Hello Friends!
Happy Labor Day! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend! Just a quick post to mention a few things…
Happy Labor Day!
Big Rig Movement?
I recently read an article that may have answered a question I had on my Greenville, OH adventure during the Annie Oakley Festival. If you watched that Part I video, https://youtu.be/IYV6XPA0VbY, you saw I was camped at a campground where every rig was huge and no one was out during a perfect evening. I thought it was strange. On this trip I camped in my minivan micro-camper,” the “Mini-Ett,” and was the only van there. There was a time when I would’ve been intimidated by those big rigs and not felt “worthy” to camp alongside them in my van. That actually happened once in Hershey, PA. See that adventure here: https://galgonecamping.com/2018/07/20/lessons-learned-on-the-road/
No small rigs here…
…except mine!
So, the article said the reason why there are so many big rigs now may be because a lot of folks have sold their homes and are living in these huge RVs full time. The author suggested that if that’s the case, they are probably more interested in enjoying the interior comforts than being outside. That may be true. It could be that the folks I saw where I was were full timers; maybe even vendors for the festival. I’m not sure, but to me it kind of defeats the purpose. If I were living in my camper full time, although it’s small, I would still be outside on such an incredible evening. To each his own I reckon. What kind of rig do you have and why did you choose it? Please post in comments, I would love to know; as would other readers I’m sure.
Phantom Campers?
Something I’ve been hearing about lately is “phantom campers”– people booking and paying for multiple campsites, trying to secure the best spot, then using only one without cancelling the others. The sites have been paid for, so the campground can’t re-sell them. Then the asshole camper gets his/her site, and the unused ones are left empty, but the campground website is showing no availabilities. The real campers come along, and are not able to camp in a campground with empty sites. This is insane and must be stopped!
Let me just say: These are not legitimate campers, but the problem is. These are total jerks that should not be allowed to be in among genuine, respectable, mannerly campers who understand the camper code of ethics. These are clearly people who have more money than they have morals; as they are fine with spending money for multiple sites and no show fees, and have no regard for their fellow campers; their fellowman.
Phantom campers need to disappear!!!
I personally have not had a problem with this, but a lady I met recently on my last camping trip has seen it. She’s been a full time RVer for eight years now, and has started to see campgrounds say they are full, yet there are actually available sites. This is a problem that has resulted due to the explosion of RV sales in the past year and the invasion of new so called RVers. I hope this problem is resolved soon. I think RV buyers should have to sign a “camper etiquette agreement” before they purchase. So unfair to real campers trying to just book a site. Do y’all have any ideas for a solution to this issue?
I would say most of these incidents are occurring at more well known campgrounds close to extremely popular tourist destinations. That’s something I always avoid, so is probably why I haven’t run into this problem. I look for the family owned, county or independent campgrounds instead of the chains or ones at national/state parks. Boondocking is a great option too.
More Harvest Hosts Locations!
Y’all know how much I love Harvest Hosts. Well, they just recently added 62 new locations and have brought in Boondockers Welcome! If you’re not familiar with Boondockers Welcome, it’s an organization that connects RVers with private land owners who allow them to camp on their property free of charge. A mother/daughter team owned the popular organization for nine years before merging with Harvest Hosts.
You’ll LOVE Harvests Hosts!
Boondockers Welcome will have it’s own membership, for $50 a year, but a recent Harvest Host newsletter reported that eventually, there will be an option for a bundled membership for both. Harvest Hosts Memberships are currently $99 per year, but if you use this link: http://harvesthosts.refr.cc/galgonecamping you will receive 15% off, and I receive a small commission. We both win! Learn all about the great benefits of Harvest Hosts by clicking the discount link above. I call it the “best kept secret in RVing today!”
Travel App
There are several great travel apps that I use, but one that is quickly becoming my favorite is RV Parky. I love it! It’s user friendly, simple, and easy to read. I always research my trips thoroughly (as I encourage y’all to do). I’m looking at a quick overnight trip soon centered around a festival. I don’t really need a campground; as I won’t be there long enough to actually camp. I will just need a spot to park overnight. I have a power source so won’t need electric.
Love this App!
While searching on the app, a campground did come up really near where I would be. I was looking at the gallery of photos on their website and saw that adjacent to them was a Cracker Barrel–which you know of course, allows overnight parking! I mean the picture was taken from a campsite at the campground and just across a patch of grass was Cracker Barrell. Why then, would I pay $40+ to stay in a campground for just a few hours when I could stay a few feet away for free!?
Coming Up…
I’ll be discussing female solo traveling soon and the stigma it comes with. I just got back from a fantastic Girl Camper event that may have had a legendary curse pass by! A couple days after I got home from that; OMG!–you won’t believe what happened. I’m still in shock! Lots to come, so stay tuned! SUBSCRIBE here to the blog, and to the Gal Gone Camping YOUTUBE channel. Follow along on Facebook & Instagram as well.
Until next time, remember…DON’T WAIT TO LIVE!
See ya down the road,
Catrina