Posted on January 16, 2022January 23, 2022 by Fred

The Road is Calling: Is Your RV Ready?

This image shows a motor home going into Ventura KOA

Is Your RV Ready for Full time Adventure

It could have all started out as an harmless past time, you have been an avid outdoorsman, yet hated the idea of camping out in a tent. You have been dreaming about traveling but also wanted your comfort. Traveling via an RV provided you all that and more. Slowly you discovered the enjoyment and freedom of being able to go anywhere you wanted to and whenever you wanted. You came to the realization that this was the lifestyle that you wanted fulltime.

However, you realize that you currently lack the savings you need to fall back on, and you realize that you may need to wait many years before you can retire.

Ways to Begin Your Full time RV adventure

Let’s explore some ways that you may make some extra cash so you can begin your RV adventures now:

· You could join the RV Ambassadors Club. These sales representatives travel around to various RV parks explaining the benefits of the product or services to them. Or choose an organization that offers remote employment that match your unique capabilities. You can then realize your dream of traveling and earn a consistent living on the road.

· You may start your own travel website and blog about your adventures. Many blogs or web sites pay for themselves with ad revenue or product sales. All you need is a web connection and a laptop, there are plenty of exciting things to share as you travel in our great country. If online writing isn’t always your cup of tea, you could write articles and send them to magazines and journals, in particular the ones within the RV community.

· In case you have an eye for photography, you can take photographs of the diverse places you visit, the campers you meet, wildlife or birds that you see. Sell your pictures to travel or RV magazines, maybe even greeting card companies.

· You could start an ecommerce website in the RV or camping genre. Ecommerce stores are huge right now, there is always room for more if you position yourself in the marketplace correctly.

· You can find work at Amazon fulfillment centers, the yearly Beet harvest, corporate gate guards, or even property owners that need assistance. Every season, Pumpkin and Christmas Tree lots hire people and provide an RV parking space.

· You can also find work as a campground host, collecting camping fees, doing maintenance, etc. for a camping spot in the RV park. If you have management experience, most RV parks hire managers to run RV park operations.

Don’t Wait to Begin

You can wait to travel our great country when you retire, or better yet begin your full time RV lifestyle today. There are singles, couples, and families traveling full time. It doesn’t matter what age you are, your educational background, or ethnicity, this is a lifestyle. Do you hear the road calling? Join us, as full-time RVers, you’ll be glad you did.

Please LIKE and FOLLOW our two Facebook fan pages: Camping With The Ryes and Full Time RV Lifestyle

Posted on October 14, 2021October 10, 2022 by Fred

Common Sense: Campers Have Forgotten These Words

The two words defined

Today’s campers seem to have forgotten two words that would make campgrounds a lot better for all campers: Common Sense. These two words are the starting place for all those who venture into the woods to enjoy nature and camping. Webster’s Dictionary defines these two words as: sound and wise or prudent judgement based on a simple knowledge of the situation or facts.

In seven years of camphosting, I have observed that people seem to think that camping is just pitching a tent and doing whatever they please in the campground. Okay, I mean, camping is not rocket science, in fact, it is in my opinion, one of the most enjoyable experience a person can enjoy. However, a camper must use sound and prudent judgement when camping so that everyone at the campground can have a good time. Perhaps we can look at the campground rules, to understand how common sense applies to camping.

