What is Punky Wood?

What is "punky wood" and why should you care?  Punky wood is cited as a useful item in several fire starting articles on this blog and is frequently mentioned in survival articles and on shows like Survivorman. We're all familiar with pine, poplar, cedar, cottonwood and willow trees.  But ever seen a punky tree? Didn't think so.  So -- just what the heck is "punky wood"?

Punky wood is a the partially decayed wood you find in dead trees and logs (of any species).   It is usually light in weight and quite dry.  It usually appears checkered or alligatored and is soft so it can be easily scraped away for use.   Often it is white or a reddish brown in color, soft to the touch, and spongy..  It makes good tinder for starting a fire and when a lot is used (like a whole log), creates a lot of smoke that purportedly has medicinal properties for treating foot fungus and for use as a "smoke shower" to kill bacteria on the skin.   It should be dry and should be easily crumbled between your fingers.  Sometimes you will find damp deposits on the bottom of a log.  Don't despair.   You can scrape some off and set it aside to dry before you use it.  You might use damp punky wood for smoke shower or signal fire as long as it isn't so wet it puts out your fire or just won't burn.

Punky wood is recommended as a target for sparks when using flint and steel and as one of the preferred substances for use as tinder in a fire piston.  It would also make good tinder for optical fire starters like magnifying glasses. For best results grind it into a fine pieces or almost a powder when attempting to light it with a spark source.

One of the advantages of punky wood is it is usually readily available in many wilderness situations.   Look for a log laying on the ground or a broken off or hollow tree or dead branches and there is a good chance some of it will be partially decayed.  Punky wood sources are usually not good for any kind of construction use.   The decay will have weakened the wood and it may contain insects you wouldn't want crawling out of your walls or bed frame!

Punk up!

Fire Pistons

Fire pistons are another way of starting a fire without matches or a lighter.  A fire piston works on the same basic principle as a diesel engine:   heat is generated by compression.  A fire piston consists of two pieces: a piston and a cylinder.

To use a fire piston you must first place tinder in the cylinder.  Char cloth (partially burned cotton cloth) or a tiny piece of punky wood is the preferred tinder.   The piston is then placed in the cylinder and slammed down quickly to compress the air in the cylinder.  If the seal is tight, and the tinder is dry enough, and the stroke fast enough and forceful enough, the compression should generate enough heat to ignite the tinder.  Don't expect flames when you dump out the tiny bit of tinder.  At best you're going to get a glowing ember which you must blow or fan into life amid more dry tinder to create a flame.  You'll need to place the ember in a bed of prepared tinder and nurse it along to get flames which you can then use to ignite your campfire.

Fire pistons are a little more difficult to use than flint and steel but they are very durable and can be used to light many fires if they are properly cared for.  They should be able to be used indefinitely, as long as the seal remains in tact.   Damage to the seal will render them instantly useless.   It also takes a fair amount of strength to strike them hard enough to make them work so they are not for the weak and you may bruise your hands long before you get a fire going.  Unlike flint and steel, there are no consumable parts to use up, but the seal WILL wear and may have to be replaced periodically.

In my research, fire pistons are usually more expensive than flint and steel.  Given the differences in cost and performance, I would rather carry flint and steel as an emergency fire starter. In fact, I can get several flint and steel sets for the price of one fire piston.  I think the likelihood of getting a fire going quickly are much higher, at least for me, using flint and steel.  I routinely use flint and steel to start my campfires so I can stay in practice.

Fire up!

Using Flint and Steel Fire Starters

Flint and steel fire starters are pretty easy to use -- if you know how -- and if you use the right tinder.   However, in order to be proficient at using them, you need a little practice.   You don't want to spend precious time learning what to do or figuring out how to prepare tinder when you're in a survival situation and need a fire NOW.  Using flint and steel every time you start your camp fire is a good habit to develop.

First of all, they sometimes have to be broken in before they will work right.   The tool often comes with a factory coating to protect it, and until that coating is scraped away you won't get good sparks.  Some flint and steel systems include a magnesium bar that is intended to be shaved off to be used as the tinder to catch your sparks.  You'll usually need a sharp pocket knife for this.   Create a little pile at least the size of a dime (the size of a quarter is even better) so you'll have a good target for the sparks and enough fuel to give you time to light your fire.  Some folks recommend making a pile about the size of a quarter so you have more time to transplant it to get your fire going, but if you have everything ready and can transfer the burning magnesium to your tinder quickly a dime size pile should be sufficient.  Magnesium burns very hot and very bright (it is what makes old fashioned flashbulbs so bright) and will burn even when it is wet so it is an excellent way to get a fire going even in wet weather.

One of the first things you should do when you buy a flint and steel fire starter is practice with it. This will let you scrape off the protective coatings and learn the right pressure, speed, and angle to create good sparks and to see where the sparks are going to go so you'll know where to put your tinder.  Be patient.  It may take a number of strokes before the coating is gone and you get a good feel for how to create and control the sparks.  Different styles of fire starters have different intensity and patterns of sparks.  I've seen some that throw intense sparks 2-3 feet! Other may only travel a few inches.  You will want to experiment to find out what pressure and speed works best for you using the equipment you have.

One of the main keys to success using flint and steel is having the right tinder.  As mentioned above, the magnesium shavings from commercial flint and steel systems work very well.  Another excellent tinder is 100% cotton balls, with or without added Vaseline.   Added Vaseline will make them burn longer, giving you more time to get your fire going, but just plain cotton balls usually ignite faster.  DO NOT use synthetic "cosmetic puffs".  They look the same as cotton balls, but the sparks will usually just melt through the synthetic fibers instead of igniting them.  You'll see a lot of folks recommending dryer lint as tinder.  If it is from cotton towels or underwear or denim it will probably work pretty well.  If it has a high synthetic content (nylon, rayon, polyester), it will most likely just melt.   In the wild, the fluff from mature cattails or milkweed works really well.   Or create some shavings from dry tree bark or punky wood.  Or crush some dry grass or weeds in your hands.  The drier and finer your tinder, the easier it will accept a spark and ignite.  Often all you will get is a glowing ember you will need to fan into life to ignite your fire.

It is usually easier to use your flint and steel outside of your fire, then transfer the tinder to the fire.  Trying to work inside a pile of fire wood can be frustrating and sometimes even dangerous.  Make a little pile of properly prepared tinder on a convenient rock or stump and light it with your flint and steel. 

The next critical step is transferring your tinder into your fire.   The key to this step is preparation.   Put your tinder into some kind of container you will be able to move without burning yourself.  Old time mountain men often used a piece of leather for this purpose.   You might substitute thick green leaves (green so they don't easily catch fire in your hands) or a small piece of flat wood or stone -- or a flattened old tin can.  Have your fire ready to go so all you have to do is place your burning tinder in place below the kindling.  One neat trick is to prepare a tinder nest to receive your initial embers and use that to ignite your actual fire by putting the whole nest into the prepared fire pile.  Sometimes you can actually use an old bird's nest for this purpose.  Another handy technique is to cut some shavings and leave them attached to the end of the stick, giving it a brush-like appearance.  Use your initial flame to ignite the shavings and the shavings stick will burn long enough for you to use it to light your fire.
 
