Minimum Recreational Vehicles

‘Project Motovan’ … great off-road RV conversion journey

Posted in June 29th, 2010

by Julianne Crane in Lite RVing, RV People, RV Types

For active outdoor folks interested in an RV with a small footprint and have the time and desire to do a conversion project, check out Eric Tabb’s “Project Motovan: Off-Road Van Conversion.

It seems Eric’s life has changed–from a single guy to a married one with a toddler–and he’s switching from a toy hauler trailer to a smaller, hearty, off-road camper van.

“My grandparents used to have an ‘Open Road’ full-size camper van when I was growing up. It was a 2wd van with a hard fiberglass camper top that had a bed in the front, a couch/dinette down below and a small kitchen and stove setup.  They used to enjoy getting away from the city and camping in the desert. Over the years I have seen a few around but they are often converted to ice cream vans.  The idea of a camper van started to ring in my mind as a great alternative to a trailer since it could be parked at home and loaded during the week,” says Eric.

Over the next few months Eric will be working on a 2000 Ford E-350 Extended van with the 7.3 liter turbo diesel engine and a factory ordered Quigley 4×4 conversion.

“The goal for Project Motovan is to create a vehicle with many of the creature comforts of home while at same time still being able to act as a heavy duty hauler for dirtbikes, gear and whatever else shows up on the tow hitch. Reaching that goal will require more research, careful planning and finding the right products. Above all however it will involve finding the right people with the experience to help build such a custom rig.”

Click on Project Motovan to check back to see the progress.

Photo: The “Open Road” - early inspiration for this van conversion project. Source: Eric Tabb.

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Talk about a mini-motorhome

Posted in June 28th, 2010

by Julianne Crane in Lite RVing, RV Life, RV Types

Ran across this great little VW RV-conversion on Neatorama.com by John Farrier.
“In the 60s and 70s, various recreational vehicle manufacturers mounted small motorhomes on the Volkswagen Beetle chassis. It was called the ‘Bugaroo’ or ‘Beetle Minihome’” writes Farrier.
I remember my VW could barely transport two people and a bag of groceries without lugging down. This must have been good for mostly flatlands. Sweet looking though.
Read more by clicking here.
Photo: VW ’Bugaroo’. Source: Neatorama.com. Photo by Fred W. Truman.

Recipes For The Road

Cauliflower Salad Makes a Vegetarian Main Dish 0 Comments - 18 Jun 2010 Janet Groene’sGorp Salad This big salad makes a vegetarian main dish for 6 to 8. Make a double batch of the gorp and save half for this salad. Package the rest in snack bags for the trail.The Gorp:1 cup dried cranberries1 cup golden raisins1 jar vegetarian bacon bits (about ½ cup)1 ½ cups roasted, salted sunflower seeds1/3 cup slivered almonds... More Lin

Shortcut Crepes for a Luscious Dessert 0 Comments - 12 Jun 2010 Janet Groene'sCampy Crepes When you have too much sandwich bread going stale in camp, disguise it as a gourmet dessert. Feed the discarded crusts to the ducks. The secret to these crepes is to be conservative with the filling and leave a border so the triangles will stay closed.8 slices white sandwich bread, crusts cut offSoft margarine or butte... More Link

Getaway Quick for Camping 0 Comments - 05 Jun 2010 Janet Groene's Getaway Quick Cake On mornings when you want to get an early start to get a good camping spot, this ultra-wholesome cake makes a full breakfast. Bake it the night before or mix dry ingredients the night before and let it bake, hot and fresh, while you get ready for the road. Add orange juice or a hot drink and you have a warm, ... More Link

Posted by Poster Hoster at 12:04 PM

Janet Groene's
Getaway Quick Cake

On mornings when you want to get an early start to get a good camping spot, this ultra-wholesome cake makes a full breakfast. Bake it the night before or mix dry ingredients the night before and let it bake, hot and fresh, while you get ready for the road. Add orange juice or a hot drink and you have a warm, delicious, rib-sticking breakfast rich in fiber and protein.

