Photo by Pat Dick
Electronic mapping is a nice way of planning. It's easy to change the route, to find your best options. Some are online, some you can install on your PC. The online versions have the ability to save and share your plans with friends and family.
Now to pick stops – where do your interests lie? Focus on that area for now and do a Google search for interesting places. Then find nearby campgrounds and make a couple days of it. Usually three nights or more will suffice. You need at least two days to see anything in depth, so this gives you an arrival day and two days to see the sights. Need more time? Take it! This is the wonder of the full-time, work camping life.
National Parks: Get a pass, either Senior, Disabled or Annual. The senior pass is a reward for your 62nd birthday. It's only $10 for a lifetime plus some discounts may apply for camping. The pass for disabled persons is free and annual pass is $80. All must be procured in person.
State Parks: The best way to find them is the Welcome Center as you enter the state on the highway. Entry fees vary park to park and state to state. Be aware that due to budget issues there are some that have closed. Plan accordingly.
Baseball Parks, Football Stadiums, etc. For the real fan these are great stops! Most offer tours and the chance to stock up on fan gear. By the way- baseball's Spring Training offers many temp jobs at the field for work campers.
Museums: Art lovers should check out the city museum while staying just outside the city in a campground. One not to be missed is the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. One of my favorites still and we first visited 38 years ago!
Concerts & Music Festivals: These happen all around the country – be a groupie for a week. Follow your favorite band to a venue if it is on your route. The festivals are fun, many will have on-site camping along with your festival pass. For us, a Bluegrass festival is prime for picking.
Photography: There are so many photogenic sights all through this great country – be sure to document your travels for sharing with friends and family. Maybe pick a theme for the album: city fountains, skylines, statuary etc. Go with nature, trying for flora or fauna.
All in all, enjoy the transition from one adventure to the next. Drive safe, see you out there.
Working, living and loving our traveling home!
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