Have gotten too cocky

[retiredhappy]

Left Kerrville with plans to stay overnight in Rockdale but the RV park was the pits with loose dogs running around. I was pretty early so decided to just go on down the road and find another RV park. Now this is on Saturday and I've always told newbies to make reservations on a weekend but I have gotten pretty cocky. Well the RV parks became fewer and fewer. Finally in some small town I asked at a convenience store about RV parks nearby. The first one's electric boxes left a LOT to be desired. Went to the next one and found after asking that I had to drive to the biker bar down the road to pay. They wanted $30 a nite - not gonna happen. Went to the reservoir, full up. Called Huntsville SP and asked if I could come in a day early. NO!!!! Trucked on down the road and FINALLY found a small, clean, unadvertised park by asking at the gas station. The moral: MAKE RESERVATIONS FOR WEEKENDS!!!!

Am now settled in with a BIG glass of wine and feeling much happier. Dogs fed and walked. Seriously thinking about a 2nd glass of wine.

Newbies take note: Do as I say not as I do.

More about the drive: As anyone who knows me knows I HATE freeway and big city driving. Well instead of doing my usual comprehensive (some call it anal) planning, going small town to small town I decided since it was a short trip I would let the GPS God do all the planning. NEVER AGAIN!!!! It took me through Austin where there was a big traffic jam, on a Saturday no less and on busy freeways. Fortunately for me the new toll road wasn't open yet but it was pretty confusing avoiding it. When it finally turned me off onto a Farm-to-Market two-lane road I was really HAPPY. Going home I will do my own thing; small town to small town to small town to avoid the big, bad freeways. I love driving through farmland; seeing the little farm houses and huge barns nestled amongst the green crops of whatever they're growing.

Note to self: Don't EVER trust the GPS.

[FancyFree]

As a newbie just starting to travel by myself - note to self "take advice from Retired Happy".
Fancy

[Liz]

There's always Walmart...

[dayspring39]

Oh you made my evening... know the feeling we always know too much for our britches...
I agree on seeing the corn grow and the farm houses needing a coat of paint... and the farmers dog barking at your heals... ah peaceful and quiet instead of honk honk zoom zoom... sometimes I take the free way but much better off it...

Me and My Shadow think you will sleep sound tonight... second glass or not...

[monik7]

Now I don't know what to do. Beth has always told me she almost never makes reservations. I just took off today on my first "long" trip - 2 1/2 months with almost no reservations. It must have been beginner's luck tonight because I'm here in Fernley, NV at a nice Passport America park with paved, level sites, shade trees, grass, FHUs, and spotless restrooms and showers. I probably would have paniced in your situation. Yikes!!! Wonder what future adventures I'll have on upcoming reservationless weekends. Glad it worked out and that the wine helped.
Sandi

[avalen]

oh Karen, sorry I had to chuckle cause I can sure imagine your frustration, but so glad you finally found a good
place to kick back and enjoy a little wine.

[Bethers]

I only worry about holidays. Oh and special times. I wouldn't think about coming up here during the Harley/ Sturgis times without a place to stay. Although my gf and I did, and spent a night sleeping in her van. If I want to be at a specific park during a specific time, I'll make reservations. Otherwise I find winging it way more fun. Or, as Liz said, there's always Wal-Mart.

[retiredhappy]

Could have always pulled into someplace and boondocked EXCEPT I bought a little dorm size freezer so I can bring lots of ice. Its ok to keep stuff cool while driving cause not opening door but overnight all my ice and frozen stuff would have thawed. I was running into the weekend people. The place I was originally going to stay had sites but was really scuzzy. There are always unadvertised RV parks especially in small towns its just that I was picky; first too scuzzy, 2nd too expensive. I absolutely refuse to pay $30 JUST for electric.

[MelissaD]

When I ran over the road trucking, night time parting and a good meal was always an issue and reservation were never accepted

There are a couple of things you can do to help improve your chances. No guaranty and life's an adventure so embrace it. Mindset is your biggest tool. Remember, if you don't care for a place that's ok as long as you are safe to get some rest. There is always tomorrow to find the next adventure.

