What Would YOU Do? Tough RV Living Decisions...
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 มิ.ย. 2024
- Our RV Boondocking challenge continues, but this week we're facing flood warnings at our destination. Should we still go to this free camping spot near Lava Hot Springs, Idaho? Will we regret trying? Come along on our full time RV life journey this week to find out!
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TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Miners Canyon Utah
2:36 Maverick Dump Station
7:33 Flood Warning
12:38 Lava Hot Springs
15:54 Clark Canyon Reservoir
19:04 Ending Early
*Who are we?*
We’re Victoria & Craig! In 2021, we decided that we needed to make life a little more exciting, so we bought a used fifth wheel and completely renovated it. Then, we sold our house in Tallahassee, Florida and hit the road full time in our RV! We’ve traveled all around the United States (and Baja Mexico!) and fell in love with boondocking in our RV at the most beautiful places. In 2023, we upgraded to a brand new Brinkley RV Model Z 3100. You’ll always find us on some kind of outdoor adventure, whether it’s hiking the Grand Canyon, rock climbing in Yosemite or surfing the shores of Baja Mexico. Subscribe to our channel (bit.ly/3ssOjGT) to follow along on our full time RV living adventures!
First, Victoria... Bold move on the choice to go with a crocheted floral sweater!!! Some may say that crochet is a fashion choice that is well past it's expiration date, but to them I say "Pshaw!!! A brightly colored crocheted sweater does nothing more than bring joy into the universe!" And since it was recently your birthday I can only hope that that was a handmade gift from Nanna because that would just make it way too cool!
Next, absolutely agree with you on people trashing a boondocking site. That stuff drives us nuts!!
Congrats on not turning the Brinkley into a pontoon boat!! We're going to be going through that area in a little over a month, we'll have to look for that campground. And the hot springs looked amazing! Definitely going on our list of things to do. Side note - If you ever get to Temescal Valley, California there is a place called Glen Ivy. They have a hot pool that is in the 110 degree range, right next to a cold pool in the 50 degree range. The idea is you go from one to the other and the felling is indescribable.
As you discovered, eating at a place called "The Chuckwagon" is never a bad idea!
Ohhhh dude the face!!! That Rail Trail bit you didn't it!?!?
Lastly, Victoria, since we're having this conversation just between the two of us. I have talked to Craig multiple times about this but he just won't listen to me. Maybe you could take that kid aside for a moment and explain to him the complete tragedy that could happen when dumping tanks while wearing those FLIPPTY FLOPS!!!!! Please, make him stop!!! Tell him if he does stop Toni and I will take him to dinner at a place called "The Chuckwagon"
As always, fun video. Thanks for sharing!!
hahah the sweater isn't handmade (it was a Marshall's find), but when I saw it, I knew I would regret not taking it home, so I had to! I love the bright yellow flowers and always get compliments the few times I've worn it now, so I feel like it does make other people smile too!
So glad to know you'll be going through that area! It's such a cute little town and the hot springs were really nice, especially for only $12! so relaxing.
and yes 😬 the rail trail did bite me LOL - or rather, I tried to bite it would be a little more accurate 😅
I just hope that if a flip flop dump station accident ever happens... that we're filming when it does 🤣🤣 although that might be the day Craig quits RV life lol
I love how the dog is looking at you two talking like he’s in the middle of the conversation ☺️
hahah he really thinks he is a person sometimes
You two are finding some very good gems. Hot springs ghost towns. Plus enjoying life. That's what it is all about. Love watching each week. God bless and stay safe. Mary❤❤❤ Happy Mother's Day. You are a mom to your fur babies.❤❤
60 days is no big deal for you guys, you got your rhythm. You can be like Adventure Endeavor. I never see them plug in.
For gas stations:
Dump station-Maverik
Fuel-Loves
Bathroom and food-Buc-ees.
We definitely got into a swing of things with it. Can't say we don't still appreciate a long shower, but overall we really do love boondocking and the beautiful views and extra space you get along with it
Hey -former Brinkley Z3100 owner (downsized to a Sprinter van). LOVED our Z3100. Had the same door opening issue -the Bauer lock was the cause. Brinkley reimbursed me to replace the Bauer with a RVLock model. It was amazing how much it improved the door shutting and closing and the door never opened going down the road again. Give Cressida and Team a call at Brinkley support -they will help you out!
ah good to know! we're going to have to try and get it switched out for the RV Lock! Did you have to do any modifications to make it fit?