Common Sense in Action

Pets- My wife likes to say that it is illegal to go camping without your dog, in fact, she gives treats to all the dogs in the campground when the pet owner gives permission. Yet, there are several ways that a dog can be a nuisance in the campground.
Barking dogs, it is the pet owner’s responsibility to keep a dog quiet, so it does not disturb other campers.
Attended dogs, if you brought your dog with you, you should not leave the campground without your dog.
Unleashed dogs, other campers should not have to worry about their safety due to your unleashed dog. In fact, you can be cited for unleashed dogs, you can be liable for lawsuit if a dog bites a camper.
Pick Up After the Dog, no one should ever step in your dogs’ leavings. Carry bags and clean up after your dog.
Excessive Noises- Every camper in the campground or RV Park, are attempting to have a good time. Your good time should not impede your neighbor from having a good time.
Radios, TVs, Children, all noises should be kept in your campsite. You can listen to music at a respectful volume that your neighbor will not hear.
Conversation, Game Playing, you name the outdoor activity, it does not need to loud enough to disturb other people in the campground. Remember that noises, especially talking, carries, keep it at a respectful level.
Vehicles- People seem to always need their vehicle with them, I do not get it, if you are not sleeping in it, park it in a safe place.
Overflow is often the safest option for all concerned. I often see cars with the tail end sticking out into the roadway, it is usually dark at night in a campground, if another vehicle hits a poorly parked vehicle, both vehicles will be damaged.
Parking off the pavement, especially over pine needles or dry grass with a hot engine can start a fire, be careful when parking.
Disposal of waste- water- Waste water can damage the environment and create a nuisance for other campers.
Dishwashing water should be scattered over a wide area, away from other campers, streams, or other waterways. If you are camping in a forest area, do not dig holes for water disposal, make sure to strain food debris from the water and put in trash bag, before disposing of the water.
RV campers should never dispose of their grey water in a ecologically challenged area like the forest. Remember there are plants and animals that live there.
Fire- You will notice that I post a lot about fire and fire safety. I often use the bad pun, “fire makes me hot”, and as a host, I get easily upset when I see the stupid things that campers do.

Campfire Common Sense in Action

Never leave a campfire unattended. Do not even go to the bathroom, if you are alone, and leave the fire attended.
Do not go on a hike with a fire going.
Do not go to bed in your RV or tent, without putting out your campfire, you may not have the opportunity to wake up in the morning.
Do not leave the campsite for the weekend without putting out your fire.
Never have a campfire on the ground when a fire pit is available. A so-called rock ring fire is difficult to control when the wind starts blowing.
Never have anything hanging out of the fire pit. All wood that you plan on using in the fire pit, should fit fully in the fire pit. You must have an axe, bowsaw, hatchet, or chainsaw, to make firewood safe.
Build small fires that are easily controlled. Large fires tend to have embers blowing, in the forest, if an ember blows into the pine needles or into dry grass, a forest fire may occur.
Do not mutilate trees in the campground. Really, does this common sense item even need be said.
Nails in a tree will rust and kill the tree
Hammocks hung on a tree that is too small to hold your weight or ropes that damage the bark on the tree, does either of these fit into using common sense. I see it every weekend.

Wrapping Up Why Campers Should Use Common Sense

You may find other rules at the campground that you are staying at, and they are very likely rooted in common sense principles. You can find these rules and many others on the website: universalcampgroundrules.com. The rules will vary according to the campground, RV Park, or state that you are camping at, but all these rules are implemented to enhance your camping experience. Please use common sense when you are camping, so all campers can have a safe and enjoyable stay.

Please read the United States Forest Service rules here now!

Posted on January 21, 2021October 10, 2022 by Fred

The History and Use of a Hatchet

Brief history of the campground axe or hatchet

The campground axe or hatchet that we use today, came along way through humankind’s history. It appears that stone age man had an implement that they used that consisted of a sharp rock that was lashed by vines to a branch. Not sure how effective this implement was in cutting wood into firewood, possibly worked for small branches, but it likely worked for hunting. In the iron age with the invention of the forge or furnace, steel could be manipulated into a sharp metal shape with a hole for the haft or handle to be attached so the axe would be more balanced. In the iron age the axe was used by woodsmen, carpenters, and as an implement of war.

Types of Axes

When you go to your local hardware store to purchase an axe, it is important to know that there are many different

types of axes that are made for specific purposes. Let’s examine a short list of these axes.

Felling axe- This axe is made for cutting down medium to large trees, it has a long handle and often has two edges or cutting surfaces. It’s stainless steel cutting head helps to prevent corrosion.

