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Category Archives: Travel Destinations

The RV Event Bucket List: Festivals and Events Worth Traveling to in your RV

01 Wednesday Dec 2021

Posted by Coach-Net in RV Information, The Great Outdoors, Travel Destinations

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Albuquerque Balloon Festival, Bucket List, Burning Man, NASCAR, New Mexico, RV bucket list, RV Camping, RV Life, RV Tips, RV travel, Travel Bucket List

There are so many places to explore while you’re RVing.  As an RVer, the open road is your oyster, and you and your traveling crew can explore as much as you want, whatever you want, at your leisure.  And while the list of must-experience sites is endless, there are some key RV Event Bucket List items worth traveling to in your RV, like the ones listed below.

Quartzsite Sports, Vacation & RV Show

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Known as the “The Largest Gathering of RVers in the World,” the Quartzsite Sports,  Vacation, and RV Show draws as many as one million folks every year in January.  For the past 40 years, this otherwise sleepy town has offered vendors space for rock, gem, and mineral shows, flea markets, and the Quartzsite Sports, Vacation & RV Show.

The Quartzsite Big Tent is particularly of interest to hundreds of thousands of RVers, full-time and part-time. Hundreds of vendors gather under this behemoth to sell all sorts of outdoor and RV-related products and services, ranging from the latest gadgets to repairs and upgrades. It’s an RV shopper’s dream come true!

In addition to the shopping opportunities, folks opt to dry camp around the event for days and participate in all sorts of social gatherings and workshops geared towards RV living. It’s definitely a mecca for RV enthusiasts.

Quartzsite is located just 20 miles east of the California border on Interstate 10.  Show dates for the next few years are listed below:

  • January 22nd-30th, 2022
  • January 21st-29th, 2023
  • January 20th-28th, 2024
  • January 18th-26th, 2025

NASCAR Camping

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“Seasoner” fans will delight in the opportunity to see NASCAR events up close!  Many NASCAR race car events offer camping options for RVers.  Depending on the venue, folks can choose among multiple camping areas across the facility, including full hookup sites, grassy areas for dry camping, and camping right in the middle of the racetrack interior field! RVers can also opt for season passes as part of their camping package.

Races take place all over the U.S. between February and November, but the largest and most popular events include the Daytona 500, Coca-Cola 600, Cook Out Southern 500, and Indy 500, to name a few.

Burning Man

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“Whether it’s a dream of artistic expression, a yearning to connect with others in a fractured society, or simply a desire to live a more meaningful and authentic life, Burning Man is the place where dreams can and do come true.”

-burningman.org

Burning Man is a multi-day celebration that occurs in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada around Labor Day. The event focuses on the spirit of community and creativity in the form of art, self-expression, and self-reliance. The event is unlike any on the planet, and to truly understand the concept of Burning Man, you simply have to go and experience it for yourself. To an outsider, it can be summed up as a culmination of psychedelic costumes, out-of-this-world art installations, a variety of performances, and of course, lots of partying.

Tickets to the event start at around $500. Folks are encouraged to bring a hefty supply of water and food in their rigs. It is a complete boondocking experience in the desert, so be prepared for extreme heat and the possibility of dust storms.

Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta

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The Land of Enchantment truly lives up to its name every year at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. This unique event is said to be the world’s most photographed event and the largest hot air ballooning event.

Nearly 750,000 visitors, many RVers, attend the Albuquerque, New Mexico event that happens for nine days during the first full week of October. Spectators gather to witness hundreds of special shaped balloons glow at night and almost simultaneously ascend in the early morning. It’s quite a magical (or, more appropriately, “enchanting”) sight to behold.

In addition to the awe-inspiring balloon shows, folks can see the balloons up close and meet the flight crew as attendees are allowed to walk around the launch field. Opportunities to assist the flight crews with set-up and experience a private hot air balloon ride are also available.

The 9-day event itinerary is packed with concerts, a chance to shop a variety of vendors, social gatherings, and a wide variety of activities for all ages. RV camping can be reserved on-site at the event or at nearby campgrounds. The event also offers bus transportation to and from the festival.

This coming year, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is slated for October 1-9, 2022.

Travel To These and More RV Event Bucket List Locations with Peace Of Mind

Whether you are RVing in the deserts of Nevada or New Mexico or in the middle of a NASCAR race track, it’s essential to be equipped with 24/7, all-inclusive roadside assistance when you’re on the road away from home. That’s a promise that Coach-Net can offer for RVers. They can also promise other valuable benefits such as Concierge Services, Global Emergency Travel Services, Tire Discounts, Camping Discounts, and so much more.

“If you own an RV, you owe it to yourself to have the protection you need when you need it most.”

-coach-net.com

If you haven’t already, give Coach-Net a call or join now and breathe easier knowing that Coach-Net has you and your family covered!


About The Author: Natalie Henley

Levi Henley and his wife, Natalie, have been full-time RVers for over 5 years. They have also been Coach-Net customers for the same amount of time.  They travel and workcamp around the U.S. in their 26-foot Itasca Sunstar motorhome with their two cats.  They write for multiple RV-related publications and recently co-wrote “Seasonal Workamping for a Living: How We Did It.” You can follow their adventures on the road at henleyshappytrails.com 

RV Protect

Mike S. ~ “I am very pleased I chose Coach-Net! When I needed you, you were there for me!”

