By Barry Zander, Edited by Monique Zander, the Never-Bored RVers
Readers have responded to my recent blogs with information that I think you’ll find interesting.
John Kyler asked, “What reference material did you use to locate your campgrounds? It sounds like a little nerve-wracking, but enjoyable trip.”
BARRY’S RESPONSE: The way I select campgrounds is by turning where Monique says to turn. After we agree where we want to be and what we want to see, such as Washington, D.C., as the planner and navigator, she puts her heart and soul into routing us, She takes her time pouring over maps, travel guides and articles torn from RV magazines, researched further on the Internet. Once she has the route carved in stone and we actually hitch up, we use her routing as a basis, but go wherever our wanderlust directs us.
Freedom is Wonderful, which brings us to an important message: This is the Memorial Day Weekend, a time when we honor our nation’s servicemen and women who have given their all to keep America free, whose service to our country has preserved our access to a free press; preserved our right to worship in the way we want or not to worship at all; to be entitled to fairness before the law; to learn and discover; to travel where we want in the RV best suited for our lifestyle. Like I said, Freedom is Wonderful. To those who have died over the centuries for our liberty, we give our deepest thanks.
Now, to resume our travel planning. We try not to make reservations, except for the busiest weekends, like Memorial Day or if we want to go to a remote place with few campsites. We supplement our plans by trying to stop at state welcome centers along the way, but since we try to avoid interstate highways or seem to arrive at the state line five minutes after the center closes, that doesn’t always work.
I keep a record of places suggested by other travelers or locals, which we try to weave into our plans. That’s a great source of information. And one other planning source: we are about to embark on our second caravan trip in our six years on the road. When we went to Alaska, we decided to sign up with a caravan so that Monique didn’t spend all her time looking at maps and trying to make arrangements while on the road exploring the wonders of the Great Northwest. Boy, did that ever work!
Every stop was chosen by the caravan company. We left a campground in the morning and arrived at the chosen campground in the afternoon. The time in between was ours to do as we wished. Facing the challenge of campgrounds and ferry crossings on our planned trip to the Canadian Maritimes, we once again decided to sign up for a caravan. It takes a lot of pressure off Monique so we can just enjoy the traveling.
And, now, let’s get back to your contributions …
From Bill Watson, an email that reads: “I would have thought you would have one of those fancy RV GPS units that promise to keep you from turning onto highways like that one (Hwy 15 in Connecticut). I’ve thought a unit like that would be really handy if it worked as advertised.
I grew up on Long Island and they have roads called “parkways” that were restricted to passenger cars only. No commercial vehicles allowed. No advertising or billboards allowed. They were designed as the highways you took for that scenic Sunday drive. The bridges weren’t made very tall. I’m assuming that the Merritt Parkway is the same kind of road. Don’t know if they’ve changed the rules…I was there back in the 60’s. Seems like just a couple of years ago.
Truck Camper Al Schott wrote, “I see you found out the reason we New Englander’s favor the smaller RV’s. We have trouble with the little cars and trucks we use on local highways. Some of the other RV forums wonder why we don’t have duallies in this area; just tain’t room for them. Also the license fees for 1-ton pickups is phenomenal every two years. You were fortunate not to get a ticket for running on the Merritt Parkway. (Semi’s get on by mistake and have to back up to the last exit with a state police escort).
In this land of Steady Habits, the use of Indian names for the parts and towns holds us close to the puritans that started off in this area. Glad to see you enjoyed one of the treats we get from the ocean in this area (picture cows holding up signs “EAT MOR LOBSTA”).
Enjoy the travel, hope you get to see more of what we enjoy here.
Bev Baccelli says, “Enjoyed your blog piece about New England. I’ve lived here all of my life and now have a Class B motorhome, which fits well in NE streets and byways!
You didn’t mention Massachusetts in your itinerary. This is a great time to visit: weather is warming up and the tourists don’t really arrive ‘til the end of June. Some suggestions:
For crafts: Western Mass is a great place to shop for crafts. Lots of artisans. For outdoor sports: River rafting is in high season now in
Cape Cod Scene
Western Mass. Kayaking is great in Massachusetts, whether river kayaking or dean kayaking. Easy to rent kayaks most anywhere there’s a good body of water. Windsurfing: anywhere along Buzzard’s Bay (how’s that for a name!) there’s always a southwesterly wind in the early afternoon. Biking: Lots of bike trails from old railroads beds across the state. Beaches: We’re not Florida or Hawaii, but we have beautiful beaches along the Southcoast, South Shore and Cape Cod. Island hopping: Martha’s Vineyard is just an hour’s ride away by fast ferry from new Bedford…and your rig can be parked easily in the ferry parking lot! Nantucket is further away and is accesses from Hyannis on Cape Cod. I prefer MV – nice day trip. Whale watch tours: Out of Plymouth or Provincetown (which has 2 campgrounds)
Obviously history abounds in Massachusetts, but you sound like you’ve gotten quite a bit of that elsewhere. Hope you add MA to your itinerary. It’s not just Boston! Although we are going to Fenway Park for their game tonight!
BARRY’S RESPONSE: We are indeed in the Bay State, in Cape Cod (dry camping in Nickerson State Park) and spent the day driving to beachside dead-ends along the coastal roads, when I could get her out of the thrift shops — and, believe me, the tourists have arrived. Despite the inclement weather, the roads are already packed. This blog has already gone longer than expected, so I’ll save our current adventures for our next article.
‘Faithful Follower’ Larry Nutter wrote, “The photo of Kenny with the lobster looks like a fellow I saw at the Zydeco Restaurant in Belle Chasse [Louisiana] last week. Or maybe it was over in Thibodaux.”
BARRY’S RESPONSE: No, Larry, Zydeco is in Boutte [on U.S. 90]. You’re thinking of Salvo’s in Belle Chasse [La. Hwy. 23 – take a number and wait an hour]. It’s interesting that we travel in the same circles. We ate at both of them last visit to N’Awlins.
Next issue: Fifth Grade History and Cape Cod …
From the “Never-Bored RVers,” We’ll see you on down the road.
© All photos by Barry Zander. All rights reserved
Because of the numerous Spam comments on this site, the comments section has been deactivated. Please email us at neverboredrvers@gmail.com and I will pass along your comments. Learn about Alaska and see travel photos at ontopoftheworld.bz (and much more to come when time allows).