Escapees July-August 2024

ESC EES Sharing The RV Lifestyle

RV SOLAR PART 5 Choosing and Sizing an Appropriate Inverter PAGE35 KEEPING REAL ESTATE WHILE FULL-TIME RVING The Pros and Cons PAGE40

REESE GOOSE BOX A Totally Different Towing System PAGE44

July/August 2024 | Vol 46 Issue 1 www.escapees.com

DOMICILE Legal advice on questions of domicile as a full-time RVer. www.escapees.com/ mail-service/domicile/texas/ domicile-suite/

ESTATE PLANNING Quality legal advice to establish a comprehensive estate plan.

BANKING Banking services to support your personal and business fi nancial needs.

HEALTH INSURANCE Licensed agents who will shop, advise and let you decide.

PROPERTY INSURANCE Property and casualty insurance through multiple RV insurance carriers for full-time RVers.

INVESTMENTS A broad range of fi nancial services to fi t your needs.

FINANCE & TAXES In-depth evaluation of your current fi nancial situation. Tax preparation, planning, and bookkeeping for RVers

Creating Meaningful Connections with Local Professionals for Escapees Mail Service Members D MICILE SUITE OF SERVICES TEXAS

thoughts for the road

When Joe and I started full-time RVing in 1970, we were pioneers, and it took courage to start with two school-age children. We told ourselves that every problem has a solution if you look hard enough. We had faith in our ability to fi nd that solution. A breakdown or an accident? We purchased insur ance that included towing. It didn’t help us on the desolate Alaska Highway. Strangers stopped and offered help when the trailer’s spring shackle broke, but it was Joe who fi gured out that if he removed a wheel and chained the axle to the frame, we could cripple to a town miles away. An illness? There are emergency clinics, doctors and hospitals in every town. We found that many hospitals allow you to park your RV there while the sick person receives treatment. When you lack the courage to do something, remember, sometimes you have to take a leap of faith. An excerpt from Escapees magazine July/August 2010

Co-founder

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July/August 2024 ESCAPEES Magazine

contents

Black Hills Hangout PHOTO BY WILL BELDEN #159950

64

features 35 RVSOLAR5 BY DAVID HUTCHISON AND SHARI GALIARDI Do you want to boondock and run your higher-wattage appliances like you can at a campsite with electrical hook-ups? 40 Keeping Real Estate while Full-time RVing BY RENE AGREDANO The road to full-time RVing is fi lled with huge decisions. “What about the house?” is a common question confronted by aspiring full-timers who own property. 44 Reese Goose Box BY EMILY FAGAN After towing with conventional fi fth-wheel hitches for 15 years, we decided to try a totally different towing system and upgraded to the Reese Gen 3 20K Goose Box. 49 Understanding Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) BY ANDY EVANS Most retirement planning conversations center around creating an income level throughout retirement that will allow you to maintain your current lifestyle without running out of money. 52 Agricultural Alchemy BY EVANNE SCHMARDER Does “will travel for food” sum up your RV spirit? Yeah, me too. Whether it’s a dish I’ve read about or a renowned farm market, I’ve been known to set my compass to seek out culinary adventures. 56 Council Blu ff s, Iowa BY DOROTHY RIEKE Driving north on Interstate 29 from St. Louis, Missouri, drivers are often amazed with the roadside views.

On the Cover PHOTO BY DUANE AND JEAN MATHES #115955 Former Escapade directors, Duane and Jean Mathes, submitted this beautiful cover photo. Jean says, “We were fortunate to snag this incredible boondocking site on a blu ff outside of Torry, Utah. Our commanding overlook of Capitol Reef National Park was breathtaking.”

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ESCAPEES Magazine July/August 2024

PHOTO BY MICHAEL POLDA

contents

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74

travel 13 Day’s End compiled BY GUY GIPSON 70 Escapees Head Out Program BY LISA KOCA 82 Park Chart and Events 34 RVers Boondocking Policy 88 RVers’ Good Neighbor Policy 24 SKPStops 32 View fi nder lifestyle 22 Escapees SmartWeigh 43 Escapees RVers Boot Camp 10 From the Bookshelf BY MARCELLA GAUTHER 06 Mark, My Words BY MARK NEMETH 08 RV Gadget Box BY MARK NEMETH 01 Thoughts for the Road BY KAY PETERSON 22 Weight and Safety Tip BYJIMKOCA

community 15 64th Escapade 79 Birds-of-a-Feather Groups

77 Calling All Chapters 17 Camping Chair Chat 76 Chapter Map

12 Escapees CARE, Inc. 64 Escapees Hangouts 72 Events and Rally Calendar 87 Final Journeys 60 Message from the Board 78 SKP Dine-outs 66 Xscapers 85 Advertisers Index

84 Marketplace 86 Classi fi edAds BC ClubBene fi ts

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July/August 2024 ESCAPEES Magazine

contents

ClubSta ff Club Founders Joe and Kay Peterson President Travis Carr Vice President Melanie Carr

Co-Chief Executive O ffi cer Travis Carr Co-Chief Executive O ffi cer Melanie Carr Chief Operations O ffi cer Teresa Moore General Manager Kelly Brown Escapees RV Parks Administrator Cindy Neilsen National Escapade Directors Rob and Laura Kernodle Chapter Director/BoF Coordinator Wendy Stanwood HOP Director Lisa Koca

TAMMY JOHNSON #39557 Editor, Escapees Magazine

Hangouts Director Kirsty Halliday Convergence Director Hollie Parks Educational Director Jim Koca Brand Director Brandon Hatcher Marketing Director Kerensa Durr Digital Content Manager Jeannie Dees

“Necessity is the mother of invention.”