1 cup flour
1 cup uncooked oatmeal
1 cup graham cracker crumbs OR
1 cup pecan meal
1 cup brown sugar, densely packed
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
Pinch salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ cup canola oil
1 cup milk soured with a splash of lemon juice
3 large eggs
Put all dry ingredients in a zip-top plastic bag and shake up to mix well. In a bowl whisk oil, sour milk and eggs until well blended. Add dry ingredients to the bowl and mix just until everything is evenly moistened. Do not over-beat. Put batter in a sprayed 9 X 13-inch baking pan and bake 35-40 minutes at 350 degrees or until it’s springy, firm to the touch, and edges have slightly pulled away from sides of the pan. Cut into squares and serve.

Cook's note: if you're using cupcake pans and papers for easier eating on the go, fill no more than 2/3 full. Baking will be quicker too.

Janet Groene full-timed for ten years by RV and boat. She still camps in her 21-foot, diesel Class C. To see more of Janet Groene's campground-tested recipes go to
http://www.CampAndRVCook.blogspot.com

See Janet's tips on the RV lifestyle at
http://www.SoloWomanRV.blogspot.com

Do you enjoy stopping at friendly, folksy, affordable church festivals and suppers while traveling on your camping trips? See hot dates at http://www.ChurchSupper.blogspot.com

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More great RV cookbooks at RVbookstore.com

Cooking Your Way Across the USA

Can-to-Pan Cookery

Easy RV Recipes

Great RV Cookbooks

Dr. BBQ's Big-Time Barbecue Road Trip! A

Fix it in Foil

The Ultimate RV Cookbook

What Is In Your Emergency Tool Kit ?

Posted by Bob Difley at 6/02/2010 12:40:00 PM

It is always a dilemma. Your RV is limited in carrying and storage capacity. You have to make decisions of what you will carry and what you will eliminate when something new comes aboard (the "something in, something out" emblazoned over your doorway). The other line over your doorway, "If you haven't used it in a year, it goes" is equally practical, though impossible to live up to.

Which brings me to my "things that I have had for more than a year but which will NOT go" list. I know that someday I will need these "things" when boondocking, which will justify for the time I have carried them, immobile and mostly unused, deep in the bowels of my rig.

• Folding Army entrenching tool (also called a shovel). Folds into a compact shape. Can also be used as a hammer, scoop, scraper, and along with a bucket often required by the forest service (FS) during dry seasons if you are boondocking and plan to build a campfire. Available at outdoor and Army surplus stores.
• Bucket, plastic or canvas collapsible. Also required by FS (see above), for putting out campfires. Myriad other uses: carrying water, collecting kindling, as a step stool (not canvas one), emptying a bucket of gray water--never black water--to dump on a thirsty plant when you accidentally fill your holding tank and are miles from a dump station.
• Hand tree or lopping saw for cutting pesky branches that thwack against the rig in a wind or threaten to take off the air conditioner or roof vent. Also can cut firewood.
• Heavy rubber mat. Mainly for putting under wheel if stuck in soft desert sand or on a muddy forest road. Will lay flat on the bottom of a locker.
• Foil backed reflective radiant barrier. You can buy this in hardware or building materials stores. Use on super hot days on windows getting direct sun to reduce inside temperature. Also to reflect hot direct sun from outside of refrigerator to help in cooling.
• Latex surgeon's gloves (package). There will come a time when there is some yucky job you need to handle and you don't want to touch, such as replacing a dump valve or a toilet, handling anything bloody, fighting zombies.
• Several other useful but often forgotten items like duct tape, bailing wire, plastic wire ties, jumper cables, paper face masks, mouse traps, ant stakes, adequate first aid kit--things that when you need them you need them now and don't have time to search for the nearest store.

You will find that most experienced boondockers, based on personal experiences, will have their own list of emergency items. You hope you will never need yours, but you know you will someday.

Check out Bob Difley's BOONDOCKING eBook at RVbookstore.com

National RV Travel Show On TV

By Chuck | June 24, 2010 - 7:45 am - Posted in Uncategorized

A popular TV show about the RV lifestyle will return July 3 to the R&R Channel. RVTV aired on The Outdoor Channel for five seasons from 2003-2008 where it won multiple Telly awards and garnered a loyal viewership.
The R&R Channel is available on DirecTV channel 354, as well as select cable operators. RVTV will also be simulcast on the Web at www.rrtv.com.
Host, Rob Engman, and his wife Karla travel North America in their custom-built 52 foot motorhome producing the program. Each episode features a RV destination/resort and an in-depth tour of new RVs from top manufacturers. Mark Polk presents tech-tips for experienced and novice RVers.
Beginning Saturday July 3, RVTV will be available to more than 48 million households throughout the United States. New episodes will air three times each week: Saturdays at 2:30 pm EST, Sundays at 2:30 pm EST and Mondays at 9:00pm EST.
Photo: Host Rob Engman, right, and cameraman Paul Cruickshank.

America Through The Eyes Of Brits In An RV

Posted in June 24th, 2010

by Julianne Crane in International RVing, RV Destinations

Reading articles by international travelers to the USA is always fascinating. It provides an opportunity to see this vast, beautiful country through fresh eyes.
British writer Kathy Arnold reports in the United Kingdom’s Telegraph about her (and her husband’s) recent RV tour through America.
“Part of the fun of RV-ing is stopping in small communities bypassed by the interstate highways. Driving through the farmland around Elkhart, (Indiana), we saw motorcyclists riding helmet-free and black-suited Amish farmers in horse-drawn buggies. Next morning, we stopped for breakfast in a village. In the coffee shop, there was not a latte or cappuccino in sight; everyone knew everyone, and we were the only ones who needed a menu. While we tucked in to eggs ‘over easy,’ locals chowed down on biscuits (like scones) and gravy. In many ways, this is the real America – and the best way to find it is behind the wheel of an RV,” writes Arnold.
To read the full informative and entertaining article, click here. Photo: ’Instead of rolling across the prairies and through the mountains in a car, we were in what Americans call an RV, a recreational vehicle.’ Source: Telegraph.co.uk.

Alaska - The Dalton Highway Is A Rough Road For RVers

The Dalton Highway is the road to take if you simply want to drive as far north as possible in Alaska. Unfortunately for RVers, it's a bumpy, washboard, gravel highway that many may find too rough to travel comfortably. Still. . . for some RVers, it may be worth it -- but only in summer.

From its starting point at the Elliott Highway, it continues for more than 400 miles until nearly reaching the shores of the Arctic Ocean in Deadhorse after crossing the Arctic Circle. Deadhorse is the village that serves the North Slope oilfield, with several hotels, a store and gas station. The community is a superlative of sorts: it is as far north as you can go on Alaska's primary road system, and it is worth exploring, especially if your goal is to dip your toe in the Arctic Ocean.

THE DALTON HIGHWAY BEGINS 85 miles north of Fairbanks and is perhaps one of the roughest roads in Alaska. It was constructed in the mid-1970s to haul freight to and from construction camps and workers building the 800-mile long trans-Alaska oil pipeline that stretches from Prudhoe Bay in the north all the way to the ice-free port of Valdez in Prince William Sound. The road offers relatively little in the way of modern conveniences. The washboards are many, the grades can be steep (as much as 10 and 12 percent in some places) and the big rigs delivering to Prudhoe Bay along the "haul road," as it's called by the locals, can make for uncomfortable traveling companions.

