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RV tip: Boondocking in the Los Angeles area

I stumbled across a blog, "Aluminarium," written by a couple who travel in an Airstream with their dog. They are boondocking in Burbank, CA. What is required is a Large Non-Commercial Vehicle (LNCV) Parking Permit. Follow the link to verify that you meet the size requirements. You'll also find their guidelines/restrictions and how to apply. The cost is $5 a day. Nice to have this option if you have to be in the Los Angeles area.

Bookmark the Burbank site - just in case you need a spot when traveling through. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Tucson gas- under $3

We bought gas in Tucson at $2.95/gal yesterday. One place off Irvington was supposed to be $2.93. I didn't notice diesel prices.

Let's hope it stays below $3.00/gal! RVers can travel more miles for their travel dollar. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

AZ state parks- upping their fees. Speak out!

The Arizona State Parks Board is proposing a large fee increase to take effect in April. Among other fees, non-electric camping would be increased to $15-25, electric $25-50 and day-use entrance fees would range from $2-10. Sounds like they might price themselves out of customers.

You can read the press release here. On that page is a link to the place where you can leave your comments. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Photo of the Superstition Mountains from Lost Dutchmen State Park, one of the state parks with RV sites.

12/29- corrected link. If it doesn't work, see below in the comments.

Napa Valley decked out

I remember..... when nearly every house and business had Christmas lights. Then came the energy crisis and few places put up lights anymore. Christmas lights have made somewhat of a comeback, but are still more scattered than I remember them.

Before traveling to visit my son and family in Santa Rosa, I spotted an article about the Christmas lights in Yountville located right off Highway 29 that runs up the Napa Valley between Napa and Calistoga. A few wineries also decorate. My last day, Jenn, my daughter-in-law) and I did a mud bath at Golden Haven in Calistoga, then Jim and grandson Chris met us and we drove down Highway 29 to Yountville. We were not disappointed. As the sun went down, the lights came on until the whole main street was lit up.

After eating, we walked down the street, enjoying the display. Then, we drove back up Highwqy 29. While a couple of wineries had been mentioned as having lights when we stopped at the visitor center in Calistoga, only Peju was decked out. The entrance was lined with skinny trees wrapped in red lights that led towards the buildings. The tasting tower was the focal point of the display. Peju has a nice lot that will accommodate RVs.

Nothing like lights to get me in the spirit of the season! Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Merry Christmas, happy holidays!

Merry Christmas! Or, if you celebrate another holiday - happy holidays! If you haven't read our latest RV Lifestyle Ezine, you can read it here. HIghlights include:

• Jose and Jill Ferrer's new ebook on Europe by RV (a must-have if you are considering such a trip.
• Tom and Nancy leave their RV for another kind of travel
• New poll: When RVing do you stop at Costco stores or other warehouse type stores?
• Two more apps for your smart phone and more......

We at RV Lifestyle Ezine hope your 2011 was wonderful and that your 2012 will be even better! Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Amazon Workampers in the news- again

Workampers at Amazon is the topic of another article, this one in the Wall Street Journal. The featured warehouse this time is the one located in Fernley, NV. And, they give a nice report about Workampers. Previous articles have given the impression that working for Amazon is for the down and out. A recent NBC report with Brian Williams had that focus.

Amazon recruits Workampers for three locations: Fernley, Campbellsville, KY and Coffeeville, KS. They hold Jobinars (online Job Fairs) through Workamper.com plus attend several RV shows. The photo is of their booth at the big RV show in Quartzsite, Arizona held each year near the end of January.

The pay is good. An RV site is provided. And, as the article mentions, the work is very physical and demanding. It can be an excellent short-term job for some RVers. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak 

 

Saving money with coupons

An article in the Poughkeepsie Journal gives nine tips for sound spending in retirement. A couple of sites are good resources. One is a site that gives discounts and coupons for seniors. Check out Sciddy.com. You can search by location and then by type of business.

Another resource is an article on how to extreme coupon and save 84% on groceries. It explains four levels of couponing so even if you are not that dedicated, you can save money. It's a little harder when you are an RVer, but, if possible, one rule that will save money is: Don’t buy it if it’s not on sale.

RVers also don't have the storage space that a house does, but you might be able to share a membership to a discount warehouse or store with another family member. Some things are worth getting at a warehouse store, even in larger quantities, especially if you can split it with someone else. I am amazed at how many RVers do have Costco memberships and put them to good use.