An alternative method is to build your fire around your tinder start.   Here again, the key is preparation.   Have your fire pit prepared and all your fuel, especially kindling, sorted, stacked, and ready to go.  Place the burning tinder in the center of your prepared fire pit, then gently add kindling, starting with very small sticks (diameter less than that of a pencil) and working your way up until you can add larger and larger pieces, eventually nice big logs.   You might try adding dry grass or weeds before attempting to add wood.   Don't put on too much at a time or you'll smother your fire.  Wait until the pieces you add begin to burn well and flame up before adding more.  As the small kindling begins to burn add larger pieces, say the diameter of your thumb, then, when those are burning well, add some about 1" - 2" or so across, then 4", then 6" etc until you have the size of fire you need.

Light 'em up!

RV Park and Campground Etiquette

I've seen the behavior of RVers run from incredibly considerate to really horrible.  What makes the difference?  Mostly thoughtfulness -- and following the rules.  Most RVers are considerate and good citizens but some RVers think they should have unrestricted access to the whole world and these folks often display a flagrant disregard for everyone else.  They're perfectly happy as long as THEY have everything going THEIR WAY.  You've probably seen the type.  They build a big smoking fire that just about drives everyone else in the park away, they turn up their sound systems to near the threshold of pain, they let their pets -- and kids -- run wild, they run their generators or fuming diesel engines way before and way after "quiet hours", they and their guests park in the roadways, they show up after hours and expect personal service getting into their assigned site, they take off without checking out.   I once saw a group take over the public pavilion as their private parking lot for their personal and unauthorized guests.  Did I miss anything? Having spent a summer as an assistant manager in a resort with about a dozen RV spaces, I've seen a lot of both good and bad examples.  I'm sure you all have your own pet peeves about fellow campers.

Being a good camper isn't difficult.   It is mostly a matter of common sense -- and knowing and following the rules.   Most campgrounds have posted rules or will provide written rules when you check in.  Look them over and make sure you comply.   Most rules aren't that onerous or restrictive.  It is just common sense that good campers will do pretty much the opposite of the things listed in the paragraph above.  It isn't rocket science to monitor whether your campfire smoke is blowing into someone else's space and keeping your music in YOUR campsite doesn't take a brain surgeon either. Simply following the Golden Rule is a good place to start, but even if YOU might think your actions are acceptable, you need to consider how other people might feel about them.  Maybe you don't mind loud music, but not everyone has the same appreciation for country music, rock'n'roll, or Heavy Metal.   I heard of one classic music lover who retaliated against loud rock music by playing the 1812 Overture at extremely high volume, especially the section with the cannons!

A few basic rules:

1.     Keep all your stuff (smoke, music, noise, kids, pets, vehicles, trash, activities) in your     campsite.
2.     Learn and obey all the posted rules.
3.     Plan your travels to arrive and depart according to scheduled check in and check out times    set by the campgrounds.
4.     Leave your site AT LEAST as clean as you found it.
5.     Pay special attention to fire restrictions.
6.     Be courteous and friendly to your host and your fellow campers.
7.     Report any violations of rules you observe.

Be nice! It doesn't cost anything and pays huge dividends.

RV Driving Etiquette

RVs of various kinds, by their very nature, tend to be large and cumbersome and usually slow especially on hills or curvy roads.   Very often the drivers are in unfamiliar territory.  But that doesn't mean they have to be traffic hazards!  Poor driving is what makes them hazards.  I recently had the experience of driving over 100 miles on two-lane, mountain roads in my passenger car.   I am sad to report that virtually every RV I encountered was impeding traffic and ignored numerous opportunities to pull over and allow the traffic that was backing up behind them pass. Very rude!  They were obviously intimidated by the combination of their vehicle and the mountain road and were driving way below the posted speed limit.  This kind of behavior is inexcusable!  Most of these rigs were identifiable as rentals so the drivers were probably inexperienced, but that is no excuse for creating a traffic hazard.  Yes, big, heavy rigs are slow.  And, yes, many drivers are intimidated by mountain roads.  But all you have to do to be a good citizen is watch your rear view mirror and, when traffic starts to back up behind you, pull over and let them go around.   In California and many other states the law REQUIRES you to pull over if there are 4 or more vehicles behind you. regardless of how fast or slow you are driving.   In any state, common courtesy demands you pull over when ever you are holding up any traffic.  Not only is it courteous, it is a safety issue.  Often the legal opportunities for passing are few and far between on mountain roads and impatient drivers may be inclined to attempt to pass when it isn't safe.  Not only do they risk a head on collision with oncoming traffic, which they may not be able to see around an RV until it is too late, any evasive action or accident they may be involved in is likely to affect the RV they are passing.  For your own safety, as well as a courtesy to other drivers, pull over and let them go around!  Any time you lose waiting for traffic to go around you will be insignificant compared to the time you'll lose if you're involved in an accident! 

Some drivers may try to justify their failure to pull over by claiming it is too hard and takes too long to get those big rigs moving again.   It is true that getting back up to speed on steep hills is difficult, but in most situations there are alternating up and down hill stretches so pulling over at the top so you have gravity to help you get going faster down the other side or pulling over on a down grade or on the level is usually an option.  And when it is not, the time you might lose pulling over and getting going again is nothing compared to what you would lose due to an accident from someone attempting to pass you -- or to how much of other drivers' time you're wasting.

On many mountain roads turn outs will be clearly posted and slower vehicles should use them whenever there are other vehicles behind them.  Even when turn outs aren't posted, savvy drivers will look ahead and take advantage of places they can get over to let traffic get around them.

Some other things you can do to minimize your negative impact on other traffic includes reducing the amount of weight you're hauling.   Lighten the load if/when you can.  Periodically go through your RV and get rid of unnecessary items.   If you are going to have a way to fill your water tank at your destination, bring along only what you'll use during the trip.   Water is very heavy:  8 pounds per gallon. A 100 gallon tank will contain 800 pounds of water when full.  You can probably get by with 5-10 gallons on the road, only 40-80 pounds.  That saves you more than 700 pounds!   Not only will you have better acceleration and climb hills with less effort, you may even save on gas. Think about it:  800 pounds is about 20-25% of the weight of an average car.   Imagine what loading 1/4 of an extra car onto your daily driver would do to the gas mileage and acceleration!

When caravaning with other RVs leave plenty of space between rigs to give other drivers room to pass you one at a time.   Try to signal other drivers when it is safe to pass by driving as close to the right shoulder as possible so they can see around you.   If someone attempts to pass you when there is oncoming traffic, slow down and keep right to allow them to get around you as quickly as possible. NEVER accelerate when someone is trying to pass you and NEVER speed up when you reach a legal passing zone.  RVs are not going to win the race, even if the vehicle passing you is a semi!  Passing lanes are clearly marked "keep right except when passing", and yes, that means YOU!  By the way, speeding up when someone attempts to pass you is illegal in most states as well as discourteous!

So what if someone passes you?  Sometimes our instinctive competitive nature drives us be offended or get angry when someone passes us.   I had an experience once that really put things into perspective for me.  I was on a long trip with my Grandmother riding the front seat with me so I was being especially cautious.   Even though I was driving the speed limit, the fellow behind me, who had been tailgating me for miles, got impatient and sped around me.   I quipped: 'Go on, run ahead and spring the traps for me'.  Not five miles later I passed the same vehicle where he had been pulled over by a state trooper.   So sometimes letting people pass you is a really good thing!  My teen age son once observed a fancy sports car weaving in and out of traffic for more than 50 miles on the freeway through Los Angeles and when they both coincidentally arrived at the same rock concert venue, the speeding Porche was only 2 cars ahead of him in line.  He had to have used up a lot of extra fuel and put a lot of extra wear on his brakes and drive train for virtually nothing, to say nothing of the nerves of drivers around him and perhaps his passengers and his own.

