Monica Israels

St. Vrain State Park

May 2, 2018 by Monica Israels Leave a Comment

We stayed for a three-day weekend at St. Vrain State Park. A weekend spent camping is almost always better than a weekend at home, but we definitely didn’t pick good camping sites.

A satellite view of the park makes it seem like the sites right next to one of the biggest ponds would be the best ones, but they aren’t. People fish all over the ponds, and we ended up with people in front of our RVs pretty much the whole time, on the few feet of grass between our picnic tables and the water. It definitely wasn’t as relaxing as it could have been.

We went for a walk, as always, and discovered that the sites in the trees and away from the water were actually pretty nice. The sites next to water that was not easy to fish because of tall grasses were also nice. So, in this case, you should choose sites that aren’t exactly perfect unless you plan on fishing (and setting your chairs up next to the water the whole time you’re there).

Longmont was on the agenda, so we hit the St. Vrain Cidery and Longtucky Spirts for some local booze. It was a great day in town.

If we stay in St. Vrain State Park again, we’ll definitely camp in the trees. It’s very close to town and very easy to get to, which makes it ideal for quick weekends.

First of 2018: Jackson Lake State Park

March 25, 2018 by Monica Israels 2 Comments

We planned our first camping trip of 2018 six months ago, and it was finally here. There was always a chance we’d need to cancel because of snow but we got lucky. The roads were dry and there wasn’t any snow to be found on the plains for the entire trip, and then it snowed right after we were all safely home. My front door was about 15 feet from the lake, and Mike’s motor home and Walt’s trailer were next-door neighbors. Robin was staying with me for the weekend, too.

The first night was windy and raining, so we had dinner in Mike’s RV. Irish stew and soda bread, with cheesecake. Yes, this is glamping. Unfortunately, it was too windy and rainy for a campfire, so we all went back to our homes fairly early.

The next day was really windy, again, but at least it wasn’t raining. We drove out to see the only notable thing, the Pawnee Buttes. There was a hiking trail and the area was nice, but it was almost too windy to stand up. We hung out for a little while, but we didn’t even think about trying to wander around.

That night, the wind finally died down and we had dinner in my motor home. Grilled chicken, corn on the cob, and all of the good side dishes. Robin’s son came to see us, and we ended up with seven people eating in my motor home. It was cozy, but really fun. We even had a campfire. The wind was steady, so the smoke didn’t chase anyone. Friday was definitely the best night.

Saturday was pretty cool, and I set out to do RV walkthroughs with Mike and Walt. The plan is to get tours of people’s RVs and hear about what they like and don’t like about them. I tried to think of everything, but you can tell I’m pretty new to this. I have a lot of footage, but almost all of the audio is completely unusable. It’s so frustrating! I’ll have to do those walkthroughs another trip when there isn’t wind like that. I wasn’t even able to get the drone in the air — I was hoping to use the tripod mode.

We went to Fort Morgan to check out the cool Rainbow Arch Bridge there. It was built in the 1920s and it’s withstood a lot, and it still stands. It’s a footbridge now, and we walked from one side to the other and back again. It was nice doing some wandering around. We left Fort Morgan and went to Brush for chips and salsa at one of the worst Mexican restaurants we’d ever been to. Live and learn.

It was too windy for a fire again, so we had another dinner in my motor home. Walt made steaks and we ate until we were stuffed.

Everyone headed for home on Sunday. It was unbelievably windy, but it was still a fantastic weekend at the lake.

Site Review: Pelican Loop Site 95

This site is big enough for a 30-foot motor home, but you have to make some adjustments for slide outs so they don’t hit tree branches. The fire pit ended up too close to the coach to use. There was enough room at the front of the RV for my Jeep to park perpendicularly. A different or smaller RV would have an easier time.

The site is one of the best ones at Jackson Lake State Park because it is surrounded on two sides by water (one side has a little inlet) and one side by trees between it and the next site. It provides a private place to fish and enjoy the water, though the shore is very rocky and a bit steep. It wouldn’t be the easiest place to put a kayak in, but it would work if you wear shoes.

The electric worked well and the views were amazing.

