Sometimes, when taking a look at a map or watching some travel shows, you start to develop a bucket list of places you'd like to visit. It could be a long term stay; it could be just a simple day trip. Either way, here's where we'd like to eventually go:
Yellowstone National Park: Perhaps the most popular of the National Parks. Although this is mostly within western Wyoming, part of the ground do extend into Montana and Idaho. Although at a high altitude, the allure of wildlife and Old Faithful have made this a long-time draw.
Grand Teton National Park: Just south of Yellowstone in Wyoming lies the Grand Tetons. Nothing states "Rockies" more than this sight to behold. It is also a popular destination among ski tourists with Jackson Hole nearby, though our visit would likely be in the summer to avoid inclement weather.
Grand Canyon National Park: Drove by it once in Arizona, but never had a chance to stop there. This carving of rock with the western Colorado River beneath is a popular destination for many. We have some friends that work this area throughout the summer, and look forward to eventually visiting.
Western Maryland: This being on the bucket list is no Accident. Maryland has always brought a bit of intrigue, and a drive through Cumberland and these parts of Appalachia has been one to certainly want to try.
Key West: Off the Florida Keys... No, we're not looking for Kokomo. However, any road tripper will want to mark off the southernmost point of US Route 1. Though he's been there before with a group, driving it yourself it yourself is a completely different bear, and one to certainly do.
We probably won't get to all of these within the next year or so, but if our Internal Compass takes us to these points, it'll certainly be where we want to visit.
If you're a full-time RVer, you may notice that your laundry bill becomes quite exorbitant, even in some of the more "economical" places. Never fear, there's a fix for that.
One of our newer gadgets that has certainly helped us is a portable washing machine. At first, we weren't really able to use it because of the size of our 2009 Jay Flight trailer, as we weren't even able to store it very well. Fast forward to the new rig, and it's finally having some use. We still don't have a dedicated space for it, as it's not meant to be used outdoors, and the only place with a relatively usable water and drain source is our bathroom sink and shower respectively. Still, through a winter of no full laundry services and the nearest laundromat about half an hour away, it's served us well.
If you've never seen these portable washing machines, they're fairly easy to use. One side will have a "wash" cycle, while the other will have a "spin" cycle. Usually you'll hook up a water hose from a faucet to the machine, and then there's a drain pipe that runs out. The actual load capacities do run on the smaller side, so you'll need to do several loads with possibly a couple rounds worth of spins. Also remember that it is illegal in many jurisdictions (and not a good idea in the first place with all the detergent chemicals) to dump grey water onto the ground, so make sure you're letting it out in the tub or shower and emptying your grey tank properly. Once you have your clothes washed, either use a line to dry if it's permitted (most private campgrounds don't allow this), a rack in your rig, or take it to a service at a much lower cost. Just make sure if you do use a laundromat, they don't have an issue with you only drying, as there was one where we were in South Dakota that insisted you do both there for profit reasons.
With our laundry system, we've been trying to figure out ways to improve the situation. We've thought about potentially building a platform for the machine so the drain pipe can sit above the lip of the shower and we don't have to pick up the machine to drain the water. It shouldn't be that difficult; perhaps something akin to when we built stairs for the old rig. Some of the newer, larger RVs will come with laundry hookups or even washer/dryer combos themselves. Without hookups or access, that isn't really an option, but you can always put it on the wish list for the next one. We're still beholden to using larger machines for most of the bedding, so we're always on the lookout for the best deals, which are starting to become few and far between.
So don't let the laundry get in the way of your Internal Compass. Grab a portable washing machine and continue to enjoy life on the road!
Even when you live on the road, both of the "sure things" in life still exist, with one of them being taxes. More specifically, the income type.
We've discussed previously some tax advantages that exist when you establish domicile in an income-tax-free state. As of the time this is written, the states without a state income tax are Alaska, Washington, Nevada, Texas, Wyoming, South Dakota, Florida, and Tennessee. Although New Hampshire does not charge tax on earned income, it does with unearned income (i.e. dividends and interest). The state where you establish domicile is going to cover bank interest, stock dividends, and capital gains, with each being a nice tidy supplement. But maybe you're wanting to work on the road, whether it's at the place you're staying, or somewhere in town. In addition to the federal rates, you may end up with another bill on your hands, so be ready for additional paperwork if you work in a state that wasn't listed.
