For a lot of travelers, going green can seem like just one more inconvenience on the road.  Let’s face it – once you have packing down to a science, the thought of changing your routine can be scary!  But making small changes, one at a time, can help you through the process.

Don’t just dump out your existing products! Think about this one for a second – if you’re going to put it in the garbage, and it’s going to end up in a landfill, you might as well use it up!  Besides, you did spend your hard earned money on it!  And replacing every cleaning product you have can be costly.  Look into places that will take your old cleaners and dispose of them properly, rather than just throwing them away.  If you cannot dispose of them properly, use them up – it will be less of a shock to your wallet if you don’t have to replace everything at once.  NEVER dump unwanted chemicals in to a sewer or on the ground!  Replace each cleaner with a green cleaner as it runs out.

Understand the information on the label! A product’s name my lead you to believe that it is environmentally friendly, when that isn’t the case at all!  Terms like “eco” are frequently used in products that are used outdoors.  However, look for a tiny statement at the bottom of the label – if it isn’t green, you will most-like find a statement that reads something like:  “Eco not intended to imply that this product is environmentally safe or more environmentally safe than any other product.”  TRICKY!  A quick web search can help you find more detailed information on the products you should be looking for.  One resource is: http://www.greenseal.org/findaproduct/hhcleaners.cfm

Don’t forget about the container! Most green products also come in recyclable containers.  If possible, hold on to empty containers until you can deposit them in a recycling container rather than a garbage can.  Sometimes this can be as simple as asking at the front desk or a campground or the entrance of a park.  While the park may not be able to put out recycling containers all over the park, they may keep a few at certain locations.  Or, they may be able to direct you to a recycling station nearby that will accept your empty containers.

Look around before you head to the trash can! Before you take your garbage to an approved disposal location, look around and be sure you have collected everything that you can.  Remember that garbage bags are waste, too, and you want to use as few of them as possible!  Even if it isn’t your mess, picking up litter, offering to toss the garbage of the people picnicking next to you, and removing as much air from the bag as possible before putting it in the disposal area can all help save space in landfills!

Geocaching is like a modern-day treasure hunt, using GPS. You don’t need to invest a lot of money, buy a bunch of supplies, or even travel through unexplored and dangerous terrain to find the treasure – all you need is the desire to find something hidden! Think of it as the world’s biggest game of “hide-and-seek”!

Here’s how it works:

• Someone leaves a cache hidden at a location. Generally, the cache is hidden in a park or along a hiking trail. The cache is generally a weather resistant container (plastic bag, food storage container, water bottle, etc.). Inside, you will typically find a log book that tells you a little about when the cache was place, and who placed it there. Additionally, it should have space for you to add your name, the date you found the cache, and any short comments about the experience that you would want to share with other people who find the cache.

• The person who hides the cache tracks the GPS location. The exact GPS location of the cache is recorded and published, typically on a site that specializes in geocaching. Usually these sites also allow the person who has hidden the cache to let you know a little about what you are looking for, how far from a main road or parking area the cache is (typically a rating system, not an exact distance), and how hard the terrain of the hike is (again, usually a rating system).

• You pick a cache to go after. Most websites allow you to search by zip code, city and state, or regional area to find a cache near you or your destination. You can then view the caches in your area of interest and select one that meets your distance and difficulty needs.

• Find the cache! By plugging the GPS coordinates into your GPS, you can be on your way to finding the cache in no time! Keep in mind that your GPS will point you in the most direct route to the location of the cache. As a general rule, keep on marked trails or roads until you are near the cache. You may need to walk off of a trail or road a few yards to find the cache’s hiding spot. Keep in mind the level of difficulty that you selected and the surrounding terrain when deciding when to leave the trail or road – easy difficulty levels should mean that you are on a trail or road almost all the way!