Splitting axe- This axe is often called a maul, it is heavy and looks like a sledgehammer, it is used to split medium to large trees into useable firewood.

Hewing axe- This axe is used with a carving axe by woodworkers who carve statues like a bear. They are made so the woodworker has control and a good grip for safety.

Throwing axe- this axe is often referred to as a tomahawk, known for use by the American Indians. This axe has a light balanced handle or haft. There are many sports leagues throughout the world that have axe throwing competitions.

The campground axes

The campground axe or hatchet was left out of the above list because it is the subject of this discussion. This axe or hatchet is used to cut branches up to 4” in diameter, you can cut slightly larger material, but it will take a lot of effort. A bowsaw or a long-handled axe would work better on larger material in a campground. A hatchet has a small contoured handle or haft for ease of use. Keep the axe in its sheath when not in use. Never strike a live tree in a campground with an axe. As with any tool, safety is a must.

The safe way to use an axe

When you walk with a hatchet, keep the blade next to your leg but pointed away from your body. If you pass the tool to another person, make sure they have possession of the tool before you release your grip. It is best to have the person you passing the hatchet to, say’ thank you’, before you release your grip. Keep the axe in its sheath when not in use. Never strike a live tree in a campground with an axe.

The safe way to use an axe. 1) Make sure there is no one within five feet of where you are cutting with the axe, 2) Grip the haft or handle firmly, 3) Make accurate controlled swings with the axe, 4) Stand over the wood while chopping 5) Use a 45% cutting swing from left to right until the wood is cut.

The campground axe or hatchet is an invaluable tool when you are camping. As was pointed out, the axe has a long history behind it, there are many different types of axes, and there are valid reasons for owning each type of axe. Make sure that you have the correct axe with you in camp, the campground axe.

Posted on May 7, 2019February 11, 2023 by Fred

How Do I Get A Camphost Job?

How to get a Camphost job

If you are interested in how to get a campground host job, there are a few things you should know. Camphosts jobs are not a career job, typically they pay local minimum wage, they are jobs for people who enjoy people and working in nature. The camphost is responsible for keeping up the facilities, enforcing the rules, and collection of camp fees.

A person who is interested in becoming a camphost can go online and search for camphost jobs. You will find posting s for jobs all over the country. There are listings for the U.S. Forest, National Parks, RV Parks, membership campgrounds, BLM land managers, US Military campgrounds (you must be a veteran to apply). State park hosts, or County park care takers. Decide whether you want to work at the beach, a lake, river, forest, city, or country, there will be an opportunity at one of these.

There are a number of ways that people are hired to fill available positions for camphosts. There are unpaid volunteer jobs, site trade plus salary for hours worked over and above cost of site, and free site with all hours paid. Being retired and on Social Security, this works well. Usually there will be an application online that you can fill out and send in. So, you should decide ahead of time where you want to work.

What does a Camphost do?

The camphost, park host, or docent serves campers by offering information, explaining regulations, and collecting fees. They direct people to hiking trails, give information about nearby activities, and at times lead campers to their camp sites.

Campground rules are universal, they are designed to ensure that all campers have a pleasant camping experience. These rules are generally posted at the entrance to the campground, it is the camper’s responsibility to be informed of the rules. An apt saying for the camphosts is, “We don’t make the rules, we just enforce them”. Take it easy on the camphost, they are doing what they were trained to do.

Another duty of the camphost, is to make sure that fees are paid by campers. And that is right, you guessed it, the camphost does not make the fees, they just collect them. Once a week, a camper comes in and complains about paying their camp fees, then the camphost patiently explains that the camp fees are used to maintain the facilities these campers came to use.

The camphost cleans the restrooms, mows the grass, cleans the roads, empties the fire-pits, paints and repairs buildings, if needed, and enjoys the surroundings that they are privileged to live in.

