Budget Camping
If you're looking to save a few pennies on your family vacation this year, you can't do better than to plan a camping trip. First and foremost, the savings on housing is staggering. Where you would pay anywhere from fifty to hundreds of dollars a night for a hotel, campground stays are far more reasonable. Almost as dramatic is the amount you'll save on entertainment. Most campgrounds and RV parks are near gorgeous natural areas where you and your family can play all day for free, or for a minimal admission fee.
Plan Ahead
To get the most bang for your camping buck, plan your trip well in advance. Many campgrounds and RV parks offer reduced rates for weekly or monthly stays, so you can save by planning to stay put in one place for longer. Try to choose a park that's near a place you'd like to explore, such as a scenic mountain range, a great fishing lake, or a new stretch of desert.
You'll also want to scout out your campground options. What other amenities does each park offer? Will you be interested in cable TV hook-ups? Wi-fi internet access? Rainy-day activities for the kids? You'll find RV parks with everything from swimming pools and work-out rooms to fishing ponds and onsite boat launches. Many parks charge for TV and internet hook-ups, but some do not. Do a little homework in advance so you won't be surprised by any costs when you arrive at the park.
Team Up
Most RV parks and campgrounds welcome large groups, and camping with friends or family can be a great way to keep the costs down. Your campground may offer a special group rate if you reserve a certain number of campsites in one booking. This is a great way to plan a family reunion or to get a group of friends together. And it also keeps the workload down! With a large group, you can easily delegate the meals and rotate the duty around, so each family is only responsible for a few meals over the course of a long weekend.
Get into Campfire Cooking
Once you've chosen to take a camping vacation, the second most significant thing you can do to save money is to decide to cook your meals at your campsite. By not going out to eat, you'll dine just as cheaply as you do at home. Most campsites have their own fire pit and grill, which makes campfire cooking easy so long as you remember to bring all of your pots and pans with you. If you prefer, you can invest in a Whisperlite or other gas-fueled backpacking stove that you can set up on the picnic table. Even a small backpacking stove is perfectly capable of cooking meals and hot drinks for two people. If you enjoy fishing, you'll love the feeling of satisfaction you get from catching your own supper!
Invest in Good Gear
Aside from your RV, trailer, or tent, you'll need good recreational gear for your camping trip. A visit to a snowy mountain is a lot more fun if you have all the sleds, skis, and snowshoes you need for a day on the slopes. Plan ahead by doing some off-season shopping. In the summer, look for discounts on cold-weather gear. Late fall is a perfect time to find sales on boating and hiking equipment, when stores are trying to clear out their stock. Garage sales, rummage sales, and used equipment stores are also a great place to go for bargains. While you're shopping, keep an eye out for cooking gear you can use to stock your RV or camping stores.
Camping has a way of making a person appreciate the little things, from a hot and hearty meal to a comfy bed for the night. When you spend your days hiking and boating in the great outdoors, enjoying the spectacles of nature, you don't need money to have a good time. With a little planning and savvy, you'll be amazed at how economical a camping trip can be!
Romantic Camping
The crackling campfire, the stars twinkling overhead, and your best friend cuddled up at your side -- there's no question that camping and romance go hand-in-hand. Whether you're newlyweds or have been married for decades, your next camping trip can be the most romantic get-away of your life. All it takes is a little thoughtful planning and the right attitude.
As you start planning your romantic camping trip, think about your partner's likes and dislikes. Does he love chocolate? Does she like gourmet meals? Are there special things you can pack that will be a fun surprise on your trip? Since camping is often about roughing it, bringing along an item of comfort can be a delight, whether it's a favorite pillow, a new pair of wool socks, or a delicious cup of hot chocolate or coffee.
Destination
Choose your destination carefully. Your friend will probably be happiest if they're comfortable and entertained. That means choosing a destination that won't be too hot or too cold, and picking a place that offers plenty of fun things to do. While you want your loved one to cuddle up when you sit around the campfire, you don't want the temperature to be so cold that he or she is miserable.
Being in the presence of natural beauty is another thing that prompts romance. Do your best to pick a beautiful destination. You may want to head to the beach or to the ocean, where you can watch the moon rise over the water. Mountains and forests provide majestic views in both winter and summer. And desert canyons are especially striking at sunrise and sunset. Choose a destination you think your friend will appreciate.
Get Some Exercise
Studies have shown that people feel more romantic when they've gotten some exercise during the day. Start off your trip with a day hike, a bike ride, a cross-country ski adventure, or a walk along the beach. Spend some time doing something you both enjoy, whether it's canoeing and kayaking or taking a sail across the lake.
Plan the Menu
There's no reason your camping menu can't be just as ambitious as anything you'd make at home. Plan ahead, pack a cooler, and be prepared to take your time with the cooking process. It's a great time to chat and work together, after all. You'll find an excellent assortment of campfire-ready recipes at CampingCafe.com. Be sure to plan something chocolatey and sweet for dessert!
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RVing Women Today, thousands of women are enjoying the independence that comes with the RVing lifestyle. Traveling with their homes 'on their backs' and the open road in front of them, women are hitting the highway like never before. Many are retirees, but they aren't all. Visit with the RVing women in your local campground and you'll likely meet people who can do their work from home (thanks to the power of the internet), moms homeschooling their kids, empyt-nesters, and women who are eager to see the country.