• Only take a treasure if you leave a treasure for the next hunter! Some caches may contain “treasure” for the person finding the cache. It is considered okay to take the treasure only if you leave behind something of equal or greater value for the next treasure hunter. If you do not want the treasure in the cache, you do not have to put anything in the cache – simply leave the existing treasure there for the next treasure hunter!

Remember that anyone can start a cache – all you need is a GPS and a fun story!

For more information on geocaching, how to get started, and safety tips for your treasure hunting experiences, try www.geocaching.com!

For recommendations on buying a GPS unit, try http://www.geocaching.com/about/buying.aspx.

1. Look for tracks before setting up camp:  If you see tracks in the campsite you are setting up in, evaluate if the animal who left them could be a threat.  For example, a deer track is not likely to pose a problem, but a bear or wolf track could mean that the animal comes through that area looking for food.  If you are concerned about the animal returning, let the park ranger or main office at the campground know – most-likely they will be able to give you a new campsite!
2. Do not attempt to feed wildlife of any size:  Feeding the cute chipmunk that is hanging around your picnic table can seem like a good idea.  However, any food left behind by the cute little creatures in your campsite can be an attraction to larger animals.  Even the smell of the food could attract a much larger and unwanted guest!  Obey posted signs and never feed the wildlife!
3. Scents are more powerful that you think:  Keep food in animal proof, airtight containers.  Just because a container doesn’t leak, doesn’t mean the smells can’t get out!  Wild animals can easily smell things in plastic bags – and easily rip them open to get at the food inside.  Raccoons and bears are even capable of opening coolers and plastic food containers.  If you are unsure if your containers are animal proof and airtight, lock them in your camper, RV, or the truck of your car.
4. Keep things clean:  Food scraps, wrappers, drippings, and garbage may all smell like a meal to a hungry animal.  Be sure to put these items in approved garbage cans, away from your campsite.  If you cannot dispose of items right away, try to put them in an airtight container and lock them in your camper, RV, or trunk.  Think twice about putting garbage into a campfire – will it smell like food while it is burning? Clean any cooking equipment used in order to eliminate the smell of food from the surfaces.  Any items that are approved for disposal outside (dishwater, apple cores, etc) should be buried in a hole that is dug away from the campsite.
5. Think of ALL the surfaces that food may have touched:  When cleaning up after a meal, take into account all of the places that the food may have been – including on you!  Any towels, shirts, pants, etc that food was spilled on or that was used to clean up food, could attract an animal.  Remember, the animal is acting on the scent of food – it doesn’t know that all it’s going to find is a spot of hamburger grease on your shorts!
6. It’s not just the smell of food that can attract animals:  Curiosity of unknown smells and other things can also attract animals to your campsite.  Most perfumes and colognes contain pheromones, which are designed to attract other humans, but can also attract a variety of animals.  Things such as soap and deodorant may also be smells that attract animals.  To avoid nighttime visitors, be sure these items (and any clothing or linens that may contain the scents) are put away.
7. Some animals are just plain curious:  Despite all your careful planning, cleaning, and packing, remember that wildlife may still come check your campsite out!  New structures and sounds in the area the animal lives can be enough to draw its natural curiosity.  If an animal does enter your campsite, be sure you treat it with the respect it deserves – give it space, move yourself and your family to a secure area, and avoid sudden movements that may scare the animal.  Loud noises can scare animals away, but most of the time they will leave on their own once they discover that there is nothing of use or interest in your campsite.  You can also prepare in advance by purchasing products like bear spray or “bear guns”.  Remember, you should only engage the animal if you have no other choice, or it is a threat to a human life.

Remember to notify park rangers or campground management of all wildlife sighted in campground areas – it can help protect everyone who visits and works at the campground!

Most sanitation departments use a small amount of chlorine to keep water clean as it travels through the city water system.  By the time it reaches the spout you are getting water from, the chlorine level will already have dropped significantly.  Air, heat, and the movement caused by travel can easily dissipate any remaining chlorine, leaving your water susceptible to bacteria and algae growth.