No modifications! Super easy replacement! It seriously makes the door operate so much more smoothly like a car door that shuts well. Best wishes!
Nice drone flyin' at the ending! Low and fast across the lake was gorgeous.
Thank you!
Rail to trail.....where they take an old abandoned railroad, rip up the tracks, smooth it a bit and that becomes a bike path.
As to your entrance door lock.....they affectionately call rv trailers...."wobbly boxes"! Meaning, you may have locked your door but on bumpy surfaces of when going down the road, the trailer "wobbles" or flexes enough that the dead bolt comes out and POP your door is open! Great huh!! Recommended stop in southern Idaho is 'City of Rocks' for camping out in the boonies.
Victoria!? Did you make that sweater you wore in the beginning?? Its so cute!!
I didn't, it was a fantastic Marshall's find! Wish I could make something like that though!
@@wildrvlife Girl! You totally could!! It's crochet. It's a sweater made of granny squares! ❤️❤️ You can make them in any number of color combos and sizes!! ❤️❤️❤️
French speaker here: It means "Heart of Alene." Alene is a proper name.
oh how cool! didn't know that, thank you!
Hey! This is "Other Craig" & Brenda! So awesome to meet you guys!! Awesome videos!! Hope the ghost town works out, if not, its Brenda's fault!
It was super nice meeting you guys the other day!
The lake at the first of the video is Utah Lake and the west side where you were camping is not a good place to stay but the east side of the lake is a lot better. Also Maverick is definitely my favorite gas station hands down! Love the videos!
I’m sure you had many that you spoke to in regard to Lava Hot Springs, but I recommended you go as we just got back from there and you said that’s great to hear about Lava and you had hoped to go. Glad you enjoyed and although we didn’t boondock and stayed at the KOA West on the river, we too enjoy going to the pools. Hot Springs are hot. Wow. You were so close to us and that’s exciting as we love your adventures. Thank you for sharing!
The dead bolts and latch on rv doors are very short because the door frames are not very thick, so twisting of rig will cause the door to slip out of the door jamb.
We admire your testicular fortitude!!! The guts y'all have to "just do it" is so awesome!!!
That spot in Montana is on our must do, now!!!
haha we like to live on the edge a bit 😆
We had the same issue with one of our doors. We were flagged down numerous times for our door being open. 😂
Meaning of rail trail in English
a path for walking or bicycle riding, created from a railway that is no longer used by trains: There is a 60-mile hiking/biking path called the Pine Creek Rail Trail. A long section of the rail trail passes through the State Wildlife area.
Lava Hot Springs is pretty awesome. Should have told you to hit Soda Springs geyser too. haha. As for the door....usually the deadbolt will keep it closed even when it pops open. My last 2 rigs have had the issue where the door will pop but the deadbolt will hold it closed. Thanks for touring my state, too bad you are not saying CDA correctly, but that is o.k. Safe travels. Oh, the Potato Museum I am sure you missed... lol
you sure are finding some really nice free camp spots. Beautiful part of the country to camp in for sure. Continued safe travels.....
When we are going south for the winter from Canada, our favourite gas stations are the Mavericks as well. The uel there is always reasonable too. We usually cross at Coutts/Sweetgrass border crossing into Montana.
Oh, so sorry for you "ow-ee" Gotta see what happens next week. Those hot springs look wonderful.
The hot springs were sooo relaxing! Thanks for watching!
I'm so sorry you got hurt. I pray you have a speedy recovery. 🙏
Oh my goodness, I can't believe your door flew open like that (and that it wasn't the first time!). I'm excited to see what Ghost Town you visit. We are huge fans over here and LOVED Bannack, which is maybe where you are going?! 🤞 - K
yessss! you've been there too?! Such a cool place. And yeah, so when we're caravanning to Alaska, just keep an eye out and let us know if you see our door flopping around 🤣
Great time to let him know about the flood warning. 😂😂
hahah better to ask forgiveness than permission type deal, ya know? 🤣😆
We had the same problem with our door. The latch wasn’t fully engaging. So, we used the deadbolt to latch when driving until I got a chance to re-fit the latch bolt.