Planning Ahead

November 23, 2017 by Monica Israels Leave a Comment

You may shake your head and laugh, but I’ve already booked camping for April and May of 2018. Why so far in advance? Because spring is only six months away.

A Year of Colorado State Parks

2018 will be my Year of Colorado State Parks. I’m going to get a State Parks Pass for the motor home, and I’m going to plan my Jeep trips around those camping weekends. How many can I stay at in one year? I’m looking forward to finding out. There are a lot of Colorado State Parks, so I am going to have a busy season.

The plan is to start the spring east or near I-25 at lower elevations. It’s still winter in the mountains until June, and I’m not going to buy chains for the motor home and drive in snowy conditions. Luckily, there are lots of places that meet those requirements. This spring, I’ll be camping at Jackson Lake State Park, St. Vrain State Park, Cherry Creek State Park, Cheyenne Mountain State Park, and Lake Pueblo State Park. Cheyenne Mountain is almost completely booked already!

But Why Now?

State and national park campgrounds are the first to fill up. There are many people who are just waiting for a date to pass so they can book six months in advance, which is the cutoff date for many campgrounds. If you want a good spot, you’ll need to be in that group of people with your fingers crossed. You still need to book a month or two in advance at the very least if you want a spot at all at some of the premiere spots.

I would recommend planning your summer now. The Guide to Colorado’s State Parks is a great resource, providing an overview of everything (you can pick up a hard copy at any state park office or request a brochure). All state parks do not offer overnight camping, and some of them have spots available for people without reservations.

If you change your mind and it’s more than 14 days before your reservation begins, you can cancel it. You will forfeit the $10 reservation fee, but that is a small price to pay in order to get a great spot. I’d recommend thinking about 2018 now while you still have options.

Boyd Lake State Park

October 30, 2017 by Monica Israels Leave a Comment

I bought my new motor home in Dallas on September 22nd, 2017, where I camped for a couple of nights Nyree, a friend who has moved there from Colorado. It was so nice to spend some time with her again. Then, I drove it to Amarillo to camp for a week and work. Then I brought it home. It was just as pretty as it was in the pictures. I named her Florence, the 2017 Fleetwood Flair 30P.

I had to take it camping, of course. I had a trip to Utah coming up in October, but it didn’t look like I’d be able to get the Jeep ready for towing in time (it was currently broken from the last trip, of course). I planned on driving the new RV to Moab without the Jeep and riding with a friend in his Jeep. Before that trip, I decided to camp at Boyd Lake State Park in Loveland, just an hour north of home.

October 7th, 2017

I drove Florence up to Loveland to get her set up, and then Karen drove up to hang out for the weekend. We cooked dinner and had a great time hanging out. The motor home has a queen-sized bed over the front seats in addition to my king-sized bed, and she stayed there. She said she was very comfortable. We walked around a little while, enjoying the sunshine and the views of the lake.

It was a good test of how the motor home would be during chillier nights, as it got down to 28 degrees. The propane heater worked perfectly. It was also the first time I didn’t have hookups other than electricity, and that worked fine.

Miriam showed up the next day and stayed that second night in the queen-sized bed. Karen was going to stay in her truck (she has it set up for camping) but it was too cold so she stayed in the motor home. She folded the couch down, about five feet in length. It wasn’t completely comfortable, but it was warm.

We played Mexican Train and had a great time dancing to disco outside under the stars.

October 27th, 2017

The Utah trip was great, though the Moab KOA wasn’t very exciting. It was a place to stay, and nothing more. If I had been in the popup trailer I would have been a bit unhappy, but the seclusion offered by the motor home made a huge difference. I was warm and happy.

And I decided to camp at Boyd Lake again. Site 58 is easily the best site (though there is a big handful of close seconds), and it was available. Site 57 next to it was also open, so I talked Mike into joining me (which wasn’t difficult). It was chilly, and wet snow gathered on the side of the motor home as I filled up the fresh water tank the first afternoon.

This was a great trip to Boyd Lake, too. We cooked and relaxed, and went for a walk along the lake. For lunch on the second day, we walked a few miles to a 3 Margaritas restaurant and had margaritas. We took a Lyft back, swinging by a gas station for firewood.