Here are some simple ways to clean out your water tank and hoses, to ensure that any residual bacteria and algae growth is not passed on to your drinking water:

Cleaning the Tank (to remove any oily or slimy build-up)

1. Completely empty any existing water in the tank.
2. Refill the tank with water, adding about 4 tsp. of liquid soap for every 10 gallons that the tank holds.  When possible, using an antibacterial soap is best!
3. Turn on all faucets and run the soap solution through all of the lines for several minutes.
4. When possible, turn off the faucets before the tank is empty and drive or tow the RV a short distance.  This will move the water around in the tank and help remove anything clinging to the sides.
5. Drain the rest of the soap solution
6. Refill the water tank with clean water and turn on all of the faucets again.  Run the water until there is no sign of the soap or residue from the soap.

Sanitizing the Tank

1. Using the water that is already in the tank, continue to fill the tank until there is space for a little more than one gallon to still be added.
2. Combine one gallon of water with liquid chlorine bleach.  Use ¼ cup of bleach for every 15 gallons of water that the water tank holds.  Add the solution to the tank.  NEVER ADD STRAIGHT LIQUID BLEACH DIRECTLY TO THE WATER TANK – ALWAYS MIX WITH WATER FIRST.
3. Turn on each faucet, one at a time, and run the chlorinated water through the hose until you can smell chlorine.  It should take about two minutes per faucet.  Be sure to do all interior and exterior connections from the tank.
4. When possible, turn off all faucets before the tank is empty, and drive or tow the RV a short distance.  This will move the water around in the tank and help ensure that all surfaces have been treated.
5. Drain the remaining chlorine solution from the tank and refill it with fresh water.  Turn on each faucet and let the tank completely run out.  If you still smell chlorine, repeat this until you no longer smell chlorine coming from any of the faucets.

Sanitizing Drinking Water

1. If your water comes from a chlorinated source, such as city tap water, you will not need to do anything other than fill your water tank.
2. If you water is not from a chlorinated source, fill the tank, leaving room for slightly more than one gallon to still be added.
3. In one gallon of water, add one tsp. of liquid chlorine bleach for every 10 gallons of water that the tank holds.  Add this solution to the tank.
4. Repeat step three each time you refill your water tank while traveling.

When putting together a first aid kit, consider all of the activities you may be participating while you are traveling.  You will want to be sure you have an appropriate kit that can be taken with you when you are doing activities away from your home base – this may mean packing several smaller kits into one large one.  That way, you can customized what you need for the activity you are doing, and take only the pieces you will most-likely need with you.  Remember: You can’t use it if it’s not with you!

Basics to keep at home base:

Whether you stay in a cabin, a travel trailer, a motor home, or a tent, you will want some basics kept at your home base.  These should be things you won’t necessarily need on a hike, bike ride, or boat trip, but should have available when you return to your home base.

Pack items left at your home base in a sturdy container.  A handle can be useful in being sure people of all ages can carry the container, if needed.  A small toolbox, lunchbox, fishing tackle box, or kitchen food storage container can work well.  Be sure it is large enough to hold any smaller kits prepared for activities.

Basics should include*:

• Antibiotic cream, hydrogen peroxide, and/or antiseptic wipes
• Aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, and/or acetaminophen (be sure to know which is safe for you based on other medications you may be taking and health factors)
• Extras of prescription medications – be sure to label these clearly, if they will not be in the original container that has a copy of the prescription!  Consider also labeling who the medication is for, so other people assisting you can clearly find what you need!
• Thermometer
• Flashlight and spare batteries
• Emergency numbers
• Medical insurance information – this is a great place to keep a photocopy of your insurance cards.
• Instant ice packs
• First aid manual
• Motion sickness medication
• Calamine lotion
• Antacids
• Anti-diarrhea medication
• Aloe
• Various sizes of band aids, gauze, and medical tape
• Cold and flu tablets
• Hot water bottles or heating pad

*These are items that are not necessarily for immediate care, but for continuing care upon return to your home base.  The items below should reside in your home base kit when you are at the home base.