RV Show Directors Larry and Robyn Schultz Magazine Sta ff Managing Editor Tammy Johnson Copy Editor Carol Rice Editorial Assistant Kelly Evans-Hill Graphic Artist Krystina Evans Graphic Artist Cole Carter Advertising Director Kelly Evans-Hill Technical Advisor Mark Nemeth

As the summer season dawns and the July fourth festivities kick o ff , we also mark the 46th anniversary of our beloved Escapees RV Club! This is a time for us to come together, not just as family and friends, but as a united community of Escapees members, sharing in the joy and pride of our club’s journey. T his issue contains RV information to help set the course for your summer travels. Take a moment to peruse the timeline of the Escapee’s events on page 60. This will give you an idea of how the club’s structure has evolved from the brilliant minds of its visionary founders, Joe and Kay Peterson #1. From a simple idea to one of the greatest RV clubs in the country, it’s the perfect example of the wise words of ancient Greek philosopher Plato, when he said, “Necessity is the mother of invention.” When Joe and Kay Peterson began full-time RVing with their children in 1973, Kay saw a need for a support network of RVers. At the time, the RV community was much smaller and communication with new friends was dif fi cult. She felt that a newsletter with traveler’s reports, tips and parking information would be helpful and would also provide much needed support. She shared her idea, and the fi rst fi ve-page newsletter came to fruition. That newsletter evolved into the Escapees magazine of today! As the club took shape, new elements such as the RV parks and SKP Co-ops, chapters and mail service were born. The RV lifestyle, once a niche, has now become more accessible and convenient, thanks to technological advancements. Yet, let’s not forget the courage and innovation of our trailblazing predecessors, who turned their ideas into reality. May your summer journeys be fi lled with safety, wonder and joy. See you on the road!

• Submissions of features on all phases of RV living are welcome. Writers’ guidelines and payment schedule are available upon request: editor@escapees.com • For commercial display ads, contact advertising by calling 936-327-8873 or e-mail advertising@escapees.com. • Send address changes to Escapees, Inc., 100 Rainbow Drive, Livingston, TX 77351-9300 or clubbusiness@escapees.com. Escapees magazine (ISSN-1556-7486) is published bimonthly by Escapees, Inc., 100 Rainbow Drive, Livingston, Texas 77351. Periodical postage paid at Livingston, Texas, and additional mailingo ffi ces. 936-327-8873. Fax: 936-327-4388. Website: www.escapees.com. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Escapees RV Club, 100 Rainbow Drive, Livingston, Texas 77351-9300. Copyright© 2024 by Escapees, Inc. All rights reserved. Escapees magazine is published bimonthly by Escapees, Inc., RoVing Press, in Livingston, Texas. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a data-retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or any other, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Opinions expressed under individual names are not necessarily those of the Escapees RV Club, its o ffi cers or the membership in general. Escapees does not knowingly accept deceptive or misleading ads. The name Escapees and the house-in-a-wagon logo are registered trademarks of Escapees, Inc., a Texas corporation. Commercial or noncommercial use requires an annual permit. Escapees Corporate O ffi ce 100 Rainbow Drive, Livingston, TX 77351-9300 936-327-8873 • Fax: 936-327-4388, www.escapees.com Escapees Mail Service O ffi ce 101 Rainbow Drive, Livingston, TX 77399-9330 936-327-8873 • Fax: 936-327-4388 www.escapees.com/mail-service The written material within this publication is provided for educa tional or informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. Escapees makes no e ff ort to verify the information in this publication and, therefore, Escapees does not guarantee the quality, accuracy, completeness or timeliness of the contributors’ submissions. Escapees shall not be responsible for any direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages arising out of, or in connection with, the use of the materials herein.

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ESCAPEES Magazine July/August 2024

mark, my words

Your RV Questions By MARK NEMETH #45776, Escapees Technical Advisor Send your questions via e-mail to techquestions@escapees.com

Steering Stabilization

Q. As a returning RVer from 20 years ago, I have purchased an older Bounder gas 35E. I had a class C before, so driving on the highway is much di ff er ent. I have read up on trying to control the steering stabilization of a class A (Steering Stabilizer or anti-sway bars). The wind, the grooves in the road and the truck push seem to be an everyday way of life. Before I invest in a solution, do these products really help the class A motorhome be controlled on the highway? Bob A. Steering stabilizers do help, but no combination of anti-sway bars or stabilizers will completely eliminate that push from wind or passing trucks. The stabilizers are designed to reduce the effect to a comfortable level. If you are currently having to white-knuckle it, I suspect that adding stabilizer hardware will help. However, if the sway or wander is not signi fi cant, or if you feel reasonably comfortable driving the rig, and just want it to handle more like a car, the limited improvement you’ll get from adding a stabilizer may not be worth the cost. Tires can also have a big effect on the way the rig handles. You might want to try experimenting a little with tire in fl ation pressures. Sometimes that will help reduce sway or wander. Also, have the steering gear and suspension checked. One loose component or an alignment problem can make a huge difference in the way a rig handles.

Travel Trailer Holding Tank

Q. My parents have moved into their travel trailer full time for their retirement. They sit long periods of time in one place. Will the chemicals work in their holding tank when they don’t get any mixing from the trailers movement? Is there one type of chemical that will work better under these circumstances? RA A. In my opinion, the biological treatments are the best choices. These are bacterial or enzyme in nature, and are very effective at liquefying waste, which is even more important when you RV stops moving for a while. Here are a few brands to consider: Happy Camper, Camco TST, RV Digest-it or any RV tank treatment that doesn’t contain formalde hyde or anything else ending in “hyde.” It will also be a big help if your parents get used to using more water each time they fl ush (they aren’t dry camping, after all) and wait until the black tank is close to full before emptying it. That will help give the treatment more time to work and should keep things fl owing smoothly. Choosing a toilet tissue that breaks down fully will also help. If in doubt, always do the jar test: take a sheet or 2 of your TP, put it in a jar 1/2 full of water and give it a shake. Safe TP will dissolve readily; bad stuff won’t and it shouldn’t be used in an RV.

