But when it comes to RV vs. camper van travel, which is the better choice? Let’s break down the pros and cons so you can plan the ultimate road trip.

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RV vs. Camper Van: What’s the Difference?

While RVs (recreational vehicles) and camper vans both provide comfort on the road, they offer very different experiences.

Similarities

-Both are mobile homes on wheels equipped with a bed, seating, storage, and often cooking equipment.

-They allow you to travel with more comfort than a standard car or tent.

-Both are great alternatives to hotels and give you the freedom to travel.

Key Differences

Camper Vans

-Easier to drive and park, they fit into most campsites and even city areas.

-Better gas mileage, making them more affordable for long trips.

-Smaller, which means tighter quarters.

RVs (Motorhomes)

-Offer more space, often with separate beds, living areas, and kitchens.

-Usually equipped with a toilet and shower, which is convenient on longer trips.

-Better for families or multiple travelers, but harder to maneuver and more expensive to rent.

* Choosing between the two comes down to your trip style, budget, and how much space you (and your pet!) need.

Questions to Ask Before Renting an RV or Camper Van

Before booking, make a list of questions to make sure your rental fits your needs.

General Rental Questions

What mileage is included, and what’s the cost of extra miles?

Are bedding and kitchen supplies provided?

Does the rental include insurance?

Are there generator fees?

What are the pick-up and drop-off times?

What’s the cancellation policy?

Personal Considerations

Space: Do I have enough room for myself, my gear, and my pet?

Destination: Will I be camping in national parks or driving into cities where RVs may not fit?

Comfort: Do I need a shower and kitchen, or can I get by with the basics?

Water Storage: If you stay off grid, will the tank size meet my needs?

Best RV Rentals in the USA

Cruise America

Highlights: Large RV fleet, free mobile app, supply kits available for rent. The company has been in business for over 40 years.

Pros: They offer clear and concise rental agreements and policies.  Supplemental liability insurance is included in rental. Rental locations in 33 states.

Cons: These are full-time rentals rather than owner-rented, meaning the wear and tear is more prominent. No appliances are included.

Pricing: Rentals with Cruise America depend on the RV size, pickup and drop-off location, and time of year. Expect to pay anywhere from $70-100 per night for the base rate. There are additional charges for dishes, linens, mileage, and more so the cost can quickly add up.

El Monte RV

Highlights: 24/7 roadside support, free generators, frequent rental specials.

Pros: Rental Services in 31 States. The rentals include a massive fleet of Class A and C motorhomes with some travel trailers and 5th wheels as well. Includes a $16/day option for covering damage.

Cons: It’s sometimes difficult to get a one-way rental, despite the company’s claim.

Pricing: Rental rates with El Monte depend on the RV size, pickup, and drop-off location, and time of year. Expect to pay around $155 per night for a small Class C, and up to $400 per night for a large Class A. There are additional charges for dishes, linens, mileage, and more so the cost can quickly add up.

RV Share (Peer-to-Peer Rentals)

Highlights: Wide selection of RVs from private owners; policies and fees negotiated directly.

Pros: RV Share features a reliable and friendly community of RV owners. They have top-rated customer support and service. Features free listing and renter sign-up.

Cons: The mobile app is a little clunky and could use an upgrade.

Pricing: RV rental rates on RVShare vary by the type of rig, amenities, updates, and features. The time of year, the length of the rental, and rental location impact the price as well. We found RV rental rates as low as $65 for pop-up campers and small travel trailers to $250-400 per night for large Class A rigs. Remember that you can negotiate these rates and add-on amenities with the RV owners before you book.

Best Camper Van Rentals in the USA

Escape Camper Vans

Highlights: Colorfully painted vans, fully equipped kitchens, optional add-ons, and great trip-planning resources.

Pros: Hands down the best RV rental choice for couples. Affordable pricing on a per-night basis. Includes 24/7 roadside assistance and insurance.

Cons: Only 12 locations across the US and Canada.

Pricing: Escape Campervans feature a starting price of $95 per night, however, the minimum is a three-night rental. If you choose one of their smaller, couple’s Class Bs, and keep all of your options at a minimum, you’re looking at $285 before tax.

RVnGo

Highlights: RVnGO is quickly becoming one of the best RV rental companies in America thanks to their simplification and customization offers. As a peer-to-peer RV campervan rental service, it’s hard to beat if you want to rent an RV with as little fuss as possible.

Pros: RVnGO has locations in all 50 states, including Washington D.C.  They feature every type of RV and motorhome class in the industry. Extremely simplified choice layout and plenty of customization.