Play nice!

Avoiding Deer Strikes

Deer strikes? We're not talking about avoiding the picket lines of some animal collective bargaining boycott or an animal rights protest. We're talking about hitting -- or being hit by -- one or more of Bambi's buddies.

Many of our camping, RVing, and OHVing activities take us into or through the habitat of wild animals.  Animals don't comprehend the danger presented by fast moving vehicles.   The instinctive reactions they have developed to avoid predators over millenia are not effective against vehicles.  In many cases their instinctive reactions put them in even more danger because moving vehicles behave very differently than predators.  The dangers presented to motorists by deer and other animals crossing highways and trails is significant.   Hitting a deer with a car -- or having your car hit by a deer -- can be an expensive and even life threatening situation.   Not all deer strikes involve the driver hitting the deer. Sometimes the deer runs or jumps out in front of or into the side of the car.   According to State Farm insurance, the odds of hitting a deer are about 1 in 116, far greater than I would have imagined.

There are "deer whistles" advertised that claim to emit a high frequency whistle at speeds over 30 mph that allegedly frighten the deer away.   Sounds like a good idea, but do they really work? Anecdotal evidence suggests there may some value to them.  I have used them on my motorhome for years and never hit a deer with it, but most of my motorhoming was in the desert where deer are not common.  My dad, on the other hand, did most of his traveling in the forests of Oregon where deer abound.  He said he noticed a significant reduction in the number of deer crossing in front of his motorhome after installing the devices.  However, more extensive scientific research has not found any proof that they work.  See http://www.ibmwr.org/otech/deerw.html.   Even if they did work they would probably be ineffective at the slower speeds we often drive large RVs on forest roads and at the normal trail speeds of OHVs.   Electronic version would supposedly work at any speed -- if they work at all.   You might think, "It can't hurt" and, except for the fact that it might give the driver a false sense of security and a small reduction in his disposable funds, that is true.

The best way to avoid deer strikes is to avoid driving during periods when deer activity is high -- dawn and dusk.   But don't assume you're safe at other times.   While activity may be highest at those times, you may encounter deer crossing your path at ANY time.  First, slow down in areas where there may be deer -- especially areas where deer crossing signs are posted.  It will give you more reaction time if they jump out in front of you.  Secondly, stay alert.  Watch as far down the road as you can, scanning the trees on both sides of the road frequently for any movement in the trees or brush.  This technique us also helpful when riding OHV trails in the forest or even in the desert.   Deer may not be a likely problem in the desert but other OHV riders are.  When visibility is restricted, by fog, snow, rain, vegetation, or narrow, twisting roads and trails, further reduce your speed.  Reduced speed gives you more time to scan for hazards and longer reaction time to avoid them.  You may be anxious to get to camp but, believe me, you'll get there faster by driving at a safe and steady speed than you will if you have an accident.

Deer's eyes reflect light.  When driving at night watch for the yellow glow reflected by their eyes in the brush alongside the road.  They are often fascinated by your headlights and may stop and stare right out you.  The glow from their eyes may be easier to see than movement.

While is is certainly admirable to try to avoid hitting a wild animal, your safety and that of your family is far more important.  You may also be concerned about damaging your vehicle.   Never let worry about an animal or vehicle damage lead you to do something that risks your safety.  Way too many people have suffered extensive and sometimes fatal accidents attempting to avoid hitting a wild animal.  If you can safely avoid the collision, by all means do so.  In addition to injuring or killing the animal, even hitting a small animal can cause significant damage to your vehicle and may cause you to lose control.  I once unavoidably hit a rabbit that ended up doing nearly $1000 damage to the front of my car!  Losing control due to hitting or trying to avoid hitting and animal can result in you and your your passengers being seriously injured or killed.  Given that possibility, make YOUR safety your priority!

Don't strike out!

Choosing a Campgroud

How do you go about choosing a campground that will be appropriate for your needs?  To a large extent you can just pick a campground because you like it or because someone recommended it,  it is convenient, or you have heard or read good things about it.  Truly bad campgrounds are few and far between, so you can seldom go wrong.  The most common complaints are noise (usually from traffic on nearby facilities or roads, sometimes from uncontrolled tenants  or noisy neighbors) but sometimes you may encounter a poorly maintained facility and/or unpleasant management.  The only real shield against that is checking out the parks beforehand as best you can.  Look for online reviews or call local public park rangers or even law enforcement or check with local businesses or contact the Better Business Bureau.  Members of the Good Sam Club can check the Good Sam or Trailer Life directories for ratings.  Better yet, do a drive by and check it out yourself if you can.  Generally you cant count on any campground rated as a "Good Sam Park" to have been well screened to ensure a quality experience.  If you're on the road you may need to find an available spot as night time approaches so you might end up just taking your chances wherever you find a "VACANCY" sign, but is always good to plan ahead if you can.  If you're new to RVing, OHVing, and/or camping, here are some things to help you figure out your best options.  First of all, your camping life style will determine whether you need an RV park or a tent camping space.   If you're in an RV, your need or desire for comforts and conveniences will dictate between boondocking or a full hook up campground.  Some forest service campgrounds allow RVs, but don't have any hook ups so you'll have to be prepared to dry camp if you go there.  Forest Service campgrounds also frequently have size limitations.   Dry camping in a tent versus staying in a campground is less of a difference than dry camping in an RV compared to full hook ups, but you still need to consider whether you have the will and the equipment and supplies for remote camping.   If you're staying in a campground you will probably have access to water and toilets. If you're camping in primitive "dispersed camping" areas, you won't.   If you're into OHV riding, you will need to choose a location that gives you access to OHV trails.   Often this means dry camping on open BLM lands where there are no existing facilities.  Even though a majority RV buyers much prefer units that are self-contained something like 3/4 or more usually stay in developed campgrounds with hookups where they seldom use the self contained features.

How large is your group?   If it's just your immediate family you'll probably only need one space but if you're group camping, you may need to reserve several spots and/or a group facility.  If you're boondocking with a group you'll need to locate and stake a claim on a spot big enough for everyone you are expecting to join you.  Designated campgrounds may require advance reservations for groups and you can usually request adjacent sites so you'll be near each other.  When group camping in primitive areas it is best to get their early and stake out an area for your group before all the good spots are taken.  This is especially important on holiday weekends where there will be a lot of competition for sites.  We always tried to get out on Tuesday before Thanksgiving weekend be make sure we could stake out our favorite staging area for our Desert Rat group's annual "Turkey In The Dirt".

The kinds of activities you plan to enjoy will further refine your choices.  If you're into water sports, you'll want to be close to a lake, beach, or marina. OHV riding usually means headed out to open BLM or forest service lands, but there are a few developed campgrounds with access to OHV trails. I spent a summer as an ATV mechanic at one such resort in Utah.   If you are focusing on visiting specific historical sites, pick a campground that provides convenient travel to your various destinations.  For example, Pinewoods Resort in Duck Creek Village, Utah, where I worked, has direct access to 500 miles of ATV trails and is centrally located between Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks. For most of our dirt bike outings in southern California we dry-camped in open BLM camping areas in the Mojave Desert.  As I recall there was one private RV park outside of California City that also catered to dirt bikers but most everyone dry camped in open camping areas.   It may take some research to locate the perfect place for your needs.  The good news is you'll probably have fun and enjoy yourself anywhere you camp.   But over time you'll find some places you like better than others and will want to return often.

