tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17449648911241804542024-03-13T23:24:32.735-04:00Libbys on the Loose:2 Humans. 2 Great Danes. Full Time Traveling AbroadWe are a couple traveling full-time<br>and living the dream internationally! Follow us as<br>we give advice, guidance, and <br>information about our experience for <br>your entertainment along the way<br> (and probably a little too much fun!)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17256651799926280717noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744964891124180454.post-58747212686232766902018-01-10T17:19:00.000-05:002018-01-10T22:12:52.436-05:00What We Wish RV Manufacturers Knew About Full-Time RV LivingWhat is it that separates the full-time RVer from the casual "weekender" RVer? Aside from the usual obvious things, there are many things that the weekender doesn't have to think about. While the list is as long as a northern summer day, there are a number of important things to consider when thinking about full-timing. In our experience thus far, we've found that a majority the manufacturers are either clueless to the needs of the full-timer or simply just don't care. Cynicism has us leaning to the latter, but of course we know the former may play a role. Hopefully, this post can shed some light and get in the front of some of the powers-that-be in the RV world. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't know what this is, but wow! Photo credit unknown</td></tr>
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First and foremost is build quality. Since we started full-timing, we have looked at hundreds, probably thousands (including friends, etc) of different shapes, sizes, and styles of rigs. We have come to the conclusion that most (especially newer) RVs are built as cheap and light as possible. While this may be great for the weekender to save costs in both fuel and upfront purchase, for the full-timer that's living in their rig and using it constantly, the daily wear and tear is exponentially higher and thus requires better build quality. We didn't really learn this until we moved on to our current rig, a 2001 Country Coach Magna 40' class A.<br />
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With our first trailer, a 23' Weekend Warrior toy hauler, since we weren't using it full time as of that point, it worked perfectly for our needs. For a couple day trip or even a week, it worked for what we needed. Little did we know at the time that this would change dramatically as the weeks passed. As we started to get reservations on our house in Cocoa Beach as a <a href="http://www.libbysontheloose.com/p/vacation-rentals.html" target="_blank">vacation rental</a>, we started to realize that we wouldn't just need something for weekends here and there - we were going to need to have a full-time second residence! While we had no problem staying smaller, it wasn't just the two of us in the trailer. We also had a disabled Great Dane, <a href="http://www.libbysontheloose.com/2015/04/guinness-tribute-to-squishy.html" target="_blank">Guinness</a> as well as another young Great Dane, <a href="http://www.libbysontheloose.com/2015/12/nyx-greek-goddess-of-night-aka-queen-nyx.html" target="_blank">Nyx</a>.<br />
Two full-grown adults and two (nearly) full-sized Great Danes...we needed to go bigger.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1tXsh3uUjKg/WlZ-MH1HuBI/AAAAAAAACIc/qr_HeYqdmvcgWAA1x7L9vpkVNtTPB61VwCLcBGAs/s1600/long.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="361" data-original-width="959" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1tXsh3uUjKg/WlZ-MH1HuBI/AAAAAAAACIc/qr_HeYqdmvcgWAA1x7L9vpkVNtTPB61VwCLcBGAs/s640/long.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ok, maybe not this big! This is an actual 5th wheel built by Weekend Warrior - photo courtesy of Weekend Warrior</td></tr>
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With the experience we gained with the travel trailer, we went in search of our next rig. We knew we wanted a 5th wheel (living space vs. cost was very appealing) with slides. Maximizing living space while minimizing costs was paramount. We found what we wanted in our 2006 36' Holiday Rambler 5th wheel. It was the first and only 5er that we walked in that truly felt like "home". While it was perfect in terms of size, etc, it was not built for full-time living - especially four seasons - what we really needed! After spending two seasons in Breckenridge, Colorado the 5er was showing signs of wear. After getting back to Florida this past spring (2017) we uncovered a multitude of small issues that added up to a whole lot of dollars to get everything fixed properly. We weren't willing to spend the money to fix those things that required attention so we decided to take the same cash and put it towards a new rig.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GkLZh7efqcc/WlZ6E20uxaI/AAAAAAAACH8/mhjjcvi7g0c-s2dDDDLaSA_BvPUnn_HbgCLcBGAs/s1600/unit_photo_201609230649417255236213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GkLZh7efqcc/WlZ6E20uxaI/AAAAAAAACH8/mhjjcvi7g0c-s2dDDDLaSA_BvPUnn_HbgCLcBGAs/s400/unit_photo_201609230649417255236213.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2001 Country Coach at Dick Gore's RV World - Florida</td></tr>
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The purpose of that background information is to showcase both our inexperience and naivté in looking at RVs. Instead of looking for examples of better build quality (i.e. insulation, real wood, and real screws - not staples), we focused more on layout and amenities. Not that those things weren't important, but they are things that are easy to fall in love with but eventually fades because the rest of the RV is slowly falling apart! Seeing the deficiencies in the previous RVs and how they were impacted by travel, weather, and time, our needs for moving on to a Class A were pretty specific. We had it narrowed down to just a few makes - Tiffin, Prevost (older), Beaver, Eagle (older), Monaco, Foretravel, Country Coach, and Newmar. From the research we did between the internet and talking with owners, we found that these makes in particular lay claim to the old adage, you get what you pay for. Unfortunately, Warren Buffett isn't any relation to either of us and our last name isn't Gates, so we couldn't even begin to afford a new, newer, or even moderately new version of any one of these coaches. Fortunately, since nearly all of them tout the fact that their coaches are built to last a lifetime (with proper care and maintenance), we could confidently look at older models (even back into the 1980's for Eagle and Prevost) without worrying too much about whether or not they were<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is an example of an 80's Eagle Bus - This one was one of Willie Nelson's</td></tr>
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going to last as long we we needed as well as being able to hold up to extreme environments. While we knew that older would likely mean a higher probability of having issues, we were banking on the fact that these coaches were extremely well built and were purposefully seeking out one with excellent history of maintenance and care. We found all of that and more.<br />
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So why did I take the time to go over all of that information? Simply to point out what may have already been obvious - newer is not always better unless you can afford to pay the price. "But what about the warranty?" you ask? Again, warranties are great for the weekend RVer which is how a vast majority of RVs are used. Have a problem, drop it off at the dealer, warranty takes care of it, pick it up a couple days or weeks later. No problem, right? Nope, not for the casual weekend user. For the full-timer, this is a huge inconvenience as well as a potentially huge expense. You live in your RV. Your RV is in for service. Most service places will not allow you to inhabit your rig while it's in their shop or on their lot. Granted, we know of and have used shops that will allow you to stay in your RV overnight while they are working on it, but they definitely represent a very small percentage of dealerships. Warranty is definitely great, but IF and WHEN the issue is actually covered and fixed <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1bvBQlR-oVc/WlZ_3NRWuOI/AAAAAAAACIo/QpwOrsOMfjwQDEMK0BVzOE80OTiOr1KewCLcBGAs/s1600/warranty.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="422" data-original-width="470" height="179" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1bvBQlR-oVc/WlZ_3NRWuOI/AAAAAAAACIo/QpwOrsOMfjwQDEMK0BVzOE80OTiOr1KewCLcBGAs/s200/warranty.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not always what it's cracked up to be</td></tr>
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may be the difference between a couple hundred and many thousands of dollars. We know of a situation where a 5th wheel was purchased and shortly thereafter developed leaks in the roof. After spending six weeks at the dealership, the 5er hadn't even been diagnosed or so much as looked at by any of the service personnel. Deciding to take matters into his own hands, the owner hitched up the 5th wheel and drove it to the manufacturer and parked it in such a manner that it blocked one of the service bay doors. He simply wanted the problem to be fixed and refused to move until it was completed. Was he wrong? I don't think so. I'm not sure we would have gone to the same extreme, but should it ever be to a point where it gets to this? <br />
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If any amount of RV shopping is done, the likelihood of encountering rigs equipped with "Arctic" or "Four Season" packages is bound to happen. While some of these are truly built for four seasons (Arctic Fox is one of the better ones), most are not. To many manufacturers, four seasons means that the RV is capable of withstanding short durations of cold, freezing temperatures. To answer this need from buyers, a small amount of insulation is added, perhaps some water tank heating pads, and maybe a heated basement. While all of these things are great, they will not stand up to sustained freezing temperatures for weeks or months at a time. Few rigs, with the exception of those listed above, fit the bill for being to handle extreme temperature climates. Things to look for in a four season rig:<br />
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<ol>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002QZ11J6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B002QZ11J6&linkCode=as2&tag=libontheloo-20&linkId=419a6204a0423317216e822fbf9f9ea3" target="_blank">Heated basement</a> and/or <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MY4LGLW/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B01MY4LGLW&linkCode=as2&tag=libontheloo-20&linkId=f67277f124b45de28e415aa5f320655b" target="_blank">heated tanks</a></li>
<li>Double-paned <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B0779SY3CC" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="dec04a230e524f9fd6342bc245aa855b" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="insulated windows" href="http://www.amazon.com/Loobani-Window-Insulation-Outdoor-Weatherproofing/dp/B0779SY3CC/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=tasofthesac-20&linkId=dec04a230e524f9fd6342bc245aa855b&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_9354512" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">insulated windows</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_9354512" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=tasofthesac-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=dec04a230e524f9fd6342bc245aa855b&_cb=1515620272529" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></li>
<li>Extra thick <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BPAULS/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000BPAULS&linkCode=as2&tag=libontheloo-20&linkId=8737704c4b8d50d9d4f458b7fe84566c" target="_blank">insulation</a> in ceiling, walls, and especially any slides (more slides usually means more difficult to insulate effectively)</li>
<li><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00N040W0Q" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="a2456948b829ff711ea7bc65beece260" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Insulated water pipes" href="http://www.amazon.com/Frost-King-F14XAD-Fiberglass-SELF-SEALING/dp/B00N040W0Q/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=tasofthesac-20&linkId=a2456948b829ff711ea7bc65beece260&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_7311101" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Insulated water pipes</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_7311101" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=tasofthesac-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=a2456948b829ff711ea7bc65beece260&_cb=1515620254331" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></li>
<li><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B077HFSLCJ" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="18b4605de59d977e97de9c80106c8889" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Hydronic heating" href="http://www.amazon.com/Tankless-PROPANE-Hydronic-heating-Compare/dp/B077HFSLCJ/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=tasofthesac-20&linkId=18b4605de59d977e97de9c80106c8889&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_2264404" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hydronic heating</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_2264404" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=tasofthesac-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=18b4605de59d977e97de9c80106c8889&_cb=1515620078121" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></li>
<li><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00HG6VAWI" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="07faec8131b38678d1faefa1c43d352c" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="In-floor radiant heating" href="http://www.amazon.com/HeatTech-95-190-Electric-Radiant-Heating/dp/B00HG6VAWI/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=tasofthesac-20&linkId=07faec8131b38678d1faefa1c43d352c&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_2425564" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">In-floor radiant heating</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_2425564" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=tasofthesac-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=07faec8131b38678d1faefa1c43d352c&_cb=1515620009826" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></li>
<li><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B008VM889E" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="b65c5d433d18c2bd02e7cea0e045e00f" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Heated Water Hoses" href="http://www.amazon.com/Pirit-PWL-03-25-25-Feet-Heated-Hose/dp/B008VM889E/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=tasofthesac-20&linkId=b65c5d433d18c2bd02e7cea0e045e00f&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_569673" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Heated Water Hoses</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_569673" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=tasofthesac-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=b65c5d433d18c2bd02e7cea0e045e00f&_cb=1515620134056" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></li>
<li><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B015GH8PZS" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="92fdc6224a5d84ed6bd62195498d2e79" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Heat Tape" href="http://www.amazon.com/GardenHOME-Valve-Heating-Cable-Built-/dp/B015GH8PZS/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=tasofthesac-20&linkId=92fdc6224a5d84ed6bd62195498d2e79&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_489512" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Heat Tape</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_489512" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=tasofthesac-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=92fdc6224a5d84ed6bd62195498d2e79&_cb=1515620171551" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></li>
</ol>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1I29ajhbbLs/WlaIzLEPTlI/AAAAAAAACI4/-sOlXnYLG60Ai1Wo52UJTt-Oi7MOQpW3gCLcBGAs/s1600/cold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1I29ajhbbLs/WlaIzLEPTlI/AAAAAAAACI4/-sOlXnYLG60Ai1Wo52UJTt-Oi7MOQpW3gCLcBGAs/s320/cold.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This could be you!</td></tr>
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<div>
Chances are, most "four-season" rigs are not going to have all of these items. Some of the top manufacturers do provide a majority of these items. There is always the option of outfitting a not-quite-a-four-season RV as well. The links in the above list provide alternatives if your rig does not come equipped with all of these items. You can also check out our posts about cold weather RV-ing.</div>
<div>
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<div>
<a href="http://www.libbysontheloose.com/2015/11/full-time-winter-living-in-rv-weve.html" target="_blank">Full-Time Winter Living in an RV</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.libbysontheloose.com/2016/04/final-wrap-up-what-we-learned-about.html" target="_blank">Final Wrap-up: What We Learned about Cold Weather RV Living</a></div>
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Of the many things that we look for is how "easy" the rig is to "live with". We have found that the higher end rigs typically put in a lot more research and development (hence the higher cost) and seem to have features that stand the test of time, not just fads. Again, we choose durability, construction quality and materials, and layout/design over 'newer and fancier' - so take that for what it's worth! Foremost though, is living the the RV. Our primary concern (following the previously listed) was the ability to live in the RV every single day of every year and have as few issues as possible. That means that one of those things we looked for in our new rig was "livability". What we mean by this is:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>is the floorplan feasible for everyday living? Are things in easy-to-access areas? Can you cook easily the way things are laid out?</li>
<li>is there sufficient storage? Slide out drawers? Underneath storage? Locked and insulated?</li>
<li>are the storage areas well-planned and easily accessible? Storage is great, but if you can't use it, or it's not well thought-out, it's pretty pointless</li>
<li>are the maintenance items easily accessible? Are you working on things yourself? Either way, the easier it is to access maintenance items, it's either going to save you time or money. Time if you do things yourself, money if you pay someone. </li>
<li>are the build materials durable? Stay away from particle board, staples, glued wood, etc. While all of these things save weight, they sacrifice durability. We are not fans of any of the newer "Ultra-Lite" models and do not recommend any of them for full-time living.</li>
<li>are the features/amenities necessary (many manufacturers add 'fluff' amenities that drive the price up)?</li>
<li>is there a warranty and if so, what is the process for claims and will a warranty claim disrupt your living situation? can you stay with your RV? Do you have to get a hotel? How long?</li>
<li>is it comfortable? Sit on the seats for an extended time. Lay on the bed/s for an extended time. Is the recliner comfortable? TV in the right place?</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
So what do we wish the RV manufacturers knew? Let's do a list!<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Understand that full-timers have different needs than those using for just recreational purposes</li>
<li>If you're going to offer a warranty, offer hotel reimbursement or cost reduction, or like many RV dealerships are offering - the ability to stay overnight in the rig (assuming it's habitable)</li>
<li>Know that full-time RVers are a very small segment of the population of RV owners. That being said, we all communicate with those who are not full-timers. We, as full-timers, exhaustively test your products and will report, good or bad, to everyone we know. </li>
<li>If you advertise that your product is capable of withstanding four seasons of use, know that your potential customers are going to use it to the fullest extent!</li>
<li>Offer a "Full-Timer" package that addresses the concerns listed in this post!</li>
</ol>
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Did we get it right? Do you have experience or knowledge about this post? Please make yourself heard! Comment below and we will respond as soon as possible. As always, thanks for following us!
Disclaimer: We are not paid writers. We write for enjoyment and to share information about our travels with our families, friends, and our followers. The information that we provide is based on our experiences with the products, services, etc, that we write about. It is 100% non-biased!
Libbys on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05140842710203265917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744964891124180454.post-16795695983782463512017-12-26T21:33:00.000-05:002017-12-26T21:33:12.901-05:00Whitefish, MT - A Postcard-Perfect Montana Drinking Town with Skiing Problem! We found what we were looking for in Whitefish, Montana. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pcoqGDGQEJ4/VpPm_U2NUII/AAAAAAAABao/tP7vSHc2FCs/s1600/Downtown-whitefish-2006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="339" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pcoqGDGQEJ4/VpPm_U2NUII/AAAAAAAABao/tP7vSHc2FCs/s640/Downtown-whitefish-2006.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down Main Street in Whitefish - Summer</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down Main Street in Whitefish - Winter <br />(Photo courtesy of <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/lists/skiing/best-ski-towns-photos/" target="_blank">National Geographic Magazine</a>)</td></tr>
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Like many, we had never heard of Whitefish. A small town about thirty minutes south of the Canadian border, Whitefish proper has a population of about 7500 full-time residents. At an altitude of 3000' above sea level, it sets the stage for Big Mountain, home of <a href="http://skiwhitefish.com/">Whitefish Ski Resort </a>with over 3000 acres of skiable terrain and hundreds of inches of snow per year to boot! In addition to downhill skiing, cross country skiing, there are hundreds of miles of snowmobile trails, snowshoeing and hiking trails - truly a winter season lover's paradise! On top of that, being so close to Glacier National Park (the 10th most visited National Park in the United States) makes it one of the best spots to set up 'camp' to visit Glacier's many epic views. <br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mm4nsq4IakQ/WkL2xTB2W9I/AAAAAAAACHM/0YcaHf3BHV0UVS5Srr-DHCDFwPj5Z2JagCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_1793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mm4nsq4IakQ/WkL2xTB2W9I/AAAAAAAACHM/0YcaHf3BHV0UVS5Srr-DHCDFwPj5Z2JagCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_1793.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LmskK-AgMHk/WkL2x8zppYI/AAAAAAAACGo/LvLQuxCvNsUyJcjkyPvv8xD-vV3GKnzGACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_9150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LmskK-AgMHk/WkL2x8zppYI/AAAAAAAACGo/LvLQuxCvNsUyJcjkyPvv8xD-vV3GKnzGACEwYBhgL/s200/IMG_9150.jpg" width="150" /></a>In addition to all of the winter options, there is a big draw to this area from spring, summer, and fall as well. In summer, <a href="http://stateparks.mt.gov/whitefish-lake/" target="_blank">Whitefish Lake</a> offers a myriad of activities including boating, swimming, fishing, sailing, and....floating. Yes..floating :) Fall offers some of the most beautiful colors due to the changing of the larch trees. Brilliant hues of yellow paint a landscape unmatches by anywhere else we've <br />
been - before or since. Spring brings new life from the melting of winter's snow and ice. Brilliant greenery and wildflowers are nearly everywhere putting on a spectacle for anyone lucky enough to be there! Whitefish is known as Montana's outdoor recreation capital. Considering, as of August 2017, the Montana's number one business sector is in outdoor recreation, it makes sense that Whitefish, with all its attributes, carries this title. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View over the fog from Whitefish Mountain Resort</td></tr>
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Originally founded by the people building the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Northern_Railway_(U.S.)">Great Northern Railway</a>, Whitefish was originally known as "Stumptown" due to the amount of trees that had to be removed for the building of the railroad and eventually, the area where the town lies today. It was renamed Whitefish after nearby Whitefish lake. When William Howard Taft signed Glacier National Park as the country's 10th in 1910, Whitefish already had a spot on the map - though in those days, on unimproved roads and limited automobile use, the trip from West Glacier to Whitefish would have taken much longer. In fact, many of the buildings within Glacier National Park and the surrounding areas were property of the Great Northern Railway. In the 1920s and 1930s, as Glacier expanded and was built upon, its reach allowed Whitefish to grow steadily. By the late 1940's with Big Mountain ski resort built, the tourism sector became increasingly important. Today, Whitefish Mountain Resort is the closest major ski resort to a international airport with direct service from 11 major cities - the airport is a short 11 miles from the mountain!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park</td></tr>
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Some of our favorite activities for the two months we were in town were hiking the Whitefish Trail, hiking Big Mountain (we would have skied/snowboarded had there been snow!), taking our dogs to<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Northern Brewing</td></tr>
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one of the top ten dog parks in the US, and trying the different beers at two local breweries, <a href="http://www.greatnorthernbrewing.com/" target="_blank">Great Northern Brewing Company</a> and <a href="https://m.facebook.com/bonsaibrew/" target="_blank">Bonsai Brewing Company</a>. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bierstube</td></tr>
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We were surprised by large turnout for Halloween, one of the best in the state and we heard many people drove from hours away just to partake in the festivities! Though we imbibed quite a bit, we both still recall freezing our butts off and having a blast blending with the local Whitefish crowd and the rest of the visitors and other Montana residents.<br />
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For those with a taste for the local fare, there are plenty of options in downtown Whitefish. One of our favorites was <a href="http://www.tupelogrille.com/" target="_blank">Tupelo Grille</a> located on Central avenue right in the middle of everything. Don't miss the Baked Mac and Cheese and Elk Meat Loaf - each are equally delicious and filling. Another great option on Central Ave is <a href="http://latitude48bistro.com/" target="_blank">Latitude 48</a>. Locally-sourced ingredients and creativity in menu items is the name of the game at this Whitefish standby. The Steak Tartare is among the best we've had - seriously, if you are a fan of this dish, please don't miss it! In addition, the Braised Rabbit Fettuccine and the Pan Seared Pheasant were two of our top favorites. But that's not the real reason we visited this restaurant on more than one occasion, dessert. Between the <a href="http://latitude48bistro.com/dinner.php?p=dessert" target="_blank">Decadant and the Chocolate Fix,</a> you simply cannot pick a wrong one. Latitude 48 makes their own ice cream - enough said!<br />
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With world-class 'everything outdoors', it's really no surprise the impression that Whitefish, Montana made on us. Even still, after over two years of being away from Whitefish, we still talk about it. It's still one of the top places we've visited that we can't stop thinking about. Who knew northwestern Montana hid such a gem tucked away between the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Northwest?!<br />
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Did we get it right? Do you have experience or knowledge about this post? Please make yourself heard! Comment below and we will respond as soon as possible. As always, thanks for following us!