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Fall For These Majestic Waterfalls In Tennessee On Your Next Road Trip

26 Tuesday Oct 2021

Posted by Coach-Net in Travel Destinations

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Road Trip Destination, RV Camping, RV Safety, RV travel, Tennessee Road Trip, Travel Tips

“There’s no better place to find yourself than sitting by a waterfall and listening to its music.”

― Roland R Kemler

With over 500 waterfalls, many located in the eastern part of the state, Tennessee is a perfect place for RVers to camp near and scout out these natural wonders. So the next time your RV travels take you through the land of country music, barbecue, whiskey, and more, be sure to step away from the bustling cities.  Instead, stay awhile at these parks and explore some of the state’s most amazing majestic waterfalls.

Fall Creek Falls

Fall Creek Falls State Park

Located between Spencer and Pikeville, Fall Creek Falls State Park is a paradise of more than 20,000 acres featuring cascades, gorges, waterfalls, and streams. One of the highest waterfalls in the eastern United States at 256 feet, Fall Creek Falls is the namesake of the state park and its most famous waterfall. Visitors can access this sheer-drop waterfall and other waterfalls like Piney Falls, Cane Creek Falls, and Cane Creek Cascades utilizing the park’s almost 50 miles of hiking trails. 

RVers wanting to stay a while and explore more of Fall Creek Falls State Park’s hidden treasures have five separate camping areas to choose from within the park. Other fun activities include rock climbing, a treetop agility course known as the Canopy Challenge Course, boating, interpretive programs, biking, fishing, swimming, birding, and golf.

Ruby Falls

Ruby Falls

The vacation destination Lookout Mountain, just minutes from downtown Chattanooga, has a few gems to experience above and below the surface. Ruby Falls is a 145-foot high waterfall located 1,120 feet beneath the mountain. Soon after the accidental discovery of the falls in the 1930s, the cavern became a tourist destination. Today, folks from all over the world flock to see the tallest and deepest underground waterfall open to the public in the United States.

The tour of Ruby Falls lasts about an hour. It takes ticket-holders 260 feet down in a glass-front elevator to the cavern trail that winds around unique cave formations leading up to the thundering falls. The cavern stays a consistent 60 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year so bring a sweater if that sounds chilly.

While RV parking is available, it is limited, and the drive up the mountain is rather steep. However, there are RV parks located in and around Chattanooga.

Burgess Falls

Burgess Falls State Park

Burgess Falls State Park in Sparta, Tennessee, is a day-use park known for its many outdoor activities (like hiking, fishing, and bird watching) set to the backdrop of dense forests, rocky cliffs, and the Falling Water River. Now a designated Tennessee State Natural Area, the river and surrounding land served various purposes through the ages, including hunting grounds for Native Americans and a hydroelectric power source for nearby Cookeville.

Perhaps the most sought-after features of the park are its four waterfalls. The River Trail on the Service Loop Road leads to the top of the waterfalls cascading down from over 250 feet into a large pool, the most spectacular one being the Burgess Falls. This waterfall plunges more than 130 feet into the gorge.

Foster Falls

South Cumberland State Park

Day-use visitors and overnight campers can get up close and personal to the Foster Falls in South Cumberland State Park. Beginning at the Foster Falls Visitor Center in Sequatchie, Tennessee, a moderately challenging hike leads to the waterfall that drops from 60 feet into a gorge. The refreshing water is perfect for swimming year-round, save winter. 

South Cumberland State Park offers all kinds of outdoor activities, including hiking, hunting, cave tours, rock climbing, fishing, interpretive programs and events, wildlife viewing, and primitive tent and RV camping.

Cummins Falls

Cummins Falls State Park

Another popular swimming hole is in Cummins Falls State Park. This day-use park can be found nine miles north of Cookeville on the Blackburn Fork State Scenic River.

The Cummins Falls drops down from a height of 75 feet. The first portion of the falls plunges 50 feet into a shallow pool, and the second portion cascades 25 feet into a larger, deeper pool.  Any visitor wanting  to enter the gorge or visit the base of the waterfall must now obtain a permit from the park.

A Word of Caution Regarding Waterfalls

Not to strip away the fun of waterfalls, but venturing to one of these natural beauties comes with a word of caution. Trauma surgeon Jonas Karlsson, MD, offers advice based on his experiences treating patients with fatal or nearly fatal injuries around waterfalls.

1. Wear sturdy hiking shoes or boots.

2. Stay on developed trails. Do not stray from observation decks and platforms.

3. Pay attention to warning signs and rules posted near waterfalls.

4. Never climb on or around waterfalls.

5. Never jump off waterfalls or dive into plunge pools.

6. Supervise children and pets carefully.

7. Never play in the stream or river above a waterfall, or try to take photos at the top of a waterfall.

-Gathered from Waterfall Safety

Waterfalls Aren’t the Only Thing You Can Fall For…

Fall for the protection, security, and peace of mind that Coach-Net’s Premier Motorized Plan brings to RVers everywhere. You can rest easy knowing that Coach-Net has you covered with its 24/7, all-inclusive roadside assistance, Concierge Services, Global Emergency Travel Services, Tire Discounts, Camping Discounts, and so much more. When you sign up for our roadside assistance program before you set off, you’ll have the help you need whenever you need it. So get Coach-Net and get on with your Tennessee waterfall adventures!


