How to Take a Digital Detox Vacation

When airlines first started offering Internet access on planes, there was an outcry from many folks who were connected almost around the clock and therefore cherished the precious time in the air when no one could call, email or text them. Many saw this quiet time as one of the most enjoyable elements of what were otherwise arduous business trips.

Similar debates raged over whether or not to allow cell phone use on planes. Do we really want to interrupt the relative quiet of an airplane with ringing phones and inane conversations?

Most of us know at least one person who has posted something to Facebook or Twitter along the lines of “Aircraft doors closing, stack of magazines and neck pillow at the ready,” with some sort of anti-digital hashtag.

The fact that so many folks announce delight in time away from devices and social media via a device on social media seems as good an indicator as any that there may be something to the growing popularity of digital detox vacations.

Why Do a Digital Detox?

Should I Do This While Traveling — and How?

In some respects, a vacation is a perfect time to eschew all types of digital stimulation; you are out and around, often in an entirely new environment, and have far less exposure to the moments of boredom or distraction that lead folks back to their screens again and again.

On the other hand, most of us know how helpful our devices are when traveling in an unfamiliar place. In fact, it could be argued that a smartphone shifts from a source of distraction to a superb tool when navigating new cities, finding things to do and dealing with travel snafus.

– Be ready for withdrawal symptoms
– Plan to enjoy (and not regret) missing out on what everyone else is doing
– Be prepared with things like paper maps and written phone numbers
– Set small goals (maybe a 24- or even 12-hour detox instead of a week the first time out)
– Plan something that will occupy and entertain you

This last item in particular suggests that travel might be the perfect time to try a digital detox; spending your afternoon snorkeling can make it really easy to skip fitful checks of your phone.

 

Ways to Prevent Identity Theft While Traveling

Tips for avoiding scams and theft while traveling are a staple of the travel writing genre; pretty much every guidebook or travel website dedicates some space to the subject. 

But in the 21st century, you are as much at risk of having your identity stolen — or more accurately your financial and digital identity — as you are of getting “mugged,” which almost sounds quaint these days (though I do not intend in any way to underplay the misery and danger of actually getting mugged).

Identity theft is a growing problem worldwide — especially for travelers, who are very vulnerable, forced as they are to use unsecured Internet connections, carry extensive personal documentation with them at all times, and share their credit cards with merchants about whom they know nothing and whom they’ll never see again.

Modern technology hasn’t made it any easier for honest folks to avoid identity theft, either; witness the practice of websites like Facebook and LinkedIn, which often keep you logged in to the site, even after you close your browser or turn off your computer. Someone getting unfettered access to your closest friends on Facebook could definitely shake out some very “helpful” information before you knew it.

As time and technology advance, this problem is only going to affect more travelers.

Here are tips to avoid identity theft while traveling:

“Unpack” Critical Documents Before Travel

If you carry some essential documents with you when you are not traveling — the average wallet or purse might include a Social Security card, bank statements, medical documents, checkbook and the like — remove them before you leave home. Essentially, when it comes to documentation, you want to “unpack” before traveling.

Be Very Careful About Shared and Insecure Internet Connections

This is one thing that I have found very difficult to do – when traveling, it is hard to find connections other than public ones at hotels, cafes, airports, you name it. To see the warning “this connection is unsecured and others may see your information” is almost a staple of the travel experience. The risk applies to anything you type into your keyboard while connected, such as email passwords and website logins.

Use Only Bank ATM’s

A recent trend among identity thieves has been to install card readers in an ATM by which they can access your card number and PIN. This happens most often at non-bank, “generic” ATM’s (in hotels, convenience stores, etc.), which have less oversight and are therefore more vulnerable than bank-run and hosted ATM’s. Stick with the ones at banks; these can still be compromised, but tend to be targeted by thieves much less often.

Change Passwords and PIN’s

You may want to change your passwords after a trip; identity thieves are thought to be very patient criminals, and often wait until you are less likely to pay attention after a few weeks at home.

 

 

 

 

How to Escape While Staying Connected

Leave the laptop behind, dump the mobile device and otherwise abandon anything that could be called “always on” — so goes a frequent recommendation to stressed vacationers. The thinking is that if it’s too easy to stay in touch via phone and email with work, social obligations and the daily grind, you’ll never really get away from it all.

Sounds like sound advice — except that I’m not sure I agree. I have found that sacrificing a little bit of free time to staying connected while traveling typically makes exit and re-entry — when the most draining work of travel and vacationing takes place — go much more smoothly. In the end, checking in a few times during your vacation is a small price to pay to avoid returning home to a chaotic swarm of neglected responsibilities.