Hi you 2. My husband and i are Lorne&Lisa. We dont have a Utube channel yet and may not cause we aren't ont the road yet. Still looking for a 5th wheel. We already have the dulley. We got that a few months ago. Lorne retires in 18 months from gov. and he is doing it 2 years early for me. 😅
We watch you both regularly. My husband says "Lets watch the kids". That is because we couldn't remember names. Lol
We really love watching you and get tickled at you both sometimes. Hope to meet you on the road sometime. Maybe a meet up. We are looking hard at a Brinkley also. God Bless and keep you 2 while out there.😊
By the way, I loved your sweater. The style and colors. Don't change anything about you unless You want to.
I like Maverick, too. I love your sweater, Victoria! Those granny squares brought back memories of my grandma and I making them together. ❤
I thought it was so pretty when I saw it! Had to go home with it, even if Craig does think it looks like a table cloth 🤣
@@wildrvlife So he has zero sense of fashion! 🤣🤣
hahah exactly what I told him!
@@wildrvlife 😆😂
beautiful gardens at the hot spring
They were so pretty, they did a good no. With them
Love Maverick as well
Favorite gas station without an RV is Royal Farms. I think they’re East Coast only. Sheetz is a close second.
With a RV, Loves!
I have been a subscriber since you were in single digit I have enjoyed every one of your episodes I am an old Florida boy also❤
Oh that’s awesome, thank you so much for coming along on our adventures!!
Can’t wait for the next one!
-C4YT
thanks for watching! 😄
hi guys. last week we tried to cross through Idaho on our way to Oregon. the flood warning and heavy snow got us to turn around back south and cross Nevada to get to Oregon. wasted a tank of gas but felt safer. you guys have no fear!! loving it!!
You many need to deadbolt the lock. It is the frame flex that allows the door to pop open?
We always look for nearby rail trails when we camp, and they typically make a great ride. We carry our e-bikes with us.
we are going to have to start looking out for more of them!
Agreed on Lava Hot Springs. If you want a recommendation for an incredible place …. There is absolutely no place like Yaak, Montana. It’s magical. It’s a little less than 3 hours north of Coeur d’Alene. I fell in love with it so much I bought property there. There’s a reason they call it The Last Best Place :)
PS… if you want to cliff dive, you can do that at the campground and I believe the campground there is still free :)
oh wow, I'd never heard of it but just looked it up and it looks like such a beautiful area! Will have to add that one to our list!
You are saying it correctly, Coeur d alene is my hometown, if you get a chance go see the falls in post falls, North side is best. Y'all be safe. Love the videos
Oh how cool! It turned out to be such a pretty area, we learned we really like this town and the surrounding areas!
Videos were gorgeous
I totally enjoy your videos :) Thanks for sharing them with us.
When you are back east, Damascus, Virginia has a great Rail to Trail bike trail. You can have an outfitter to take your Lectric bikes to the top of the mountain to ride the 18 miles back down to town. You can camp at Grayson Highlands State Park, where the wild ponies run.
oh what a great tip, thank you!!
Our favorite fuel stop is Loves
We had the same issue on our Solitude after replacing the lock with a keyless entry lock. I found out that inside the door frame, at the striker plate (where the latch makes contact) the wood and insulation in that area was not allowing the latch to go into the opening of the striker plate very deep. Once I chiseled out about 1/4" deep of material (plywood), the latch was able to go deeper and the door stopped opening while driving.
They are called " Rails to Trails". 👍. Great channel!
ahh gotcha! thank you for watching!!
Did you guys go up 93 or interstate 15 had you went up 93 you would’ve went through Salmon Idaho we spent 16 months there. It was very beautiful but very cold in a winter.
I love forward to seeing next week. Such a cliff hanger.
😄 thanks for watching!!
You two are seriously just too much fun!!! Can't wait to see next weeks!
thanks so much for coming along!
Great video stay safe and keep rolling 😎
thanks for watching!
Cliffhanger! Hope you're ok....the place looks beautiful!
V your crochet top looks like the back of a grandmothers couch. LOL
I thought she looked good. The yellow works with her complexion 👌
Lol! Craig also thinks that it looks like a tablecloth but every time I wear it I get a ton of compliments too 😆 it is apparently one of those love it or hate it pieces 😂🤣
And thank you @mrmorrison229 😅
I love you guys ❤️
Another great place to visit in the area is Leavenworth WA - a small Bavarian village
We have been there!! Such a cute town, we loved it! And the mountains nearby are gorgeous!
Beautiful sweater, Victoria!
My favorite gas station is Love's
Hot Springs looked wonderful
Thank you!! We really enjoyed them!
It has been from my experience it is usually the local people that trash these areas. The majority of the time.