Additional items to take with you:

When you head out for activities, assess how far from home base you will be and for how long in order to determine how many items you may need to take with you for your activity.

Generally, try to pack light and only necessities for immediate care to injuries or sudden illness.  If the travel first aid kit is too large or bulky, you are not likely to take it with you on activities.  Consider packing it in a plastic food storage bag, pack that can be worn around the waist, or a plastic water bottle.  When possible, use something water-proof.  A plastic water bottle can also be emptied to double as a drinking container, if needed.

Basic items may include:

• Instant ice packs
• Insect repellent – consider wipes rather than spray for convenience of packing
• Gloves – these do not need to be sterile.  Remember, they are to protect your hands from substances.
• Sunscreen and lip balm with sunscreen
• Small scissors
• Adhesive tape
• Various sizes of band aids
• Gauze or other absorbent material – Tip: Sanitary napkins are compact, sterile, and have great absorbency.  They can make a good compress to stop bleeding.
• Small plastic bag or garbage bag
• Hard candies or other small sugar items in case blood sugar drops too low
• Multi-tool or pocket knife
• Pocket resuscitation mask – many are small enough to be carried on a key chain, making them perfectly compact for a travel first aid kit
• Pen light
• Bandana – can be used as a sling or a dust mask
• Ultraviolet travel light – used to purify water; many are not much larger than a pen

Remember to customize your kit based on the needs of the people who will be involved in the activity.  Consider things such as prescription medication, nitroglycerin tablets, sugar packets, aspirin, granola bars, or electrolyte packets as additions to your traveling kit.

Tip: Assume that the activity may go longer than planned, and plan what you carry with you accordingly!

Don’t forget about your Pets!

Many of the items that you carry in your regular first aid kit can also be useful for your pet!  However, remember that your pet may need some special items that you would not pack for yourself.

Also, remember that emergency numbers you call for help for people are often not useful if your pet has an emergency.  You will need to do some extra planning and documenting if you travel with your pet!

Basics for before you travel:

• Keep your regular veterinarian’s number on hand with other emergency numbers.
• Check for the name and phone number of veterinary hospitals that may be along your route
• Take a pet first aid class to learn proper techniques – these may be offered through your local Red Cross, pet store, or veterinary practice
• Carry the number for the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center:  (800) 548-2423
• Make sure your pet is healthy enough to travel prior to leaving home.

Additional items for pet first aid:

In addition to common items in your first aid kit, there are some additional items to consider carrying for your pet.

Basic items include:

• Towels and blankets that can be torn, cut, or used on your pet
• Pet carrier
• Elizabethan collar
• Extras of medication – be sure to properly label any medications and store them separately from human medications
• Antihistamine – many human antihistamines are acceptable for use with pets.  Be sure to consult your veterinarian in advance for the proper dose based on the size of your pet.
• Yogurt – this can be used as a supplement to food to help relieve diarrhea in pets
• Rice – this can be used as a food substitute for animals experiencing vomiting or diarrhea.  It is best if combined with ground beef to supplement protein.  A bland 50/50 combination is easy to digest while giving your pet the nutrients it needs to recover.
• Plant identification book
• First aid manual designed for cats, dogs, birds, etc.

Tip: Just as with the human first aid kit, be sure to pack anything that would be needed in an emergency if you are taking your pet with you to an activity.  Be sure to pack any pet medications in a separate container or bag from human medications, and clearly label them for pet use only.

With all first aid kits, remember to label the door or drawer that they are in, or keep them visible!  If only you know where to find the kit, no one can help you if you have an emergency!

But, contrary to the myth, well-fed birds don’t get too lazy to search for food – they’ll just get healthy and happy!  The better the food is, the more likely they’ll continue to come back.  Birds, like most animals, are survivalists, and they take advantage of any food source they can find.  Getting them to come back is a matter of offering them a reliable and high-quality food source.