Regardless of what state you're in, it's important to understand, and is a good idea to ask during the interview process, how you are being paid if you're workamping for salary. Are you receiving a W-2 as an employee, or are you receiving (or at least SHOULD be receiving) a 1099 as a self-employed contractor? This makes a big difference, because if it's the latter, you're going to be responsible for paying the entirety of Social Security and Medicare taxes, which is above 15%. If you receive a W-2, these are typically deducted as a "payroll tax" (look for FICA on the pay stub), of which the employer and employee both pay half, so if you're self-employed, you can deduct half from the adjusted gross income. An important note about these taxes is that they are due not only on April 15th, but also every quarter. You'll want to get familiar with Schedule C, Schedule SE, and the 1040-ES for estimated payments, but be careful not to get too "cheeky" with the deductions, because they might not be business related. If you've overpaid throughout the previous year, you can hold some or all of the refund as a prepayment for next year, which will help to offset these costs for at least part of the first quarter.
While we're on the subject of "every quarter", it's actually a good idea to reconcile your income generated at the end of each quarter: March 31st, May 31st, August 31st, and December 31st. Those middle two dates are intentional. Remember that 15 days after each of the aforementioned, taxes are due. When you're a full-time RVer, you're going to find that your rate of income could wildly change throughout the year. If this wild change puts you at a point where you're going to have to pay penalties, having these reconciliations will help you. You are able to reduce penalties based on an extrapolated income you would have made if what you did for the given period remained the same throughout the year. To figure this out, multiply quarter 1 by 4, quarter 2 by 2.4, and quarter 3 by 1.5 (now you see why those two weird dates are a month early).
As a quick disclaimer: The information provided may or may not be accurate as of the time you read this, so it's best to consult with a tax professional before making any sort of financial decisions. They'll make sure you're doing well when you Follow your Internal Compass.
For some people who personally know at least one of us, full-time RVing would be the last thing you'd expect us to do. This is something we've seen when talking with other couples as well: One wants to sit at home with the IT job and just do gaming, while the other wants to live in the RV. But how would you ever consider actually going on the road with a life like that?
The most important mindset to have about full-time RVing is that it's all about wanting to travel and see the country. We've always had this in mind, and is ironically why we first started going together all those many years ago. She likes to road-trip but hates being behind the wheel, while he likes to drive on road trips. It only seems natural to want to head out into the vastness of the good ol' USA. Full-time RVing doesn't have to be seen as your traditional camping trip anymore, although you can certainly make it that if you want it to be. You could be a hobby gamer and live in an RV these days if you really wanted to, as well as telecommute your job, have all the basic comforts that a traditional house or apartment would have, and the only thing that really changes is what you see outside your window every now and then.
For us wanting to do the whole full-time RV thing, it's actually been years in the making. Although we both grew up not too far from each other and still have connections to those areas, we weren't necessarily the happiest with our region; we simply tolerated it. In fact, we almost started the adventure five years before we actually did. It's a bit of an interesting story, where his job was considering the possibility of everyone working remotely. Unfortunately, the high-ups believed that people working remotely wouldn't actually do their jobs, so the idea was nixed. If it had panned out, we'd have already been on the road, probably testing out some of the latest technologies of the day, but alas, we'll never know. Fast forward a few years, and the disillusion with the region, coupled with the settling of certain affairs, reached a point where the opportunity to escape presented itself, so we took it.
So the next time one of the Internal Compasses wants to take you on the road, don't rule it out because someone is a home-body. There's something for everyone out here.
Sometimes, when you drive along the road, you see a naturally occurring oddity reaching into the heavens.
Welcome to Devil's Tower National Monument, the first declared as such, reaching high in the hills of Eastern Wyoming. Devil's Tower gets its name from an errant translation, when Colonel Richard Dodge mistakenly took what was known by the Lakotas as "Bear's Lodge" to mean "Bad god's Tower", and despite maps to the contrary from the 19th century, the name stuck. It's not known for bad luck by the natives of the area, as many will leave items to ward off any sort of demons that they believe possess them, and these remain strewn among the trees of the area surrounding the tower.
