RV Vacations For Dummies

Title Page
Copyright Page
Table of Contents
Introduction
	About This Book
	Conventions Used in This Book
	Foolish Assumptions
	How This Book Is Organized
		Part 1: Getting Started
		Part 2: Paying Attention to the Details
		Part 3: Exploring the East
		Part 4: Discovering Mid-America
		Part 5: Seeing the West
		Part 6: The Part of Tens
		Appendix: Quick Concierge
	Icons Used in This Book
	Beyond the Book
	Where to Go from Here
Part 1 Getting Started
	Chapter 1 All the Best Reasons to Take an RV Vacation
		Counting the Reasons to RV
			Containing costs
			Enjoying maximum convenience
			Controlling the destination
			Finding your rhythm on the road
			Having room for lug-along stuff
			Being close to events
			Bringing your pets for free
			Changing your mind if you want to
			Keeping it clean
			Reaping the scenic rewards of driving
			Keeping the kids entertained
		Discovering Something for Everyone
		Saving Money in a Campground
		Finding Top Locations around the USA
			Choosing some of the best campgrounds
			Seeing museums that are well worth the visit
			Stopping in national parks along the way
	Chapter 2 Making Destination Decisions
		Revealing the Secrets of the Seasons
		Scoping Out Your Perfect RV Vacation
Part 2 Paying Attention to the Details
	Chapter 3 Building Your Travel Budget
		Adding It Up: Your Vacation Budget
			Transportation
			RV and camping supplies
			Campgrounds
			Food
			Attractions and activities
			Shopping and entertainment
		Testing the Waters: RV Rentals
			When to rent
			How to rent
			How to get the best rate
		Taking the Plunge: RV Purchases
			Why you should visit an RV show
			How to deal with dealers
			Where not to shop for an RV
			How to finance your purchase
	Chapter 4 Enjoying Your RV
		Driving Your RV
			Focusing on the basics
			Going beyond the basics: My tips
			Controlling your speed
		Saving Money on Fuel
		Detecting Gas and Smoke
		Equipping Your RV
		Monitoring Electrical Hookups
		Preparing for Winter Camping
		Furnishing Your RV
		Cleaning Your RV
			Outside the vehicle
			Inside the vehicle
			Holding tanks
		Storing Your RV
	Chapter 5 Settling In for the Night
		Understanding Campground Recommendations
		Using Campground Directories
		Comparing Private and Public Campgrounds
		Choosing a Site
		Parking Your Rig
		Hooking Up
		Sleeping by the Side of the Road: A Good Idea?
	Chapter 6 Meeting Special Travel Needs and Interests
		RVing with Kids
		RVing with Pets
		RVing for People with Disabilities
		RVing for Seniors
		Joining an RV Club
			Caravan tours and rallies
			RV clubs
	Chapter 7 Odds and Ends
		Mapping the Way
		Staying Connected on the Road
			Cable TV
			Satellite TV
			Cellphones
			Online services
		Buying RV Insurance
		Staying Safe and Secure on the Road
		Carrying a Gun
Part 3 Exploring the East
	Chapter 8 The Coast of Maine: Lobster Land
		Choosing Your Route
		Planning Ahead
		Must-See Attractions
		More Cool Things to See and Do
		Our Favorite Campgrounds
		Good Eats
			Lobster central
			More than lobster: Markets and meals
		Fast Facts
	Chapter 9 Western New York: Cooperstown to Niagara Falls
		Choosing Your Route
		Planning Ahead
		Must-See Attractions
		More Cool Things to See and Do
		Our Favorite Campgrounds
		Good Eats
			The full-meal deal
			Nibbles along the way
		Fast Facts
	Chapter 10 The Blue Ridge Mountains: Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway
		Choosing Your Route
		Planning Ahead
		Must-See Attractions
		More Cool Things to See and Do
		Our Favorite Campgrounds
			Blue Ridge Parkway campgrounds
			Great Smoky Mountains National Park campgrounds
			Shenandoah National Park campgrounds
		Good Eats
		Shopping along the Way
		Fast Facts
	Chapter 11 The Gulf Coast: Tallahassee to New Orleans
		Choosing Your Route
		Planning Ahead
		Must-See Attractions
		More Cool Things to See and Do
		Our Favorite Campgrounds
		Good Eats
			Seafood markets
			More markets
			Snacks and full-meal deals
		Fast Facts
	Chapter 12 The Natchez Trace: Natchez to Nashville