Everything from the location of the feeder and the number of extra pests in the area, to the plants in your site and time of year can affect the birds coming and going.

Location, Location, Location!

You’ve heard it in real estate – apply it to your bird feeder’s real estate as well!  Some things to consider:

Can I see the feeder(s) from my camper, motor home, or relaxation area?  To derive the most fun from feeders, you will want to be able to watch the birds as they visit.  Seeing the feeder from common locations can also help you to determine when it needs to be refilled.

Can I fill the feeder easily?  Be sure your feeder isn’t too far from your site, or too high to fill quickly and easily.  Inclement weather is a great time to have a full feeder, and not having hassles associated with filling it will make you more likely to keep it full no matter what the weather!

Is the feeder in an area that is easy to clean up?  Be aware that seeds, hulls, and bird droppings are likely to accumulate under the feeder.  Do no place the feeder in an area that you will be walking under regularly, if it is not easy to clean up droppings.  Also, keep in mind that sunflower seed hulls contain a substance that kills grass – something that most campsite directors will not appreciate!

Keep food off the Ground

When the weather is terrible and the ground is covered with snow and ice, it can be easy to just toss the bird seed on the ground for the birds to retrieve.  However, food that is left on the damp ground becomes moldy.  It can be contaminated with mold toxins, bacteria from bird droppings, and other unappetizing materials.  Ground feeding birds are at the risk of poisoning.  To assure that your seed is healthful and not harmful, use a hanging or mounted feeder or a feeding platform with good drainage.

Keep the Squirrels Out

The best way to keep the squirrels out of your feeder is to establish a separate feeder for the squirrels.  Keep it stocked with pine cones, dried corn, and other things that squirrels prefer to the smaller seeds in the bird feeder.

To get squirrels who are already in the habit of raiding your bird feeder out of the habit, try filling your feeder with safflower seeds.  Squirrels don’t like them, and once they are out of the habit of visiting the feeder, you can easily replace them or mix them with other seeds.  Be careful not to spill the new mix on the ground and re-engage the squirrel’s curiosity!

Use suet cakes that contain hot peppers, or sprinkle hot pepper into your regular seed.  Birds cannot taste the hot pepper.  However, the squirrels can and they do not like it!

Feed by the Season

Winter Feeding: Wintertime feeding is critical to long-term survival.  Focusing on winter feeding can help reduce the number of deaths from starvation over the winter months.  Creating a dependable food supply can also encourage springtime nesting near your feeder.  In cold weather, birds need foods high in fats.  Small birds burn enormous numbers of calories trying to keep warm.  Expect to fill feeders more often and add suet, peanut butter, or kitchen fats to supplement their diets.  Stale piecrust and donuts can also be a welcomed fatty treat!

Spring Feeding: Spring is the time when natural food supplies can often be the lowest.  All the insect eggs, berries, acorns and pinecones have been eaten and plants have not yet produced new sources for the year.  Keep your feeder full, even though it may seem like you don’t need to now that the coldest months have passed!  Spring feeders can also offer the opportunity to attract migrating birds.  When spring eggs hatch, birds will appreciate the constant and convenient food source even more as fuel for themselves as they hunt for insects for their nestlings.  As spring progresses, begin to reduce the supply of bird food in the feeders.

Summer Feeding: Many bird species have more than one brood over the season.  While the first brood benefits from a large spring supply of insects, later hatchlings may not have quite the same diet.  Young birds need a high protein diet because they must grow and develop feathers in a short period of time.  A source of calcium, such as crushed eggshells, is valuable also.  Consider looking for a different variety of feed that includes these two essentials during the summer.