About The Author: Natalie Henley

Levi Henley and his wife, Natalie, have been full-time RVers for over 5 years. They have also been Coach-Net customers for the same amount of time.  They travel and workcamp around the U.S. in their 26-foot Itasca Sunstar motorhome with their two cats.  They write for multiple RV-related publications and recently co-wrote “Seasonal Workamping for a Living: How We Did It.” You can follow their adventures on the road at henleyshappytrails.com 

RV Protect

Mike S. ~ “I am very pleased I chose Coach-Net! When I needed you, you were there for me!”

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4 Memorable Places to Go RVing in Kansas

07 Wednesday Apr 2021

Posted by Coach-Net in The Great Outdoors, Travel Destinations

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Camping In Kansas, Making Memories, Memories, RV Locations, RV Locations In Kansas, RV travel, Travel Destination

4 Memorable Places to Go RVing in Kansas

RVing is all about exploring new places, meeting new faces, getting out into the great outdoors, and making memories to last a lifetime. Every state in the U.S. offers many hidden gems that are just waiting to be discovered.

There’s no place like home when you are in Kansas. The Sunflower State is known for its vast, open plains and cities like Wichita and Topeka. But nothing compares to RVing in the small towns of Kansas. Each town has its own charm and appeal and offers an experience you won’t find anywhere else. They are worth at least an overnight stay on your RV travels through the official Geographical Center of the 48 States.

Wamego

Located at the intersection of U.S. Route 24 and K-99, Wamego, Kansas, is approximately 14 miles east of Manhattan and about 42 miles northwest of Topeka. Wamego is a mixture of entertainment, outdoor fun, and history. 

The Wizard of Oz is particularly popular here. The Oz Museum, which houses over 1,000 artifacts and film props, was founded in April 2004 and led to several other Oz-themed businesses. These include the Oz Winery and Toto’s Tacoz. The Yellow Brick Road sits almost directly across the street from the museum. Plus, every year, on the first weekend of October, Wamego holds its OZtoberFEST, an Oktoberfest-type celebration with plenty of Oz influence.

Another entertainment landmark is the Columbian Theatre. Now the venue for various productions from Broadway musicals to concerts, this two-story limestone building was home to vaudeville in the early 1900s.

If you want a break from the showbiz scene, you can head on over to the 15-acre Wamego City Park. A fixture of the park is the Dutch Mill, a 19th-century stone windmill. The Wamego Historical Museum and Prairie Town Village are also found in the park. This collection of buildings is a time capsule of Wamego’s past. The City Park also includes a swimming pool, tennis courts, playground, and fishing pond. With the Kansas River to the south of the city and natural parks nearby, Wamego offers many outdoor sports like fishing, hunting, canoeing, horseback riding, hiking, and more.

Dodge City

Dodge City, located in southwest Kansas, is riddled with historical sites, museums, and landmarks that date back to the Native Americans who lived off the land and its buffalo. The Santa Fe Trail brought settlers over, eventually establishing the frontier town. Many of the settlers were gamblers, gunslingers, and cattlemen.

The area portrays the city’s colorful culture at the Boot Hill Museum and its accompanying exhibits. Boot Hill Museum has over 20,000 artifacts on display, including more than 200 original guns. The museum’s largest exhibit, Front Street, is a partial reconstruction of downtown Dodge City. Travel in time, back to the dusty streets of the 1870’s and 1880’s, with gunfight reenactments and Western-themed tourist attractions, shops, and restaurants. Visitors can take a trolley tour of Dodge City’s historic sites or wander around exploring via the Dodge City Trail of Fame walking tour.

One of the best times to visit Dodge City is during Dodge City Days. This annual event, which celebrates the city’s unique western heritage, begins at the end of July and continues its festivities for 10 days. Several RV parks are located in and around Dodge City, like Gunsmoke RV Park and Dodge City KOA. During the summer, sites can fill up fast, so it’s a good idea to book early to get the heck into Dodge.

Lindsborg

Known as “Little Sweden USA” because of the influx of Swedish settlers in 1869, Lindsborg’s heritage is evident in its architecture, culture, food, and events. The Dala horse, a Swedish wooden horse, was even appointed as the town mascot. Visitors will be sure to spot many of these carefully painted and carved out statues throughout the town, as community members place them everywhere to keep with tradition.

Much of Lindsborg’s past is preserved in The Old Mill Museum. Made up of a series of historical buildings, the museum gives visitors a bit of insight into the town and its people from 1870 through 1910. Many special events occur throughout the year. Lindsborg’s signature celebration is the Svensk Hyllningsfest, a local Swedish-inspired festival dating back to 1941 that happens every other year in October.

Venture just northwest of Lindsborg to Coronado Heights Castle for a slight change in cultural and historical pace. Yes, there is a castle in the middle of Kansas. This stone shelter sits atop a sandstone bluff approximately 300 feet high. Near this location, supposedly, Francisco Vásquez de Coronado gave up his search for the seven cities of gold and returned to Mexico. Regardless if this is true or not, the summit has spectacular views for miles, including wildflowers blooming in the spring and summer.

Atchison

Atchison is a quaint town located alongside the Missouri River, about an hour northeast of Topeka. The town draws in many architecture-enthusiasts with its numerous stunning Victorian-style homes and buildings. 

Atchison also attracts paranormal enthusiasts as the town has been dubbed “the most haunted town in Kansas.” This is, in most part, due to its early settlement history. The Haunted Atchison season runs from September through Early-November and lures amateur and committed ghost hunters near and far. Haunted tours range from mystery dinners and spiritual readings to walking through cemeteries.

