First Ferry Trip with the Motorhome

We decided to head to the Dungeness Crab & SeafoodFestival in Port Angeles…and of course wanted to take the motorhome!

I looked at the distance and amount of fuel we’d use driving around via Tacoma and the Narrows Bridge.   Then we looked at the ferry fare for taking a Washington State Ferry.   The costs were quite comparable, so we decided to try out the rig on a ferry. 

Now, had we been talking about a trip to one of the San JuanIslands, say Orcas Island, THAT would have been a different story!  It’s $154 ONE WAY!  But hey, it’s FREE coming back from the islands!  Haha   The answer to that is to park the RV at one of the RV parks in Anacortes and take the Gold Wing for day trips to the islands!   Now you know our plans for a few of the weekends next summer.   PLUS, motorcycles get to go to the front of the line!

    

Anyway, back to our Port Angeles trip…

We headed for the Edmonds ferry dock.  I was a little anxious about driving this big rig on to the ferry.   We pull up to the toll booths and are directed to the left-most booth because we are over 7 feet wide.   Even so, as we approach the booth, they have a large traffic cone in the lane…seven feet from the toll booth!  What!?  Are you testing my driving abilities?

I pull up to the toll booth window, successfully avoiding the booth with my mirror and the roof with the height of the RV.  Then I hand over the “moola”, get instructions about our propane tank and am handed a receipt, a card for the dashboard and a tag with a piece of wire to attach it to the door where the propane tank is.  Law requires that the propane be turned off before loading on to the ferry and remain off until you are off the ferry.

As we are instructed to pull forward to lane #4, I start to ask about the cone I am sure to run over, and the cashier says, “Ah, just run over it.”   So I did!  Haha

As we pull into lane 4, they are rushing a number of last minute cars on.   I wondered why we didn’t get to go as well.  Well, kind of…  While we wait Cheryl runs over to a local espresso shop and I played on my phone.  The next ferry arrives and they load a lot of cars first – on each side – top and bottom.  Then the big rigs go on – to the left and right lanes of the middle section.   As we go on, they stop traffic and we get both lanes all of the way on to the ferry.   Better safe than sorry I guess!  Haha  They direct us to the left-most lane.   Wow, we seem so big all of the sudden.  As we move down the length of the ferry I get closer and closer to the left-hand wall, finally confident I was as close as I could get!

   

We arrive in Kingston where we have to await the unloading of quite a few cars before we finally get to go.   Again, they give us both lanes as we get off.   We scraped on the ramp – probably the hitch.   A ways down the road, we stop alongside the highway to remove the propane warning tag and to turn the tank back on.  Turns out we pulled over right next to some blackberry bushes that still had quite a few good berries on them.  Yummmm…

We continued on down the highway, headed for Peabody RV Park in Port Angeles.  This RV park is just 4 blocks away from The City Pier where the Crab and Seafood Festival would be.   We set up camp and settled in for the evening, firing up the VCR and watching a couple of movies purchased at a garage sale. 

Cheryl whipped up a great breakfast on Saturday morning and then we headed for the Crab & Seafood Festival. 

There were craft booths, great food (mostly crab of course!) and fun people watching!  They also had a “crab hunt”.  It was called The Great Downtown Crab Hunt and was designed to get you in to the stores in the nearby downtown shopping area of Port Angeles.  In each store they had a "crab" you needed to find, then get your “punch card” initialed.   Your chances for winning shopping dollars increased with the more stores/restaurants you visited.   It was quite fun actually.  We visited a glass blowing shop - Labrie Glass Studios (aka Blow Hard Glass LLC) and enjoyed a long talk with the owner.   We just might make a weekend trip to PA next summer and attend a glass blowing class!  Other fun stores were a fudge shop (Northwest Fudge and Confections), a general variety store (Bay Variety) and a hobby store (Pacific Rim Hobby).    The merchants were all good natured about it. 

We got back to the RV just after dark and decided we were still hungry!  We’d seen a pizza place nearby so I walked down and ordered some.  We love pizza!   And the pizza from Westside Pizza on North Lincoln St was pretty darn good!  So we enjoyed some great pizza and watched another one of our garage sale VHS movies! 

We eased in to Sunday…enjoying some fine coffee and a yummy breakfast before breaking camp. 

I went out to dump the tanks and had a bit of a problem…     As usual, I dumped the black water tank first.  Then I went to dump the gray water tank and shortly after the flow started, the opening to the sewer backed up.  Gray water started running all over the place.  I shut the valve then waited to see if the water would start draining again.  No such luck.   So I packed up the hose and decided I would dump the gray water later.   During this time though, I had the neighbor’s dogs playing with me so it wasn’t such a bad time…

After stopping at Safeway for gas we headed for Swains.  I mean, a trip to Port Angeles without a visit to Swains just isn’t right!   It's two floors of about everything you need, 'cept food and booze!  And they are open 24 hours-a-day now!  We found parking in the back parking lot where we could fit in and still get out.  

