Chicago On A Budget

We’re just back from a fun, whirlwind vacation over the Memorial Day weekend in Chicago on a budget plan. I didn’t think it could be done, but with a little planning and a spirit of adventure, we pulled it off. What’s more, we’d do it again…and it has me wondering what other big cities we can explore on The Cheap.

The Challenge: Visit the major attractions in three days, no driving, a few meals out, and experience Chicago’s culture first hand.

Our Afternoon in Punta Gorda

We’re quick to tell folks that we’re still working – nowhere near ready for retirement; Yet all work and no play make for a boring life, not at all compatible with full-time RVing. So, we make time to get away on a regular basis – whether that be to explore a nearby park, town, wildlife sanctuary, or simply to hang out with friends. One day last week, we chose Punta Gorda as our getaway and enjoyed an afternoon with Christine and Bruce, friends we met last summer in Pennsylvania.

Apps for RVers

Not too long ago, trip planning would have required paper maps, cumbersome, heavy campground directories, and lots of phone calls. These days we can get the job done with a few reliable smartphone apps for RVers. We get asked about this frequently, so I’ve compiled a list of the apps we use and why we use them. You’ll notice that not all of them are exclusively for the RVer, but all of them make the cut because we find them particularly useful in our full-time RV lifestyle.

2014 Year in Review

Oh, what a year it’s been! 2014 began with us at Tropic Winds RV Resort in Harlingen, TX. 17 states and 7,000 (14,000 since we started this journey) miles later, we’re closing out the year at Thousand Trails Orlando RV Resort in central Florida. In between, we’ve been as far north as Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin and as far northeast as Sturbridge, Massachusetts.

Tug Boats tied up to the pier in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.

Without a doubt, we live in a beautiful country. I’m drawn to mountains and ocean, especially to areas more rural and rustic. We saw plenty of each this year, as our route down Highway 81 followed the mountains from New England to Alabama. We camped near the beach at Fort Munroe while we worked the IPMS National Convention in Hampton, Virginia in early August, and were treated to the most spectacular sunrises over the water. Then in October, we were able to play in the waves in the Gulf of Mexico at Gulf Shores, Alabama. Most recently, we spent a magical afternoon on the beach at Sand Key State Park, near Clearwater Beach, Florida – with warm sand between our toes, bird watching, sea shell collecting, and this time a spectacular sunset over the Gulf.

Sunset, Gulf Shores, Alabama.

H.H. Bennett Studio – One Man’s Vision

At $7 the attraction price might be a little steep for the size of the exhibit, but if you are into photography or marketing, prepare to be inspired. The H.H. Bennett Studio is the oldest operating business in Wisconsin Dells, as well as the oldest operating studio in the USA – in operation since 1865.