We took a trip to New England in 2007 and took way to much stuff. This trip we just had folding chairs, bottled water, rain jackets, laundry detentgent in the back of the Jeep. In a Camp-Inn you have area to put a weeks worth of clothes. We did laundry every week, washing clothes and sheets and blankets. The campgrounds we stayed at had wonderful laundries. We looked for Good Sam's campgrounds with bathrooms rated at 9 or better. We would starting looking for a campground about 2 pm and then we were on the road by 6 am, so no need to set up a great camp. We took a canopy in 2007 and never used it.
We had a quick setup, pull in, plug in the electric, throught out a small mat to put our shoes on, place our rabbitt ears or hook to cable tv and we were done. We watch others take hours to set up, but that was not needed for us as we are traveling every day. Twice we stayed in the same campground for 2 days.
I keep detailed records of our trips. In 2007 we spent avg $200 a day, that's gas, food, camp, and extra; like anything that didn't fall into the other three slots, souvenirs, museum thing non-eatable.
With gas a lot more I still shot for $200 a day. I was pleased we avg $168 a day. We ate from our cooler and kitchen most of the time. If we came across someplace cool to eat we did. If it rained or was too cold we ate at a restaurant. We have a Jeep that avg 15 miles per gal. and spent $2262 in gas, $815 for food, $873 for campgrounds, and $1101 for extras.
One great saving is my husband is over 62 so at the first national park he bought a "America the Beautiful" pass for $10 which is good for the rest of his life and we got in to all 15 national park on this pass.
I encouage all to take your teardrop and go and see this great land while you have your health and are able. You won't regrate it.
by MariahSunset » Sat Jul 05, 2008 2:52 pm 
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