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ESCAPEES Magazine July/August 2024

mark, my words

Full-time RVing in a Travel Trailer

Tire Cleaner Q. The tires on my RV are 10 years old with no cracks on them. Someone suggested using silicone on the tires. What kind do you suggest I use? I thought I’d use Maguires vinyl and rubber cleaner. Gérard A. Even if the tires look fi ne, at 10 years of age, they need to be replaced. The tire industry standard for maximum safe tire life is 7-10 years. Tires older than that can fail without warning and cause damage or personal injury. There’s a lot riding on your tires, so please consider replacing them right away. Also, the major tire manufacturers are unani mous in recommending against using tire sprays, silicone or other similar substances on the outside of your tires. Some of these products can damage the tires. It’s best to just clean the tires with soapy water and keep them covered when the RV is parked to help prevent UV (ultra-violet light) damage from the sun.

Q. In about 18 months or more, I plan to retire and hit the road. I am presently a 63-year-old, single woman, who roamed the world in my 20s and I’m ready for that again. I am also an avid reader of Henry David Thoreau and Emerson and have been assiduously practicing “simplify, simplify” for the past year or so. My plan is to drive to the West Coast in my car, then sell it and buy a 16- to 20-foot travel trailer and a vehicle that will safely and adequately pull it. I will then travel around and hopefully get work in the national parks for months at a time. I hope to keep this up for about three to fi ve years with my cat as my co-pilot. Can you recommend some 16- to 20-foot travel trailers that would fi tmybill? Would it be wise to consider a second-hand trailer? Can you recommend some vehicles that will safely pull this rig through the west? What are the speci fi cations I should look for when buying a travel trailer? Edie A. I understand the desire to simplify, but if your goal is to RV full time, consider that you are going to be living in this thing. That means you will need more storage space than if you are simply “out for the weekend.” Remember, there will be days (maybe even weeks) when bad weather forces you to stay inside. Simple creature comforts like a comfortable chair to sit in or a couch to stretch out on become more important. Think about what you want to bring with you when you hit the road, and try to estimate what kind of storage space you’ll need. I have met some folks out there full-time RVing in very small rigs, such as 20-foot class C motorhomes and 16-foot travel trailers, so it is possible, but, perhaps, not optimal. If you’re consid ering full-time RVing in a small travel trailer, my advice to you is to take a three-week trip in one and see if you can live in something that small. Second-hand RVs, especially trailers, can be a real bargain! Obviously, you’ll want something that is struc turally sound, and in good overall condition. In general, travel trailers are likely to be lightly used, and buying a pre-owned unit helps you avoid the hit you would take from depreciation on a brand-new one. Don’t buy your tow vehicle until you have picked out a rig. Then, make sure that the tow vehicle has adequate tow ratings to handle the trailer you’ll be towing. Bumper-pull trailers allow you the widest range of tow vehicles, so you can choose a van, SUV, car or truck, as long as it is adequate for the job. Check manufacturer’s weight and tow ratings on any prospective vehicle, and match them to your trailer’s gross weight rating. Leave some headroom, too: chances are, if you are full-time RVing, your trailer will probably be pretty close to its rated capacity when loaded. Good luck in your search!

DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION FOR MARK? Submissions must not contain commercial advertising or consumer advocacy issues. Due to the large volume of material and correspondence submitted, we may be unable to reply or acknowledge receipt of your material. Material will be edited. Questions and answers with the highest general interest may be repeated in subsequent issues. Questions can be sent by mail to “Mark, My Words” Column, 100 Rainbow Drive, Livingston, TX 77351-9300 or to techquestions@escapees.com.

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July/August 2024 ESCAPEES Magazine

rv gadget box

Calling All Gadgets I enjoy RV gadgets, and I’ll bet that most of you reading this have at least one special gadget that you can't live without. Why not share it? Contact me at techquestions@escapees.com and tell me about it. If I like it, I’ll review it in the “RV Gadget Box” column and credit you with discovering it! Check out the RV Gadget Box archive : https://escapees.com/gadgetbox/

Geyser EcoShower By MARK NEMETH #45776, Escapees Technical Advisor, Send your questions via e-mail to techquestions@escapees.com

fl ow control valve built-in, attaches to the end of your existing shower hose. This supplies water into the center of the sponge, and you can easily add essential oils or various liquid soaps and body washes to the interior of the sponge if you like. First, I attached the EcoShower to my house shower to give it a try, and I must admit that I approached the sponge with some trepidation, as I really like my long hot showers. After using it for a couple minutes, I realized that this was a really pleasant way to “shower” after all! In fact, I think I’m a convert. I got squeaky clean, quickly, and I only used a few gallons of water to do so! Sure, this will be a great water-saving gadget for RV boondocking, but it’s also surprisingly enjoyable to use at home! It’s a lot quicker and uses very little water to get you clean. I’ve always been a “Navy Shower” guy when boon docking, that’s when you run the shower just long enough to get wet, then turn it off. Soap up. Then, run the water again to rinse off. When I switched to the EcoShower in the RV, I found that my shower was easier, more enjoyable, signi fi cantly faster and actually

I’m a big believer in conserving water in the RV. I love to boondock, and my fi nite supply of freshwater limits how long I can remain on site before I must return to civilization to re-supply. When Ian at Geyser systems approached me with the EcoShower, I was impressed by the water-saving product line they have developed. G eyser Systems says: “Our products put you in the driver’s seat of your shower. Our Innovative shower methods let you precisely place soap and water on your body with the combined loofah/water source. You can also control the fl owsonot a single drop goes to waste in the backcountry. These two factors deliver clean and ef fi cient showers, without sacri fi cing the experience of a traditional shower head.” The product I received is the no-frills RV shower kit, and it replaces your hand-held shower wand. The simple and well-made sponge and supply hose, with the water