Some folks wouldn’t take a walk without all their devices, while others can’t wait to jettison everything and get off the communication grid. When my own five-year-old cell phone suffered some water damage,

Laptop, cell phone, tablet — take ’em along, leave ’em home, take your pick? Let’s say most of us have three primary email addresses (work, home, alternate) and matching triple voice mails (work, home, cell). That’s a lot of stuff to check while you’re trying to unwind; a couple of hours can pass in a blink by the time you have gotten through them all.

Less to Do Before and After Your Trip
As mentioned above, I believe the most compelling reason to stay connected on the road is to reduce the strain of both leaving and returning. As comfortable as home can be, few things can diminish the glow of a good trip quite as quickly as arriving home to find that two weeks of the detritus of modern life has been accumulating in your absence and that it’ll take days to clear it out.

I would say that the only thing worse than a pile of junk mail in a plastic USPS box and fading newspapers on your stoop is a “mail box is full” message on your voicemail and a couple dozen screens worth of email on your first login when you get home.

And it’s not just when you get home. Leaving notes for dog walkers, putting your house in order and letting everyone who might want your attention know that you will be away is almost always more trouble than checking email for a few minutes in a hotel room every day. While traveling, if you can dispatch tasks and information with short, concise emails written in a few seconds during your trip, there is a lot less accumulated clutter when you return, and less to do before you leave.

Fewer Surprises
The only thing worse than returning from a trip to an inbox full of nuisance emails is finding out too late that a major problem has come up. Keeping in touch with work and personal email semi-regularly is the best way to keep on top of big events. It also gives you…

Increased Control
Trying to fix big problems from a hotel is not a fun place to find yourself. If you have a speedy laptop stocked with all your likely contacts, you’ll be well positioned to deal with anything that goes wrong.

Lowered Expectations
An “away” or “vacation” auto response message followed up with an email with a footer that reads “sent from my cell phone” lets you get away with murder in terms of brevity and specificity — folks are just grateful to get a reply so they can keep working on or stop worrying about whatever it is for which they needed your attention.

 

 

Our Service Department

The credibility of our service department is absolutely astounding. Specializing in stock and high performance Coachmen, Fleetwood, Forest River, Heartland, Holiday Rambler, Pacific Coachworks and Shasta, we are equipped to make your motorhome and trailer suitable for you and your taste. We have top factory-trained technicians on duty during all business hours.

We honor all warranty work and favor any recalls. We accommodate any type of problem that may arise with your Coachmen, Fleetwood, Forest River, Heartland, Holiday Rambler, Pacific Coachworks and Shasta recreational vehicles in an efficient, precise, and timely manner. We are located in Tualatin, OR, near Portland, Salem, and Eugene, Oregon.

Tualatin’s RV service, repair, and maintenance

Funtime RV has the technology and staff to make your motorhome or trailer run and look like new. Our experienced RV technicians have the skills to correctly diagnose and repair your Coachmen, Fleetwood, Forest River, Heartland, Holiday Rambler, Pacific Coachworks and Shasta the first time. The mechanics at Funtime RV are the Tualatin RV, trailer and motorhome repair experts; whether you need a brake job, oil change or OR any RV repair. Stop and schedule an appointment at our Funtime RV dealership’s state-of-the-art service facility. You can also fill out our online service request form and schedule your RV repair online. Please allow 1 business day for appointment request validation.

8 Great Family Camping Trips in Oregon

Dune and Cape Escapes: Cape Lookout State Park just north of Pacific City is nestled on a sandy spit between Netarts Bay and the ocean. The campground has 170 tent sites, RV spots and several yurts and cabins (some are pet friendly). More than eight miles of hiking and walking trails wind through the forest around the campground. It’s the perfect basecamp for the rest the Three Capes Scenic Loop: Climb the sand dune at Cape Kiwanda, visit the lighthouse and bird refuge at Cape Meares and watch for paragliders from the cliffs above. Freshwater swimming and canoeing are on order at Jesse M. Honeyman Memorial State Park near Florence, which has two small lakes within its borders and more than 185 tent sites. A 2-mile walk through the sandy dunes takes you out to the ocean. Rent a sandboard at Sand Master Park and take it with you to the dunes around Cleawox Lake at Honeyman, a popular spot for sailing down the slopes.

