©2003

Meet the newest Smith!!

Mitchell  Patrick Smith

Born 11/4/05

7 lbs. 4 oz.

We know our precious little boy will be asking us someday, "Why didn't I get to go on the trip?"  Guess we'll have to do it again sometime!

NEW - Important Money Saving Update

After numerous requests, we now have our book Journey Across America... Stories from the Road in e-book format.  This e-book contains the complete original book, but for a fraction of the cost.  The new e-book format is only $2.95 which gives you approximately an 80% savings off the cost of the traditional book format.

Order in 3 simple steps:

1. Order the book through secure Paypal which will generate an email verification. (You must use the buy now link supplied here to get the $2.95 price)

2.  Upon my receipt of the email verification,  I will send you via email the downloadable e-book version which contains all original text from the traditional book format.

3.  Read the book online or print out so you can have your own copy to read, just like a book, but without the cover.

click here for Table of Contents, Reviews, and sample chapters

See New Articles

See the two new articles I wrote below.  The first offers money saving tips for travelers.  The second is all about our national parks.

Hello everyone!

For those who are visiting our website for the first time let me tell you a little about our adventure.  Our family of six traveled by RV for over a year visiting all 50 states.  For those of you stopping by again, hello friends.  We're glad to have you back.  We are in the middle

Hello everyone!

For those who are visiting our website for the first time let me tell you a little about our adventure.  Our family of six traveled by RV for over a year visiting all 50 states.  For those of you stopping by again, hello friends.  We're glad to have you back.  We hope you enjoy our website. Our goal is to provide one of the best travel related sites on the web.  Check out our offering and enjoy!

                                                      Your friends,

                                 The Smiths

Hot off the Presses

Journey Across America

Stories from the Road

208 pages

reg. $14.95 only $12.95 -  special website price (FREE shipping)

 click here for Table of Contents, Reviews, and sample chapters

Journey Across America...Stories from the Road is now available to purchase.  It is a collection of humorous, touching, and entertaining stories, sprinkled with thoughts, reflections, and insights from our year long journey. Stories reading like a Chicken Soup for the Soul  book are guaranteed to touch your heart and your funny bone.  Secure payment through Paypal is available.  Paypal, owned by ebay, is used safely by millions.  If you prefer not to pay online simply send a check and shipping information to: PO Box 998 Fishers, IN  46038

click here for Table of Contents, Reviews, and sample chapters

You can also order this book through amazon.com using the following link: 

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0976501708/ref=pd_rhf_p_1/102-8751742-5112959?v=glance&s=books&n=1200592&no=

A young boy protested vigorously when his mother asked him to take his little sister with him fishing.

 "The last time she came,'" he objected, "I didn't catch a single fish."

"I'll talk to her," Mother said, "and I promise this time she won't make any noise."

"It wasn't the noise, Mom," I replied. "She ate all my bait."

                                        _______________________________________

Camping isn't what it used to be.  "Honey, I'm going to go get some firewood.  Do you have change for a twenty?"

                                        _______________________________________    

One mountaineer said to another:

"It almost cost us our lives climbing to the top of Mt. Everest to plant the American flag.  But it was worth it.  Hand me the flag."

"Me?  I thought you brought it."

                                       ________________________________________

Some friends were talking about their hobby of collecting objects.  One man commented, "I have the world's largest collection of sea shells.  I keep it scattered on beaches all over the world.  Maybe you've seen some of them..."

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Money Saving Tips for Travelers

By Sue Smith

Budget.  Like many of you, I cringe at the mention of the “B” word.  When my husband brings up the need for a budget, I suddenly become like a two-year-old who has just been informed of bedtime as I whine, “Ahhhh, do I have to?”

When our family planned a year long dream trip across America, a budget became a necessity.  With limited funds and no source of revenue coming in, we had to stick to a monthly “financial schedule”.

