Fodor's New USA Guide

One of the advantage's of being a travel writer is that every once and a while someone offers you a book of interest to take a look at. Fodor's thought that their new Essential USA would be right up my alley - and they were right.

I love the way that this book is laid out - it is done like you would drive to a particular area and then explore around the area. Not only are the place descriptions right on, but they also provide insider information on the best times to visit, interesting little factoids, top experiences and much more. They also include lesser known locations and quirky, fun places to see. The dining and places to stay offer a broad range of options for every taste.

Whether you enjoy national parks, shopping, museums, food experiences or a little of everything, this book will lead you in the right direction.

If you are a serious road tripper, you must have this book by your side.

Dreamin' - September Edition

Ahhh, welcome to Fall... I love to travel in the fall - besides the obvious change of school being back in session and summer vacations being over - there is the beauty of the season. Everywhere across the country the seasonal changes just beg travelers to slow down and discover the wonder of the landscape. Wine grape crushes, cider making, "leaf peeping", late vegetable harvests, pumpkin carving, fall football games and all the nesting activities related to preparing for winter make the experience more enjoyable - and the smaller crowds, less traveled roads and less expensive accommodations are all just bonuses to the lush, rich time of year. Where do you like to go at this time of year? We visited Spokane to see my sister and on to one of my all time favorite places - Flathead Lake in Montana (pictured), where the extended family has a wonderful space where we can enjoy each other, catch up on our lives and reminisce about days gone by. Soon we'll head for Joseph, Or, one of the most beautiful places anywhere (they don't call the nearby Wallowa Mountains the US "Swiss Alps for nothing) to see one of the kids and family. We hope you are all planning a road trip during this wonderful time of year. Phil and Carol White

You Just Never Know Live Your Road Trip Dream has been so fortunate to have lots of media coverage over the years, but now we are getting coverage in places not really even related to traveling. A good example is this month's write-up in More Magazine having to do with retiring and what will you do with your time? Here's the link, we are on the third page, but the whole article is interesting if you are getting close to retirement.

We have known for some time that there are more and more people hitting the road just as soon as they can - and they are doing it earlier and earlier in life. A few months ago, I ran into Billy and Akaisha Kaderli who have traveled extensively and are now doing it full-time and having the time of their lives. Like so many of us, they have found passions and play often interact as they find ways to not only fill their days, but also profit from speaking, writing and other endeavors. You can "visit" them at their website. Another Family "Road Schooling" their way along One of the updates in the new edition is information to help families get on the road and combine it with their children's eduction. Recently Robert Streett and his family let us know about their adventures on the road. Robert, Josslyn, Sawyer and Robby are actually right here in the Pacific Northwest now - maybe we'll have a chance to meet them. Here is the link to their website.

Have Video, Will Travel? Here's your chance to win a copy of Fodor's new guide Essential USA I have two copies to give away, courtesy of Fodor's, so I'm going to have a little contest that is easy to enter and fun to win. Just send me a short (less than 3 minutes) video of some place in the US that you have been recently with a short note about why it was special. The top 2 videos will receive the guide and all of them will be used in this newsletter or on my blog to promote travel and Live Your Road Trip Dream. Sound like fun? Send them my way by October 30th. (MP4 format preferred)

From the Grab Bag of Travel Here are some of the interesting videos and websites that I've come across lately - hope you enjoy them. GiftVenture provides unique and interesting gifts for kids that are easy to do while you are on the road. I know I'm always trying to think of something different, this looks like fun. Tina Lorenz, a copy writer, shares her mobile office in her RV on a YouTube video - fun Have you ever wondered about how eco-friendly RVing is? Here are some great hints about being kind to the environment in your RV. And finally, if you've ever wondered what Phil and I look like on TV, you can now go here and see us in action. Send me your favorite blogs and websites and I'll be happy to include them from time to time. Don’t forget! Personally autographed copies of the book are always available on our website Also - RVed101's great videos are available through our site too www.roadtripdream.com

What do you think? We are always anxious to hear from our readers and friends about how we are doing. Always feel free to email us with your road trip questions or tips, or thoughts about the book. We’ll be printing some of your comments in the months to come. Where have your dreams taken you? Please send us your travel pictures taken on your road trip dream. We want to share stories of trips that were inspired by reading Live Your Road Trip Dream – Travel for a year for the cost of staying home. Until next time.. Keep Dreaming...

