We bought a motorhome.

[catalinakel]

:001_smile:And we are so excited. It is old-1979, but in great shape. It was cheap, and I am only buying thrift store stuff for it in keeping with the green theme it evokes with its lime/avocade stripes along the side. I found a bunch of orange/harvest gold/avocado and lime green sheets and fabrics for curtains, seat covers and bedding.

I realized while planning to drop everything to take care of my dad(and mom) after his triple by-pass surgery that neither we nor the kids are getting any younger. That our plans of family travel never materialize for lack of large chunks of money in the bank. I got a tiny inheritance and we spent it on the motorhome. Now we can go when we like, as we like. :lol:

So, all you homeschool rvers out there, what can you tell us that we should know? We are a bit overwhelmed with all the details of systems involved in rv camping, and looking for rv places is overwhelming also. Where are your favorite, cool and family friendly (and cheap) places to stay in the rv? We are in Nevada, but California is our home. We want to go everywhere!

[Jennifer in MI]

Congrats!!!! That sounds wonderful! I have no ideas about rving, but I've always wanted to rent one and drive cross country!!

Have fun!!

[catalinakel]

We thought about renting, but it is expensive, esp. in the summer when my husband is off (he is a teacher), so we basically bought for the price of a two week rental and figure we will get our money's worth fast! Next summer we may head out to Michigan to visit cousins, then maybe washington dc, williamsburg, oh yeah, and my brother in law moved to Portland Oregon, so we may go there at thanksgiving. I feel so free to go as we please.:)

[Jennifer in MI]

Seriously - I'm SOOOO jealous!! Dh and I will do this when we've retired. So, where in MI will you be???? I'm in MI!!!

[catalinakel]

so we're not waiting. but the idea of doing it full time when they are gone has come up. My cousin is in Grand Haven, and they camp, so we will probably try to go and camp with them. I want to take my husband to Mackinac Island, as he is a history buff and would love it. I want to see the Traverse City area again, as my dad spent summers there helping his grandparents run a store (and slaughter pigs every Wed. night he was telling me the other day! Man. My dad is tough. ) Where are you? I was born in Mount Pleasant, even spent some of my childhood in married housing at Central Mighigan U. I have the yearbook to prove it! The folks moved out west and we were settled in California by the time I was 5.

[Jennifer in MI]

Oh - I hear ya!! I wanted to do it with the kids too!! But, we compromised and drove cross-country twice in our van and stayed with friends or in hotels. It wasn't too bad!!

Mackinac Island is incredible!!! We go every other year and stay at the Grand Hotel (the owner gives an incredible discount to Episcopal Priests for a conference every other year!). You and your dh (and your kids) will enjoy it!!

We live in Grosse POinte - near Detroit. If you want ideas in this area, let me know!! I don't know about camping or rv parks, but I do know fun stuff!!!

[Kinsa]

Join the Good Sam's Club for discounts at RV resorts: http://www.goodsamclub.com/

Try the KOA's for locations across the USA: http://www.koa.com/

We are getting ready to head out this Sunday in our 31' travel trailer. We are in the process of moving from TX to ND, and for three weeks (at least) we will be living in our RV. Fun, fun. :001_huh:

[elegantlion]

Congratulations! Here's a website to check out.

www.familiesontheroad.com (http://www.familiesontheroad.com)

My family is planning to travel in a RV full time for a few years. We don't even have the RV yet, but plan to sell our home next spring and work from there. We may or may not keep a home base, but it's something we've wanted to do for a long time.

Another site to check out is rv.net, they have a very active message board.

[EKS]

I don't know anything about private RV parks because they always looks a bit too much like parking lots to me. However, state parks can be quite good, with hook ups and bathrooms with showers. National parks usually don't (never?) have hook ups. Forest service campgrounds have basic amenities but can be fairly inexpensive and not as crowded.

[ChocolatePrincess]

http://www.recreation.gov/recgovHome.do?topTabIndex=Home

and

http://www.nps.gov/PWR/home/graphics/banner02.jpg

and

State Parks

[newbie]

Congratulations! Here's a website to check out.

www.familiesontheroad.com (http://www.familiesontheroad.com)

My family is planning to travel in a RV full time for a few years. We don't even have the RV yet, but plan to sell our home next spring and work from there. We may or may not keep a home base, but it's something we've wanted to do for a long time.

Another site to check out is rv.net, they have a very active message board.

Wow,

That is quite an undertaking, after about five days we are ready to get home. That is brave, I cant wait to hear about the adventure.

Jet

[jmgconner]

Oooh, congrats! My DH and I have browsed the familiesontheroad website quite a bit. It's one of our dreams. No advice for you, but have fun and let us know all about your trips!

[catalinakel]

And thanks for not mentioning gas prices.:tongue_smilie: We know gas is expensive, but so are hotels, flights and restaurants. From what we can tell, research shows that rv vacationing is still the best value for families. Which we are. I will keep all updated on my blog that is new and still in the making. Lemme try to link it: http: //kelkelcan.wordpress.com/. I will post pictures of the rig and fabrics when I figure out how to do that. If anyone wants to clue me in as to how to get rid of the red writing that shows on my blog, please do so. :confused: I hate reading the fine print, manuals, etc. But I love driving and sewing and fresh air and trees!:lol: