How we planned for "The Big One"

We have planned trips before.  Some were for a few days, some for a few months.  Planning an RV trip lasting a half year is another matter.  Knowing ahead of time where, when and how you are going provides security and comfort. 

Norm and I typically begin our planning nearly a year in advance, but for some reason, we just couldn’t muster up the ambition to tackle such an overwhelming job this time.  We finally decided in February we had better sit down ( for three weeks ) and get it done. 

What we discovered was that RV’ing has gotten very popular, and that sites for 40 foot rigs are a little scarce. Particularly in the Pacific Northwest. It probably has to do will all those big trees and rocks.

We often get asked just how we plan our trips.

First, we purchase travel books for our destination areas.  We had them for scenic drives across the US, National and State Parks so those were put to use again.

Map of a portion of Washington state.  Pink dots are things to do, yellow are campgrounds.

Lots to do in Southern Oregon!  We will just graze California on this trip.

Second – We put little dots on a large map, color coding them to signifying “things to do” or “potential campgrounds”. Each dot has a number, and on a separate sheet of paper Norm listed what each signified.

Third -  Stood back, looked at the map, then connected the dots.

Fourth -  We planned a route, examining each area and tried to best guess how many days we would want to stay at a particular destination.  If we are lucky, there would be a day for golf, a day to hike, maybe a day’s scenic drive.  Kayaking?  Museums?  Ice Cream?  If there is a lot to do, we stay an extra day for rain and rest.  We don’t eat out often, but if there is a lovely restaurant we will plan to go.  We don’t want to drive more than a hour away from our campsite on any given day so we plan accordingly.

Fifth -  We then use as many available methods we could find to ensure the roads are not to steep, have restrictions or God forbid – low bridges.  There are several websites such as All Stays RV, Good Sam’s, and a new one for us www.rvtripwizard.com .  Many years ago we got the ebook Mountain Directory, which shows low bridges and grades.  In the event of a technological holocaust, we purchased a Road Atlas for truckers which should keep us off the evening news. 

Sixth-  We research the campgrounds – I read the reviews while might Norm check Google Earth for that hidden railroad track or highway behind the large hedge when there are several RV parks to choose from in an area.

Last-  We start calling the parks.  Some were not open yet, so it took us a couple of months to actually secure a campsite.  We put all info into a binder, accompanied by a word document listing day to day activities, when to stop at Costco’s, when diesel will be hard to find we will make note to make sure to fill up.  As people tell us about interesting things to do in an area we will add it to the word document.
 

The spreadsheet keeps us on track during the trip.

 

Norm also has a spread sheet showing days, miles to drive, campground, reservation info and deposit amount.

So that is how Norm and I do it.  There are many different ways, but a lot of people choose to just “wing it”. 





My Word document lists things to do, and places to check out.