I knew I wouldn’t be camping again until the spring, and it was very depressing. It’s going to be a long winter.

What to Buy for a New Motor Home

October 23, 2017 by Monica Israels Leave a Comment

A motor home is a second home, so you need to buy a lot of items at the start. In addition, you have to buy things specific to working with an RV as well as a vehicle. These short lists may help you understand all of the things you’ll need.

To get started:

Storage containers for everything small enough to shift around during transit
Bedding (sheets, comforter, blankets, pillows, etc.) for the main bed as well as secondary beds
Clothes hangers and storage boxes
Cookware
Plates
Silverware and steak knives
Glasses (plastic) and mugs
Knives and serving ware
Cutting board
Spices and oils
Small appliances (toaster, coffee maker, egg cooker, etc.)
Towels
Shampoo and other shower items
Bathroom items (cotton balls, toothpaste, etc.)
Facial tissue
Rugs
Broom, mop, and cleaning supplies
Clothes you keep in the motor home (coats, boots, etc.)

This list isn’t complete, and it doesn’t include camping supplies:

Flashlights
Camp chairs and tables
Outdoor rug
Grill
Grilling tools
Campfire tools

You will need some items to work with a motor home:

Potable water hose (connecting the shore/city water to your water supply)
Electric/power cord (your motor home may come with one)
Surge protector (external)
Sewer hose (don’t skimp on this)
Non-potable, garden water hose (for cleaning)
Gloves and cleaners for working with the sewer hookup
Portable air compressor
Tire pressure monitoring system

If you are towing a vehicle, prepare for some large costs to do it correctly (eTrailer.com is a fantastic resource to get towing set up right):

Tow bar (spend more money to make your life easier and prevent an upgrade in a year or two)
Tow bar base plate (this stays on your vehicle for attachment points)
Braking system (so the vehicle brakes when you brake the motor home)
Electrical connections (so your turn signals and brake lights respond on your towed vehicle)
Safety items (cables, disconnects, etc.)

This list is not comprehensive, but it is a decent guide to give you some ideas of the scope of purchases. Most items are relatively inexpensive, but the number of them really add up to a big purchase price. Other items are expensive on their own. Some budgeting before you buy a motor home would be smart.

How to Shop for a Motor Home

September 30, 2017 by Monica Israels Leave a Comment

Let me preface this article with a reminder that this is just my opinion on buying a motor home. Your experience may need to differ from mine. Still, you can use this as a guide when you are doing your own shopping.

Do you Need a Motor Home?

Would you be just as happy with something else? A motor home purchase isn’t something to be taken lightly. You may be able to spend a lot less money up front and year to year if you buy a camper or trailer.

Motor Home Benefits	Motor Home Drawbacks
You can drive your house to the campground You don’t need to maintain two items You’ll have a lot of room There is a lot of storage You can tow a separate vehicle to drive around	You’ll have an engine to maintain that you can’t take to regular auto shops for maintenance The tires are expensive You won’t have a truck to use for other things They are expensive to purchase Registration fees are very high in some states

I’m a happy motor home owner now, so this isn’t an attempt to talk you out of buying one. But you should go into the purchase as informed as you can be. Motor homes provide a fantastic way to see the country in comfort and style, but they are expensive.

Choose Manufacturers First

Before you talk to a salesperson, you’ll need to narrow down your options. There are a lot of manufacturers and models, and it can be overwhelming.

How Much Can You Spend?

Know which manufacturers you can afford by figuring out the funding you have to work with. If you do not want to finance your motor home, be realistic about what you can afford. The purchasing doesn’t stop once you buy it, because it’s a lot like buying a second home. You’ll need funds to buy a lot of other things, and you can get an idea of the spend by reading through the checklist I’ve put together.

Once you know how much money to reserve, see what you have left. If you don’t have enough, consider financing. A motor home with a bathroom and kitchen is treated as a second home for tax purposes, and loans reflect that. You can get a 20-year loan with a relatively low annual percentage rate, and payments will be very small compared to an auto loan. Prepare to put at least 10% down on your new motor home if you are financing.

Call a bank or other financial institution to see what their rates are and where the breaks are in motor home ages. When I was shopping in 2017, a motor home older than 2015 would mean a higher interest rate. That meant I wanted to get something made in 2015 or later.