Showing Respect for the Camphost

What does it mean, show respect for the camphost? In order for campers to have respect for the camphost, they perhaps need to know a little bit about the camphost position. A campground host is a person between 18 and 80, it is not a career job, it pays minimum wage. In fact, many camphosts are retired from another line of work entirely. Sometimes, the camphost may be a person who grew tired of the corporate grind, the busy city life, or wanted a job that allowed them to travel.

Although Camphosts jobs are not a career job, they are jobs for people who enjoy people, travel, and working in nature. The camphost is responsible for keeping up the facilities, enforcing the rules, and collection of camp fees. You can find a campground job anywhere in the country, at any type of location you desire, and they should be shown respect.

Posted on May 7, 2019February 11, 2023 by Fred

Camphosting and Rule Enforcement

This image depicts camp activities at Lake Piru in Southern California

We Don’t Need No Sticking Rules

Every camper should already know the rules and the camphost is responsible for rule enforcement. So as a camphost, I say that when you go camping, you should know and follow the rules? Why are there rules for camping anyway? Yes I get asked that. Why does the Camphost interfere with my trying to have a good time? Where are the rules anyway? To answer why there are rules, a campground is a mini community, with neighbors, families, and friends. Everyone came to have a good time. But your good time should not take away your neighboring camper’s enjoyment of the campground. The campground host, also known as, the Camphost, is tasked with facilitating the enjoyment of all campers in the campground. The rules are based on principles of safety, comfort, and respect for the individual, the environment, and the property.

The rules that campers are asked to obey are universal to every campground in America, they are clearly posted at the entrance to the campground. This means that it is the camper’s responsibility to read and know the rules. As a Camphost. I just don’t understand why campers feel that by removing the walls of a house, they can cut loose and not be respectful of others.

What are the rules?

Pay your camp fees- If a camper does not have a reservation, they must pay their camping fees, within 30 minutes of choosing your camp site, these fees are clearly listed at the entry kiosk and pay envelops are likely provided.

Speed limits- Camping is a family activity, you never know when a child may dart into the road; animals such as squirrels, fox, deer, and bears can be on the road; few campgrounds have sidewalks, campers use the road to access campground amenities. 15 MPH is a safe braking speed in a campground.

Site condition- Don’t leave trash laying around the site, Forest Rangers can cite you for trash on the ground. You should leave the site cleaner than it was when you arrived. If there are no trash containers available, take out what you brought in. Pack It In, Pack It Out.

Campfires– It is the camper’s responsibility to know if there are fire restrictions in place, to know if permits are needed and where to obtain them (online on the US Forest website or at a Ranger Station), and to know if the they are allowed to bring firewood into the campground. Fire safety is ALL camper’s responsibility, do not go to bed, take a walk, or leave the campground with a fire going. Most of the wildfires in America were started by careless campers. Be fire aware.

Pets- Going camping with your dog is a great experience, not picking up after your dog or keeping your dog on a leash is bad manners. A barking dog is annoying to all campers. Last season, the Forest Rangers told me that a camper had lost two dogs, the camper believed that the campground host should be responsible for finding their dog, I found out that they went 4x4ing and left the dogs tied to the picnic table, the dogs got loose. It is not the camphost responsibility to watch or find a camper’s abandoned dogs.

Dishwashing- It is bad form to wash your dishes in the fresh water spigots or bathroom sinks, a camper should bring a pot for hot water and dishwashing pans in order to wash dishes in their site. Using hot water will assist in the health and enjoyment of all campers in your group. Dispose of your dirty water safely.

Children- Camping is a great family activity, guests are responsible for the behavior, activities, and the where-a-bouts of their children at all times. The camphost may send out for law enforcement or emergency personnel if needed, but it is not the hosts responsibility to look out for camper’s children.

The rules in a campground are for safety, comfort, and respect for other camper’s, the environment, and for individuals. The Camphosts responsibility is to enforce the rules of the campground, it is the camper’s responsibility to know what the rules are.