I retired from heading the IT department at an accounting firm so you'd think I'd have a system set up like yours. But, as my wife likes to remind me, I'm an idiot and instead print up all our stops and put them in a binder. The good thing is I have all the details about where I'm going and what I'm going to do. The bad thing is I have all those details which generally pushes my camper overweight. Not really, but you get the idea. I think you've given me a reason to modernize and perhaps use a tablet to keep everything organized. Our next long trip will be to New Mexico and Arizona in November so hopefully I can have this working by then. Thanks for all the tips! They'll come in handy.
I do print out all the confirmations from the campgrounds (usually 2-3 pages), So I'm not much further ahead. I just need to keep track of mileage and cost for tax purposes...lol
It is a unique and wonderful show. Beside the regular flying and acrobatic tricks and stuff, you get to climb into and see how real planes work and were used by the pilots that fly them. An awesome experience. Been twice!! But its a very expensive week!!
I do similar planning for my long trips with my homemade paper spread sheet. Ive got to learn how to set one up on my computer. 74 years old and simi-computer literate. Ha! 😅
You can do it! I have since modified the spreadsheet so if I change something it will automatically change all the other things that need to be changed. Also when I’m done with the trip I update / correct the times/distance/costs.
I visited the UP a few years ago, loved it! Had planned on camping most nights but due to tripping on a sidewalk and injuring a rib had to stay in motels several nights. I camp in my minivan. Even being in pain most of the time and having to come home a few days early had a wonderful time. Camping was great. I camp mostly in the national forests. I live in NE Ohio, 2 -3 day drive for me. Have fun.
Yes, I'm making it a 4 day drive up, and 10 day visit for us. Akela has a hard time going more than 2hours without playing ball these days. (Do you think I spoil him?) You will have to "review" the places I visit and tell me what I missed! There seems to be A LOT to see.
Now I know why Travel Agents went out of business!! But I have to admit, I also planned my trips in detail... but I used Triple A and paper maps in my day!! Thanks for sharing some of your planning expertise... always appreciated, my Friend!! And, I could hear Akela breathing in the background, so I know he approves of what you're doing!!
Ha ha Pete, For my trip up to Maine I used maps from AAA and let them do the trip planning. But they took me to the coast and could not figure out how to travel inland through the "North Maine Wilds". So I had to redo it all anyway! Then I didn't make it because of the massive storm that shut down Vermont!
Wow. Thanks for all the details and view of the actual screen as you were demonstrating plus details from previous trips. Very helpful. I always have to have my paper maps too. Visitors’ Centers along the way are so helpful with maps and brochures. (And the people working the counter are usually very knowledgeable.) Wishing you safe and happy travels.
Yes, Always Paper Maps. I did some trip planning many years ago going through some of my paper map preferences and Digital Map preferences. Probably need to do that again, but I figured I was on over time with this video.
I don't think I lot of people understand that not everything is in Rec.GOV or ReserveAmer. So I'm giving out my secrets for finding great Forest service campgrounds!! $10 campgrounds!
Thank you for this!! I was hoping for same audio as panther creek video. But this has that nice crackle to it like an old radio. Keep up the hard work Rick.
Rick. I know we will be missing you but we just came back from a fantastic State campground in the Upper Peninsula. You have to go to the Garden Peninsula and to a place called Fayette Historic Park. It's an old smelting Iron Ore ghost town/museum. It's right on Lake Michigan and has a harbor bordered by 300' limestone cliffs. It's beautiful and educational. They have some of the oldest trees (White Cedar that are around 1400 years old!) in the world growing on the cliffs and a beautiful clean (very clean showers and toilets) campground that is very dog friendly but quiet at night. You will definitely be happy. Pay for the out-of-state Michigan Park Passport ($40) to use all over Michigan for camping and day use and on the way out got to Kitchi-Iti-Kipi Spring near Indian Lake (get there by 11am during the week otherwise you will wait over an hour for the free boat). Also Seney National Refuge is nearby and is definitely a must see. Then make sure you Check out the rugged Marquette area. Then get into the Keewenaw Peninsula and up to Copper Harbor and Mt. Bohemia. Then Scoot over to the Porcupine Mountains. So much to see up there!!! Have fun!!