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ESCAPEES Magazine July/August 2024

rv gadget box

used less water than the Navy method! I also love the fact that I can leave the shower enclosure open while I bathe. My shower is small, and with the accordion door closed, it’s pretty tight. There’s a lot more elbow room with the door open, enjoyable, signi fi cantly faster and actually used less water than the Navy method!” “When I switched to the EcoShower in the RV, I found that my shower was easier, more run through the sponge and collect it in a small container until the water at the sponge is hot. This collected water can be used for hand or dish washing or fl ushing the toilet. Waste not, want not. Then, I turn the water off, squeeze the sponge thoroughly, and add about a teaspoon-full of body wash into the center of the sponge with a squeeze bottle. You can also use a pipette or eyedropper to insert soap or essential oils into the sponge. Ready to get clean? Start a very low fl owofwarm water into the sponge and lather up. Once you’re all soapy and clean, Increase the water fl ow and squeeze the sponge to remove any remaining soap, then sponge away until you are rinsed. MinorModi fi cation I did a minor hack to the installation instructions: Instead of having the EcoShower fl ow control valve on the sponge end of the hose, I placed it at the shower valve hose connection end. This lightens up the sponge and makes the valve easier to manipulate. Try it! Time will tell, of course, but my old RV shower wand is in a drawer, and the Geyser sponge thingy is installed in the RV. You know, I may need to get one for my home shower, too! Other products are available, including the Geyser Systems portable, self-contained shower system, which stores and heats 3 liters of water and provides a hot shower when you are out in the boonies. A great option for Tent folks, and Van and Car campers. and the EcoShower doesn’t spray water around like a shower head. Waste Not Want Not When I’m operating in maximum water-saving mode in the RV, I fi rst turn the shower valve to full hot, and let water

With This

Replace This

EcoShower fl ow control valve

Product Tested: RV ECOSHOWER HALF KIT MSRP: $ 49.99 geysersystems.com/products/rv-shower-geyser-ecoshower-half-kit GEYSER SYSTEMS

1720 6450 Rd Suite, Amontrose, CO 81401 831-264-0019, Support@Geysersystems.com

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July/August 2024 ESCAPEES Magazine

from the bookshelf

Books for RVers By MARCELLA GAUTHIER #12371

Discovering America by RV: History, Science, People and Humility LINDA SCHOFIELD • INDEPENDENTLY PUBLISHED 2024 ISBN: 13-9798320290614 • PAPERBACK: $8.99 • KINDLE: $2.99 When I opened Linda’s book, I immediately checked locations I had previously visited to see what she had written about them. I picked areas that had impressed me and, I found that Linda found the locations equally impressive. But, in addition to the facts and histories of the area that I already knew, Linda enhanced my memories with her well-written observations, and she is a keen

We all enjoy reading the books written by fellow rvers about their journeys. As much as it is fun to enjoy their stories and adventures with them how much more fun it would be to open a journal that you wrote yourself, about previous trips, and to share your stories with friends and family. This journal would soon become a family treasure. But often it is daunting to try to fi gure out where to start. A lot of us think that writing is scary, di ffi cult or beyond our skill level; but, you will fi nd that this is not true if given some expert guidance. These two books journal of an experienced RVer, Linda Scho fi eld, and her journal about trips that she and her husband experienced while traveling across North America. The second book is a guidebook by Jessica Laughlin taking you through each state, in cluding Washington DC and Puerto Rico. Both would be valuable additions to your collection of books. deal with these two di ff erent groups: the

observer. Even armchair tourists will fi nd Linda’s stories will enable them to feel like they have been a part of each adventure. They will feel that they have met fellow RVers with their tales of dealing with the challenges of RV travel with often humorous outcomes, park rangers with their wealth of information, restaurant workers and fellow hikers with sound advice about things to see and places to go. The book is well-researched and fascinating with its history, scienti fi c data and excellent reporting. It is truly a book that many readers can enjoy. You will fi nd that opening just about anywhere in the book will cause you to keep reading to see what Linda and her husband, Mark, will do and where they are heading next, while traveling in their RV, which they have named Betty.

The 50 States Bucket List: The Ultimate Journal for a Journey Across America JESSICA LAUGHLIN • EPIC INK 2024 • ISBN: 13-9780760388495 • FLEXBOUND: $19.99 This fl exible, faux leatherbound book provides an excellent and beautiful guide to journaling your adventures. Jessica is an artist, graphic designer and photographer; this book is a lovely example of her multiple talents. There are colorful illustra tions of each state’s birds, fl owers, unique facts and important places to visit. Maps and Jessica’s

included categories encourage you to enter local restaurants, record the weather, and make note of your fellow travelers and new friends you met along the way, and favorite unique locations you visited. This journal makes it easy to note those special moments of your journey that you might easily forget in the hubbub of travel. But you will have captured those moments for posterity. The journal becomes a lovely keepsake recounting your memora ble trip. You might fi nd that you are a pretty good journal keeper and will begin a journal collection you can share with others for many years.

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ESCAPEES Magazine July/August 2024

ENJOY THEVIEW & the lifestyle.

COVERAGE & SERVICE FOR a ll of your jour n eys.

# Full-Timer’s Coverage ! Replacement Cost & Agreed Value " Pet Insurance

Get your FREE RV Insurance Quote at RVAdvantage.com/Escapees or call us at 800.331.1520

ASK US ABOUT THE ESCAPEES CLUB DISCOUNT!

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ESCAPEES Magazine July/August 2024

day’s end

Free and Low-Cost Parking Finds Compiled by GUYGIPSON #84383 • Download the entire online directory at www.daysenddirectory.com. The Day’s End Directory is a valuable tool to help you save money and fi nd safe overnight parking recommendations from fellow Escapees RVing members.