Find a List of Manufacturers Sorted by Quality

I used the list on RVT.com to start, and cross-referenced it with other lists. Of course, everyone wants to get the best they can when purchasing a home. I started at the top of the list (Monaco) and went to their site and RVTrader.com to see what I could afford. I couldn’t afford anything from Monaco that I liked, so I moved down the list. Tiffins were closer to my price range, but still too expensive.

Next was Fleetwood, and I liked what I found. Not only are they consistently ranked high in quality and customer satisfaction, the price points I was finding were where I could afford a lower-end Fleetwood model. I also liked Holiday Rambler and Winnebago, the next two on the list. I found my short list of manufacturers, and it was time to head out into the wild.

Shopping in Person

I looked for a dealership that featured Fleetwood models, and then headed off to LazyDays RV. I purchased my popup through Camping World and didn’t have a very good experience, so I would be looking for a different way to buy the motor home. The LazyDays showroom was amazing, and I was able to see quite a few Fleetwood models. I wasn’t sure what I wanted other than Fleetwood.

Types of Motor Homes

The first decision will be between Class A, Class B, or Class C. Class B motor homes are the smallest, and designed for touring more than camping. I knew I wanted to tow and have slideouts for more room, so it was easy for me to cross Class B motor homes off of my list.

A Class C can have almost as much room as a Class A, and it’s a bit easier to drive. I gave them both a lot of thought, and eventually crossed the Class C off of my list. A Class A usually has the driver’s and passenger’s seats on the same level as the rest of the coach, so you can flip them around to have more seating. There is usually more head room, and the front window is huge in a Class A. They can also usually tow more, so I chose the Class A.

Floor Plans

You would think that choosing a manufacturer and type of motor home would bring you close to the final decision, but then you start looking at floor plans. If you are looking at multiple manufacturing years, you’ll have still more floor plans to consider. This is often the most difficult part of the decision-making process. Things to consider:

How many people will usually be sleeping in the motor home, and how tall are they? You may need a bunkhouse floor plan (with bunk beds) or just a king-sized bed for two.
Will you do a lot of cooking in the motor home? Think about appliances (refrigerator, three-burner stove, oven, dishwasher), the sink (size, material, faucet), and counter space.
Do you need a big shower? Larger and taller people may have a hard time with the smaller showers (don’t be afraid to get inside showers in the showroom, shut the doors, and pretend to wash your hair).
Is a queen-sized bed enough, or do you want a king-sized bed in the master bedroom?
Do you want a couch and a dinette or would one of those be enough?
How many pounds will you be towing?
Do you want extras like a washer and dryer, fireplace, or outdoor grill?

Once you have your short list of models, search for them on YouTube.com. There are lengthy walk-throughs of almost all models, put together by dealerships and vendors. If you watch multiple videos of the same model you can get a very good idea of what to expect from it.

For me, I wanted a shower that was a decent size and a main TV that was directly across from the couch. I also liked the floor plans with doors in the middle of the coach instead of in the front, which really cut down the number of options I had.

Getting the Most for Your Money

Don’t assume you have to buy locally. It may seem easier to have your dealership within driving distance when there are problems with your new motor home, but in many cases you will pay a lot more for that option. You don’t have to get your motor home serviced where you purchased it.

Start by looking online for the models you have in mind. RVTrader.com is an amazing resource because it features new and used coaches, and almost all dealerships use it. It will give you a good idea of how much your dream RVs will cost. You can also pick out individual coaches with the right prices.

Once you have one or two you like, call the dealership to talk about it. In some cases, their price is negotiable. Many salespeople will help you find the right coach if they can’t meet your requirements.

I ended up flying from Denver to Dallas to pick my motor home up from Motor Home Specialists. I worked with Jimmy on the phone, who was very helpful and patient with all of my questions. Then I put $1,000 down and went to go pick it up. They got me from the airport to the dealership, fed me lunch in their restaurant, and I signed the paperwork by noon. They have hookups and places to camp at their dealership, so I was able to really make sure I was ready before I drove away. I was even able to drive around their lot and practice parking before ever leaving the dealership. Even with the drive home from Dallas, I paid less than I would have if I bought it locally.

