Thousand Trails Medina Lake RV Campground, Lakehills, TX

Trent will be your driver for today's post.

We stayed at the Thousand Trails Medina Lake RV Campground in Lakehills, TX for two weeks at the end of July, 2016. Overall our review is we would happily stay here again.

Verizon coverage was good enough for work and Netflix for both our phones and our jetpack without using an antenna or booster.

There were lots of sites to chose from. They ranged from flat and shaded to not-so-flat and full Sun. We went for a flat spot with good morning and evening shade. Our electric, water, and sewer hook-ups all worked as expected.

The pool was nice and big.

The lake was nice but we chose to stay up on a hill in case there was a storm. We didn't want to worry about flooding and we thought there might be fewer bugs away from the lake. Bugs were not a problem for us at all, so maybe they would've have been a problem down by the lake.

Deer are everywhere in this RV park. They don't really care if you get within a few feet of them when passing by. If you want to see deer - this is your park. We also saw a Roadrunner and a dung beetle (someone has to clean up after the deer).

We seemed to have had the place to ourselves a lot of the time. I worked down at the rec house a few times. The WiFi there was very slow. It wouldn't be fast enough for work but would be ok for checking mail or maybe a website or two.

The laundry mat (building with ramp) was good for an RV park and the bathrooms were in decent shape. 

This is a Thousand Trails; the place could use some work but everything was functional. Nothing is in perfect condition but we don't really expect that for the price we like to pay.

More important / Less important

Trent will be your driver for this post.

Moving into an RV has been a change but, for me, it’s not as big of a change as you might expect. Since 2007 I have been working remotely. I haven’t needed to live anywhere in particular. I really haven’t felt attached to any place since Montana and that attachment is about nature not people. Leaving Indiana, the last place we lived, was easy. What has changed is some things have become more important and some things have become less important.

More important:

Quarters: I haven’t carried about coins in a long time. We paid with plastic everywhere we could. We just dropped whatever coins we ended up with in an old coffee tin. Now I search for quarters, I would be happy to get quarters, and I keep them in a special place. Laundry mats will do that to a person.

Flip-flops: I don’t particular like flip-flops. They are not great for going off the pavement, they aren’t good for speed, and the noise they make is somewhat annoying. However, we go in and out of the RV so often that putting on shoes and socks every time would be a pain. I bought a pair for 99 cents that lasted over a month and was happy to upgrade to a $9.99 pair when the super cheap pair finally broke.

Waste management: Unless there was a need for a plunger, waste management was something I thought about once a week at trash time before we moved into the RV. Now, I think about it daily. We have to make sure we don’t fill up the tanks before dumping them and our tiny kitchen trash can has to be emptied almost daily.



Less important:  

TV:  It’’s not that I wouldn’t watch it if I could but in the RV if I watch the TV everyone else can hear it. In our old house, I could watch with headphones on when Susanne and Sam were in other rooms. Now I’ll catch an over-the-air MASH or Gilligan's Island every once in a while but TV has become much less of a thing.


Mail: We don’t go to the mailbox daily any more to see what’s in it. We don’t get daily mail wherever we park the RV. At best, we get the mail maybe once a month. Mail is something I think about every few weeks now.

Local news: Since I was a newspaper boy in the 80’s I’ve always followed the local news. Everywhere I have ever lived, I’ve read the local paper. I thought about doing that in the RV by reading the local online news for wherever we were parked but that didn’t last very long. Now I just briefly review a major Texas newspaper but I hardly keep up with it.

Where are you from?

Trent will be your driver for this post.

The answer to this question has been hard for me since about 2001. Before that, I could always just say Pennsylvania without really thinking about it. I went to kindergarten though college in PA although I had lived in NJ when I was a toddler and ended up getting married in NJ (but that’s another story).


However by 2001 I had been living in Nashville for three years;  so when Susanne and I left Nashville for more grad school in Arizona I think I started to say I was from Tennessee. Susanne and I had met there and it best explained why we were in Arizona (because we went to Vanderbilt for geology).

In 2002, things started to get a little more confusing. We left Arizona after one year for North Carolina. Now saying we were from Arizona didn’t seem right after a year and we were not coming from Tennessee. I may have reverted back to saying I was from PA but explaining we more recently moved from AZ and from TN before that.


