Some firsts this time...Our first time we took Lexi into Canada and across the most northern states and also the first time we spent more than 10 days in one spot, which was Yuma AZ for 28 days.
The Elks were still a great place to spend a couple nights as we stopped at 19 of them.
The Elks' faculties vary per location which makes it more interesting when we pull into their parking lot. The variety in accommodations is anywhere from a stone parking lot with no hookups to a spot with concrete pad, electric, water, sewer, picnic table, swimming pool and nice surroundings with grass and trees. Most have nice lodges, some fancy, with good food.
Another familiar place for us to stay as in the past were casinos, 12 in all.
The accommodations at Casinos will also vary from place to place with most offering specials when you join there players club. Most allow you to stay at no cost in there parking lot and some have electric at no cost while others have full service campgrounds. A trend over the last couple years that we have noticed is more Casinos are charging something for over night stays, but in return you get some free play and...or a discounted meal.
Always a favorite for us are the state parks, we stayed at 10 of them even though the price has gone up considerably over the past few years, as in California where they have doubled in the past five years.
To be closer to nature is what this kind of camping is all about and it's about the same where ever you go, the scenery may be different but always spectacular. We almost always have electric and water along with a fire ring so we can have a camp fire under the stars.
National parks are also near the top of our list of places to stay but some of our plans changed when the government couldn't get there act together. We had planed to stay in some for the first time in Montana, Washington, Idaho and Oregon. We only stayed in 4 this trip with those we missed still circled on our map.
We also stayed at this park in Canada which are called (Provincial Parks)
Some of these that we couldn't stay at were still a joy to explore an in some areas of the country you go from one to another and then another...it's just amazing how the national park system is preserved.
Other government land like The Bureau of Land Management and The Corps of Engineers are great places to spend an overnight because they are secluded and very inexpensive as in most cases like the 2 we stayed at were free.
You can find some great places while traveling that are at no cost but we also need to be aware of our surroundings and usually look for others that are doing the same thing..."Safety in Numbers"
Other places we stayed this trip was with friends in Portland OR with Lexi spending a week at a RV storage area and some extended time with nephew Brian Payne at Huntington Beach CA in his apartment parking lot. We also stayed a few times at his brother Mike Payne and family's place in Surprise AZ which is a frequent stop over so Tony can get his monthly treatment and longer stays at holiday time.
These two pics are from the city of "Huntington Beach" parking lot that they turn into RV parking in the winter for travelers like us for $60 per night.
Of course our spot in Surprise AZ also is a pretty good deal and we are always glad to spend a few days with nephew Mike and family.
The rest of the places we stayed at were private camp grounds and RV Resorts which was a nice change at times because most of them had cable TV and a place to do laundry.
These are all inclusive RV parks...with all types of activities for people that are staying there can take advantage of. Most of the people in these parks are there for the season. In the Desert South West and in Florida they are called (Snow Birds) and in Texas there called (Winter Texans)
With our longest adventure to date and putting about 8,899 miles on Lexi it was good to get home to family and friends. Also we are always anxious to get home to see how are home has survived the winter, especially after this past winter of very harsh weather.
Our next adventure is scheduled to start in early October as we head to the east coast and into Florida for a few mounts.
So until then...
LIVE
LAUGH
LOVE
SanTony
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