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Fall favorite times

I love to travel in the fall - besides the obvious change of school being back in session and summer vacations being over - there is the beauty of the season. Everywhere across the country (and the world) the seasonal changes just beg travelers to slow down and discover the wonder of the landscape. Wine grape crushes, cider making, "leaf peeping", late vegetable harvests, pumpkin carving, fall football games and all the nesting activities related to preparing for winter make the experience more enjoyable - and the smaller crowds, less traveled roads and less expensive accommodations are all just bonuses to the lush, rich time of year.

Where do you like to go at this time of year? We are heading out to the Spokane area to visit relatives and on to one of my all time favorite places - Flathead Lake in Montana, where the extended family has a wonderful space where we can enjoy each other, catch up on our lives and reminisce about days gone by.

Later, we'll be heading to Joseph, OR another beautiful spot often called the "Swiss Alps" of North America. We'll visit with the kids and take in the crisp days and cool nights.

We wish all of you safe and fun travels as we move into the fall season. We hope you are all planning a road trip during this wonderful time of year - if you need some ideas, just email us - carol at roadtripdream dot com.

Phil and Carol

Road Trip Travel Slowing Down?

Travel Slowing Down? Isn't that what everyone is saying this summer? Somehow, We're not believing it. We do think people may not being going as far or as fast, but from where we sit, folks are still traveling. We hear every week from someone who is getting ready to live their dream. Remember not to over react - yes the price of gas is up from last year, and yes we all have to decide what our priorities are; but... on a 1,000 mile road trip in a car that gets 22MPG, the added cost of fuel this year over last is about $40 - is that a reason to cancel your summer fun? If you drive an RV, the added cost is about double that, but the savings in lodging/ campgrounds more than makes up that difference. Fuel is only the number two or three item on your vacation expense list - besides you and your loved ones deserve a break and time together. Phil and Carol White

Home Marketing E-Book Now Available One of the questions that we get most frequently is about marketing your home to lease while you are gone on your trip. We never felt like we had enough room in the book to adequately cover this topic, so we put together an e-booklet that covers more information and examples of forms, letters, marketing materials, etc. than we have in the book. This e-book is now available for $4.95 on the website for those who want more information on marketing their home.

Visitors Come to See Us on their Road Trip Dream Keith and Mary McGrath have poured over their copy of Live Your Road Trip Dream for months and finally hit the road. In early May, they had made their way to Portland, Oregon and we got to visit with them for lunch. They have prepared well and are thoroughly enjoying their time on the road. We shared some good laughs, common stories and experiences and enjoyed seeing their choice of travel vehicles. We always invite our readers to contact us as they come through this area and see if we can arrange to meet - it is one of the true pleasures of having done this book. Hilarious new Road Tripping Book Hits the Market Visualize for just a minute a self-described Long Island, Jewish-American Princess and her easy-going husband embarking on a year long road trip - with two cats and a dog - in a bus. Doreen Orion has penned a wonderful armchair travel book called Queen of the Road and their website is one of the best I've seen. She and hubby Tim (Project Nerd) have more mis-adventures than the Griswold's and Doreen's way of dealing with each turn is to invent a new cocktail to get her through the trauma and back in the bus. If you are up for a fun read this summer, this is it.

