We Rv 4 Fun.com Blog

We just returned from our third Spring Break in the Keys, and as before, travelling I-95 was challenging at times. For those travelers who have yet to experience the joy/pain of driving this road during Spring Break, I wanted to share our observations.

First, we live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. This means that in order to get off the “DelMarVa” peninsula and get onto I-95, we have three choices; to travel north (wrong direction), travel West to Washington DC, or travel south to Norfolk. Since we are self-described country bumpkins who freak out over the gazillions of people in the DC Metro area, we try to avoid the city like the plague. We prefer to drive south on Route 13, which crosses the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, on the Chesapeak Bay-Bridge Tunnel, or CBBT.

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Space is very limited on Recreational Vehicles, so when I read a recent positive review of nesting cookware similar to this on the  http://www.irv2.com/ forum, I thought this would be perfect for our camper. Our camping cookware has always been a mish-mash of home kitchen castoffs, rescued from the salvation army thrift store or purchased from the dollar store for, well, dollars! I didn’t want to spend a fortune, so I though the price was reasonable.

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Save some money on your next trip to the grocery store with these tips!

The average grocery expense for a three or four person family in 2005 was $110, according to a Food Marketing Institute survey.  The rising cost of oil is affecting how much we pay for everything, so the cost of groceries is also rising. We have to eat, so food is a “necessary” item, but it is also a variable expense, meaning consumers have some control over how much they have to spend on the outlay. When I was a stay-at-home mom, I learned tricks to save money on all our adjustable expenses. Many weeks I could feed our family of four on $40.  (more…)

Located at the crossroads of I-81 and I-70, Hagerstown is halfway between Deep Creek (westernmost Maryland), and the Atlantic Ocean. (more…)

Like many RV’ers, we love grilling out, but are not that crazy about the mess. The novelty of cooking over the fire wears off rather quickly when camping frequently, and charcoal grills tend to be a little messy and time consuming. When traveling hard, as soon as we set up camp the troops want to be off on a hike or at the pool, not sitting over a grill for an hour waiting for the coals to offer the right temperature for dinner prep.

We decided early in our camping endeavors that a gas grill for traveling on the road was best for our temperaments. The last time we were in the market for a grill, we took our homework seriously; there are so many different types of grills, and they are not cheap.

Questions to ask before before buying a grill:

Gas or charcoal? Charcoal grills are less expensive and more disposable than their gas counterparts. Small “hibachi” type grills exist in both types of fuel, so portability isn’t an issue. Do you mind toting bags of charcoal? On the other hand, more expensive gas grills usually have an LP Gas hose extension so you can connect it directly to your RV’s gas tanks.

Fire or heating element? You can get a gas grill that looks like a charcoal grill and cooks with the flame, or one that works more like a non-stick pan on a heating element. Do you like your food to have that char-grilled flavor, or would you rather have non-stick surfaces that are (supposed to be) easier to clean?

I love cooking over a fire, but always end up fishing a hot dog or burger out of the coals when it slips between the rungs of the fire grate. Many portable grills have small enough gaps that you don’t have to worry about this. However, the fat drippings can really make a mess of a grill rather quickly, but this can be solved with some tinfoil. Worse yet, the charcoal dust often leaks out and spreads around the storage compartment, however a crate or some other transport container to limit the mess.

How many will you be cooking for? Another concern is cooking area.  Large families may become rather dismayed by the lack of cooking space available on smaller grills. Likewise, if you like to cook an entire meal on one grill (we cook packets of veggies with our meat), you will need a larger grill.

Will you do more than just grilling? Some grills have interchangable plates that allow the grill to become a griddle or stove burner. The griddles allow for pancakes, sausages, etc. Keep in mind that these surfaces aren’t always easier to clean up than a plain old grill that you can simply clean with a metal brush.

Do you like new every year? Using something a few times and throwing it out certainly doesn’t help our landfills, but that’s the way some folks operate.  We urge you to upgrade slightly to a grill that will last for more than one season.

Whatever you decide is best for you, check out Grills and Grilling Accessories from Camping World

Happy Grilling!

Rich with history and the site of many festivals and family activities, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania is the perfect place for a vacation. And with so many campgrounds to choose from, Gettysburg is the perfect location for a family camping trip. Don’t miss the Apple festival in October, about 20 minutes North of town.  Be sure to make your reservations early, however, as the campgrounds all fill up quickly.

Just a few hours west of Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly love, is the site where brothers died in arms against one another in the single bloodiest battle of the Civil War. The battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania marked a turning point in the Civil War, where over 51,000 men lost their lives in three short days in July of 1863, and where Abraham Lincoln later delivered the Gettysburg address.  

General Robert E. Lee, emboldened by his numerous victories, planned a confrontation and victory within the northern states in order to force Lincoln to procure a peace agreement between the North and the South, thus ending the war. Often referred to as the “High Water Mark of the Confederacy,” the northward advance of Lee and his 75,000 troops into Pennsylvania was quickly halted when Lee discovered that he was being pursued by 95,000 troops of the Union Army, commanded by General George Meade.