Disclaimer: We are not paid writers. We write for enjoyment and to share information about our travels with our families, friends, and our followers. The information that we provide is based on our experiences with the products, services, etc, that we write about. It is 100% non-biased!Libbys on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05140842710203265917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744964891124180454.post-46883622522708143602017-07-25T11:43:00.000-04:002017-07-25T11:43:00.158-04:00Cheyenne Mountain State Park Campground Review - Ft. Carson, ColoradoCheyenne Mountain State Park<br />
410 JL Ranch Heights Road<br />
Colorado Springs, CO 80926<br />
(719) 576-2016<br />
<a href="http://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/CheyenneMountain">Website</a><br />
Fees: $35/night full hookups<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d3112.5918088403396!2d-104.84387428495818!3d38.72717967959729!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x871342c50fa13659%3A0x2d6160d05a2ec181!2sCheyenne+Mountain+State+Park!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1476743647005" style="border-style: initial; border-width: 0px;" width="400"></iframe>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dE9hYVy120k/WSXLsuNCh5I/AAAAAAAACFI/WdXOWC_W0VsfwK1v3d_PhKpPGUS-FSOUACLcB/s1600/cheyenne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="540" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dE9hYVy120k/WSXLsuNCh5I/AAAAAAAACFI/WdXOWC_W0VsfwK1v3d_PhKpPGUS-FSOUACLcB/s320/cheyenne.jpg" width="320" /></a>We happened upon this state park sort of by accident. Since we've stayed at a couple of military installations in the past, we saw on our <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/camp-rv-tent-camping-to-rv/id370820516?mt=8&at=1001lqxy">Allstays</a> app that there was a campground in Ft. Carson, Colorado. Unfortunately, upon our arrival to the "park", we found out that there was no longer a park, or campground, or any other type of camping facilities any longer! <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/camp-rv-tent-camping-to-rv/id370820516?mt=8&at=1001lqxy">Allstays</a> was still listing it. After a quick email to the app letting them know the new status, we went to <a href="http://campendium.com/">Campendium.com</a> (no app yet, but their reviews include cell service - a MUST for us) and found Cheyenne Mountain State Park. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Fort Carson from our campsite</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: center;">So apparently Cheyenne Mountain has a bit of an air of mystery surrounding it. Conspiracy theories, as in any location or installation, abound due to the lack of information provided. Stack it right up against Area 51 and the HAARP facility in terms of 'ultra top secret'-ness. Though the official use is as a bunker in the event of nuclear war, there has been speculation about secret weapons development, alien inhabitation, and a flurry of other possibilities. At the end of the day, we couldn't even get close to the entrance. The unofficial entrance and security checkpoint is completely outside of the mountain itself and is 1.5 miles from the official entrance - located inside of the massive, nearly solid granite, mountain.</span><br />
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From Wikipedia:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Formerly the center for the United States Space Command and NORAD, the Complex monitored the air space of Canada and the United States through a worldwide system for missiles, space systems, and foreign aircraft through its early-warning system.</span><span style="font-size: 11.2px; white-space: nowrap;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14px;">Since 2008, NORAD and the United States Space Command have been based at </span>Peterson Air Force Base<span style="font-size: 14px;"> and the complex, re-designated as an air force station, is used for flight crew training and as a back-up command center if required.</span><span style="font-size: 11.2px; white-space: nowrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The military complex has included, in the past, many units of NORAD, U.S. Space Command, Aerospace Defense Command (ADCOM), Air Force Systems Command, Air Weather Service, and Federal Emergency Management (FEMA). The complex's communication center is also used by the nearby U.S. Civil Defense Warning Center.</span></div>
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That's the official overview of what it is and what its used for. Who knows if the government is using the installation for something else? Frankly, no matter what its use, we are glad that the state of Colorado put a state park with a great campground right next to it! The campground itself is not huge - less than 75 sites but, despite the lack of trees, it feels tucked 'away from it all'. And of course the view from our campsite (pic above) was pretty spectacular and overlooked the valley and <a href="http://www.carson.army.mil/">Ft. Carson Army Base</a>. <br />
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There was only one section of the campground open since we were there in the off-season. In addition, the laundry facilities were closed. It was a little difficult trying to figure out where to go to register, etc because no one was answering the phones and the normal check-in area wasn't open in the off-season either. But, the campground was pretty new and it was during their off-season, so everything was great for us!<br />
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While you're in the area, make sure you check out the <a href="http://www.gardenofgods.com/">Garden of the Gods</a>. It's not too far from the campground and totally worth the drive if you're into hiking, rock climbing, or just looking at really cool rock formations. And it's free! <br />
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Did we get it right? Do you have experience or knowledge about this post? Please make yourself heard! Comment below and we will respond as soon as possible. As always, thanks for following us!
Disclaimer: We are not paid writers. We write for enjoyment and to share information about our travels with our families, friends, and our followers. The information that we provide is based on our experiences with the products, services, etc, that we write about. It is 100% non-biased!
Libbys on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05140842710203265917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744964891124180454.post-18672851403793445082017-05-23T16:12:00.001-04:002017-05-23T16:16:00.971-04:00Moving on: The Next RV - "Betty"When we purchased our 36RLQ Holiday Rambler Presidential, it was, at the time, what we needed in terms of space, storage, etc. Having two giant dogs, we wanted to make the transition from 2000+ square feet to 400sqft as seamless as possible. 36 feet was also a good size because it's right at maximum length for most National Parks (the parks usually max out at 35', but you can always say it's a 35 - just up to you to get maneuvered around!). There are a number of things that came into play with our setup. <br />
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First, the cost of our pull vehicle. A 2014 Dodge Ram 3500 4x4 Mega Cab Limited. What all those things mean are cost, cost, cost! Even though the costs were higher than we would like to be, we had the peace of mind in knowing that we were covered under warranty (when we bought the truck, it was bumper-to-bumper until 36k miles) until 100k miles for the powertrain (engine, trans, drivetrain-related). This was a big deal for us as we had issues with our previous truck that ended up costing us thousands of dollars in repairs. Being that it was our only vehicle, reliability was a huge factor.<br />
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Second was our trailer. While we loved the space, storage, and high ceilings inside of the fifth wheel, it's ended up being less than ideal in terms of size. There are many places that we simply could not get to with a rig of that size. The length, height and weight limited our ability to get into many camping and boondocking spots. The amount of storage in the trailer was more than ample for our needs. Almost daily, we find that there are many things that we simply don't use and don't need anymore. The standing rule is that if we haven't used something in (at least) the past six months, it no longer has a home in the RV. This just makes good sense. The minimalist lifestyle we've chosen dictates that we hold needs over wants, with a few exceptions :) <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beauty and the Beast</td></tr>
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The third and final reason is the combination of the truck and the trailer. If either one is down for repairs, upgrades, etc, we're pretty much in a spot. If we don't have a pull vehicle, we can't move our home. If we don't have our home, we're relegated to a hotel (fun finding affordable ones when you have two giant dogs!), AirBNB, tent, or crashing with friends/family. None of these are ideal when you're used to being in your 'home' full time. So we had to come up with a solution. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The third wheel - something like a Toyota Sunrader</td></tr>
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We thought about a smaller fifth wheel, an Airstream, or a class A. Each class of RV has its own pros and cons that can be as individual as the people making the choice.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Betty"<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Although we weren't 100% sure what setup we wanted to go with, we knew we had to start looking and pricing brands/models and making a plan to 'move'. After reading hundreds of forums and articles, talking with countless owners (read: old-timers), and good old Googling we narrowed it down to a class a for our next adventure. Of all the brands out there, we found five known for especially for their quality of build and longevity: Foretravel, Country Coach, Beaver, Tiffin, and Monaco. We knew we wanted a diesel engine, limited to no slides, and we also didn't want newer. We specifically looked for rigs built in the late 90's to early 2000's as these seemed to be the best combination of power / build quality / longevity / durability. It didn't take long to find one we fell in love with.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">After doing extensive online research and searching/scouring the country, we found a few we were interested in but would have to go to Texas, Arizona, or Oregon. Fortunately, we found one at </span><a href="http://www.dickgoresrvworld.com/" style="text-align: center;">Dick Gore's RV World</a><span style="text-align: center;"> in Jacksonville, Florida. On the way returning to Florida from Colorado in early April, we made a stop and viewed (what is now) our 2001 Country Coach Magna - "Betty". At 40', she's slightly longer than our 5th wheel, but overall about 100 sq ft less because we now have one 12" slide vs four 36" slides. In addition, with our planned toad (Toad = Towed Vehicle), we will be decreasing our overall length by about 6 ft. While this doesn't sound like a lot, we are gaining even more in versatility as our toad will be a fully capable 4x4 SUV.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Similar to what we plan to have as a "toad"</td></tr>
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So you may be wondering (based on earlier in this post) how we're going to handle if Betty goes in for service or how we will get to those desired camping and boondocking spots we've had our eye on. We are also planning to get a class C class thats under 21' in the future. While we will have three vehicles, the class C will stay in storage while the class A and toad will be our primary travel vehicles. We really wanted to go shorter than Betty's length, but ours and our dog's full time comfort is a priority and the floor plan offerings with our requirements didn't align. The class C will also be equipped to tow the toad giving us complete flexibility depending on what we want to do and where we are. Since we mostly live day-by-day meeting any opportunities that come our way, we think we will find that this combination is the best of each world.<br />
Time will tell! :)<br />
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Did we get it right? Do you have experience or knowledge about this post? Please make yourself heard! Comment below and we will respond as soon as possible. As always, thanks for following us!
Disclaimer: We are not paid writers. We write for enjoyment and to share information about our travels with our families, friends, and our followers. The information that we provide is based on our experiences with the products, services, etc, that we write about. It is 100% non-biased!Libbys on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05140842710203265917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744964891124180454.post-76213816631368468802016-12-15T17:54:00.004-05:002016-12-15T18:07:07.779-05:00Royal Gorge Park Campground Review - Cañon City, ColoradoRoyal Gorge Park Campground<br />
3315 Co Rd F30<br />
Cañon City, CO 81212<br />
(719) 269-9028<br />
<a href="https://freecampsites.net/#!2110&query=sitedetails">Website</a><br />
Fees: Free up to 72 hours<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d48448.610659864855!2d-105.34353415625837!3d38.46511654184344!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x0%3A0x4191fe6d881b368b!2sRoyal+Gorge+Park!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1476744267798" style="border: 0;" width="400"></iframe>
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Wow! What a great find this spot was! First off, this isn't a full hookup campground. In fact, this is a no hookup campground. Literally not much more than a glorified boondooking spot. It's a little bit off the beaten path, but totally worth it for the location and the views it presents. This park does have a 72 hour maximum but due to the off-season time we arrived, we planned on staying at least a week (We got permission for this from the rangers). We did end up having to cut our stay a few days shorter than we expected (darn wildfires threatening!), we thoroughly enjoyed this spot! <br />
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Notes: Be VERY careful as there is a crest of a hill as you approach the campground that if you have a rig with low ground clearance, you may either drag or seriously damage your equipment! At the crest of the hill, take a left instead. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a bad spot for a few nights! Quiet and overlooking Cañon City.</td></tr>
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There are no hookups at this campground - it's completely dry camping but there are some pit toilets so you don't have to worry about filling your black tank. With a short stay of the normal 72 hours, you shouldn't have that problem anyway! There is hiking around the area as well as the <a href="http://royalgorgebridge.com/">Royal Gorge Bridge</a> just down from the campground as well as the <a href="https://royalgorgeroute.com/">Royal Gorge Route</a> train tour (we highly recommend this one!)</div>
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The Royal Gorge Bridge has an interesting story. In the early 20th century, two very rich men (from Texas) one being an architect and the other an oil tycoon, made a bet that a bridge could not be built across the Royal Gorge. The oil tycoon bet the architect that it couldn't be done. After a short period of construction with no injuries, the Royal Gorge Bridge was built at a cost of $350,000. The architect collected his winnings, as the story goes, of $1. Royal Gorge is also known as the bridge to nowhere as there no destinations that it connects! This is definitely worth a visit. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Royal Gorge Bridge from below</td></tr>
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The Royal Gorge Route railroad is a few minutes down the road from the campground. The railroad runs the length of most of the canyon alongside the river offering dramatic views upward, especially under the bridge! Get the least expensive seats. Once the train starts moving, people get up and move everywhere. Plus, there are a number of open viewing cars for taking pics, etc. </div>
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For the location and the price, this campground really can't be beat. It was so great, in fact, that it made the list of our top three campgrounds so far! Neither of us were really sure just how many campgrounds we've been to (including boondocking spots), but it's well over 100 now in just over a year and a half. If you get through this area, or are anywhere nearby, at least check out the Royal Gorge Bridge and/or the Royal Gorge Route. Either was was completely worth seeing!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying the scenery!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridge on approach</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caretaker's residence</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the viewing car</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kids out for a run</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old wooden waterline alongside the river</td></tr>
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Another really cool thing to do (not for the faint-of-heart) is the <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g33340-d107618-Reviews-Skyline_Drive-Canon_City_Colorado.html">Skyline Drive.</a> Located just outside Cañon City, Skyline Drive is a narrow, one way road that snakes its way across the top of the ridge. Some amazing long scenic views can be had from one many of the stopping points along the 7.6 mile loop. But beware, they are small - especially if you're drive a one ton dually pickup truck!<br />
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Along the way, there a number of pull-offs with lots of history, etc. Be wary though again, especially if you are driving a large vehicle. Let's just say that one step too close to the edge might be your last!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fossilized Dinosaur Footprint</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the driver's seat - a bit precarious!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Take a ride along the Skyline with us!</td></tr>
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Did we get it right? Do you have experience or knowledge about this post? Please make yourself heard! Comment below and we will respond as soon as possible. As always, thanks for following us!
Disclaimer: We are not paid writers. We write for enjoyment and to share information about our travels with our families, friends, and our followers. The information that we provide is based on our experiences with the products, services, etc, that we write about. It is 100% non-biased!Libbys on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05140842710203265917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744964891124180454.post-64421250534894643362016-11-13T22:51:00.000-05:002016-11-13T23:00:20.237-05:00Protecting your dogs while RVing fWhen you live in a home, condo, or apartment, you have the luxury of knowing the area you live and what dangers your pets can face. You quickly learn the places to go and the places to avoid. When you travel a lot or live a life of the road like we do, a bit more research and awareness is a must! While we only have dogs with us, I think this info could be useful for any pets.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K93bviZmCpw/WCJkSZieWPI/AAAAAAAAAc0/9FsWCynFq0kKtKHlEBw4XFYfV1NsQN7OACK4B/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K93bviZmCpw/WCJkSZieWPI/AAAAAAAAAc0/9FsWCynFq0kKtKHlEBw4XFYfV1NsQN7OACK4B/s400/images.jpeg" /></a>Foxtails - According to <a href="http://thebark.com/content/protecting-your-dog-against-foxtails">TheBark.com</a> this nasty plant has been reported in nearly every state west of the Mississippi (especially California). In late spring and early summer when the plant heads dry, the bristly plant awns are determined to find their way into your pets nose, eyes, ears, mouths - anywhere! The awns are barbed in such a way they can only move "forward" which means it could end up anywhere inside together with all of their bacteria causing untold damage.<br />
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Snakes - In an urban setting snakes are rarely thought of by most pet owners. For us, being out in nature is what makes us all the happiest. Having a strong "<a href="http://pets.thenest.com/teach-dog-avoid-snakes-11639.html">leave it"</a> (or similar) command is essential not only to keep your pets safe, urban or not, it's a tool that can be used to teach your pets to avoid potentially dangerous (or even fatal) situations.<br />
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Carnivores - Lions and Tigers and Bears Oh My!! Maybe not so much the lions and tigers, but we had a run in with a bear one night while tent camping this past summer in New England. Any animal can tempt your pet into a game of chase and we have even heard of instances of exploring dogs bringing back animals to camp. The easiest way to prevent this is to keep your pets on tethers or leashes (never the retractable kind!). We do use tethers when needed, but not all of the time. This is against our own advice, but we are fortunate to have one extremely well trained dog, Nyx, that knows her "<a href="http://dog-training-behavior-1.blogspot.com/2008/01/dog-training-boundary-training-for-dogs.html">boundaries</a>" invisible or otherwise. Our boy Moose, still being very much a puppy isn't completely trustworthy so he more often than not is tethered. We do enjoy letting the kids explore and play just as we do, but we only take calculated risks. <br />
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When we are at home in the RV, we use folding exercise pens (we currently have five so we can create a large yard) so we can allow the dogs to run around and play without tethers. We've had no campground issues using them and most people are impressed that the dogs don't just jump or walk over the fences. This was accomplished also using boundary training and was in fact where we started. When away from home, they are trained to about 30 yards radius in which they can explore freely. If they don't keep to this, they have the command of "too far" which isn't a recall, just to let them know they aren't allowed to go any further. We have a solid "come" as well and use this if they aren't keeping to their boundaries or it's time to go back on leash. We also use "behind" while hiking so the dogs will stay between us if we are on a trail. Proper and consistent training will go a <i>long</i> way to ensuring that your pets stay safe. We've had some people ask why we are sometimes so strict with our dogs. It's not because we are trying to be mean! In fact, it's the exact opposite. We need to know that if a situation occurs where we need our dogs to listen i.e. something dangerous, that they will listen without hesitation. This is for their own safety (and don't worry, we give them plenty of love!!!) and allows for them to have much more freedom!<br />
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Altitude Sickness - According to <a href="http://vetinfo.com/">vetinfo.com</a>, altitude sickness does not affect all animals, but can manifest over 8,000ft (2,400 meters) above sea level. The symptoms can be but are not limited to: Excessive drooling, vomiting, dry cough, swelling of feet or face, dizziness, or lethargy. Currently, we are in our second season at over 10,000 ft and neither of our babies have had any issues. To our credit, we did spend quite a bit of time acclimating at higher elevations before coming to our current elevation. For instance, before coming to the mountains, we spent nearly two weeks in Denver (5,280') so that we, as well as the dogs, could get used to the altitude. One <i>very important</i> thing to remember at altitude is that your pets will require more water than usual so make sure that they are always well hydrated.<br />
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Fleas & Ticks - Bravecto prevents both, is recommended by the FDA, our primary vet, and all of our breeders. So naturally, it's what we use. Each treatment lasts 12 weeks and keeps our kids free from both of these pests no matter where we travel. It is also much easier and cleaner to administer than Frontline or Advantix since it is administered orally. We always found the liquid meds to be messy and less than effective. If you do have the unfortunate circumstance of having a tick on your dog, don't panic. While it is important to <a href="http://www.petmd.com/dog/parasites/how-to-remove-a-tick-from-dog-cat">remove</a> a tick quickly, panic will neither help you or your dog. Ensure that you have <a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20target=%22_blank%22%20href=%22https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KE233NU/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00KE233NU&linkCode=as2&tag=libontheloo-20&linkId=92052a5c7b7e82728c39ef3d1a1a644a%22%3ENitrile%20Exam%20Gloves%20-%20Medical%20Grade,%20Powder%20Free,%20Latex%20Rubber%20Free,%20Disposable,%20Non%20Sterile,%20Food%20Safe,%20Indigo%20(purple)%20color,&nbsp;Convenient%20Dispenser%20Pack%20of%20100,%20Size%20Medium%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=libontheloo-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B00KE233NU%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E">rubber gloves</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20target=%22_blank%22%20href=%22https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BAYWOFY/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00BAYWOFY&linkCode=as2&tag=libontheloo-20&linkId=d16c568e6bf9b5c213c6e028bb8084a3%22%3ESurgical%20Tweezers%20for%20Ingrown%20Hair%20-%20Stainless%20Steel%20Precision%20Sharp%20Tweezers%20for%20Splinters%20and%20Glass%20Removal%20-%20Best%20for%20Eyebrow%20Hair,%20Facial%20Hair%20Removal%20-%20Steel%20Pointy%20Ends%20Meet%20Perfectly-%20Yellow%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=libontheloo-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B00BAYWOFY%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E">tweezers</a> (or <a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20target=%22_blank%22%20href=%22https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00552JI4W/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00552JI4W&linkCode=as2&tag=libontheloo-20&linkId=6d29538b10228647d356cdd09a934e0c%22%3ESawyer%20Products%20SP620%20Tick%20Removal%20Plier%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=libontheloo-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B00552JI4W%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E">tick removal tool</a>), rubbing alcohol and <a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20target=%22_blank%22%20href=%22https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005OOOA4E/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B005OOOA4E&linkCode=as2&tag=libontheloo-20&linkId=86772356215f5097aa9465c3f91f8216%22%3ESMITH%20&amp;%20NEPHEW%20IV%20PREP%20ANTISEPTIC%20WIPES%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=libontheloo-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B005OOOA4E%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E">antiseptic wipes</a> in your pets' first aid kit. If you don't have a first aid kit, make sure you <a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20target=%22_blank%22%20href=%22https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CL0PB9W/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00CL0PB9W&linkCode=as2&tag=libontheloo-20&linkId=156b2f971d0ac7264aa643a3e8908503%22%3ECanine%20Friendly%20Pet%20First%20Aid%20Kit%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=libontheloo-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B00CL0PB9W%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E">get one</a> after reading this! It's imperative for your pets' health and welfare!<br />
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Veterinarians - They are available nearly everywhere, but good ones are hard to find and a bit more research is needed. We belong to several Facebook groups that have members all over North America. Using reviews and recommendations we can find not only a quality doctor, but one familiar with Great Danes. We keep all of our kids' records (both paper and electronic copies) from all vets in a file with us so we can easily access any requested info. Having all the information on hand makes the veterinarian's job much easier and the quality of<br />
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Terrain - Cactus, sharp rocks, steep ledges, ice, snow with a crust on it, sand, asphalt - if you wouldn't want to walk bare foot on it, your pet probably doesn't either! We make it a habit to do a foot check every day to ensure no slivers, cuts, or anything else that can harm them. In addition, both of our babies each have a set of <a href="https://muttluks.com/">Muttluks</a> dog boots. <br />
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Our dogs are our kids, so their safety is paramount to us. While traveling does present special circumstances, there is no reason (with the proper preparation and education) that your pets can't be even more healthy and happy than if they stayed in the same place all the time... It's your job as their parents to ensure that your pets are well-trained, well-behaved, and that you are properly prepared in the event some happens that threatens your dog's health. Safe travels!<br />
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Did we get it right? Do you have experience or knowledge about this post? Please make yourself heard! Comment below and we will respond as soon as possible. As always, thanks for following us!
Disclaimer: We are not paid writers. We write for enjoyment and to share information about our travels with our families, friends, and our followers. The information that we provide is based on our experiences with the products, services, etc, that we write about. It is 100% non-biased!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17256651799926280717noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744964891124180454.post-69536272149976594292016-10-19T07:45:00.000-04:002016-10-19T07:45:25.630-04:00Tahoe Valley RV Resort & Campground Review - South Lake Tahoe, CaTahoe Valley RV Resort & Campground<br />
1175 Melba Drive<br />
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150<br />
(530) 541-2222<br />
<a href="https://www.rvonthego.com/california/tahoe-valley-campground/">Website</a><br />
Rates: $222 per week electric only<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d3104.663006666192!2d-119.99952158494455!3d38.908820979568844!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x80998fb589b938af%3A0xcdcc3ebbd4437efd!2sTahoe+Valley+RV+Resort+%26+Campground!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1460002642906" style="border: 0;" width="400"></iframe>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summertime at Tahoe Valley</td></tr>
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After leaving Park City, Utah this past (2015-2016) ski season, we moved on to the last leg of the "Epic Pass" tour. We started in Breckenridge, Colorado and skied Keystone, Arapahoe Basin, Beaver Creek and Vail - all on the Vail Resorts Epic Pass. From there, we moved on to Park City, Utah and rode Park City and The Canyons resort. From there, it was off to Lake Tahoe, California where we were meeting with friends that skied Squaw Valley every other season. Since Heavenly, Kirkwood and Northstar are all within close proximity to Lake Tahoe and we got to see and ski with friends in Squaw Valley, it was the perfect way to round out our season!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Office and Camp Store</td></tr>
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Enter Tahoe Valley RV Resort & Campground. Located in South Lake Tahoe close to Heavenly Ski Resort (yes, the <a href="http://www.cnn.com/US/9801/06/bono.accident.pm/">Sonny Bono</a> one..) we couldn't ask for a much better place in terms of location. We were also about 40 mins south of Squaw Valley, so the commute wasn't horrible to visit. The campground is located right in town but tucked away off the main road, so you don't hear traffic or any other street noise. We visited the campground in late February 2016 in which time we simultaneously had 60+ degree days followed by insane amounts of snow (over 2 feet during our time there). Needless to say, it made for an interesting time!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking across Lake Tahoe</td></tr>
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The fickle weather conditions wouldn't have been an issue at all if there had been concrete slabs on the sites. Since there weren't, between the days of alternating warm and freezing, it made it very difficult to keep the RV properly leveled, etc. Also, since it was just dirt parking on the sites, every time the snow and ice melted, we were greeted with a nice big puddle of sloppy, muddy mess. The dogs loved playing in it - Momma and me having to clean them... not so much. It probably wouldn't have been an issue had there not been such alternating weather temperatures, but that's the way it happened for our stay.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yd8TBuo2aj8/WAVZdBm04eI/AAAAAAAAB-M/TZ7GRJMdegcM5zy91MHPEHCovlOJutD4ACLcB/s1600/IMG_4165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yd8TBuo2aj8/WAVZdBm04eI/AAAAAAAAB-M/TZ7GRJMdegcM5zy91MHPEHCovlOJutD4ACLcB/s320/IMG_4165.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a>Second, not that there wasn't any kind of warning, but the fact that the water was completely shut off during freezing temps was a little off-putting. Reason being - it's not nearly as easily to pull up everything, hitch up your rig, and refill water/empty sewer in the winter time. Not to mention, it's cold! For $220/week, we would have appreciated the ability to use the water providing we supplied our own heat tape, which we gladly would have. Unfortunately, that wasn't an option. We even offered to sign a waiver stating that we would replace the water bib should it freeze due to the fault of our equipment. Again, completely understandable, but for an RV resort open and located near world class skiing, we would have like to see full services offered. <br />
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Lastly, we found it a bit difficult having mail delivered to the office. We aren't sure if it was the fact that they weren't properly equipped or didn't know how to handle packages, etc, but most other places we've stayed have no issue with long term renters having mail, etc, delivered to the park if they are staying longer lengths of time. Again, granted, we didn't stay for more than ten days, but we did have to have some things for the RV shipped and it was the best option. <br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k0bgfo98rCY/WAVLWtLHqWI/AAAAAAAAB94/GO81d4g94zwYs0eSny_a8YBaj5sKbcyEgCEw/s1600/IMG_0450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k0bgfo98rCY/WAVLWtLHqWI/AAAAAAAAB94/GO81d4g94zwYs0eSny_a8YBaj5sKbcyEgCEw/s320/IMG_0450.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a><div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p4PeWrhIMuk/WAVZeGvWJPI/AAAAAAAAB-U/JzeQt5N45QUZVRg7Py084yqJ1WONt4ojQCLcB/s1600/IMG_4152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p4PeWrhIMuk/WAVZeGvWJPI/AAAAAAAAB-U/JzeQt5N45QUZVRg7Py084yqJ1WONt4ojQCLcB/s320/IMG_4152.JPG" width="320" /></a>Those are really the worst things. All in all, the park had a lot of things we really enjoyed and would have liked to stay longer. Because of the lack of water hookups and no option for sewer either, we opted to leave earlier than we had originally intended. The park itself is in a great location and, as we found out during our stay, is under new management. We are hoping that improvements have been and will continue to be made. We haven't been back since, so we don't much more at this point. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our crew at Squaw Valley</td></tr>
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We had the opportunity to meet and talk with the new manager prior to our leaving and he seemed like he was very anxious to make improvements to the park as well as their reputation. After bringing to his attention the items from this post as well as a few other suggestions for revenue-increasing improvements, he assured us that he would be taking our suggestions to the ownership of the property and hopefully getting some changes in motion. We are eager to revisit again (maybe not during the winter) and see if the other seasons are more in line with what we expected. We suspect they will be much better prepared during the normal peak camping season....<br />
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Did we get it right? Do you have experience or knowledge about this post? Please make yourself heard! Comment below and we will respond as soon as possible. As always, thanks for following us!