Then it was on to Olympic Cellars Winery for some tasting before heading home.  We were able to find room to park in a storage area next door.   They have a wonderful selection of wines and were just releasing their 2011 Cranberry Jubilee Wine.

Once on the ferry, we broke out lunch and played Five Crowns while making the ferry crossing from Kingston to Edmonds.

We headed on home…already talking about our next trip.

And loading and unloading the motorhome on to and off of the ferry?  It wasn’t so bad after all!

Thanks for joining us on another trip!

So Just Where Do I Learn of the Places I Can Take Our Motorhome?

The title of my last post, “Seems Like We Can Take the RV Everywhere!” is so true.   There are expensive places, cheap places, free places, overnight only places and many in between places where people can park trailers, truck campers and various classes of motorhomes.

Here’s the beginning of a resource which will help people find locations, other than their in-law’s driveway, to park their RV, whether for a night, a weekend, a full week or even longer.

I use these different links to find nearby camping sites suitable for our needs and motorhome.  I plan on expanding the list of resources as well as expand on the details of each resource as I have time.

Please send updates or comments regarding these links and sites.  Also feel free to send pictures and links to other resources and sites. I’ll add them as I have time. 

Deception Pass State Park - Washington

State, National and Federal Sites

State Parks

            Oregon - http://www.oregonstateparks.org/searchpark.php

            Washington - http://www.parks.wa.gov/

            Idaho - http://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/parks/index.aspx

            British Columbia - http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/

Tumwater Canyon near Leavenworth WA

US Forest Service – http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/

Federal Parks, Lakes & Recreational areas - http://www.recreation.gov/

National Forests and Grasslands - http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5274609.html

Wilderness - http://www.wilderness.net/

US National Forest - http://www.forestcamping.com/dow/list/nflist.htm

Rainbow Bridge National Monument - Glen Canyon AZ/UT

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) - http://www.recreation.gov/unifSearch.do?topTabIndex=Search

Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Washington - http://www.dnr.wa.gov/RecreationEducation/Topics/OpenClosureNotices/Pages/amr_statewide_rec.aspx

USACE - United States Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds offer great RV camping opportunities centered around water recreation. With thousands of recreation areas at over 450 lakes and waterways, USACE provides fishing, boating, hiking, and of course camping opportunities that anyone can enjoy. USACE (US Army Corps of Engineers) is probably better known around the RV community as COE.   http://corpslakes.usace.army.mil/visitors/ 

Lake Wallula Recreation Area - Washington

For those of you that find the USACE website difficult to navigate, you can purchase a copy of Camping With the Corps of Engineers.  http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/093787745X/qid=1115298751/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

USACE locations are also available through the USA RV Camping Map on their home page. Click on a state, then click the USACE/COE link for statewide facility information.   http://www.rv-camping.org/

Others

Casino Parking – Many casinos across the United States allow RVs to park for free or very cheaply if they do charge.  As with any of the free places to stay, if people abuse it, it will go away.  So gamble a little, have or have a meal in the casino.   We found an RV parking area at the Quinault Beach Resort and Casino that is literally right on the Pacific Ocean.  You have to register but it is free.  I don’t feel like I have to spend money every time I stay for two nights, but I do believe I should at least spend something in the Resort (a spa day for Cheryl?) maybe every other time we go.


       Casinos Parking Locations - http://www.casinocamper.com/rv-parking-locations
         Casino RV Parking Etiquette - http://www.casinocamper.com/casino-parking-info/etiquette

Quinault Beach Resort and Casino - Washington

FOE (Fraternal Order of Eagles) - Some of their locations offer free or very cheap RV parking.  Click on the link and then use their Aerie Locator.   In the list of locations in the city you are searching for, locations that have parking are indicated by a camper icon.  Personally, I’d call ahead to see what they have – amount of room, are there any events going on, etc.  - http://www.foe.com/index.aspx

Free Campgrounds - http://www.freecampgrounds.com/

Good Sam Club - http://www.goodsamclub.com/travel/Default.aspx

Idaho Power - http://www.idahopower.com/OurEnvironment/Recreation/parks/default.cfm

Cascade Reservoir - Idaho

Overnightparking RV.com – Links & Resources - http://www.overnightrvparking.com/links.php

RV Overnight Parking - Our database contains 9221 RV Parking and No Parking locations in the USA and Canada.   http://www.overnightrvparking.com/index.php?