Once we were on the road, it didn’t take long to realize that our spending and budgetary restrictions were not in line.  Unfortunately the spending part was significantly higher than our desired goal.  We had to get our budget under control or we would not get to complete a full year on the road.  This called for drastic measures.  As we re-evaluated where our money was going each day, we discovered several areas that could be cut and not deter from the enjoyment of our travels.  The longer we were on the road, the better we got at reducing expenses.  So if you find yourself wanting to save money to allow for more travel, read on and try these ideas for yourself.  I promise they are not painful and each can give you that added “gas money” we find ourselves needing more of each day.

Tip #1 – Limit the number of times you eat at restaurants.  Eating out, even at a fast food restaurant, can add up quickly and push your budget over the top.  We were shocked when we realized how much we spent at that quick McDonalds lunch.  Multiply that over several times a month, and it adds up significantly.  While traveling away from your RV for the day, pack a picnic lunch.  Sandwiches, fruit, cheese and crackers, and other picnic fare are not only cheaper, but healthier as well.  As an added bonus, you can enjoy eating at a beautiful picnic spot gazing at nature instead of in your car staring at the bugs that hit your windshield.   Don’t forget the cooler of drinks.  You can purchase a case of water at a wholesale club for the price of five bottles of water at a gas station. 

Tip #2 – Find and enjoy free entertainment.  Our first month on the road brought a whopping $300 charge for one day at Disneyworld.  Ouch!  This was just one of many “touristy” places we visited.  Yes there were others like Grand Canyon Deer Ranch that left the kids with nightmares of wild deer attacking them like the monkeys did in the Wizard of Oz, panning for gold in Dahlonega where some miniscule gold dust was mixed in with enough sand to cover a small beach in Florida, Dinosaur World which rivaled the Giant Ball of String for bragging rights, and too many other “tourist traps” that we walked away from frustrated at the money we had thrown away. 

Most of our best memories came from experiences where we didn’t spend a cent.  Finding these great freebies is easy.  State welcome centers offer a multitude of ideas, the internet is another great tool, books from a local library or bookstore offer still more suggestions.  Some of our favorite free or inexpensive adventures included visiting national parks (free after the purchase of a $50 pass good for one year), state parks (the entrance fee is nominal and covers everyone in the car), going to the beach or  lake, exploring small towns and cities, playing at the local park (even if you don’t have kids, be a kid again and swoosh down the slide or swing on the swing set), taking tours of factories and headquarters of business that interest you (we especially enjoyed the tours of food related businesses that offered free samples at the end), visiting the library, taking a hike, utilizing the amenities at the campground, sitting around a roaring campfire telling stories and singing, and finally, gazing at the night sky as dreams for the future are revealed. 

Tip #3 – Save on gas.  There I said it, that word that strikes fear in the heart of every RVer, gas (sorry, I said it again).  We’ve all been there, filling up the tank as a cold sweat breaks out on our forehead.  We force our hands to continue pumping the liquid gold that begins adding up to the amount of a college education.  So what can you do?  Not looking at the total bill at the end just won’t work.  What does work is planning your route wisely.  When choosing spots to visit, camp in a central location and use a car for day trips from this “base camp”.  Pulling a car can save you a bundle in gas, and makes parking much easier.  Also try filling up at wholesale clubs where gas prices are significantly lower.  Find local wholesale club locations on-line or in the Next Exit book.  And finally, don’t buy premium gas.  The regular stuff is all your RV or automobile really needs.

Tip #4 – Visit relatives.  No, I don’t mean sell your house and move into your daughter’s driveway forever (although you would save a lot of money doing that).  Plan trips to visit family and friends.  Our trip across the country allowed us to visit family members we don’t get to see often and dear friends who had moved away.  Spending the evening chatting with family and friends tops our list of enjoyable moments.  Loved ones are the most important thing in life.  Spending time with them should be a priority.

Tip #5 – Volunteer.  Offer your services to charities, churches, disaster relief organizations and the like.  Many travelers we met go all over the country volunteering and meeting new people.   Spending time helping others is free.  Plus you get to deposit the added bonus of that wonderful feeling you get knowing you made a difference in someone’s life.  Make your mark in America and leave a little of yourself behind through your good works.

