk favorite things.
Let’s actually talk favorite Podcasts.

Everyone knows I love a good Podcast or a good book or a good Netflix binge or really anything that I can relate to or anything that makes me happy – I like.

But, today we’re talking about Favorite Things (which will hopefully become more a of regular series on the blog). And when it comes to favorite things, The Minimalists Podcast is one of my ultimate favorites. I was first introduced to Joshua and Ryan thanks to stumbling across their documentary on Netflix one day back when we were still living in a house with a ton of stuff we didn’t need and I was feeling overwhelmed by all the STUFF. Stuff we didn’t need. Stuff that was just filling corners. Stuff that was just there because the space was there. At the time of watching the documentary, we were an RV family on the weekends, I was working my office job, and I had purchased a house at 25 years old (which at the time felt like an accomplishment). Then it all started weighing me down. We started talking about full-time RVing, but we weren’t sure what we would do with all our stuff. I watched The Minimalists documentary on Netflix and started getting rid of everything I just didn’t need. I started purging. I sold over 15 trash bags of clothes, close to 50 pairs of shoes, and so much other stuff that was just unnecessary. Now when I think about how much I got rid of, it makes my head hurt to even imagine having that much stuff and that’s really just the clothes. I now have a closet with about 40 hangers and even that still seems like too much.

The Minimalists Podcast continuously brings all of the stuff into perspective. Joshua and Ryan have soothing voices and rational thinking behind why all the stuff is just stuff and methods for sorting through and getting rid of everything. I know you’re probably thinking, “Why do I need a Podcast to help me get rid of stuff?” and I get it. It sounds so easy to get rid of all the things you don’t need, but when it comes down to it, it’s easier said and thought about than done. Each time I listen to their Podcast, I come away thinking of something I can get rid of to simplify my life.

The best part is, they started this Podcast years ago so I’m still catching up. I hate starting a Podcast and having to wait for new episodes. With The Minimalists, I started from the beginning and just continued along. They have hundreds of episodes so I’m no where near being caught up. Anytime I need a little boost as to why we’re living so simply or I’m thinking about not having something that I want, I take a listen and most of the time realize I don’t need what I want. If I’m still thinking about the item I’m wanting in a few days, I start to evaluate if I need it or if a purchase would be just a quick, fleeting gratification.

This Podcast is great for anyone who feels overwhelmed by all their stuff, anyone trying to simplify their life, or anyone thinking about the RV lifestyle. While they didn’t create it for RVers, it really exemplifies what RV living is all about.

Take a listen and enjoy for yourself.

The Minimalist Podcast

Full-Time RVers – Campground / RV Park Review: Yosemite RV Resort an RVC Destination – Coarsegold, California

This post is way overdue! We stayed at Yosemite RV Resort – an RVC Destination just about a week after bring Cash home in October. It was great for us because it gave him plenty of space to run around with not many people around since we were here during the off season. They were dealing with the dry California weather while we were there so everything was very dusty, but there was nothing they could do about it. We can only imagine how beautiful this place must be when they aren’t in a drought. There are so many beautiful hills that would be green grass if there wasn’t such a water shortage.

This place has the best bath house I’ve ever seen. The stalls are huge with hooks for hanging clothes, towels, and more. They also have fully locking doors instead of just curtains you pull – this is a huge plus in my book! The entire shower area was fully tiled and seemed very new. The water was so hot, it could burn you. I love when I can’t turn the water all the way on high heat!

The laundry room here is decent, but not fantastic. While it was very close to our campsite, it was just your standard laundry room. Nothing about it stood out as above average, but there was nothing wrong with it either.

They do a great job at ensuring activities around for all ages. There was a pool up front near the office and there was a bounce house right near us. Each morning, they would come blow up the bounce house around 10 am and each night, they would come deflate it for the evening. There was also a very large dog park for dogs to run around free reign. If our new pup wasn’t so little, we definitely would have taken advantage of the large fenced in area for him, but he was too young to be in areas where other dogs have been.

This park was pretty convenient to Yosemite, but it was still an hour away. There were a couple of small little towns in between us, but nothing major. We were only here for a weekend so we could visit Yosemite and that was long enough for us. While the park was nice, there wasn’t much else around. There were very few restaurants in the area, but we did find this great whiskey distillery in the area called Oakhurst Spirits Distillery. We love visiting these unique, local distilleries. They’re always so different, but the best part is always listening to the stories of why and how they got started.

If you’re looking for some of our pictures from Yosemite National Park – go to this blog post for those.