Ha ha ha... How long did you say. We will get down to Kitchi iti Kipi, we have the Fayette Historic Park on our list but may not make it this trip. Same with Copper harbor. It is on the list, but its a far ways up the Keweenaw. It will depend on Gas $$ and Weather. lol. Thanks for the Comment, I will save this to the trip planner!!
@@GoingNoWhereFast when you go to the falls then head toward Seney afterwards (it's not far and well worth it and free with the NPS pass you have). Then get to the Casino on Highway 2 to spend the night. The next morning hit Kitchi-Iti-kipi early and then over to Fayette. Two wonderful full days within an hour or two of each other. You will really enjoy it. Ottawa Forest is good forest land but for the better experience head up to Copper Harbor for a couple days. You can get a campsite at Mt. Bohemia near it for $30 a night in the ski hill parking lot and then drive all over up there for a few days. I know you already made your plans but we go up there all the time. After the Keewenaw get over to Lake of the clouds in the Porcupine mountains. Then head south toward Minocqua, Wisconsin. You will not want to leave!!! So many campgrounds near Minocqua. Happen to do something different there is the Hiawatha NFS with Wide Waters or Pete's Lake Campground FCFS. And if they are full you can pull off a little south and to the east for Dispersed camping along the Indian River. Tons of fun up there and not too cold yet late August. Also if you wind up by Munising the town has a campground on the Lake with overflow parking just in case you get stuck. Also Walmart in Marquette for free over night and Escanaba Walmart just in case but not as nice that way. Actually perfect weather that time. I could go on as you know!! Glad you are checking it out finally!!
@@GoingNoWhereFast Here I go again!! After Fayette head north toward Munising and try to get a FCFS at Pete's Lake or Wide Waters. Then you are within an hour of most of Pictures Rocks Lakeshore. After that couple days Head through Marquette and the L'Anse and through Houghton to Copper Harbor area. Cool mines etc plus the Geology you were talking about and cool Harbors.then shoot over to Ontonagon, MI and the Porkies.stay at the Ski Hill Cheap and explore Lake in the Clouds. Then south through Bessemer to 51 and Minocqua Area. So many sticks for Akela!!! (OK I'll quit! Hahahaha).
@@NoFeeArea Boy, you have given me a bunch of great ideas. I will definitely keep this in the travel bag. I'm pretty sure the trip is going to be too short. I really wanted to say up there until end of October. But my inconsiderate 1st grandchild insists on being born in August!!! Children!! Defintiely good to know the places I have on my current itinerary are good choices, and i will try to get to the others even if for a few hours. It will make the return trip much better planned !! Thanks again and maybe next year You'll be there !!😁
Thanks for the video. Your method for saving places of interest is a lot more efficient than mine, for sure. So, how do you save those places in Google Maps? I know that can be done in Google My Maps and that My Maps can be exported, but it seems that you used only the "regular" Google Maps for your entire process (??). Thanks!
Once you clock on a site, there is a Save button next to the directions. It will drop down the available lists to save in. You can add it to one or create a new list.
If your signed into google through gmail or UA-cam the map will be “Your Map” and you just go to a place and “save it”. As a “been there” or “want to go” or “favorite” .
Rick- Many thanks for showing your planning method. This is a BIG help to me. Check you calendar for next year's EAA Oshkosh AirVenture. It was last week this year!! If you go just south of Cincinnati, OH you might enjoy The Ark Encounter in Williamstown, KY 41097. The Ark at the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky is 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high. The ark was built using the same materials and dimensions as described in the Bible, and took several years to complete.
Interesting, Thanks ! I generally try to stay out of Ohio. The tolls are outrageous, the gas it high and I have met a few cops who really enjoyed giving me souvenirs I did not need. That cost me better than $2000. 😮💨🤨
Nowhere, taking a ferry in some cases save you gas!! And most important saves you time, if you go to Oshkosh then take a ferry east. It saves you the time of traveling back through the Chicago area?? Make your plans to go to the upper peninsula come down through Oshkosh then ferry back to the east. You'll have lots of great content for many more episodes. And that is worth a couple of $$.