Cons: Pets are welcome, but owners are responsible for any and all damages.

Pricing: RVnGO is reasonably priced. There’s a minimum stay of three nights and a starting price of $112 for Class Cs and comparable travel trailers (in terms of size) and a $228 starting price for Class B RVs. Class C and B rentals represent the vast majority of rentals from RVnGO, the two most popular options.

RVezy

Highlights: This is one of the newest, peer-to-peer RV rental companies to start up. Founded in 2016, RVezy offers one of the smoothest RV renting experiences in the industry. They also offer a load of freebies, including portable grills and pet accommodations.

Pros: They offer a very streamlined rental process with an excellent app and website. RVezy offers an outstanding insurance product that includes tires, cab fares, hotel rooms, and roadside assistance. Rental accommodation includes vehicle delivery.

Cons: Rental restrictions are fairly pricy compared to other RV rental companies.

Pricing: Pricing is determined by the hosts, and they offer periodic weekly and monthly discounts.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to RV vs. camper van travel, there’s no one-size-fits-all choice. Camper vans are ideal for budget-friendly, flexible road trips, while RVs provide space and comfort for longer journeys. By asking the right questions and researching policies ahead of time, you can find your perfect fit. With a little planning, your next camping adventure will be all you want it to be.

If you need help planning a road trip, check out roadtrippers.com. They have ideas on places to go, where to stop for food and attractions in the area. If you use code BTR5QTP to save $5. Once you’ve picked your RV or camper, be sure to make a list of what you need for both you and your pet so you don’t forget anything important. Then hit the road and have fun! We want to share the information and tips we learn along the way to help make planning your trip easier. We hope to inspire you to find your adventures, have lots of fun and make many memories.

The post  RV vs. Camper Van: Which is Best for You appeared first on scenicroutetravelers.com.

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Starting Point

There are so many things to consider when trying to navigate travel insurance and finding the right policy for you. If you’re wondering if travel insurance is something you need or aren’t sure what some of the types of insurance are, click here for our blog to help you decide. So, let’s begin with these 6 basics as a starting point:

 Know your travel style & evaluate your travel risks

Before diving into insurance options, reflect on your travel style. Are you a thrill-seeker planning to rock climb or a historical explorer wandering through historical Charleston, SC?  Your activities will significantly influence the coverage you need. If you plan to engage in high-risk activities like snowboarding or skydiving, make sure your policy covers these adventures. If lounging on a beach is more your style, basic coverage may suffice – just ensure it covers medical emergencies and trip cancellations.

Assess your destination

 If you’re heading to a remote location or a country with limited medical facilities, opt for a plan with robust medical coverage and emergency evacuation options. If you’re planning to visit a major city, then you may not need medical coverage, but you’ll possibly need emergency evacuation options. Always consider what your personal medical coverage already covers. You may not need medical coverage at all.

 Duration of your trip

 The length of your trip can also affect your insurance choice. If you’re planning multiple trips throughout the year, consider an annual multi-trip policy. This can save you time and money compared to buying separate insurance for each journey. If you do opt for multi-trip make sure you know the limitations. It might have time limits of when trips can be taken, etc.  For extended vacations, ensure your policy covers the entire duration of your stay.

 Compare coverage options

Don’t settle for the first plan you find! Take time to compare different policies and their coverage details by checking reviews. This insight can reveal how well claims are handled and the overall customer service experience. Also check for financial stability of the company. Use comparison tools and resources to view multiple policies side by side. This can help you quickly identify which plans offer the best value for your needs. Check to see if there is flexibility in the policy. For instance, if you want to extend your trip longer will you still be covered? Even though it takes more time, in the end it’s worth it to compare several companies to find what it right for you.

 Exclusions

 Be aware of exclusions regarding pre-existing conditions and high-risk activities to avoid any surprises during your travels. If you have health issues prior to purchasing insurance, make sure they are covered under your chosen plan. Make sure you really understand what the restrictions are on any insurance you decide to get. Ask questions, if you’re not sure.

Simplifying claims

Consider how easy it is to file claims by opting for providers that offer straightforward online submission options. Make sure they have a 24-hour helpline. This can be invaluable, especially when you need urgent assistance in a foreign country and even in your home country. After purchasing your travel insurance policy, remember to save the helpline number in your phone contacts to avoid scrambling through emails or paperwork when you need assistance.

These tips are the starting point, but let’s look at a few more factors to consider making sure the plan you pick meets your needs.