Florida LANDO ` LAKES : Starkey Wilderness Preserve, Serenova Tract (SW FL Water Mgmt District). Equestrian sites, useable for RVs, horse not required. Tables, fi re rings. Nonpotable Wand portajohn. Free reservation must be requested in advance by mail or website, swfwmd.state. fl .us/user/login?destination=node/add/reservation. Corner of Hays Rd and Hwy 52E. 14900 SR 52. N28 19.7639 W82 34.1484. swfwmd.state. fl .us/recreation/sites. Joyce Findlay #112256 LITHIA : Lithia Springs Conservation Park. 43-sites, 30-A E/W (15 also have 50-A). Showers, D. $24 with E, $18 for 55+. No BD sites. No reservations. “Park entry fee” for day users is not charged to campers. Most sites 180-day limit, some 14 within 28, some 30-day limit and 30 out. I-75 x250, E on Gibsonton Dr which becomes Boyette Rd which becomes Fishhawk Blvd; total of 9.5 to Lith ia-Pinecrest Rd (CR 640). TL, go 1/3 mi to Lithia Springs Rd, TL (S), go 1.5 mi to park: 1/4 mi past second light (Sweetbay Grocery Store). Or, from jct. SR 60 and SR 39 S of Plant City continue S six miles to light at CR 3 9 and CR 640 (Lithia Pinecrest Rd) TR, go three mi to Lithia Springs Rd, follow above. Some low tree branches on way in. Gate locked in eve, late arrivals call ahead 813-744-5572. Good Verizon. Along Ala fi a River, great paddling. Best prices for HUs near Tampa. hc fl .gov/locations/lithia-springs-park Joyce Findlay #112256 PLANTCITY : Edward Medard Conservation Park. 40-sites, tables, fi re rings, 30-A E/W (14 also have 50-A). Showers, D. $24 with E, $18 for 55+. No BD sites. No reservations. “Park entry fee” for day users is not charged to campers. Most sites 180-day limit, some 14 within 28, some 30-day limit and 30 out. From jct SR 60 and SR 39 S of Plant City turn W 3 mi to light at Turkey Creek Rd, turn S 1 mi to entrance on L. N27 55.404 W82 10.069. Gates locked after 6:30-7:00, ranger pro-vides combo. Late arrivals call ahead 813-757-3802. Fishing, heavy tree cover. Sites up to 60'. Paved interior roads, gravel sites. Best prices for HUs near Tampa. hc fl .gov/locations/edward-medard-con servation-park John and Bonnie Archer #113438 RUSKIN : E G Simmons County Park. 103 sites, tables, fi re pits, 30-A E/W (62 also have 50-A). Showers, Ds. $24 with E, $18 for 55+. No BD sites. No reservations. “Park entry fee” for day users is not charged to campers. Most sites 180-day limit, some 14 within 28, some 30-day limit and 30 out. From I-75 x240, go W 3 mi on College Ave to US

41, then N two mi to 19th Ave NW, then W to park at end of rd. N27 44.382 W82 27.776. Gate locked in eve; late arrivals call ahead: 813-671-7655. Beach, playgrounds, lots of rds for biking and walking. Most back up to water. Any size rig, in two CGs. Best prices for HUs near Tampa. hc fl .gov/locations/eg-simmons-conservation-park Mark and Vicki Shorter #129845 ZEPHYRHILLS : Upper Hillsborough Preserve, Alston Tract (SW FL Water Mgmt District). Equestrian sites, useable for RVs (horse not required). Tables, fi re rings/grills. Nonpo table W, portajohn. Free reservation must be requested in advance by mail or website, swfwmd.state. fl .us/user/ login?destination=node/add/reservation. From US 301 in town, go 3.2 mi S on SR 39/Buchman Hwy, TL (E) on County Line Rd, go one mi, TL (N) on Saunders Rd. go 0.2 mi, TR (E) on Deems Rd, go one mi, on R. 42144 Deems Rd. One mi of gravel rd to entrance, entrance had lg deep potholes, extremely muddy and wet after rain. Sometimes closed due to fl ooding, check website. Lg rigs OK. Wildlife. swfwmd.state. fl .us/recreation/sites Joyce Findlay #112256 Michigan BAYMILLS : (UP) Bay Mills Casino, RV park. E/W $20, E/W/S $29. W, laundry and D only for guests. No O/N RV pkg in regular pkg lot. Gus Bandemer #165493 BIRCHRUN : Meijers grocery and fuel sta. O/N BD. Free. Sign says no O/N pkg, but Meijer mgmt told me they allow RVs and trucks to O/N. I had no problems. I-75 x136, go 1 mi W. 9515 Birch Run Rd/Main St. Park behind fuel sta. Bruce Ratcli ff #48001 and Maxine Vert #49242 CHARLOTTE : Eaton County FG. 100 sites. Various 20- 30-, and 50-A E, W spigots, rest rooms, hot showers. D ($5 non-campers). $20. Mid-Apr to mid-Oct. From an e-mail: Also look at our “Off Fair Events” calendar for events that may be taking over the entire grounds and additional fees or no campers are allowed. Please call the number listed on the web page for further details. Also 300 BD sites, price unknown. From Indiana, take I-69 N to x57, go three mi N. From Lansing, take I-69 x 60, go 0.35 mi W on Rt. 50 to Paine Dr, TL, go 0.3 mi to end of rd, TR into CG. Entrance E off S Cochran Ave along chain link fence. N42.54862 W84.82866. Some sites need

