Diary published weekly since 2001
Newsy Portion of Issue 44
Hi All: To say this has been a great trip south is an understatement – we have experienced all facets of this wonderful freedom lifestyle. It began with an enjoyable visit with family to celebrate a warm loving Cdn Thanksgiving Feast; plus stops at some outstanding RV parks, and yes we even survived a near maintenance disaster with a partially dropped propane tank. But overall this has been one fantastic trip – colourful trees lined our path all the way to Missouri and expansive picturesque highways greeted us the entire route. However we did encounter a few rainy days – at some campsites we even enjoyed waterfront property. It had dried up by the next morning. Traffic was light for most of the trip - even in the big cities. In a word it feels so good to be on the move again. We simply love this lifestyle that allows us to change ‘backyards’ on a whim.
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OVERVIEW OF THE WEEK
It has been impressive to stay at the quality of parks we’ve found along the way. We will return to most of them. All parks, but one, during our first night out have been on the high end of the scale with 50 Amp service, spacious sites and some with paved patios. Last Tuesday we left our pretty home Coast-To-Coast Park at Shiloh RV Park in Monroe, Louisianna on to move further south. (Send me an email to info@rvliving.net for details on how you can join C2C membership systems).
Next stop was at Bluebonnet Ridge RV Resort a bit east of Dallas (866-419-0100/972-524-9600) What an impressive place – it even had Free WiFi – no need to set up my valuable Dish for our short overnight stop. This park offers 10%-15% discounts to members of many clubs, including Canada’s Explorer RV Club (Canada’s answer to Good Sam – I stress to all Exp Club members – it pays to show your card because most parks will give you the GS discount). However John and I stayed under a special 30% military discount for serving and retired members – our cost was a mere $20.00. Nice touch to be appreciated for serving our country in our working life.
On Wednesday, it was Braunig Lake RV Resort – another gem just south of city limits of San Antonia. 210-633-3170/877-633-3170. It too is a great stopping spot, especially if you want to tour memorable San Antonio. We have been to that unique city numerous times, so for us this was just an overnight en route further south.
Thursday we settled into Lazy Palms Ranch in Edinburg, Texas. 956-383-1020 What a huge place – each full-service spot consists of an extra large side. They too offer discounts to members of many clubs but we stayed here again under C2C for $8.00 per/night for 6-days. (C2C rates are increasing to $10.00 per night in Jan.) 50Amp sites are available for $2.00 extra. Clubhouse entertainment is part of the mix. It is simply one more great place to stop. This park is located about 15 miles north of the city of Edinburg.
_________________________________
HOW TO REDUCE CAMPING COSTS
Although fuel/gas, maintenance, insurances and upkeep costs do add up in an overall RV budget, camping does not have to break the bank. Why I mention camping prices in my Diary is if RVers plan carefully and become members of a few (but not all) Discount Parks such as Recreation USA ($10. per night), Happy Camper & Passport America (50% discounts), Good Sam, Escapees, FMCA, Explorer RV Clubs (10%-15%) it is not difficult to stretch your camping $$$$ while on the move. If you stay 4-nights over the year at any of the parks belonging to your Discount Club you will begin to save more than what you paid to join these organizations. Add an inexpensive Membership Camping plan to the mix and camping on the move does not have to be costly. Send me an email for details if you cannot locate the links on my home page.
Staying put for several months at a snowbird park in the south is allway more reasonable than overnight rates – even at discount prices. If extended travellers take a 5-6 month season site in the north, this too stretches camping costs.
_____________________________________
RIO GRANDE VALLEY
It feels so good to be in south Texas again. It has been three years since our last visit but the terrain, culture, design etc. is very different than many other sun states PLUS the RGV makes every effort to welcome “Winter Texans” to their mix – The Valley residents and tourism really want us here. Every amenity is offered and frequently for a very reasonable price. This area of the USA is a most unique place to visit. One of the high points is a short drive to the border and walk across the bridge to Mexico – shopping; restaurants, pharmacies and every type of medical experts (most train in the USA and Canada) are waiting. Yesterday we were in McAllen, in Mission, and many parts between. We even enjoyed lunch at our favourite Applebee’s on north 10th.
However we found one part of the Valley we forgot about. Our days have been in the 80’s for the past week we enjoyed comfortable, cooler nights. As a result, yesterday the fog was so thick until about 9:30 AM. Our drive to McAllen was definitely not pleasant. Also about noon we ended up on the south side of 10th street in front of the mall (main street in this metropolis) and we could not believe the heavy traffic we encountered. Usually in November things are quite quiet in this area. McAllen has grown tremendously in our 3-years away. When all the Snowbirds arrive in Feb., access to some businesses on 10th street may not be easy to visit.
_______________________________________
EXPRESS VU CHANNELS
Just for info – we began to lose Exp Vu channels (main choice for Cdn programming) when we were in San Antonio. Here in Edinburg we have now lost 16 channels; this number could go up when we settle another 50 km further south. Of course everyone knows they should NOT contact Express Vu south of the border for support because the company will cut you off. Funny thought – we have found many of our favourite programs on the eastern and western channels. Most of the ones we lost were in and around central Ontario. Apparently this does not happen with Star Choice. If your system is not locked in to one main company it may be wise to look at the competition.
_______________________________________
NEW PASSPORT RULES FOR ENTRY TO MEXICO
GOOD NEWS!!!!, changes for the requirement to have a passport to enter Mexico has recently announced. Date has been moved from January 2008 to summer 2008 (only requirement for this winter is a drivers license and birth certificate). So now ALL Winter Texans can enjoy fun and frolic with friends during a day of adventure across the border.