Disclaimer: We are not paid writers. We write for enjoyment and to share information about our travels with our families, friends, and our followers. The information that we provide is based on our experiences with the products, services, etc, that we write about. It is 100% non-biased!Libbys on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05140842710203265917noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744964891124180454.post-58089369104617268282016-10-16T21:39:00.000-04:002016-10-16T21:39:57.371-04:00Medical/Dental Tourism: Libbys on the Loose goes International - Jacó, Costa Rica<br />
The great thing about living the nomadic lifestyle is that it's very easy to just.... go - sometimes at a moment's notice. The ability to be completely spur-of-the-moment has a way of presenting opportunities and sometimes even savings. <br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E7gUYHiQliU/V_-0ko7yCxI/AAAAAAAAB44/wgR5xRz7iEkgZgM2ENFbT9jtXeHdt1wogCLcB/s1600/dental.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E7gUYHiQliU/V_-0ko7yCxI/AAAAAAAAB44/wgR5xRz7iEkgZgM2ENFbT9jtXeHdt1wogCLcB/s1600/dental.gif" /></a>For the past few years, regrettably, we admit that we've both needed a good bit of dental work, but just simply didn't take the time (and didn't want to spend the money - no dental insurance) to get the work done. On top of that, it's insane what dentists in the United States charge for some of their procedures. I (Eric), according to at least two dentists in the Orlando, Florida area, needed two, possibly three implants, two crowns, and a number of fillings. All told, anywhere from $6000-$7000 or more. With Jeanine's medical bills for her back, it simply wasn't in the budget. In addition to the work that I needed to have done, Jeanine also needed a couple of fillings and at least a crown. By the time we factored in everything that we would need to get our teeth back to where they should have been, we would have spent well over $8000. So, like many things, we had to put it off until later.<br />
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Since going full-time, we've found that as long as we have a great internet connection and are able to make and receive phone calls, we can be just about anywhere and still able to complete our work and personal responsibilities. This opened up our ability to spend longer amounts of time internationally providing we had the aforementioned necessities. We did a lot of research into different areas taking many different factors into account: <br />
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<li> Transportation costs - this was broken down to whether we should park the trailer long term and have our dog sitter stay, or travel with the trailer (most likely Mexico) and take the dogs with us.</li>
<li> Cost of accommodations - whether we flew and rented a place or drove and paid camping fees. </li>
<li> Cost of procedures - if we weren't going to save that much money, it didn't make sense to make the trip!</li>
<li> Safety of area - sure, we want to save money, but not at the cost of our safety!</li>
<li> Quality of work/care - we wanted to have our cake and eat it, too. We wanted dentists that were qualified based on the same standards as US dentists.</li>
<li> Where? - we knew that we were going to need at least 15-20 days (so the dentists had time to fabricate what we needed) wherever we went so we thought it was smart to make it somewhere that we actually wanted to go. </li>
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Taking all of these things into consideration, it really came down to two places - Los Algodones, Mexico or Jacó, Costa Rica. Our first thought was, since Los Algodones was so close to the border, it would be easy for us to "swing by" on our way back from the western US. The only problem with that idea was that we wouldn't be able to do that until fall 2017 at the earliest (without being significantly out of the way). Another thing that we found out was that, despite having the lowest prices, Los Algodones didn't have the best track record in terms of facility quality or the quality of the care received. This ultimately ended up being the reason for our decision to have our dental work done in Jacó, Costa Rica. <br />
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Our house in Cocoa Beach was scheduled to be sold and closed on the 15th of August so I started looking at the fall to see if we could squeeze a trip in after the closing of the house (plus a wedding in Pa) but before we planned on getting back on the road in the middle of September. This gave about a four week window with which to find something that might work for us. Fortunately, given our past and current work in the travel industry, I knew that it was prime season for cheap travel!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ymtD75Q2KRM/V__LHKFrIOI/AAAAAAAAB6k/kR_BYUlgcEUxF6ewqwZ2ExmymzTa50eQACEw/s1600/IMG_4819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ymtD75Q2KRM/V__LHKFrIOI/AAAAAAAAB6k/kR_BYUlgcEUxF6ewqwZ2ExmymzTa50eQACEw/s400/IMG_4819.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the best Ceviché we've ever had!</td></tr>
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Typically, the way that I search for travel is to get a gauge of what the accommodations are going to cost. Airfares are usually pretty similar for the low cost carriers, so there isn't going to be much variation in the costs. Plus, when you're looking at spending at least two weeks, the cost of accommodations plays a much larger factor in the overall costs. We aren't usually the type to stay in hotels, but occasionally, it is nice to have everything taken care of. That being said, not in Jacó! Hotels were outrageously priced. Not in the way of hotel pricing, but in costs in general. The least expensive (that wasn't a crappy one!) was nearly $100 a night! We were planning to stay for two weeks and wanted to spend money on our dental work and experiencing the food, drink and culture of Costa Rica. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R8GWGV4idzg/V__hdSAoHbI/AAAAAAAAB7k/X6Xb2eZxzRQRl2NgPxpPSmAyvL015ll0ACEw/s1600/IMG_5430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R8GWGV4idzg/V__hdSAoHbI/AAAAAAAAB7k/X6Xb2eZxzRQRl2NgPxpPSmAyvL015ll0ACEw/s320/IMG_5430.JPG" width="320" /></a>Airbnb has always been hit or miss for us. For shorter stays in major cities, there's no comparison. But for longer stays ie two weeks, we usually do much better on VRBO (Vacation Rentals By Owner). After looking at many places, we decided on <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/13744583">this</a> listing in south Jacó. Known as a Tico style home, it was perfect for what we needed - inexpensive and close to the beach. On the downside, no air conditioning. But it was during the rainy season which usually cooled things off, at least as far as our experience living in Florida taught us. It was also a very reasonable taxi fare - about $5 roundtrip from <a href="http://premierdentalcarejaco.com/">Premier Dental Jacó </a> where we ended up going to get our dental work completed. At just over $400 for two weeks and only a five minute walk to some of the cleanest waves I've ever had the pleasure of riding, this spot was perfect for what we needed. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sed10vTvT0E/V__LFRQb97I/AAAAAAAAB6k/XDCG4JO9uc8IDGKKYHpLvHP_j7FoxtzrQCEw/s1600/IMG_4786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sed10vTvT0E/V__LFRQb97I/AAAAAAAAB6k/XDCG4JO9uc8IDGKKYHpLvHP_j7FoxtzrQCEw/s400/IMG_4786.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunsets like this only a 5 minute walk from our tico!</td></tr>
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Next up was the task of finding a flight. Since we were going to be back in Florida after the wedding in Pa, I knew I could have my pick of just about any major airport as we had friends, family, or an office (the company we work for) near all the largest ones. I knew I had a two week +/- to work with since the place in Jacó had availability and we planned to leave Florida mid to late September at the latest. <a href="http://www.spirit.com/">SpiritAirlines</a> always had great flight deals between Orlando and most east coast city short trips, but I never knew that they had flights to Central (and South) America. We would be flying into San Jose then either renting a vehicle, taking a bus, or finding private transportation to Jacó - about 45 minutes to 1 hour away (we'll get to that in a sec). Since we would be parking our RV at <a href="http://www.libbysontheloose.com/2015/07/manatee-hammock-campground-review.html">Manatee Hammock Campground</a>, the first airport my search started with was Orlando International. While finding flights on par with normal pricing at $350-$400 round trip, it was still more than we wanted to spend. We were really trying to stay under $750 for flights, accommodations, and transportation. While this seemed like a daunting task, we had to start somewhere! We ended up flying out of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida for $130. Each. Roundtrip. So that's $260 for both of us leaving August 29th and returning on September 12th. After this score, it looked like it was definitely going to be in budget! Well - almost. On the search for transportation, my first thought (given past experience) was to simply rent a vehicle. This was all well and good and I actually got really excited when I first started to look and saw that vehicles were as low as a few dollars per day! The insurance was the catch. From what we gathered, it was about $40 per day... and mandatory. We were pretty sure that we wouldn't need a vehicle once we got to town. The beach was close and the downtown area of Jacó was about a 15-20 minute walk from the tico and we didn't plan on travelling to any of the</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2016 Spirit Airlines Route Map<br />
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surrounding areas. So, after weighing the options, our Airbnb host offered round trip transportation for $100 including any stops for groceries, etc we wanted along the way. We also thought that was a great way to gain a lot of insight inside local knowledge as well. We could have taken the bus, which was significantly cheaper, but it would take 3-4 hours as opposed to just under an hour. Since Jeanine had another back procedure a few days before departure and was ordered to rest for two weeks (the other reason for the trip), riding on a bus for that duration of time didn't seem to make sense. So yes, the cost exceeds our original proposed budget, but for the sake of Jeanine's back's health, we opted to spend the extra money. </div>
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So, to do a quick travel budget recap:</div>
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Flights for Jeanine and Eric from FLL to SJO $260</div>
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Airbnb stay in south Jacó for 14 days 420</div>
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Transportation to and from SJO <u>200</u></div>
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$880</div>
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Yep, we went over our travel budget. But, like mentioned, it was a calculated and necessary additional expense. So now on to the best part, our savings on dental work. Fast forward to our third day in Jacó: we just finished our initial consultation the day prior and completed our panoramic x-rays to find out that the amount of work we were quoted in the US was significantly more than we really needed! The breakdown as follows:<br />
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Eric: <br />
US Needed + Cost Total Costa Rica Needed + Cost Total<br />
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Implants 3 at $1800 each $5400 0 at $850 each $0<br />
Crown 3 at $750 each $2250 1 at $400 each $400<br />
Fillings 6 at $200 each $1200 7 at $50 each $350<br />
Cleaning 1 at $100 each $100 1 at $50 each $50<br />
X-Ray 1 at $225 each <u>$225</u> 1 at $50 each <u>$50</u><br />
$9175 $850<br />
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Jeanine:<br />
US Needed + Cost Total Costa Rica Needed + Cost Total<br />
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Crown 1 at $700 each $700 1 at $200 each (Onlay partial) $200<br />
Fillings 3 at $200 each $600 3 at $50 each $150<br />
Cleaning 1 at $100 each $50 1 at $50 each $50<br />
X-Ray 1 at $150 each <u>$150</u> 1 at $50 each <u>$50</u><br />
$1500 $450<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We loved Dr. Núñez!</td></tr>
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So there it is. Initially, when we first started looking and doing the research, we never considered that we were advised to get work done that we didn't actually <i>need</i> to have done. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. The largest cost savings didn't come from the difference between the services provided - it came from having work done that needed to be done, not what could have the most profit made. Maybe that's being a bit cynical, but numbers (and thousands of customers) don't lie. Factor in the cost of transportation, accommodations, and dental work and it's just under 20% of the total cost of what we were told we needed by dentists in the US. Oh yeah - we also got to spend two weeks in one of the most beautiful destinations in the world filled with some of the friendliest people, black sand beaches, and glassy walls of waves regularly. Didn't seem like a bad deal to us either!<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kz88pKxCUug/V__LOXL9_OI/AAAAAAAAB6k/6i3f92R8LIcFr-ok6hDbptluFPuVlbdZACEw/s1600/IMG_4833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kz88pKxCUug/V__LOXL9_OI/AAAAAAAAB6k/6i3f92R8LIcFr-ok6hDbptluFPuVlbdZACEw/s200/IMG_4833.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1yuTsWaKcoE/V__LIzoGC2I/AAAAAAAAB6k/CJz64coavzwyvJXQr2kvj8ibGGwsYA3bwCEw/s1600/IMG_4830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1yuTsWaKcoE/V__LIzoGC2I/AAAAAAAAB6k/CJz64coavzwyvJXQr2kvj8ibGGwsYA3bwCEw/s320/IMG_4830.jpg" width="320" /></a>So now you know the expenses comparatively speaking. The only other thing to look at is the cost for goods, services, etc, ie cost of living in Jacó vs the US. Turns out that most things service oriented are quite a bit cheaper whereas foods, products, tangible items, etc, are on par or slightly more expensive. There was a bar / restaurant just down the street from our place that we could easily have lunch or dinner with a few beers for about $15 US. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-opwQlpBgjo8/V__hfU6Um5I/AAAAAAAAB7Y/5XORDMBxIsw8hwOoqcmMi7JXeE1IwZWrQCLcB/s1600/IMG_5547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-opwQlpBgjo8/V__hfU6Um5I/AAAAAAAAB7Y/5XORDMBxIsw8hwOoqcmMi7JXeE1IwZWrQCLcB/s200/IMG_5547.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeanine's onlay crown - sadly no diamonds!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eric's crown</td></tr>
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For the day to day living, we would spend slightly more than we do in the US since we didn't have as many things on hand to cook with such as spices. We did tend to eat out for more meals, but we always tried to seek out the less expensive options. For example, you could get the typical Costa Rican lunch which was a protein, usually chicken, steak, or fish, accompanied with red beans and rice and a side salad for about $5 US. Trust us when we say that it's filling. If you walk away hungry, you ordered the wrong thing! Taxis were very cheap as well. We found that we could get around for about $2-3 US dollars to most places in town. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Return of the pearly whites!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't miss Jacó Fine Meats for all your carnivore needs!</td></tr>
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As far as everyday life, most of our days were spent working, reading, surfing the internet/watching Netflix, or just swinging in our hammocks. Our Airbnb had a small spring-fed pool (we emptied the water every few days and refilled) that was refreshing albeit shallow. We found that setting up our chairs in the pool was the right combo of refreshing and warm! <br />
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Around town, we found many shops and restaurants that we enjoyed. You'll definitely want to check out <a href="http://www.jacofinemeats.com/">Jacó Fine Meats</a> for the best bacon in town. Bonus: if you ask nicely, he might just season up and marinate a piece of meat for you! Tell Craig we said hi! There is a great farmers market every Friday with tons of local fruits and veggies. You'll also want to check out <a href="http://www.hotel-poseidon.com/">Hotel Poseidon</a>. We went there for lunch and drinks. If they have it, get the Tuna Poké! It was incredible! </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ac6xZiE6xM0/V__pUsq2GSI/AAAAAAAAB7s/YbmLvbDKMNMVFMfmiRSqbZ_D7B891MWRACEw/s1600/DSC02286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ac6xZiE6xM0/V__pUsq2GSI/AAAAAAAAB7s/YbmLvbDKMNMVFMfmiRSqbZ_D7B891MWRACEw/s400/DSC02286.jpg" width="400" /></a>I was going to take my surfboard, but decided against it after looking at the baggage fees the airline was charging. Even though they classified it as sporting goods, I would have had to pay $170 roundtrip to take mine. Before committing, I spoke to our Airbnb host who directed me to Carton surfboards just around the corner. I was able to negotiate on a great board (and swap it out to try others) for $150 for the entire two weeks! This worked out perfectly since I ended up changing boards three times before settling on one for my size and skill level. I got in some great surfing and definitely recommend Jacó for all surf levels - beginner to advanced. If you're looking for something a little larger, just take a short drive (or taxi) south to Hermosa Beach. Shoulder to head high glassy waves are not uncommon!<br />
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That pretty much sums it up. In total, after all things included. We spent just under $3000 US for two weeks in Jacó, Costa Rica. This includes all of our dental work, food, drink, accommodations, entertainment, etc. We couldn't be happier with our decision! In the end, we got a two week stay in one of the most beautiful places in the world, all of our dental work completed at a fraction of the cost and no compromise in quality (I would call our dentist more of an artist after having her clean our teeth - no hygienists here - and handcraft our temporary crown in seconds), and is now a place we will plan to return to on an annual basis to have our checkups and cleanings done. In addition, Eric does plan to have the implants done in the future, so the difference in costs will more than make up for the upcoming years' trips. <br />
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Did we get it right? Do you have experience or knowledge about this post? Please make yourself heard! Comment below and we will respond as soon as possible. As always, thanks for following us!
Disclaimer: We are not paid writers. We write for enjoyment and to share information about our travels with our families, friends, and our followers. The information that we provide is based on our experiences with the products, services, etc, that we write about. It is 100% non-biased!
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Libbys on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05140842710203265917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744964891124180454.post-82078159647219550782016-10-13T16:44:00.002-04:002016-10-13T16:44:33.558-04:00My First Solo Road Trip - by Jeanine<div class="MsoNormal">
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The original plan this past spring was for Eric and I and the kids to depart
Cocoa Beach, FL on May 16, 2016. We had spent the previous two months working on our house to sell,
entertaining visitors, and selling off more of our belongings. We had been doing vacation rentals
with our house since February 2015 when we went full-time. We were doing great with the renters until we found a zoning issue that
wouldn’t allow us to continue to do weekly rentals, instead only able to offer rentals with a minimum of 30 days. The number of people that are able to take 30
day vacations is much smaller than those on week long vacations. This led us to selling our house, which we closed on August <span style="text-align: center;">15th. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">While we were in Florida, we decided it was time to have some maintenance done on the fifth wheel. Our landing gear was weak and sounded like it
skipped gears while being raised. We had
a slide off center that needed to be shimmed and our brakes didn’t seem like
they were working. The first repair
place that had availability was Camping World of Cocoa, Florida. Upon their inspection, our landing gear needed
some welding, a new transmission, and a new motor. In addition to this and our slide being
adjusted, it turned out that our trailer brakes were nearly non-existent. </span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Eu5BORYrZc/V__ugUqs_hI/AAAAAAAAB8M/HI3ijCe8Nn0efws8Rdkd7yVfIiLQ5T-EACEw/s1600/IMG_4732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Eu5BORYrZc/V__ugUqs_hI/AAAAAAAAB8M/HI3ijCe8Nn0efws8Rdkd7yVfIiLQ5T-EACEw/s320/IMG_4732.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="text-align: center;">When we bought the rig in 2015 we had a
90 day warranty on everything from RV Direct of Titusville. We stayed our first month at a campground
nearby and for the first few weeks a tech would be sent out at least once a
week to repair something. After that we
started moving around a bit and we discovered that our braking was terrible. We took it back to RV Direct two separate times
before our 90 days was up and both times we were assured that the trailer was
fine and it must be the truck. At the
time, with the truck we’d had at that time we believed that to be true. After being in the Charlotte/Asheville area
all that summer, on our way back to Florida for some body work on the Fifth
wheel after an incident with a tree that truck’s transmission began to
fail. Rather than deal with a costly
repair, we sold that truck and got our current "Beast". We spent all winter in the mountains
and once again in Florida this spring we decided that there were still some
brake issues. We went ahead and had
Camping World take care of the slide and landing gear (which took them an
obscenely long three weeks and later found out we were billed for parts that weren't replaced and service not performed but that's a whole other can of worms) we took the fifth wheel back to RV Direct. In the end, it took another two and a half
weeks to get all new hubs, drums, backing plates, and magnets. At the end of the first week, Eric ended up
having to fly to Pennsylvania to help his parents. </span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b3jx7VUhpsI/V__uc5dy1jI/AAAAAAAAB8M/xKunMRI8UlUudnf6egAwKWZQU5Bj3QkNACEw/s1600/IMG_4785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b3jx7VUhpsI/V__uc5dy1jI/AAAAAAAAB8M/xKunMRI8UlUudnf6egAwKWZQU5Bj3QkNACEw/s320/IMG_4785.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="text-align: center;">Because the fifth wheel wasn’t ready yet, I
had the idea that it would be a good opportunity for me to have a trip
on my own (we believe that us both being familiar with setup, tear down, and towing of the RV is very important)! RV Direct, while it wasn’t the fastest repair (as it seems to be the normal for the industry) they did do most of the work and
replaced all the parts at their cost because we had been their twice while
under warranty and it was very clear the brakes had been in that condition
before our purchase. They even let me
stay on the lot with the dogs and plug into their building! During my delay, I had no running water since
we had never planned on a delay and didn't want/need to drive 1,000 miles with full tanks, so I learned how to get by with 2.5 gallon
jugs. I also had issues with the front
a/c and the refrigerator kept giving me a NO HC code and wasn’t cooling. I ended up using the rear a/c and had to have
Eric walk me through resetting the fridge via FaceTime. I did end up having to toss some food but was
able to save the majority. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JFhASiq3GT4/V__ugsPBl4I/AAAAAAAAB8M/dzLMf3JzQ6ED9T_Z_H64XpPMHHnhkhqNQCEw/s1600/IMG_4853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JFhASiq3GT4/V__ugsPBl4I/AAAAAAAAB8M/dzLMf3JzQ6ED9T_Z_H64XpPMHHnhkhqNQCEw/s320/IMG_4853.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My co-pilot</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Another
advantage to having stayed at the repair shop is that all the guys decided to give me backing-up-the-trailer lessons! </span><span style="text-align: center;">I have been pulling
trailers since I was 11, if not earlier.
I had not however, since we started, backed up the fifth
wheel!! I knew the basics were the same
as far as when you want your trailer to go one direction or the other and what
way to turn the steering wheel and how to use the mirrors, but having the connection to the truck be
several feet forward of a trailer hitch made it much different to turn! If you don’t have someone to teach you, I
would definitely recommend asking around for someone to teach you (in a large empty parking lot) or to attend a
CDL class. </span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-88U6CjyhAmI/V__ueIgqAKI/AAAAAAAAB8M/ue4xiI5HZsAn6gjFh3NKYYAgMGGFrcZXACEw/s1600/IMG_4851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-88U6CjyhAmI/V__ueIgqAKI/AAAAAAAAB8M/ue4xiI5HZsAn6gjFh3NKYYAgMGGFrcZXACEw/s320/IMG_4851.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="text-align: center;">I was originally planning on
driving 4-5 hours a day and take my time, but with all the delays I didn’t have
any extra time in order to meet up with friends in Lake Placid before they
departed. I ended up driving around 6
hours that first day (I didn’t get started until early afternoon) and stayed at
</span><a href="http://www.libbysontheloose.com/2016/06/camp-lake-jasper-rv-resort-review.html" style="text-align: center;">Camp Lake Jasper RV Resort.</a><span style="text-align: center;"> I got a
great pull through site (even though I do know how to hook / unhook the truck
and trailer) and hooked up the electric and water for the night. I was very proud of myself until the
following evening after arriving at Eric’s parents house in Pennsylvania to discover that when I had hooked up the water to fill the tank, I had
forgotten to flip the lever that allows the water in! </span></div>
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In all, I am very glad that I did the trip. I learned a few new things and I
gained a ton of confidence. There just is no substitute to just doing it solo! I know
that Eric and I won’t always be together
as we have some individual adventures planned in the future, and as my parents
taught me from a very young age – it’s always important to know how to take
care of yourself and to show courage when you are unsure or scared.</div>
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Did we get it right? Do you have experience or knowledge about this post? Please make yourself heard! Comment below and we will respond as soon as possible. As always, thanks for following us!