These women may be a disparate bunch, but they're all drawn to RVing by the same thing -- independence. When you live in an RV, you can change direction on a whim, head to a place where the weather suits your taste, or criss-cross the country visiting friends along the way (and you never need to ask them to put you up in a spare room, since you bring your own). RVing allows a person to enjoy the amenities of a campground one night and spend the next in a remote lot with a stunning view and no neighbors other than birds and a few furry friends.
Many of women on the road are retirees. These women may be snow birds who head to the warm southern reaches during the winter and then return to explore the northern part of the country during the summer when the sun is shining. But many also find that they're able to work remotely. With wi-fi wireless internet hook-ups available at nearly every campground in the country, anyone who works online can continue to do their jobs on the road.
If you're interested in hitting the road alone, with your family, or with a good friend, but aren't sure how to get started, consider taking an RV driving class. You can join an RV club and caravan with others for short trips -- this will help you get used to your rig in a safe situation. When you travel alone, be sure to always have at least half a tank of gas, plenty of emergency supplies, and extra food and supplies for your pet, if you're traveling with one.
The next time you're moving down the highway and you spot a woman behind the wheel of an RV, remember that their numbers are growing and growing. Women are enjoying the freedom that comes with the RVing life -- freedom from a mortgage, freedom to get into the great outdoors, and freedom to go wherever they want. If you're considering hitting the road, there's no better time to get started!
Warm-up with Some Southern Hospitality - Southern Winter Festivals
If you're heading to the southern states this winter, you won't want to miss out on the incredible fairs and festivals going on. From the pirate festival of Tampa, Florida to the famous Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, you can find exactly the gathering that suits your tastes. Even if you don't call the southern reaches home, why not plan a trip to take in one of these fun get-togethers? You'll never regret your time in the sun.
January and February
Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo
Mid-January - early February
Will Rogers Memorial Center - Fort Worth, Texas
From incredible rodeos to stock shows, petting zoos, exhibits, and amazing food, this show is the greatest fair and rodeo event you'll ever attend. It's world-famous for good reason -- because of the vast number and quality of events. You'll find the classic rodeo events like calf roping, barrel racing, and bull riding as well as special events for the whole family like riding and roping classes, goat milking contests, pigeon shows, and magic shows. You'll find livestock of all kinds here, plus some of the bravest cowboys you'll find anywhere.
Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival
Third week in January
Late January - early February
Birders from all over the country converge every year for this incredible celebration of birds and birding. This is the time when migratory birds travel back from their southern wintertime havens and find a great resting and feeding place on Florida's Space Coast. The festival includes field trips, seminars, workshops, a pelagic (ocean-going) birding trip, kayaking, an art competition, and special talks and lectures. Join the over 3,500 people who flock to this amazing festival. For more info call - 321-268-5224
National Art Festival
Third week in January
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Wander through the sunny streets of Fort Lauderdale touring booths, art stands, and galleries. This al fresco event showcases the works of more than 100 high-end artists from around the world. More than 65,000 people will gather to see the year's finest pieces of art. For more info call -954-670-2839.
Gasparilla Pirate Fest
First week in February
Tampa, Florida
Yarr, maties! Grab your eye patch and Jolly Roger and head to beautiful downtown Tampa for the Pirate Fest Street Festival held along Florida Avenue from Kennedy to Channelside. Be sure to arrive for the opening salvo, when pirates storm into town and capture the city. These fun-loving sea rogues turn Tampa into a party town as they romp through the streets, living it up. This is the perfect place to unleash the pirate within.
March
ZFest
Second week of March
Zachary, Louisiana
This fun, family-friendly festival has carnival rides, yummy food, and great shows and entertainment. More than 10,000 people are expected to attend this lively Louisiana festival. For more info call - 225-654-6777.
St. Joseph's Day Parade
Mid-March
New Orleans, Louisiana
Head to the big easy for the Italian American Marching Club's annual festival and parade. Up to 100,000 people are expected on the sidelines of this traditional parade. The Italian American club of New Orleans is one of the largest ethnic organizations in the Southeast. 504-421-0955
Sidewalk Art Festival
Third week in March
Winter Park, Florida
Stroll the streets and boulevards of Winter Park, Florida, viewing the work of more than 225 nationally and internationally juried artists. Their original works brighten up the city for a full week at the end of March. You'll be in good company, since 200,000 people are expected at this amazing art festival. 407-672-6390
Blessing of the Fleet
Last weekend in March
Darien, Georgia
Head to the Georgia coast for this annual nautical festival. The Blessing of the Fleet of takes place in Darien-McIntosh and offers arts, crafts, delicious food, and fun with ships and seafood. Don't miss the fabulous shows and entertainment. 912-437-6684
Mulberry Street Festival and Cherry Blossom Festival
Late March
Macon, Georgia
Head to historic Macon, Georgia for the annual Cherry Blossom Festival and the fun Mulberry Street Festival, an arts and crafts fair that's held at the same time. You can stroll along Mulberry Street enjoying the booths, stands, exhibits, and entertainment. More than 25,000 people are expected to head to the festivals this year! 478-744-9557
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