@@e7card1 agreed, but on this trip the overall cost pushed the ferry ride outside the budget. And it won’t save gas on this trip since I just will not be going to Osh Gosh this year. I’m pretty sure I will be back up there soon.
@@GoingNoWhereFast Sorry to hear that, we took the ferry from Barharbor to Nova Scotia in the early nineties, it was the coolest experience! I am from Chicago, Indiana Dunes is a nice place, you will enjoy.
You mentioned places from youtube videos. I have been researching for several years and most are from YT videos. I group less than $10 an free as "boondocking". Have over 1,600 sites so far (most in west). I also have a paid camping list for sites under $30. Almost 200 of those. Most are via youtube. Have most of Slim's cheap sites marked. If you use his few clues, you can find them. Some channels actually give GPS coordinates or specific clues. Officially retired this year, now need to start my trailer build. Typical, life has had other plans causing delays ;) As always, give Akeila a belly rub from me.
@@ScottHenion Hey Scott, Slim and I are always swapping camping sites. I used to collect cheap sites, but the way prices are changing and campgrounds are closing and / or expanding, there is too many that are incorrect. So now I just look for interesting places to go.
Thanks for explaining how you plan a trip. I've always wondered how folks do that. I'm in Black Mtn. for a few days staying at a friends house. Yesterday we went to Lake James to check the camping situation there and it was a little discouraging. The cg is designed for tents only but we found 5 sites we could use. The ranger told me an RV section is being planned for the future but they don`t know when it will be built. There is a new private owned Lake James cg but I'm like you I try to use SP's,NF etc. facilities.
@@alanosborne1947 Ya Alan. You really have to read all through the campground description to figure out if it’s going to work for you! We have stayed at a few camps that were “tent only” in the Aliner. That isn’t possible with the wolf pup. 😆 lol.
Thanks. We are learning about trip planning in the west. It is much more difficult. State Parks are much more expensive, SF are few and far apart. And finding BLM land isn't in my skill set yet! So a Part 2 of this might be in the works!
I plan exactly like you but you showed me a few things that I didn’t know. Thanks . I travel under 300 miles a day . I’m planning a trip to NC , I’m staying at Milehigh campground but camping in dispersed campsites on the way from MS . Perhaps you could share a few NC campsites that are a favorite of yours. My trip : meridian Ms to Payne lake (below Tuscaloosa) then to Tellico Plains TN , then to Milehigh close to Maggie Valley. I travel backroads bc I’m pulling a squaredrop camper behind a Jeep 60 mph max
I do have a map on my website with many of my favorite places. It is a little out of date. I need to add another 80 places around the east, just need to find the time. lol.
hi rick: enjoy ur video, I live7 miles from comer ridge campground. if ur in the area would love to meet u since im a aliner owner. marked my calendar , keep a watch for u,
Thats good advice on trip planning but as we all know things will happen.Im sure you keep backups ready.So what happens if you go to camp site first come and they all full.have you ever in your traveling camped in a parking lot somewhere. Thank again
Good question Gary! I have never over nighted in any ones parking lot(though that may be coming). I always have paper maps I can review to find a place to camp. Long time ago, I was kicked out of a trail head I had camped out in as an emergency stop with the Aliner. The cop let it slide if I was gone by 6am(sunup). Which I was.
I retired from heading the IT department at an accounting firm so you'd think I'd have a system set up like yours. But, as my wife likes to remind me, I'm an idiot and instead print up all our stops and put them in a binder. The good thing is I have all the details about where I'm going and what I'm going to do. The bad thing is I have all those details which generally pushes my camper overweight. Not really, but you get the idea. I think you've given me a reason to modernize and perhaps use a tablet to keep everything organized. Our next long trip will be to New Mexico and Arizona in November so hopefully I can have this working by then. Thanks for all the tips! They'll come in handy.