Key Factors

Coverage Limits

Each type of coverage has a limit on how much the insurer will pay. It depends somewhat on the type of coverage you are getting. For instance, medical expenses may have high limits where lost luggage may have lower limits. Make sure the limits align with your travel activities and destinations. Also be aware of what type of medical coverage you have. There is primary and secondary coverage. If it’s primary, then you file a claim directly with the insurance company and they pay out the eligible medical expenses regardless of any other coverage you have. Secondary insurance only covers the costs that your primary insurance company doesn’t cover. If you have medical coverage already and are traveling close to home, you may only want secondary insurance to cover things your personal insurance doesn’t cover, or you may feel you don’t need it all. But if you are travelling further, especially to another country, you may want to get the primary, so you only have to deal with one company.

Deductibles

Some policies have deductibles, or the amount you must pay before the insurance covers the rest. Higher deductibles often mean lower premiums, but you also must think about how much you can afford to pay outright. It may be worth it to pay for higher premiums.

Policy Exclusions

Exclusions are events or situations not covered by the insurance. For instance, some policies may not cover pre-existing conditions, injuries from adventure sports, or only cover reimbursing you for necessities when your luggage is lost. Review the exclusions carefully to understand what’s not included.

Covered Reasons

On the flip side of exclusions is a plan’s covered reasons. In other words, if you need to cancel your trip what are the reasons you can do this and be covered. Does it include sickness of any family member, like parents or just family members in your household. Also consider what is required to prove the covered reason. For example, a note from the doctor. As mentioned, always read the fine print!

Total Trip Cost Maximums

While most plans offer trip cancellation policies with coverage of 100%, some have maximum dollar amount of payouts. For example, the maximum payout may be $10,000 but you are vacationing with your family overseas and the total trip is much more than $10,000 then you will need to look for another company or a policy add-on.

Be Selective with Maximum Benefit Amounts

You don’t need to go across the board with all the same benefit amounts. You need to consider where you’re going, what you’re going to be doing and your current medical condition. If you are planning a trip to visit some National Parks, but don’t plan on hiking or camping out then you can probably go with lower amounts for medical evacuation but higher for car rental insurance.

Destination-Based Coverage

Some plans are tailored for specific destinations. If you’re travelling to a country with higher medical costs or if there is more risk of theft, there may be specific coverage for these countries.

Emergency Support Services

Quality travel insurance providers offer 24/7 emergency assistance, including multilingual support, medical referrals, and help with logistics in the event of a crisis. In my opinion if they don’t offer 24/7 assistance, I wouldn’t even consider them. You can’t control it when you have an emergency and you don’t want to get stuck in the middle of the night.

Pre-Existing Conditions

Many policies exclude pre-existing medical conditions. However, some offer optional add-ons or waivers if you meet certain requirements, such as purchasing the policy within a specific time frame of booking your trip.

COVID-19 Coverage

COVID-19 has changed the landscape of travel insurance. Many insurers now offer coverage for COVID-19-related trip interruptions, cancellations, or medical expenses. Check if your policy includes this coverage.

Adventure Sports & Activities

If you plan on engaging in activities like skiing, scuba diving, or rock climbing, look for a policy that includes coverage for these high-risk activities. Standard policies may not cover injuries from such activities without an add-on.

Niche Benefits

Adventure sports add-ons is in this category. If you have a unique situation, say traveling with your pet, then look for an insurance plan that covers pets. Maybe you’re going to be renting a car and want a little extra insurance that would protect you if the car is stolen. Depending on what your trip involves, you may have something unique or extra you want covered, and if you search companies, you’re likely to find one that has that niche.

How to Compare Travel Insurance Plans

Now that you know what to consider when looking for travel insurance, let’s look at factors that you should consider when making comparisons.

Use Online Comparison Tools

 The easiest way to compare companies is to use a comparison website like Squaremouth, InsureMyTrip or TravelInsurance.com. They allow you to view quotes from multiple providers at once. This saves time and offers a side-by-side view of coverage and prices. You can also get quotes from these websites.

Enter Relevant Information

 Be sure to fill in factors like your age, trip length, destination and any other factors that you are able to put in to make the quote fit you and your trip. By providing this information, you will be able to get tailored quotes and avoid under-or overestimating the cost of the insurance.

Choose Wisely

Don’t go with the cheapest because it fits your budget better, but you also don’t need to pick the most expensive.  Make sure that the company and plan you choose has the options you need. You may find a company that has really great prices, but do they really cover what is important to you. Do they have restrictions that you may not be able to meet.