Campgrounds versus RV parks.  Many, but not all, campgrounds include both tent camping spaces and RV spaces.  Some may allow one or the other but not both. It isn't unusual to find forest service campgrounds that have RV restrictions.  Some may not even accept them at all while others will have size restrictions. Private campgrounds may be limited by the size of their available spaces.   Note that size restrictions are NOT arbitrary ways to harass RVers.  They are usually based on legitimate physical restraints like the size of the spaces themselves or limitations on access roads.   Long RVs in short spaces leave part of your rig extending out and blocking the road or parking on and damaging landscaping. Roads may be narrow or have sharp turns that don't accommodate rigs beyond a certain size.  There may be weight, height, and width limits on bridges on access roads getting there.  To avoid uncomfortable situations where you don't have anyplace to turn around and have to back out of untenable routes, pay attention to size restrictions, which are usually posted well in advance.  Some RV parks don't have tent camping spaces and will not allow tents to be set up in RV spaces.   Be sure you understand the available resources and any restrictions BEFORE you book a reservation or commit your plans to a particular location.  When you roll in at midnight it is NOT the time to learn your rig isn't accepted or you can't set up your tent at your planned destination.

Boondocking or dry camping gives you a lot of choices.  Many forest and BLM lands are open for dispersed camping, which means you can camp just about anywhere in the open areas.  Others may allow camping only in designated areas.  Still, if you are willing and able to camp without hookups, your options will be greatly expanded.  There are seldom size restrictions on open camping areas although there may be size considerations on the roads getting there.  If you ride OHVs it is likely dry camping in open areas will be the best if not the only way to have direct access to trails.  When camping in open areas, try to take advantage of places others have already camped.   This will usually make your setup easier as well as minimizing the impact on the environment.   By using a previously used campsite someone else will have already found the most level spot and will probably have already built a rock fire pit.  Don't know of any existing camp sites?   Stop in and chat with the local BLM ranger.  If you can't do that, look for tire tracks that lead off the road, then look for areas that have been previous used as indicated by disturbed vegetation and a primitive rock fire ring.

If you need or want hook ups be sure to check web sites or call ahead to confirm you can get what you need. Some RVs are wired for 50 amp electrical service.  Older campgrounds may have only 30 amp electrical connections.   Using an adapter you can still connect your 50 amp rig to a 30 amp pedestal, but you will only have 30 amps of power available so you won't be able to run multiple high-powered appliances (like air conditioners) at the same time.  And, of course, you'll need to have an appropriate adapter so pick one up before you need it.   If you really need to run both air conditioners at once on a large RV, make sure you have full 50 amp power or plan on running your generator when you need both air conditioners.   Sewer and water connections are pretty standard at most locations that have hook ups and usually don't require special adapters.  However, it is a good idea to carry a multi-size sewer adapter, just in case.   If you are camping in freezing weather, bring along some heat tape to wrap your water hose AND the pipe all the way to the ground to prevent it from freezing.  Tent campers usually don't need or can't use hook ups, but at least having water faucets and toilets available in a developed campground is a valuable consideration.  During late season (fall) outings you may find restrooms have been closed and water shut off, so find out ahead of time so you can bring enough water to last as long as you plan to stay.

Primitive campgrounds are usually designed for tent camping but can sometimes accept small RVs. They won't usually have any kind of hookups but may have water available at shared community faucets to refill your fresh water tank.   Be considerate of other campers and don't monopolize the faucet.   Some primitive campgrounds will have flush toilets but many older sites will have only pit toilets inf they even have that.  In "the old days" pit toilets were often very foul smelling and dirty. These days most are regularly pumped out and pressure washed and quite acceptable and far superior to digging your own latrine, but they'll still probably not be as pleasant as flush toilets or your own RV, especially on long weekends when they may get a lot of use between cleanings.   Poor conditions in public toilets and showers is one of the reasons people like to have their own RVs.

Commercial RV parks and campgrounds often provide loads of activities and amenities, along with full hook ups.   Ofttimes the additional conveniences are well worth the extra cost. These days you can check out most facilities on the Internet and read reviews from previous guests so you have a pretty good idea what to expect.  If you still have questions, give them a call.   Any reputable establishment will be happy to answer your questions.

Good Sam Parks.  The Good Sam Club reviews thousands of campgrounds each year.   Those that qualify as Good Sam Parks have to meet specific criteria of cleanliness, appeal, and functionality and offer a 10% discount to Good Sam Club members.   Even if you're not a Good Sam member, the Good Sam Park rating ensures a quality and consistency of facilities and services for everyone.

Membership campgrounds offer free or discounted camping to folks who pay an annual membership fee.  Membership camping is a good option for many people but you need to be sure you can and will make use of their facilities before you lay out a chunk of money for membership. Membership camping organizations have strict rules that govern availability, cleanliness, and functionality, delivering a high level of consistency among their member campgrounds.  Some require advance reservations and may have "black out" dates so be sure you are properly prepared so you don't get turned away in the middle of a trip or be asked to pay unexpected extra fees.

Fire restrictions may be a serious concern, depending on location and season.   During the fire season you can expect restrictions against open fires just about anywhere you go.  So, if a campfire or bonfire is part of your plans, make sure you choose a campground where it will be allowed.  Most forest service and many BLM areas will have posted Fire Danger signs.  NEVER ignore a Fire Danger sign.  They aren't just there to scare you or keep you from having fun! High Fire Danger designates a condition where fires are easily started and quickly spread.  Even the heat from the catalytic converter on your vehicle exhaust system can ignite dry grass so stick to the roads when the fire danger is high.

Private versus public campgrounds.  Your choice will probably be determined by other factors such as location, availability of spaces, and compatibility with planned activities.  Sometimes you will find both private and public (government operated) campgrounds in the same area.   Usually, but not always, private campgrounds will have more complete facilities and more amenities and will be more expensive.  Public campgrounds, operated by various government agencies (city, county, state and federal), will usually have more limited resources since they are not profit-oriented and their budgets are often at least partially based on tax revenues.   They usually don't have amenities to compete with private campgrounds.  Make sure you compare the features as well as price when comparing campgrounds.   Prices at campgrounds near major attractions, like national parks or theme parks, may be higher prided because of their location without providing any additional amenities.  The convenience may be worth the additional cost but sometimes you will save money or gain features by driving just a little further.

Camp out!

Wilderness Survival for Campers, Rvers, OHVers

Campers, RVers, and OHVers are often in remote places.  If anything unexpected happens and you get lost or stranded, you may find yourself in a wilderness survival situation.  You may have seen wilderness survival shows 

Wilderness survival.   Its not as hard as you think -- IF you think.  The biggest problem isn't as much knowing what to do and how to do it, its thinking about doing it.  Just think about it for a while. Mankind lived for thousands and thousands of years without civilization and modern conveniences.  I only have to look back 3 or 4 generations in my family to find real pioneers who crossed the American plains in covered wagons and handcarts and had to live off the land.  What makes us different from our ancient ancestors?  Why can't we survive a few days in the wilderness?  You'd think it would be instinctive.  True, we've lost a lot of the basic knowledge that sustained our forefathers, but with our more advanced education and fundamental knowledge of scientific principles, we  should be able to make it.  I submit attitude is the biggest factor.  We have been taught or have come to believe that we can't survive in the wilderness, at least not without special training. We have become totally dependent on our modern conveniences, but we don't have remain dependent.  Our ancestors got the training they needed the same way our kids learn to walk and talk -- from their parents.   Unless your parents are survivalists, you won't have the benefit of home schooling for survival.  That's OK.  As I have mentioned before, the biggest factor is attitude -- the WILL to survive.   A lot of the things you might learn in a survival school are largely common sense, things you can figure out yourself if you have to.  After all, somebody had to figure them out the first time.  You don't have to be an engineer to work out how to tie some branches together or pile up some leaves to make an emergency shelter.  With a little thought, most people can figure it out by themselves.  The biggest factor is knowing that you need a shelter in the first place and the will and good sense to build it in time to prevent dangers of exposure.