Not all car and RV rental companies allow their vehicles on the Dalton, so check ahead of time and be prepared for this road trip. Carry two spare tires, a jack, tool kit, emergency flares, extra gasoline, oil, wiper fluid and a first aid kit. Bring drinking water and plenty of food. A CB radio is also not a bad idea (monitor channel 19). Travel services are almost nonexistent. The 244-mile stretch north of Coldfoot is the longest service-free stretch of highway in North America.

So, why go to all this bother? Consider the scenery, which includes views of the mighty Yukon River, Atigun Pass (at the crest of the Continental Divide), the caribou of the north slope tundra, 375-million year-old limestone-filled Sukakpak Mountain (elevation 4,459 feet at Mile 203.5) and any number of sweeping mountain vistas opening into the Brooks Range, Gates of the Arctic National Park or Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Another trip highlight is crossing the Arctic Circle just past mile 115.

Deadhorse is a company town and not much else. It's several miles from the Arctic Ocean. An oil company road leads north from town, but permits are required to travel on the road. A better way to go is to sign up for a guided tour of the oil fields and the Arctic Coast. They are available in Deadhorse from Tour Arctic at (907-659-2368).

In Deadhorse, a good place to stay is at the Arctic Caribou Inn and RV camp.

Geriatric RVers Take Down The Bad Guy

By Russ & Tiña De Maris | June 18, 2010 - 2:43 pm - Posted in Alaska

HOMER, Alaska — A group of self-described, “Grumpy Old Men” have proved youth doesn’t always have the upper hand on oldsters. When 26-year-old Tyler Cavenaugh allegedly attempted to rob several RVs at an Alaska Highway turnout, the oldsters turned the table and got a grip on the would-be thief, holding him until authorities arrived.

“Everyone was over 70,” said Spike Fortier of Anchorage, the leader of the motorhome caravan. “It was like a rerun of ‘Grumpy Old Men.’”  Witnesses say Cavenaugh burgled two motorhomes at the Baycrest Hill turnout along the Sterling Highway in broad daylight. Fortier saw the man running with loot, and took off after him in a van. Other RVers responded on foot, until a woman driving an auto–apparently an accomplice–attempted to provide an escape. Cavenaugh dove through the open door of the vehicle, head first, attempting to secure a getaway. The quick thinking RVers grabbed whatever they could, and pulled the alleged crook out of the car.

It was then that 70-year-old Harvey Hayden’s glory days on the hockey rink came back to him. “I picked him up in the air and slammed him down on the ground,” Hayden said. “It reverted back to my days playing hockey. … It was kind of a body slam. I’ve been in a million of them on the hockey rink, but never on the Sterling Highway. It must have been quite a shock for Cavenaugh to look up and see himself surrounded over 40 old RVers, all outfitted in yellow vests.

When police arrived–responding to multiple 9-1-1 calls, they found Cavanaugh being held down by several gentlemen from the RV group, and the fruitless fruits of his criminal folly surrounding him. Cavenaugh was charged on June 11 with two counts of first-degree burglary, tampering with physical evidence, second-degree theft — all felonies — and second-degree criminal trespass. The RV group will no doubt have plenty of mileage for campfire stories far into the future.

Discover Easy Hikes In Northern California State Parks

Explore the beauty of State Parks in northern California via some easy hikes.

Visitors can discover trails and pathways through beaches, hills, and
alongside rivers. It’s a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors with friends and
family and get away from city and cement. (To ensure your hike is enjoyable, it’s
important to wear proper shoes, fit for hiking, wear a hat for sun protection, and
bring drinking water. In summertime, an early morning start offers hikers both
cooler temperatures and a better chance of seeing wildlife. For a safe and
pleasant outing, be sure to check the weather forecast.)