Wild and Scenic Rivers: Multi-day raft trips through Hells Canyon are perfect for families with kids aged 7 and up. The expert guides at Winding Waters River Expeditions will captain your tribe down the Snake River through Oregon’s majestic Hells Canyon — the deepest river gorge in North America. Watch the sun set over the canyon rim after dinner and fall asleep to the sound of the rushing river. On the water, your kids will learn about the natural and cultural history of the stunning landscape, and they’ll love the jetboat or plane ride out of the canyon at the end. Trips start and finish in the town of Joseph at the foot of the Wallowa Mountains. Along the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway near the town of Halfway, the Ollokot Campground is the perfect spot for day hiking, berry picking and fishing along the Wild and Scenic Imnaha River. This road is usually closed by October, making this a really special summer spot.

Waterfall Wonders: Near the town of Sublimity, your family can explore 10 stunning waterfalls within Silver Falls State Park, with cascades ranging from scenic 27-foot Drake Falls to the awesome 177-foot South Falls. Older kids can manage the 9-mile Trail of Ten Falls in one go, while younger hikers will enjoy the state’s first natural play area — which simulates the natural habitats of native wildlife like black bears, cougars and birds. The park has 25 miles of trail for hiking, horseback riding and biking as well as tent sites, RV spots and cabins. In the Coast Range southwest of Corvallis, the south fork of the Alsea River flows through the Alsea Falls Recreation Site, to form the lovely 30-foot Alsea Falls. With just 16 campsites and two-dozen picnic areas, this quiet spot is a great place to escape the crowds and cool off in the river. Mountain bikers will enjoy six miles of flowing trail.

Lakes on the Mountain: On the shores of the lake for which it is named, Trillium Lake Campground is a favorite family camping spot near Government Camp on Mt. Hood. The pristine waters of the glacier-fed lake are perfect for fishing, swimming, picnicking and paddling. An easy 1.9-mile trail loops through the campground, which has nearly 60 sites. Young adventurers will happily find Mt. Hood Adventure Park at Skibowl just down the road. Closer to Hood River, and also on Mt. Hood, Lost Lake Resort and Campground is great for kayaking, SUP boarding, canoeing and fishing, and the resort offers gear rental. Overnighters can stay in the lodge, cabins, yurts or camp sites under the snowy gaze of Mt Hood.

Winter RV Camping Tips

1. One of the first considerations for cold-weather RVing is if you will be traveling in temperatures below freezing. If this is the case, and there is water in the RV water system, your plumbing lines or water heater tank could freeze, resulting in costly repair bills and ruining your wonderland RV trip. To avoid this from happening, when temperatures dip below freezing, I travel with the water system winterized. It is actually much easier to winterize a motorhome than most people think, and it doesn’t cost much, either. I have winterized and de-winterized our motorhome as many as three times in one winter.

2. The good news is it is still possible to use the bathroom facilities when you are traveling with the RV winterized. We take 1-gallon jugs filled with water to use in the toilet. If your holding tanks are not heated, you can put some RV antifreeze in the holding tanks to prevent the contents from freezing. Add the RV antifreeze through the toilet for the black-water holding tank and down the shower or tub drain for the gray water tank. The antifreeze will also protect the shower or tub P-trap, which is usually located below floor level.

Note: The amount of RV antifreeze required for the holding tanks will be based on the size of the tanks, and how much is in the tanks. It will be necessary to add more RV antifreeze as waste water is added to the tanks to prevent the antifreeze from being too diluted. During cold-weather camping doesn’t allow the holding tanks to fill completely before emptying them (unless the holding tanks are heated). This will reduce the chance of freezing, which can damage the holding tanks.

When the RV is winterized, take bottled water along for drinking and other needs like cooking and brushing your teeth. We have a 5-gallon jug that we take on trips, filled with tap water from our house for our pet’s drinking water. This extra supply can also be used for washing up and other needs, and comes in handy when the RV is winterized.

3. When we arrive at our destination I try to select a site that will be exposed to the sun throughout the day, but also where there is some type of wind break available. Position the motorhome on the site so the front or rear will be facing the brunt of any wind, not the side of the RV. Normally, once at the campground, we use the water system on the RV. All of the water lines in our motorhome are in a heated space, so we don’t need to be too concerned about the water system freezing as long as the RV has heat. We leave the water heater turned on whenever the water heater tank is full so there is no chance of it freezing. If we have an electric hookup, we operate the water heater on electricity, and if not we operate it on LP-gas.

4. It’s important that you know where all of the plumbing on your motorhome is located. Some RVs have heat ducts going to the basement storage areas where the water system is exposed to outside temperatures, but many RVs do not. If portions of the RV water system are below floor level, in areas that are not heated, it is possible for it to freeze and damage the water lines. If you are hooked up to an external water supply, one option is to leave a faucet in the RV dripping. This can help keep the water moving and decrease the possibility of water lines freezing. Another option is to use heat tape to protect any exposed water lines. Heat tape can be purchased at most hardware or building supply stores. Make sure it is suitable for the types of water lines or water hoses in your RV.