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July/August 2024 ESCAPEES Magazine

day’s end

leveling. Grassy with lg trees, shady, no gravel on sites. Quiet. Good Verizon. D is off Cochran Ave, past chainlink fence, between FG entrance and the CG. 517-543-4510. eatoncounty-fair.com/camping. Jack and Dottie Barry #65881 BREVORT : (UP) Lake Michigan CG (NF). 33-BD sites, tables, fi re rings. Drinking W, fl ush toilets. $24, S/A Pass 1/2. Some sites reservable rec.gov, 877-444-6777. May 7— Oct 15. 16 mi NW of Saint Ignace on US 2, on L (water side). 45 59 8N 84 58 19W. Heavily shaded, some level gravel slots. Beach access. Along Lake Michigan, a few campsites with lake views. No Verizon. Two mi to free D at Brevoort Lake NF CG, also boat/canoe rental. www. fs.usda.gov/recarea/hiawatha/recarea/?recid=13293. Bruce Ratcli ff #48001 and Maxine Vert #49242 BREVORT : (UP) Brevoort Lake CG (NF). 70-sites. D and W ($8), dumpsters, fl ush toilets. $24, S/A Pass 1/2. Double site $45. Some sites reservable rec.gov, 877-444-6777. May 17—Sep 14. Host may charge an extra day if you check in before 2p. 1.5 mi N of US 2 on Brevort Camp Rd (FR-3108). Well signed. 46.00756 -84.97201. Paved inte rior rds. Dirt/grass sites. Mostly shaded. Along Brevort Lake. OK for all but the largest rigs. Boat dock, frisbee golf, beach lake access, OHV trail close by. www.fs.usda. gov/recarea/hiawatha/recarea/?recid=13292 Jim Datsko #92881 DUNDEE : Cabela’s lg, paved, quiet pkg lot for RVs. W (free, ask if turned off). Pkg free. US 23 x17, go W on US 50, N side. Cafe. Excellent display of mounted animals. Fran Grodek #97924 FOWLERVILLE : Fowlerville Family FG. BD and HU sites. D and W ($10). Rest rooms, showers. BD $15, E/W $30, FHU $35. More rates avail, ask at fair of fi ce. I-96 x129, go one mi N to Grand River Ave, TL (W), go 0.5 mi to FG on R (N). Payatof fi ce just inside entrance. D is in NW corner by the CG. fowler-villefamilyfair.com/camping Bruce Ratcli ff #48001 FRANKENMUTH : Kroger/Bavarian Mall, pkg lot. No facil ities. Free. No restrictive signs, mgr gave permission to park O/N. SR 83/Main St, in town, just N of Schleier St, E side, across st from McDonalds. 435 N Main St. 43.3403 -83.73808. Park on opposite side of lot from store entrance, along Main St. Some rd noise but not too bad. Grassy areas to walk dog. Not far from quaint down town and Bronners Christmas Store. Don Gagnon #145287

HILLSDALE : Hillsdale County FG. 80-sites with 15-, 30-A E/W, some 50-A, some FHU. W, D ($10 for non-campers). grassy sites, paved interior rds, fl ush toilets, showers. 30A $25, 50A $35. Except fair week, open Apr—Oct. Reservations required, Mon—Fri 8-4:30, 517-437-3622. 115 S Broad (M 99), 3 blks S of downtown business district, E side of hwy. Plenty of shade. Dogs on leash OK. hillsdalecountyfair.org/camping Ron and Jan Chisman #76257 SAINT IGNACE : (UP) Kewadin Casino. 21-RV sites (8 pull thru) with 20-,30-,50-A E/W. Tables, D and W (potable and non-potable), dumpster. $15 (free before May 25, E and D but no W). Most sites need levelling. Also free BD in huge paved pkg lot (a few areas level). No stay limit. I-75 x348, go SE on I-75B, TL on “Mackinac Trail,” two mi to casino. 45.92638 -84.73472. Gravel sites along edge of paved lot. Any size rig. RV park paying guests have free use of hotel pool and small gym. Good Verizon. Shuttle bus from lot to casino (long walk). Also free bus to/from downtown. Smoke-free restaurant. Mackinack Island ferry docks only 10 min away. Richard and Kathy Howe #74769 SAINT IGNACE : (UP) Pkg lot of Michigan Welcome Ctr, NB lane of I-75, just N of Mackinac Bridge. Rest rooms in building are open 24-hrs. Bruce Ratcli ff #48001 and Maxine Vert #49242 SAINT IGNACE : (UP) Mackinac Bridge Scenic Overlook, pkg for 6 lg rigs. Tables, grills. Trash service. No restrictive signs. I-75 x344, go 2.5 mi W on US 2, S (L) side of hwy at MM 317.5. 45 51 20N 84 46 50W. Long-rig pkg lane along edge. Overlooks straits, view of Mackinac Bridge. Bruce Ratcli ff #48001 and Maxine Vert #49242 SAINT IGNACE : (UP) Roadside park, pkg for 6 lg rigs. Tables, grills. Trash service. No restrictive signs. I-75 x344, go 6 mi W on US 2, S (L) side of hwy at MM 314. Long-rig pkg lane along edge. Lake view. Bruce Ratcli ff #48001 and Maxine Vert #49242 WHITELAKE : Highland Rustic and Equestrian CG, Highland Rec Area (DNR). 30 lg, mostly level back-in sites on packed sod, tables, fi re rings. W, vault toilets, dumpster. $20, more if a horse is along. Apr—Oct. From SR 59/Highland Rd go S on Haven Rd, then slight L on Morraine Rd, watch for CG sign on L. 42 38 8.23N 83 32 37.22W. Few or no shade trees. CG rarely used. Horse, mtn bike, ski and foot trails thru forest and marsh. 800-447-2757. tinyurl.com/qyyjf5f Donald J Potts #100891

THE DAY’S END DIRECTORY is a useful tool for helping you save money and fi nd safe overnight parking recommended by fellow Escapees members. “Day’s End” listings are submitted by traveling members. Please be aware that these listings are not veri fi edby Escapees magazine, and the information is subject to change without notice. Want more? Order online or write Guy Gipson, 107 Rainbow Dr., #755, Livingston, TX 77399-1007. Online Search and Download: $15/year. Include your complete name and Escapees membership number. Order the Day’s End, Good Guys and Boondockers Journal Directory by visiting www.daysenddirectory.com

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ESCAPEES Magazine July/August 2024

escapade

Picture this: desert vibes, sunny skies and a whole bunch of old pals and fresh faces all jazzed up about the RV lifestyle!

