Planning Your Summer Camping/RV Vacation

When should you start planning your summer vacation? How about NOW? The more time you have to plan, the more options you can explore and the more thorough your planning can be. The more thorough your planning, the more successful your trip and the more fun you'll have. You probably need to start by selecting the time: when you can go and for how long. That may introduce certain restrictions on destinations and travel methods and time. Even in the "lower 48", some mountain passes and interesting destinations at higher elevations are closed late into the summer. Next, select a destination or route. Not all trips have to GO somewhere, often the journey itself is what is important. Following California Highway 49, for example, takes you along much of the route traveled by gold seekers in the famous California Gold Rush and includes many mines, museums, and other historical sites. Other routes follow portions of the Oregon trail or the route taken by Lewis and Clark. There will be many historical things to see along this kind of route.  For many of us, summer vacation is a time to visit family in a distant city. That was often the case when my kids were growing up and our summer vacations were mostly spent visiting Grandma and Grandpa. Many of our trips were so focused on the destination that we failed to enjoy the trip as much as we could have. I can't count how many times we passed by Shasta Caverns in northern California before we finally made time to stop and enjoy visiting them. I suggest leaving a little extra time in each travel day for unplanned side trips. Also, take note of things you see along the way that you might like to do on the next trip so you can include time in next year's trip for them if you don't have time to stop now.

Once you know when and where you are going, start thinking about what you'll need to make the trip successful and fun. Figure out what clothing and equipment you may need for you and your family. Research the route and activities along the way. Try to find reviews from other travelers who have been there before and learn from their experience. Plan your meals and snacks. Sometimes it is fun to include meals that are relevant to the location or activity. You may be able to whip them up in your RV kitchen or might prefer to cook over an open campfire or enjoy a local establishment. It is often fun to do a little bit of all of them.  I've often found that small, local cafes offer extraordinary value as well as sometimes unique cuisine.    Pioneer cuisine is usually well matched for camping.  The basic needs and the facilities available to a wagon train or cattle drive are very similar to our camping needs.

If your trip will include fishing, make sure your fishing gear is in good repair and bone up on what kind of lures you'll need. Make sure any required licenses are up to date or you know how to obtain them on line or en route.

If you are canoeing, inspect your canoe, paddles, and life jackets. This is the time to fix any leaks, smooth the handles, and repair any damage to life jackets.  If you don't already have them, you may also want to acquire waterproof bags or containers to protect your supplies, clothing, and sensitive equipment such as cameras, binoculars, GPS units, cell phones, and two-way radios.  No matter how good you are and how careful you are, canoes are inherently unstable and there's a good chance ti will tip over sooner or later, especially if there are children involved.

Other planned water sports may required special preparation too.  For example, swim suits, beach towels, sun block, shade, and plenty of drinking water.

If you are planning to do some hiking, make sure you have appropriate hiking shoes or boots and that you break them in prior to your trip. If you don't already have them, consider getting some walking sticks.  They can make hiking a lot easier.  Prepare your packs -- first aid kits, snacks, extra clothing, and water. And don't forget any medications you may need. I like to always bring along some pain relievers (aspirin, Tylenol), some antacids, and a good anti-diarrheal medicine as well as any required prescriptions. A simple headache, upset stomach, or "the runs" can quickly ruin an otherwise enjoyable trip -- and these are very common results of traveling and eating unfamiliar foods.

If your plans include horseback riding you'll need to prepare your animals, gear, feed etc.  You may need reservations for corals or stables at or near your destination(s).   Many forest areas where you can ride require certified weed free feed.  If you plan to rent horses, confirm availability and prepare your riding gear.

If you're heading out with your OHVs, you'll need to make sure they are in good repair and properly serviced.  Pack your riding gear, making sure it is also in good order.  Inventory your tools, spare parts, lubricants, etc.  Make sure you have your hydration packs or canteens ready to use.  Bring along plenty of fuel.

If your trip includes museums or historical sites, be sure to do some advance research.   The more you already know the more you will enjoy the sites along the way.

No matter what activity your family chooses, spend a little time now to think about what you will need to bring along to get the most out of it. Our first dirt bike outing could have been a disaster.  Although I had a pretty good tool kit in my motorhome, those SAE tools were pretty much useless on the metric nuts and bolts on our dirt bikes.  And we didn't even a single spare spark plug for the 2-stroke dirt bikes (which foul plugs constantly!).  Start now to stock up on the things and information you'll need. By now you're probably getting tired of me telling you to research attractions along your route and at your destination, but, believe me, it is well worth investing a little time, especially if you are traveling with inquisitive kids or grand kids. They're bound to have endless questions and there is immense satisfaction in being able to answer them and you'll be a hero in their eyes.  And learning that stuff is fun all by itself!

Happy Holidays!