5. If it is extremely cold outside and the possibility exists that the outside water supply could freeze, or if the campground water supply is shut off for the winter, I try to fill our fresh water holding tank and use it for all of our water requirements. Again, keep in mind where your fresh-water tank is located; ours is in a heated area. If the campgrounds shower facilities are still open, it’s a good idea to use them to avoid the gray-water holding tank from filling so quickly. In this situation it might be in your best interest to keep the RV winterized and just use the campground’s facilities.

6. The best source for heat is to use the RV’s forced-air furnace. There are a couple of things you need to be aware of when you use the RV furnace. First of all, it will consume more LP-gas than any of the other LP-gas-fired appliances. The LP tank should be full before leaving on your trip, and you will need to monitor the LP-gas supply carefully during your stay. Second, if you are not plugged in to an electrical supply the furnace fan can quickly drain the auxiliary battery(ies). Batteries that are not fully charged in cold temperatures can freeze, rendering the RV furnace unusable. I recommend that you plan your stay where you have access to an electrical supply when camping in cold weather. When we are plugged into electricity, we set the forced-air furnace on a lower setting and supplement the heat with thermostatically controlled ceramic heaters. These heaters work extremely well and you don’t need to be concerned about a fire or carbon monoxide.

7. If you will be camping where you don’t have access to an electrical hookup, one option is to use a generator. A generator can keep the RV batteries topped off and allow you to use the RV furnace. You will need to have a sufficient supply of fuel on hand for the generator. If it’s a portable generator make sure the exhaust is directed away from the area where you are camping. Regardless of the type of generator, always make sure the exhaust system is in proper operating condition and the carbon monoxide detector is working properly.

Go Somewhere

From All of Us at Funtime RV

Camping Brings Families Together

In an age with so many ways for a family to stay connected – from tweets to Facebook to texting – spending time together may not seem as necessary as it once did.

But nothing could be further from the truth. Although families may be plugged in electronically, they are becoming disconnected emotionally. 

Nothing can replace spending time together in making families stronger, creating better relationships and long-lasting memories. 

One of the best ways to make sure your family gets the quality time together that it deserves is a family camping trip. It doesn’t matter if you’re tent camping trip or taking an RV trip. 

Here are 10 reasons why a camping vacation can bring your family closer and with memories that will last a lifetime.

1. Quality time. 
It’s tough to get much closer than sharing a tent or an RV cabin. That aside, enjoying family activities such as hiking, fishing, swimming and just enjoying nature are some of the many ways families can enjoy time together on a camping trip. It sure beats a hotel resort where mom’s shopping, dad’s hitting the golf course and the kids are being entertained by staff.

2. Memories. 
Although most vacations provide memories, you would be hard-pressed to find a camping or TV trip that didn’t become part of family lore. The kids catching their first fish, dad falling in the creek or mom being chased around the camping site by local wildlife. Then there is the hike where you all enjoy a panoramic vista or the natural beauty of a waterfall. 

3. Variety. 
Whether you want to enjoy the beach, mountains, desert or plains, there is nothing that offers the variety of a family camping trip. It’s one thing to look at the window of an expensive hotel room and see the ocean, it’s quite another to wake up to the sound of the pounding surf yards from your campsite.

4. Flexible. 
A traditional family vacation is nearly impossible to do on the fly and making changes are often costly and time consuming. A family camping trip or RV trip allows you the flexibility to change course, whether that means staying a day longer to explore an area you fell in love with or head in a different direction on the advice of fellow campers. 

5. Health. 
Face it, there’s no bus tour or maid service when it comes to camping. You fetch your own firewood, and set up and take down your own campsite. Of course, there’s the added benefit of being self-sufficient in the fresh air. Walking, swimming and hiking are just some of the healthy activities that will make you forget the treadmill at your gym back home.

6. Relaxing. 
Reading a good book by the pool is nice, until some overly boisterous kids shower you with water performing a cannon ball. Reading a good book in the quiet next to a babbling creek is another. It will be tough to find a more relaxing, carefree atmosphere than enjoying the outdoors with your family.

7. Bonding. 
Nothing brings people closer better than actually doing something together. Remember when your dad showed you how to tie knots or bait a hook? Or how you helped him set up the tent? 

8. Appreciation of nature. 
Living green is a popular slogan in the day-to-day world. But the reason why you recycle those bottles and contribute to wildlife habitat takes on a whole new meaning when you get to spend time enjoying all that you are trying to save. 