Tips for Finding Affordable Travel Insurance

While you want good coverage, you also want a plan that fits your budget. Here are some tips to find affordable options:

Buy Early

Purchasing insurance right after booking your trip gives you a broader range of options, including “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) add-ons. Some insurance companies require you to purchase within a certain time after booking your trip so be sure to find out how soon you need to purchase the insurance.

Bundle with Credit Card Benefits

Many travel credit cards offer travel insurance perks like trip delay reimbursement or lost luggage coverage. Check what’s covered by your card before buying additional insurance. Also be sure to check what the limits are and if there are deductibles.

Opt for Essential Coverage Only

If you’re looking to cut costs, consider a basic plan that covers only the essentials, like emergency medical coverage. This can be much cheaper than a comprehensive plan. Also keep in mind that your personal medical coverage will cover a lot of the medical needs you might encounter.

Avoid Unnecessary Add-Ons

Add-ons like rental car coverage might not be needed if your auto insurance or credit card already covers it. Only choose add-ons that are essential for your trip. If you’re planning on doing museums tours and exploring the city you wouldn’t need extreme sports insurance, so be sure to really think about what you will need before adding extras on.

Look for Discounts

Some insurers offer discounts for students, seniors, or group bookings. Check if you’re eligible for any discounts that can reduce the premium.

Last Steps

Once you’ve narrowed down the policies you need and have chosen two or three companies that have what you’re looking for it’s time to do some research and ask questions. Here are some tips:

Review the Policy Document

After narrowing down options, read the full policy document or “certificate of insurance.” Pay attention to details about what’s covered, what’s excluded, and any terms or conditions. This means read the fine print!!

Always ask Questions for Clarification

If you are getting trip cancellation, be sure to ask specific questions about your trip. It might cover if you are in an accident or get sick before your trip and can’t go, but they may not cover if a family member gets sick and you want to cancel to help take care of them.

Make sure to ask specifics about medical evacuation insurance. Does it only cover getting you to the nearest medical facility or does it cover getting you back home if you can’t get home the way you were originally planning.

If you decide you need theft protection, be sure you find out how the insurance company determines the value of the things you want protected. It may be different for jewelry and electronics. Also find out what type of documentation you will need to prove the value of your possessions.

Something most of us wouldn’t think of asking is if the airline or tour company we are using is covered. If an airline or tour company has a bad reputation or is filing bankruptcy, an insurance company may not want to cover your trip.

If you’re travelling abroad and the country is one that your home country says isn’t safe to visit, be sure to check with the insurance company to see if they will cover this trip.

How to Make a Claim

Lastly, be sure to find out how you make a claim with the company you choose. Can you do it online or do you need to talk to a representative? How soon do you need to make a claim and how soon will you be reimbursed? What documentation will you need? Here’s a checklist of what you should have with you to make the claim while on vacation:

Receipts and Invoices: Keep records of any payments related to the trip, such as airfare and hotel invoices.

Proof of Loss: For lost or stolen items, file a report with local authorities and get a copy as evidence.

Medical Records: If you seek medical treatment, retain any documentation from the healthcare provider.

Trip Details: Keep copies of your itinerary, booking confirmations, and correspondence related to any delays or changes.

Conclusion

You can now make an informed decision about what travel insurance is right for you and what company you will go with. Travel insurance is invaluable for peace of mind and in most cases will save you money should an accident or mishap occur. Although it can be overwhelming to muddle through finding the right insurance, these tips should help make it easier for you to find the right insurance.

We hope to help people when planning their next adventure for all aspects of the trip, from what to know about where you are planning to go, what to pack and even insurance. We love to travel and hope to inspire others to find their own adventures with information and tips we’ve learned to help make their trips safe and enjoyable! So go out, have fun and make some memories!

The post Navigating Travel Insurance: A Beginner’s Guide to Finding the Right Coverage appeared first on scenicroutetravelers.com.

This post includes some affiliate links. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, we will receive a small percentage of the sale at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support.

Travel insurance can minimize financial risks when things go wrong during your trip. Whether it’s an accident, illness, missed flight, or lost baggage, having insurance can save you from significant losses. However, not everyone needs it, as some situations may already be covered by existing insurance policies or through your booking agent. Let’s explore the basics to help you decide if travel insurance is worth it for you.

