We carry AAA CampBooks which list a few of the better (and more expensive) campgrounds. At every State border, we stop at their Welcome Center and pick up campground and state park literature.
On Saturday night, we need laundry and showers, a dump station, and a Catholic Church nearby. Planning ahead is required and Bill usually phones for a reservation at a commercial campground, such as KOA. Many offer WiFi service.
COMMERCIAL CAMPGROUNDS
KOA, Page, ArizonaDisappointingly, No WiFi
Camp Loma Paloma, at the edge Big Bend Rancho State Park
Camping Jumeau, south of Ville de Québec, Canada
TRUCK STOPS allow free parking, but sometimes it is very noisy with trucks passing by, or those parked with refrigerator units going on and off, or the loudspeaker announcing “Your shower is now ready!” We have a membership card to Flying J which gives 1¢ a gallon discount. Their booklet lists all of their locations; usually just off major freeways at the outer edge of town. Besides facilities for truck drivers, they have a restaurant and gift shop (handy for postcards and the refrigerator magnets we are collecting), and are open 24 hours.
Flying J, London, Ontario Province, CanadaStop drooling: the prices are per liter,
making it around $4 per gallon in Canada.
WAL*MART
Wal*Mart stores sell a Rand McNally U.S. Road Atlas that shows the location of all of their stores, listed by State giving their status and address. Most large towns have one on the outskirts, just off a freeway. They allow RV’s to park on the premises, off in a far corner of their enormous parking lots. Super Wal*Marts are usually open 24 hours, handy for grocery shopping and bathroom access. We find them very convenient when it is raining and driving is difficult. An occasional bonus is WiFi from an adjacent large motel. We found a few towns, such as in New Mexico, which post a city ordinance prohibiting overnight stays.
Wal*Mart, Carroll, Iowa, next door to train depot
Wal*Mart, Kearney, Nebraska. In the far corner of their parking lot,
we could access WiFi from
Quality Suites motel across the street.
Fr. Pierre LeClerc & Bill in front of White Father’s Provincial house,
Montreal, Canada.
Phil & Elaine Alexander, Ann Arbor, MichiganThey live at the end of a long drive
on a beautifully landscaped small estate
surrounded by thick woods. (Bill says, "Jungle.")
And they turned the tables on us as we left, taking our photo and
sending it to us by e-mail.
WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, FOREST CITY, IOWA
The Dream Machinereturned to its place of birth
for some technical assistance.
As drop-in customers for minor repairs at the Winnebago Industries factory, we were given a free parking site with electricity next door to Customer Service until our turn arrived and we were taken care of: getting the roof and skylight caulked, toilet resealed, bolts tightened, etc. (arriving Sunday September 9th and leaving on Saturday, September 15th.
STATE and NATIONAL PARKS
Government Parks are very attractive with spacious grounds and trails (where Jean can find plants) (Bill says, "Commune with the flora"), restrooms, often with showers, dump station, and choice of hook-ups or no services sites. They usually cost less than commercial camp grounds. We stayed at those fairly near to a major highway.
Stephen F. Austin State Park, near San Felipe, Texas on the Brazos River
Hidden in thick scrub oak at Anastasia State Park, St. Augustine, Florida
Lake Ogallala State Park, Nebraska
Chisos Campground, Big Bend National Park, Texas
STATISTICS
Camping days to date: 147, paid 94 days ($1,777)
Max paid $40.28 (Canada), free days 53
Over all average: $12/day,
average for paid campgrounds: $19/day.
Max paid $40.28 (Canada), free days 53
Over all average: $12/day,
average for paid campgrounds: $19/day.