In 2006, we moved to Montana. After owning a house in North Carolina, and having lived there for a few years, and having just moved from there I told people in Montana we were from North Carolina. However, people would often point out I didn’t have a southern accent and then I would have to give a more fuller answer to the question of where I am from.

In 2007, Susanne and I and now Sam (born in Montana) moved to California (are you dizzy yet? Start taking notes, this story is just starting). I loved Montana. I had no problems saying I was from Montana because I wanted it to be true and Sam was born there. People in Santa Cruz don’t really care where you are from, they just want you to relax, and have a beer or go the beach with them. In California, I didn’t get to say I was from Montana all that often.

In 2008, (yes we moved again…are you seeing why we ended up in an RV?) we moved back to TN. Ok, this made the question a bit easier again. I just started saying we were from TN. We just bought a house with the intention of staying and have lived there before. So I was from TN. Sure I didn’t sound like a southerner but I can throw in a few southern phases here and there without sounding funny.



In 2014, we moved to Indiana. Where was I from? TN. We just moved from there, I’d lived there for about 10 years, and Sam basically considers TN his home state.

In 2016, we moved into Clark and “moved” to Texas.  Where am I from? Good question. I’m not from Indiana. Am I from TN? Well, I lived there for 10 years and that was my go-to answer since college but I lived in PA for much longer than that. However, saying I’m from PA skips over the last 18 years so that isn’t the right answer either. I’d loved to be able to claim Montana but we lived in North Carolina for longer. My driver’s license indicates I’m from Livingston, TX.  I’ve known real Texans and I’ve learned enough from them to know not to claim to be a Texan.



Where am I from?

The answer depends on the day.  Here are my common answers and non-answers to that question.

1) I grew up in PA.
2) We left Indiana to start RVing but I’m not from there.
3) Officially Texas.
4) Over there.
5) Good question.
6) I’m not sure anymore.
7) I don’t know.
8) We staying at fill-in-the-blank.
9) Blank stare.
10) The lower 48?

Anyone have a better answer I can use?

Campground Expenses: June and July

Susanne is your driver for this post.

One of the most common questions people ask RVers is this: How much does it cost to RV, and how do you afford it? Although I don't feel comfortable putting our entire budget on the Internet, I will say this: The cost depends, and we make it work (so far). We are not a wealthy family. Nowhere close to it. Like many families, we work a lot, we worry about money, and we have debts. We chew on our fingernails before payday. Yet we're still doing this. It just means that while on the road, we try (TRY - we don't always succeed!) to be extremely conscientious about spending.

One of the best things about a nomadic lifestyle is that it's flexible: you can save a lot of money simply by being selective about where you park your rig. Some RVers have the funds to stay at fully-outfitted parks that cost hundreds of dollars a month. Other RVers are at the other end of the spectrum: they look for opportunities to boondock (park their rig without connecting to water, electricity, or sewer) at little or no cost.

We're somewhere in the middle. Because we're currently in the hot and steamy southern U.S., we don't want to boondock at this point. On the other hand, we've found ways to reduce spending at campgrounds and RV parks.

Here's a rundown of our camping expenses for the months of June and July (note: in some cases I have not included discounts; I have also not included the Thousand Trails membership fees in the breakdown):

June 1-5: Thousand Trails Diamond Caverns (Mammoth Cave NP, Kentucky) - Full Hookups - The campground was out of our "network" at that time (before we obtained a TT pass for the entire country), so we paid a fee. Cost: $158.40

June 5-16: Thousand Trails Natchez Trace (Hohenwald, Tennessee) - Full Hookups. Pool. Cost: $0

June 16-19: Tom Sawyer's RV Park (West Memphis, AR) - Full Hookups. No pool, but an amazing view of the Mississippi River. Cost: $75 

June 19-20: Shady Pines RV Park (Texarkana, TX) - Full Hookups. Cost: $29

June 20-23: Escapees Rainbows End Park (Livingston, TX) - Full Hookups. Pool. Cost: $63 (with membership discount)

June 23-29: Thousand Trails Lake Conroe (Lake Conroe, TX) - Full Hookups. Pool. Cost: $0

June 29-July 10: Housesitting and chihuahua-sitting in Austin, TX. Honestly, we are SO appreciative of our friends for allowing us to stay at their house while they were on vacation! The opportunity to hang out with a cool chihuahua and some sassy backyard chickens: priceless. Cost: $0 

July 10-15: McKinney Falls State Park (Austin, TX) - Water and Electric Hookups. Lovely trails and natural pools. Cost: $90

July 15-17: San Antonio KOA (San Antonio, TX) - Full Hookups. Pool. Cost: $150, give or take a few cents (Yup.)