Fall Feeding: Fall feeding helps local birds prepare to stay in areas of reliable food sources during the winter months.  It can also supply migrating birds that happen by with a replenishing meal.  Increase the volume of food in your feeders as the hard frost arrives.  Also, begin to make the switch in the type of foods provided, switching back to higher fat foods such as suet as birds prepare for the winter months again.

But there are some simple things that you can do before you leave and while you travel that will help prevent all of your hard work going up in smoke.

Before You Leave

• Consider signing up for a credit monitoring or identity theft protection product.  Many services will send you alerts by mail, email, or even text message to alert you to changes in your credit accounts.  This may include a new credit application, a request for increased credit, or even a change of address request.  Additionally, most of these services can assist you in the even that your wallet is lost or stolen while you are on the road.
• Clean out your wallet before you leave home.  Unless it is absolutely necessary, do not carry your Social Security card with you when you travel.  Be sure that you remove any credit or debit cards that you do not need with you – try to limit yourself to a total of 2 credit cards.
• If you health insurance card has your Social Security number on it, make a copy of the card.  That way you can black out all but the last 4 digits of the number and carry the copy with you, rather than the original.  If you need medical treatment while on the road, you can provide the complete number to the hospital or clinic when you check in.  Most insurance companies can verify your record with just your last name and the last 4 digits of your social security number – but 4 digits of your social security number do not help identity thieves!
• Halt newspaper delivery and other automatic deliveries that would pile up in front of your house.  Things like bottled water delivery and stacks of newspapers can alert both delivery drivers and passers-by that no one is in your home.
• Ask the post office to hold your mail.  Request a “postal hold” rather than a “vacation hold”.  This avoids alerting postal staff and anyone who can overhear, that you will be gone.
• If your neighborhood has a volunteer patrol, or community watch committee, as them to do a courtesy check on your home while you are gone.  Be specific and ask for one daytime and one “after dark” check, if possible.

While You are On the Road

• If you stay in a hotel, consider locking valuables up in a hotel safe – if there is no in-room safe, ask the front desk staff about the availability of the hotel’s safe.  Items like laptops, PDAs, jewelry, passports, and documents that contain your personal information can be tempting to people who can see into your room while it is being cleaned.
• Be aware that you are more likely to encounter pickpockets in high traffic areas that attract a large volume of tourists and travelers.  Pickpockets are rarely interested in your cash. Be careful to store items like your ID, driver’s license, passport, checks, and credit cards in inside pockets, front pants pockets, or travel pouches that can be worn inside your clothing.
• Be mindful of your surroundings!  Identity thieves may look over your shoulder to snatch your identifying information without physically taking anything!  Do not leave credit cards out on a restaurant table or bar any longer than necessary.  Use caution when talking on your cell phone or carrying on conversations about sensitive information while you are in crowded or public areas.
• Store copies of your travel documents in a safe place, separate from the originals.  This includes plane tickets, hotel reservations and passports.
• Keep the “Lost or Stolen” phone number from the back of your credit or debit cards in a safe place, separate from the cards.  Once the cards are stolen, it’s too late to get the phone number.  This could cause additional delays in canceling stolen or lost cards, and could cost you additional time and money to resolve any unauthorized charges.
• When possible, use credit cards rather than debit cards when traveling.  A debit card gives thieves a direct line to your bank account.  When the debit card is used to make a “credit” purchase, no PIN is required to complete the transaction.  Also, reinstating your credit line so that you can comfortably complete your travel plans without interruption, can be much simpler than restoring cash funds to your debit account.

Most importantly, if you suspect anything may be compromised, be sure to contact the proper authorities or institution immediately!  If you stop any potential problems in advance, you will be able to relax and enjoy the rest of your trip.

Mail Scan Pro – Read and View Your Mail Online!!

Click Here for Details

Prepping yourself for a road trip can be a major project.  Food, different types of clothing for different weather, road emergency supplies, and a laundry list of other personal items that you will need or want along the way, can take time and energy to assemble.  But while you’re working on these items, don’t forget about the important things that you are leaving behind.

