We ask the park office for an on-site activity listing and what can they recommend we should see in the area.

Next we talk to our neighbours.  Sometimes the seasonal RVers are a preferred source of info especially if we are looking for less expensive local enticements. 

RVers on the move may have recently stopped at a nearby attraction or two en route. Don’t hesitate to ask them for their favourite stops, RVers love to share info.

We find the most accurate information comes from Tourist Bureaus and Chamber of Commerce Centres - (provincial and state phone numbers plus webpages are listed on the RV WebLink page of www.rvliving.net). RVers who plan to spend time in a particular province or state should order the Travel Guides for that area before beginning an adventure. These guides can also be picked up at Welcome Centers situated at each border. 

John and I had never seen such as a covered wagon ride through a Manitoba desert near Brandon. Our swim in the hot spa waters at Revelstoke, BC was a first. They also discovered a ghost town between Calgary and Edmonton en route to the fantastic West Edmonton Mall.  Some of these places were more memorable than others but they each added one more dimension to our adventure. 

John and I included a few more of our choice destinations along the way based on our previous trip experience.  At several places we added rewarding unforeseen circumstances to our initial plans. For instance in Winnipeg my girlfriend Fern, from my military basic training days, was a foster mother to a 12 year old and her younger sister.  Kayla and Theresa (the 12 year old) had an absolute ball; Kayla really appreciated having someone her own age to socialize with. Our ‘girl’s day out’ at a museum and then the afternoon at Chucky Cheeses was most enjoyable. Seeing the obvious delight the girls were having was rewarding plus it gave Fern and I a perfect opportunity to catch up on what has happened over the past year.  John stayed behind to catch up on some routine maintenance.

 This trip proved that RV Travels are enhanced if you include visits with family/friends along the way. Just south of Calgary we combined a laneway camping stop with a very creative good friend for our Mexican days - Marcy and her family.  This was a wonderful opportunity to teach Kayla how to create crafty gifts for her family and friends back home - a much-needed diversion from all the adults at the house.

With pre-planning it may be possible to coincide a getaway with local festivals or flea markets and/or attractions in a specific area.

Those who stop at large campgrounds that feature weekly hayrides, nature walks, bingos or craft days, horseshoe or shuffleboard tournaments, periodic dances or evening entertainment can add yet one more dimension to their travels. Many of these activities are low-cost or no-cost for campers. Some parks routinely offer a craft sharing session where everyone brings their favourite project to teach others; it may also include learning a new craft for a small fee designed for kids of all ages.

Both male and female RVers participate in knitting, crocheting, quilting, and woodcarving projects.  They are interesting hobbies that fill some quiet hours. They are great diversions for inside or outside of the unit.  Of course relaxing in a campsite provides a perfect opportunity to catch up on overdue reading.

Working at a project on the picnic table is a super way to meet other RVers.  Those strolling the park will frequently stop to say Hi or simply to see what you are doing.  When a male RVer wants to meet his neighbours all he has to do is to open the hood of the tow vehicle or the motorhome and within minutes several male neighbours will be over see if they can help - sorry guys but it’s just a ‘man’ thing.  Polishing your unit works the same way.  When women are travelling alone, raising the hood is even more of a magnet to get to meet your neighbours.

Lawn games such as ring toss or board games like monopoly or puzzles (complete with an edged board that can travel on the bed) are lightweight and don’t take up much storage space. Playing games or cards under the awning or socializing around the bonfire adds a finale to the adventure. 

At larger resort style parks, on-site amenities may include a video game room for the kids and billiard table(s) or dart board(s) for the adult children. A heated swimming pool/hot tub, tennis courts, shuffleboard courts, mini golf etc. only add to the fun.

Electronic toys like game boys, DVD players and similar amusements help to break up a long drive for kids of all ages. Self designed diversions such as spotting the most ‘visiting license plates en route’ or a game of ‘I spy’ or even a ‘sing-a-long’ add an appreciated dimension to the trip as well.