Disclaimer: We are not paid writers. We write for enjoyment and to share information about our travels with our families, friends, and our followers. The information that we provide is based on our experiences with the products, services, etc, that we write about. It is 100% non-biased!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17256651799926280717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744964891124180454.post-36532912818581904392016-09-29T22:32:00.001-04:002016-09-29T22:32:36.152-04:00RV Full-Time Living: How to Save Money!Last winter, while riding the lift in Breckenridge Ski Resort, I (Eric) was having a conversation wherein the usual question was asked "Where are you from?" You'd think by now I'd have a polished answer, ready for anytime this question comes along, especially because it comes along often! My initial response is usually Cocoa Beach, Florida, but now that the house is sold, we have little attachment (with the exception of friends and the time spent there) and it's not as easy to say as it used to be. So where does that leave me to answer? Usually I fumble around and say what I used to do and what I'm currently doing, not where I'm from. In all that and my long-winded (it was a slower lift!) conversation with this fellow powder lover, it ended in "What are you, like Warren Buffet's son or something?". After collecting myself from laughter, I realized just how lucky we are to be able to live this lifestyle. But to do so doesn't always come at the easiest price. But with just a little time and legwork, you can easily start to save dollars and stretch your budget!<br />
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<b>Fuel</b><br />
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One of the most expensive costs associated with full-time RV travel is fuel. Average RVs in the 30+ foot range like ours average anywhere from 5-12 mpg +/- which is a bit insane when you think about it! This is especially true when fuel costs can fluctuate so much based on seasons, holidays, politics, and geographical location. But much like a home, it's an expense and part of living. Account for it and budget for it and you won't have a problem. That being said, there are ways to extend your fuel dollars.<br />
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1. Credit Cards/Rewards Cards/Gas Cards - Companies are willing to incentivize you if you spend<br />
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money using their medium of payment. A great example of this is grocery stores. There are many grocery stores that offer deals with fuel companies and discount the cost of each gallon of fuel commensurate with how much you spend on groceries. You're going to spend the money on groceries anyway, right? Why not stretch those dollars at the pump. Check every grocery store and gas station for rewards cards, points cards, etc. Another way you can benefit from the same thing is by buying your groceries with a credit card that offers rewards. Rewards may come in the form of cash back, prepaid fuel cards, prepaid credit cards, and other types of incentives used to get you to use their products. You can also pay for the fuel with a credit card that offers rewards, too. Figuring out how to stretch every fuel dollar will get you that much further down the road.<br />
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2. Ease off the pedal - When we pull our fifth wheel, we barely break 65mph. We've found it to be the best combination of safe speed while towing, stays steady with the flow of traffic, offers great fuel economy for our combination. Granted, we could save even more fuel by going slower, but there's a limit to how slow we like to go. 60-65 is the min we can go long term without pulling out our how or having it blown off by everyone flying by you like you're standing still. Experiment with different speeds and consistent weights to ensure accuracy and to find out what speed your setup offers the best fuel economy.<br />
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3. Shed pounds - Less weight, less to get it and keep it moving. This is an easy way of saying you'll get better fuel economy with less weight in tow. As you'll hear from most full-timers, if you don't need it, get rid of it. In fact, we have a standing rule in our RV - if we haven't used it in the past 6 months (winter/summer clothing, gear, etc excluded), we get rid of it. The full time lifestyle doesn't really allow for as many of the creature comforts that sticks n bricks homes afford. <br />
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<br />
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lnj4UBX1wTs/V-2bZfzlI3I/AAAAAAAAB4Y/eCpX3oaNwHEawYNNdcUIyL8etAFdDb2ZACLcB/s1600/IMG_6038.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lnj4UBX1wTs/V-2bZfzlI3I/AAAAAAAAB4Y/eCpX3oaNwHEawYNNdcUIyL8etAFdDb2ZACLcB/s320/IMG_6038.PNG" width="180" /></a>4. Gas Buddy App - by using the <a href="https://www.gasbuddy.com/App">GasBuddy</a> app from either the Apple App store or Google Play store, we have been able to save hundreds of dollars in fuel costs over the course of our travels. You can also use the website <a href="http://gasbuddy.com/">GasBuddy.com</a> to accomplish the same thing, but you'll need to know the zip code of the area you're seeking fuel. The way it works is like this: You sign up for the app (or on the website) and confirm your email - the usual. Second, you open up the app and set it to the type of fuel - we use diesel, so those are the results we wanted to see. Next, select the option for "find gas nearby" and it will list the different fuel station options in your area and their respective pricing. We've found this to be VERY useful while traveling on interstates. A majority of the fuel stops directly off the highway have the highest prices due to their proximity and convenience. By driving just a few miles (usually less than 2) off the interstate, we've been able to save as much as .50 per gallon! When you have 77 gallons worth of fuel capacity, the savings add up very quickly!<br />
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<b>Camping Costs</b><br />
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Campground costs are probably the next of the larger expenses associated with full time RV living. There are a broad spectrum of full-timers out there. From those living out of a car or van to those living in million dollar + class A land yachts, and all of those in between, the same comes along with campground costs. You can stay in an oceanfront spot and park directly on a white sandy beach if you want to pay over $100 a night. Or you can stay next to a crystal clear lake with a snow-capped mountain as a backdrop for free. To each their own. We fall somewhere in the middle.<br />
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1. Boondock/Moochdock - No camping is truly free. Even if you're not paying for utilities, etc, or have all the resources you need at no cost, there are going to be at least a little bit like fuel into town or propane to run fridge, generator, etc. Boondocking is loosely defined as free or dispersed camping. These types of places would be National Forests, Bureau of Land Management, Water Conservation Districts, all the way through Walmart parking lots and Interstate rest areas. Moochdocking is when you are parking in their driveway and staying in your RV (and using your friend's utilities) This often becomes available when fellow full-timers offer up their homes (if they still have homes) for this purpose. While this is a great way to spend time with friends and save money, it's not truly the spirit of full-timing, in our opinion. We don't always moochdock, but when we do, you know it's with people we really like! <br />
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2. Long term camping - Just like hotel stays, typically the longer the stay at a campground, the lower the cost. You may be surprised at how inexpensive it is to stay in really great areas around the country. The downside (to some) is that you would need to be in the same place for weeks, not days! In addition, many campgrounds that offer monthly rates do not include the cost of electric, which is usually metered. Make sure you account for this expense in your budget. Depending upon your budget, employment, and financial status, this may be a great way to save money while getting a true feel of living in the area you're in, not just visiting. On top of that, you may be able to gain employment and earn more income when in the same area for extended times.<br />
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3. Workamping - Have you been to a campground that has a 'Camp Host'? Camp Hosts are normally persons who work in exchange for heavily discounted or free camping and usually an income. Again, this is another way to earn income while reducing monthly expenses. If we plan to go on a more expensive trip or plan to spend more money in upcoming months, we will plan to stay and either workamp or work a part or full time gig (in addition to remote jobs) to save money. <br />
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4. Club Memberships - Check out Good Sam's club, Thousand Trails, and other similar programs to save money on camping fees. We got a great deal on Good Sam's because of Eric's veteran status and really liked the savings that we got at Camping World. The real value comes in staying at campgrounds that offer discounts for those programs. Good Sam's, on average, saves us 10% off the nightly fees, an average of $3-4 per night. No, it's not a lot of money, but if you plan a trip cross country where a lot of your stops include hookups, these savings can add up very quickly! You can also check out <a href="http://harvesthosts.com/">HarvestHosts.</a>com Harvest Hosts are a network of Farms, Breweries, Wineries, and a variety of other types of places that are (mostly) free to stay. There aren't usually hookups and the hosts prefer to limit stays to one night. They may make exceptions. In addition, HH do expect that you make a purchase of some sort which is perfect for us! We love to get our foods clean and as close to its source as possible so, again, we may as well contribute. It's win-win and the membership is only $45 a year! This easily pays for itself very quickly! We've stayed at some crazy cool Harvest Hosts!<br />
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5. Elks Lodge - We became members of the Elks Lodge for many reasons, one of which being that it's a great way to meet new local people when traveling. We've found that the best resource is almost always local knowledge. People who live in the area typically know where the best places to eat, drink, etc. so it gives us a little bit of a leg up in that regard. In addition, the Elks are the second most charitable organization (behind the US government) in the country - we like to give back and help out when we can. Lastly, there are many Elks Lodges throughout the country that not only offer overnight RV parking, but some even offer full hookups! This is definitely a great way to save some money on your stays while simultaneously living like a local.<br />
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<b>Food/Drink/Entertainment</b><br />
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What is your motivation for travel? Is it to simply see the country and its sites or do you want to immerse yourself and become a part of each area you visit? For us, this is one of the main motivators - to see how others' cultures, etc, differ from what we're used to. In order to do that, you can't stay cooped up inside the RV park or spot the whole time. You've got to get out and explore!<br />
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Fortunately, most things pertaining to the outdoors don't cost a lot of money or are free. Hiking, fishing, hunting, rock climbing, paddle-boarding, etc don't cost anything once you have the equipment. But there are many other things that will cost more money but that are necessary if you want to get a fully immersive experience. There are, of course, plenty of ways to save money while still enjoying the area you're checking out.<br />
<br />
1. Restaurants -<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Don't order as much food. We've found that by ordering an appetizer and one meal and splitting everything can save a significant amount! </li>
<li>Skip the alcohol - the markup on alcohol is insane at restaurants. If you absolutely must imbibe, go during happy hours or early bird </li>
<li>Check out this article on how restaurant menus are built to help you spend more of your money! <a href="http://mentalfloss.com/article/63443/8-psychological-tricks-restaurant-menus">Menu Hacks!</a></li>
<li>If there are free refills, order one drink and share</li>
<li>Check online for discount coupons i.e. restaurant.com</li>
</ul>
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2. Groceries -<br />
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<ul>
<li>Clip coupons - for the price of a Sunday paper, you can save hundreds at the store by cutting coupons. </li>
<li>Farmer's Markets - these are one of our favorite ways to both save money and help out the local economies. You can generally find the freshest produce, dairy, and meats by finding local farmer's markets</li>
<li>Use apps like <a href="https://ibotta.com/">Ibotta</a>, <a href="https://www.checkout51.com/">Checkout51</a>, and <a href="http://www.groceryiq.com/">Grocery IQ</a>. All of these apps will either help you save money, or keep you from overspending by sticking to the grocery lists (we've also found Grocery IQ to work great for other types of lists i.e. hardware store)</li>
</ul>
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3. Bars -<br />
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<ul>
<li>Happy hour! Take advantage of happy hour drink pricing whenever possible!</li>
<li>Early bird and late night deals are sometimes offered on drinks and sometimes appetizers</li>
<li>Instead of going to traditional bars, try going to breweries, wineries, and distilleries. Most times, you'll find that the quality of the product (and sometimes clientele) are much better with the pricing being the same or many times less</li>
</ul>
Last thought: Remember, just about anything is negotiable! It never hurts to ask if someone is 1. willing to accept less if paid in cash 2. willing to barter or trade for labor 3. willing to take less than what the product/service is being offered. The more you can save while traveling, the more you can do while you travel. The more you look for deals and get comfortable asking, the easier it comes. The full-time lifestyle can be as cheap or as expensive as you make it, but it certainly can be made cheaper by employing some, or all, of these tactics! Good luck!<br />
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Do you have any tips or tricks to help save money? Share below in our comments!<br />
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Did we get it right? Do you have experience or knowledge about this post? Please make yourself heard! Comment below and we will respond as soon as possible. As always, thanks for following us!
Disclaimer: We are not paid writers. We write for enjoyment and to share information about our travels with our families, friends, and our followers. The information that we provide is based on our experiences with the products, services, etc, that we write about. It is 100% non-biased!Libbys on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05140842710203265917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744964891124180454.post-9087737472695646102016-07-28T09:53:00.000-04:002016-07-28T15:42:06.621-04:00Harvest Hosts Review - Carman Brook Maple & Dairy Farm - Swanton, VT<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Harvest Host:</div>
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Carman Brook Maple & Dairy Farm</div>
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1275 Fortin Road</div>
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Swanton, VT 05488</div>
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802-868-2347</div>
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<a href="http://www.cbmaplefarm.com/">www.CBMapleFarm.com</a></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m8!1m3!1d11289.415228761733!2d-73.0816435!3d44.9771233!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x0%3A0xff22fe813387dd89!2sCarman+Brook+Farm!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1469662338352" style="border: 0;" width="400"></iframe><br />
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For the full-time RVer, there is no substitute for a great place to stay at a reasonable cost. We discovered <a href="http://www.harvesthosts.com/">Harvest Hosts</a> early on in our travels. Needless to say, it's been an incredible way for us to try new things and meet (some of the most warm and kind) people along the way. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7QU65UhC3dI/V5lBTxiF4hI/AAAAAAAABzE/jrLRkgZjp84W9AfU_qd4PxQCfF-wZj3oACEw/s1600/DSC02047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7QU65UhC3dI/V5lBTxiF4hI/AAAAAAAABzE/jrLRkgZjp84W9AfU_qd4PxQCfF-wZj3oACEw/s400/DSC02047.jpg" width="400" /></a>I (Eric) grew up with a Mennonite family who babysat me for the better part of my childhood. The first farm the family had was a fully operational dairy farm. Falling in love with dairy was not only unavoidable, but at this point, it would be unthinkable! If you haven't had the pleasure (and don't have an aversion to casein) of raw milk, you have to give it a shot! Reminiscent of wines carrying the flavor of the grapes and region they are grown or meats having the earthy flavor of the grasses the game grazed on, raw milk is much the same - each has its own unique taste. Unfortunately, this farm isn't allowed to sell any of their milk as they are part if a co-op, but if you ask them to sample, they may oblige you a taste :) </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great level parking alongside one of their storage barns</td></tr>
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One of the other very neat parts about staying at this farm is that they are also a working maple syrup farm, too. There is a stand of maple trees not too far of a walk from the sugar house where you can see the work in action depending on the time of year. They have plenty of maple syrup and plenty of other forms for purchase in the retail shop! </div>
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Also found in the retail shop - a selection of their own holstein beef and veal products. We made sure we stock up on plenty of these! They plan on expanding their meat operations and selection in the future. </div>
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We had the opportunity to talk with one of the sons on the farm. He's recently started catering weddings and other events in the area so if you're in the market, definitely drop them a line! While we didn't have any of his foods (he had just catered a wedding a few days prior to our arrival), we can certainly attest to the fact that any of them would be true farm-to-table style! Not only were there a plethora of fresh meats, but a garden that any fellow green-thumbed person would envy was between the home and the sugar house! </div>
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There are also a few caves that can be accessed by walking about 10-15 minutes to the backside of the 700 acre property. Also on the property is a stone quarry that can be found just past the caves. </div>
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While visiting, we almost got to witness the birth of a baby calf! Unfortunately, we were about 12 hours too late. We did get to meet the (very uncoordinated) little guy and he was surely full of energy - and hungry!</div>
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Last, but certainly not least, is the freedom that our babies got to run around! Moose and Nyx had a blast playing with the cows in the expansive (watch out for cow patties!) pastures. Who knew Great Danes were herders?! The other neat part is that the family has two adorable dachshund doggies. While they are full of barks, don't let that scare you away, they are both sweethearts and very affectionate!</div>
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Thank you so much to Carman Brook Maple & Dairy Farm!!! - we appreciate your hospitality and hope to stay with you again...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view of the garden</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the many large pastures</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dairy Barn</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last shot of the garden - we were truly envious!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tractor Barn</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moooooo!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The newborn calf (on the right)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chickens that (sometimes) lay eggs</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ok seriously, we have a problem with garden envy!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perfectly cute little hosts!</td></tr>
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Did we get it right? Do you have experience or knowledge about this post? Please make yourself heard! Comment below and we will respond as soon as possible. As always, thanks for following us!
Disclaimer: We are not paid writers. We write for enjoyment and to share information about our travels with our families, friends, and our followers. The information that we provide is based on our experiences with the products, services, etc, that we write about. It is 100% non-biased!
Libbys on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05140842710203265917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744964891124180454.post-80496890137734080072016-06-16T11:16:00.001-04:002016-06-16T11:16:56.030-04:00Camp Lake Jasper RV Resort Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Camp Lake Jasper RV Resort</div>
44 Camp Lake Drive<br />
Hardeeville, SC 29957<br />
(843) 784-5200<br />
<a href="http://www.camplakejasper.com/">Website</a><br />
Rate we paid: $37.50 daily inclusive - Summer Weekday Good Sam rate<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d3371.5745198800582!2d-81.04043488482941!3d32.323282781111445!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x88fb93cef4daaf2f%3A0x7a0bff94b7366ec!2sCamp+Lake+Jasper+RV+Resort!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1466089917949" style="border: 0;" width="400"></iframe><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GX87shryZ7s/V2LAnqBV6KI/AAAAAAAABjw/JZHilEZPuUIZrgLJ_Vc7H0-LbOEvMgdjQCLcB/s1600/IMG_3099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GX87shryZ7s/V2LAnqBV6KI/AAAAAAAABjw/JZHilEZPuUIZrgLJ_Vc7H0-LbOEvMgdjQCLcB/s200/IMG_3099.JPG" width="200" /></a>When we are on the road between destinations, our preference is to make the journey a part of the experience by driving 4-6 hours on highways (can't see much from an Interstate), finding a boondocking spot, Harvest Host, or an out of the way RV resort. On this particular trip, my first solo trip (Jeanine), I had a limited time period and didn't drive the back roads in case of any issues that I might run into. Between my starting point in Florida and ending in point in Pennsylvania was the wonderful <a href="http://www.camplakejasper.com/" target="_blank">Camp Lake Jasper Rv Resort.</a> I would highly recommend this place for either a one night stay like mine since it's just off the interstate a few miles, but I would also recommend this RV resort as destination! The staff is very accommodating and allow for late check-ins with many level pull-through spaces. Also available are many back-in sites right on a lake! There is a lot of room between each site. Enough room that all the sites were equipped with a fire pit and picnic table. The space may be packed dirt, but it was extremely well maintained. This RV park had every amenity that I could ever want - free fast wifi, pool, showers, laundry, large dog park, hiking trail, lakes, fishing, and even access to rent some canoes if you didn't bring your own. I wasn't able to test the wifi, but my Verizon hotspot worked well without our cell booster. My AT&T connection was intermittent but probably would have been fine with the booster.<br />
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Did we get it right? Do you have experience or knowledge about this post? Please make yourself heard! Comment below and we will respond as soon as possible. As always, thanks for following us!
Disclaimer: We are not paid writers. We write for enjoyment and to share information about our travels with our families, friends, and our followers. The information that we provide is based on our experiences with the products, services, etc, that we write about. It is 100% non-biased!
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17256651799926280717noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744964891124180454.post-43395707501450072782016-05-18T09:29:00.000-04:002016-05-18T09:29:25.559-04:00Tile GPS Tracking Devices and How They've Helped UsHere we go again! A couple of weeks back we gave away a few<a href="http://ssqt.co/MQgJ"> Tile GPS tracking devices</a>. We're going to do it again through sharing on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/libbysontheloose/">Facebook</a>! For every 50 shares we get through our Facebook post, we will give away another free <a href="https://www.thetileapp.com/?utm_source=referralsaas&utm_medium=widget&utm_content=share_button&utm_campaign=refer2&rsCode=LIBBINS78MECOM">Tile</a>! Since then, we've had a couple of instances where our Tiles have really come in handy. We wanted to share those stories with you since we love them so much! So please read the post and share by either clicking the social media links below or by going back to your Facebook account and share this post. Thank you!<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nyafmHYj_UA/VztRZJMVctI/AAAAAAAABgI/lnZKVTThqcIeaattpmskFPWaRgk-qx3KACLcB/s1600/tile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="249" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nyafmHYj_UA/VztRZJMVctI/AAAAAAAABgI/lnZKVTThqcIeaattpmskFPWaRgk-qx3KACLcB/s320/tile.jpg" title="TIle GPS Device" width="320" /></a></div>
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One of the things we didn't realize when we first got the <a href="https://www.thetileapp.com/?utm_source=referralsaas&utm_medium=widget&utm_content=share_button&utm_campaign=refer2&rsCode=LIBBINS78MECOM">Tiles</a> was that they can work via two way communication (we thought they only worked as a "locate only"). What that means is that you can push the button on the Tile to locate your phone and, of course, vice versa. After more testing over the last few weeks (some intentional, some not so much!) we can happily report that the Tiles work just as well as we initially reported (we hadn't yet deeply tested the units like inside buildings). <br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LmQB2U9rM9Y/Vzxnf8SMxhI/AAAAAAAABgo/3rD0m_pSd5gplDI3T2hWS0-8Z0NsntZkgCLcB/s1600/iphone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LmQB2U9rM9Y/Vzxnf8SMxhI/AAAAAAAABgo/3rD0m_pSd5gplDI3T2hWS0-8Z0NsntZkgCLcB/s320/iphone.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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One morning after Moose got his <a href="https://www.thetileapp.com/?utm_source=referralsaas&utm_medium=widget&utm_content=share_button&utm_campaign=refer2&rsCode=LIBBINS78MECOM">Tile</a> affixed to his collar, I (Eric) could not find my phone for the life of me. Of course, it couldn't be a morning where we didn't have to get on the road. We had to be somewhere and had to leave within a reasonable timeframe - losing my phone did not play well into that equation! Finally, after searching high and low in the RV, I decided to try to use the "Find my iPhone" app. I knew this worked well since it wasn't the first time that I lost my phone! As I was trying to locate the phone, Jeanine recalled that the <a href="https://www.thetileapp.com/?utm_source=referralsaas&utm_medium=widget&utm_content=share_button&utm_campaign=refer2&rsCode=LIBBINS78MECOM">Tile</a> had two way communication, so I pulled up the instructions and found that by simply pushing the 'power' button on the device, it would cause an alert to pop up on whichever phones were synced to the <a href="https://www.thetileapp.com/?utm_source=referralsaas&utm_medium=widget&utm_content=share_button&utm_campaign=refer2&rsCode=LIBBINS78MECOM">Tile</a> device. By using this feature, I was able to find my phone in no time at all - even faster than it could be located through using Apple's Find my iPhone program! <br />
Note: This feature only works if the phone is within bluetooth range (30 feet or so) of the <a href="https://www.thetileapp.com/?utm_source=referralsaas&utm_medium=widget&utm_content=share_button&utm_campaign=refer2&rsCode=LIBBINS78MECOM">Tile</a> device.<br />
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These days, it seems like everyone is running in 27 different directions and trying to do many things at once. Continually taxing ourselves day-in and day-out with things that "have to be done" leaves a lot of room for forgetfulness. Think about how many simple instances you have throughout the day where you simply 'forget' somethings. This happens to us just as much! It seems to happen more often than not with our RV keys. I'm not sure why we don't have more than one set, but we have lost them on more than one occasion (maybe this blog post will spark some motivation to get copies!) <br />
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Last ski season, we were getting ready to depart from Tahoe Valley RV Resort and Campground, of course we could not locate the RV keys to save our lives. Fortunately, <a href="https://www.thetileapp.com/?utm_source=referralsaas&utm_medium=widget&utm_content=share_button&utm_campaign=refer2&rsCode=LIBBINS78MECOM">Tile</a> was there to save the day! After just a minute or so (including time to get phone and open the <a href="http://%28maybe%20this%20blog%20post%20will%20spark%20some%20motivation%20to%20get%20copies%21%29/">Tile</a> app) the keys were located! Thankfully, we found them because our black and one gray tank were full! We certainly didn't want to drive hundreds of miles with all that extra weight! <br />
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There ya have it! We can't say enough good things about the Tile. Anything as cost-effective (battery lasts about a year) and so wholly useable always has a place in our RV. Since full-timing, we have dramatically decreased the quantity of products that we carry, but have also increased the quality of the products we purchase and use. 99 times out of 100, we have found that you get exactly what you pay for. If it's inexpensive, chances are it's probably built very cheaply and thus will perform the same. Research what you buy and only take stock in reputable sources' reviews. It's worked for us this far - hopefully it helps you, too!<br />
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Did we get it right? Do you have experience or knowledge about this post? Please make yourself heard! Comment below and we will respond as soon as possible. As always, thanks for following us!