I do print out all the confirmations from the campgrounds (usually 2-3 pages), So I'm not much further ahead. I just need to keep track of mileage and cost for tax purposes...lol
Thanks for the video.
You are welcome!
Thanks!
As Always, Thank you very much!
I had a friend that never missed the Oshkosh air show in the 70's and 80's, and drove there from Tampa
It is a unique and wonderful show. Beside the regular flying and acrobatic tricks and stuff, you get to climb into and see how real planes work and were used by the pilots that fly them. An awesome experience. Been twice!! But its a very expensive week!!
I do similar planning for my long trips with my homemade paper spread sheet. Ive got to learn how to set one up on my computer. 74 years old and simi-computer literate. Ha! 😅
You can do it! I have since modified the spreadsheet so if I change something it will automatically change all the other things that need to be changed. Also when I’m done with the trip I update / correct the times/distance/costs.
I visited the UP a few years ago, loved it! Had planned on camping most nights but due to tripping on a sidewalk and injuring a rib had to stay in motels several nights. I camp in my minivan. Even being in pain most of the time and having to come home a few days early had a wonderful time. Camping was great. I camp mostly in the national forests. I live in NE Ohio, 2 -3 day drive for me. Have fun.
Yes, I'm making it a 4 day drive up, and 10 day visit for us. Akela has a hard time going more than 2hours without playing ball these days. (Do you think I spoil him?) You will have to "review" the places I visit and tell me what I missed! There seems to be A LOT to see.
Lots of details to consider when planning a trip. Thanks for sharing.
Hey Bryan, you always up late. Much to consider if you want to make it sound like a great trip to your viewers ! 😁😘
Now I know why Travel Agents went out of business!! But I have to admit, I also planned my trips in detail... but I used Triple A and paper maps in my day!! Thanks for sharing some of your planning expertise... always appreciated, my Friend!!
And, I could hear Akela breathing in the background, so I know he approves of what you're doing!!
Ha ha Pete, For my trip up to Maine I used maps from AAA and let them do the trip planning. But they took me to the coast and could not figure out how to travel inland through the "North Maine Wilds". So I had to redo it all anyway! Then I didn't make it because of the massive storm that shut down Vermont!
👍
Thanks!
Wow. Thanks for all the details and view of the actual screen as you were demonstrating plus details from previous trips. Very helpful. I always have to have my paper maps too. Visitors’ Centers along the way are so helpful with maps and brochures. (And the people working the counter are usually very knowledgeable.) Wishing you safe and happy travels.
Yes, Always Paper Maps. I did some trip planning many years ago going through some of my paper map preferences and Digital Map preferences. Probably need to do that again, but I figured I was on over time with this video.
That was great information on how to plan a trip! Thank you 😊. Someday soon I would like to do this. Thanks again!
I don't think I lot of people understand that not everything is in Rec.GOV or ReserveAmer. So I'm giving out my secrets for finding great Forest service campgrounds!! $10 campgrounds!
Thank you for this!! I was hoping for same audio as panther creek video. But this has that nice crackle to it like an old radio. Keep up the hard work Rick.
I like to bring in the High tones to really get the point across, after all, this isn't a bass rap soundtrack!! lol Thanks for the comment !!
Rick. I know we will be missing you but we just came back from a fantastic State campground in the Upper Peninsula. You have to go to the Garden Peninsula and to a place called Fayette Historic Park. It's an old smelting Iron Ore ghost town/museum. It's right on Lake Michigan and has a harbor bordered by 300' limestone cliffs. It's beautiful and educational. They have some of the oldest trees (White Cedar that are around 1400 years old!) in the world growing on the cliffs and a beautiful clean (very clean showers and toilets) campground that is very dog friendly but quiet at night. You will definitely be happy. Pay for the out-of-state Michigan Park Passport ($40) to use all over Michigan for camping and day use and on the way out got to Kitchi-Iti-Kipi Spring near Indian Lake (get there by 11am during the week otherwise you will wait over an hour for the free boat). Also Seney National Refuge is nearby and is definitely a must see. Then make sure you Check out the rugged Marquette area. Then get into the Keewenaw Peninsula and up to Copper Harbor and Mt. Bohemia. Then Scoot over to the Porcupine Mountains. So much to see up there!!! Have fun!!