Hope some of these ideas help you save money! Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

 

Salton Sea - two views

"'Slab City' a desert haven for recession's victims" was featured on CBS news. The picture it paints of Slab City is interesting. People who have lost jobs and homes gravitate there as a place of last resort.

Bobbie Chapman, of Chappy Tails, writes of her impressions at Slab City. as an RVer, even though they visited for only a day. There are people squatting there along with expensive Class A motorhomes- a place of contrasts. The two viewpoints are different.

The news seems to pick sensational angles and then pick out things that back up that point of view. Bobby's impressions are mixed but she overall enjoyed her visit. She does mention that other RV friends declined to even come with them so it is not for everyone. George stayed there six weeks one winter and found it quite an adventure. He enjoyed his stay.

We each probably have our own truths about the Slabs, depending on where we are coming from and what we are expecting. It can be a different place for each visitor. The news can't capture that and doesn't want to- but they do give an impression that may be much different than that of people who spend extended time there.

Visiting the Slabs is on my list, so I can't speak from direct experience. However, I imagine it is like many places including Quartzsite, AZ. Some people go once and hate it. Others return year after year. I'm glad all RVers don't want to be in the same place. There is variety enough for everyone! Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Half-price camping clubs- changes

Camp Club USA, the Good Sam, half-price camping club, is no more. They are shutting down and memberships have been transferred to Passport America. Members will get an extra month of membership, three if they extend their membership. And, anyone who was a member of both, will have the number of months remaining on their Camp Club USA membership added to their existing Passport America membership.

Are these memberships worth it? It does depend on your travel patterns and how much you will plan to stay where there is a park in the system. In some cases, you pay not only quite a bit of money to join, but then have yearly fees. Often, you owe those yearly maintenance fees and dues until and unless you can talk someone else into purchasing your membership.

The half-price clubs like Passport America or Happy Camper require a yearly membership dues, which you can drop at anytime. The member parks decide when campers will get the discount and what restrictions there are. In looking at all the options, the half-price one has the potential to save you money for the least cost. For less than $50/year, you can stay at many RV parks and campgrounds across the country.

Alice Zyetz wrote an informative article on membership RV parks. Read it if you are considering purchasing one. Picking the right one(s) can make a difference for your RV retirement and save you money in your RV travels. The wrong one could cost you hundreds of dollars that you never recoup. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Scenes from San Diego Zoo

George had never been to the San Diego Zoo so when we were in San Deigo last month, we spent one morning exploring. In the past, I've always tried to get there when the zoo first opens and get on the first bus tour. We didn't get there that early so ended up getting on the lower level so we wouldn't have to wait too long. We also sat in the very back. That was a mistake. Get there early and get right in line so you can be on the upper deck and in the front or middle. Our driver stopped in front of enclosures but we in the back couldn't see them until she moved away from it. Plus, in some cases, you could not see the animals from the lower deck.

San Diego Zoo was one of the first to change animal enclosures from cages with bars to moats and other more natural enclosures, making the experience more like you would see them in the wild. They have walk-through avairies and some larger enclosures. George was expecting something more like their Safari Park so was disappointed in that. George took these photos of a polar bear and a New Guinea singing dog.

This is a Chacoan Peccary from Uruguay that I took, plus a warthog.

The plants were fascinating too. They actually have more specimans of plants from all over the world than they do animals. The one on the left is related to the Elephant tree, found in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument and near Ajo plus some other places in CA.

George took this picture of a colorful lizard and the meerkat. There is a large reptile house at the zoo and a whole colony of meerkats.

The pandas are always a favorite. They are hoping for a cub again this year.The mountain gorillas had a large, natural enclosure, but they were behind glass. Probably a good idea for both gorillas and humans!

This elephant has huge tusks! And, here's a closeup of a meerkat- both by George.

As you leave the zoo, there are two rides that have been there forever. One is the train, the other the merry-go-round. I've been riding the merry-go-round since I was a small child. The cutest animals are on the outside, but they don't go up and down. However, you have the chance to grab a brass ring and get a free ride. I usually opt for an inside animal. Today I chose an ostrich!

RVers can park their rig at the zoo. There is plenty of parking. You can also take public transportation. Take the trolly to the Blue Line San Ysidro stop. Then transfer to Bus 7. The stop is one-tenth of a mile from the entrance. Admission is steep. It was $40 each for the day, but included free bus rides. The gondolla ride, however, is extra. There are numerous places throughout the zoo to get something to eat, though restrooms were pretty spread apart. Don't lose the map they give you. For kids, there are shows plus the children's zoo. Be sure to visit at least once. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak