Camping With Bill

Happy New Year!

December 30, 2008 By Bill Leave a Comment

fireworks I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday – Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Happy Kwanza, and Merry Whatever-else-you-might-celebrate.

We had a nice holiday. Two days after Christmas, it got up to 70 degrees in Pittsburgh. A far cry from the normal 20 or so degrees. What a treat. I know it can’t last forever, but while it was nice, we started thinking about where we’re going camping next season.

This is the time to plan. Campgrounds are filling up quick now – especially the holiday weekends. Last year we reserved a campground for Labor Day Weekend in April and got the last full hookup site!

We are interested in your favorite places to camp. If you want to send us a quick review, we’ll post it in our campgrounds category. You can even include your website URL and byline for the credits! Just click on “Submit Article” at the top of the page.

We’ll be adding polls, contests, and links to goodies in the upcoming months, so subscribe via email or RSS (to the right) and you’ll be among the first to know!

Happy New Year – stay safe!

Filed Under: Camping, Featured Tagged With: 2009, Camping, new year

Winter Camping

November 17, 2008 By Bill 1 Comment

What it looks like here in February

Well, if you’re like us, the camper has been winterized with the infamous “pink stuff”, roof air conditioner is covered, and the “feet” are put up for the winter. I got some of those huge ziplock bags and put all of our paper products, pillows, linens, towels, and such inside so they won’t mildew or smell musty next spring. Now it’s the long, cold WAIT for spring.

We generally take our first camping trip of the season around the beginning of May, or at the latest, memorial day weekend. Some of the KOA Campgrounds around here offer a BOGO on Mother’s Day weekend, so if we can swing it, we’ll go then, too. But usually it’s still too cold to do much camping.

Inevitably, a nice weekend comes up after the camper is winterized and we want to take advantage before the snows set in. So we’ve started renting cabins in October/November at some of the campgrounds around here. It’s perfect! The cabins are warmer, have bathrooms (can you say outhouse in 28 degree weather? I THINK NOT).

So, next time you want to camp after the warm season, or if you don’t have a camper and are thinking of trying camping any time of year, think of a cabin! You still have to bring your own linens, dishwear, etc., but it offers an alternative to a traditional camper.

Now that the camping season is over for the year (we are in the Northeast, don’t forget!), we won’t be posting as often to the blog, however, we welcome any content you might like to submit, and will be posting any info that comes to mind (and reviews on any good camping stuff we get for the holidays!).

Filed Under: Camping Tagged With: cabins, snow, winter camping

RV Camping – Ten Ways to Save Money

November 3, 2008 By Bill Leave a Comment

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jaimie_Hall_Bruzenak]Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Here are ten ways to save money on campground expenses:

1. Use a directory. You can minimize driving miles off your route and pick out lower priced places to stay. Call ahead to verify rates and availability.

2. Join a membership park or join a half-price camping club. Both offer lower rates to members. Investigate membership parks before joining. They may or may not save you money. The half-price clubs cost around $50/year so if you stay in three or four parks at half price, you’ll be ahead of the game.

3. Extend your stay. Many parks offer weekly and monthly rates that lower your nightly rate.

4. Try boondocking. When you are traveling and are only stopping for the night and not needing or using campground facilities, find a boondocking spot. Many RVers blacktop boondock at Wal-Mart parking lots or at truck stops. (Be sure to follow proper etiquette.)

5. Choose cheaper sites. If you don’t need to dump your tanks, request a site that has only water and electric for a cheaper rate than a full-hookup site.

6. Set up your rig for boondocking. Add solar panels and a catalytic or ceramic heater to your RV so you can boondock for extended periods of time on public land. There is an initial setup cost but camping is free or low-cost.

7. Look for free camping. Some towns, particularly Midwestern ones, have municipal RV parks where you can stay free for a night or two.

8. Stay in public campgrounds. Many public campgrounds operated by federal and state agencies are less expensive than private facilities. Many will not have hookups but are in beautiful locations.

9. Stay with friends or fellow club members. Several RV clubs have lists of members who welcome club members to stop overnight for one night on their travels. If you stay with a friend or club member, don’t abuse your privilege. Offer some money or take them to dinner.

10. Work or volunteer where you get a free site. Many volunteer or Workcamper jobs come with a free or reduced-rate RV site.

Jaimie Hall Bruzenak is an RV Lifestyle Expert. She has been RVing since 1992. She and her late husband weren’t retired so RVed on a budget and worked on the road. She is the author of Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider’s Guide to Working on the Road and other RV books. See http://www.RVLifestyleExperts.com for more information about the RV lifestyle.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jaimie_Hall_Bruzenak http://EzineArticles.com/?RV-Camping—Ten-Ways-to-Save-Money&id=1516387

Filed Under: Campgrounds Tagged With: boondocking, membership parks, RV, RV lifestyle, Workamper

Visiting Shanksville

October 10, 2008 By Bill Leave a Comment

Two years ago, near the anniversary of 9/11, we had the opportunity to do some sightseeing around Johnstown and Shanksville while on a camping trip. We checked out the Johnstown Flood Museum. The video they showed was so impressive, we bought it to bring home and show our family.

We lucked out in that the weather was beautiful – upper 70s and sunny the whole time. Perfect for walking around outside.

You can get a map from the Visitors Bureau in Johnstown that lists I think 15 historic covered bridges in the area. We decided to check some out. It was kind of like a scavenger hunt. Some of the bridges were well marked and out in the open, some we had to find on old dirt roads, back in the woods. It was a lot of fun. Some are used for storage, some are used for walking, and one we even were still able to drive over.

This particular one in the photo needed a lot of work – on the other side was what looked like it was once a picnic area, but now is overgrown. The bridge was used to store what looks like a wagon used for hay rides.

But the highlight of our trip was definitely visiting the Flight 93 Crash Site in Shanksville. If I say one thing about seeing this site, it’s that it was very humbling. It was very sad, but afterward I was so grateful that I went there – I think everyone should.

You drive down a narrow, one lane residental/farm road through the woods. Suddenly you turn left onto a small road – if you blink, you’ll miss it. Then, suddenly, there it is. You come out in an open field and you can see the chain link fence with all of the memorials stuck to it.

You can see waaayyy out in the field (see photo below) a single American Flag that markes the exact spot the plane went down in.

There is a small shack with photos of the event and we had a guide there telling about some little known facts that made me appreciate those heros on that plane even more.

Right on the other side of that line of trees behind where the plane went down is the only school Shanksville has – K-12. The entire future of Shanksville missed being hit by mere yards.

Anyway, I don’t want to depress anyone, but I really feel this is a place everyone should visit. Ground Zero in NY is of course, humbling as well, but this was a whole different type of feeling. Really brings back pride in your fellow man and our country.

Filed Under: Camping Tagged With: 9/11, Covered Bridges, Flight 93, Johnstown Flood, Shanksville

Fall Foliage Trips

October 2, 2008 By Bill Leave a Comment

Fall in PA

Well, it’s official. Summer is over. What a drag. But with the fall comes a whole new set of things to do and see. Crisp air, the smell of wood smoke from fireplaces (mostly mine because I can’t light a fire to save my life).

And if you happen to live in the Northeast, you get the treat of seeing the fall foliage colors. Depending on where you are and what type of summer it’s been, the colors can be not so hot (last year) or beatiful (the year before).

This photo was taken driving near Johnstown, PA. We went camping in the Laurel Highlands of PA and drove through the area on the covered bridge tour. You can get a map that’s marked with the covered bridges and then go on a scavenger hunt to find them. We had a blast. The leaves were just starting to change, it was still warm enough to walk outside without a jacket, and the weather was beautiful.

Fall is a great time for camping. There are a lot of places to go in PA, NY, and New England. I love camping in the fall. It’s cool at night, so sitting around the camfire is so cozy. We spent four days at Jellystone Campground near Ohiopyle, PA. We spent one day touring Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Water, about a mile from the campground. But at this time of year, make reservations early, because they book up fast!

Laurel Caverns

We spent another day in the Laurel Caverns. It rained that day, and the higher in the mountains we drove, the foggier it got. It was so foggy, we barely found the caves. You can get a tour that takes about an hour – the guide has lots of great information, and the price is reasonable. If you are really adventurous, you can do the “extended” tour – you even get a hard hat with a light on it. That tour takes you to parts of the caves that are not light, and don’t have handrails or safety features. That tour takes about four hours and I’m too claustrophobic to brave it

We took the tour two years in a row, it’s a fun place to bring people who haven’t seen the caves before. We picked up some cool souveniers, too. Too bad the weather was so bad that year – apparently the view is amazing from the entrance to the caves – accross a deep valley full of fall colors. Maybe next year.

Filed Under: Camping Tagged With: fall camping, fall foliage, fall leaves, Laurel Caverns, Laurel Highlands, Ohiopyle

Little Known Deals

September 28, 2008 By Bill 1 Comment

So, you’ve purchased all of your camping gear and now you’re ready to make reservations! Do you know how to get deals on sites? Most campgrounds won’t ask if you qualify for deals, you need to ask them!

Do you have AAA? If you do, many campgrounds offer a 10% discount. Many won’t make this offer on holiday weekends, but some will. Some didn’t used to, and now they do, so ask every time you go!

If you camp regularly at a KOA, consider getting the value card they offer. Not only do you get a discount on your stay, but after you collect enough points, you can get free nights. A lot of KOAs also offer a free night Mother’s Day weekend- but they limit the number and type of sites, so you need to get your reservation early.

Consider also getting on a waiting list for a full campground if you can afford to make last minute plans. You never know when someone will cancel, and a campground may offer a discount to fill that site at the last minute!

Other ideas for discounts? Post them to the comments section!

Filed Under: Everything Else Tagged With: campground rates, camping discounts, camping prices

Write For Us

September 28, 2008 By Bill Leave a Comment

Campingwithbill.com was created because of a passion of camping. However, there is no way two writers can keep up with wrting all the articles. Besides, you would get very bored reading about just us!

Please consider submitting an article, or becoming a regular writer for campingwithbill.com. We welcome all submissions. Please check our “submit an article” page for more information on rules and guidelines.

Filed Under: Everything Else, Featured Tagged With: camping articles, write camping articles

Mercer County, PA

September 27, 2008 By Bill Leave a Comment

If you plan to visit Mercer County, PA – just north of Pittsburgh, we recommend this campground.

We take at least one trip every year to Kozy Rest. They have lots of fun activities for families and kids, a great pool, and lots of space. Nice roads for riding bikes, too. It’s close to fishing, hiking, and shopping. It’s family owned and I’ve always received very personalized attention from the staff – calling me back off season, trying to squeeze us in – helping us when we forget things like a LEVEL (yes, we did).

I have a video of us singing karaoke this past 4th of July weekend – I’ll post it as soon as I get it converted. It was a blast!

Filed Under: Campgrounds Tagged With: Kozy Rest Kampground, Mercer County, PA campgrounds

Pop-Up Campers – The Best Option For Camp Lovers

September 25, 2008 By Bill 1 Comment

By M. Xavier

If you want to purchase a recreational vehicle, you must purchase a pop-up camper. It is one of the most affordable recreational vehicles available for the consumers on the market. These are light weight and can be easily towed by a full size car. These campers can also be towed by a small pick-up truck. A pop-up camper can be considered as the perfect recreational vehicle for those who have a limited budget. Pop-up campers can be purchased new for an amount between five to ten thousand dollars.

Pop-up campers are ideal for a family of four. The family can easily sleep comfortably in the trailer, especially if the kids are small enough to sleep in the same bed. The basic unit of a pop-up camper consists of two fold outs. These can be utilized for sleeping quarters. The main unit consists of a small dinette, a tiny refrigerator, a storage area and a cooking area. There is also an outdoor shower and a grilling area. Don’t expect a toilet in the low end pop-up trailers. Most people prefer using portable toilets for emergencies and utilize the campground facilities.