Situational awareness.  In many professions, such fire fighting, personal protection, and law enforcement, applying the concept of situational awareness is a critical skill.   It would also be applied to wilderness survival and even regular RVing and OHVing and other outdoor recreational activities.  Situational awareness basically means paying attention to your surroundings and constantly watching for things that might affect you.  In many cases it means watching out for things that are hazardous or could become hazardous, but it also covers watching for things you can use.  Situational awareness in a survival situation might be demonstrated by recognizing you aren't going to be rescued before dark and need to build a shelter and a fire.  It might also mean remembering a cave or overhang that might be a good start on a shelter.  You can practice situational awareness all the time, at home, at work, while you are shopping and especially when  you are involved in outdoor activities.  Just look around you.  Is there an erratic driver on the freeway that might pose a hazard?  What would be your escape route from a restaurant or store if a dangerous situation sprang up?  What things might be within your reach that would be suitable weapons if they were needed to defend  yourself or protect your family?  Where is the nearest fire extinguisher, hose, or fire alarm?  These are all things you should be paying attention to everywhere you go.

Wilderness survival situations are often the result of some kind of accident -- a plane or vehicle crash or a hiker or hunter falling down a cliff or steep slope or just getting lost.  Even without physical injuries, just finding yourself in a survival situation is traumatic.  You and/or your companions are likely to experience going into shock, especially if you are injured, which is going to seriously affect and probably cloud your thinking.  And, yes, you can go into shock from the trauma of being lost even if you aren't injured.  If you can remain calm and think clearly, you will significantly increase your chance of survival.  A useful acronym for surival is STOP:  Stop, Think, Observe, Plan.  Stop moving, Think about your situation,Observe your surroundings and your resources, then Plan what to do.  Then is is time for action, implementing you plans in a thoughtful and methodical way to maximize your chances of survival.

So why do people perish in the wilderness?  One of the main reasons is panic.  They don't know what to do and instead of trying to figure out their best options, they panic.  Once panic sets in there is little if any room for intelligent thought.  Frightened people often just run which usually only makes their situation worse.  They get even more lost and put themselves further from where searchers will be looking for them, get injured or make existing injuries worse.  Many injuries are the result of panic.  Running from predatory animals is usually a bad idea.  First of all, you will never out run a wolf, a bear, or a mountain lion.  Secondly, when you run the animal's instinct tells it you are prey.  Another dangerous reaction is "negative panic" where you simply freeze and are incapable of doing anything. That can be just a dangerous as running as it leaves you totally vulnerable and unable to react appropriately to any threats.  If you feel yourself losing control and feel like running or unable to react at all, hug a tree if there is one around and take time to calm down.   Consider your situation.   Evaluate your options.   Should you stay where you are or move on?   Do you have materials to build a shelter?  Do you have fuel for a fire?  Do you know how to build a fire with what you have with you or available around you?   Do you have access to food and water?   Do you have any idea which way to go to get help?  Does anyone know where you are?  These are some of the main things to think about when deciding whether to go or stay.  If no one knows where you are (shame on you!  You should have told someone where you were going.), staying put may not be your best option 'cause no one is going to come looking for you.   If you have no shelter, no fuel, no food, or no water you will probably have to move at least a little to seek them.  Whenever you do move, take care not move into a less desirable spot that the one you're leaving.  Always seek improvement.   You don't want your move to make things go from bad to worse.  And exercise caution when you move.  The last thing you need in a survival situation is to become injured or to aggravate any injuries you already have.  If you feel like running, stop and hug a tree until you calm down a little and can start to think straight.  If there are no trees, hug yourself!  Of course hugging a suitable companion may be more therapeutic (and enjoyable) for both of you.

Consider this:   some people have survived being stranded in the wilderness with absolutely no survival training while some people with training have perished.  Why?   Panic probably played a significant factor.   Those who survived kept their cool and figured ways to deal with the situation until they were rescued, and then took appropriate action.  Those who froze or forgot their training, perhaps because of panic or just non-use, perished.  One of the first human reactions to a crisis situation is denial: "This can't be happening to me!" or "I can't believe this is happening!"  Just knowing that negative panic and denial are likely to occur can help you recognize and combat them. On the other hand, if you're not expecting it, you will very likely fail to recognize it, succumb to it and panic or become immobilized . And that is a sure recipe for failure.

What is the value of survival training?   First of all, having some idea what to do in an emergency situation will greatly reduce your tendency to panic and increase your confidence.  Secondly, knowing some fundamental survival principles and having some basic survival skills will make things easier, which will further improve your attitude and enhance your chances of survival.   Certain skills may be essential to survival, such as making a fire and finding water.  But even more important than these fundamental skills is your overall mind set and ability to stay calm and make good decisions.  Your brain isk, with out a doubt, your most important survival tool, followed by your own two hands.  External tools, such as a good knife and a fire starting kit, will make your tasks easier, but are really secondary.   With a little creative thought you can  usually find a way to acquire or make the tools you need to survive.

For example, knowing the rule of threes can help you prioritize your efforts.  The rule of threes: you can survive about 3 minutes without air, you can survive about 3 hours until your body temperature reaches dangerously high or low temperatures in adverse weather conditions, you can survive about 3 days without water, and you can survive about 3 weeks without food.  So, if you're underwater or buried in a snow avalanche, get your head clear so you can breath!   If you have an injured companion who is not breathing, make sure their airway is clear and attempt CPR.  Then, consider if you need shelter. In cold or wet weather you'll need someplace dry and out of the wind and a way to stay warm. In hot weather you'll need shade.  Even in desert areas nights can get dangerously cold, so seek shelter long before it begins to get dark.  Then look for sources of water and finally try to find something to eat.  We are all too accustomed to eating when we are hungry, and hunger is often one of the first symptoms you will experience, many people think they're hungry when what they really need is water  -- but food is the lowest priority in terms of survival.   THINK about what you need to do, then plan your activities so you address the most important issues first.  Finding food and water won't do you any good if you die of exposure in the first few hours because you didn't have necessary shelter.  I have read that the longest anyone survived without water was eleven days, but there wasn't any description of the circumstances.   Remember, the rule of thumb, is three days without water before you become dangerously dehydrated.  It may be possible to get water from things you eat, but mostly it takes more water out of your body trying to process any food than the water it can provide.  You can begin to experience symptoms of dehydration in a lot less than 3 days.  Debilitating heat cramps, mental fatigue, and lethargy can begin to set in after just a few hours.  Hot weather and physical exertion will accelerate dehydration.

Once you have made plans based on prioritizing your survival needs, take inventory of what you have available and rank the items according to their value toward survival.   Begin by collecting everything you think might be useful, then narrow the list down to those things that will do the most toward helping you survive.   You don't want to waste time and energy lugging around a bunch of useless junk.  As you rate items, consider how they relate to your priorities.  For example, in a cold and/or wet climate, staying warm will be one of your highest priorities so anything that will help you stay warm (fire materials, warm clothing, shelter materials, possible insulation for your clothing) should be high on your list. In survival mode you will often find that what you normally consider junk may be useful, so think "what can I do with that" as you make your inventory.