–

i c

m a g

u r e

i s p

c s o n

M a r c h i n T u

…think desert blooms, spring

hues, and the whole Escapees crew coming together to celebrate the RV life we're all crazy about. After a summer of epic adventures, family visits, and chill time at home, there's nothing like reuniting with old buddies and making new ones in our awesome community. Escapade is where the real fi esta happens jam-packed with enlightening seminars and high-energy entertainment that'll have you dancing under the desert stars! Xscapers, big rigs, Boomers, van lifers, Chapters, BOFs—you name it, they'll all be rolling into the fair grounds, ready to rock the biggest event on the Club's calendar! So mark your travel plans now to include Tucson, March 16–21, 2025 and get ready to fi esta like there's no tomorrow! Rob & Laura Kernodle #131897, Escapade Directors

Get ready to fi esta like there’s no mañana! Save the date for the 64th Escapade in vibrant Tucson, Arizona, happening March 16–21, 2025 at the Pima County Fairgrounds

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July/August 2024 ESCAPEES Magazine

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ESCAPEES MEMBERS START FOR JUST SAVE MONEY, AVOID MISTAKES AND JUMP-START YOUR LIFE OF FREEDOM! $ 107

Whether you are a weekend RVer or you want to pursue full-time RVing or perhaps you fi nd yourself anywhere in between, we want to help take the stress out of RV living. We are offering classes that will help you make the right choices for staying out of the repair shop and enjoying more of being happy on the road. • RV Foundations: Operation, Safety, and Maintenance takes the mystery out of the various systems of your RV.

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Find out how you can take part in this educational experience. WWW.RVERSONLINEUNIVERSITY.COM

camping chair chat

Paving Your Own Path

buying a brand-new fi fth wheel instead of renovating an old? So I asked him to clarify “who”? Who is it that you don’t you want to think you’re immature? He went quiet for a moment, then responded with “society.” This really got me thinking. Whose expectations do we try to live up to? Do we make our choices based upon what we think others will approve of? And if there is a particular person we’re trying to in fl uence with our choice, the next question would be why? Do we have to agree with everything everyone else does? Probably not, so why give anyone else the power over us? There is so much freedom in breaking the habit of doing things that fi t into a certain group or lifestyle. Even if it’s as simple as being the only RV at a “Van Life” event, there’s power in being vulnerable and different. The point of being a nomad is to be free, so why not live life how you want to live it? Be a nomad if you want to be. Be the person you want to be and don't apologize for being yourself. It’s in those moments that you realize there really are no rules to how to do this life. Your decision might not resonate with everyone, and that’s okay. We can’t control how other people will react, all we can aim to do is control our own response. Kelley Welch #173565

RV life, Van life, full-time travel, part-time travel, social media travel in fl uencers, digital nomads, travel by choice, travel by necessi ty. There are so many ways to live nomad ically these days, it can be easy to get lost in the labels that de fi ne the community. I recently met up with a friend who is brand new to life on the road. I have been travel ing in my RV full-time for over three years now, and I'm always interested in other perspectives, so I asked him “What are your fears?” The response surprised me, but it was not an uncommon thing to hear. I assumed the response would be something related to fi nding campgrounds, cell phone service, dumping tanks or one of the many inevitable obstacles one may face on the road. Instead, he expressed worries about what people would think. Would they think his choices were immature? Would they think he was sel fi sh for being so far from family? Would they judge him for

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July/August 2024 ESCAPEES Magazine

camping chair chat

Sante Fe, New Mexico Keeping Time at Bay

When other RVers ask my favorite state to visit, I often say New Mexico. That comment has gotten me some weird looks, especially if the askers have driven through on the interstate, stopping only at gas stations. I admit, the highways don’t show New Mexico’s best face. Drivers get views of cholla and creosote bush, fl at prairie and junked cars. But there’s so much more to New Mexico, and Santa Fe is one of its best parts. The fi rst time I went on a road trip to Santa Fe, I was 19. My friends and I left Utah on spring break, hoping for an exotic destination on small budgets. While other kids fl ew to beachside resort towns, we drove through miles of empty desert to see a place nobody in our families had really even heard of. Of course, this was before the Internet. We’d heard rumors of adobe buildings and quaint little roadside inns, of native artisans who still sold their wares at the Indian Market under the portico of the Palace of the Governors. We wanted to fi nd out if it was real. Expectations like this often lead to disappointment, but that trip to Santa Fe gave me exactly what I was looking for. We arrived past dark and walked into the

lobby of the King’s Rest Court, an authentic drive-in motel on Route 66. They gave us a room; the door was turquoise-colored to ward off evil spirits. I thought I would die of happiness. The next day, we went to the Plaza and absolutely gawked. All this time, I thought I’d have to go to Europe to see the old world, but here it was. The Plaza, made from traditional adobe, dates back to the 17th century Spanish conquistadors. Something beautiful was to be found around every turn. An air-headed romantic, I announced that Santa Fe was, as I’d read of Italy, in a state of elegant decay. The next time I went to Santa Fe, I was an adult with two children. By that time, we’d studied the Santa Fe Trail and the Camino Real, which had invited trade from Mexico City. The kids liked the Cathedral of St. Francis and the oft-patched Oldest House, an adobe on de Vargas Street which may have been built before the Spanish arrived. We went into the Fred Harvey hotel, now called La Fonda, with its hand carved beams, stained glass skylights and railroad history. We ate green chile burgers under the shadow of Blake’s long legs. Back at the RV, we sat under the awning and watched the sun set behind the Sangre de Cristo mountains. The trick in New Mexico is that you’ve got to get off the highway. Like the adobes, everything worth seeing is tucked away behind a burm or wall, slid back into a recess in the hills, to keep time at bay. As they say, it’s not really new and it’s not really Mexico, but it’s really great. Bianca Dumas #145498