Ha ha ha... How long did you say. We will get down to Kitchi iti Kipi, we have the Fayette Historic Park on our list but may not make it this trip. Same with Copper harbor. It is on the list, but its a far ways up the Keweenaw. It will depend on Gas $$ and Weather. lol. Thanks for the Comment, I will save this to the trip planner!!
@@GoingNoWhereFast when you go to the falls then head toward Seney afterwards (it's not far and well worth it and free with the NPS pass you have). Then get to the Casino on Highway 2 to spend the night. The next morning hit Kitchi-Iti-kipi early and then over to Fayette. Two wonderful full days within an hour or two of each other. You will really enjoy it. Ottawa Forest is good forest land but for the better experience head up to Copper Harbor for a couple days. You can get a campsite at Mt. Bohemia near it for $30 a night in the ski hill parking lot and then drive all over up there for a few days. I know you already made your plans but we go up there all the time. After the Keewenaw get over to Lake of the clouds in the Porcupine mountains. Then head south toward Minocqua, Wisconsin. You will not want to leave!!! So many campgrounds near Minocqua. Happen to do something different there is the Hiawatha NFS with Wide Waters or Pete's Lake Campground FCFS. And if they are full you can pull off a little south and to the east for Dispersed camping along the Indian River. Tons of fun up there and not too cold yet late August. Also if you wind up by Munising the town has a campground on the Lake with overflow parking just in case you get stuck. Also Walmart in Marquette for free over night and Escanaba Walmart just in case but not as nice that way. Actually perfect weather that time. I could go on as you know!! Glad you are checking it out finally!!
@@GoingNoWhereFast Stayed at Fayette 3 nights.
@@GoingNoWhereFast Here I go again!! After Fayette head north toward Munising and try to get a FCFS at Pete's Lake or Wide Waters. Then you are within an hour of most of Pictures Rocks Lakeshore. After that couple days Head through Marquette and the L'Anse and through Houghton to Copper Harbor area. Cool mines etc plus the Geology you were talking about and cool Harbors.then shoot over to Ontonagon, MI and the Porkies.stay at the Ski Hill Cheap and explore Lake in the Clouds. Then south through Bessemer to 51 and Minocqua Area. So many sticks for Akela!!! (OK I'll quit! Hahahaha).
@@NoFeeArea Boy, you have given me a bunch of great ideas. I will definitely keep this in the travel bag. I'm pretty sure the trip is going to be too short. I really wanted to say up there until end of October. But my inconsiderate 1st grandchild insists on being born in August!!! Children!! Defintiely good to know the places I have on my current itinerary are good choices, and i will try to get to the others even if for a few hours. It will make the return trip much better planned !! Thanks again and maybe next year You'll be there !!😁
Oh yes, near Paradise, Michigan go see Tahquamenon Falls State Park.
Definitely going there, camping about 10 miles away.
Thanks for the video. Your method for saving places of interest is a lot more efficient than mine, for sure. So, how do you save those places in Google Maps? I know that can be done in Google My Maps and that My Maps can be exported, but it seems that you used only the "regular" Google Maps for your entire process (??). Thanks!
Once you clock on a site, there is a Save button next to the directions. It will drop down the available lists to save in. You can add it to one or create a new list.
If your signed into google through gmail or UA-cam the map will be “Your Map” and you just go to a place and “save it”. As a “been there” or “want to go” or “favorite” .
@@ScottHenion Thank you.
@@GoingNoWhereFast Thank you.
Rick-
Many thanks for showing your planning method. This is a BIG help to me.
Check you calendar for next year's EAA Oshkosh AirVenture. It was last week this year!!
If you go just south of Cincinnati, OH you might enjoy The Ark Encounter in Williamstown, KY 41097. The Ark at the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky is 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high. The ark was built using the same materials and dimensions as described in the Bible, and took several years to complete.