Here are some ideas for easy hike locations:

CASWELL MEMORIAL STATE PARK (SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY) offers
visitors a leisurely ramble along the Stanislaus River. Various trail loops allow
walks from .5 to 2.5 miles over relatively level terrain. The stately Valley Oaks
that tower over the trails once sheltered the Yokut people, and welcomed the first
European explorers with a familiar sight, so like the mighty white oaks of their
homelands. Take the Austin Rd. exit west from Highway. 99 at Manteca and
continue seven miles until the road ends at the park entrance. Call (209) 599-3810
for more information. The park is a Watchable Wildlife site.

PACHECO STATE PARK (MERCED COUNTY) is a great destination for
hikers. The trail up to Spike’s Peak (2.5 miles) offers stunning views. Returning
by way of the Pig Pond Trail takes hikers near the old adobe ruins of the original
San Luis Gonzaga rancho, and a cowboy’s line shack from the Miller & Lux era.
Pacheco State Park is located between Los Baños and Gilroy on Highway 152 at
Pacheco Pass. Take the Dinosaur Point Road exit south from the highway and
turn right almost immediately at the park sign. For information call (209) 826-6283.

HENRY W. COE STATE PARK (SANTA CLARA COUNTY) has earned
its reputation for steep terrain, but the park also features some delightful but less
physically demanding trails. A good example is the Forest Trail – Springs Trail
loop which makes a leisurely walk of about 2-3 hours along oak-studded ridges
and through mixed woodlands. A self-guiding trail brochure available at the park
headquarters’ Visitor Center introduces the shrubs and trees to be found along
the way. Take East Dunne Avenue from Hwy. 101 in Morgan Hill;
the road goes directly into the park after a winding climb of about 30 minutes.
Call (408) 779-2728 for more information; during the winter the visitor center is
open Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

From Henry Coe’s new Hunting Hollow entrance east of Gilroy, the
Hunting Hollow Trail follows a little creek bed with a lovely stand of old
Sycamores. Take Leavesley Road east from Hwy. 101 in Gilroy, turning left
(north) on New Avenue, and east again on Roop Road. Roop turns into the old
Gilroy Hot Springs Road. Continue on Gilroy Hot Springs Rd.; the Hunting
Hollow entrance will be on your right, 3.3 miles beyond the sign for the Coyote
Lake turnoff. Call (408) 779-2728 for more information. The park is a Watchable
Wildlife site.

MOUNT DIABLO STATE PARK (CONTRA COSTA COUNTY) has
several trailheads at a variety of elevations that offer hiking opportunities, varying
from easy walking to moderate to strenuous.

Visitors' first stop should be the Summit Visitor Center where hikers can
get an orientation of the park and detailed information about the trails. Maps are
available at a nominal fee. (The visitor center is closed on Mondays and
Tuesdays.)

Just below the Visitor Center, the Fire Interpretive Trail offers a short, easy
hike. It circles the summit and is a short loop, approximately 7/8 miles, that
features dramatic views of the park and surrounding Bay Area. The Juniper Trail
is also accessible from Summit Road and is approximately three miles long.
It also affords great views of the surrounding countryside.

A different kind of hike is at Curry Canyon Trail off of South Gate Road. It
starts out at a lower elevation and follows a fire road into Curry Canyon on the
east side of the park. The trail includes sections of a riparian corridor.
For more information, call the park at (925) 837-0904. The park is a
Watchable Wildlife site.

CHINA CAMP STATE PARK (MARIN COUNTY) has many trails, but it is
one of the only parks with multi-use single-track trails. The presence of bicycles
and horses may be disconcerting to new hikers looking for more solitude. There
is, however, a short 3/4 mile flat, loop walk called the Turtle Back Nature Trail
that is open only to foot traffic. The trail skirts the edge of an old island on the
shore of San Pablo Bay. Today, pickleweed marsh has replaced open waters
and the trail gives a close-up view of the salt marshes that harbor such
endangered species as the Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse and the Clapper Rail,
while the upland side of the trail reveals oaks, bays and grassland communities.
For more information, call the park at (415) 456-0766 or (415) 893-1580.
MOUNT TAMALPAIS STATE PARK (MARIN COUNTY) has several
opportunities for easy loop trails. The most spectacular loop is the Verna
Dunshee Trail on the East Peak of the mountain. It is a 3/4 mile loop that circles
the 2,571 foot summit and offers unparalleled views of the San Francisco Bay
region. It is well worth the drive to the top of the mountain.