____________________________
FINAL THOUGHTS
As I already relayed, it feels real great to be here. We move to our new park in Alamo next Wednesday. More on that later! FYI: To all Explorer Club members who will be in the Valley this winter – we hope to host the monthly Club luncheons again over the next 4 months, but we have to wait till we settle in to find a place. Travel safe everyone and to those staying put for the winter we sure hope it is a gentle one. Till next week P&J
OVERVIEW OF THE WEEK
It has been impressive to stay at the quality of parks we’ve found along the way. We will return to most of them. All parks, but one, during our first night out have been on the high end of the scale with 50 Amp service, spacious sites and some with paved patios. Last Tuesday we left our pretty home Coast-To-Coast Park at Shiloh RV Park in Monroe, Louisianna on to move further south. (Send me an email to info@rvliving.net for details on how you can join C2C membership systems).
Next stop was at Bluebonnet Ridge RV Resort a bit east of Dallas (866-419-0100/972-524-9600) What an impressive place – it even had Free WiFi – no need to set up my valuable Dish for our short overnight stop. This park offers 10%-15% discounts to members of many clubs, including Canada’s Explorer RV Club (Canada’s answer to Good Sam – I stress to all Exp Club members – it pays to show your card because most parks will give you the GS discount). However John and I stayed under a special 30% military discount for serving and retired members – our cost was a mere $20.00. Nice touch to be appreciated for serving our country in our working life.
On Wednesday, it was Braunig Lake RV Resort – another gem just south of city limits of San Antonia. 210-633-3170/877-633-3170. It too is a great stopping spot, especially if you want to tour memorable San Antonio. We have been to that unique city numerous times, so for us this was just an overnight en route further south.
Thursday we settled into Lazy Palms Ranch in Edinburg, Texas. 956-383-1020 What a huge place – each full-service spot consists of an extra large side. They too offer discounts to members of many clubs but we stayed here again under C2C for $8.00 per/night for 6-days. (C2C rates are increasing to $10.00 per night in Jan.) 50Amp sites are available for $2.00 extra. Clubhouse entertainment is part of the mix. It is simply one more great place to stop. This park is located about 15 miles north of the city of Edinburg.
_________________________________
HOW TO REDUCE CAMPING COSTS
Although fuel/gas, maintenance, insurances and upkeep costs do add up in an overall RV budget, camping does not have to break the bank. Why I mention camping prices in my Diary is if RVers plan carefully and become members of a few (but not all) Discount Parks such as Recreation USA ($10. per night), Happy Camper & Passport America (50% discounts), Good Sam, Escapees, FMCA, Explorer RV Clubs (10%-15%) it is not difficult to stretch your camping $$$$ while on the move. If you stay 4-nights over the year at any of the parks belonging to your Discount Club you will begin to save more than what you paid to join these organizations. Add an inexpensive Membership Camping plan to the mix and camping on the move does not have to be costly. Send me an email for details if you cannot locate the links on my home page.
Staying put for several months at a snowbird park in the south is allway more reasonable than overnight rates – even at discount prices. If extended travellers take a 5-6 month season site in the north, this too stretches camping costs.
_____________________________________
RIO GRANDE VALLEY
It feels so good to be in south Texas again. It has been three years since our last visit but the terrain, culture, design etc. is very different than many other sun states PLUS the RGV makes every effort to welcome “Winter Texans” to their mix – The Valley residents and tourism really want us here. Every amenity is offered and frequently for a very reasonable price. This area of the USA is a most unique place to visit. One of the high points is a short drive to the border and walk across the bridge to Mexico – shopping; restaurants, pharmacies and every type of medical experts (most train in the USA and Canada) are waiting. Yesterday we were in McAllen, in Mission, and many parts between. We even enjoyed lunch at our favourite Applebee’s on north 10th.
However we found one part of the Valley we forgot about. Our days have been in the 80’s for the past week we enjoyed comfortable, cooler nights. As a result, yesterday the fog was so thick until about 9:30 AM. Our drive to McAllen was definitely not pleasant. Also about noon we ended up on the south side of 10th street in front of the mall (main street in this metropolis) and we could not believe the heavy traffic we encountered. Usually in November things are quite quiet in this area. McAllen has grown tremendously in our 3-years away. When all the Snowbirds arrive in Feb., access to some businesses on 10th street may not be easy to visit.
_______________________________________
EXPRESS VU CHANNELS
Just for info – we began to lose Exp Vu channels (main choice for Cdn programming) when we were in San Antonio. Here in Edinburg we have now lost 16 channels; this number could go up when we settle another 50 km further south. Of course everyone knows they should NOT contact Express Vu south of the border for support because the company will cut you off. Funny thought – we have found many of our favourite programs on the eastern and western channels. Most of the ones we lost were in and around central Ontario. Apparently this does not happen with Star Choice. If your system is not locked in to one main company it may be wise to look at the competition.
_______________________________________
NEW PASSPORT RULES FOR ENTRY TO MEXICO
GOOD NEWS!!!!, changes for the requirement to have a passport to enter Mexico has recently announced. Date has been moved from January 2008 to summer 2008 (only requirement for this winter is a drivers license and birth certificate). So now ALL Winter Texans can enjoy fun and frolic with friends during a day of adventure across the border.
____________________________
FINAL THOUGHTS
As I already relayed, it feels real great to be here. We move to our new park in Alamo next Wednesday. More on that later! FYI: To all Explorer Club members who will be in the Valley this winter – we hope to host the monthly Club luncheons again over the next 4 months, but we have to wait till we settle in to find a place. Travel safe everyone and to those staying put for the winter we sure hope it is a gentle one. Till next week P&J
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