Vacationers, extended travelers, snowbirds, and full-time RVers all have certain things that they cannot necessarily take with them every time they venture out on the road.  Be sure to pay as much attention to securing the things you won’t be able to take care of personally, as the things you are packing in your RV.

Plan for the long-term

Unlike the vacationer who may only leave home for a week at a time, fulltimers, extended travelers, and snowbirds can’t just put their lives on hold while they are gone.  Playing catch up when you return would be a time consuming process that is bound to lead to things important items overlooked, and possibly events missed.

You will want to be sure you have a “home base” in mind for your mobile operation.  This could include bringing a laptop computer with you and making arrangements for mobile internet, researching which resorts or camp grounds have internet access available, finding post offices where you can receive mail, or ensuring where a cell phone will be able to be used while you are on the road.  This will help insure that you can receive important mail, do your banking, pay your bills, communicate with loved ones, and even fulfill your medical needs while you are on the road.

Medical Management

Before you head out on the road, be sure to look over any routine medical appointments that you would have made while you were home.  You will need to work with your doctor to figure out which appointments can be postponed until you return, and which will need to be scheduled while you are on the road.

If you are under the regular care of a physician, you should ask your doctor to write a letter summarizing your medical condition and the care you have recently received.  This can save you time and unnecessary tests if you do have to visit a health-care center while you are on the road.

Contact your medical insurer to see if there are any differences in handling claims when you are outside of your regular provider’s area.  They may give you tips on other cities that have doctors in their network, hospitals near where you are staying that are covered by your policy, and even information on any extra paperwork that will be needed.

Finally, only go to the hospital if it is a medical emergency.  While an emergency room can seem like a convenient solution when you are unfamiliar with the surrounding area, often the campground operator will know of an urgent care facility or physician that you can see if it is not a true emergency.  This can save you both time and money in the long run!

Pills and Prescriptions

Even though filling prescriptions can be done at most grocery stores around the country, these days, don’t take for granted that some planning may still be required!

The most important thing to check is that you prescription can be filled during the entire time you are on the road – don’t be stuck with an expired prescription, or run out of refills before you return!  Don’t even cut it close!  Be sure that your prescription will out-last your road trip, in case something unexpected leave you away from home a bit longer than planned.

Filling prescriptions on the road can also be a challenge if your insurance company limits the coverage based on the pharmacy that you used.  Some options to look into include:

• Fill the initial prescription at a pharmacy located near someone who can forward mail to you.  Ask this person if they would be willing to pick up the prescription and forward it to you with your mail.  Also check with the pharmacy to be sure they will allow another person to pick up your prescription each time it needs to be refilled.
• Get your prescription filled at a nationwide chain, like Wal-Mark or Walgreens.  You should be able to fill your prescription at any of their centers, even in several different states.  They may also be able to tell you where the closest center is to your next stop.
• Look into mail-order pharmacies.  Many insurance carriers work with phone or web-based companies that will send your refills to you direct as you travel.  If your insurance company is flexible with the pharmacy you use, consider companies like Costco Prescriptions by Mail, CVS Pharmacies online ordering, and drugstore.com.

Getting the mail – Physically or Electronically

Physical Mail

• Fulltimers typically use a professional mail forwarding service to get their mail.  These companies provide you with a mailing address, since you do not have a permanent address, and forward your mail to the address you provide them.  They will hold mail while you are traveling and send it to you when you call them with the next forwarding address.
• Snowbirds who take up a winter residence typically ask their local post office to forward the mail until they return to their permanent address.
• Extended travelers usually identify a friend, relative, or neighbor who is willing to get their mail from their home and forward it to them.