Disclaimer: We are not paid writers. We write for enjoyment and to share information about our travels with our families, friends, and our followers. The information that we provide is based on our experiences with the products, services, etc, that we write about. It is 100% non-biased!Libbys on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05140842710203265917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744964891124180454.post-81167640946492390272016-04-13T10:38:00.001-04:002016-04-13T10:38:25.234-04:00Lonely #pelican hanging out in the canal last evening. #photo #libbysontheloose #nofilter #travel #professionallyhomelesss #instacool #amazing #cool #awesome #instaphoto #webstagram #livingthedream #adventure #wanderlust #paradise #optoutside #neverstopexploring #freedom #getoutstayout #nomad #liveauthentic #exporelife #gorving #chaseyourdreams #fthe9to5<img src='https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/t51.2885-15/e35/12976423_1047482295326311_800885250_n.jpg?ig_cache_key=MTIyNzU3NDQ0MTg4NjgzNTU2Nw%3D%3D.2.c' style='max-width:586px;' /><br />
<div>via Instagram http://ift.tt/1SzEKcl</div>
Libbys on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05140842710203265917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744964891124180454.post-20019166954381286182016-04-07T00:00:00.001-04:002016-04-07T00:08:03.606-04:00Final Wrap-up: What We Learned about Cold Weather RV LivingAfter an amazing winter of skiing and snowboarding Colorado, Utah, and California, we are back in Florida for a short while before heading back out on the road. Looking back, it still seems like the last six months were something that happened out of a storybook. It's still so surreal! In the past few weeks, we've been spending most of our time thinking about what's next rather than reflecting back on where we've been. After our last post on cold weather RVing, we've learned volumes more in knowledge!<br />
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There aren't a lot of RVs out there that are equipped for true 4 season living. Granted, many manufacturers offer "Arctic" or "Extreme Cold" packages that include options like: more (and higher) R-value insulation, higher BTU furnaces, heated/insulated underbelly (basement), insulated pipes, heating pads for holding tanks - just to name a few. Even with all of these components, the battle against the cold is best won by being proactive and taking steps to prevent freezing in the first place. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowcapped mountains of Colorado</td></tr>
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We were pretty fortunate getting through our first season traveling and living in sub-freezing temperatures. Despite many people calling us crazy (especially our next door neighbor in at Whitefish RV Resort) for towing through the Rockies in the middle of winter (we only traveled on dry, clear days Mom & Dad!), we had very little difficulties in either our travels or our stays. To make it easier, we'll start off by telling you a few of the mishaps we had, then go into how we broke down everything to keep from freezing.<br />
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As funny as it sounds, our refrigerator stopped working after a couple of sub-zero temperature nights in <a href="http://www.libbysontheloose.com/2016/02/tiger-run-rv-resort-campground-review.html">Breckenridge, Colorado</a>. Our first thought was to just throw everything in the freezer in the cab of the truck and everything in the refrigerator into the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Yeti-Coolers-Tundra-Tan-YT50T/dp/B0042YK744?ie=UTF8&creativeASIN=B0042YK744&linkCode=w00&linkId=3YNQGOY4J37RGDMV&ref_=as_sl_pc_qf_sp_asin_til&tag=libontheloo-20">Yeti</a> cooler. After a generous application of common sense and an equal dose of Google, we found that the fluid inside of the cooling system of the refrigerator froze. Yeah, we thought the same thing - sounds crazy. It was a pretty simple fix. We simply put a small space heater and set it above freezing. Within a few hours, the freezer was cooling down and back to normal. Lesson learned...<br />
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Another was when we made the decision to start using our <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Heater-MH18B-Portable-Propane/dp/B0002WRHE8?ie=UTF8&creativeASIN=B0002WRHE8&linkCode=w00&linkId=SL73LOHO7XHY7W7E&ref_=as_sl_pc_qf_sp_asin_til&tag=libontheloo-20">Mr. Buddy Big Buddy</a> heater rather than the furnace in the RV. Reason being is because the Big Buddy did an excellent job of keeping the RV warm and cozy all night while using a minimal amount of propane. We set the Big Buddy on medium most nights and low others. On average, we could run about 5-7 nights on one 20lb propane tank. The only drawback was that we had frozen pipes going to the kitchen faucet a few times when the temps dropped into the teens. Had we been using the RV furnace, we are pretty sure that if we had (since the ductwork heats the basement area of the RV) we would not have had any issues with freezing. Also, keeping the cabinets doors (for the portion where the kitchen pipes were located) closed may have helped to keep those pipes from freezing up. Since we didn't know exactly where the freezing point was happening, it's hard to tell what would have been best, short of using the furnace. <br />
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Lastly, for the trials and tribulations of cold, our truck, while performing awesome, did give us issues one morning. While it had a factory freeze plug installed, we had difficulty getting the engine block heater cord delivered as we had two different problems with availability through Amazon suppliers. We had zero difficulty starting the truck until one morning after we hadn't started the truck at all the previous day. To add to that, the overnight low was a chilly -11 degrees fahrenheit! These two things made it near impossible for the truck to start in the morning. We managed to nearly kill the batteries trying to start it. Fortunately our next door neighbors in Tiger Run let us borrow their truck to charge the batteries back up. After about 30 minutes of trying, finally the engine kicked over and started up. Naturally, we let the engine warm up thoroughly before driving, a very important thing to do with diesel engines in cold weather. Since diesel engines rely on heat and compression (they don't have spark plugs) for ignition, the block of the engine needs to warm up for proper fuel detonation in the cylinder. You'll know it if you try to drive before it's warm enough!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She performed great this winter!</td></tr>
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So, how do you break down cold weather camping? I found it easiest to work from entry to exit in terms of hookups. Starting with water lines, a successful winter RV camper will want to ensure that the RV park's water hookup is heated with electrical heat tape and/or insulation (if only insulation, make sure you add heat tape around the pipe and under the insulation to keep it from freezing). If you have a water filter built into your rig, it should already be heated in its compartment. If not, ensure that your water filter is also wrapped in heat tape then insulated, then wrapped with electrical tape to hold it all together. You can do the same with the water supply hoses, or you can buy hoses with the heat tape already built in to the hose. While expensive, these are the best way to go - we never had our incoming water freeze, even when the hose was covered by two feet of snow! We did not insulate this hose, but probably will in the upcoming winter season due to the fact that the warmer the incoming water, the less likely a valve, etc, will freeze on you.<br />
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Next, you'll want to know if the incoming valves are heated and/or insulated. Usually if the garage is heated and insulated, the valves will be, too. Don't make the rookie mistake of forgetting that the furnace may heat the underbelly area via ducting, so if you do choose to use space heaters, Big Buddy, etc, ensure that you either put a space heater underneath our use a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F6BL11U/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00F6BL11U&linkCode=as2&tag=libontheloo-20&linkId=TBFGWABNSTZRRW4F">duct</a> or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001WT6S5Y/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001WT6S5Y&linkCode=as2&tag=libontheloo-20&linkId=VRA56PNYXLLKEWGP">register fan</a> to pump warm air throughout the ductwork underneath. They will also help to circulate the heat throughout the RV - both living area and underbelly area. In the event that your underbelly is neither heated or insulated, you may want to consider having it done (or doing it yourself) prior to cold weather camping. Skirting helps tremendously, too. In our <a href="http://www.libbysontheloose.com/2015/11/full-time-winter-living-in-rv-weve.html">previous article</a> about full time RV living in cold<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of Eric's first backcountry snowboarding experiences - can't do that in the summertime!</td></tr>
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weather, we talk about how the application of skirting (and a space heater underneath if necessary) can dramatically increase both your floor and basement temperatures. In our experimentation, we found that skirting (1" foam reflective insulation) with snowpack around it kept our basement temperatures 10-15 degrees warmer (when using furnace to heat) than without. In retrospect, thicker foam board would be better because it is more rigid and offers an even higher R-value. We went way overboard when we did the skirting in Whitefish. The easiest thing we found was to simply lean the panels against the RV and secure them to the RV and to each other with reflective tape. To secure the bottoms, the use of snowpack will give the best seal. Use reflective tape liberally to ensure that the skirting is as airtight as possible. Airtight and insulated means the heat stays where it's supposed to, under the RV!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Return of the Poopsicle!</td></tr>
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By adding a space heater underneath the RV set at 40 degrees, we were able to keep our basement temps 20-30 degrees higher than without. This was key in those times when it dropped well below zero! In addition to keeping your underbelly warmer, all of the exterior (under) pipes, valves, etc, will also keep from freezing. We ran our sewer pipe inside our skirting and under our dining slide. It didn't froze until the day before we were leaving. This was, consequently, the day after we took the skirting off. Doh! This was the infamous Poopsicle we'd heard about from our neighbors! One learned lesson and the cost of a new sewer pipe later, that was the worst of our problems in the extreme cold of Summit County, Colorado. <br />
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So there you have it. Some funny stories and some great lessons learned. Surely we've missed plenty, so please comment and let us know your experience and share your opinions. Bottom line: Would we do it again? Yep - already planning out next season!<br />
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On a separate note:<br />
A great big THANK YOU to all of you who have followed us and supported our travels so far through social media and by reading our blog posts. Without all of you, this wouldn't be possible. We appreciate all of the comments and encouragement and will continue to keep everyone updated on future plans!<br />
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Did we get it right? Do you have experience or knowledge about this post? Please make yourself heard! Comment below and we will respond as soon as possible. As always, thanks for following us!
Disclaimer: We are not paid writers. We write for enjoyment and to share information about our travels with our families, friends, and our followers. The information that we provide is based on our experiences with the products, services, etc, that we write about. It is 100% non-biased!Libbys on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05140842710203265917noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744964891124180454.post-57151628832709365282016-02-10T21:47:00.000-05:002016-02-10T21:47:34.434-05:00Buying an RV: Old or New?!If you've been following our adventures, you already know that we have a 2006 Holiday Rambler Presidential. As much (at the time) as we wanted to buy a newer rig, it had the right layout, options, and, most importantly, it was within our price range. Though we didn't think there was much of a doubt that we would fall in love with full-timing (we have!), we didn't want to spend a boatload of money on a newer 5er. <br />
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In shopping for the RV, we knew that we planned on spending a season skiing which meant that we needed something well-insulated, which is one of the first places RV manufacturers cut corners to save money. Since most RV users are of the "fair weather" variety meaning that they follow temperate climates rather than (yeah, we know we're a little cooky!) sticking to the warmer temps. Insulation, not just in the walls, but the floors, ceilings, slide-outs, and, very importantly, the water pipes - though we've never seen factory insulated water pipes. So, besides the obvious, how then do you know what to look for? Don't worry, if you're not sure, we had no idea either!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What it feels like when a pipe bursts!</td></tr>
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We had a lengthy conversation with a gentleman at <a href="https://www.stlouisrvpark.com/">St. Louis RV Park</a> on our travels west towards Whitefish, MT late 2015 about the construction quality of the newer rigs out there. Previously, he had owned a 2005 DRV Mobile Suites fifth wheel. If you're familiar with the DRV name, you know that they are synonymous with luxury and quality. Being from a background of quality control (worked for a gas company), he had the experience and know-how so that he knew how to inspect an <br />
RV. Unfortunately, he did not use his knowledge and experience in his purchase of the 2014 DRV Mobile Suites rig that he was residing. Taking into consideration the great performance his 2005 DRV gave him, he assumed the build quality and attention to detail would be the same. This couldn't be further from the truth!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheap wiring <i>could</i> lead to this!</td></tr>
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In his 2005, in frequent sub zero temps, a 100lb propane tank would last him about a week to a week and a half depending on how low the temps dropped and how long they stayed low. With his 2014, under similar conditions, he was getting 4 days maximum - that's 25lbs of propane PER DAY, which equates to about 5-7 gallons of actual liquid propane. On top of that, he found that most of the wood used in the construction of the floors, walls, and ceilings were no longer the same high quality plywood used in his 2005, but now the lesser (cheaper) OSB board was used. Staples instead of nails or screws were used to hold critical pieces together, lower grade pipe fittings (according to our friend, ones that were known to have high failure rates), higher gauge (thinner) wiring used throughout and a general feeling of "cheap" - a horrible feeling when you spend over $150k...<br />
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The second instance of "newer not always being better" came when we arrived in Whitefish, MT for our stay at <a href="http://www.libbysontheloose.com/2015/11/whitefish-rv-park-campground-review.html">Whitefish RV Park</a>. Our neighbor had a newer toy hauler and even had custom skirting for it. We had already been in the park for a few days prior to his arrival and had our skirting up with zero freezing issues. From the first day of his arrival, his underneath pipes were all frozen (despite having the "Arctic" insulation package" and he had no use of his kitchen or bathrooms. In addition to this ongoing problem that he was having, he also told us a story about some warranty work that he had tried to get done (roof was leaking). Unfortunately, our friend had the unfortunate luck that the RV dealer nearest him was booked weeks out. Turns out that he literally "camped" in front of one of their service bays until they agreed to do the warranty work.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LicedxtmYcI/Vrvvmq-ahOI/AAAAAAAABco/mgWVG30eD8U/s1600/HugeDane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LicedxtmYcI/Vrvvmq-ahOI/AAAAAAAABco/mgWVG30eD8U/s400/HugeDane.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes it feels like they're this big!</td></tr>
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Speaking of warranty work (and please let us know if we are incorrect on this), if you are full-timing (especially like we are with large dogs!) we don't know of any warranty out there that covers a hotel stay or a sticks 'n' bricks rental. If there is a warranty out there like that, we'd sure like to know about it! Yet another person we met had a roof issue with their travel trailer. It took their dealer a full six months to get the parts and complete the work. Imagine having to pay for six months worth of hotel stays! Granted, the work on the rig was covered, but wow - what an expense!<br />
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Lastly, another couple we met at <a href="http://www.libbysontheloose.com/2015/06/elmore-rv-park-review-and-charlotte-nc.html">Elmore RV Park in Charlotte, NC</a> had a brand new Holiday Rambler Presidential - pretty much the same model we had, but practically straight from the factory. They told us stories of the rig constantly in-and-out of the shop for warranty repairs. It came to the point where they, too, had to start making demands for repairs as well as claims to the manufacturer. <br />
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Lastly, on the last leg of our trip, two months in <a href="http://www.libbysontheloose.com/2016/02/tiger-run-rv-resort-campground-review.html">Tiger Run RV Resort</a> two groups of friends had newer RVs that had issues with freezing of their internal pipes freezing, even with skirting. Granted, we've since had some internal pipes freeze since removing our skirting, but before that, we never had any internal problems, assumingly attributed to good insulation. <br />
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We've been full-timing for less than a year at this point. To hear this many stories about nightmarish scenarios with brand newish RVs, we feel fortunate to have chosen one that has, knock on (real) wood, been pretty good to us. While we initially had our share of issues, fortunately, we had a warranty that took care of them. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not much to inspect on this one!</td></tr>
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We're for sure not saying that you shouldn't buy a new RV. Nor are we saying that you shouldn't buy any of the brands mentioned above! Every manufacturer has lemons. Besides that, your experience could be completely different from the next person's, as we usually find. The point is, if you can, do as much research as you can before buying a rig. If necessary, take someone with you to inspect it - a family member, friend, etc, that may know something about construction or who may have owned several RVs in the past. Any one of these types of people can be helpful in getting you a quality-built rig that will hopefully give you years of relatively reliable use - these <i style="font-weight: bold;">are</i> RVs after all. Good luck in your shopping!<br />
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Did we get it right? Do you have experience or knowledge about this post? Please make yourself heard! Comment below and we will respond as soon as possible. As always, thanks for following us!
Disclaimer: We are not paid writers. We write for enjoyment and to share information about our travels with our families, friends, and our followers. The information that we provide is based on our experiences with the products, services, etc, that we write about. It is 100% non-biased!
Libbys on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05140842710203265917noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744964891124180454.post-79394831131918146022016-02-06T20:30:00.001-05:002016-02-06T20:30:34.175-05:00Tiger Run RV Resort Campground Review - Breckenridge, CO<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Tiger Run RV Resort<br />
85 Revette Drive<br />
Breckenridge, CO 80424<br />
970-453-9690<br />
<a href="http://tigerrunresort.com/">Website</a><br />
Rate we paid: $1100 monthly plus electric and propane - Winter Season Rate<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m8!1m3!1d12307.470988014222!2d-106.0404175!3d39.5400374!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x0%3A0x71aef72914b856d5!2sTiger+Run+RV+Resort!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1454170201181" style="border-style: initial; border-width: 0px;" width="400"></iframe><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g0AKWc8HPqg/VraZwSTbl-I/AAAAAAAABbI/eEi-3BFMnoM/s1600/Breckenridge2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g0AKWc8HPqg/VraZwSTbl-I/AAAAAAAABbI/eEi-3BFMnoM/s320/Breckenridge2.jpg" width="320" /></a><b>The Good</b>: Location, Location, Location. We've all heard it a million times about real estate. Turns out, RV Parks are just the same! <a href="http://www.tigerrunresort.com/">Tiger Run</a> is the only 4 season full-time RV resort within close proximity to some serious Colorado Rocky Mountain world-class skiing (or non-winter activities such as mountain biking, hiking, fishing, etc). With nearly 400 inches per year at most resorts, it's hard to pick a bad one! Within 30 minutes (approximately) of Tiger Run, you will find <a href="http://breckenridge.com/">Breckenridge Ski Resort</a>, <a href="http://keystoneresort.com/">Keystone Ski Resort</a>, <a href="http://arapahoebasin.com/">Arapahoe Basin Ski Resort</a>, <a href="http://coppercolorado.com/">Copper Mountain Ski Resort</a>, <a href="http://vail.com/">Vail Ski Resort</a>, and just under an hour, <a href="http://beavercreek.com/">Beaver Creek Ski Resort</a>. With so many ski options to choose, it's difficult to go wrong! In addition, there is a bus stop near the resort (5-10 minute walk) for the <a href="http://summitstage.com/">Summit Stage</a> bus. The Summit Stage is a free bus system that can take you just about anywhere in Summit County, including all of the ski resorts and downtown areas!<br />
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Most of the sites had a good amount of space and the roads and common areas were regularly plowed and shoveled. There is a dog run and a great access point to the Colorado Trail on the back side of the resort. During the warmer months there is a fire pit and tennis courts for use. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">Stock Photo from <a href="http://www.tigerrunresort.com/amenities/">Tiger Run's Website </a>of Game Room </td></tr>
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After a full day of skiing, most people are going to need time to rest and relax. The clubhouse at Tiger Run offers two large hot tubs and a full size indoor heated pool. While the hot tubs were great, only one of them worked properly the whole time we were there. They also offer an included business room, fitness room, and laundry room. Available for an extra cost is a full game room complete with video games, a pool table, ping pong table, and vending machines.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W7JNU5Q6Yfw/VraZ3w3ZyXI/AAAAAAAABbQ/n3sGkikr5Uk/s1600/exerciseroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W7JNU5Q6Yfw/VraZ3w3ZyXI/AAAAAAAABbQ/n3sGkikr5Uk/s320/exerciseroom.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stock Photo from <a href="http://www.tigerrunresort.com/amenities/">Tiger Run's Website </a>of Exercise Room</td></tr>
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There is also an owners-only lounge where events are held (wine on Wednesdays and grill get-togethers on Saturdays) though we weren't allowed in unless there was a function that all guests were invited. We had the good fortune to meet a few of the owners who all were very pleased with the upkeep, etc, that the resort put into maintaining the grounds, etc. as well as the management of their respective properties.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">Stock Photo of one of two hot tubs from <a href="http://www.tigerrunresort.com/amenities/">Tiger Run's Website </a></td></tr>
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<b>The Bad</b>: The great location and all of the amenities come at a cost. Ranging from $900-$1200 monthly plus electric and propane, it is 2-3 times what we've ever paid to stay anywhere else - especially in the winter. Typically, winter RV camping runs us anywhere from $400-550 per month plus electric. That being said, if you stay here to ski and you get an <a href="http://epicpass.com/">Epic Pass</a>, the cost of skiing becomes extremely reasonable - to the<br />
tune of under $600 <i style="font-weight: bold;">for the season!</i> This is referring to the Epic Local Pass which allows for unlimited skiing (in Colorado) at Breckenridge, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin, (outside Colorado) Park City/Canyons, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, Afton Alps, and Mt. Brighton. The Local Pass has a few blackout dates (Xmas through New Years, MLK day, and President's Day weekend) but allows for 10 total days for the season skiing at Vail and Beaver Creek. There is the option of upgrading to the full Epic Unlimited Pass though it costs about $250 more for the season - well worth it!<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CQMaF_OqDf4/VraabWPfllI/AAAAAAAABbc/Fk2L56QeAL4/s1600/hottub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CQMaF_OqDf4/VraabWPfllI/AAAAAAAABbc/Fk2L56QeAL4/s320/hottub.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">Stock Photo from <a href="http://www.tigerrunresort.com/amenities/">Tiger Run's Website </a>of one of two hot tubs</td></tr>
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Be careful if you have any items shipped to the office at the resort. They do gladly accept packages and sort them by last name at the office. However, we've heard more than one person complain about not getting packages (after getting delivery confirmations to the office) or getting packages late because they were mis-labeled or similar reasons. I sent off my laptop to Apple for repair. I got notification and tracking info showing that the computer was delivered to Tiger Run on a Friday. The tracking information and Apple both confirmed. When I went to the office to get the package, I was told that I had no packages. I was told the same the following day, Saturday. It wasn't until Monday that I finally got it back - I had to speak with a manager to find the package and get the situation resolved. Lesson learned - next time we stay somewhere for more than a month, we will get a PO Box to ensure that we get our packages in a timely manner. Also, don't send any mail from the office either. Take it directly to the post office!<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iXvSacjFE6k/VraaaOIrqGI/AAAAAAAABbU/BHHzI3HX0xQ/s1600/pool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iXvSacjFE6k/VraaaOIrqGI/AAAAAAAABbU/BHHzI3HX0xQ/s320/pool.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">Stock Photo from <a href="http://www.tigerrunresort.com/amenities/">Tiger Run's Website </a>of Heated Pool</td></tr>
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Our AT&T cell signal was at times great, at times not. It turns out that Tiger Run's location is nearly perfectly located in the middle of three towers, the nearest being behind a mountain. We also know Verizon can also be spotty. Being that we telecommute, the use of wifi or our hotspot is very important on a daily basis! The wifi at Tiger Run is only really decent inside of the business room at the club house. We do have a <a href="http://weboost.com/">WeBoost </a>cellular booster and while it did help us, it unfortunately also boosts our neighbors which can limit its purpose. We ended up on many days going into town and working from a café or Jeanine's favorite - the laundromat (super fast and free wifi, and a seldom frequented, quite place).<br />
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<b>The Ugly</b>: The largest complaints we've heard (and overheard) have to do with the cost to stay and the "nickel and diming" of amenities or that amenities were constantly "out-of-order" (hot tubs). Of everyone that is staying, all are in agreement that they would stay more often, and longer, (and be inclined to tell more fellow RVers about it) if the cost wasn't so exorbitant. True, from a business standpoint, they are probably trying to get as much as possible for each person staying - we understand that! However, since we got to Tiger Run, they have not come close to being sold out of spaces. Being from the background that we are, the pricing and lack of occupancy suggest the pricing is too high for the time period. Lowering the monthly cost to $700-$900 per month for long term stays would be much more reasonable and would surely increase the resorts' occupancy numbers. After all, it's better to be sold out at a little lower price than to have spaces available and making $0!<br />
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We stayed at the park for two months and were aware beforehand that we would receive an electric bill at the end of each month. We have now departed the park, and still no bill! One of our friends have been there for three months and have just received their first bill and it's beyond confusing the way they set up their billing! <br />
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Another friend of ours has been there just one month and now the office says they must contact the electric company directly to set up an account. This seemed like a <i>very</i> disorganized way of dealing with the electric bill - we've never had this much trouble anywhere else!<br />
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The biggest gripe that we personally have (and a lot of other guests have voiced) is the fact that the resort charges for <i style="font-weight: bold;">all</i> of the activities in the game room. You even have to buy your own ping pong balls at .50 apiece! While we understand the purpose for the resort is to make money, this a pretty crappy way to make a few extra bucks, especially considering a lot of campers have kids that love to <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NWvuTPWYzgY/VrabSGN4S6I/AAAAAAAABbs/QqWPwk_yIoo/s1600/clubsite1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NWvuTPWYzgY/VrabSGN4S6I/AAAAAAAABbs/QqWPwk_yIoo/s640/clubsite1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stock photo from one of the "Clubhouse" Sites from T<a href="http://www.tigerrunresort.com/amenities/">iger Run's Website</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
spend time in the game room, but it ends up costing a fortune to do so! With the high cost of staying, the game room items should be included in the cost of stay - not like there's much upkeep to it! The showers in the ladies' rooms were warmish at best and had very little water pressure. After alerting maintenance of the issue, we were told that's "just the way it was in the clubhouse showers". We found this very difficult to accept as the mens' shower pressures and temperature were just fine. Fortunately, we didn't have to use them much - only when using the pool or hot tubs, which we didn't very often. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WPZJ7MyYBqo/VrabFRMljjI/AAAAAAAABbo/zzSe9rE0JuU/s1600/418169_3266216180909_1088627043_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WPZJ7MyYBqo/VrabFRMljjI/AAAAAAAABbo/zzSe9rE0JuU/s320/418169_3266216180909_1088627043_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeanine got back on the mountain for the first time in three years!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Conclusion</b>: So would we stay here again? Yeah, probably. But considering we could stay at <a href="http://parkcityrvresort.com/">Park City RV Resort</a> (near the largest ski resort, Park City, in the United States) or <a href="http://www.rvonthego.com/california/tahoe-valley-campground/">Tahoe Valley RV Resort</a> (three resorts in close proximity) for half the cost (and still have unlimited use of our Epic Passes), we would think twice before paying that much again. Granted, it is a small price to pay considering the cost to stay in a hotel or to rent a house or condo. Of course, with a hotel, house or condo, you don't have to provide the entire living quarters! Basically, it's over $1000 a month for a parking place, water/sewer, and the amenities - some of which cost additional money. From that standpoint, it seems grossly overpriced. The biggest thing you need to ask yourself is whether the cost is worth the location because that's what it really boils down to! If we decide to do another Colorado ski season, chances are, Tiger Run is where we will stay. The cost to stay is high, but for the location, it's very, very difficult to beat! Bottom line - we would recommend it!<br />
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<b>Hot Tip</b>: During your stay, if you meet an owner of an RV space, you may want to ask if they would be willing to rent their space directly to you. Instead of going through the resort office, it should save you and the owner both money. Since the spaces are owned, the resort allows each owner to rent and manage their spaces individually, so you could potentially rent a space for much less money directly from an owner. Good Luck!<br />
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Did we get it right? Do you have experience or knowledge about this post? Please make yourself heard! Comment below and we will respond as soon as possible. As always, thanks for following us!
