In this episode, Sam interviews Madeline and Dillon from the Kind Campers. Their dream has always been one of wanderlust. As they set out on their “adult gap years”, Madeline and Dillon knew that they needed something more than just the intention to travel. With their passions in mind, they decided to make their goal on the road to “cultivate kindness” as often and widespread as possible. The Kind Campers have a mission to RV full time and spread kindness while doing it!
Tune in to hear about finding volunteer opportunities on the road, how kindness can change your life and the lives of others, and also hear some great stories from the road about spreading kindness!
What we cover in this episode:
1:00 – Why hit the road?
4:30 – Choosing an RV
7:30 – Becoming the Kind Campers
13:30 – Finding volunteer opportunities on the road
There are so many places in this beautiful country to go and see that it can be hard to choose sometimes. One of the things that I have never regretted doing is going to some of our country’s national seashores.
These protected areas are so amazingly beautiful that you’ll have a hard time leaving, at least that was the case in my experience.
While many of these areas you can’t take an RV, you can leave your RV at a park nearby and visit them. I highly recommend doing so. You will not regret it. Here are the national seashores I recommend.
Cape Lookout National Seashore – North Carolina
Image by Mark Pearson from Unsplash
Cape Lookout Lighthouse and the Cape Lookout National Seashore often get overlooked by people heading to the Cape Hatteras National Seashore that’s a little to the northeast. However, that’s their loss because this place is amazing.
The lighthouse has a distinctive black and white pattern on it and you can easily get tickets to go up in the structure. The seashore features several beautiful areas where you can watch the wildlife, sink your toes in the sand and relax completely. If you want, you can also check out Porstmouth Village, which is a ghost town on a nearby island.
Gulf Islands Naitonal Seashore – Florida and Mississippi
The Gulf Islands Naitonal Seashore is in both Florida and Mississippi and is the largest national seashore out there. It encompasses several barrier islands. You can see beautiful and historic forts from the 1800s, amazing wildlife, and so much more.
It’s a place you can hang out on the beach, kayak the waters, take a ferry to a super remote island, or get a history lesson from guides. You can spend a long time exploring down herre, so plan you trip ahead of time and take your time, too.
Point Reyes Naitonal Seashore – California
Image by Jordan McQueen from Unsplash
Cape Cod National Seashore – Massachusetts
The name Cape Cod brings up ideas of lighthouses, boating, swimming and so much more. The Cape Cod National Seashore is home to so many wonderful Atlantic surprises. The seashore features a 40-mile long beach, and many areas of this seashore are famous for various reasons including Coast Guard Beach which is a simming area favored by local and was once a place Henry David Thoreau spent a lot of time.
The lighthouses are great places to visit, there’s also dunes, 11 different nature trails, and over 1,000 shipwrecks you can view here. It’s a place that has a rich American history, and you should make a point to take all in that you can.
Assateague Island Naitonal Seashore – Maryland and Virginia
Image by JeninVA from Getty
Assateague Island National Seashore in Maryland and Virginia is one of those places on most people’s bucket lists. Why? It’s one of the best places to see wild horses.This 37-mile-ling barrier island goes all the way from Ocean City Maryland to the northern portion of Virginia.
Horses aren’t the only thing you can see here. You can spend plenty of time riding a bicycle or boating. The wildlife is wonderful to view and the beaches are beautiful and extremely peaceful. There’s a rich and long history to learn about while you’re here to. It’s one of those places that reminds you how diverse and amazing the U.S. really is.
What national seashores have you been to? What would you add to this list? Leave a comment below.
While having a heck of a time at the game is really more about the game itself and the people who are there with you, having the right gear and accessories for your rig will help you make the most of ever second at the game. Here are some things you need to have for tailgating success.
An Exterior TV
The TV inside your RV is important, but let’s face it, a lot of us want to spend time outdoors. That’s where an external TV comes in. Some RVs come equipped with this exterior TV already. If you have one of these, then more power to you. Get the game on!
If, however, your RV lacks the exterior TV, consider getting one. TVs for RVs are realatively affordable, and even if you don’t have an exterior outlet on your RV, you can always run an extension cord or attach a mount.
Then all you need are some good seats and the rest of the items on this list and you’ll be ready for tailgating bliss.
A Tailgating Grill
Get the grill that is suited to handle your tailgating needs. When people watch the game, they want to eat and you need a grill that’s ready to handle the job. Sometimes this means a small grill. Other times, you’ll need something a lot bigger.
I like the Coleman RoadTrip X-Cursion Portable Propane Grill for smaller parties. It folds up small and is easy to use. It’s perfect for a few friends who want to tailgate together. If you want something larger, then you should go with something like the the Portable RV Barbeque Grill that mounts to the side of your RV or sits on a table. It’s a little more to handle, but if you have a lot of mouths to feed, it’s the better option.
An Awning or Canopy
Photo by ajax15 via Flickr
An awning is a must have for any tailgate. It keeps the sun out of your eyes, keeps you from getting sunburnt and will even keep the rain or other precipitation off of you if needed. I know you’ll probably be in the RV if the weather gets too bad, but the awning can help keep you outside a little longer. If you don’t have an awning, you should consider getting one.