RV Resources - Parking Your RV for the Night & Other Resources (LOTS of them!)  http://www.exceldistributors.com/rv-parking-overnight.html

Washington Specific

The Coast

Long Beach - http://funbeach.com/rv-parks-and-tent-camping/

North Beach - http://www.pacificsecret.com/rvparks.php

The North Cascades - http://www.north.cascades.national-park.com/camping.htm#camp

WA Safety Rest Areas – not sure really…some websites say it’s OK to stay for a suggested length of 8 hours while other sites don’t list Washington among states that allow overnight stays.  I cannot find any information on Washington’s Department of Transportation website, but have sent them an email to clarify this and will update this information once I get a response. http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/safety/restareas/

Woodalls - Woodall’s has been providing information about RVing and family camping for over 70 years. In 1935, Karl Hale Dixon founded the company with Trailer Travel magazine. Within a few months he realized people needed to know where they could camp and so started a directory of camping locations. http://www.woodalls.com/default.aspx

Various Retail Outlets

There are plenty of places to stop overnight that are free if you just need to rest up overnight.  However, it’s best to err on the side of caution and plan ahead by checking first because individual sites may not allow overnight stays.

While the following over-night-parking etiquette quidelines and code of conduct were found through Walmart's corporate site, they really apply to anywhere and anytime you are overnighting it at any retail outlet.

Overnight Parking Etiquette

Some of the most respected RV consumer clubs have joined together to support your right to park on private businesses' parking lots overnight under the following code of conduct. The code pertains to establishments that permit "dry camping" on their lots. Dry camping means camping without the use of external hookups for electricity, water supply or waste disposal. http://www.walmartatlas.com/overnight-parking-etiquette

Code of Conduct Printable Version

This Code of Conduct is also available in PDF format (see attachment). You're encouraged to print this letter and share it with others to promote these etiquette standards.http://www.walmartatlas.com/files/boondocking_letter.pdf

So what retail stores allow overnight parking?

Camping World

Costco

Cracker Barrel

Kmart

Lowes

Meijer

Menards

Sam’s Club

Target

Walmart - RV Parking at Walmart – A frequently asked question is, “Can I park my RV at a Walmart store?”   The answer?  While they do not offer electrical service or accommodations typically necessary for RV customers, Walmart values RV travelers and considers them among their best customers. Consequently, they do permit RV parking on their store lots as they are able. Permission to park is extended by individual store managers, based on availability of parking space and local laws. Please contact management in each store to ensure accommodations before parking your RV.

There is not a list of Wal-mart stores that permit overnight parking, but there is a list of stores that prohibit overnight parking.  It can be found here - http://www.walmartatlas.com/no-park-walmarts

And if you must, Walmart actually publishes a Walmart Atlas.  It is a comprehensive guide to nearly 4,200 Walmart stores, Supercenters, and Sam's Club stores in the United States. Detailed maps show you where the stores are located and whether gas or diesel fuel is available.  http://www.walmartatlas.com/store/viewitem.php?productid=27

There’s even a Walmart Yahoo Group.  I joined the group!  Their “about us” says, “This group is the positive voice of WalMart Rving. We are the original WalMart RVing group. The purpose of this group is to discuss overnight parking of RV's at… and similar hosts that allow free overnight RV parking.”   http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/walmartrving/

And Truck Stops?

AmBest Truck Stops

Flying J

Loves Travel

Pacific Pride Fuel

Petro Truck Stops

Pilot Travel Centers

Travel Centers of America

Union 76 & Other Truck Stops

Many of these locations are not open 24 hours so use common sense and take precautions if you are going to be staying in the parking lot and are the only one there. 

While truck stops are typically noisy, you have the safety of others being around.

Seems Like We Can Take the RV Everywhere!

Since we’ve purchased the motorhome, we are constantly looking for places to go.  Until we can go full time, we are restricted to weekend trips so can’t get too far away.   We are finding an incredible number of places we can go, all within three hours of home.  But once there, we feel like we are a million miles away from our everyday life.  Ah yes…

And we are finding ways to incorporate the motorhome in to other activities.  Or is it the other way around?   Haha

Months ago we purchased tickets to see Chicago at the Puyallup Fair.  The plan was to take in the fair during the day, attend the concert in the evening and then head home.  But now…

It turns out the fairground has not one, but TWO RV parkingareas.  (Check out fairs across the nation – many of them offer RV parking!)  One area has water and power, the other is for boondocking.  We chose the boondocking lot as it was a little closer to the fairgrounds.   Once we arrived, we were offered water and electricity for $5 extra.  Total cost for the night?  Now $22.  Why not!?

We were guided to our spot by a camp host in a golf cart.  We parked, hooked up, had dinner and then walked 70 steps to the Green Gate.  That’s right, we were only 70 steps away! 

We took in the concert – an incredible performance by a GREAT band!  It’s so amazing how a song can instantly take you back in time.  WAY back!  Haha   (I find for me that is true with smells too.  Certain smells can transport me to places all over the globe in a flash…) 

After the concert we headed back to our home on wheels and settled in for a comfortable night’s sleep.  