Disclaimer: We are not paid writers. We write for enjoyment and to share information about our travels with our families, friends, and our followers. The information that we provide is based on our experiences with the products, services, etc, that we write about. It is 100% non-biased!<br />
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Libbys on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05140842710203265917noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744964891124180454.post-78145546327094273832016-01-03T20:09:00.002-05:002016-01-03T20:09:44.314-05:00Porchetta di Testa - Farm-to-Market Pork, Kalispell, MTWarning: If you don't like images of meat being prepared, etc, please be warned before reading further!<br />
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For anyone that knows us (or anyone who's read our <a href="http://www.libbysontheloose.com/2015/07/the-junction-restaurant-review-river.html">Asheville - The Junction</a> post) you know that we are both food lovers and love to cook. Travelling and living in different areas of the country opens up a lot of diversity in our eating. We try to eat as "clean" as possible, meaning little packaged foods - basically, we we like to know from where our food comes! <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o3ot2T3WYVs/Vku8zecXMWI/AAAAAAAABSY/2vy4-Hy72dk/s1600/FullSizeRender-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o3ot2T3WYVs/Vku8zecXMWI/AAAAAAAABSY/2vy4-Hy72dk/s400/FullSizeRender-3.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starting to trim the "face" of the offal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There is a chance that I could be disowned from my family for what I'm about to say, but I can honestly say that I usually prefer a fresh slab of tuna over a steak - venison or beef. I was absolutely raised in a household that ate a lot of red meat - not that I have any regret or disapproval about that at all, but while I (we) have come to appreciate meat, at the same time, we've learned that there are so many different methods to prepare fruits and veggies (just like meat) that yield so many different flavors and textures, even from the same items - think onions. <br />
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Onions can be raw, cooked until translucent, cooked until transparent, and even cooked to the point where the starches turn to sugars and give a slight sweet, savory flavor known as "caramelizing". Garlic reacts much the same. Raw, it is very pungent and spicy. But roast it for an hour or so in the oven, suddenly garlic takes on a buttery, sweet, savory flavor. <br />
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I digress. Back to the meat. Fresh, pesticide-free, additive-free meat. In Florida, it's difficult to find an actual butcher. Sure, there are plenty of supermarkets that have a meat department with a pseudo-butcher, but this is not the type of butcher I came to know and love growing up. The butchers at the supermarkets are akin to automotive technicians at a lot of car dealers. Most aren't really mechanics - they just plug a vehicle into a computer to tell them what's wrong with the car. That's a technician. A mechanic <i>diagnoses</i> a car's problem by troubleshooting and from experience and operating knowledge of the car's unique systems. Besides, have you ever tried to get a whole pig, or a pig's head, snout, tongue, feet, etc, from a supermarket? It's slow going. Enter <a href="http://www.farmtomarketpork.com/">Farm-to-Market Pork.</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lk0jI1LznV0/Vku8zVMxmSI/AAAAAAAABSg/tjrUDtf3rIE/s1600/FullSizeRender-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lk0jI1LznV0/Vku8zVMxmSI/AAAAAAAABSg/tjrUDtf3rIE/s400/FullSizeRender-1.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Face removed and seasoned - be sure to leave<br />cheek meat and reserve tongue!<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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For a long time, I've always wanted to smoke or roast a whole pig. From what we found living in Florida, you either had to know a local pig farmer or speak fluent Spanish, neither of which could we lay claim. After arriving in Whitefish, Montana and in angus beef country, I thought we might have been able to score a whole pig. We found even better!<br />
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Found on the recommendation of a vendor at the Kalispell Farmer's Market, Farm to Market Pork has a cornucopia of pork products ranging from bacon to chorizo - all fresh made. If you take no other piece of advice from us, <i>try their bacon!</i> The bacon is deeply (but not overwhelming) flavored with smoke. The smoke flavor isn't pungent like a lot of smoked bacon. I'm not a connoisseur of bacon, but in my experience, this is on par with the best!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0GNx2Wsf25Y/Vku8zZlQ-6I/AAAAAAAABSc/JCegrWzUMcQ/s1600/FullSizeRender-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0GNx2Wsf25Y/Vku8zZlQ-6I/AAAAAAAABSc/JCegrWzUMcQ/s320/FullSizeRender-2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seasoned with capers, lemon zest, garlic,<br />salt, pepper and rosemary</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The best part about Farm to Market is that they were able to supply me with just the pig's head - that's all I needed. Porchetta di Testa is really just the "face" of the pig (the skin) removed and seasoned. This part was the most time-consuming (in terms of labor), but was also the easiest. (Cooking it and smelling all the wonderful scents coming off the smoker was the hardest part!) I decided to smoke the head instead of cooking it sous vide (water immersion). In retrospect, I would highly recommend using that method!<br />
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After rolling the head and securing it with cooking twine, the pig was ready for the smoker. I put the temperature at 200 degrees and added the head meat, wrapped pigs head, and a couple of jalapeños I wanted to smoke, all in the <a href="http://www.libbysontheloose.com/2015/03/my-relationship-with-big-green-egg.html">Big Green Egg</a>. I was smoking the items over pecan chips. I planned to smoke the head for about 18 hours.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j0Kp1iWTCi0/VnSq3BqjlSI/AAAAAAAABaQ/WE4Rnsw8ozk/s1600/porchetta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j0Kp1iWTCi0/VnSq3BqjlSI/AAAAAAAABaQ/WE4Rnsw8ozk/s320/porchetta.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
Fast-forward nearly a full day, just shy of 24 hours. After checking the internal temperature, I found that it was ready to take off the smoker and rest. I wrapped the head in aluminum foil and placed in the fridge for the next 2 days. After removing from the fridge, I sliced the first piece very thing and bit into it. The flavors were absolutely great!!! The only problem: texture. <br />
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Some of the cartilage from the ears and snout had not completely broken down so they had somewhat of a chewy texture. Not unbearable or inedible by any means, just not the silky smooth Porchetta like we enjoyed at The Junction!<br />
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So, in my short-lived experience, I have learned the following:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Porchetta di Testa is best done sous vide for the most consistent results.</li>
<li>Porchetta di Testa, when done correctly, is an amazing treat!</li>
<li>The process is, by far, one of the most rewarding I've experienced</li>
<li>I can't wait for the weather to warm up so I can try it again!</li>
<li>Next time I will either smoke the meat for a short duration then sous vide, or vice versa.</li>
</ul>
Have you ever tried to make this dish or anything like it? Do you have suggestions? Please let us know!<br />
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Did we get it right? Do you have experience or knowledge about this post? Please make yourself heard! Comment below and we will respond as soon as possible. As always, thanks for following us!
Disclaimer: We are not paid writers. We write for enjoyment and to share information about our travels with our families, friends, and our followers. The information that we provide is based on our experiences with the products, services, etc, that we write about. It is 100% non-biased!<br />
<br />
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Libbys on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05140842710203265917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744964891124180454.post-19689762809688754452015-12-21T07:00:00.000-05:002015-12-21T07:00:13.301-05:00Nyx - "The Greek Goddess of the Night" aka "Queen Nyx"Great Danes are like Lay's Potato Chips - you can't have just one! We tried, so hard, to stay with one when we had <a href="http://www.libbysontheloose.com/2015/04/guinness-tribute-to-squishy.html" target="_blank">Guinness</a>. After Pepper, our second rescue Dane passed away July 4th weekend of 2013, it got to the point where he would just lay around and look depressed. He wouldn't get up to greet us when we came home. He didn't want to eat and rarely wanted to go outside. We knew something was missing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GJbp-UmUsG0/VllTq_DfY3I/AAAAAAAABXI/RZoSZXeV-Cw/s1600/Pepper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GJbp-UmUsG0/VllTq_DfY3I/AAAAAAAABXI/RZoSZXeV-Cw/s320/Pepper.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pepper</td></tr>
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When Pepper was around and healthy, Guinness was like a different dog. He would taunt Pepper and even get up and try to play (in his way) with her. He also liked to clean her ears and lay with his head across her side. For the short time we had her, Pepper helped to fill an empty hole in our hearts left by the absence of our first little girl, Atae. Not just for Guinness, but for us, too.<br />
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When Guinness had his gold bead implant procedure done, the doctor told us that we needed to protect Guinness' neck area as much as possible. This meant no rough playing or jarring (no tug-of-war, his favorite game, wrestling, rough housing, or large toys). We pretty much all but discounted the thought of being able to get a puppy while Guinness was with us. After Pepper (a senior rescue), we started to seek out another older Dane that may have been returned to a breeder or something similar. The most important things that we wanted was a calm demeanor and healthy. We needed a dog we didn't have to worry about like we did with Guinness. An emotional break was needed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nI1YQRipBPw/VjVeYLpo8pI/AAAAAAAABP0/z_7_9AM0uj4/s1600/DSC01089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nI1YQRipBPw/VjVeYLpo8pI/AAAAAAAABP0/z_7_9AM0uj4/s640/DSC01089.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our beautiful Nyx</td></tr>
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<a href="http://krwdanes.com/" target="_blank">KRW Danes</a> near Jacksonville, Florida, is a shower/breeder of Great Danes. Kelly lives, breathes, and loves Great Danes. She has shown numerous championship Danes, and if you know her, you'll quickly learn how dedicated she is to caring for them, even when they aren't directly living with her. She truly wants the best for all of her dogs. We contacted KRW to look for a senior Dane that may been have been taken back. In our first phone conversation, and after speaking with her for a few minutes, she (Kelly) realized that I had contacted her through their website a few days before. As soon as I mentioned Guinness and the trials we faced with him, she immediately wanted to help.<br />
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After discussing things for a while, Kelly suggested that we inquire with Guinness' specialist as to whether a slightly more personality-developed puppy (read: an older, non Alpha-type personality puppy) would be ok for Guinness to be around. Upon receiving confirmation from our vet that a submissive-mannered puppy would not only be good for Guinness, but may actually help improve his health by being more active. Since it had been determined that we could have another puppy, it was only a matter of time (and timing) until we found and brought our little girl home.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0oYSrQUI5T4/VkZkeXlCQLI/AAAAAAAABRM/0mWHddwo8Yc/s1600/g%2526N.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0oYSrQUI5T4/VkZkeXlCQLI/AAAAAAAABRM/0mWHddwo8Yc/s400/g%2526N.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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At three and a half months old, this sensitive, sweet, and completely loveable little girl took ahold of our hearts within minutes of meeting her for the first time. She wore a beautifully sleek coat of black as shiny as it was soft. She had affection and love to give for days. She was definitely exactly what we all needed. Guinness instantly bonded with her and she immediately took to the way that Guinness could play.<br />
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The first command we taught Nyx was "no feet". Since Guinness' neck was subject to being affected by rough play, We taught her that when she was playing with Guinness, she had to keep her paws to herself. So they would play the "bitey-face" game where the two would pretty much gnaw on each others faces. No paw action to be had!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mfi50xbcZqM/VkZe3VnxLwI/AAAAAAAABQ4/LBpa5AGtRQg/s1600/DSC00918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mfi50xbcZqM/VkZe3VnxLwI/AAAAAAAABQ4/LBpa5AGtRQg/s400/DSC00918.jpg" width="311" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Those eyes will make you want to do anything for her!</td></tr>
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Nyx, even from the very start, was very in tune with Guinness. We referred to her as Guinness' therapy dog. She may not have known exactly what was wrong with him, but she knew that he was different and that she had to play differently with him. She evidenced this by numerous visits to dog parks. If she was playing with (or around) Guinness, her play was completely tempered down to his level. However, if she was playing with other dogs, large or small, she would ramp up the intensity level as far as they could handle. We haven't met too many dogs that can wear her out, although there have been many that have kept up with her! To have other dogs chase her is by far her favorite game. Since her strides are multiple times the length of most dogs, she makes covering a large distance look effortless. The other dogs just can't keep up and eventually give up! </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t_TAEkYXILc/VjVeaKQe7iI/AAAAAAAABP8/sd7KWbapjxM/s1600/DSC01306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t_TAEkYXILc/VjVeaKQe7iI/AAAAAAAABP8/sd7KWbapjxM/s640/DSC01306.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Testing the waters of Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park</td></tr>
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To this day, Nyx is extremely sensitive to the energies around her. If Moose isn't behaving and gets yelled at, she becomes very "apologetic" and looks into your eyes begging forgiveness - even when she isn't the one in trouble! In her quiet way, she will take care of Jeanine and keep her company if she (Jeanine) is hurting. She wakes us up during the night if she senses something isn't quite right (she used to do this when Guinness needed something). She will follow us down any path. A few weeks before we lost Guinness, we started looking for another puppy. We knew Guinness' time was limited and we were hoping to make one last effort to help him by bringing in more puppy energy. This is how we came to find Moose - another KRW/ARW Great Dane! <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-og9dzgORExU/VllSXNVz2yI/AAAAAAAABW4/x4lFjePGlOo/s1600/DSC01088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-og9dzgORExU/VllSXNVz2yI/AAAAAAAABW4/x4lFjePGlOo/s400/DSC01088.jpg" width="265" /></a>After Guinness passed, we had a period of about three weeks where Moose wasn't yet old enough to come home with us, so Nyx was an only child. While she loved all the attention, she was definitely missing having a "sibling" - someone to play with. After all, she was still very young and still had loads of energy! Moose was not just for Nyx though. Moose was just as much a part of healing and the grieving process as anything. Moose was/is also a pleasant, albeit annoying (in the cutest way), distraction from grieving over the loss of Guinness. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ksl3KgVwD1w/VllUUB_zbvI/AAAAAAAABXY/TCA8V1xVgA8/s1600/Nyxpepper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ksl3KgVwD1w/VllUUB_zbvI/AAAAAAAABXY/TCA8V1xVgA8/s320/Nyxpepper.jpg" width="240" /></a>Fast forward to today and we have Nyx who is 2 1/2 years old and Moose is 9 months. Moose has passed her in both size and weight as he is a full two inches taller than she and at least 10-15lbs heavier. While he isn't nearly as agile as Nyx, he can keep up with her. Watching them play is like nothing you've likely seen before. Like two small horses jumping up and beating the snot out of each other. Nyx is still pretty strong in comparison to Moose, despite his size. She's like Muhammad Ali, fast and quick, whereas Moose is like an immature George Foreman, large, but lacks the experience and maturity to beat her. It works out well from our end - they tire each other out on the regular. This keeps our sanity, and the RV, intact!<br />
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Nyx probably would have been just fine on her own without having Moose as a brother. The amount of emotional ups and downs with Guinness assumingly had to be just as difficult for Nyx as it was for us. Maybe even more so because she didn't understand what was going on with him. Even though she knew something wasn't right with "Squishy", she was always there for him when he needed it. She's been the same for us..<br />
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Did we get it right? Do you have experience or knowledge about this post? Please make yourself heard! Comment below and we will respond as soon as possible. As always, thanks for following us!
Disclaimer: We are not paid writers. We write for enjoyment and to share information about our travels with our families, friends, and our followers. The information that we provide is based on our experiences with the products, services, etc, that we write about. It is 100% non-biased!
<br />
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Libbys on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05140842710203265917noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744964891124180454.post-53701343121458208762015-12-17T19:00:00.000-05:002015-12-17T19:00:26.158-05:00Troubleshoot & Repair RV Water PumpThe freshwater systems in RVs are relatively simple. A series of inlets, valves, pipes, a pump, and the connections between each of those components - and that's about it. Usually, it's pretty easy to spot a problem as they usually manifest themselves as leaks. The problem is when the leak is intermittent, slow, in an area that is not easily viewed, or a combination of any of those. <br />
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When we picked up our RV and had everything inspected, our water pump and freshwater delivery system were working just like they should. The pump was the requisite RV pump But after running all summer and not doing any dry camping, we hadn't tested out the water pump at all. Since summertime usually included "plugging in" at campgrounds to run the air conditioning, every campground we stayed also included city water hookups, so there was no need for a water pump at that time. Naturally, we figured that if it worked then, why wouldn't it work now - lesson learned!<br />
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RVs are a lot like boats in a lot of ways. There are a lot of different systems - freshwater, graywater, blackwater, heating, cooling, moisture control (humidify/dehumidify) as well as the electrical and propane and/or diesel/gasoline. Each of these systems is connected via hoses or wires (electrical system example below). The problem with this is that because there are so many systems crammed into small (sometimes VERY small) spaces, finding a problem can prove to be very difficult.<br />
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I am, by no means, either an expert or even close at rv repair. What I am pretty good at is troubleshooting - problem solving and "Googling" Logically seeking out the cause of a problem by eliminating variables that have no effect on the problem is the first step. If you know that the pump is not doing anything at all (no power), you don't need to check the lines first - start with the pump first! I know it sounds silly and is common sense, but believe me, starting at the beginning is the best place (speaking from experience!)<br />
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The issue that we faced with our water pump wasn't a "no power" or lack of operation, it just wasn't building pressure. The only thing it was doing was moving a few air bubbles in the line back and forth. This should have been an easy thing to troubleshoot. The pump lost suction somehow, so there's either an airlock (bubble of air inside of the pump head that causes excessive cavitation to the point where it can't pump water until the air is removed) or there is something else that is not allowing the water pump to draw water from the water storage tank.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0kAC7zaDaP8/VlXw7DpZXjI/AAAAAAAABS8/gZmgNPQiHvc/s1600/RVelectrical.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="202" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0kAC7zaDaP8/VlXw7DpZXjI/AAAAAAAABS8/gZmgNPQiHvc/s400/RVelectrical.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RV Electrical Sytem example</td></tr>
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The easiest way to troubleshoot is to work backwards from where the problem started. Since ours was a suction issue, the first place I checked was the connection point between the intake of the pump and the output of the inline water filter. On my first observation, I thought that the reason for the problem was a missing seal, but upon further investigating, I discovered that the fitting was a compression fitting that required no seal. No luck there.<br />
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Next, I checked the connection on the other side of the inline filter only to find them tight. The next step down the line was the check valve (check valves keep liquids flowing in one direction - in this case, the check valve keeps water flowing into the storage tank from the city water hookup if the valve is open - prevents backflow). The check valve is also connected on both sides by compression fittings. When I checked the output fitting, it was nice and tight requiring no pushing, etc, to get it to fit the pipe. However, on the intake side of the check valve, the fitting had worked itself loose enough to allow air to be sucked into the line thereby causing the airlock in the water pump. Easy fix!<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K73etohnsx0/VnCFyxCaueI/AAAAAAAABZk/STeRrk7v6Ok/s1600/waterpump.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K73etohnsx0/VnCFyxCaueI/AAAAAAAABZk/STeRrk7v6Ok/s400/waterpump.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Never in easy spots to work!</td></tr>
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What if it wasn't as easy to fix? Well, I gave the abridged version of how this story actually went. I thought the water pump head was shot (the head is the part that propels and pressurizes water through the lines) so I went ahead and ordered a new pump to the tune of about $70. Of course, I replaced the "old" pump and put in the new one only to experience the same problem - the pump wasn't bad! Had I properly done effective troubleshooting of the problem, I would have found that the pump itself worked just fine. So what should I have done?<br />
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First, identify what the problem is. Is the pump not turning on? Is the pump not pumping water? Is the pump not turning off? Is the pump moving water but not building pressure or enough pressure? This is a crucial step in troubleshooting. Once you identify what it is that is or is not happening, it makes it a lot easier to hone in on what's causing the issue. So my problem was that I wasn't pumping water at all.<br />
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Like anything, there aren't any dumb questions, so I always ask myself those dumb questions. For this one, "Do you have water in the water tank?" it seems like a no-brainer. "Of course I have water in the water tank, I'm not an idiot!" Don't fall into this trap. Making a mistake doesn't make you an idiot, it makes you human. Also, are you sure that your water tank gauge is accurate? Once you've eliminated these as potential causes (kill two birds with one stone by putting some water in the tank - you can always drain it out later if you need), you can focus on what's actually the problem! So now you know that you've got water (not air) to pump. As long as you have a self priming pump that's operating correctly, you should be able to pull water from the storage tank with no problem. If you still can't, you now know the issue lies somewhere in the tank or between the tank and the pump - this is where I found my problem. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KCV0M2zfDTQ/VnCHeDoVY5I/AAAAAAAABZ4/EfxuD1Yj-GE/s1600/wastewater-system.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="264" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KCV0M2zfDTQ/VnCHeDoVY5I/AAAAAAAABZ4/EfxuD1Yj-GE/s320/wastewater-system.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical RV Water System</td></tr>
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So what if your pump isn't turning on at all? First things first, make sure you have power to the pump! This is accomplished by turning the pump switch on (check for illuminated light if yours has this option) then checking for 12VDC power with a test light on the wires connecting the pump. If no power is present, you will need to (again) trace your way back to the power source. Is an inline fuse blown? Is the water pump switch bad? Is there another water pump switch (common to have more than one) that may be bad? Is there a wire pinched, cut, or grounding out that's causing the problem? Once you eliminate these as potential causes, you can then go to the pump. Alternatively, you could run jumper lines from a known power source to the pump to test it before troubleshooting back the entire length of the wire run. <br />
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The pump is running, but very little to no pressure is coming out of the lines. This could be a problem with the pump itself or with the freshwater delivery system. Again, work from the problem then downstream (if you know it's not a suction issue). Disconnect the output from the pump and connect a piece of tubing (most pumps come with a fitting to allow this) that will run to a bucket. If the pump is pumping water from the freshwater tank to the bucket and you can crimp off the tubing and allow the pump to build pressure (it should shut off), then you know the pump is good but something downstream from it is causing the pressure loss. Take it step by step and look for leaks, etc, the would cause pressure losses in the lines. <br />
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While many things in an RV can be repaired by someone handy, some things should be left to the professionals. If you've gone through the steps of troubleshooting and trying to diagnose the problem but simply can't figure out what's causing it, swallow your pride and take it to a repair facility. I hate doing it too, but sometimes it's not worth the time wasted to try to figure out how to fix something only to figure out that it's beyond your ability. Granted, anyone can learn to do anything, but sometimes (especially if you aren't comfortable with something) it's best left to those who are the most experienced. <br />
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Did we get it right? Do you have experience or knowledge about this post? Please make yourself heard! Comment below and we will respond as soon as possible. As always, thanks for following us!