Love my Specialized 29er Rockhopper.
Love this boondocking series!!!
so glad you're enjoying it!
Y'all stay warm and have fun!
thank you!!
I have always loved watching you all!! ❤❤
So glad! thanks for joining us on our adventures!!
Thank you for the video! Victoria, please be careful!
thank you for watching!! and I will try! 😆
Victoria, I love that crocheted sweater you’re wearing at the beginning of the video. Did you make it? It’s beautiful!
I didn’t, it was a good Marshall’s find, I was surprised to find it!
I love seeing you guys in my neck of the woods!
it's a wonderful place to be!
Get one of their cards. They are free and save you money at the pump. The Lava Hot Springs are awesome, but are better in the winter becasue the steam makes it hard to se even a few feet away (Night time) Enjoy your video.
Looks fun
it was! Thanks for watching!
Great video as always! Lots of amazing boondocks spots. What do you do for work that allows you to travel so much? I’m jealous!!!
Victoria works full time as head of marketing for a remote health tech company and I edit all of our TH-cam videos. Definitely thankful for remote work! thank you for watching!
Again enjoy watching and exploring with you guys. So informative and wholesome entertainment I find myself writing down some spots to visit in the future. Speedy recovery Victoria I tell everyone I know about you guys and pray you reach 100,000 soon ❤
Thank you so much! And so glad that you get some helpful info too, thank you for watching and coming along on our adventures!
@@wildrvlife 👍
All holiday gas stations in South Dakota all are turning to circle Ks
Beautiful spot, may have to drive down there one day. Definitely want to go to those hot springs.
definitely worth the trip in our opinion!
Pancakes looked delish 😋
they were so good!
Enjoyed this video, beautiful scenery but sorry you got hurt!’ Take care you two!!
Thanks for coming along!! And thank you 🙂 recovering well from my clumsy accident lol
You are so close to me now going to Couer d’alene
I usually have hook ups twice in a year six months apart and as you were, Fifth Wheel is equipped, you should be able to do the same thing. So I don’t get the so-called 60 day challenge.
Here's the first video in our challenge series that might explain it more: th-cam.com/video/4fnslyD8144/w-d-xo.htmlsi=72T2BiOibNlKMDxa
If you're trying to say that it's too easy and doesn't count as a "challenge", then the explanation is just that it's our personal challenge and it may not seem like a "challenge" for everyone. For some, boondocking more than 3 days would be a "challenge". For us, it's just about getting outside our comfort zone and doing things we haven't done before, because this is the most days we've boondocked in a row.
@@wildrvlife I get it.
Ouch...you got hit by a notification bell didn't you! LOL
LOL that was definitely it 😆🤣
1. Buc Ees
2. Maverik
3. Kwik Trip/Kwik Star
4. Quik Trip
5. Casey’s
Bucees is not RV friendly.
We like going to Bucees too, but also always get stressed out trying to park there!
Yeah we did buc ees only once in an RV, my stress levels were through the roof. It was like a state fair there.
Dillon is my hometown, and I grew up enjoying this reservoir. I hope you had the chance to go to Dillon and have some delicious Sparky's BBQ. I live in Eastern Idaho now but miss my Montana more than I can say.
Oh wow!! What a neat place to grow up, and we did go to Sparky’s!! It was good! We spent some time driving and exploring the BLM land near the reservoir and it was such pretty land!
Our daughter went to college in Dillon 😃
Passed through Dillion many times on the way to the Beaverhead! Next trip will make a point to stop at Sparky's!
We’re planning on visiting that area on our way back from Alaska this summer. We saving Jasper, Banff and Glacier NP for the return trip. We wanted to make sure the Going to the Sun road is open when we’re there this time.
We were debating on whether to do that area of Canada on the way there or back, we decided on the way, but I do wonder how cold it's going to end up being!
Great, great video! Two years ago my brother and I went to that same town in Idaho and then to Lava Hot Springs. It was the one too the coolest places! It brought back so many great memories! We traveled to there in his 399thr momentum 5th wheel (we love your Brinkley though). LOL, Hope you’re ok from your ‘little mishap’. I can’t wait to see part II !!!
oh I love that it brought back good memories for you! It was such a cute little town, would have definitely enjoyed staying a few more days there. and thank you for watching!
Clark Canyon was awesome and rich in History. We stayed there two years ago.
such an unexpectedly wonderful find!