July 17-August 1: Thousand Trails Medina Lake (outside of San Antonio, TX) - Full Hookups. Pool. Cost: $0

TOTAL SITE COSTS FOR JUNE AND JULY: $565 (~$283 per month)

What we've learned so far about selecting campsites with money in mind:

• State parks are a great choice, even if they don't have full hook-ups. McKinney Falls SP has a well maintained dump station, and we had no trouble accessing it when we needed to.

• KOA offers well-equipped campgrounds, but for us, they're generally too expensive. We stayed at the KOA in San Antonio because we wanted to wait a few extra days before signing into Medina Lake. KOA was convenient. Maybe it's worth it in a pinch (especially now that we're part of their membership program), but we won't be doing it often.

• Housesitting in early July saved us a bundle. We may look into housesitting again in the future. 

• Thousand Trails is a great deal. Being able to stay in one place for up to two weeks with full hookups and a pool (the pool makes a big difference in the happiness of our child) without paying anything beyond the membership costs is pretty amazing.

• Sometimes, spending a little more money is worth it. That was the case with Tom Sawyer's RV Park. The sites were flat and level, and we were situated right on the banks of the Mississippi River. The unique nature of the campground made it worthwhile for us.

What are your tips for saving money while RVing? 

A Letter from Biscuit: A Day in the Life of an RV Cat

Your driver for this post is (The Illustrious) Biscuit.

Good day, humans of the world, and a happy new week to you! As my previous post was clearly quite popular and well received, I thought I should take a few minutes from my very busy schedule to give you more information about the day in the life of an RV cat. I know you have been waiting with bated breath for me to write again, and I apologize for the delay - but you must understand that I do have other obligations. Patience, please.

My day almost always starts out around 4 AM when, although it is still dark outside and my lazy human family is still sleeping, I begin the watch for birds and deer. This is one of my primary jobs in the RV, and though The Humans do not acknowledge it, it is a critical one.

I generally watch from the window of the back bedroom. The challenge is in shoving aside The Lady, who insists that the pillow is hers and hers alone. (Young felines of the world, I have learned that the key in these situations is persistence: by simply meowing repeatedly, scratching at the window, and sticking your back end in your human's face, you can usually get them to back down and relinquish territory. The Lady, though she doth protest, gives in every time.)

Once I am satisfied that the wildlife has been kept at bay, I request my breakfast. They insist on serving me drivel from a bag but occasionally I manage a nip of whatever they're consuming.

I mean look at this stuff. Would YOU eat it?

This smoothie was quite good, though I'd recommend less mango, more mouse.

Sometimes I have to snuggle with The Lady in order to get some food. Shudder.

After breakfast, I play with my best friend, Sam, and then clock in for my main job as The Nice Man's administrative assistant. 

"Do you have an appointment? I don't think you do."

In between my other obligations, I roam our tiny house and make sure everything is in good working order. Oftentimes the RV is not to my standards.

Like this thing. It keeps leaking water:

I sat in here for a good ten minutes in an effort to alert everyone to the problem. The Humans seem unconcerned. Their cluelessness is rather sad, actually.

In the afternoons, Sam and The Nice Man go swimming, and The Lady does something she calls "yoga." I have been forced to participate.

I protest by sitting in Shavasana the entire time. 

In the evenings, while The Humans are brushing their teeth and getting ready for bed, I blow off some steam.

I mean, they keep me trapped here in this tiny moving box. What do they expect will happen?

Yes, life on the road is difficult for an RV cat, but as you can see, I am mustering my strength and persevering nonetheless. Your messages of encouragement are greatly appreciated. Please keep them coming.

(Just don't expect me to respond right away. I have a lot going on.)

Until next time,

Biscuit

RV-Based Business: Can I Make It Work? Post #1

Susanne is your driver for this post.

My question: I want to expand my health and wellness coaching business while on the road... Can I make that happen?