With some careful planning, you can find your dream RV.

Ouray KOA

September 14, 2017 by Monica Israels Leave a Comment

Sometimes, the light bulb that illuminates over your head when you realize something is so bright it’s blinding. This trip to Ouray was one of those times, for me. The campground was awesome, and I had a nice spot at the end of a row with open woods nearby. That was on a Thursday.

On Friday, the rest of the campground filled up. That’s when I realized how close the other sites were — especially my neighbor’s fire ring. They had a bonfire going that was very close to my popup, and they had a whole tribe of people with them. It was a party. We hung out at a friend’s site that was a bit farther away.

I started talking with some people in a big motor home, and they told me about how they started out tent camping, then moved to a truck camper, and then happily settled on their motor home. They seemed happy, and I started thinking again about how camping in a popup isn’t always great. There were bears in the area, and I couldn’t keep anything in my trailer. A hard-sided coach wouldn’t have an issue.

I made it out alive, and woke up the last morning after my other camping friend had already left (Niko was in a tent and he had an early appointment). The propane heater had been on all night, and there was condensation all over the inside of the canvas popup. I hadn’t left enough of the window unzipped. It was sunny, though, so I didn’t think it would take long to dry it out. I wiped it out with a towel as much as I could, and then turned fans on and unzipped windows.

I packed, and I was ready to go when it was still a little damp. So I waited it out. Finally, it was okay to pack it up and I folded it all together and went over to start the Jeep. It wouldn’t start. I had lights, but it wouldn’t turn over. My little jump starter wouldn’t start it, either.

The friendly people in the campground came out of the woodwork to help me. While they poked at the engine, I called State Farm to make a plan. My tow vehicle was dead, and I was in a campground past check-out time. Then, one of the men figured out that the battery disconnect wasn’t letting enough charge through to start the Jeep. He removed it, and the Jeep started right up. The very thing I put in the Jeep to save the battery was its demise.

I thanked everyone, and they were all so nice. But I had to be on my way. I was jealous of my neighbors in motor homes.

On I-70 on the trip back to Denver, a big truck was on its side and blocking all traffic coming the other way for many, many miles. People were hanging out all over, sitting on the medians. Then I noticed the motor homes, parked. People inside were probably watching TV, using their own bathrooms, and getting cold drinks out of refrigerators. I was jealous.

Then it started raining, and the Jeep hydroplaned for just a second or two coming down from Eisenhower Tunnel. It has always been a bit of a challenge to keep on the road, especially going downhill, and towing the trailer didn’t help. I needed to make a change.

I started shopping for a new motor home as soon as I was back and in one piece. I found one in Dallas and had it home by the end of the month. Jealousy, be gone! My life just changed for the better, and it’s going to be a fun ride.

Jumbo Campground

August 16, 2017 by Monica Israels Leave a Comment

Now this is the life! As we were pulling away at the end of a week on Grand Mesa, we already couldn’t wait to come back. The mesa is a huge expanse of trees and lakes above Grand Junction, and the scenery is so different and cool.

There are a lot of campgrounds, and the Jumbo Campground is the most developed. There were nice pit toilets (as nice as pit toilets can be), and everything was clean and perfect. We had a few different sites, and not all of them were perfect because of some rude neighbors. Still, it was a fantastic time.

We did almost all of the Jeep trails in the area, so it will be a few years before we see it again. We can’t wait for it!

Choosing a Camp Spot

June 23, 2017 by Monica Israels Leave a Comment

If you just want to get out of the city and into the wilderness, it can be a bit challenging to figure out where to go. Especially if you live near the Rocky Mountains — there are so many places available.

Different Places to Camp

Where you go will depend on what you’ll be camping in. A tent will give you more options than a motor home, simply because you can go anywhere with a tent. Assuming you have a tent and you can carry everything on your back, these are the high-level options.

Established Campgrounds with Amenities

The names of these campgrounds often include the word “park” or “resort,” and they usually have a website featuring photos and online reservation capabilities.