There are other loop trails in the 2-4 mile range starting from the Pantoll or
Rock Spring trailheads.

For more information, call the park at (415) 388-2070 or (415) 258-2410.
The park is a Watchable Wildlife site.

TOMALES BAY STATE PARK (MARIN COUNTY) has a splendid trail
from Heart's Desire Beach to Indian Beach that can be done in a one mile loop.
For more information, call the park at (415) 669-1140.

For more information about California State Parks and the annual pass,
visit the website at www.parks.ca.gov.

California State Park Locations

Top Four Northern California RV Destinations

Because of California’s climate and variety this one of the greatest vacation spots in the U.S.. No matter what the likings of a person is we have a place that you will like. Here are a few of the highest rated parks for Rv’s

1. Doran Beach Regional Park This is one of the most beautiful natural places in the pacific coast. At any time you could look and see people on the 2-mile stretch you can see people swimming, flying kites, playing in the sand, and all sorts of other beach activities.
   
   This campground is open all year round and is good for self-contained RV’s to stay. There are many places for RV’s along with the different places for tents and other camping gear. The RV main sites tend to be designed in circles that contain 10 mini sites, making it easy to back in and park and ensuring a lovely view of the natural surroundings.
   
   This park is on 201 Doran Beach Road on Hwy 1 and is always open. In general most Sonoma County Regional parks open at sunrise, and close at sunset. Reservations and other information are available in the Sonoma Regional Parks and Recreation.
   
   
2. The Durango RV Resort This is one of the top picks for RV resorts with more than 170 landscaped RV sites complete with hookups that have all the amenities that an RV enthusiast could want including broad-band wireless internet, cable TV hookups, lap pool and spa, 24 hour security gates, outdoor recreation areas, and more.
   
   Those who have larger RV’s that are generally challenging to park will breathe a sigh of relief when they see the spacious sites that take all the difficulty out of the normally stressful parking experience.
   The resort is located on the Antelope/Highway 36 Exit off Interstate 5 in Red Bluff, California.
   
   
3. The Sierra Skies RV Park This park, because of its secluded area, is perfect for a more romantic experience. It is a cozy and friendly park with beautiful scenery which includes the North Yuba River and assorted natural wildlife The perfect place to go to relax and enjoy tranquil beauty.
   The park offers a variety of activities for nature lovers. The Pacific Crest Trail offers many challenging trails and climbs for hikers. The Yuba River offers plenty to do for those who are into fishing, boating, rafting, kayaking, swimming, and gold panning.
   
   
4. Pioneer RV Park; Sierra Nevada Mountains around Bucks lake for fishing and swimming.. This place offers hiking, skiing, snowmobiling, biking, horseback riding, hunting, gold panning, and ATV trails.
   Quincy California is a gold rush town that has museums, shopping and dining
   For more information visit Northern California RV Park.
   

A Good reason To Visit Danville, CA

Danville Fine Arts Faire, June 19-20
Over 200 artisans exhibiting their wares, Italian Street Painters, and street corner musicians along picturesque, tree-lined Hartz Avenue attract more than 50,000 people to the rustic charm of downtown Danville from all over the Bay Area and beyond!
You'll especially enjoy the Italian Street Painters as they recreate classic images like Bermini's Apollo anhd Daphne and scenes from Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel in chalk!

danville fine arts faire june 19 & 20, 2010   palo alto clay & glass festival july 10 & 11, 2010   palo alto festival of the arts august 28 & 29, 2010   half moon bay art & pumpkin festival october 16 & 17, 2010   danville fall crafts festival october 23 & 24, 2010

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