Disclaimer: We are not paid writers. We write for enjoyment and to share information about our travels with our families, friends, and our followers. The information that we provide is based on our experiences with the products, services, etc, that we write about. It is 100% non-biased!<br />
<a href="https://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=2Humans2GreatDanes1Rv&loc=en_US">Subscribe to LibbysontheLoose.com by Email</a>Libbys on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05140842710203265917noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744964891124180454.post-14144219854001692632015-12-14T15:09:00.000-05:002015-12-14T15:09:07.116-05:00Devil's Tower Belle Fourche Campground Review - Devil's Tower, WyomingDevil's Tower National Monument<br />
Belle Fourche Campground<br />
WY-110<br />
Devil's Tower, WY 82714<br />
(307) 467-5283<br />
<a href="http://www.nps.gov/deto/index.htm">Website</a><br />
Rates: $12/night first-come first-serve<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d2841.3332118361427!2d-104.71680548490376!3d44.59020977910026!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x5333063ff3543e39%3A0xa9249d13d49dc77a!2sDevils+Tower+National+Monument!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1448695096471" style="border: 0;" width="400"></iframe><br />
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First off: Thanks, Lauren! We are SO glad that we decided to stop here. Not only did we thoroughly enjoy the tower and areas surrounding, the campground was amazing!<br />
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As the first national monument in the United States, commissioned by Theodore Roosevelt, this place has an amazing feel to it. Not only is is spiritually and culturally significant to the Lakota Indian, but it is also the site of the movie <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075860/">Close Encounters of the Third Kind</a>. In addition, Devil's Tower has come of the best crack climbing in North America if you are a rock climber (Eric even got to do some light climbing while we visited!). And, although we didn't get to see much of the night sky, we were told that some of the best stargazing around can be had here - next trip!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eric scaling his way up some crack formations</td></tr>
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The campground is sparse when it comes to amenities. All things considered, we would call this a primitive campground although they do have restrooms, so it is a step up from dry camping or boondocking, but not too big of a step! The location of the campground is unbeatable. Only a few minutes from the base of the tower, the campground offers easy access to trails for hiking, biking, and access to lower level bouldering rocks (the higher areas offer great crack climbing). <br />
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On the lowest part of the tower, the bouldering ranges from easy V0 and V1 problems all the way up to the nearly impossible! Further up the formation (where the pic above was taken) offers some very good crack climbing opportunities. Ranging from very easy to very difficult to ridiculous on any scale, climbing this beast would prove a feat - it's on my (Eric) bucket list! At 1267' in height, it's not for the faint-of-heart!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MSfr8ul4-0E/VjQutVAXv4I/AAAAAAAABO0/8M5pjlGcPq4/s1600/DSC01070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MSfr8ul4-0E/VjQutVAXv4I/AAAAAAAABO0/8M5pjlGcPq4/s640/DSC01070.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazing pic taken by Jeanine along the road outside the tower</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The geological history around Devil's Tower is also not completely known, from what we gathered. Some geologists think that it was formed by igneous lava flowing upward then suddenly cooled. Others feel that the Tower is merely a remnant of a much larger volcanic formation. From what we heard about its history, all geologists agree that the stone that comprises the Tower, phonolite porphyry, is a much harder substance than the surrounding softer clay-like soil that makes up the ground material in the valley around the base of the tower. So all of the material around the Tower eroded away leaving just the harder material behind. Imagine the thousands of years (and millions of gallons of water) it took to carve out nearly a quarter of a mile thick of earth! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Not only is Devil's Tower a worthwhile side trip just to see and experience this spectacle of nature, it's also a great place to camp (if you aren't in need of full hookups). We definitely recommend adding it to your list of must-see national parks/monuments! If you area traveling west, it's a great stop-off after the Badlands, and/or Yellowstone!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the base of the tower</td></tr>
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Did we get it right? Do you have experience or knowledge about this post? Please make yourself heard! Comment below and we will respond as soon as possible. As always, thanks for following us!
Disclaimer: We are not paid writers. We write for enjoyment and to share information about our travels with our families, friends, and our followers. The information that we provide is based on our experiences with the products, services, etc, that we write about. It is 100% non-biased!Libbys on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05140842710203265917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744964891124180454.post-20107738442255377502015-11-28T08:00:00.000-05:002015-11-28T11:14:49.272-05:00Full-Time Winter Living in an RV - We've already learned so much!Winter. The season that either elicits a variety of responses. From "I hate the cold!" to "Pray for snow!", anyone you ask is going to have an opinion one way or the other about it. Most full-time RVers "follow the weather" meaning that they go the way of birds - south for the winter, north for the summer. In case you haven't figured it out yet, we don't fit the mold of "most" in this respect! We tend to get "you guys are crazy" more often than not! After over ten years of marriage, we've grown quite accustomed to hearing this from friends and yes, even family!<br />
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When we first got to Montana, we did our post on <a href="http://www.libbysontheloose.com/2015/10/getting-ready-for-snow-in-rv-from.html">cold weather prep</a> based on the tons and tons of research over the months leading up to our arrival. When we did that post, we hadn't actually been down below freezing temps yet, but we felt very prepared for it (and have since found out that we were over prepared - we like that!) We were still dry camping in Glacier National Park where temperatures had not yet dropped below freezing. Nonetheless, we were ready for it. Now we've been consistently below freezing during both the day and into single digit temps during the nighttime. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--bznM9EzUqQ/Vlijk2mrJfI/AAAAAAAABTo/WJ4Heab_diw/s1600/Canyons-Utah-Epic-Pass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--bznM9EzUqQ/Vlijk2mrJfI/AAAAAAAABTo/WJ4Heab_diw/s400/Canyons-Utah-Epic-Pass.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Park City, Utah, now the largest resort in the United States, is also now<br />
part of the Epic Pass! <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">7300 acres of terrain with 357 ski runs!</span></td></tr>
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When we were on the search for our 5th wheel, we knew that we wanted to spend time in colder weather for some ski seasons (Jeanine grew up in Colorado and has skied with her father since literally before she could walk!). I've been snowboarding since high school (with some extended hiatuses since) and absolutely love it! We both consider ourselves intermediate in our abilities in riding down the mountain. Unfortunately, before full-timing, our opportunities to hone our skills have kept us to 1-2 weeks per year, or 5-7 actual ski days. This will be our first season being "ski bums" as we've dreamed of doing since our twenties! Granted, we still work full time, so it's not like we will be skiing all day every day, but by living in a ski town, the access is so good that we can easily get at least a couple runs in every day (some resorts we plan to visit have night skiing, too). <br />
Although what we're doing doesn't exactly classify as true ski bums, we think that we are getting the best of both worlds - keeping our employers happy and being able to ski in our off-time. To add to that, we both got <a href="http://www.snow.com/epic-pass/passes/epic-pass.aspx">Epic Passes</a> from Vail Resorts which allow us almost unlimited skiing at some of the best resorts in the west (and some others around the world!). The Epic Pass is an amazing deal. In March of the outgoing ski season, they take a $49 deposit per pass and charge the remaining $500 in September. If you plan to ski more than 4-5 days in the <i style="font-weight: bold;">entire season</i>, the pass pays for itself! We knew earlier this year that we would be skiing at least that much this winter, so we went ahead and got them. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UVTC6cO5Vgw/Vlie0T8xk-I/AAAAAAAABTQ/oCfqTwJl_Hc/s1600/DSC01489.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UVTC6cO5Vgw/Vlie0T8xk-I/AAAAAAAABTQ/oCfqTwJl_Hc/s400/DSC01489.jpeg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Building up snow along the bottom<br />
of our skirt to help seal it</td></tr>
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So what is different about living in an RV in freezing temperatures? Well, stuff <i style="font-weight: bold;">can</i> freeze. Although, so far, we haven't had any problems, we will continue to improve our cold weather living to ensure that we don't in the future, too. In this post, we will be covering what we have compiled through both research online, from other blogs, and firsthand knowledge through other full timers who had already spent a few (some hard) winters in their rigs. <br />
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Our <a href="https://d2k1k1f5tri8mt.cloudfront.net/brochure/Holidayrambler_2006presidential.pdf">2006 Holiday Rambler Presidential 36RLQ</a> was constructed with full-time living in mind. It is rated as a "four season" Rv. This can be confusing as RVs, even those built as well as ours, are really not truly meant for below freezing full time living (the only exception would be a custom-built rig such as <a href="http://www.horizonsrv.com/">New Horizons.</a> From what we've been told by numerous (read: more educated in RV construction than either J or me) people that our 5er is "built like a tank". While that's all well and good, in my experience, tanks aren't insulated very well! Holiday Rambler, in this rig, uses a 10 layer insulation in the roof and 6 layer insulation in the walls,slides, and floor. For comparison sake, this particular type of insulation (from what we've found) in the top percentile of RV insulation grades. This was exactly what we were needing - got lucky on that one! It is important to note that since approximately 2007, many manufacturers either severely decreased the quality of construction on their units to lower costs due to the <span style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Recession">Great Recession.</a> Still others either went completely out of business or were bought out by one of the conglomerates. Unfortunately, neither of these occurrences help us RVers out, especially full-timers since we need the quality build and construction. We had planned on upgrading to a newer rig, possibly a toy hauler, but after hearing horror stories about "warranty nightmares", we are probably better off staying with the Presidential! After all, what good is a warranty if your home is in repair all the time. If it's something that will keep you from living in it, it means that you're relegated to a hotel or otherwise - warranty doesn't cover hotel stays from any manufacturer we know. We haven't been able to confirm whether or not the construction quality has returned or not, so until we do, we will be sticking with this one. The only exception to that rule is New Horizons, which we have yet to hear anything bad on either their rigs or their service. (If you know otherwise, please let us know) So far, we haven't had anything major, so we're keeping our fingers crossed!</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><b>Water -</b> Water freezes at 32 degrees fahrenheit or 0 degrees celsius. Usually this isn't an issue since most RVs are winterized for when the mercury takes a plunge. This is also another reason why so many full time RVers spend time in the warmer climates. When you don't have to worry about anything freezing up on you, there is less preparation and significantly lower probability of having temperature-related problems. While that's all fine and good for most, <i style="font-weight: bold;">we wanted snow!</i> That, and the skiing kind of sucks in Florida (unless you're water skiing!). The lack of mountains doesn't help much either. So how exactly do you keep your pipes, valves, etc from freezing? Let's start with the source.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-otmK7dk6ITo/Vlim6XhcuTI/AAAAAAAABTw/DVuUFx0eEjY/s1600/DSC01485.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-otmK7dk6ITo/Vlim6XhcuTI/AAAAAAAABTw/DVuUFx0eEjY/s400/DSC01485.jpeg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black heated wire wrapped around <br />
post to keep from freezing</td></tr>
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Any RV park that's worth staying (and claims that they are open year round through winter) is going to have a heated water source. This usually comes in the form of a metal pipe coming up from the ground wrapped in heating cable. The cable will almost always have a thermostat built in so that it only operates when the temperatures dictate its need. You should count on having to power this cord, so make sure you have at least one long extension cord capable of handling higher amperage loads (we use the one below). You will also want to ensure that you have at least a three way splitter as you will also need to plug your heated water cable (and sewer pipe heater cable - we will get to that in a moment). On the water source, you will want to make sure that the heated cord is touching as much of the metal, including the faucet assembly as possible. This will eliminate any potential freeze points. To add to this, we also triple-wrapped the faucet head with foam insulation. So far, the lowest temperature has been is 4 degrees fahrenheit and we've had no freezing issues in the faucet area. </div>
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Moving up the water feed towards the RV, in the pic is a blue water hose. This one isn't wrapped for a reason - the heating cable is built in the to the hose itself. While this isn't the cheapest option, we've found the reviews<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--IKUnxo_XBs/Vlioz0wiQqI/AAAAAAAABUA/4eSrAzHBvTo/s1600/DSC01483.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--IKUnxo_XBs/Vlioz0wiQqI/AAAAAAAABUA/4eSrAzHBvTo/s320/DSC01483.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The section leading from under the slide to the water inlet<br />
door is the only non-heated part of the water's entry but<br />
we've triple-wrapped it in insulation and have had no freezing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
to be more than favorable and the manufacturer, Camco, reports no issues in freezing when used properly. We ran the water hose underneath our dining room slide (completely insulated on the bottom and partially up the sides), attached it to our filtration system, then fed a non-insulated water hose from the filter to the entry point in the RV. We triple-wrapped insulation on the 18" section of the hose that was not heated between the skirting and the water entry door. In addition to that, we covered the door for the water entry point in 1" thick foil lined foam insulation to further insulate the water coming in. Again, we've had zero issues with this setup thus far. That being said, when we move to our next winter wonderland, Breckenridge, Colorado, we plan to add a short section of heated cable for this piece - an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! <br />
Inside the RV, our underbelly is fully insulated and heated assuming that we are using the furnace. Since we are currently using an oil-filled radiator and a ceramic space heater (that's all we've needed to heat the entire RV so far), this means that our furnace almost never comes on. So how do we keep the underbelly from freezing if we aren't using the furnace?! How have our water pipes not frozen?</div>
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<b>Skirting and Underbelly - </b>In our post on cold weather prep, we mentioned skirting the RV with insulation in the form of foam boards in order to keep cold winds from significantly lowering the temperatures underneath the RV. We found that using either type of foam board (foil-lined or non foil-lined) work equally well but we prefer the foil lined because the tape used to secure it sticks better to the foil than bare foam. It also releases much more cleanly with little to no residue left behind. As you can see from the pictures, we have also opted to use "painter's tape" specifically designed for exterior use. We've heard many people say (including one of our current RV neighbors with evidence of it) say that "regular" tape should never be used as it can leave a residue behind or even pull off paint when it's removed. So far, the exterior painters tape has held up to snow and rain with no signs of peeling off.<br />
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To attach the foam board to the RV, we first laid out a framework of 2x2 boards approximately 2-3" out from the perimeter of the RV and attached all of them together with screws. By angling the foam board inward towards the RV from the ground, it allows for a slight outward angle so that when it is windy, it doesn't push the foam boards in, but rather redirects it up and over the RV. This is not a complicated system and exists simply as a means to connect the bottom of the foam boards. It is not entirely necessary, but we thought it was best for our use. We used the blue painter's tape to cover the RV itself and served as an attachment point for the foil tape to adhere. This combination of tape has worked great so far and we highly recommend it!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7qznZcxzzz0/Vlit8IBMHhI/AAAAAAAABUY/IXhNIBeGUrw/s1600/DSC01479.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7qznZcxzzz0/Vlit8IBMHhI/AAAAAAAABUY/IXhNIBeGUrw/s640/DSC01479.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our 5er with 1" Foil-Lined Foam Insulation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eZ1C_O7AydA/VliuNIWxQeI/AAAAAAAABUg/2w5ayxQNiCs/s1600/DSC01480.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eZ1C_O7AydA/VliuNIWxQeI/AAAAAAAABUg/2w5ayxQNiCs/s640/DSC01480.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A neighbor's skirting. While effective at keeping wind out, its insulation properties can't match the foam board</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xniD9OrQnNM/Vli1B_hmkqI/AAAAAAAABU0/W-N2u7VpbMo/s1600/DSC01484.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xniD9OrQnNM/Vli1B_hmkqI/AAAAAAAABU0/W-N2u7VpbMo/s320/DSC01484.jpeg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We also added insulation under our<br />
bed slide to further insulate the floor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Foam board is not the only option when it comes to skirting. If the area/s that you plan to winter get significant amounts of snow, the option of piling snow around the sides of the RV exists (you then would have to dig yourself out). Then again, you're at the mercy of the weather! Our neighbor at <a href="http://www.libbysontheloose.com/2015/11/whitefish-rv-park-campground-review.html">Whitefish RV Park</a> had <a href="http://rvskirting.com/">custom skirting</a> attached to his fifth wheel. From a convenience standpoint, there probably isn't a better option out there! That being said, it has very little in terms of insulation (he is having frozen pipe issues now that the weather is under freezing day and night despite his "blizzard package" and the full time use of his furnace). We have also heard stories about other winter RV full-timers using bales of hay stacked around the outsides of their rigs. We <u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">DO NOT</u> recommend doing this. Not only can it attract various forms of wildlife, it is a fire waiting to happen. We aren't sure there is an insurance company out there that would cover a loss knowing that this type of skirting was used. <br />
As for the underbelly, since ours is already insulated, we just had to worry about keeping it warm enough to keep from freezing - without using the furnace. The solution came to us in the form of a digital thermostat ceramic heater. The <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006E5UDS4/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B006E5UDS4&linkCode=as2&tag=libontheloo-20&linkId=JABFKX3XVBGJTAKY">one we got</a> works perfectly for this purpose as it has a built-in setting just for this purpose. We keep it in the underbelly along with a remote temperature sensor that came with our <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EOW9MKO/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00EOW9MKO&linkCode=as2&tag=libontheloo-20&linkId=FBH5AABMSAZVHADT">color wireless weather station</a>. The weather station has the ability to set a low temp alarm (we set it at 35 degrees fahrenheit) so that we can see if there is an issue with the heater, etc. Again, <i>so far</i> this combination has prevented any frozen pipes, etc. The only other thing that we did to insulate the underbelly (in addition to the skirting), was affix foam board insulation to the insides of any of the door entry points into the underbelly. This includes our propane tank storage area and our two access points to the underbelly storage. Again, prevention is the best cure!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RoUbBWS4WJY/Vli4WfZOrsI/AAAAAAAABVA/7Zf4VLRWpKg/s1600/DSC01481.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RoUbBWS4WJY/Vli4WfZOrsI/AAAAAAAABVA/7Zf4VLRWpKg/s320/DSC01481.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Be sure to support the sewer pipe!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Black/Gray Water -</b> Most of the winter RVers we've met go with the permanent sewer hookup - this is what we chose. There are some out there who choose to use their tanks and dump as needed. We preferred to have a permanent hookup for sewer. To accomplish this, we were able to find a permanent sewer hookup made by <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BGK25G/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000BGK25G&linkCode=as2&tag=libontheloo-20&linkId=SOH37VHHOHERDHED">Valterra</a>. This lets us leave the gray water valve completely open so that it constantly flows into the campground's waste pipe. The <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BGK25G/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000BGK25G&linkCode=as2&tag=libontheloo-20&linkId=SOH37VHHOHERDHED">Valterra attachment</a> goes directly onto the sewer pipe attachment of the RV on one side and has a 3" threaded PVC pipe connection on the opposite side. After getting the necessary fittings (we needed 2 - 90 degree pieces one being threaded into the campground waste pipe) and the long, straight pipe, we push-fitted everything together and securely taped all fittings. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yhUXtoBVEl4/Vli4YnRf3LI/AAAAAAAABVI/lieBp8bdqvQ/s1600/DSC01482.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yhUXtoBVEl4/Vli4YnRf3LI/AAAAAAAABVI/lieBp8bdqvQ/s320/DSC01482.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Insulation and heated cable on the underside of sewer pipe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As far as dumping the black water tank, you will want to keep an eye on your tank levels. When the tank is getting to the point where you normally dump, you will then open up the black tank emptying valve and clear out the tank. We DO NOT recommend leaving your black tank valve open as solid materials may sit in the pipe rather than flowing out as they should. It will also help keep everything moving if you run a hose into the toilet to "flush out" any solids that may be hung up in the tank. I usually fill up a pot or two with very hot water to rinse the pipes, tank, etc. <br />
We also opted to use heat tape along the bottom of our sewer pipe. This also helps keep waste from freezing up should any be caught up in the pipe. We also wrapped the pipe with insulation over top of the heating cable to further keep the heat transferring to the pipe rather than losing it to the cold air!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w2oaeJUWsw8/VlkhGAP1M7I/AAAAAAAABWI/I5uRyWqKOmM/s1600/DSC01488.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w2oaeJUWsw8/VlkhGAP1M7I/AAAAAAAABWI/I5uRyWqKOmM/s320/DSC01488.jpeg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small or partially inflated beach balls help to keep the slide<br />
awning covers from sagging under the weight<br />
of the snow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Awnings, slideout covers and snow - </b>Awnings are made to be extended from the RV for shade and to provide cover from the elements. They are not designed to be open when the temps drop below freezing nor do they have any business being open if it starts to snow. Ensure that you retract and lock down your awnings prior to the first snow, or from freezing. Slide out covers serve only to protect slides from the elements and minimally to protect against debris such as leaves and small branches. As for snow, once it starts to accumulate, it will weigh down the slide out covers and can potentially damage the fabric as well as the springs in the retractor assembly. Neither one of these is easy or cheap to fix, so again, prevention, prevention, prevention! We've found that by putting 12" partially inflated beach balls (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003O3FYP6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B003O3FYP6&linkCode=as2&tag=libontheloo-20&linkId=NXIOLHPJT54Y5UYH">Pack of 12 on Amazon</a>) between the slide and the slide out cover helps to support the cover and keeps the weight of the snow from pushing down on top of the slide. Usually two beach balls per slide is sufficient, but you may have to use more depending on the size of the slide. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aicKqsMe6_Q/Vli6WJsvwdI/AAAAAAAABVY/iB3qh2jlHHA/s1600/DSC01490.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aicKqsMe6_Q/Vli6WJsvwdI/AAAAAAAABVY/iB3qh2jlHHA/s200/DSC01490.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wiping down with a paper towel<br />
will often be enough to keep<br />
moisture at bay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jWUBG636BSw/Vli6YwJzHuI/AAAAAAAABVk/JaDnc_u3OWA/s1600/DSC01491.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jWUBG636BSw/Vli6YwJzHuI/AAAAAAAABVk/JaDnc_u3OWA/s320/DSC01491.jpeg" width="320" /></a><b>Indoors - </b>Cold air outdoors hitting warmer, moist air indoors causes the ability of the air indoors to hold water to decrease dramatically. Warmer air is capable of holding more moisture than cold air. Our windows do not have a vapor lock between the outside metals and inside metals of the window frames. This means that we typically have a collection of condensation around the frames (most bottom) of our windows, nearly all the time! Some of the ways that we combat the excess of moisture are by having a dehumidifier in the RV (we aim to keep our inside humidity below 40%), using window film over the glass parts of the windows (to keep drafts at bay - unless the windows are double pane insulated, you will have drafts!), using fleece underneath the frames to wick the moisture away rather than running down the walls and soaking the floor, and finally, using a good old-fashioned beach towel to collect moisture.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dOqgrHY2yuU/Vli6Y4unk5I/AAAAAAAABVg/nHkeHomINcs/s1600/DSC01492.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dOqgrHY2yuU/Vli6Y4unk5I/AAAAAAAABVg/nHkeHomINcs/s320/DSC01492.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Using a towel underneath to collect moisture</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vNqkz967M8A/Vli6ZPqkuEI/AAAAAAAABVo/kMBJwJHEYFo/s1600/IMG_9684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vNqkz967M8A/Vli6ZPqkuEI/AAAAAAAABVo/kMBJwJHEYFo/s320/IMG_9684.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Using double sided tape to attach<br />
fleece under frame</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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All of these methods, especially when combined, have helped to significantly decrease the probability of moisture buildup inside of our rig. Checking behind any objects against walls, i.e. beds, couches, inside closest, etc, for moisture should be done regularly. It will often show up in places that do not have adequate circulation. We recently found condensation between the head of our bed and the wall. The simple fix was a small fan placed alongside the bed base blowing towards the wall as well as pulling our bed out from the wall a few inches during the day. In a few hours, the condensation had nearly completely disappeared. We plan to use some foam board on the outside of the slides on any areas that have condensation issues where it is not feasible to use a fan or simply don't circulate well. Inside of our closets have also had some issues. We've found that just by leaving the closet doors open, we've all but eliminated this problem. <br />