BACKGROUND: Last October, while still employed as a college professor, I signed up as a coach with Beachbody, LLC. If you've ever found yourself eating Cheetos and watching infomercials at 2 AM, you probably know that Beachbody is a company that creates and distributes health and wellness systems - comprehensive programs that promote regular exercise, healthy eating, and community support.

I signed on as a coach because I loved the products. A few months prior, I'd purchased the 21 Day Fix program and, with the help of my own coach, completely overhauled my lifestyle habits. I committed to the plan and it worked: over the course of several months, I lost 20 pounds, gained muscle, began replacing processed foods with whole foods, and started to run again. I was sold on the product, and I signed on as a coach in the hopes that perhaps I could help others and make a little profit in the process.

But let's make one thing very, very clear: I am a scientist by training, not a salesperson. My lack of business acumen dates all the way back to grade school when, every year without fail, I was the Girl Scout in my troop who sold the fewest boxes of cookies. It wasn't for lack of trying (I mustered up my courage, went door to door, and tried my best to charm the neighbors), nor was it because I didn't believe in the product (the empty wrappers in the trash can attested to my enthusiasm). I just lacked confidence: who'd want to buy cookies from me? 

Despite my reservations and lack of self confidence, there was something about the Beachbody coaching opportunity that gripped me. I liked the programs, I liked how I felt, I liked the way my own coach presented herself, I liked that the changes I made had stuck, I liked the people I was meeting through the coaching experience, and I liked seeing other people make their health a priority. After thoroughly researching the company's background and reputation, I set aside my hesitations and jumped in.

THE FIRST TEN MONTHS: I had little idea what to do once I signed on as a coach. I knew I needed to keep working out and using the programs, so I did that. In my free time, I participated in some training sessions, co-led some online accountability groups (something I love doing), and made a few bad decisions (see below). I often felt discouraged, but I stuck with it and was excited to learn. Despite my lack of experience and poor marketing judgment, I earned about $800 in the first ten months. Not too shabby, all things considered.

BEACHBODY AS AN RV-BASED BUSINESS: When we decided to become full-time RVers, my plan was to contribute to our family's total income by teaching online college classes. It seemed like the perfect gig for a digital nomad with an academic background. I signed on with a school early this year, submitted all requisite paperwork, and completed their intensive training. To date, however, I have received no course offerings, and prospects seem bleak (that the teaching plan fell through is really no surprise, as adjuncting these days is unpredictable at best, exploitative at worst). 

Although I was disappointed, I discovered that I was kind of excited. I like a challenge, and when the chips are down, I get creative. I realized that I could use the time and energy that I would have spent grading and participating in discussion forums to build my coaching business - something that energizes me every day. I also figured that "nomadic coaching" might offer me a unique opportunity to connect with other folks who live on the road yet are still trying to find ways to eat well, get in some exercise, and connect with others.

MY CURRENT STRATEGY: My two primary goals are 1) to provide individually-tailored support and encouragement to my clients as they work towards their health and wellness goals and 2) to slowly build and develop a team of dedicated, enthusiastic coaches who are committed to their clients and their businesses. My current strategy for meeting those goals includes the following:

• Sharing health and wellness tips, recipes, and photos via a Facebook business page and our Instagram account
• Advertising, participating in, and co-leading online fitness challenge groups for our Beachbody customers
• Walking the walk: exercising, eating well, trying new Beachbody programs as they come out, and being kind to myself
• Checking in with my current clients on a regular basis via email or through our accountability groups
• Obtaining a Certified Health Coach certification through the Dr. Sears Wellness Institute (I'm currently in the second week of a six-week program)

CAN I TAKE THIS BUSINESS FURTHER?: That's what I want to know. I have plenty of entrepreneurial spirit and a wealth of enthusiasm for fitness and coaching, but I also have little experience in the business arena. So every four weeks for the next six months, I'll write a post that provides an update on the coaching business: strategies that worked and didn't work, successes, challenges, profits. And at the end of six months, I'll reassess: Can I make this work? And regardless of the answer - yes or no - what can other digital nomads learn from my experience?

If you have suggestions, experience, and/or advice to share, please do comment and let me know. I am a beginner in this arena, and I'm open to learning. Moreover, if you're a digital nomad who's running your own business, I'd love to hear more about your successes and challenges!

