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RE: Bathrooms...
We have the cassette toilet/shower option on our PUP. Like others, we have not used the cassette toilet. We end up getting up in the middle of the night and trotting on down to the outhouse which is not pleasant, but we just don't like the idea of using the cassette.
On the other had, we use that shower a great deal as we often camp in NP cg's with no water hookups. The shower is a feature we would not do without because we do so much dry camping. You can, of course, get a separate shower unit, which we considered, but it's more gear to carry.
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retiredtraveler
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03/17/10 06:39am |
Folding Trailers
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RE: For you whiskey lovers
Johnnie Walker Blue is pretty good.
Which one? The King George goes for $750 a bottle and is a tad over my budget...
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retiredtraveler
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02/11/10 06:20pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: PUPs at Grand Tetons
We liked Gros Ventre. But, there are no hookups. We have a PUP with shower and a solar panel for charging, so we were fine with staying there for a couple of weeks. Bison were always around, and sometimes in, campground regularly. It's also very convenient to trail heads and town, if you're so inclined.
As others have stated, it normally doesn't fill up and if it did for one night, you simply get there in the morning and a site will open.
To be honest, the restrooms are old (I believe the ranger said they were built in the 60's) and no hookups. So, you have to decide on how you like to camp. We liked the fact that it was so open and you got a 'real' camping experience, but our destinations were still easy to get to.
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retiredtraveler
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01/16/10 07:13am |
Folding Trailers
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RE: Do you charge your battery at home, or only on the road?
I have an inexpensive battery charger for use at home and keep the battery in the garage. I plug the charger in monthly to keep the battery charged. While traveling, because I have an issue with tongue weight, I keep the battery inside the PUP, at the back. For dry camping, I am going to a second battery. I have a solar panel. It works pretty well when it's sunny (duh), but I have no guarantee that I will be in a sunny camping spot, or how well oriented to the sun I will be.
Two batteries will handle my basic, dry-camping needs for running the pump for water (and shower) and minimal heating and lighting.
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retiredtraveler
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01/16/10 07:07am |
Folding Trailers
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Best historic towns in Boston area
DW and I are planning a trip to Boston area for next fall (hey, never too early too start). We'll probably spend several weeks in area, one week alone in Boston proper (been to Boston, but not anywhere around).
We're looking for architecture. We want to find the towns with extensive areas of old houses and buildings along with history. I'm looking at places such as Lexington, Concord, Essex, Salem, Ipswich (I've been told that is a large, architectural, treasure-trove) and New Bedford. Probably go to Cape Cod since we're never been and seems like the rest of the world has, even though I'm sure it's more touristy than we like.
Also, do you have favorite museums or buildings? There must be 500 to choose from within an hour of Boston, and we're not going to go to them all (unless I win the lottery). Freebies are always welcome.
All suggestions welcome ---- there is a lot of info out there but difficult to sort through, which is why I'm starting the process now.
We really enjoy the 'simple' pleasure of walking through old neighborhoods, sans t-shirt shops, art studios, and cafes. So, off-the-beaten-track little towns are most appreciated
Also, any 'package deals' you can point me to are good (museum packages --- Boston has some but don't know about other areas yet).
Thanks. (Sure is fun to plan when it's 15 degrees outside...).
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retiredtraveler
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12/31/09 06:58am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: What song best describes your personality?
Dead skunk in the middle of the road.........
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retiredtraveler
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11/17/09 06:34pm |
Around the Campfire
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How to get around Toronto
I'm planning a trip to Toronto that will not be a camping trip.
I'm searching for lesser-expensive hotels and any advice would be appreciated.
Major question is: I do not want to drive into town but will visit every day. If I stay at a hotel by the airport (which are less expensive), is it convenient to drive and park at a subway stop?
Which stop (and how much to park, if available)?
Or, is it much easier to stay in Toronto 'proper' in order to get around to various attractions easily?
Thanks.
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retiredtraveler
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11/10/09 06:47pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WHICH DO YOU USE
Coachnet.
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retiredtraveler
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11/04/09 06:16pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: Smoky Mountains Tops In Visitor Spending
Smokies top spending due to proximity. This park has always been one of the most highly visited, if not #1, for many years.
Reason? Approximately 25% of the entire population of the U.S. lives within a long days drive. Location, location, location.
Having said that, DW and I are into 'serious' hiking and enjoy the trails there. But I agree with others about Gatlinburg, traffic in general, and other tourist areas. We camp in the park, only go to town for groceries. If you stick to the park, load up on whatever groceries you need before you start camping, hit the trails early, the experience of the park is much better.
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retiredtraveler
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11/02/09 06:28am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Disadvantages of retirement?
The only 'disadvantage' is if you do not have activities you are interested in doing that take up the day. Many retirees are bored --- many do not want to admit it, but it happens.
I have trouble over the winter. All my activities are in the nicer weather and I have to find something to do over the winter. I do actually like to read, but not 8 hours a day.
You're the only one who can determine if there are hobbies that will keep you going, volunteer work, whatever.
As a whole, though, I'm still looking for the downside of not knowing what day it is, or if it's a 3 day weekend. That's probably the best part of it. Every day is Sunday....
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retiredtraveler
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10/27/09 05:47pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Halloween traditions-what do you do ?
"...Or...do you shut all the lights off in the house, refuse to respond to knocks on the door, doorbells or entreaties from children and lay down flat on the floor without making even a bit of noise...".