Interesting, Thanks ! I generally try to stay out of Ohio. The tolls are outrageous, the gas it high and I have met a few cops who really enjoyed giving me souvenirs I did not need. That cost me better than $2000. 😮💨🤨
Nowhere, taking a ferry in some cases save you gas!! And most important saves you time, if you go to Oshkosh then take a ferry east. It saves you the time of traveling back through the Chicago area??
Make your plans to go to the upper peninsula come down through Oshkosh then ferry back to the east. You'll have lots of great content for many more episodes. And that is worth a couple of $$.
@@e7card1 agreed, but on this trip the overall cost pushed the ferry ride outside the budget. And it won’t save gas on this trip since I just will not be going to Osh Gosh this year. I’m pretty sure I will be back up there soon.
@@GoingNoWhereFast
Sorry to hear that, we took the ferry from Barharbor to Nova Scotia in the early nineties, it was the coolest experience!
I am from Chicago, Indiana Dunes is a nice place, you will enjoy.
You mentioned places from youtube videos. I have been researching for several years and most are from YT videos. I group less than $10 an free as "boondocking". Have over 1,600 sites so far (most in west). I also have a paid camping list for sites under $30. Almost 200 of those.
Most are via youtube. Have most of Slim's cheap sites marked. If you use his few clues, you can find them. Some channels actually give GPS coordinates or specific clues.
Officially retired this year, now need to start my trailer build. Typical, life has had other plans causing delays ;) As always, give Akeila a belly rub from me.
@@ScottHenion Hey Scott, Slim and I are always swapping camping sites. I used to collect cheap sites, but the way prices are changing and campgrounds are closing and / or expanding, there is too many that are incorrect. So now I just look for interesting places to go.
Thanks for explaining how you plan a trip. I've always wondered how folks do that. I'm in Black Mtn. for a few days staying at a friends house. Yesterday we went to Lake James to check the camping situation there and it was a little discouraging. The cg is designed for tents only but we found 5 sites we could use. The ranger told me an RV section is being planned for the future but they don`t know when it will be built. There is a new private owned Lake James cg but I'm like you I try to use SP's,NF etc. facilities.
@@alanosborne1947 Ya Alan. You really have to read all through the campground description to figure out if it’s going to work for you! We have stayed at a few camps that were “tent only” in the Aliner. That isn’t possible with the wolf pup. 😆 lol.
Very good video. I like the research that you do to get the most for your money. Thank you for this information. Say hi to Akela.
Thanks. We are learning about trip planning in the west. It is much more difficult. State Parks are much more expensive, SF are few and far apart. And finding BLM land isn't in my skill set yet! So a Part 2 of this might be in the works!
I plan exactly like you but you showed me a few things that I didn’t know. Thanks . I travel under 300 miles a day . I’m planning a trip to NC , I’m staying at Milehigh campground but camping in dispersed campsites on the way from MS . Perhaps you could share a few NC campsites that are a favorite of yours. My trip : meridian Ms to Payne lake (below Tuscaloosa) then to Tellico Plains TN , then to Milehigh close to Maggie Valley. I travel backroads bc I’m pulling a squaredrop camper behind a Jeep 60 mph max
I do have a map on my website with many of my favorite places. It is a little out of date. I need to add another 80 places around the east, just need to find the time. lol.
hi rick: enjoy ur video, I live7 miles from comer ridge campground. if ur in the area would love to meet u since im a aliner owner. marked my calendar , keep a watch for u,
That would be cool, I should get there the 15th and leaving the 17th. Gosh, that's next week, I better get packing!!
Thats good advice on trip planning but as we all know things will happen.Im sure you keep backups ready.So what happens if you go to camp site first come and they all full.have you ever in your traveling camped in a parking lot somewhere. Thank again
Good question Gary! I have never over nighted in any ones parking lot(though that may be coming). I always have paper maps I can review to find a place to camp. Long time ago, I was kicked out of a trail head I had camped out in as an emergency stop with the Aliner. The cop let it slide if I was gone by 6am(sunup). Which I was.