Devil's Tower is quite the sight to behold. As you drive from Sundance or Moorcroft towards Hulett along US Highway 14 and State Highway 24, you begin to see the ominous formation as if it were a city's skyline on the horizon. Once you travel in, make a stop at the Visitor's Center to see more information about its history, along with the random alien as a tribute to the popular film "Close Encounters of the Third Kind". If rock climbing is your cup of tea, perhaps Devil's Tower will provide a challenge to reach the top, as many have attempted. Even if it isn't, a trip around the base of the butte will give great views of not only the formation, but the many of those attempting to conquer it.
Devil's Tower is a national monument, and unlike many of the other areas to visit in the Black Hills, this one will actually accept the National Parks passes that you may have, including the program at the time of writing this for fourth graders to enter, along with their family, at no cost to the family. Do be aware that the entrance gate will not accept cash as of the time of writing this, though National Park Service offices in the greater Black Hills region will be able to do so. Pets are strictly prohibited from trails, and even those who might use service tags without a legitimate medical service may face hefty fines.
So if your Internal Compass is pointing skyward while in the Black Hills, give Devil's Tower a try.
When you embark on a journey such as this, there are both things and loved ones you may leave behind. When you do, you may have to return to come face to face with some closure, which is what Freedom Rolling has sadly had to do. When these sorts of things happen, especially unexpectedly, you may find yourself making long trips without the RV. Here's some tips on how to make this happen.
First, remember when we talked about emergency planning? This is one of the times where it's going to come into play. You'll be using that "go bag" and other provisions. You might need a few extra things, such as dress clothes for a slightly-more-formal event, and hopefully you kept some when you first packed. Thankfully, there's going to be enough time to get these together, so you don't have to rush. However, because you were ready, you'll find the extension of the trip much less stressful than it already is.
Remember taking a look at the route and your packing and timing? Once again, chance has favored the prepared mind. Figure out what's going to work best for you. A thousand miles in one shot (or at least something close to that) might sound doable going there, but not necessarily so much so coming back. Do you even drive it? Public transportation (i.e. trains and planes) may sound like a possibility, but you must also consider the route, especially when certain cities may not be a very good place to be. If you do drive it, and it's probably the least expensive of the options... Are more than one person able to drive, and are they all comfortable with the route? When you reach a destination, it's certainly something to keep in mind, especially if where you need to be is on the opposite side of the country.
The other obvious thing to consider is where you happen to start. Will you be allowed to leave the heart for what could potentially be a couple weeks? Do you need to pay extra camp fees? Are you going to be effectively forced to bring your RV along, further complicating matters? There have been horror stories out there about RVs being declared "abandoned" because no one's there for a while, and just like that the home is gone. Be sure to take that into consideration as well, because not everyone will be able to drive heavy, and you won't be able to go as far as you would in a day without the rig.
So if you're Following your Internal Compass and something comes up, never fear, because you'll be ready to handle it.
Ah Mobile County, one of our favorite places to stay thus far and certainly worth another visit. Here is some information on the last time we visited.
Sites: Having a larger rig meant that we were found in a different row in the same area. Although there was no ant pile this time around, we did find some bad luck with the pad not being level. Although we were able to adjust to suit our needs, it was a little cumbersome to set up.
Staff: Ironically enough, after about two years since the last time we visited, the staff actually remembered us. They were just as friendly as ever, and led to a bit of an interesting banter when checking out to receive our site deposit.
Amenities: This was probably the most disappointing part of the return trip. We previously quipped about comparing other parks to if only half the amenities were there, and that was the case this time. The laundry facility was closed down, along with the platform walk. We remember it was starting to deteriorate a little bit, and must have reached a dangerous point. We really hope that Mobile County is able to fund repairs of these in the future, even if they have to seek a grant, because it was one of our favorite things to do.
Overall, despite what we saw this time around, we probably wouldn't change the rating on this campground, if only for the unchanged price and the staff. Not to mention, just like last time when escaping an uncomfortable situation, this was once again a proverbial "breath of fresh air". One of the staff members joked about seeing us again in a couple years, and that may just happen if we're back in the area.
Welcome back for another round of disc golf!
We're coming to you from the city of Satsuma, Alabama at Steele Creek Lodge and Park for our match. Steele Creek is a free-to-enter city park north of Mobile with a newly opened boat launch ramp at the time we were there. This is a nine-hole course that is fairly flat in elevation but a signifcant tree challenge. No official maps exist (only a superimposed satellite image), and tee 1 was not marked, but there are clear paths to lead the way to each tee and hole that are otherwise marked well. The tees are not concrete.
