Frommer's^® Exploring America by RV , 2nd Edition

by Harry Basch; Shirley Slater

• ISBN13: 9780764565953
• ISBN10: 0764565958
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-01-01
• Publisher: Frommers

Summary

You2ll never fall into the tourist traps when you travel with Frommer2s. It2s like having a friend show you around, taking you to the places locals like best. Our expert authors have already gone everywhere you might go--they2ve done the legwork for you, and they2re not afraid to tell it like it is, saving you time and money. In this guide, renowned husband-and-wife travel writing team Shirley Slater and Harry Basch offer up their favorite RV trips around the U.S., including scenic routes along Virginia2s Skyline Drive and the New England coast, plus jaunts down Mexico2s Baja Peninsula and through Canada to the Alaska Highway. On each trip you2ll get all the famous, infamous, and off-the-wall attractions; campgrounds along each route, from luxurious private RV parks with heated swimming pools and golf courses to quiet, forested campgrounds in state and national parks; tips for making life on the road easier and more comfortable; and a complete guide to buying or renting an RV, with tips on how to decide which type is right for you. All this, plus information on wildlife watching and scenic views, the best parks and beaches, quick-and-easy recipes, packing suggestions, info on road etiquette and safety, and more. Head off the beaten path with Frommer2s, to discover the real life lurking around the bend. Other helpful guides for your trip include Frommer2s USA, Frommer2s California, Frommer2s Portable Los Cabos & Baja, Frommer2s Alaska, Frommer2s Texas, Frommer2s Florida, Frommer2s Miami & The Keys, Frommer2s Virginia, Frommer2s New England, and Frommer2s Portable Maine Coast.