1- Plan to stop for the day before 4pm. Most people stop around dinner time so beat them to the parks. The night before or around noon figure out where you think that will get you and pull out you Passport America guide book and look for a campground to call and confirm an opening.

2- Read billboards, listen to radio for events in the area. Major events that suck up CG spaces often advertise for miles around. They will also affect traffic.

3- Holidays and major population centers normally fill up 1st. Example, better chance a hundred miles from Dallas than 30 miles from Dallas.

4- Get an Next Exit book available at all major truck stops as well as a fuel stop book which will also list fuel locations on US and State highways. If nothing else you can park long enough to get some sleep and safely continue your journey. The Next Exit book was my favorite as it often contained "mom and pop" restaurants which had a dirt lot out back I could park in and take a nap for the night. Always made notes in that book ("my little black book" if you will) Next Exit also includes parks and campgrounds at that exit.

5- Some of my best experiences were unexpected stops.

6- Most importantly, I learned to look for a large neon sign that read "EAT" or "FOOD". Normally not fancy food but a place that had been there for years, supported by locals and a value for your dollar.


These days since I need the 30/50 amp (A/C for Phoenix) we travel with reservations. I would enjoy just to wonder again but with the wonder comes the chance of not getting a CG with power. Maybe the next rig will have a built in generator. Need to figure out your balance point. If your not having fun, IE stressing, you'll need to make changes but the unexpected is what makes the adventure.

http://www.thenextexit.com/

[monik7]

Thanks Melissa. I've taken note of all your suggestions.
Sandi

[BarbaraRose]

I bought a "Next Exit" book for my trip to CA with Linda, then gave it to her to keep once we got there. It was quite helpful!

[Deeann]

Cocky is good. But it can backfire. lol

[JudyJB]

Another danger in getting cocky is backing up into a place where you are sure you know where you are going and are relying on mirrors and backup cameras to view what is behind you. Maybe you are in a hurry and it is raining out.

My advice: get out and look!!! Mirrors are nice, but I have occasionally gotten lazy about getting out and looking, and have had some close calls.

Ditto for the last walk-around before pulling out. It will remind you to pick up the doormat and the wrench you left on the electric post. (If anyone sees such a wrench, it is probably mine because I have left two of them behind in various states.)

[Acadianmom]

I seldom make reservations except at a rally or GTG. Guess I have been lucky. I do start looking earlier than I use to and get off the road before dark. When my son travels with me he is good at finding campground on the GPS or computer. I have the passport america book and the big trailer life directory. I went all the way to Seattle and back and only had reservations near Seattle that my son made.

Martha

[retiredhappy]

Great suggestions. The Next Exit was useless to me as I travel backroads and its pretty much only good if you're on freeways. I usually only drive about 4 hours, 200 to 300 miles. I like to pull in early and relax with my glass of wine and beat the people who check in later. In this case I was on HWY 30, a two-lane road thru mostly farmland and very small towns. One of my favorite places to stop for lunch or even an overnight, are churches. Their parking lots are usually big enough and there's usually some grassy area to walk the dogs (just be sure to pick up). Of course not a good choice on Saturday nights unless you want to go to services. In Texas another great place are the parking lots of the courthouses. Most towns in Texas, even the small ones, have usually big courthouses. I once even pulled into the parking lot of a police station. Asked if I could get some sleep and they were really nice and I felt totally safe.

I agree with Melissa about finding the local eateries. Just ask at a local business where they recommend. The great thing about my Roadtrek is that its small enough that I can pretty much get into and out of any parking lot that a truck can.

As for carrying any camping books, I have apps on my phone for Passport America, Good Sam, RV Parky, RV Camps Locator, National and State Parks, Gas Buddy, etc. My GPS also will find me a gas station, RV park, grocery store, etc. The good thing about using apps is they are usually more up to date than the books. If I have phone service, even just two bars, I have internet access cause I use the Hotspot on my phone.

Never panic, you will always find some place to pull over, eventually.