		Choosing Your Route
		Planning Ahead
		Must-See Attractions
		More Cool Things to See and Do
		Our Favorite Campgrounds
		Good Eats
		Shopping along the Way
		Fast Facts
Part 4 Discovering Mid-America
	Chapter 13 Texas Hill Country: Bluebonnets and Barbecue
		Choosing Your Route
		Planning Ahead
		Must-See Attractions
		More Cool Things to See and Do
		Our Favorite Campgrounds
		Good Eats
			Barbecue joints
			Beyond barbecue: Old-timey good eats
		Fast Facts
	Chapter 14 The Heart of Ohio: A Circle around Circleville
		Choosing Your Route
		Planning Ahead
		Must-See Attractions
		More Cool Things to See and Do
		Our Favorite Campgrounds
		Good Eats
			Meals of chili, sauerkraut, and Amish cooking
			Snacks of chocolate, cheese, and ice cream
		Shopping along the Way
		Fast Facts
	Chapter 15 Northern Minnesota: Paul Bunyan Country
		Choosing Your Route
		Planning Ahead
		Must-See Attractions
		More Cool Things to See and Do
		Our Favorite Campgrounds
		Good Eats
		Shopping along the Way
		Fast Facts
	Chapter 16 Lake Superior Circle Tour
		Choosing Your Route
		Planning Ahead
		Must-See Attractions
		More Cool Things to See and Do
		Our Favorite Campgrounds
		Good Eats
		Fast Facts
	Chapter 17 The Ozarks and Branson: Hot Springs to Springfield
		Choosing Your Route
		Planning Ahead
		Must-See Attractions
		More Cool Things to See and Do
		Our Favorite Campgrounds
		Good Eats
		Fast Facts
Part 5 Seeing the West
	Chapter 18 Montana and Wyoming: Tracking Buffalo Bill
		Choosing Your Route
		Planning Ahead
		Must-See Attractions
		More Cool Things to See and Do
		Our Favorite Campgrounds
		Good Eats
		Fast Facts
	Chapter 19 New Mexico: Billy the Kid Meets E.T.
		Choosing Your Route
		Planning Ahead
		Must-See Attractions
		Carlsbad Caverns
		More Cool Things to See and Do
		Our Favorite Campgrounds
		Good Eats
		Shopping along the Way
		Fast Facts
	Chapter 20 The Oregon Coast: California to Washington
		Choosing Your Route
		Planning Ahead
		Must-See Attractions
		More Cool Things to See and Do
		Our Favorite Campgrounds
		Good Eats
			Full-meal deal
			Regional specialties
		Shopping along the Way
		Fast Facts
	Chapter 21 California’s Central Coast: Malibu to Monterey
		Choosing Your Route
		Planning Ahead
		Must-See Attractions
		More Cool Things to See and Do
		Our Favorite Campgrounds
		Good Eats
			Santa Maria barbecue
			Markets and meals
		Fast Facts
	Chapter 22 Route 66: OK to L.A.
		Choosing Your Route
		Planning Ahead
		Must-See Attractions
		More Cool Things to See and Do
		Our Favorite Campgrounds
		Good Eats
		Shopping along the Way
		Fast Facts
	Chapter 23 ALCAN Trip: Seattle to Fairbanks
		Choosing Your Route
		Planning Ahead
		Must-See Attractions
		More Cool Things to See and Do
		Our Favorite Campgrounds
		Good Eats
		Fast Facts
Part 6 The Part of Tens
	Chapter 24 More than Ten Cool Places to Visit in the United States and Canada
		Alabama
		Alaska
		Arizona
		Arkansas
		California
		Colorado
		Connecticut
		Delaware
		Florida
		Georgia
		Hawaii
		Idaho
		Illinois
		Indiana
		Iowa
		Kansas
		Kentucky
		Louisiana
		Maine
		Maryland
		Massachusetts
		Michigan
		Minnesota
		Mississippi
		Missouri
		Montana
		Nebraska
		Nevada
		New Hampshire
		New Jersey
		New Mexico
		New York
		North Carolina
		North Dakota
		Ohio
		Oklahoma
		Oregon
		Pennsylvania
		Rhode Island
		South Carolina
		South Dakota
		Tennessee
		Texas
		Utah
		Vermont
		Virginia
		Washington
		West Virginia
		Wisconsin
		Wyoming
		Alberta, Canada
		British Columbia, Canada
		Manitoba, Canada
		New Brunswick, Canada
		Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
		Nova Scotia, Canada
		Ontario, Canada
		Prince Edward Island, Canada
		Quebec, Canada
		Saskatchewan, Canada
	Chapter 25 Ten Greatest Travel Gadgets
		Smartphone
		NOAA Weather Radio
		Dedicated Hotspot Device
		RV-Specific GPS Device
		Digital Tire-Pressure Gauge
		Multimeter
		Rechargeable Battery-Powered Vacuum Cleaner
		CB Radio
		Small Oil-Filled Electric Heater
		Emergency Signs and Lights
Appendix Quick Concierge
Index
EULA