On a less spooky note but slightly on the same wavelength, Atchison is also the birthplace of Amelia Earhart. Her childhood home, which her grandfather constructed in the 1860s, is now a museum devoted to the renowned aviator. Every July, there is the Amelia Earhart Festival, where residents continue to pay tribute to her brave legacy.

Today’s Home on the Range


Of course, there are so many more nooks and crannies to explore in Kansas. This list barely scratches the surface of a state rich in history, culture, scenery, and industrial and technological development. As you map out your RV itinerary this year, consider Kansas as a stop along your journey. For even more places to visit in the midwestern state, visit their website, Travel Kansas.


About The Author: Levi Henley

Levi Henley and his wife, Natalie, have been full-time RVers for over 5 years. They have also been Coach-Net customers for the same amount of time.  They travel and workcamp around the U.S. in their 26-foot Itasca Sunstar motorhome with their two cats.  They write for multiple RV-related publications and recently co-wrote “Seasonal Workamping for a Living: How We Did It.” You can follow their adventures on the road at henleyshappytrails.com 

RV Protect

Ellen W. ~ “The person who handled our call was excellent! She called back many times to check on us & made us feel like family. Hats off to her and the entire company!”

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Coach-Net Camping: Beavers Bend State Park

05 Thursday Mar 2020

Posted by Coach-Net in National Parks, The Great Outdoors, Travel Destinations, We Love It. We Live It.

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Coach-Net, Coach-Net Camping, Making RV Friends, RV, RVing, We Live It, We Love It

Beavers Bend State Park

Joseph (Right) is one of our highly skilled Learning Program Managers. He will have been with Coach-Net for a total of 3 years this coming May and we couldn’t be happier to have him! Joseph has taken the Airstream camping to Beaver’s Bend State Park twice and has had a blast both times! He loves the outdoors, musical theatre, and honing his skills as a singer! Read on to find out how his RV trips have gone!

Where did you go?

For my camping trips, I took two different groups of friends up to Broken Bow, Oklahoma, and we went camping in the Beaver’s Bend State Park in Coach-Net’s Airstream Flying Cloud. Beaver’s Bend is such an incredibly beautiful park and the area is full of fun things to do. The first trip was back in May, and we took full advantage of the numerous swimming opportunities. Our favorite spot was the spillway from the dam in the southern part of the park, but even though it was so warm and sunny, the water coming from the bottom of the lake above the dam was FREEZING! The second trip was in October, so swimming was definitely not an option, but we spent a large part of our day hiking and exploring along that same spillway, following the river.

Spillway

How long was your trip?

Both of our trips were about two days, getting to Broken Bow on Friday evening, and coming back to Denton/DFW on Sunday evening. We got to the park as it was getting dark, would set up for the weekend and head back to town for the last of our food supplies before making dinner, and then spent most of Saturday out swimming or exploring. The Sundays were a nice relaxing day where we slept in, ate some food before packing and cleaning up, and started the trek back home.

Was this your 1st time RVing?

My first time RVing was actually only about a week before the May trip. My mom and stepdad rented a travel trailer that we took out to Inks lake, west of Austin, TX, for about 4-5 days. Inks Lake State Park was a frequent camping spot for my parents when they were growing up, so it was cool for us to return to and have a relaxing few days in the outdoors. The May trip to Broken Bow was the first RVing trip though where I was the one towing the RV and showing my friends the ropes of RVing.

What’s the fondest memory of your trip?

RV DriveFor both of my trips, the majority of my friends had never been camping or used an RV before, so it was really great getting to show them how much fun RVing could be. For the May trip, I think one of my fondest memories was actually the time spent driving out to Broken Bow. We all act in musical theatre and we spent a lot of the drive singing and listening to different shows. During our second trip, we took a lot of videos and pictures, and my friend, Nolan, made a video commemorating the trip that was so funny and is a lot fun to look back on.

Did you find anything challenging about your RV trip?

Coach-Net AirstreamSurprisingly, there weren’t many challenges on our trips, even though I was the only one that knew much about RVs, and it was my first time taking one out myself. I am one of the trainers here at our call center and used to be an agent on our previous RV Core Team, so it was really cool to see the conceptual knowledge I have learned and taught over the years get put to use as we figured out things along the way. I will say that probably the most challenging part was setting up the first night on our May trip. It was already really dark and I hadn’t been to Beaver’s Bend before, so we didn’t know how to reserve and pay for a spot, and getting set up for the first time when it was so dark outside wasn’t easy.

Would you go again?

I know I will absolutely go out again. Working for a company that gives us the resource of using our Airstream anytime, and knowing it’s free to use, is so cool and such a blessing! All of my friends that have gone so far have talked about going out again, and there are even more that I want to go with.

Getting Ready In The Airstream

Where would you like to go next?

There are a few other parks I would like to go to, but they are a bit farther away. I think Beaver’s Bend is definitely going to be my usual spot, and likely where I will be going next time. It really is such a beautiful park!

Why do you love RVing?

I love RVing because it is such a fun escape. Growing up, we used to go tent camping all the time, between Cub and Boy Scouts, and just family trips, so going camping has always been a love of mine. RVing gives you that chance to still experience the outdoors and see such beautiful places, but without the risk of bad weather just ruining your trip and the chance to actually get some sleep in a bed. RVing is also a chance for me to bring my friends out on camping trips that would never want to go tent camping.