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ESCAPEES Magazine July/August 2024

camping chair chat

I Tried All of the Grocery Stores So You Don’t Have To Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Walmart, Albertsons, Safeway, Aldi, Kroger, HEB, Publix, Wegmans, Sprouts…the grocery store chain options in this country are endless, and I’ve tried them all. I’ve been on the road full time for over three years determined to fi nd the best grocery store to fi t my needs, and in my time on the road the answer has become glaringly obvious, no one does it quite like Sprouts Farmers Market. W hen I fi rst heard of Sprouts I immedi ately wrote it off because of the name alone, I associated “Farmers Market” with “over-priced,” and looped it in

and know how to custom-cut for customers. They prioritize organic meats, free-range and farm fresh. They also carry Force of Nature meats, which is a brand I actively seek out because of their mission to improve the environment and health of consum ers with regenerative practices. If plant-based is more your thing, have no fear, the produce at Sprouts is top notch. You won’t be fi nding any moldy lettuce heads there. The produce is organic, non-GMO and free of preservatives. That transparency is what I love about the Sprouts brand, and it even carries through the bakery department. Their bread is all made small-batch and their baked goods are baked fresh in-house. I recommend their salted caramel cookies or rasp berry oat bars to satisfy those sweet cravings. Do you have a dairy allergy? Sprouts freezer section is the largest I’ve seen of dairy free ice creams and desserts. The last thing I love about Sprouts, especially being on the road, is their grocery pick up option. It’s become a standard in my RV. Once I know my next destination, I plug the zip code into the store locator, choose the closest location, and build my entire order for pick up for when we arrive. Getting to a new campsite with an empty fridge is the pits after a long travel day, doing a pickup order makes life so much easier. It really is the little things that add up to an easy travel experience. So next time you’re close to a Sprouts, I recommend making the trip, you won’t be disappointed! Kelley Welch #173565

with expensive, organic stores like Whole Foods, but it couldn’t be further from the truth. Not only are the prices reasonable, but they beat most competitors out there. The reason why Sprouts is the winner for me is the quality of foods. About 90% of Sprouts products are natural or organic. They carry all of the standard grocery aisle items as well as an entire vitamin and body care line, local products, organic coffee, a sushi station, bulk foods and ready to eat meals. Buying organic is really important to my family so, for me, it’s a one-stop shop, because I can also load up on their cruelty-free soaps and lotions, and even dental care products. Sprouts isn’t the least expensive grocery store, Aldi actually wins that category, but it’s in the top six and I think as far as quality goes, it can’t be beat. I also really love the layout of the store, everything is clean, easy to fi nd and the entire middle of the store is dedicated to bulk nuts and seeds you may not fi nd in other stores. I also highly recommend their coffee, in which you can buy ground or whole bean. As someone who eats mostly animal-based products, I think the meat selection at Sprouts is far superior to other grocery store chains. It has a Whole Foods type selection without the price tag. Sprout’s butchers go through extensive training

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July/August 2024 ESCAPEES Magazine

camping chair chat

The Kindness of Camping Strangers is Wonderful! The Camping/RV community has consis tently impressed us as a friendly, kind and respectful group of folks, willing to lend a hand or share a camp fi re, but also respect ful of your privacy and safety. On two occa sions this proved to be especially true. I n Northern New Mexico, at the start of our spring trip, we were plagued by various RV mechanical failures, mostly due to our own failure to properly winterize before storing it in November. We thought we had adequately blown the water out of the pipes with compressed air, but obviously were not successful! The consequence was a week of many trips to repair shops and parts stores. At Fenton Lake State Park, in the Jemez Mountains north of Santa Fe, we had intended to fi sh and hike for a couple of days. We camped near a lake that had been recently stocked. Insteadof fi shing or hiking, we had an interior fl ood and the next day a failure of our electrical system. The fl ood was due to the water freezing in the pipes that we thought we had adequately drained…but hadn’t. So, they cracked and the moment we went to fi ll upour tank, water was gushing all over the place. We spent the next day looking for replacement parts at the nearest towns, but had no luck. Returning to our campsite, we noticed that the engine was not recharging our coach batteries. And we were camping in a place without electric hook-ups. After spending two nights without water and intending to drive out for repairs, we discovered that, even with the engine on, we couldn’t bring our stabilizers up because the coach was getting no power. With no water and no power, and no cell service, we came to truly appreciate the kindness of strangers. Fortunately we had befriended our “neighbors,” over the camp fi re in the evenings. They were a Latino couple our age, but both disabled, and their teenage grand-daugh ter, Brianna. Charlie’s quick wit and jokes distracted us from our mechanical miseries. When our electrical failure immobilized us, Charlie came to our rescue with a portable generator and a recommendation for a repair shop that was able to fi t us in without waiting a week. Thank Heavens for good neighbors! It meant we had to drive two hours back to Albuquerque, so off we went. The repairs took all day and we returned to our

campsite to blessedly fi nd Brianna waiting to give us the six trout she had caught for our dinner. They were amazingly sweet and succulent and, we were so grateful to this lovely family for their kindness. Another spring, we were anxious for a new adventure and to get past the raw cold days we’d had recently in Connecticut. Driving south, we were fast forwarding through spring several days every day. But the fl ora, even just along route 81, was gorgeous. Once we got to Maryland and Virginia, the ubiquitous red bud trees colored the mostly lea fl ess roadside forest with brilliant magenta drifts. The grasses were the glowing emerald of Ireland, and at lower altitudes and further south the crinkly emerging leaves of trees were chartreuse. Some trees wore colorful coronas of maple-like helicopter seed pods in shades from champagne to apricot to burnished copper to burnt sienna to brick. The skeletal white limbs of sycamores, always the last to leaf out, provided a dramatic contrast to the vibrant colors of new life on other plants. In some places, it was as though nature had made her own fl oral arrangements with dark green juniper bushes and scrub brush of a frosty sage color, red bud trees poking up through them in a halo of magenta, occasional stark white dogwoods, and vivid green grass in front dotted by bright yellow wild mustard weeds. I just kept smiling like a giddy child at all the beauty around us.

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ESCAPEES Magazine July/August 2024