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Lastly, we haven't seen or heard of a lot of other RVers that use dehumidifiers. I imagine this is because most live in summer temps and the air conditioner acts as a dehumidifier. We've been using a GE 50 pint that we picked up at Home Depot since being in colder weather and definitely recommend its use. True, it does produce and output cooler, drier air which would seem like it's counterproductive when trying to heat your rig. Most of the other blogs that we've read said to simply crack a window on each end of the RV for airflow and to keep the humidity in the lower 40% range. This didn't help us. If we were running the furnace, we would absolutely do this! The other option, if you prefer not to use a dehumidifier is by using moisture absorbing products such as <a href="http://damprid.com/">Damp Rid</a> or a smaller dehumidifier meant for smaller areas. To protect the interior of the RV, it's of the utmost importance to us to maintain stable humidity to prevent mold, mildew as well as a host of other issues that high humidity can cause. This is one area that we are <i>very accustomed</i> to having spent so many years living in the sunshiney humidity-drenched Florida! </div>
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Not everyone will want to go RVing in cold wintery weather - we know that... In fact, a lot of the fellow full-timers we've met go full time specifically to escape the colder weather and its inherent challenges. If you think you might want to give it a try, we would certainly encourage you - that's part of the adventure! Don't let the preparation, etc, scare you - it's not that difficult. While nothing will completely eliminate the effects of cold weather, snow, freezing and everything that comes with it, being proactive and preventing the causes of concern as much as possible will keep you, your rig, and its contents stay warm and dry! </div>
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Libbys on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05140842710203265917noreply@blogger.com9Whitefish, MT, USA48.4106373 -114.3352651999999848.242058799999995 -114.65798869999998 48.5792158 -114.01254169999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744964891124180454.post-7540878830833082302015-11-17T18:18:00.000-05:002015-11-17T18:18:44.109-05:00Jeanine's health: Update<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3V8JJU0d2s0/VkuvMxw8u3I/AAAAAAAABR8/qt18bl2anaw/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3V8JJU0d2s0/VkuvMxw8u3I/AAAAAAAABR8/qt18bl2anaw/s320/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Treamillin' it up in the therapy pool</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As all of our regular readers know, I have degenerative disc
disease (read my <a href="http://www.libbysontheloose.com/2015/03/jeanine-story-why-do-i-want-to-do-this.html" target="_blank">original post here </a>and more about my <a href="http://www.libbysontheloose.com/2015/05/jeanines-stem-cell-therapy.html" target="_blank">stem cell therapy here</a>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had been living in constant
pain for many years and have undergone many different therapies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In December of 2014 I had my first of two
stem cell treatments at the <a href="http://www.theosteocenter.com/" target="_blank">OsteoCenter</a> in Miami, Florida – my second one
in April 2015.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In between these I
underwent cranio-sacral therapy, PEMF or pulsed electromagnetic field therapy,
PRP or platelet rich plasma injections, and a Myers cocktail of vitamins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before my first treatment almost a year ago I
was on antidepressants and taking up to eight hydrocodone a day and living as
a zombie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was waiting for my next
insurance approval for more steroid and pain blocking injections when I met a
friend at a wedding whose college roommate was a non-medical partner in the
practice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not sure I could ever
thank not only Tasha, but also Jayne and <a href="http://www.theosteocenter.com/testimonials/" target="_blank">Dr. Sean</a> enough for how I feel
today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spent the summer in physical
therapy slowly rebuilding muscles that hadn’t been used regularly for
years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started out still in pain
daily, but it was manageable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not how
most people want to live their life, but at least I wasn’t a zombie anymore!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
W<span style="text-align: center;">ith daily stretching and activity, I have
been continually surprising myself with just what I can do now!</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="text-align: center;">I spent so much time on the advice of past
doctors “resting” and “reclining” so as to not aggravate anything or cause more
pain it was a welcome relief when my physical therapists over the summer told
me “if it doesn’t make it hurt worse, keep doing it”.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="text-align: center;">This new concept has been what I think has
helped me to start to repair the relationship with my body the most.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="text-align: center;">It hasn’t been easy and I’m still working on
trusting my body again.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="text-align: center;">I know it will
take time, but I keep telling myself that it took me years to get to the point where I was. It's often not easy, but I try to stay motivated daily to keep pushing harder!</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="text-align: center;">All my life, I have had an unusually high
tolerance for pain.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="text-align: center;">My mom still tells
stories from when I was growing up and situations when she had to insist that
doctors look into problems more seriously if I told them something hurt.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="text-align: center;">I know she worries daily about me pushing
myself too hard trying to do too much (as does my husband for that matter) but
I keep what I was taught over the summer in mind – if it doesn’t hurt more,
keep going.</span><br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3nQqnvNRR0w/VkuvLXZjn_I/AAAAAAAABR0/T_Q3JHpGUB0/s1600/IMG_1999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3nQqnvNRR0w/VkuvLXZjn_I/AAAAAAAABR0/T_Q3JHpGUB0/s320/IMG_1999.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I spent the summer doing physical therapy in North Carolina
and starting to increase the number of steps I took daily from a measly
3,000-4,000 up to the recommended 10,000.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was mostly just going for walks several times a day increasing the
distance and a few hikes as I was starting to feel brave toward the end of
July.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Thanks to my <a href="http://fitbit.com/" target="_blank">Fitbit</a>, I have been able to accurately track all of my activity. It's made it SO much easier to track and monitor my progress!</span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<br />
In the beginning of August, we were back in Florida and I was up
to 3-5 miles a day!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then came the broken toe (surprisingly my very first broken bone considering how clumsy I can be). It wasn't bad, but it still took about 5 weeks before it stopped hurting and I could start really walking some miles again. Then there was the Labor
Day bike ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Both these events conspired against my need for daily movement. </span>I had not been on a bike
for over a year because of my back, so when the invitation came for a beach
bike ride I was stoked! It not go well, unfortunately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I made the ride but did end up hurting pretty good for a few weeks after
which that, plus my toe, made it extremely difficult for me to want to go out for even short walks. I
slacked off which ended up being even worse!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It did not take long before I was back to
increasing pain and thoughts of another steroid shot (I did have one in my SI
joint in the middle of July for lingering hip pain).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I should have known better!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I should have just kept moving…</div>
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We left Florida at the end of September (the official start
of our “full time” Rv life!!) and since that week I started to get back to my
10,000 step per day goal most days of the week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is now the middle of November and I have increased my daily step
goal to 12,000.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are a few days a
week I don’t make that goal, but there are now also days that I exceed that
goal and it feels great!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, not
always “great” but I have started to not always hurt when I do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, I have had a few pain free days these
past few weeks, and that surprises me considering what I have been doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have hiked up to Avalanche Lake in Glacier
National Park, a 5 mile round trip with about 750ft elevation gain – for a
total of 19,500 steps or 8½ miles total for the day with very few aches the
next days following.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also hiked up to
Apgar Lookout, a fire tower atop a mountain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yes… I climbed a mountain!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
Unbelievable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It certainly took
several days to recover from that 7.2 mile round trip (a total of over 25,000
steps for the day including the mountain) hike with a 1,845ft elevation (vertical) gain
but more from my arthritic knees, weak ankles and muscles that had not been so
taxed in years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still strove to keep
moving in the days following – not quite to my daily step goal, but enough to
keep the back spasms at bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That and
the best heating pad in the world (Thanks Mom!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you haven’t heard of them, you definitely
need to look into an infrared heating pad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have one by <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B0010XKA6A" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="20c06da57cedc2ab5e486dcbd864259e" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Thermotex" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0010XKA6A/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0010XKA6A&linkCode=as2&tag=libontheloo-20&linkId=63WSJYQ5DSDBABRO" id="amznPsBmLink_5092343" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Thermotex</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_5092343" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=tasofthesac-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=20c06da57cedc2ab5e486dcbd864259e&_cb=1447635686779" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /> that I got on Amazon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
I would say that at this point I have found
my limit after that hike up Apgar, but that doesn’t mean I won’t try again soon
to try to surpass it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel the need to
continue to push myself, many times beyond where I probably should.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what else are limits for if not a measure
of what you can do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you to my
parents and family who always taught me to have the courage to never give up! And to my
husband, Eric, who believes in me and tells me every day that I’m the strongest woman he knows. The support of friends and family and believing in myself and what I'm capable of - with those things, I have no doubt that I will not only get myself back to the point I was before all this affected me, but I think I will come out stronger, both physically and mentally!<o:p></o:p><br />
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Did we get it right? Do you have experience or knowledge about this post? Please make yourself heard! Comment below and we will respond as soon as possible. As always, thanks for following us!
Disclaimer: We are not paid writers. We write for enjoyment and to share information about our travels with our families, friends, and our followers. The information that we provide is based on our experiences with the products, services, etc, that we write about. It is 100% non-biased!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17256651799926280717noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744964891124180454.post-22639945338662163502015-11-09T17:11:00.000-05:002015-11-23T13:39:37.510-05:00Whitefish RV Park Campground Review - Whitefish, MTWhitefish RV Park<br />
6404 Highway 93 South<br />
Whitefish, MT 59937<br />
<a href="http://www.whitefishrvpark.com/">Website</a><br />
(406) 862-7275<br />
Rates: $450/month + metered electric ($150 deposit) (Subject to change)<br />
We stayed during the off-season (winter) - rates higher during all other seasons!<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d42385.48379184772!2d-114.36251937023174!3d48.39716219766116!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x0000000000000000%3A0x37e4e332eb057db2!2sWhitefish+RV+Park!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1446398854151" style="border: 0;" width="400"></iframe><br />
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Like many campgrounds we stay, for us, it's more about location than amenities or being able to plug in. The perfect example of that was our stay at <a href="http://www.libbysontheloose.com/2015/10/glacier-national-park-apgar-campground.html">Glacier National Park's Apgar campground</a>. Even though we didn't have water, or electric, sewer (or a dump station), the location was about as good as it could get! Even with the sparse (primitive) accommodations, it was about as perfect a spot as we could hope given the time of year and location. We were close to hiking and biking trails, right off Going to the Sun Road, and knee-deep in wildlife! <br />
<br />
The downside of Glacier is the 25 miles from Whitefish. Since our only vehicle to travel is our full size truck, our fuel economy (though good for what it is) had us burning through 1/4 tank of fuel a day going back and forth between the park and town - when we first arrived, we were spending a majority of time in and around Whitefish as we were looking for property. But, since the weather was still warm enough to both dry camp and still be able to hike in the late afternoon and evenings (once we complete our work day), we knew that we had to seize the opportunity to stay there while we could.<br />
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Fast forward to the end of October. The temps were regularly starting to drop into the low 30s with more regularity. Heeding the advice of <a href="http://gonewiththewynns.com/">Gone with the Wynns</a>, we knew that once the temps got below freezing for more than a short time, it wasn't the best of ideas to dry camp. Granted, we have backups and backups for those backups (thanks to my father-in-law!) in terms of heating. If our furnace went out, we had space heaters. If those failed work or the genny failed to operate, we had plenty of propane and a <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B0002WRHE8" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="2e7fd5e22cc6e63dfbb3561916cbd2e1" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Mr. Heater Big Buddy" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002WRHE8/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0002WRHE8&linkCode=as2&tag=libontheloo-20&linkId=VORDSZVFWCWCE7NV" id="amznPsBmLink_1985505" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mr. Heater Big Buddy</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_1985505" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=tasofthesac-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=2e7fd5e22cc6e63dfbb3561916cbd2e1&_cb=1447101772934" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /> that produces enough heat to warm up to a 400 sq ft area, just about the exact size of our rig. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--LeFTbt4rtQ/VkEEwT2EVqI/AAAAAAAABQY/VlYpyERGCb8/s1600/Whitefish-RV-Park-Map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--LeFTbt4rtQ/VkEEwT2EVqI/AAAAAAAABQY/VlYpyERGCb8/s640/Whitefish-RV-Park-Map.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://whitefishrvpark.com/" target="_blank">Whitefish RV Park</a> is located about one mile from the center of downtown Whitefish. With a few minutes drive or a 15-20 minute walk, downtown is easily accessible and has plenty to do to keep you occupied! The campground itself only offers a limited number of long-term (monthly) spaces, so make sure that you don't have an issue with that. In reference to the above map of the campground, all of the sites from 1-34 (as we understood it) are not plowed during the winter, so these didn't present us with the option. This was a little disappointing because we were hoping for a spot along the treelines. That being said, with over 300+ inches of snow, on average, we decided that a spot that was plowed was probably a good choice!</div>
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There are showers open year round and offer heated stalls as well as nice hot water! The bathroom itself is also heated to a comfortable level. If you've experienced colder weather camping, you know there is no substitute for a long, hot shower (without sacrificing the 6-10 gallons of hot water capacity that most rigs have)! The laundry facilities are standard with $1-$1.50 per load to wash and about the same to dry. The washers and dryers are a bit dated, but that's not our of the ordinary for most RV parks. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tCuD5GzLjm0/VkEEwTIPh4I/AAAAAAAABQc/YmEbMuClBZc/s1600/restroom%253Ashower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tCuD5GzLjm0/VkEEwTIPh4I/AAAAAAAABQc/YmEbMuClBZc/s400/restroom%253Ashower.jpg" width="400" /></a>We normally find that most RV parks have a very small area for pets to play. <a href="http://whitefishrvpark.com/" target="_blank">Whitefish RV Park</a> is no exception. The pet play area (located on the right side of the map above the maintenance building) is about 10'x20' - not anywhere near large enough for our two miniature horses to run around! That being said, for normal size dogs, this area is more than sufficient (and well-kept) than most that we've seen. Next to the doggie play area is a small playground for kids in the case that you have the two-legged as opposed to our four-legged furry types - it looked like a standard playground to us non-child-having folks!</div>
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So, to sum up: Would we recommend <a href="http://whitefishrvpark.com/" target="_blank">Whitefish RV Park</a> to other RV campers? Absolutely. Aside from the great location, amenities, and well-kept facility, the park also allows dogs to be off-leash providing the pets are under the owner's control. For RV parks, this is a few-and-far-between policy. Most parks require pets to be on a leash at all times regardless of the situation. Whereas we don't mind having ours on leashes, we do also like to let them roam and play! If you're planning a stay in Whitefish, don't count out Whitefish RV Park. There is a KOA down the street a few miles that is a little bit larger and has more amenities, but they have no AT&T service and the price was higher, so we decided to nix that one. If your travels bring you to Whitefish or the surrounding areas, do yourself a favor and check out Whitefish RV Park. If you happen to meet the owner, Mike (you will if you plan to stay monthly!), tell him the Libbys sent you and that we said "Hi!". Safe Travels...</div>
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Did we get it right? Do you have experience or knowledge about this post? Please make yourself heard! Comment below and we will respond as soon as possible. As always, thanks for following us! Disclaimer: We are not paid writers. We write for enjoyment and to share information about our travels with our families, friends, and our followers. The information that we provide is based on our experiences with the products, services, etc, that we write about. It is 100% non-biased!</div>
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Libbys on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05140842710203265917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1744964891124180454.post-40831798490358193852015-10-31T20:12:00.002-04:002015-10-31T20:18:56.891-04:00Things we have learned in the past week..."It ain't all sunshine and rainbows"Living and traveling full-time sounds like permanent vacation right? For some it might be.... For us, we still work full time and deal with problems (different kinds) like everyone who lives in a stick and bricks home.<br />
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Our challenges have certainly become more unique living in a home on wheels, but the challenges and problem-solving have been fun in their own way. It's all in how you approach life and deal with the lemons it sometimes gives you...do you bite in and make a sour face, or do you make lemonade?<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Q9UgwYGLVE/VjTgihXsWNI/AAAAAAAAAFU/YTCmpcp9WVk/s1600/8869d1f5234228d69fd7fac50c12699d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Q9UgwYGLVE/VjTgihXsWNI/AAAAAAAAAFU/YTCmpcp9WVk/s320/8869d1f5234228d69fd7fac50c12699d.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apparently, this is our dogs' reaction to mice!</td></tr>
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In the past week, we have had some interesting ones! Our first was the discovery of a mouse (later to be determined that he was not working solo) We have dealt with rats before, so these little guys were no problem for us. In Florida, we once had rats chew through our water pipes in our attic while we were on vacation. When we came home, imagine our surprise when we discovered several places where our ceiling was showing the telltale signs of water damage! We were confused at first since we had a relatively new roof. At the time, we didn't know that we were dealing with a family of rats. In the end, the pest control company caught 4 GIANT (at least in my opinion) rats that had done enough damage to our pipes that we had to turn off the water to our house and end up having to re-pipe the entire house; not to mention all the ceilings that had to be repaired from the water damage. We know exactly how much damage these guys can do in a short amount of time. <br />
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When we were purchasing items for our RV earlier this year, one of those "just in case" things was a set of mouse traps. Boy, are we glad we had those! We heard that mice find it easy to enter into our cozy tiny homes and, in even a short time, can do catastrophic damage. We have read that this is especially the case when the weather starts to turn cold. We first suspected a mouse after a small hole was found at the bottom of Jeanine's daypack. In the exact place where some peanuts were held. Thinking it was a just a tear in the bottom of the pack, the nuts were moved to a different spot just to have another "tear" again, in the place where the nuts were! Just to be safe, the traps went out.
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Well - our concerns were confirmed that night. But, being novices in actually using the mouse traps (we had used pest control companies in the past), we were not crafty enough in the setup. Our mouse had eaten the peanut butter right off the trap without setting it off! A quick call to my Dad (who has A LOT of experience using these traps) gave us the advice of putting the peanut butter or cheese under the metal arm rather than on top of it so that the mouse would have to work harder to get it. I know that there are many options when it comes to catching and getting rid of mice, but for us, the snap traps seemed the best way to go. We certainly didn't want to poison them so they would die somewhere it would be impossible for us to get to and we didn't want to get near a live mouse. We also had to consider the amount of space we have so keeping anything large for our "just in case" wasn't logical either. In the long run, we ended up getting two mice. I think we will keep the traps out a few more days, just in case.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yCT-B6bbsc0/VjTmrYUc3YI/AAAAAAAAAFk/fPxIpCSnKFc/s1600/26cf4e7e3873d1fa71bfee84397a15fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yCT-B6bbsc0/VjTmrYUc3YI/AAAAAAAAAFk/fPxIpCSnKFc/s320/26cf4e7e3873d1fa71bfee84397a15fb.jpg" width="320" /></a>Our second challenge of this week was discovered when we moved from Glacier National Park into <a href="http://www.whitefishrvpark.com/">Whitefish RV Park</a>. Once we are set up in a park, we have these great portable outdoor dog pen fences that we purchased on Amazon. We use them to fence off a portion of our area so that when we sit outside our dogs can play. Every park we have stayed in requires that your dogs be on a 6ft leash at all times which for our big guys, isn't really conducive to play time! It is for not only the safely of everyone in the park, but also for the safety of our dogs. We completely understand and agree with these rules. However, finding an RV park that also has an off leash dog park is challenging. Our solution with the gates, has so far been a success. While technically we are not following the 6ft leash rule, no one has had any issues with our setup and many people come by to say hello to the dogs and are amazed that they don't simply step over or push over the fences. We use constant and consistent training so both Nyx and Moose are good with boundaries. <br />
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Another added benefit to having the fences - middle of the night bathroom breaks. While they are infrequent, they do happen. And we're pretty sure that nobody looks forward to those times and rarely gets enough advance notice so they have time to get dressed (especially now that it's in the 30's at night!). So, we let them out - they do their business, and come right back in. While in Glacier, we were set up in an area that was gravel so the next morning, cleanup was easy! Our new spot - under the cover of deciduous trees... not so much.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nIz4EWKA_Vw/VjTszPY18HI/AAAAAAAAAF0/paT-HggFtaw/s1600/IMG_3209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nIz4EWKA_Vw/VjTszPY18HI/AAAAAAAAAF0/paT-HggFtaw/s320/IMG_3209.jpg" width="240" /></a>Our final lesson for this week was about Bear Spray. Having lived the previous few years in Cocoa Beach, where you hear about shark attacks, we know that most of the time incidents can be prevented with proper behavior and respect for the area. We have read up and talked to several people about the fact that we are currently living in bear country. Not only are there Black Bears, but also Grizzly bears! In our research, we have found that bear spray is the best defense against not only bears, but predators in general. If you are planning on doing any kind of hiking like we have, it's best to be prepared. And, pro tip, don't go for the 8.1 oz cans. Go with the larger 10.2 oz - you get a full 2 oz more which equals a longer distance and a longer duration. Most would agree, with bears, the farther this thing shoots, and the longer it shoots, for, the better! Our motto has long been "Better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it". This has been our motto for nearly the entire 14+ years we have been together. Yes, we do get teased about it sometimes - but when it's you who needs something, chances are, we've got it. Since both of us grew up in rural areas, our motto has been passed down from our parents. There are many stories we could share with you about times this has come in handy! In this lesson, we learned that while yes, it is important to have your bear spray with you everywhere - to never leave it unattended... We had run into the store and left the dogs in the truck. This is something we do often since they go pretty much everywhere we go. They will usually stick their heads out the window to say hi or just lay down for a nap. They are excellent truck dogs - most of the time! In this instance, they found the can of bear spray. Being the big, powerful dogs they are, they ended up opening up the bear spray. UGH! Now, while we are fans of spicy foods, neither of us noticed any smells when we got back and the dogs were acting normally.
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Then we saw that Moose was orange. And their bed was orange. I'm sure Nyx was orange as well - but with her dark colored coat, we didn't see it. Luckily, we didn't have far to go to get home, so we wiped down the surfaces of the truck that we could see and rode home with the windows open. Both dogs got a shower and we took the sheets and mattress pad (fortunately we use a waterproof one) off the bed in the truck. We have now discovered that bear spray is an oil based product which we still haven't gotten out of the mattress pad and sheets (they will probably have to be replaced). We were also unsuccessful in getting it fully off the dogs so they went for a spa day (their first!). We still have not gotten it all out of the truck. We are now waiting for the next nice day (rain storms for the past few days that will last a few more) so that we can pull everything out of the truck and give it a thorough cleaning.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">We hope these lessons have brought you some laughs!!</span><br />
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Did we get it right? Do you have experience or knowledge about this post? Please make yourself heard! Comment below and we will respond as soon as possible. As always, thanks for following us!
Disclaimer: We are not paid writers. We write for enjoyment and to share information about our travels with our families, friends, and our followers. The information that we provide is based on our experiences with the products, services, etc, that we write about. It is 100% non-biased!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17256651799926280717noreply@blogger.com0