I'm NOT encouraging you to boycott survival training.  Quite the opposite.  The more training and practice you have the better prepared you will be, the less likely you will panic, and the easier it will be to survive.  I just want you to think about what you would do if you unexpectedly found yourself in a survival situation.  Try to realize YOU CAN SURVIVE if you have the will to do so and use your head.  Just think it through!  Then seek all the training and practice you can get.  Developing survival skills will make your ordeal less uncomfortable and improve your chances of success.  Once you find yourself in a survival situation take stock of your resources, plan your moves, and then carefully implement them.

Campers, RVers, and OHVers are often in remote places.  If anything unexpected happens and you get lost or stranded, you may find yourself in a wilderness survival situation.  You may have seen wilderness survival shows like Survivorman on TV.  Most of us don't deliberately seek out survival type activities, but we might find ourselves in a surivial situation sometime anyway.

Wilderness survival.   Its not as hard as you think -- IF you think.  The biggest problem isn't as much knowing what to do and how to do it, its thinking about doing it.  Just think about it for a while. Mankind lived for thousands and thousands of years without civilization and modern conveniences.  I only have to look back 3 or 4 generations in my family to find real pioneers who crossed the American plains in covered wagons and handcarts and had to live off the land.  What makes us different from our ancient ancestors?  Why can't we survive a few days in the wilderness?  You'd think it would be instinctive.  True, we've lost a lot of the basic knowledge that sustained our forefathers, but with our more advanced education and fundamental knowledge of scientific principles, we  should be able to make it.  I submit attitude is the biggest factor.  We have been taught or have come to believe that we can't survive in the wilderness, at least not without special training. We have become totally dependent on our modern conveniences, but we don't have remain dependent.  Our ancestors got the training they needed the same way our kids learn to walk and talk -- from their parents.   Unless your parents are survivalists, you won't have the benefit of home schooling for survival.  That's OK.  As I have mentioned before, the biggest factor is attitude -- the WILL to survive.   A lot of the things you might learn in a survival school are largely common sense, things you can figure out yourself if you have to.  After all, somebody had to figure them out the first time.  You don't have to be an engineer to work out how to tie some branches together or pile up some leaves to make an emergency shelter.  With a little thought, most people can figure it out by themselves.  The biggest factor is knowing that you need a shelter in the first place and the will and good sense to build it in time to prevent dangers of exposure.

Situational awareness.  In many professions, such fire fighting, personal protection, and law enforcement, applying the concept of situational awareness is a critical skill.   It would also be applied to wilderness survival and even regular RVing and OHVing and other outdoor recreational activities.  Situational awareness basically means paying attention to your surroundings and constantly watching for things that might affect you.  In many cases it means watching out for things that are hazardous or could become hazardous, but it also covers watching for things you can use.  Situational awareness in a survival situation might be demonstrated by recognizing you aren't going to be rescued before dark and need to build a shelter and a fire.  It might also mean remembering a cave or overhang that might be a good start on a shelter.  You can practice situational awareness all the time, at home, at work, while you are shopping and especially when  you are involved in outdoor activities.  Just look around you.  Is there an erratic driver on the freeway that might pose a hazard?  What would be your escape route from a restaurant or store if a dangerous situation sprang up?  What things might be within your reach that would be suitable weapons if they were needed to defend  yourself or protect your family?  Where is the nearest fire extinguisher, hose, or fire alarm?  These are all things you should be paying attention to everywhere you go.

Wilderness survival situations are often the result of some kind of accident -- a plane or vehicle crash or a hiker or hunter falling down a cliff or steep slope or just getting lost.  Even without physical injuries, just finding yourself in a survival situation is traumatic.  You and/or your companions are likely to experience going into shock, especially if you are injured, which is going to seriously affect and probably cloud your thinking.  And, yes, you can go into shock from the trauma of being lost even if you aren't injured.  If you can remain calm and think clearly, you will significantly increase your chance of survival.  A useful acronym for surival is STOP:  Stop, Think, Observe, Plan.  Stop moving, Think about your situation,Observe your surroundings and your resources, then Plan what to do.  Then is is time for action, implementing you plans in a thoughtful and methodical way to maximize your chances of survival.

So why do people perish in the wilderness?  One of the main reasons is panic.  They don't know what to do and instead of trying to figure out their best options, they panic.  Once panic sets in there is little if any room for intelligent thought.  Frightened people often just run which usually only makes their situation worse.  They get even more lost and put themselves further from where searchers will be looking for them, get injured or make existing injuries worse.  Many injuries are the result of panic.  Running from predatory animals is usually a bad idea.  First of all, you will never out run a wolf, a bear, or a mountain lion.  Secondly, when you run the animal's instinct tells it you are prey.  Another dangerous reaction is "negative panic" where you simply freeze and are incapable of doing anything. That can be just a dangerous as running as it leaves you totally vulnerable and unable to react appropriately to any threats.  If you feel yourself losing control and feel like running or unable to react at all, hug a tree if there is one around and take time to calm down.   Consider your situation.   Evaluate your options.   Should you stay where you are or move on?   Do you have materials to build a shelter?  Do you have fuel for a fire?  Do you know how to build a fire with what you have with you or available around you?   Do you have access to food and water?   Do you have any idea which way to go to get help?  Does anyone know where you are?  These are some of the main things to think about when deciding whether to go or stay.  If no one knows where you are (shame on you!  You should have told someone where you were going.), staying put may not be your best option 'cause no one is going to come looking for you.   If you have no shelter, no fuel, no food, or no water you will probably have to move at least a little to seek them.  Whenever you do move, take care not move into a less desirable spot that the one you're leaving.  Always seek improvement.   You don't want your move to make things go from bad to worse.  And exercise caution when you move.  The last thing you need in a survival situation is to become injured or to aggravate any injuries you already have.  If you feel like running, stop and hug a tree until you calm down a little and can start to think straight.  If there are no trees, hug yourself!  Of course hugging a suitable companion may be more therapeutic (and enjoyable) for both of you.

Consider this:   some people have survived being stranded in the wilderness with absolutely no survival training while some people with training have perished.  Why?   Panic probably played a significant factor.   Those who survived kept their cool and figured ways to deal with the situation until they were rescued, and then took appropriate action.  Those who froze or forgot their training, perhaps because of panic or just non-use, perished.  One of the first human reactions to a crisis situation is denial: "This can't be happening to me!" or "I can't believe this is happening!"  Just knowing that negative panic and denial are likely to occur can help you recognize and combat them. On the other hand, if you're not expecting it, you will very likely fail to recognize it, succumb to it and panic or become immobilized . And that is a sure recipe for failure.

What is the value of survival training?   First of all, having some idea what to do in an emergency situation will greatly reduce your tendency to panic and increase your confidence.  Secondly, knowing some fundamental survival principles and having some basic survival skills will make things easier, which will further improve your attitude and enhance your chances of survival.   Certain skills may be essential to survival, such as making a fire and finding water.  But even more important than these fundamental skills is your overall mind set and ability to stay calm and make good decisions.  Your brain isk, with out a doubt, your most important survival tool, followed by your own two hands.  External tools, such as a good knife and a fire starting kit, will make your tasks easier, but are really secondary.   With a little creative thought you can  usually find a way to acquire or make the tools you need to survive.