Things We Saw On The Way To The Activity Center

Our current RV campground stretches for about a mile between the entrance gate (where the pool and laundry are located) and the shores of  Lake Medina (close to the campground activity center). Today, Sam and I braved the heat and hiked from our campsite near the pool down to the activity center and the lake. 

Along the way we saw some really big trees...

 

And the lake itself...

 

And lots of deer...

 

And, in the activity center, a Tony Little workout video circa 1991. As seen on TV, of course. 

 

Texas does not disappoint. Obviously.

So You Want To Live In An RV: What Will You Need?

Trent and I have received a few questions lately to the effect of, "We're thinking about RVing full time. What should we bring?" Because space in an RV is so limited, it's important to think critically about what you need/want to haul and what you can/should leave behind (we now realize that even though we worked hard to bring only the necessities, we still brought too much!)

We've compiled a list of products that we purchased, use on a regular basis, and highly recommend to other RVers and would-be RVers. (Note: these links are Amazon affiliate links, meaning that if you purchase the product via the link, Amazon will toss us a few cents in loose change. Many digital nomads are using this as a way to generate a little extra income.) We've also briefly described what we use each product for and why we like it so much.

A disclaimer: We can only speak to what's worked well for our 29 foot Coachmen Freelander. Obviously, certain specific products (such as the RV cover) will not work for every type of rig. With RVs, one size does not fit all.

RV ELECTRONICS:

1. Progressive Industries EMS-PT30C Portable EMS RV Surge Protector - 30 Amp

• What it does: Protects our RV from a range of electrical issues and helps us monitor our amp draw so we know how close we are to our 30 amp limit.
• Why we like it: When selecting a camping site, we check the electric post with the surge protector BEFORE we set up everything else. This device lets us know everything is in working order and within acceptable limits. If not, we can select a new site before setting everything else up.

2. Camco 55501 PowerGrip 25' Cord with 30 AMP Male Standard/30 AMP Female Locking Adapter

• What it does: Works as an extension cord for our RV.
• Why we like it: It allows us to park farther away from the electrical post if we need to find level ground, better shade, or a nice view.

3. Camco 55175 18" PowerGrip Dogbone Electrical Adapter with Handle

• What it does: Allows us to hook our 30 amp RV to a 50 amp outlet.
• Why we like it: If the only site left is 50 amps, we could stay at that site. Also, sometimes the 50 amp outlet is in better condition than the 30 amp outlet on the same electric post. This device gives us a better chance of a good electrical hook-up.

4. Camco 55165 15M/30F 12" PowerGrip Dogbone Electrical Adapter with Handle

• What it does: Allows us to hook up our 30 amp RV to a standard household outlet.
• Why we like it: If we park in someone's driveway for the night, we can still get electricity to the RV.

WATER AND SEWER GEAR:

1. Camco 43051 20' Sidewinder Plastic Sewer Hose Support

• What it does: Keeps the gray and black water moving in the right direction and prevents, well, stagnation...
• Why we like it: Flexible yet sturdy.

2. Camco 40285 RV Green Disposable Dump Glove - 50 Pairs

• What it does: Protects our hands while we deal with the sewage tanks.
• Why we like it: Because nobody wants to touch poop water or contaminate the entire family.

3. Walex TOI-91799 Deodorizer

• What it does: Eliminates unseemly odors that emanate from the black tank.
• Why we like it: Because we'd rather not smell our toilet.

4. Camco 20123 Brass Water Wye Valve

• What it does: Bifurcates a single water outlet.
• Why we like it: With this valve, we can hook up both a freshwater hose and a hose for washing or flushing the tanks.

5. Camco 40043 TastePURE Water Filter with Flexible Hose Protector

• What it does: Helps clean/filter water from city water lines.
• Why we like it: Light, effective, easy to install, easy to store.

6. Camco 39062 Dual Flush Pro Holding Tank Rinser with Gate Valve

• What it does: Makes emptying the gray and black tanks easy and sanitary.
• Why we like it: Permits easy cleaning of the black tank to remove any remaining residue.

7. Camco 22783 TastePURE Drinking Water Hose (5/8"ID x 25') - Lead Free 

• What it does: Serves as designated hose for drinking water.
• Why we like it: A standard hose is not suitable for drinking water, and we like to drink water!