That would be me.
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retiredtraveler
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10/26/09 06:03pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Vanishing Jobs
Even automotive mechanic seems to be vanishing profession.
Not unless you're in the group that believes that government stats are lies. This is an area that is projected, and is currently growing faster than most other areas. What cars are 'mechanically bulletproof'?
Apparently, not mine. Trannies go, brakes, alignment, springs/shocks, a/c. Yes, fewer people replace engines and now, with electronics, mechanics have to be microprocesser savvy. That's simply a changing job description, but not going away.
What has gone away is the kid down the street coming out of high school and starting out at a garage as a 'grease money', and learning the trade from someone else. You need a 2 year degree. You need to know mechanical and electrical systems and be literate. There is also more specializing.
I'm big on this area because I have seen anyone who is serious about getting a career in this area going on and doing very well.
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retiredtraveler
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10/21/09 07:21am |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Vanishing Jobs
As someone who has had 3 distinct careers over 36 years, I have mixed emotions about this. This is a subject I continually read on, but get different answers. I went from a social services background to IT. I'm very aware that a great many people never saw a need to become 'computer literate', and that now comes back to haunt them. Lack of computer skills, even what I would consider pretty basic, is prevalent.
We also have a trend in this country of less scholarship. That is, more kids skipping math and science and becoming medical billing coders or massage therapists. We have a high dropout rate from high school AND college. Fewer people going into IT because it's a difficult area (requires a lot of weekends in the computer lab).
Even health care jobs. Nursing requires not only physical ability, but a lot of science and some math. Again, we have fewer and fewer people who are keeping themselves up physically (no ones fault but their own) and more and more without decent study habits or science backgrounds.
I'm more of the mind that there are jobs out there for people with education and skills. Yes, right now, there are continued layoffs, even in tech fields. But when jobs start to come back, it's the skills that will get the unemployed back into a job first.
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retiredtraveler
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10/21/09 07:14am |
Around the Campfire
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RE: What is your limit for a pop-up
We have mixed emotions. We do spend up to 3 weeks in the PUP for many longer camping trips. We are ex, tent campers, so we're ok with a tent on wheels.
But, we sure would like an indoor bathroom, a real one. Otherwise, the PUP is great.
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retiredtraveler
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10/18/09 06:48am |
Folding Trailers
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RE: Which (used) PUPs have indoor shower/toilet?
See my signature. It's an option, of course, with a slide-out dinette.
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retiredtraveler
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10/15/09 07:16am |
Folding Trailers
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RE: noob, practical storage
We went the plastic bin route. The 'trick' to that is to mark the content of the bin on a sheet of paper.
We wrote a list for each bin, put the list into a clear plastic sleeve, and duct taped it to the inside of the lid. We open the lid, look at the list, double-check the contents of the bin to make sure we have all the items, and we're good-to-go. And, of course, the bins are all waterproof so moving them around is no problem. We even keep our blankets/sheets/pillows in a bin for each of us.
I did measure all the areas of the PUP to get bins that would fit those areas. For instance, I found a (roughly) 36"x20" bin, only about 6" tall, that fits under one of the dinette seats. It holds most of the cookware.
When packing up, we try to be careful and put the items back in the proper bins so we stay organized for the next trip.
We also have a separate set of items (cookware and such) for the PUP so we don't have to raid the kitchen.
So, we can check the bins very quickly. Nothing much changes except making sure you have enough paper/plastic goods.
I do the same thing for PUP-related items too. A bin holding tools, extension cord, bungees, etc. that fits in front storage bin.
For actual camping, we got one of those 3 drawer bins. We keep the most-used kitchen items in there and most-used food items (coffee and cups, dry goods, the flatware, dishes, etc. That sits on the dinette table and eliminates a lot of going under the seats to get things.
Can't say it's the best way, but sure makes it easy for us. Storing the plastic bins is then easy and neat too.
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retiredtraveler
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10/15/09 07:02am |
Folding Trailers
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RE: Best winter month to visit Disney World/Epcot?
We used to do that but quit because we hit every cold snap in every year. I don't know how we do it be we always used to hit the cold snap target......and I'll tell you it can get cold.
50's is ok by us. We're not 'snowbirding' --- just want a trip over the winter. We're in Chicago and may not be much warmer than you guys up north, depending on what area you're in.
So, the trick is to check with you and not visit when you you as you apparently bring down the Canada clipper with you! ;)
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retiredtraveler
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10/14/09 07:45am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Wal-Mart Wine::::
Life is good........
Second that........
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retiredtraveler
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10/13/09 07:44am |
Around the Campfire
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RE: "Living on a fixed income "
"Fixed income" does usually mean SS or a pension. Yes, in actuality, many people, not working on commissions, are on a 'fixed income'.
The context in which it is usually discussed are the vast numbers of people living on SS exclusively. No savings, no investments, just whatever the SS check is.
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retiredtraveler
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10/13/09 07:38am |
Around the Campfire
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RE: ants in trailer
What kind of ants? I ask that as I was 'invaded' by carpenter ants this last summer. Turned out that they were living under the front lip of the roof (which has a piece of wood as a backer). The seam was leaking, the wood was wet, and the ants moved in. Once I found where they were, I saw the problem with the wet wood and did the appropriate fixes. I basically vacuumed the ants out with a shop vac.
Otherwise, yes, ant traps.
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retiredtraveler
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10/13/09 07:32am |
Folding Trailers
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