Mountain Views RV Resort near Creede, Colorado

Reservations	The most difficult to get Make reservations months to a year in advance to get the best spots
Cost	Between $20/night and $100/night
Pros	You will have water, sewer, and electric hookups for RVs Amenities include plumbed restrooms, showers, Wi-Fi, cable TV, and laundry Usually include activities for the kids and attractions are nearby
Cons	The most expensive option Strict quiet hours Lots of fellow campers Usually not very natural

National and State Park Campgrounds

You can usually make reservations for these campgrounds (visit ReserveAmerica.com for most of them). They are almost always in locations reserved for public use, so they often are the only options for developed campgrounds in that area.

Campground at Sylvan Lake State Park in Colorado

Reservations	Usually difficult to get Make reservations six months in advance
Cost	Between $10/night and $30/night
Pros	There are many campgrounds with hookups Locations are usually in the wilderness Often the only way to camp in public lands with a large RV
Cons	Many do not have hookups, or only electricity Many do not have plumbing, and only pit toilets Difficult to get a spot sometimes

Established Camping in National Forests or BLM Lands

The Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) have reserved campgrounds without amenities, usually in the wilderness. This is as close to nature as you can get while still having a campsite with clear boundaries.

Lower Hermosa Campground in the San Juan National Forest

Reservations	Rarely accepted, usually first come, first served Fees usually required each night, honor system
Cost	Between free and $20/night
Pros	Many campgrounds are quiet, with lots of trees and space between sites Usually includes h a picnic table and campfire ring Often next to scenic lakes and mountains Rarely near a town
Cons	Rarely have hookups or plumbing Pit toilets are often not very clean or modern Often far from the nearest town

Dispersed Camping

Though there are some dispersed campsites that are flat and easy enough to get into for a big motor home, most are not suitable for a large RV. This is as remote and close to nature as you can get with a trailer or camper.

Reservations	Not accepted First come, first served
Cost	Free
Pros	Free Little planning required other than the area you want to camp in Natural environment
Cons	Sometimes difficult to get a good spot, especially on holiday weekends No hookups or amenities, rarely even a pit toilet nearby

Primitive Camping

You leave your vehicle behind and pack everything on your back to get to these places. Some are a short walk from your car, while others take days to reach. This is also known as backpacking.

Reservations	Not accepted First come, first served
Cost	Free
Pros	You can set up your tent and sleep anywhere on public lands You can be miles away from the nearest person, town, or noise
Cons	You have to depend only on yourself, and if you have troubles there is no one to help you You can only bring what you can carry There are no fire rings or picnic tables There are no amenities, including pit toilets

How to Choose

With all of these options, how do you figure out where to go? If you have a motor home, choose a campground where you can make a reservation or where you know the spots are large, level, and don’t have any low-hanging tree branches. Choose a location, and then find a campground. If you are not booking very far in advance, you may need to widen your area search until you find one you like.

If you have a tent and you are willing to walk with your camping gear, figure out how remote you want to be. If you camp near other people, there will be help if you need it but you won’t have as much privacy. If you want to “car camp” so you can bring camp chairs and all of your gear, find dispersed camping or a campground on public lands.

No matter what you choose, take comfort in the fact that there are very few bad choices. A bad time camping is almost always due to be unprepared, usually because of the weather (rain, no shade in the hot sun, etc.) or temperature (not having enough clothes or fire starters to keep warm). If you are prepared, you’ll have a good time.

High Country RV Park

October 18, 2016 by Monica Israels Leave a Comment

We wanted to explore Uncompahgre National Forest, and Naturita was right where we wanted to have home base. But it’s a small town, and there aren’t many options. High Country RV Park was our best bet.

It’s a vast, dry location with big spots. There is plenty of room between them. The owner is very helpful and nice, and they’re trying very hard to make it nice. There are full bathrooms with showers like you’re at someone’s house.

But it’s bare bones. Julie stayed in an old trailer that was offered as a rental, which was very rustic but it worked.

It was comical, how bad it was. We saw a deer in the trash across the road at the side of someone’s house. There was a church nearby with a big light that flashed off and on all night, and we made up a “Disco Jesus” song to it.

I would stay here again in a motor home or hard-sided trailer or camper, but in a popup it was too depressing.