Keep in mind that even if you cannot receive mail at the park or camp ground you are staying at, the postal service will take care of you!  The postal service will hold mail at the local post office for pick up if it is addressed to General Delivery, as follows:

Wilson and Paula Traveler

c/o General Delivery

City, State  Zip Code

Electronic Mail

If you have a computer or laptop that you will be taking on your travels, you can arrange for electronic mail.  Services that provide electronic mail will receive the mail at their office, open it for you, and scan it into an email.  They will then send you a copy of all of the mail you have received.  Typically, you can then let them know if there is anything that you will need them to forward on as an original copy, or if they can discard the items they have already sent you electronically.  Be sure that before you take this approach, you are sure you will have internet access frequently enough to take care of all of your personal business via email.

Extra Security for Snowbirds and Extended Travelers

Because extended travelers and snowbirds retain their traditional residences, they should take extra measures for the security and maintenance of their homes while they are gone.

Some additional tips to help keep your home safe and in good shape while you are away:

• Arrange for a friend, neighbor, or relative to look after your home.  Be sure they will be able to check on your house regularly and will be able to make arrangements for any emergency repairs that may be needed while you are on the road.
• Check the locks on gates and windows – not just doors!
• Consider installing an alarm system.  It is a good idea to discuss this with your local police department first.  Ask them what type of system would work best for your circumstances and in conjunction with their response policies.
• Make your house appear occupied at as many times of day as possible!  Use timers on several indoor lights, and timers or sensors on outdoor lights.  Have the timers turn lights on and off at the same times as you would if you were home.
• Cancel your newspaper or ask someone to pick it up for you.  This can also include ads, flyers, and door hangers that companies may leave on your property.  These items can really end up advertising your absence.
• Hire a gardening or mowing company, or a reliable teenager, to keep your yard looking neat.  This can not only complete the perception that someone is home, but keep you from getting costly fines imposed by cities or homeowner’s association for having weeds or long grass.

Above all, remember that the planning may seem never-ending… but covering all of your bases before you head out will allow you to spend more time enjoying your trip, and less time worrying about what you may have missed.

Happy Travels!

More and more camp grounds, RV resorts, and even large dealerships are offering work opportunities for people staying at their facilities. RVers are realizing that achieving the fulltime RV dream life is possible, if you’re willing to do a little extra work along the way. Today there are more jobs for RVers and work campers than there are RVers and work campers willing to work. The right opportunities and rewards are there and waiting!

Work camping can provide you with discounted or free stays at camp ground, the opportunity to meet new people, tickets and discounts to local attractions, and even a few extra dollars in your pocket. The variety of work can vary from clean up, to tours of facilities and parks, to office work and greeting guests. These positions often require only a few hours of commitment each week, and are typically very flexible in both the number of days per week and the time frame you are willing to commit for. And the best part about it – if you’re not satisfied with the job, you’re free to move on to something better!

As with any job, you should be prepared to show a resume or work history to the supervisor, and participate in a short interview. Remember that the things that may have been important in previous jobs may not apply as well to a camp ground – so focus on skills or hobbies that are relevant to the work you would be doing.

Work opportunities could even help you find a path for your next trip. If you are open to new settings and new experiences, let work opportunities that sound like a good fit dictate where your travels take you.

Tidbits for better RVing through work camping:

• Make sure you have a detailed resume and picture ready to send out for potential jobs.

• Enlist in a mail service like St. Brendan’s Isle Mail Forward Service. They send your mail on-line and scan anything you want to read electronically.

• Always interview the campsite as much as they interview you. Talk to others who may have worked there previously. Talk to people in the town who might know the owners.

• Securing a contract is the best way to ensure you will be compensated for your work.

• Register at www.koa.com/workatkoa.com and receive daily job postings from more than 400 KOA locations nationwide. It’s about $35 a year.

• Try a website like Workamper.com to see what opportunities might fit your lifestyle.

• Even if you don’t see a posting, call your favorite camp ground or RV resort the next time you are planning a trip – chances are, they will be happy to have the work offered.

What could be better than ending your workday under the stars, beside the warmth of a campfire listening to stories from newfound friends.