Tip #6 – Avoid doing repairs at RV dealerships.  Change your oil at Wal-Mart where they charge around $15 (dealerships charge $70 or more).  Change your tires and batteries there as well.  Call around for rates from different repair shops before getting any work done.  Repair quotes can be drastically different.  We had incidences where work was done at 50% less cost than another shop just down the road.  Get quotes in writing to avoid any additional expenses.

Tip #7 – Travel at off-peak times.  Summer travel, when kids are out of school and family travel is at its peak, is also when rates increase.   Traveling during the off season saves on camping, sightseeing (admission rates are usually lower during off season), and most other travel related expenses.  An added bonus is crowds are lighter.  The only negative we have found is some establishments are closed during the off season.

Tip #8 – Use the internet.  Money saving coupons, not offered to the general public through other means, are available for admission prices, restaurants, campgrounds, and other travel related expenditures on-line.  If you don’t have a computer, go to a local library where you can access the internet for free and print out coupons for a nominal price.

Tip #9 – Skip the souvenirs.  I know we can all get caught up in the excitement of visiting a new location and want to take a reminder home.  But really, what are you going to do with another salt and pepper shaker that plays “I Left My Heart in San Francisco”?  If you RV full time, lack of storage space can deter some of these impulse purchases.  If you are going home after a trip, think about the clutter more stuff will bring to your house.  Instead use pictures as the best souvenir, keep a journal, save brochures from a favorite place, or purchase an inexpensive reminder such as a magnet.

Tip #10 – Shop around for insurance.  RV insurance can vary dramatically.  Call around or search the internet for rates.  We found that the insurance agency that handles our homeowners and automobile insurance was the least expensive since we had already established a long term relationship with them.  This saved us hundreds of dollars over other quotes we received.

These are but a few areas that saved us significantly on our budget.  There are so many other money saving ideas that can be found in books or on the internet.  Read these ideas and discover how to save on your grocery bill, medical expenses, clothing, and other day-to-day living costs.  Even the small things, like buying store brand groceries, can add up over time.  

Did I motivate you to save money?  I hope so.  Remember there is nothing wrong with being frugal.  Use these new found savings to enjoy more travels.  I’ll be looking for you on the road at the local picnic spot as we eat our homemade lunches and enjoy the scenery around us for free. 

Happy (frugal) Trails!

Sue and Gary Smith took their four young children on the road for a year visiting all 50 states.  Read about their adventures in the book Journey Across America…Stories from the Road available through their website journeyacrossamerica.org or amazon.com.

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See Your National Parks

By Sue Smith

As the weather warms, and summer vacation planning is in full swing, consider taking a trip to one of our treasured national parks.  There are hundreds of parks to choose from in every geographic location.  The national park system categorizes the parks into national parks, national seashores, national monuments, national recreational areas, and national historic sites.  Aren’t they all national parks you may wonder?  Technically, only just over 50 are designated as national parks, even though each category falls under the national park system umbrella. To become a “national park” a location must meet stringent criteria, Congress must approve it by a majority vote, and a presidential signature is required.  It is much more difficult to become a “national park”.  All the other categories can be added to the national park system with a presidential signature. For the purpose of this article, I will refer to all categories as national parks.

Whatever the designation of the park, each is spectacular and worthy of a visit.  On our year long trip around America, our family visited each national park and most seashores, monuments, and historic sites.  We found each to be unique, spectacular, filled with beauty, a true learning experience, and a whole lot of fun. 

So why did we decide to make the national parks a focus of our trip?  There were several reasons, but first and foremost is because I had visited many national parks with my family when I was a child.  Some of my best memories came from those trips.  I wanted to share this experience with my children.  We also liked the fact that visiting parks are economical since a National Parks Pass can be purchased for $50 and allows free entry into all national parks for a year or a Golden Access Passport for folks 62 and older can be purchased for $10 and allows free lifetime entry to any parks and discounts on camping, tours, and activities.  The last reason we chose to visit is the experience it offers to escape the hectic pace of life, allowing you to step into a realm of beauty, openness, and nature free from commercialism. 