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Robert S. ~ “The service from Coach-Net is outstanding, based on what I have seen so far I can’t imagine being unhappy with the service. I have used Coach-Net 2 times in 4 years and I was impressed both times. I recommend your company every chance I get online or in-person because it’s that good. It’s not very often I will put my name behind a companies service. In my humble opinion, most companies provide lip service to cover up for their poor service that they don’t want to admit to, Coach-Net is the real deal you truly get quality service. NICE JOB Coach-Net.”

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Ultimate Winter Destinations for RVers

26 Tuesday Nov 2019

Posted by Coach-Net in The Great Outdoors, Travel Destinations

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Camping destinations, cold weather camping, Destination Ideas, winter camping, winter destination

Ultimate Winter Destinations For RVersThe freedom and mobility that comes with RV travel expand the possibilities for making the most of the cooler season. The lure of warm weather and the beach represents only one reason to hit the road. Great winter destinations run the gamut from escaping winter to embracing it — or both. Seasonal attractions beckon from coast to coast. So do the quieter, and gorgeous splendors of the national parks and forests in the offseason.

Here are a few suggestions to make this winter the best ever.

1. Go for the lights

Go For The Lights America’s cities pull out all the stops to ring in the holiday season — and you don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy them. A 2013-2018 survey of Google Trends unveiled a slew of midsized cities with nearby RV parks top the list for Christmas spectaculars. There’s probably no better time to visit Nashville, Salt Lake City, or Birmingham, Ala., than when they’re all aglow with holiday cheer. For a more rustic pleasure, make your way to Northern New Mexico, where Christmas Eve festivities in Taos and Santa Fe. You’ll enjoy massive bonfires and luminarias. Legend has it the displays can be seen from space!

2. Walk on the wild side

Walk On The Wild Side Annual bird migrations mean that national parks and wildlife refuges in the southern half of the continent are full of gorgeous species waiting to impress you. In winter, the Everglades National Park in Florida offers a spectacular array of birds that will impress you. Even better? You can see these feathered friends without having to endure summer’s heat and humidity. Many of the birds are there for the same reason you are — to escape the cold and enjoy the weather. You can find great winter birding sites with convenient access to RV parks from Rhode Island to Oregon.

Mountain Range If four-legged critters are more to your taste, try Southern Colorado’s, Gunnison National Park. The leafless trees and snow-covered ground along the Warner Point Nature Trail make it easier to spot elk or bighorn sheep. Want a nature experience of a lifetime? Visit off-season Yellowstone. This breath-taking winter wonderland features snow-covered bison and ice-cloaked ghost trees created by the frozen steam of the park’s many geysers. Mammoth Park is the only facility within the park open for RVs in the winter, but there are several others outside the park boundaries.

3.  Lush life on wheels

Let’s face it, one overwhelming reason to hit the road in winter is to enjoy the warm breezes and caressing sun. The options range from free RV camping available in the Bureau of Land Management property in the Southwest to full-scale pampering in places such as the Medina Highpoint Resort in the Texas Hill Country. Hook-up patios make it easy to enjoy the beautiful views of the San Joaquin Valley’s Flag City RV Resort, with it’s swimming pool and heated spa.

Wherever you decide to go, RV travel from or in winter climates requires provisions such as tire chains, extra blankets, and warm clothing. Successful and safe winter camping also means bringing along a weather band radio, drinking water in heated storage, extra-propane, a gas-powered generator, and a blow dryer to defrost pipes and tanks. Don’t forget to winterize your vehicle by checking or adding insulation, weather stripping, and adding RV antifreeze.

Now that you’re prepared, select your next winter location and hit the road!

Author: Amira Hamdan

Amira Hamdan is a traveler who loves to write, and a writer who loves to travel. Plunk her down in a new place and she will find the best local cuisine by noon and the best campsite by nightfall.

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Why RV Factory Tours are Worth the Detour

04 Wednesday Sep 2019

Posted by Coach-Net in Travel Destinations

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Road Trip, RV, RV Lifestyle, RV Manufacturing, RV Tours

RV Factory Tours RV factory tours have never been our first choice for road trip entertainment. But one day after finding ourselves near the town where ours was built, we got to see exactly how ours was constructed. It was one of the best detours we ever made, and now we wish we had done it sooner. Here’s why.

The RV Factory Tour Made Us Love Our RV Even More

Our eye-opening experience took place at Northwood Manufacturing in La Grande, Oregon. As owners of two of the company’s Arctic Fox fifth wheels, we were already loyal brand evangelists. So when my husband and I recently found ourselves driving near the plant, we took advantage of the company’s generous factory tours that are open to the public.

It was our lucky day. We were the only tour participants on the tour, but sometimes a dozen or more people can show up. Since it was just us two, we got to ask tons of questions about our 275-B model built in 2010.

Building RVs is a Team Effort

On a busy Tuesday afternoon,  Rob Miller, Northwood’s sales administrator and lively tour guide, led us up to the factory’s mezzanine level loft. While RVs got built and assembled, we stood and watched the assembly process. Nearly two hundred employees worked in sync to build and assemble their latest trailers, fifth wheels and truck bed campers. Watching the team effort from high above the production line was a fascinating look into the hands-on methods that turned RVs into homes on wheels.

Building An RV

“Cars are built by robots, but RVs are built by people,” explained Rob. Until the day he showed us around, we had no idea of the extent to which RVs are made with human hands.

We’ll never look at our RV—or any rig—the same way again. For example, take a good look at your RV. The walls, doors, windows, cabinets, flooring, fabric and color scheme, etc. There might be a thousand other rigs by the same company that look just like yours, but the process to make each one of them happened one step at a time. Human hands touched every part of your rig from the roof to the wheels and everything in-between.