9. Break from daily grind.
Ever realize how a traditional vacation of airplanes, hotels and tour buses doesn’t stray far from our daily lives, even if the scenery is a bit different? For those who live in or near the Big City, nothing offers a break from your daily routine like a family camping trip or RV trip.

10. Cost. 
A family vacation doesn’t get any more cost effective than when taking a camping trip or RV trip. Camping site spaces are a bargain compared to hotel rooms and dinner under the stars goes down a lot better without the check.

11 Helpful Tips for RV Storage

1. Clean and Check all Seals

Before placing the rig in storage give it a good wash and wax. The wax will help protect the RV from sun damage and keep dirt build up down. A good coat of wax also makes cleanup after storage much easier. When washing pay special attention to the roof. Most of those evil black streaks come from dirt and road grime on the roof, so the cleaner the better for the whole rig. After the rig is all clean have a close look at all silicon seams, caulking and rubber seals. If anything is cracked or worn looking now is the time to repair it. One of the most expensive RV repair bills you can get is from water damage and most times it happens during time spent in storage.

2. Ventilation

Keeping moisture out of the RV is a major concern. If any moisture develops it can lead to mold growth and musty smells when you retrieve your RV from storage. I find by far the best way to keep the interior of the RV dry is to leave the rooftop vents open. Equalization of air temperature inside and outside the RV seems to be a big key to stopping moisture problems and the open vents do the job well.

3. Blinds and Curtains

Another way to combat mold growth is by not using the full night time shades. Store the RV with the translucent daytime shades drawn which still allows daylight to penetrate.

4. Slide Outs

Keep all slides retracted when storing the RV. This way the mechanical parts, roof, slide toppers and rubber seals are not exposed to the elements and there is less chance for leaks. Before placing the RV in storage, clean the rubber seals, roof and mechanical parts underneath. Apply some Protect-All rubber seal conditioner and slide rail corrosion protector. On the inner seals rub on some baby powder to keep the them from sticking.

5. Bugs and Rodents

Different parts of the country will have different problems with pests, and most of them can cause some sort of grief when storing the rig. First thing to do is make sure all external openings are blocked off or screened. Popular spots for bugs to set up shop are rooftop plumbing vents, inside the exterior fridge panel and vent, the furnace exhaust and air intake piping. Most RV parts outlets sell made to fit screening for these openings. The best way to limit them picking your RV as a happy home is to make sure to remove all possible food sources and nesting materials. Even things you wouldn’t think of like soap, toothpaste and paper towels. They generally won’t hang around and nest if there isn’t a good supply of food.

6. Electrical

Turn off all electrical using a battery disconnect switch. This way there will be absolutely no drain on the battery bank and you won’t have to worry about dealing with a dead battery bank when you go to pick up the RV. Thing to remember though is to make sure the batteries are fully charged first. A fully charged battery will be OK in cold weather and usually not freeze.

7. Plumbing and Tanks

The temperature plays the biggest role in how to prep the RV for storage when it comes to plumbing. If there is no chance of freezing and you are only storing for a few weeks you can do very little. Flush out the waste tanks and then add back a ¼ tank of water to keep them from drying out inside. For the fresh water, fill it and add a ½ cup of bleach and then run it into all the pipes. That way I get to disinfect the water supply plumbing as it sits and nothing can grow in it. If there is any chance of below freezing weather,  remove all water from the plumbing system including the water heater tank. Add antifreeze into the piping, valves, drain “P” traps and a little bit into each waste tank. Remember to remove any other liquids that may freeze and crack their containers to avoid unanticipated messes in the RV. An example would be dish washing soap.

8. Security

Motorhomes are a little harder to break into and steal but fifth wheels are an easy target. Attach a hitch lock to the king pin. Some folks will also chain the wheels or use a wheel lock. The best thing to do is leave it in a location that has some type of onsite security or at least someone that keeps an eye on things. Making your RV a difficult target is the best defense. Thieves are generally lazy and will move on looking for an easier score.

9. RV Insurance

Make sure to contact your RV insurance company and see if you have the proper insurance in place. Don’t trust that a storage lot is going to cover any losses. Most policies for “storage only” coverage are very cheap and well worth it for peace of mind.

10. Tires

Improper storage of tires causes a great many of those blow outs you hear RVers talking about. Leaving the motorhome or trailer parked in the same spot on the tires for extended periods weakens the tire and may lead to sudden catastrophic failure

11. Go Check on it

Finally, we can all get lazy or forgetful, out of site out of mind, but it’s well worth stopping by and checking in on your RV from time to time. Problems can be nipped in the bud before they go from minor little problems to larger, more expensive issues. Two big things to look for are signs of rodent droppings or moisture intrusion each can cause expensive damage.