Yah it unfortunate about the west side of Utah lake it’s just a party spot and dump hole. I’m here in Utah there are lots of amazing boondocking spots especially once the snow melts. I had that Bauer lock its the biggest pile of junk. I switched to rv lock brand. Been great. Lava is pretty fun spot in the summer once it warms up and you can swim and float the river. Always enjoy your videos safe travels
There’s still so much more in Utah we need to explore one day! We need to switch to the RV lock, we just kept hoping that maybe the next one would work but apparently it’s not a one off issue 😅 thanks for coming along this week!!
1. Quick Trip (QT)
2. Bucees
3.Caseys
yes! QTs are usually good too!!
I like gas stations with plenty of room for the camper. Bucees is probably our favorite but Loves and Pilot are good too. I'll check out a Mavericks this summer. Sorry for your accident. Thanks for the great videos.
yes!! Room for the RV is probably our biggest concern when it comes to gas stations too. And thank you for watching!
Love Maveriks! They are converting the Kum&Go here to Maveriks next month. Can’t wait!
oh niceeee!!
❤💛I love love that sweater cover up. It's so cute 🌼🌼🌼😊💛‼️
Thank you!! 😊
Maverik for us too!
yes!!
You guys are so much fun to watch, you crack me up. I got a new travel buddy(border collie) he's 7mo old now and we're ready to go.
aww congrats!!! They are such smart dogs, sometimes too smart for their own good lol
Thanks... I have thought about convenience store rankings during our travels and have attached my (work in progress) personal rankings below. My rankings are chain specific as any individual location could exceed or not meet the chain ranking (1-5 stars)...
5 Star
Buc-ees
4 Star
QT
WaWa
Maverik
RaceTrak
ABC (Hawaii)
3 Star
OnCue
Kum & Go
Parkers
Caseys
2 Star
7-11
Loves
Alsups
Cenex Co-op
TA
Pilot\Flying J
Petro
Unranked
Speedway
Kwik Trip
Stripes
Sheetz
haha oh wow! I love it, a whole ranking system!! Pretty accurate although I have to admit Buccees always stresses us out a bit with how busy it is!
Almost at 50k subscribers, then the big 100!!!!!!!
Hope so!! 🤞🏼
I'm still looking for the part where the road was almost washed away... ?
Core da lane 😊 I live here and it’s beautiful. You will love it.
such a beautiful place to live!! we have been pleasantly surprised by this town!
@@wildrvlife Bumblebee is my favorite place to camp. Hopefully sometime you can come in the summer. We have wonderful floating at that time. I could have actually given you places to go had I known y’all were heading to Kingston.
Are you locking the dead bolt too?
❤saludos y bendiciones
we have a really long rail trail in Vermont. The rails have been removed and is for bikes. Very scenic-we were followed by a large moose. 🫎 Over in New York their Revolution Co trail has the rails and uses railroad pedal cars that goes up and back. More touristy. Either way, pretty cool stuff.
Craig, where can I get me one of those Victorias? She is amazing ❤
That spot in Montana looked awesome. Good job guys 👍🏻
I hear more comments from RV personal about the condition of rv sites that are trashed. It seems to be getting worse. Good video.
it's so unfortunate! Hopefully we can continue to get more awareness out and it'll improve 🤞 thanks for watching!
Buc-ees
Royal Farms
Wawa
Quik trip
My wife thinks there may have been a bike mishap, please be careful out there.
She may be right 😬 thanks for watching!
Wawa, Buc Ees never been to a Maverick. Great video hope you didn’t hurt yourself too bad.
Love a Bucees stop too!! And thank you 😊
@@wildrvlife I’m waiting to see your adventures in Alaska!
Never been to a Maverick. Love Buc Ees and Wawa!
oh yeah Wawas are usually pretty good too!
I have to put on rubber boots when going to the dump station. Can’t imagine doing it in flip flops. Please Craig, consider covering your feet????
#teamboots
Rails to Trails.
My favorite gas station is Costco. Always the lowest price in the area. Be aware very few of them carry diesel though.
yes! that's always been the issue for us with Costcos, they are good priced though!
We to have had that issue so to prevent our door from flying open we put our extended handrail over the door.
Their Brinkley has a different style handrail.
yeah that's what we did with our old one, we're just going to have to try and double check that the deadbolt is all the way extended (it seems to only half extend sometimes when using the door code)
Cord-da-lane... safe travels
thank you!
Remember consider roads getting in and out of flooded areas. Most ppl get trapped in floods.