Like automobile manufacturing, the RV building process utilizes modern technology. But the majority of the building process is done manually, such as laying the foundation, laminating the walls and router cutting window and door openings. During our tour we learned that Northwood is proud to design, builds and assemble almost all rig components at the factory, a rare claim in this world of automation and robots.

From the wheels to the roof and everything in-between, we stopped at different production stations to watch the building process. Along the way Rob explained what makes Northwood’s RVs stand out from others, such as their choice of insulation and aluminum grades. Once we got to see the skeleton and higher grades of materials that ultimately justify Arctic Fox’s higher than average retail cost, we felt an all new pride of ownership for our purchase.

Building An RV

At each pit-stop Rob also spent time answering our burning questions, such as what kind of lap sealant they use for seam sealing. He even offered plenty of maintenance tips that will serve us well in the future.

Two hours later we exited the plant, and admired the dazzling new Arctic Fox fifth wheels fresh off the assembly line. Tall and striking in the hot Oregon sunlight, they stirred up a little RV envy in my mind. But by the time I got home, I fell in love with my own rig all over again. Knowing what lays underneath my feet, over my head and behind every wall brings a sense of confidence I never had before about my own rig. The tour was two of the best hours we’ve spent since becoming RVers.

If you have the chance to take a RV factory tour, do it! Have a list of questions prepared and get ready to learn all the exciting ways that RVs make the outdoor lifestyle more fun than ever.


About the author: Rene Agredano

Rene Agredano, a Coach-Net member since 2015, is a self-employed full-time RVer who enjoys writing, jewelry design and animal advocacy. Her adventures with a three-legged dog and husband Jim are chronicled at LiveWorkDream.comRV ProtectAww Shucks!


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10 Great Ways to Experience Agritourism in Your RV

20 Thursday Jun 2019

Posted by Coach-Net in The Great Outdoors, Travel Destinations

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Agrotourism, Get Outdoors, Outdoor Activities, RV, RV travel, Winery

10 Great Ways to Experience Agritourism in Your RV

Have you ever experience agritourism? If not, you’re really missing out.

This unique type of tourism involves visiting farms across the country and getting a true understanding for how each one works and where our food comes from. In some instances, agritourism might mean picking your own fruit or veggies; in others it could mean milking a cow or experiencing a wine tasting.

In all cases, this is a wonderful and unique kind of travel that everyone should try at least once.

To make a good thing even better, agritourism and RVing go hand in hand. After all, if you’re going to be traveling in your RV, you might as well check out what each area has to offer in terms of local foods. Plus, because RVing tends to take you to rural areas, you might even find that there are a few farms mere minutes from your favorite camping spots.

Wondering how you can jump into this amazing new world? Below we’ve compiled a list of awesome options. Try these ideas this summer for a rewarding and delicious camping season.

Head to a U-Pick Farm

GreenBeansBy far the best kind of agritourism for kids, “U-pick” farms can be found in almost every state. A visit to one of these farms is super rewarding thanks to the fact that you get to take home whatever you pick, and because the only cost is that of the food you pick, you can even wrap your visit into your grocery budget.

Want to do more than just pick fruits or vegetables? Look for a farm that has additional activities. Many will offer pony rides, hayrides, bounce houses, and more. This is especially true of pumpkin farms, which tend to have all kinds of kid-friendly activities during the fall months.

Take a Dairy Farm Tour

Many dairy farms are happy to offer tours to visiting guests, and these tours are incredibly interesting. Some will allow you to milk a cow, and most at least give you an opportunity to check out the incredibly complex cow-milking machines.

If you’re lucky, you may even be able to find a dairy farm that gives visitors an opportunity to see end products begin made. These might include ice cream, butter, or cheese.

Visit a Winery

WineryIf you’re a fan of wine, visiting a winery is a great option. Most wineries will share their process with you, and almost all of them give wine tastings. Want to bring the younger campers along? Be sure to ask beforehand. Some wineries do allow children to attend tastings, and some might even provide grape juice for the younger palates.

Wineries can be found in many different states. That said, some of the very best wineries and vineyards are located in California. Therefore, if you’ll be in this area, you will want to be sure to add a winery to your agenda.

Invest in a Harvest Hosts Membership

Those that want an even more in-depth view of what goes on each day on a farm should invest in a Harvest Hosts membership. This super cool camping membership allows RVers to park their rigs at farms and vineyards all over the country, giving them lovely boondocking spots for the small price of a yearly membership.

Many hosts allow guests to participate in daily farm chores and activities, making this an ideal way for campers to get up close and personal with the world of farming.

These are just a handful of the ways a person can join the world of agritourism. Why not give them a try? If you love the experience, you can seek out other amazing opportunities to check out local farms!


About the author: Chelsea Gonzales

Chelsea has the amazing opportunity to take part in full-time RV living and traveling with her tiny tribe. She homeschools her five-year-old son as they travel, and takes full advantage of their unique situation by using the entire world as her son’s classroom. A group of total Disney fanatics, Chelsea and her family often find themselves in the Orlando area in order to visit the Disney parks, but they have also visited over 25 of the 50 states with plans to see many more along the way. No matter where her travels take her, Chelsea enjoys riding bikes, gazing at beautiful sunsets, finding new coffee shops, Irish dancing, and sitting around a campfire with her family.

You can join her adventures through her blog, Wonder Wherever We Wander.