If you opt for a high priced pop-up camper, you can benefit from cassette toilets and a shower. It will also provide you better cooking facilities. Some of these pop-up trailers also have an option to slide out extra room to provide you extra living space. This extra living space can serve as a boon especially if you are stuck inside due to weather problems. It would be wise to pack some games and toys for the kids and a nice book for yourself to enjoy the travel.

The pop-up campers promise to provide the best of security with its elements such as heavy duty canvas and a metal rook.

Pop-up campers will prove to be a boon for you if you go out frequently for camping. It may create some problems with backing in to your campsites but overall it is a great deal. To overcome backing problem, you need to take it slow and have someone guide you to choose a pull through campsite.

You may have to bear the expense of the hitch. However, it is not a big deal because it is less than five hundred dollars.

If you want to avail exciting discounts on pop-up campers, you can make some most exciting deals online. Visit some of the reputed websites that provide you the best and affordable deals on pop-up campers.

Camping is a great way to enjoy the outdoors. You can enhance this fun by using a pop-up camper. It is any day much better than using tents. You can also rent pop-up campers for one-time trips. If you want to buy your own, it will be still inexpensive. Believe it, this will prove to be a great investment on your side. Check with local dealers online. However, it would not be wise to make a decision without doing comparison shopping. Doing comparison shopping will let you purchase a pop-up camper at a lower cost.

Visit at least five to six online local dealers that sell pop-up campers and you would be able to compare the prices and services they provide on pop-up campers. This will let you decide on the best and most affordable pop-up camper.

A pop-up camper will enhance your camping experience.

For more information on campers, try visiting http://www.typesofcampers.com/ – a website that specializes in providing camper related tips, advice and resources to include information on pop up campers.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=M._Xavier
http://EzineArticles.com/?Pop-Up-Campers—The-Best-Option-For-Camp-Lovers&id=552597

Filed Under: Camping Tagged With: campers, pop-up campers

Our Numbers are Growing

September 25, 2008 By Bill 1 Comment

Like country music, campers are a little known gang, but we’re becoming quite popular lately!

This summer, our local camper dealer’s lot was completely empty – they were selling pop up campers so fast, they looked like they were having a going-out-of-business sale. While getting our camper inspected and winterized, I spoke to the owner and asked him how business was. Needless to say, he’s not feeling the pain from the failing economy!

No, the camping industry is one that is booming because of the high prices of gas and other economical squeezes on Americans. No longer can people afford to take a vacation and pay for a hotel, it’s gotten just way too expensive. So they have been turning to camping.

Popup campers seem to have had the biggest surge in popularity this year. With the high cost of gas, people aren’t interested in the big trailers or fifth wheels. We ourselves have a 2007 Fleetwood Niagara. We started out small, but I wanted a bathroom, but I didn’t want a huge trailer. At 3,000 pounds, my Jeep Liberty can actually pull this tent trailer, but we tow with a Dodge Durango.

We got into camping about four years ago – this is our third popup. We kept trading up until we found the best fit. Instead of taking a $2,000-$3,000 vacation every year, our family of four hooks up the trailer and heads out somewhere rather local – within a 3 hour drive – for a 3 or 4 day weekend. We’ve been to some very neat places, and met some very interesting people. A long weekend will run us about $400 all told. Full hookup sites (some with cable TV!), gas, and spending money all included. Can’t beat that.

My personal delight? It’s my own dirt. Yes, I have an issue with disgusting hotel rooms and bathrooms. At least I know who’s been in my traveling hotel! And with this popup, we gained a stove, microwave, bathroom and even air conditioning!

So, we go camping and have a GREAT time. Usually we’ll go with family and a couple of campers. Campfire time is the best – we stay up sometimes til 2AM around the fire. And we have a LOT of crazy, funny stories from our adventures. So I decided I needed to start sharing!

We also want to hear your stories. If you have an article you want to see here, please send it to us!

Filed Under: Camping Tagged With: camping statistics, camping trends

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