8. Camco 22505 90 Degree Hose Elbow - Lead Free

• What it does: Hooks up to your water intake and connects to the water hose.
• Why we like it: It allows the hose to run straight down and not out and down forcing the hose to bend. This reduces wear and tear on the hose.

9. Camco 39761 RhinoFLEX 15' RV Sewer Hose Kit with Swivel Fittings

• What it does: Hooks up to the sewage tanks (black and gray) and runs to the sewage dump.
• Why we like it: It's easy to connect and disconnect and compresses into a much smaller size for storage.

10. ETL 26781 White Body Spa Oxygenics Shower with 60" Hose 

• What it does: Maximizes water pressure while reducing excess use of water.
• Why we like it: You can press a knob to turn off the water flow while you're soaping up; easy to install.

RV MAINTENANCE:

1. ADCO 2509 Clear RV Windshield Cover

• What it does: Keeps the windshield covered while we're in camp and helps manage indoor air temperature.
• Why we like it: Easy to put on and take off; easy to store; relatively inexpensive.

2. Carrand 93210 Long Chenille Microfiber Wash Mop with 48" Extension Pole

• What it does: Allows you to gently wash your RV without use of a stepladder.
• Why we like it: Effective; inexpensive; eliminates risk of someone falling off a ladder and breaking something.

3. Bug Scrubber RV Car Aircraft Bug Remover

• What it does: Removes all of the bugs that attached themselves to your windshield as you were driving.
• Why we like it: It works! Bug guts are sticky and can be hard to remove.

4. Aero Cosmetics Wet or Waterless Car Wash Wax 16 oz.

• What it does: Gently removes the grime from the side of your RV without the need for water.
• Why we like it: It's good for fast, effective spot cleaning in camp - no hoses needed.

5. Aero Cosmetics Waterless Car Wash & Wax 128 oz.

• What it does: Same as above - just in a larger size.
• Why we like it: We use this product fairly often, so we like to carry the larger size with us.

6. Dicor 501LSW1 White Lap Sealant - 10.3 oz. 

• What it does: Easily repairs small rips, tears, and weathered areas on roof of RV.
• Why we like it: Easy to apply; quickly repairs potential leak points in roof.

7. Aero Cosmetics Tire Shine Protectant, 16oz 

• What it does: Protects tires from damaging UV rays.
• Why we like it: Easy to apply.

KITCHEN TOOLS AND APPLIANCES:

1. Camco 43753 Hardwood Stove Topper and Cutting Board

• What it does: Fits over the stove, thereby creating additional counter space for food prep and improving efficiency of the kitchen area.
• Why we like it: Sturdy; doesn't move while the RV is in motion (thanks to grippy material on the base of the board).

2. Melitta Coffee Maker, Porcelain 6 Cup Pour-Over Brewer

• What it does: Provides liquid of the gods to sleepy RVers.
• Why we like it: Easy to use; easy to clean.

3. Instant Pot IP-LUX50 6-in-1 Programmable Pressure Cooker, 5Qt/900W

• What it does: Cooks everything from beans to rice to veggies to soups and stews to cheesecake - and in the fraction of time required by regular appliances.
• Why we like it: Fast, effective, and easy to clean and store.

4. Magic Bullet Blender, Small

• What it does: Blends single-serving smoothies and shakes.
• Why we like it: Small, easy to store, easy to clean.

IN CAMP:

1. Camco 42805 60" x 78" Handy Mat with Strap

• What it does: Reduces amount of dust and dirt carried into the RV.
• Why we like it: Helps maintain cleanliness of RV interior; inexpensive; colorful; easy to store.

2. Camco 44432 Wheel Chock

• What it does: Helps keep the RV from rolling away while parked. Whew!
• Why we like it: Light and inexpensive.

3. Tri-Lynx 00015 Lynx Levelers, (Pack of 10)

• What it does: Levels out your RV if you're parked on uneven ground.
• Why we like it: Light, easy to use, easy to clean and store.

4. Modkat Litter Box Kit

• What it does: Provides your cat with a relatively attractive, private place to use the facilities.
• Why we like it: It fits nicely in the cab of the RV (between the driver's and passenger's seats); reduces scatter of kitty litter throughout the rig; includes a reusable, sturdy liner.