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4 Must See Destinations in Washington State

06 Wednesday Feb 2019

Posted by Coach-Net in National Parks, The Great Outdoors, Travel Destinations

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Cape Flattery, Coach-Net, Mt. Ranier, Mt. St. Helens, Must See Destinations, Roadtrip, roadtrip planing, RV travel, RV Vacation, Summer Travel

Must See Washington State Destinations

Dubbed “the Evergreen State”, Washington has no shortage of natural wonders that will take your breath away. While many travelers head to the Pacific Northwest to visit downtown Seattle, there’s good reason to be drawn to the diverse natural areas this beautiful state has to offer. Whether you prefer long days on challenging trails or a relaxed stroll through the rainforest, Washington has something to offer.

Here are four amazing natural sites you can’t miss on your visit to Washington State.

 

Mount St. Helens

Mt. St. Helens

Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument has a way of making you feel humble. For several decades, Mount St. Helens was a popular destination for summit-seeking mountaineers, much like Mount Rainier is today. However, all that changed on May 18, 1980, when a huge earthquake caused the entire north face of the mountain to slide off in a massive avalanche, releasing the pressurized volcanic gasses and the famous eruption.

The eruption of Mount St. Helens is a notable chapter in North America’s recent natural history, and walking the site today is sure to be an unforgettable experience for any nature enthusiast. Though nearly 150 square miles of forest were destroyed following the eruption, the monument site is now home to some spectacular primary succession and wildlife viewing. The Monument and surrounding National Forest lands offer plenty of spectacular hiking opportunities, making this a must for your tour of Washington State.

Mount Rainier National Park

Mt. Ranier

Mount Rainier is the symbol of Washington State, and it’s well-earned. Mount Rainier is a spectacular site, visible on a clear day from many peaks in the Cascade mountains. Much like Mount St. Helens, Mount Rainier is a volcano, though tourists can rest easy knowing it is at no present risk of eruption. The volcanic nature of Mount Rainier gives it a notable pyramidal shape, and it towers high above lesser mountains in the region.

Mount Rainier National Park is one of the most spectacular offerings in Washington State. Anybody inclined towards outdoor recreation will have a ball camping out and exploring the many trails the Park as to offer. There are many opportunities to camp in and near the park. The best time to visit in July through August, during peak wildflower season, when the trails are most accessible. Not to mention, the views of the subalpine meadow will be unforgettable.

Cape Flattery

Cape Flattery

Make your way across the Olympic Peninsula and reach the northwesternmost point of the contiguous United States: Cape Flattery. The Olympic Peninsula offers a quieter, more laid-back vibe than the Seattle area, and the scenery is a unique marriage between maritime ports and dense rainforest.

Cape Flattery, with its dense forests and sea-battered coves, recalls the coasts of Maine and Ireland. Featuring a short, family-friendly hiking trail, it’s a worthy pilgrimage to make during your trip to Washington State.

Hoh Rainforest

Hoh Rainforest

The Hoh Rainforest is one of the most magical places in the United States. Deep within the Olympic Mountains, this temperate rainforest is lush beyond imagining and certain to capture your imagination. If you’re eager to see some of the most unique nature Washington has to offer, then head on over to Forks, Washington, and make your way into Olympic National Park. This point is a bit out of the way, but it’s many people’s favorite spot for a reason.

Make the Most of Your Time in Washington

Washington State is an unusually spectacular place. You could easily spend years there exploring the amazing hiking trails and natural sites that state has to offer. However, if you’re only coming for a short visit, it makes sense to focus on the highlights. You can’t go wrong with any of these four.

 


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Tips for Visiting Disney World in an RV

20 Thursday Dec 2018

Posted by Coach-Net in Holidays in your RV, Travel Destinations

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

Disney World, Florida, RV, RV Florida, RV travel, Travel Tips

Disney

When you live in an RV, you may choose to avoid the cold and head south for the winter. For this reason, Florida becomes a huge haven for RVers during the colder months. Sunshine, beaches, friends, and fun are around every corner in this fabulous southern state, and we highly recommend visiting this winter season.

Of course, if you’re in Florida, a visit to Disney World is in order. However, a successful visit to Disney World requires quite a bit of planning. This is just as true for RVers as it is for anyone else, and having a few tips before you dive in is definitely helpful.

Below are some of our top tips for visiting Disney World in your RV.

Time It Right

As mentioned before, winter is a great time to be in Florida. However, when planning a trip to Disney, you have more than just the temperature to consider. You’ll also want to think about when the park is likely to be busy and when hurricanes might make a showing.

In order to avoid both hurricane season and busy season, we recommend planning your RV Disney trip in mid- to late-January, or anytime in February besides Presidents’ Day weekend.

Choose Your Campground Well

Campground

 

 

 

 

 

Because the weather is almost always hot during the day in Florida, having air conditioning is super nice. Therefore, we highly recommend booking a campground with electric hookups. Additionally, it’s good to be as close to the parks as possible. Luckily, there are plenty of nearby campgrounds to choose from.

Want to have an especially magical experience? We highly recommend staying at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground if at all possible. This is a luxury campground unlike any other, and the free transportation to and from the parks makes your trip much more relaxing.

Stock Up Your Fridge

Food in Disney World is expensive. Luckily, Disney does allow outside food and drink to be brought into the parks, and since you’ll be toting your entire kitchen with you, you can take full advantage of this fact by eating breakfast at home and packing lunches to save money. Just be sure to stock up the fridge before you arrive, because you aren’t going to want to stop the Disney fun for grocery shopping.