If an awning doesn’t really seem right for you, consider a canopy or a outdoor screen room. These are affordable alternatives and can be a fantastic addition. They provide protection from the sun and give many of the same benefits of an awning. If you want to go all-out, you can set up both.
What else do you like to have at the game? Leave a comment below! Also, do you have a tailgater in your life? Check out our tailgating holiday gift guide.
Whether it be an Airstream or a Luxurious Class A Motor Home and anything in between,we did some digging and found the best deals on RV rentals to make sure you save money!
The best RV rental company to get cheap RV rentals is Outdoorsy.
Just think of Outdoorsy as the AirBnB of RV Campers. They have a
platform that is setup to offer peer-to-peer RV rentals. This allows
anyone who owns an RV to rent it out to people when they are not
using it.
Outdoorsy vets every RV owner before letting them rent their RV Camper on the Outdoorsy platform. Outdoorsy offers awesome customer support, if you ever ran into any problems.
So Why Outdoorsy?
Not only do they offer the cheapest RV rental prices you’ll find
anywhere, they also have tons of incredible benefits, including:
Free Roadside Assistance
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Outstanding 24/7 customer service.
Rental locations across the US, Canada, Australia and the
UK.
To show you what a great company Outdoorsy is they gave us a coupon to get you $50 off your first rental! Just click the button below and the coupon will be applied at checkout.
Are you the kind of person who loves to travel south for the winter and beat the cold? If so, you fit into a very large population of people often called snowbirds. While not all snowbirds head south in an RV, quite a few people do.
Well, let’s take a look at the different types of RVs and hopefully we can help you find the type of RV that’s right for you.
Types of RVs
The types of RVs are generally divided up into two distinct categories. There are motorhomes and towable RVs. The difference is probably pretty obvious. Motorhomes are an RV that has a motor and can be driven. Towable RVs are trailers that require a separate tow vehicle. Let’s take a look at the different types of motorhomes and towables.
Motorhomes
Image by Camping World
Motorhomes generally fit into three classes: Class A, Class C, and Class B. Class A is the biggest, Class C is the second larges, and Class B is the smallest.
Class A Motorhomes
Class A motorhomes are built on large bus or truck chassis. They offer a lot of space and many are luxurious models with all the luxuries of home. This makes them an enticing package for anyone who plans to spend long periods of time traveling.
Class C Motorhomes
Class C motorhomes are built on commercial truck and van chassis and feature a sleeping area the sits over the cab of the vehicle. These can vary considerably in length but usually aren’t quite as large as Class A motorhomes. They’re also usually a bit less expensive and less luxurious. They’re still a great option for snowbirds who need plenty of space.
Class B Motorhomes
Class B motorhomes are essentially regular full-size vans that have been converted or transformed by an up fitter or RV manufacturer to offer all the comforts of a camper. Their small size makes them easily maneuverable and a good choice for someone who likes to camp off the beaten path or move from campsite to campsite often.
Towables
Image by Julie Chickery
When it comes to towables, there are more options. There are fifth-wheels, travel trailers, expandable trailers, pop-ups, and small campers, like teardrop campers.
Fifth-Wheels
Fifth-wheel RVs are one of the larger styles of towable RVs. They are defined by their unique hitch which attaches to the tow vehicle (a large pickup truck) to a meachnism in the bed of the truck. This makes them very stable when towing down the road. Fifth-wheels offer a wide variety of floorplans and plenty of space.
Travel Trailers
Travel trailers are simply an RV in a trailer form that attaches to a tow vehicle via a standard tow hitch. Travel trailers can vary widely in length and weight. This means you can often find a travel trailer that can be pulled by the vehicle you already own. This makes them enticing to some snowbirds.
Expandable Trailers
The expandable trailer design blends the idea of a pop-up with a travel trailer. Basically, you get a travel trailer with expandable areas that feature tent-like roof and walls. These areas are commonly used for sleeping. This design allows for a compact unit when towing that cam be expanded out once you get to your destination.
Pop-Ups
You probably know about pop-up campers. Pop-ups offer a little more protection than a tent and some of the amenities of a travel trailer in a small and affordable package. They’re perfect for weekend camping and shorter trips but lack many of the amenities and features that other options have.
Small Campers
Last but not least, there are small campers. These come in all shapes and sizes. You’ve probably seen teardrop campers, and other small campers before. Some of them are better suited to snowbirds than others. Their common feature is their light weight and small overall size. This means you can tow them with almost any vehicle.
What Kind of Snowbird Will You Be?
Finding the right type of RV from the ones listed above all comes down to the type of snowbird you will be. If you’re of the mind to just find someplace warm to park next to some friends or family, then something like a Class A motorhome might be perfect for you.
If you’re the kind of person who likes to go out and explore the area you’re staying in, a towable RV with a separate vehicle that you can drive around might be the right choice.
Sit down and really think about how you plan to spend the winter months. If you’re the kind of person who wants to live the RV resort life and stay at the campground and partake in all that the facilities have to offer then get an RV that you know will have more space and let you have the comforts of home.
If you’re going to be moving a lot and taking frequent trips, something smaller, more manuverable, and easier to handle on the road might be a better choice. You can also be in the middle. It’s all up to you. The best part about being a snowbird is that you get to decide which lifestyle is right for you and then live it.
Have any questions or concerns? Leave a comment below. I’d love to hear from you.