Named in the 1700’s for a tavern owned by Samuel Gettys, Gettysburg just happened to stand between the two armies.  General Lee successfully prevented the northward advance of the Southern troops, but with a very high cost of human lives from both armies.  Now the site of Gettysburg National Military Park, acres of rolling hills are marked with plaques retelling the story of the confrontation and battle. History enthusiasts can spend hours touring the numerous museums, while people of all ages will enjoy the reenactments and tours dedicated to teaching visitors the story of these brave men.

Gettysburg has several campgrounds to choose from, and we have personally stayed in several of them. The area is fairly “hilly,” and we have had a lot of adventures in leveling our campers when visiting Gettysburg. So if you want a nice, level site, make sure to discuss it with the park when making a reservation. Another word of note: the campgrounds on Route 15 may have a lot of road noise. I have written up the campgrounds we have visited. Scroll down for the area map: (more…)

One of my first jobs out of college was as a mortgage broker for a (gasp!) sub-prime lender . Before you get out the tar and feathers, let me state for the record that this was before the term “sub-prime” was common terminology. Let me also state that I quit after less than one year because, even in 1994, I felt I was a practicing a form of legal loan sharking. 

Currently, the supporters of aid for those who may lose their homes due to “unfair lending practices,” seem to be pointing their fingers at the mortgage brokers.  Since these guys were actually in the room when the borrower signed on the bottom line, they make the easiest target.

But why are lending companies being pegged as the ones who preyed on helpless, unsuspecting consumers?  Doesn’t culpability lie with the realtors who listed and sold the home?  Last week one couple in California sued their realtor for selling them a house for $1.2 million dollars when a similar home, just down the street, was on the market for $200,000 less.  The kicker was the less expensive home had air conditioning and a pool. Um, you mean someone paid over $1 mill for a pad that doesn’t even have air conditioning?!

I always thought it was amazing that a home appraised for just the “right” amount, coming in within thousands, or even hundreds, of dollars of the sales price for the home. I heard a story on the radio about one appraiser in Florida, who said he was told by a realtor to appraise properties for a certain amount or he wouldn’t get any more work. When the appraiser refused to fudge the numbers, he was essentially blacklisted by realtors in the area. 

Ultimately, doesn’t the responsibility lie with the consumer who is borrowing the money?  I know several people who admitted to taking a home equity loan or cash out refinance in order to pay off automobiles, take vacations, and pay for big screen televisions.  

Certainly there are those unsophisticated borrowers who do not understand the legalese of a Truth-in-Lending Statement and a Deed of Trust, and those borrowers should get a break.

Blame the consumer, the realtor, the appraiser, the lenders who encourage cash-out financing. Everyone should take responsibility. Now, the ones who will benefit will be those who didn’t buy into the hype of an ever-expanding housing market, as well as those of us “lucky” enough to be renting!

Amy

One of the reasons we RV is related to cleanliness. Do you remember the news story about the bed bugs in the swanky NY hotel room?  Have you ever seen a mattress?  How many times do you think that blanket or comfortor gets washed. 

When we go on a trip with the camper, I know who has used the bed, toilet, and kitchen, and I also know when they were cleaned last.

You should see these videos.

Was Your Hotel Room a Meth Lab?

Don’t drink from Hotel Glasses

I love having my own bathroom, bed, and kitchen when on the road. I know it’s clean (or not!), and know the only bugs we will be catching are the ones the girls collect in jars when playing outside.

Ask my family to name one of our favorite camping spots, and I am sure each one would include Chincoteague, Virginia.

Granted, Chincoteague is not a well known major tourist draw like Williamsburg or Roanoke. But this outwardly appearing sleepy, backwater town is steeped in history and legend, and has enough activities to keep any family busy for a full week-long vacation.The name “Chincoteague” is popularly accepted to be an Indian name meaning “beautiful land across the water,” and the name definitely befits this charming island.

Chincoteague is 37 square mile island about one mile from the mainland of Virginia. The long, low island is connected to the mainland by a causeway slightly elevated above a tidal marsh dotted with oyster beds and rocking fishing boats. The decaying vegetation and marine life forms a black muck rich in nutrients, which serves as a protected nursery for fish and shellfish that lay their eggs among the phragmites and other marsh plants.  The same decay also provides a treat for the senses; the first time you smell the marsh, you may think you just passed some hidden roadkill. One word of warning: while crossing the causeway, beware of the swooping gulls, as they frequently crash into unsuspecting vehicles, as one did to our RV on one trip.