Table of Contents

Introduction: The RV Life & the Best of the Road	xv
List of Maps	ix
PART I: GETTING READY TO HIT THE ROAD I
Life on the Road: A Personal & Public History of RVing	3	(12)
Excerpts from a Road Diary; or If We Can Do This, Anyone Can	3	(4)
How to Give Backing-Up Directions Without Destroying Your Marriage	7	(1)
RV History: The Tin Can Tourists	8	(3)
Thirteen Notable Dates in RV History	11	(1)
Six Common Misperceptions About RVs & Their Owners	12	(3)
Getting Prepared: Rving Tips & Hints	15	(20)
Driving Schools	15	(1)
Learning Your Vital Statistics	16	(1)
Making a List, Checking It Twice...	16	(1)
What Kind of Wardrobe Is Right?	17	(1)
Stocking the Larder	17	(8)
Don't Drink the Water	25	(1)
Trimming Costs: Eight Money-Saving Tips for the Road	26	(1)
Safety, Sanity & Insurance	27	(2)
Ain't Misbehavin': Road Etiquette	29	(3)
The Community of Man: Getting Together with Other RVers	32	(3)
Where to Sleep: Campgrounds & RV Parks	35	(16)
Campground Glossary	35	(1)
Should You Sleep by the Side of the Road?	36	(1)
Campsites: The Good, the Bad & the Ugly	37	(1)
Using the Directories to Find a Campground	38	(2)
The Latest from Frommer's	40	(1)
Ten Ways to Save Money on Campgrounds	40	(2)
Membership Campgrounds	42	(2)
Special Camping Situations	44	(2)
Ain't Misbehavin': Campground Etiquette	46	(1)
Ten Tips for Cozy Winter Camping	47	(1)
How to Become Campground Hosts	48	(1)
Plugging in Your Rig	49	(2)
PART 2: RV ADVENTURES	51	(330)
The California Desert & Las Vegas	53	(34)
RVing in the California Desert & Las Vegas	56	(1)
Travel Essentials	56	(3)
The Best Desert Sights, Tastes & Experiences	59	(7)
On the Road	66	(17)
Ten Scenic Side Trips	83	(4)
Utah's Parks & Canyons	87	(44)
RVing Utah's National Park Country	91	(3)
Travel Essentials	94	(2)
The Best Utah Sights, Tastes & Experiences	96	(6)
Talkin' Utah: A Glossary	102	(5)
On the Road	107	(4)
The History of Utah-and a Tasty Dinner, Too	111	(10)
About Edward Abbey	121	(7)
Ten Scenic Side Trips	128	(3)
Driving the Alaska Highway	131	(30)
RVing Along the Alaska Highway	135	(1)
Travel Essentials	136	(4)
The Best Alaska Highway Sights, Tastes & Experiences	140	(2)
A Crash Course in Speaking Alaskan	142	(3)
On the Road	145	(12)
Seven Tough Side Trips & Three Easy Ones	157	(4)
The Dakotas: Black Hills & Buffalo Burgers	161	(38)
Ring the Dakotas	164	(1)
Travel Essentials	165	(2)
The Best Dakotas Sights, Tastes & Experiences	167	(12)
On the Road: South Dakota	179	(3)
The Custer Connection	182	(1)
South Dakota Nightlife	183	(6)
On the Road: North Dakota	189	(5)
A Dozen Terrific Side Trips in the Dakotas	194	(5)
The Rio Grande Valley & the Wilds of West Texas	199	(32)
Rving Along the Rio Grande	200	(2)
Travel Essentials	202	(2)
The Best Sights, Tastes & Experiences of the Rio Grande	204	(3)
``I See by Your Outfit That You Are a Cowboy...''	207	(5)
Horses, Dogs, Bulls & Goats	212	(1)
On the Road	213	(4)
Texas Talk	217	(1)
The Comanche Moon	218	(1)
The Sounds of the Rio Grande	219	(5)
Five Ways to Enter Terlingua's International Chili Cook-Off	224	(5)
Six Special Side Trips	229	(2)
In the Heart of the Heartland: Iowa, Illinois & Indiana	231	(48)
RVing in the Heartland	232	(4)
Travel Essentials	236	(3)
The Best Heartland Sights, Tastes & Experiences	239	(7)
On the Road	246	(8)
Classic Americana	254	(16)
Ten Tender Tenderloins	270	(7)
A Box of Popcorn	277	(2)
The Florida Keys (with Side Trips to the Everglades & Orlando)	279	(30)
RVing the Keys	279	(1)
Travel Essentials	280	(4)
The Best Sights, Tastes & Experiences of the Keys	284	(2)
Talkin' Conch: A Keys Glossary	286	(5)
On the Road	291	(9)
``And Then I Wrote...''	300	(2)
Miracle of the Keys	302	(1)
Two Great Side Trips	303	(6)
The Blue Ridge Parkway & Skyline Drive	309	(32)
RVing the Blue Ridge Parkway & Skyline Drive	312	(2)
Travel Essentials	314	(2)
The Best Blue Ridge Sights, Tastes & Experiences	316	(9)
Southern Accents: A Glossary	325	(1)
On the Road	326	(4)
Nightlife Along the Road	330	(1)
Literary Lights	331	(9)
Great Smokies RV Safety Tips	340	(1)
The Lobster Coast: New England & the Canadian Maritimes	341	(40)
RVing in New England & the Maritimes	342	(2)
Travel Essentials	344	(3)
Best Sights, Tastes & Experiences of the Lobster Coast	347	(12)
Lobster Trivia Quiz	359	(6)
On the Road	365	(2)
Investing with the Mashantucket Pequots	367	(3)
The Museum of Family Camping	370	(1)
The Beans of Freeport, Maine (and More)	371	(3)
The Loyalists & the Acadians	374	(3)
Five Side Trips	377	(1)
Anne of Green Gables Sites	378	(3)
PART 3: HARRY & SHIRLEY'S RV BUYING & RENTING GUIDE	381	(32)
RV Types & Terms	383	(20)
The ABCs of RVs: A Glossary of Common RV Terms	384	(2)
Types of RVs	386	(17)
To Rent or Buy?	403	(10)
Three Ways to Check Out Campground Life Without an RV	403	(1)
Renting	404	(4)
Buying	408	(3)
Useful RV Websites	411	(2)
Appendix: Recommended Reading	413	(4)
Index	417