You Think Your Fuel Bill is High? Hah! If you think the fuel bill for your RV is high, consider Carnival Corp., the parent company of nearly a dozen cruise lines including Carnival, Princess and Holland America. The company will spend nearly $2 Billion this year on fuel, up from $400 million five years ago. -- from RV Travel Newsletter

Blogs from Road Trippers of all Types One of the most fun ways to stay in touch on your road trip is to write a blog or keep a journal of some type. I have often mentioned MyTripJournal.com as my favorite for all around useability, ability to map and store photos and journals all together and the ability with one touch to send an email to family and friends about your updates. But some people are getting really creative with their blogs now. They are no longer dry text with a few pictures thrown in. Here are some of my favorites this spring. The Dream Year - A couple who has taken our lead and purchased a Class B - they are about to embark on their journey and going through those last terrifying, exhilarating weeks. The Long Honeymoon - These two young folks with a real knack for video are vagabonding around the US and have apparently found a way to get some sponsors for their trip. Lots of fun stuff going on at their site. Ty and Mari's Mobile Lifestyle Blog - These two younger boomers have really figured this technical stuff all out - you'll be amazed at all the various kinds of things they have incorporated into their blog - and it is a hoot just to follow them along. Anyone who's "logo" is cute legs sticking out an RV window with flip-flops on is my kind of gal! Live, Work Dream - Some great updated budget information from Rene and Jim who are just completing their first year on the road and are going to keep it up for a while longer. Congratulations to you both. They are long time "Dreaming" supporters. Send me your favorite blogs and websites and I'll be happy to include them from time to time. Don’t forget! Personally autographed copies of the book are always available on our website Also - RVed101's great videos are available through our site too www.roadtripdream.com

5 Reasons Why Gas Prices Shouldn’t Cancel Your Summer Fun

Everyone seems to be complaining about the high cost of fuel causing them to cancel their summer vacation plans. Carol White, co-author of the book “Live Your Road Trip Dream”, says, “I don’t like the higher prices, but if you take a realistic look at it, it’s something that most of us can deal with.”

Did you cancel last year’s plans? According to AAA, gas prices have increased an average of $.56 a gallon since this time last year. Let’s go crazy and say it has been $.75 a gallon in your area. If your summer trip is 1000 miles long and your car gets an average of 23 MPG, your fuel will cost $32.60 more this year than last. One dinner at home instead of eating out before you go will save that much. Is $32 any reason to cancel your vacation?

What does it really cost? When you add up all the expenses of a vacation, fuel only counts as about the second or third highest expense. Typically food and lodging will cost more than fuel. If you need to cut back, consider RVing or eating more meals in, or renting a slightly less expensive lodging.

How can you afford to RV? According to a study done for the RV Association, RVing is still less expensive than piling a family of four into an airplane and hotels for vacation. Using a similar example to the one above and a typical mid-size RV fuel economy of 12 MPG, the additional fuel cost for RV fuel this year would be $62.50. This is easily off-set by the lower cost of campgrounds vs. motels, resorts or cabins at your favorite destination.

What about family bonding? One of the best parts of taking a road trip or an RV get-away is the extra time you get to spend with your traveling companions. In the close quarters of automobiles, RVs, campgrounds and motels, a family has the opportunity to enjoy old-fashioned fun like cards, board games, campfires and more. It really is fun talking to your kids. Ditch the electronics just for the week and see what might happen.

And the final reason you shouldn’t let fuel get in your way? You and your family deserve the time together and the time away. Have everyone work together to be able to afford the extra cost of gas. Go on a Starbucks-free week, check for the best fuel prices, just say “no” to an evening at the movies, or take a pass on that cute new pair of shoes and you will have the added money to cover fuel. Don’t let the “psychology of price,” rather than real price get the best of you.

Have fun and enjoy your summer vacation.

*************************

Carol White is the co-author of the award-winning book, “Live Your Road Trip Dream” (www.roadtripdream.com) – the ultimate road trip planning guide for extended road trips. Carol and her husband Phil have traveled over 50,000 road miles in the past several years, visiting all fifty states and having visited all of the National Parks in the “lower forth-eight.” As national spokespeople for the RV Industry, they now spend their days speaking, writing, and helping others to live their dreams.