Get a Golf Cart

Golf Cart

 

 

 

 

 

If you do end up staying in Fort Wilderness, you will definitely want to budget for a golf cart rental. This campground is enormous, and while there is free bus transportation available within the campground, it’s much easier to hop in your golf cart and drive from point A to point B.

Store Food Indoors

Florida has no shortage of wildlife. For this reason, it’s important that all food is stored indoors. Sure, you might be camping, and yes, this does mean cookouts and picnics. However, food left out on your campsite is just asking for a visit from a gator or some other Florida creature.

Shade Your Rig

We mentioned earlier that Florida is hot. Obviously, the air conditioner helps, but even in winter the hottest days can be too much for the A/C to keep up with. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to park under a shade tree and pull out your awning once you arrive.

Know the Parking Rates

Finally, if you plan to visit a park for just a day and wish to drive the rig into a Disney World parking lot, knowing the parking rates is important. You see, Disney parking is super expensive even for small cars at $25 per vehicle per day. As you might expect, RV parking is even more expensive, and RV owners can expect to pay $30 a day to park in the theme park lots.

These are our best RV-specific tips for visiting to Disney World. That said, there is much more to learn about Disney World, and everything you learn can help make your trip a little more magical. Therefore, seeking out more info and doing as much planning as possible is definitely a good idea.


About the author: Chelsea Gonzales

Chelsea has the amazing opportunity to take part in full-time RV living and traveling with her tiny tribe. She homeschools her five-year-old son as they travel, and takes full advantage of their unique situation by using the entire world as her son’s classroom. A group of total Disney fanatics, Chelsea and her family often find themselves in the Orlando area in order to visit the Disney parks, but they have also visited over 25 of the 50 states with plans to see many more along the way. No matter where her travels take her, Chelsea enjoys riding bikes, gazing at beautiful sunsets, finding new coffee shops, Irish dancing, and sitting around a campfire with her family.

You can join her adventures through her blog, Wonder Wherever We Wander.


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Harvest Hosts l The New Way To Camp

20 Thursday Dec 2018

Posted by Coach-Net in Travel Destinations

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Camp, free RV camping, Harvest Host, RV, RV Life, RV Lifestyle

Harvest Hosts

The sky is rich fading over the horizon in hues of ombre orange and peach, pierced with glistening beams of gold. The bustle of the day has settled leaving a hushed silence softened by the gentle rustling of the tall grass and the mellow singing of the swaying wind chimes. The smooth wine slowly swirls around the curved glass and you breathe in the warm aroma just steps away from the grapevines that produced it. RVing is about pursuing your passion of adventure and mindfully embracing the unique experiences this world has to offer. Sometimes you want to take in a familiar tourist spot set up at a comfortable campground overflowing with countless other travelers like yourself. But other times, you really want to dig deep into the soil and bathe in something more refreshing. You want to explore remote areas green with life and breathe in the warm, welcoming sensation of small-town hospitality. Harvest Hosts is your connection to a uniquely enriching camping experience.

Harvest Hosts provides unique camping experiences with hundreds of varied locations all across North America. I’m sure you spend hundreds of dollars every year on campgrounds that probably look and feel quite similar. While they may be comfortable and familiar, there’s rarely anything truly distinctive about them. Harvest Hosts wants to help you embrace the adventure of road-tripping and uncover beautiful places that are anything except ordinary. Instead of a cliché campground, you can set up at a vineyard, brewery, museum, ranch, or farm. Sometimes they have animals exotic to city dwellers, and other times they simply have fields of fresh growing crops providing a stark contrast to the miles of concrete surrounding many RV campgrounds. And while the majority of Harvest Hosts campsites are strictly for boon-docking, more and more are starting to offer access to electricity and water. But even when you’re boon-docking, you truly are their guest and your hosts want to ensure you enjoy your sojourn off the beaten path.

Airstream pulling into Bar Z

 

Once you are a member of Harvest Hosts, there are no additional fees for staying at any of their varied locations. Harvest Hosts really only asks one thing from their members: please give back and support your hosts. The owners of the farms, ranches, vineyards, and breweries are all small businesses that pour their hearts and souls into the curated goods they offer. There is no minimum purchase requirement. It can be something as small as a bar of handmade soap, or a bottle of locally aged wine. And their current members couldn’t be more pleased with their experiences. Robin B. was thrilled about their stay on the rim of the historic Palo Duro Canyon, the wine made from Texas grapes, the WiFi access, and the water/electric hook-ups free with purchase.

“We enjoyed our first Harvest Hosts stay at Bar Z Winery. Monty and staff are awesome, and the wines are excellent. Our dogs were welcomed too. The scenery is beautiful, and Palo Duro Canyon is a short drive away. We met an awesome fellow Harvest Hosts family while there. And there are electric and water hook-ups for two RVs. A great first experience!”

Parked at Campsite

Traveling the country is about seeing something you’ve never seen before and collecting exciting new experiences. Harvest Hosts understands that even among those of us who travel regularly, few know what it’s like to stay on a working farm waking up to the nostalgic sounds of rural life, and we rarely get to gaze at the stars unencumbered by the lights of the surrounding city. The hosts cultivate homegrown experiences and Harvest Hosts helps to cultivate and enrich your RV travels. Harvest Hosts is your connection to farms, ranches, vineyards, breweries, and other numerous breathtaking venues. That is why Coach-Net is proud to partner with them in our continued pursuit to be your connection to Carefree RVing.


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