We were surprised at the plethora of activities available at the parks.  Of course there is hiking with trails leading to some of the most beautiful views you could ever imagine.  Places you thought no longer existed.  Museums offer a delightful, informative way to learn about the park,  Those who prefer a little more action will be happy to discover the array of adventure sports offered such as white water rafting, rock climbing, horseback riding, and other thrilling alternatives that vary park to park.  Then of course there are hundreds of spots available for that perfect picnic, a place to reflect or read that much anticipated best seller, and a sparkling creek to cool off on a sweltering day.  A bonus to your national park adventure is the abundance of wildlife you are sure to spot in their natural environment. 

Each park offers some type of ranger led activities such as guided walks, presentations in the museum, and our favorite, the campfire programs.  Don’t miss these.  A roaring fire is built, just waiting for roasting marshmallows to a golden brown.  Then a ranger will give a presentation about some interesting topic.  Sitting under the stars, hearing the crickets serenading and the leaves rustling in the breeze, is a glorious way to spend a summer evening. 

If you have children or grandchildren along on your trip, be sure to participate in the Junior Ranger program.  Each national park offers a program for children that encourages a more in-depth look at the park.  A booklet is given to each child that contains games, questions, nature sketchbooks, and many other activities to help foster questions, leading them to areas of discovery.  After completing a certain amount of pages and attending a ranger program, they become full fledged Junior Rangers.  Each is asked to recite a pledge and agrees to assist the park rangers.  For their reward, the kids are given an official badge and/or patch for their efforts that is worn with pride.  Ask about this program at the visitor center information desk.

Camping facilities vary from park to park.  Most campsites inside the parks offer no hook-ups and have a size limit on RVs.  There is fresh water available, dump stations, and generators are allowed during certain times of the day.   Reservations are accepted at many, but not all, campgrounds and are recommended during the busy summer months.  For those who aren’t crazy about dry camping, commercial campgrounds are available within a few miles of every park.  Some are even in the park, having a concessionaire arrangement with the park system.  So whether you want full hook-ups, cable, and the benefits of a commercial campground or are willing to give up some of these luxuries for a site right in the park, you will find something to make your national park experience enjoyable. 

There are many great resources for an in-depth look at the parks.  Bookstores and libraries offer numerous books highlighting the national parks, giving detailed information on each.  Most books don’t cover all the monuments, historic sites, and seashores.  For information on these, go to the official national park system website www.nps.gov.  This is an excellent site offering information on each park, schedules of ranger led activities, and camping information.  You can also call and have information sent from any park you plan to visit.

Once at the park be sure to make your first stop the visitor center.  Here you can receive information about hikes, ranger led programs, adventure sports, and get any questions answered.  An informative film about the park, available at just about every visitor center, is a great overview.  Then of course there is the gift shop.  One “must have” souvenir is the National Park Passport.  This small blue book can be stamped at each national park you visit over the years and makes a great keepsake for under $10.  Other mementos can be collected at each national park.  We collected magnets and re-live great memories each time we open up the refrigerator at home.  Others collect pins, patches, postcards, or t-shirts.   

Many have asked us what national park was our favorite.  That is a difficult question since we had a wonderful time at each and every one we visited.  In fact, many of the lesser known ones were some of the best.  A few “can’t miss” parks are the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Glacier, Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Olympic, Rocky Mountain, Sequoia and Kings Canyon, Shenandoah, Denali, Mt. Rushmore, Acadia, Great Smokey Mountains, Bryce, Zion, and any of the national seashores.  Quite an exhaustive list, I know, and these are some of the most visited parks, but they are truly spectacular and unique.  Again, this is not meant to take away from any of the others, these are just some of our favorites.  Others I am sure would have a list that looks much different.

So take a break from the typical “touristy” activities and try a national park vacation this year.  You will not be disappointed; in fact you will probably get hooked just like we did.  So as the original ad campaign for the national parks touted “See Your National Parks”.   Have fun!

Journey Across America

Stories from the Road

208 pages

Reg. $14.95 only $12.95 through our special website offer (shipping is free)

See detailed description and ordering information.

If your looking for other ideas try amazon.com for books on all your family and travel needs.

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