We awoke to quite a bit of activity.  Loads of new sawdust were being taken in by a big tractor; loads of “used” sawdust were being taken out.   People were preparing themselves to go in and show their animals.  And as seems to be the case wherever there are campers, people were visiting and sharing.

The fair didn’t start until 10:00, so we enjoyed a pot of coffee and a nice breakfast before hitting the fair.

A Mountain Board

First on the list – scones of course!   Then off to ride a camel!   We visited displays, played some games, ate some great food.  We saw Mountain Boarders (the board looks like a snowboard on enlarged skateboard wheels) and little kids riding sheep!

Kids anxious to ride!

This little girl ultimately won

 We saw incredible, daring aerial acts and enjoyed the Hobby Hall.  By 9:00 PM we were tuckered out!  There is so much to see and do – maybe we’ll go for two days next year!  Check out more pictures here - Puyallup Fair 2011

The RV hosts let us stay as late as we wanted that night, without charging for a second night!   We got back to the RV and broke camp.  While outside I met a new neighbor – from Alberta.  They come every year for five days.   They take in Emerald Downs (a horse racing track in Auburn), Cabela's, the Fair and other things while “in town”.

We headed out and were home just about an hour later.

Ah yes, this is my kind of camping…

Darrington Reunion 2011

Every other year, my Dad and his cousins have a reunion in Darrington, Washington over the Labor Day weekend.    Some years, relatives from as far away as Alaska, Colorado and Massachusetts come.  Most years attendees are from Washington, Oregon and a few diehards from California!

In 2009 we rented a Class C motorhome to use for the long weekend as we were beginning our love affair with the idea of owning a motorhome!   Others had motorhomes there too – my Dad, my Uncle Tom, my Aunt Sue and my cousin Sarah.

This year of course, we were in our own rig, ready for some serious boondocking!  We were going to be at the ol’ homestead for 5 days and 4 nights, Thursday through Monday.  We had the Gold Wing in tow, plenty of food and lot’s of change for 4-5-6!

All of the RVs at the reunion

We arrived late in the afternoon Thursday.  We unhooked the trailer and backed it off to the side using a special trailer dolly we scored at Evergreen RV Supply.  Then we placed the 12”x12”x4” pieces of wood we recently got beneath the jacks and leveled the motorhome.  We were set up in the middle of a hay field ready for some serious partying!

I was able to give grandkids and 2^nd cousins (and a daughter–in-law) rides on the Gold Wing.  Some couldn’t wait to go again!  Cheryl and I even went for a ride in to Darrington for a couple of garage sales where we found some things for the RV!

Doug and Ashton

Doug and Megan

Cheryl loves cooking breakfast (for me and others!).  That, with a never ending supply of coffee made us a popular morning destination!   In fact one morning, we had Cheryl’s son Greg and his whole family (6 people in all), my grandson Taylor, my brother Dan and his girlfriend Michelle AND my brother Greg and his wife Gwen all in the motorhome with us at one time.    We were honored and felt blessed to have family with us like that.

Part of the crowd in the motorhome one morning

Taylor spent two nights with us, coming to bed AFTER we were in bed.  What!?  When did it happen that I don’t stay up later than the grandkids!?  He had a great time hanging with the other guys at the reunion and particularly enjoyed my Uncle Tim’s star gazing app on his tablet.   It warms a grandpa’s heart to have grandkids spending the night.

Our fresh water lasted just fine and our waste water tanks contained all we gave them!   Even had our daughter-in-law taking a shower in our home on wheels!  It was not warm enough during the day or cold enough at night to use the A/C or heat.  Still, we found ourselves starting up the generator in the morning just to run the coffee maker!   So we have now purchased a French press and can make coffee on the gas stove without needing the generator.   (But do NOT tell Megan...)

So, the weekend had to come to an end.  We were getting ready to leave Monday afternoon only to find out we didn’t have lights on the trailer.  My Uncle Tom, Uncle Ken and Dad all came to offer some troubleshooting assistance.  Tom had his voltmeter while Ken played with the wire harness.  We learned how to lift the dashboard cover – there’s actually a strap with a snap that holds it down.  Under the dash are a number of fuses, including the flasher.   We played with these and ultimately discovered that the emergency flasher button had to be down (on?) for the trailer lights to work.  Or was it the wiggling of the wires that Ken was doing at the same time that did it?   Who knows, we had lights, and that’s what we needed!   In the process of troubleshooting things, we discovered there are MORE fuses under the hood too!   This makes THREE places where there are fuses!  Here, Tom’s voltmeter found a dead fuse that controls the step switch.   Ahhhhh…   Now our steps open and close WHEN we want them too!!   Haha

Pictures (lots of them) can be seen on SmugMug.

It was a great weekend, made even better by having the motorhome there.  We were not only able to be there “for it all” but able to have visitors in our home away from home.  

This is our kind of camping!