The banks of Chincoteague island offer watersports like kayaking and boating, and fishing. Crabbing for the famous Maryland Blue Crab is easy when using a crab pot, available for rent or purchase at most shops.  Simply place chicken parts in the middle of the chicken-wire pot, and toss the into the water after tying to a nearby dock post. Check your pot periodically for some of the tastiest crabs ever boiled. Some crab-catching purists rely only on a chicken neck tied to a piece of string to lure the crabs from the brackish water. Toss out the “hand line”, and reel the string slowly back to the dock. A quick tug means you have a crab on the line. This is a fun activity the kids love! 

Chincoteague is also the gateway to one of the Nations most visited National Wildlife Refuges: Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island. The refuge receives over one million visitors per year.  Like most refuges, the wildlife is abundant. The denizens include Osprey, Bald Eagles, the Delmarva Peninsula Fox Squirrel, ducks, geese, and more. Nature programs are free at the brand new Visitor’s Center, and Interpretive Rangers lead bird and nature walks.

Across from the visitors center is a small parking area with a trail leading to the Chincoteague Lighthouse. Built in the 1800’s, the lighthouse is located at what was once the Southernmost tip of Assateague Island. Now one of the few lighthouses still working in the United States, the lighthouse is about 6 miles from the southern edge of the island due to the erosion of the beaches to the north. The Coast Guard opens the lighthouse to the public on most days for a small fee. You can climb the steps to the top for a gorgeous view of Chincoteague and Assateague Islands.

The refuge is also home to a herd of wild ponies, rumored to be descendants of survivors of a 17th Century Spanish shipwreck. Like the Assateague Park herds, the ponies are supposed to be contained in an area of salt marsh dotted with Lob Lolly pines, but they frequently escape and can be seen roaming parking lots, searching for the remnants of picnics. The ponies were the subject of the famous children’s book, Marguerite Henry’s Misty of Chincoteague. Currently the ponies are owned by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department.

 Following a devastating fire in the town, the Fire Department started auctioning off the foals in 1925 to raise funds for equipment. The VFD swims the ponies across the channel separating the islands once a year, on the last Wednesday of July.  The swim and auction is a huge draw to the town, and resorts are booked for months in advance.

You can see the ponies and two types of deer (Whitetail and Sika) on your way to the family beach on the Eastern edge of the island.  Get there early during busy summer days, as parking is limited and fills up quickly.Looking to escape the hustle and bustle of crowded beaches? Carry a pack (with lots of water and sunscreen) up the relatively deserted beach north of the parking area. Although the fresh salt air and sandy stretch of beach may give you the urge to get back to nature and shuck your swimsuit, beware that rangers frequently patrol the out-of-way areas and nudity is strictly prohibited.

Don’t feel like walking to a less crowded beach spot?  Then visit the off-road vehicle (ORV) area on the southern part of the island. A registration sticker, available for a fee, can be purchased for the ORV area. Before heading out to the beach, be sure to visit the Park Service website for a list of required items you must have in your vehicle to gain beach access (a ranger will check to make sure you have these in your truck). Also, leave early, as entrance to the ORV area is limited, and fills up quickly.

Perhaps one of the best ways to see the refuge is to pedal your way around the trails by bicycle. Do not worry if you forget to bring your bike; rentals are available on the main road into the Refuge. You can ride your bike over from the mainland on the roadside bike path, then cross to the beach on the Wildlife Loop Trail and, when open to the public, the Swan Cove Trail.  This trail runs along the backside of the dunes for about one mile, before ending at the northernmost beach parking lot at Swan Cove. The cove is named for the hundreds of swimming Whistling Swans that call the pond home, rumored to be able to break a man’s arm with their powerful wings. However, the chances of this happening are next to impossible, unless you are foolhardy enough to wade out into the cove.

After a day of roaming the beach collecting shells, you can retire at your waterfront campsite at one of the islands two campgrounds: Maddox Family Campground and Tom’s Cove Campground. From your campsite, you can watch the flash-flash-pause signal of the lighthouse, which is across the channel from both lighthouses.

Fishing fanatics will be able to take advantage of boat rentals or fishing trips in the channel or Atlantic Ocean. Flounder, Rockfish, and offshore Tuna fishing are abundant. You can also try your hand at clamming by treading or tonging for the elusive mollusks. The one bill of fare that Chincoteague is famous for is the oyster. Chincoteague oysters are supposed to be some of the sweetest, perfectly flavored of all oysters, and are available in most restaurants and many roadside stands.

Before leaving for home, when back on the mainland, take a few minutes to stop at  the NASA visitor’s center, right across from a huge NOAA facility sporting several large satellites, located where the causeway meets the mainland. Local gossip is that there may eventually be a space shuttle lift-off from the nearby NASA Wallops Island facility.

Chincoteague will always be one our favorite spots to visit, as this is where we met after the famous pony auction, in 1992. Amy was a Federal Law Enforcement Officer, working and living at the Refuge, while Rich was visiting on business and stayed for the pony penning festivities. We were married on the beach two years later. Maybe we’ll see you at Chincoteague sometime; we go back every year on our Anniversary!