For example, knowing the rule of threes can help you prioritize your efforts.  The rule of threes: you can survive about 3 minutes without air, you can survive about 3 hours until your body temperature reaches dangerously high or low temperatures in adverse weather conditions, you can survive about 3 days without water, and you can survive about 3 weeks without food.  So, if you're underwater or buried in a snow avalanche, get your head clear so you can breath!   If you have an injured companion who is not breathing, make sure their airway is clear and attempt CPR.  Then, consider if you need shelter. In cold or wet weather you'll need someplace dry and out of the wind and a way to stay warm. In hot weather you'll need shade.  Even in desert areas nights can get dangerously cold, so seek shelter long before it begins to get dark.  Then look for sources of water and finally try to find something to eat.  We are all too accustomed to eating when we are hungry, and hunger is often one of the first symptoms you will experience, many people think they're hungry when what they really need is water  -- but food is the lowest priority in terms of survival.   THINK about what you need to do, then plan your activities so you address the most important issues first.  Finding food and water won't do you any good if you die of exposure in the first few hours because you didn't have necessary shelter.  I have read that the longest anyone survived without water was eleven days, but there wasn't any description of the circumstances.   Remember, the rule of thumb, is three days without water before you become dangerously dehydrated.  It may be possible to get water from things you eat, but mostly it takes more water out of your body trying to process any food than the water it can provide.  You can begin to experience symptoms of dehydration in a lot less than 3 days.  Debilitating heat cramps, mental fatigue, and lethargy can begin to set in after just a few hours.  Hot weather and physical exertion will accelerate dehydration.

Once you have made plans based on prioritizing your survival needs, take inventory of what you have available and rank the items according to their value toward survival.   Begin by collecting everything you think might be useful, then narrow the list down to those things that will do the most toward helping you survive.   You don't want to waste time and energy lugging around a bunch of useless junk.  As you rate items, consider how they relate to your priorities.  For example, in a cold and/or wet climate, staying warm will be one of your highest priorities so anything that will help you stay warm (fire materials, warm clothing, shelter materials, possible insulation for your clothing) should be high on your list. In survival mode you will often find that what you normally consider junk may be useful, so think "what can I do with that" as you make your inventory.

I'm NOT encouraging you to boycott survival training.  Quite the opposite.  The more training and practice you have the better prepared you will be, the less likely you will panic, and the easier it will be to survive.  I just want you to think about what you would do if you unexpectedly found yourself in a survival situation.  Try to realize YOU CAN SURVIVE if you have the will to do so and use your head.  Just think it through!  Then seek all the training and practice you can get.  Developing survival skills will make your ordeal less uncomfortable and improve your chances of success.  Once you find yourself in a survival situation take stock of your resources, plan your moves, and then carefully implement them.

Some useful survival skills to learn and practice:

• Fire building
• Map reading
• Emergency shelters
• Finding food and water
• Emergency medicine (first aid

 Survive!

Some Shopping Tips For Campers

I make it a habit to check out the camping stuff just about everywhere I go.  Places like REI, Cabela's, Camping World, and Big 5, that specialize in camping equipment and sporting goods are always good choices.  Walmart, K-mart, Sears, and Target, which we visit often for other things, are also good places to at least window shop.  Colemans Surplus is also a good online resource (not associated with Coleman's camping equipment).  But I also look over the stuff in truck stops and even local grocery stores. The little stores in campgrounds are always fun to check out.  You'll often find creations of local craftsmen there you won't see anywhere else.   Being bargain oriented (or perhaps just cheap!), I like to look for Manager's Specials and Clearances.  I find that is a good way to check out new gadgets and stock up on disposable supplies.  It is nice to be able to try out new gadgets without having to shell our big bucks for something you don't even know if you'll like.

Camping purchases may be planned or spontaneous.   Spontaneous buys will happen when you come across a good deal in your travels.   Planned purchases reflect the additions or improvements you want to make in your camping lifestyle based on what you've seen others using or new products you've seen advertised.  When you have determined you want a specific new gadget it is often useful to shop around to get the best price.  Check the Internet. I've found a lot of stuff I needed (or wanted) on eBay.  Make a list of the things you need and compare prices and availability, then make your best deal.  Don't forget to consider shipping costs when buying on the Internet.  As retailers have become more competitive with Internet stores, the lack of shipping costs plus the convenience of having it NOW instead of waiting for it to be shipped often tips things in their favor.  Spontaneous purchases happen when you're browsing through the camping department and come across something you like. More often than not I've regretted not buying something when I spotted it.  All too often it is no longer available or more expensive when I finally get around to adding it to my list.   Spontaneous purchases are particularly justified when you are out of town and somewhere it would be difficult to return to at a later time -- or when the item is on sale.  I've found some of my camping tools in truck stops during our travels -- and have never seen the identical items anywhere else.  I don't think I've EVER bought something and then wished I hadn't.  There have been a few times I've found better pricing on some items at a later date, but I'd rather over pay now rather than miss out on something good, which is what usually happens if I wait. Just this summer I kept passing over a Coleman Dual Fuel lantern at half price.  This time I lucked out and there was one left when I finally decided to buy it. If I'd waited just one more day -- or maybe even on more hour -- it could have been gone!

There are some unusual places you may find camping stuff.  Garage sales and thrift stores can yield unbelievable bargains on camping equipment or things you can adapt for camping.  Sometimes items have never even been used, just stuff people accumulated and never used or no longer need. Sometimes you'll see tools or supplies at home centers and hardware stores that are applicable to your camping lifestyle.   If you like bargains (and most of us do!), check out liquidation centers and keep your eyes open when you visit your local dollar stores.  I created a solvent-resistant, cushioned work surface on the workbench in my motorcycle trailer using foam animal puzzles from the 99 Cent store. It looks kind of funky, but it keeps things from sliding around, protects the counter top, and is surprisingly resistant to grease, oil, and solvent making it easy to clean.   I took a lot of initial teasing from my macho dirt biking buddies about my kiddie puzzles -- until they saw how well it worked!   By then the 99 Cent Store was all sold out and they had to do find another solution or do without. "Swim noodles" from the dollar store can be cut to make colorful windshield wiper shields for motorhomes and tow vehicles or used to wrap exposed tent or canopy poles to protect them from people walking into them and cushion the impact when they do.   A dollar swim noodle is a cheap investment to reduce the chances of bending an aluminum pole.  More than once I've found handy kitchen gadgets for my motorhome and camper on the kitchen utensils wall at my local Dollar Tree. They may not be restaurant strength or quality, but they're cheap and easy to replace if something happens to them.  They are usually more than adequate for the light use they get camping.  You never know what you might come across that will be helpful -- at least not until you spend a little time reviewing the options.

You will sometimes find useful items in your own garage, basement, closet, or attic -- things you might have set aside from your normal lifestyle that can be resurrected to add comfort or convenience to your camping experience.  Sometimes you can cut down a broken shovel handle to adapt it for camping use instead of throwing it away.  That old 2-slice toaster that your family outgrew might be just the right size for your camper. "Retired" towels, linens, and blankets often find new life for camping.   Blankets that were too ragged around the edges for home use can still provide plenty of warmth in camp and you don't have to worry too much about embers from the campfire burning holes in them.  Those old manual can openers we've shunned for years at home in favor of automatic electric models are perfect for camping and emergency preparedness kits.  One nice thing about recycling old stuff is you're not out much, if anything, when something happens to it, if it gets damaged or left behind.

Campground stores can be a mecca for campers.  They often stock items frequently needed or requested by campers so things have, to some extent, been pre-selected just for you.  Smaller campgrounds have limited supplies but don't be afraid to ask someone for what you need.  They may have back stock or may be able to pick up what you need on their next supply run.  In some cases you may find prices quite a bit higher than you'd pay in big-box outlets, but you are paying for convenience.   I've often seen milk go for around $5.00 a gallon in a resort town when it sells at Walmart for $2.99 or less -- but Walmart is 35 miles away and not even a motorcycle can make that trip for $2.00, not to mention the wasted driving time.  So don't begrudge camp stores if their prices are a little higher than downtown. Just be grateful when they have what you need!

The Internet can be a great source of camping equipment and supplies.   I like to check ebay and craigslist quite regularly.  Coleman's Surplus is a good source of surplus military stuff.   Local classified ads can also be a good place to look both online and in the paper.

Shopping for provisions.   When shopping for provisions, look for appropriate sized items to fit in your RV cabinets or camp kit.  Getting a 50 lb bag of flour may get you the lowest price per pound, but where the heck are you going to put it?   You might store that 50 lb bag at home and transfer just what you need to your RV or camp kit as needed.  Try to update your provisions at the same time you do your normal shopping so you don't have to make a special trip.  Be sure to check your needs before you go shopping so you can get everything in one trip.  You may be able to spread out the cost of stocking your RV or camp kit.  Make a list of everything you need.  Then look for coupons to save money.  And pick up  few items on your list each time you do your regular shopping.

The main thing to remember is to always be alert for camping items where ever you go.  Be prudent in your shopping but be prepared to take advantage of on-the-spot deals -- unique items or special prices.  By checking out many different places you will be better prepared to recognize a good deal when you find one.

Good shopping!

Walmart Hospitality

Walmart is known for being RV friendly. I've even seen Walmart bill boards with RVs on them, inviting travelers to stop in. Their large parking lots make a fairly safe and comfortable place to make an emergency stop for the night. The expansive selection of products makes Walmart a good place for one-stop shopping while you're there. You can replenish your pantry, pick up cleaning supplies, get RV and camping supplies, replace automotive chemicals you may have used up, even update your wardrobe. All at one convenient location. Be aware that Walmarts are not required to be RV friendly and local ordinances may restrict overnight parking so you may encounter individual stores that do not allow overnight parking. If you do, respect their rules and their right to choose whether to welcome RVs or not.  Sometimes it is local laws and not the manager who imposes the limitation.  Typically you should limit your stay to one night.  You should plan to move on by mid-morning.

There are a few other companies, like Cracker Barrel and Home Depot, who are known to cater to RVers too.   Most of the advice given here regarding Walmart will apply to any commercial location that might allow RVs.

A shooting incident involving a alleged RVer at a Walmart in Arizona may alter Walmart's corporate policy.   The perpetrator was killed and a police officer injured.  Many people fear it will cause Walmart officials to retract their RV friendly status.  As is often the case, just one bad apple can spoil things for everyone.  Initial reports claimed the shooter was an RVer.  Turns out no RVers were actually involved, but he negative publicity was widespread.

There are, however, some Walmarts where overnight RV parking is prohibited.  Don't try to use one of these or make a fuss.  You can check the list here (No Overnight Parking At Walmart) to see if a Walmart you want to use is one of them to avoid problems.  While it may be a manager's decision more often they are complying with local laws or zoning or insurance regulations.

Walmart's generosity is a privilege, not a right. All users must respect that fact and be courteous. Most RVers behave appropriately, but I've seen some who, if Walmart judged all RVers by them, would result in loss of access. On a recent trip to my local Walmart I saw a large, Class A motorhome with an SUV dingy behind it and a motorcycle on a rack on the back of the dingy. The driver had pulled into a double row so he was only occupying two parking places... BUT ... the front of the RV was about 4' out into one driveway and the entire SUV and motorcycle blocked more than half the other one. I drive a 40' Class A and usually pull a 18' enclosed motorcycle trailer so I usually need lots of room. When there isn't room to park in the lot without blocking the roadways, we should go back out and park on the street. In the case described above there was plenty of easy curb parking that would not have been much further from the front door than where the offender had ensconced his rig. It may seem more thoughtful to try to only use up 2 parking spaces instead of parking crosswise over several spots -- but not if your rig then blocks the driveways! There is usually plenty of open areas at the edges of the parking lots.  And street parking, when available, especially for short shopping visits, is even more preferable. Very often it is a lot easier to get going again from curb parking than negotiating a tight parking lot with a big rig. Yes, you may have to walk a little further, but its a small price to pay (and perhaps even an investment in better health) to be courteous and to preserve the privilege.

Be careful and considerate where you park.   Don't pull right up close to the doors and block multiple parking places with your RV.  Stay out in the less popular parts of the parking lot.  Most of us can use the exercise anyway!  I saw an RV who tried to take up only two spaces by pulling through two columns of parking, only to leave his dingy vehicle with a large motorcycle on a rack on the back sticking out blocking the aisle!  It would have been a lot more considerate and far less impact on other customers if he had parked crossways over several remote parking spots!

Pack it in, pack it out. This is usually the mantra of back packers and environmental activists, but it applies equally well to RVers stopping in a rest area or a Walmart parking lot or anywhere we camp for that matter. Make sure your dump valves are closed and the cap tightly in place so you don't leave foul deposits on the pavement. If you should happen to have a leak, put a pan under it so you don't contaminate the parking lot.  Keep track of your garbage and don't let it blow around the neighborhood. If you see trash anywhere near your rig, pick it up, even if it isn't yours. We should make this a habit where ever we go, but it is particularly offensive to leave a mess behind when accepting the free parking at Walmart or other friendly companies or in rest areas.

Patronize the store. Very often we need supplies by the time we stop for the night, so give your business to Walmart while you're there.  Chances are you'll find all but the most esoteric items on your shopping list at Walmart.  I always like to stroll through the RV supplies and camping accessories every time I'm in Walmart, even if I've only come for groceries or auto parts.  You may well find something useful.  And don't forget to check out the CLEARANCE sections!  Even though our travel budget usually doesn't include a category for this kind of shopping, I've found it very helpful and satisfying to take advantage of purchasing interesting items when I see them.  All too often I've not been able to find them again if I decide to wait until I get home.  And you'll never have a better frame of reference for whether something will be useful than during an actual trip.

Put your shopping cart in the corral when you're finished with it.  Walmart typically has cart return stations within a few steps of every parking place in the lot.  There is NO excuse for leaving a cart loose to block a parking space or get blown into someone's vehicle!   I once had the plastic grill on my pickup destroyed by an errant shopping cart and I've seen them cave in car doors on more than one occasion.

Don't over stay your welcome.   I'm sure Walmart and their neighboring businesses would not appreciate some one camping in the parking lot for an extended period of time.  Their generosity is aimed toward travel-weary drivers who need to get off the road and get a few hours rest before they have an accident and people just passing through.  Normally you should only stay overnight and be gone by mid-morning.  If you need someplace to stay longer than just overnight, seek out a public or private campground or a primitive camping area on BLM or forest service land.  If you stay too long you can likely expect a visit from local law enforcement.  If that happens, you can't automatically assume someone at Walmart called them. They may have just noticed the vehicle on a routine patrol or, perhaps, some neighbor (business or resident) may have called in the report.  No matter who may have called it in, the only one to blame is the unwelcome visitor for over-staying their welcome and abusing camping privileges.

Welcome to Walmart!