This match saw all 9 holes played, with only one starting marker for each. Previous descriptions for equipment apply, and there was no pup along for the journey. We agreed to start hole 1 near a mailbox and electrical plug because the tee wasn't marked. How did this one go?
Course Result:
His Holes: 4
Halved: 2
Her Holes: 3
Course Record: Him 5 - 2 - 3 Her
Holes Record: Him 29 - 23 Her
After hole 1 was halved, she ran into terrible tree luck that led to him taking a three hole lead. She started to pull it back after a fabulous tee-off with him not aiming well, though it was short lived with a halve and him winning hole 7. She pulled it back in holes 8 and 9, including a near-lucky long shot for a 3, but it was too little, too late, as the early lead was insurmountable. The shot total ended with him having a 44-47 edge, though there is no information on what "par" for the course is.
Looks like he's starting to pull away; can she turn the tide? Until the next course, remember to Follow Your Internal Compass.
As you spend a bit of time living on the road, you begin to figure out what does and doesn't work. Along the way, we've picked up a few things that should help us.
First thing where we've found some great use is with milk crates. Before going into this one, a little disclaimer is necessary: The bottling companies own the milk crates that you see in grocery stores, so don't be going out and stealing those. There are places where you can buy them, and at a fairly reasonable price for what they do. You might be used to seeing four 1-gallon jugs in those square milk crates, but did you notice it can perfectly fit both a 20 and a 30 pound propane tank? If you don't want to spend the time ratcheting them down (although we recommend you do), the solid base of the milk crate prevents easy tipping, while you safely transport the tanks from your local filling station. They also make for great braces if you need to hold something up.
One of the biggest things we've figured out during some of our trips is that you can't necessarily trust the quality of the water where you happen to be staying, even if you're using the RV and marine filters. We've seen moldy hoses, even our entire piping system going orange from iron deposits. Sadly, one of the regular expenses that is therefore difficult to avoid is drinking water. We've tried the packs of bottles for a while, but that doesn't quite work out well, especially when taking trash into account, so we've found a pump that can be put on top of the dispenser bottles you see in offices, and that has given us the ability to use drinking water. Refills are also easily available across the country, and if there's a decent source, we could always bring the jugs with us.
If you're like us, you probably find yourself staying at a number of state parks. Campgrounds built by the Corps of Engineers are still on the bucket list as of the time of writing this, but they typically have one thing in common: Lack of sewer hookup. If you're only staying for a couple of days, this isn't so bad, but any longer and you'll need to dump. When you have a larger rig, packing it all up to hit the dump station isn't practical. Enter into the picture: A 42-gallon waste tank. We found one where we can hook this to the back of our truck, fill it up, and take it to the dump station. Even if you happen to have a typical sedan or a golf cart, so long as you have a tow hookup, it should work as well. You'll need to make sure you're able to tow at least 500 pounds, as a gallon of water weighs a little over 8 pounds, and it isn't exactly all that fun walking one of these full of your black tank up a hill, even when it's on wheels.
So as we Follow our Internal Compass, we're still finding ways to make our lives more efficient and versatile. Who knows what we'll find next...
Trip number 16 saw us going to yet another park. In fact, it was a park we've previously visited. Most of the details are the same as the last time we were there, so let's take a look at what's changed.
Sites: This time saw us in a different part of the park, a bit more open and one of the pull-thru 50 amp sites with much more space to be able to maneuver, both while driving and when parked. There's a little something for everyone in these parts.
Staff: We saw a bit of an improvement in the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff. Whether it's because our hair is more grey, or it's just a different crew that knew we were back for a second round, it was a much better experience.
Amenities: The bath houses have changed in that they are now coded entry, which did puzzle a couple of guests who didn't take the time to read the literature. The funny signage is still there, including how only toilet paper is permitted to be flushed (makes you wonder what's to be done with purposes 1 and 2).
Overall, the rating given to Rainbow's End Park is about the same. Administrative business was definitely completed here, and although we were also using it as a bit of a "crossroads" for our next trip, business still remains one of the few reasons to actually go to this park. We did notice some improvements being made outside of the grounds along the highway itself, and look forward to seeing what they have to offer, potentially improving the atmosphere of this spot seemingly in the middle of nowhere.
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