Cost of Travel Insurance:

Basic policies (emergency healthcare and cancellations) typically cost 5-10% of your trip’s total price. Policies with broader coverage, like non-emergency cancellations, can cost 20-30% or more. Premiums increase with age but are usually affordable for children.

Be aware that some travel insurance is reimbursement-only, meaning you’ll need to pay expenses upfront and submit a claim later. Before purchasing, confirm the company’s payment process and ensure they have 24/7 customer support.

Insurance basics:

Travel insurance typically falls into five main categories:

Trip Cancellation and Interruption: Covers non-refundable costs if you need to cancel or cut your trip short for covered reasons (e.g., illness, natural disasters).

Medical Insurance: Helps with healthcare costs if you get sick or injured while traveling.

Evacuation Insurance: Covers transportation to appropriate medical facilities in case of an emergency.

Baggage Insurance: Reimburses you for lost, delayed, or damaged luggage.

Flight Insurance: Provides coverage for accidental death or dismemberment during air travel.

Many companies bundle these categories into packages, which may include additional options like coverage for adventure sports, identity theft, or even pets. When choosing insurance, research the packages carefully to ensure they meet your needs.

Insurance Categories:

First, before you can decide if you need insurance, you need to know what type of insurance options are available. So here are the basic categories and a brief description of what they cover. When you decide you do need insurance, make sure to check with the company you are going to use for any restrictions, hidden costs, etc.

Trip Cancellation / Trip Interruption

I think that this is the most worthwhile policy for us because now that we’re getting a little older, I find we must change all sorts of plans for various reasons, so getting pre-paid costs back would certainly make a difference when planning a trip.  A standard cancellation policy covers the non-refundable financial penalties or losses when you cancel your trip for an acceptable reason such as: you or your travel partner can’t travel because of sickness, or you miss a flight for reasons not under your control.  There is also coverage for trip interruptions, such as you get hurt during your trip and must cancel the rest of the vacation, then you can get reimbursed for the portion of the trip that you miss. There are many caveats to this, like how soon you need to purchase this type of insurance so look for a company that has reasonable restrictions.

Medical Insurance

If you have health insurance in the United States your policy generally will offer coverage anywhere in the US. So, you probably don’t need to get this coverage. However, if you’re traveling abroad you need to check what your policy covers. Some don’t cover you, Medicare being one of those. Another thing to consider is that doctors at your destination may not accept your insurance, so you may have to pay out of pocket then try and get reimbursed by your insurance company. Having said this, you may still want to get special medical coverage that is supplemental to cover expenses that your health insurance doesn’t, such as deductibles. The last thing you want to do is use all your money on medical expenses. If you have an emergency that leads to a hospital stay, the hospital will typically work with travel insurance companies, so you don’t have to lay out any money, but they don’t usually work with your health insurance.

Baggage Delay/ Lost Luggage

This is something I always think about, especially the lost luggage. I know that airlines already have coverage and that you will be reimbursed, but you need to check with them what the limits are. If you are going on a long trip and their limit will only cover about half the amount of what you are taking, you may want to see if they have excess valuation coverage available. Your homeowner’s insurance will probably cover most of what you lost, but the baggage insurance will cover the deductible and items not covered by your homeowner insurance. Baggage delay insurance may be worth it though because if your bag isn’t going to show up for a few days, you will need to replace the necessary items such as toiletries, medicine, clothing, etc. Baggage delay insurance will reimburse you for these items.  If you only have a carry-on, then you don’t need this.

Flight insurance

This acts as life insurance specifically for air travel. Given the rarity of plane crashes and the likelihood you already have life insurance, this may not be necessary.

Evacuation insurance

This insurance covers the cost of getting you to a place where you can receive appropriate medical attention in the event of an emergency. Worst case scenario you need to get a medically equipped plane to get you to the hospital. This is not usually covered by your everyday medical insurance. This coverage usually covers getting you to the hospital, not getting you back home. Check with the insurance company to find out what exactly is covered before and after you get to the hospital. Also check if there are any activities that you may not be covered such as scuba diving or skydiving.

Comprehensive insurance

This insurance covers all the above (plus expenses incurred if your trip is delayed, if you miss your flight or if your tour company cancels the trip).  As with all insurance check to see what the limits are and what it covers. Some companies offer comprehensive packages that serve as your primary coverage that takes care of your expenses regardless of what other insurance you have. This means they pay first and don’t ask about other insurance you may have. This really helps with not having out of pocket expenses.

Cancel For Any Reason

CFAR insurance is there for you to ensure that you will get some reimbursement if you cancel a trip for reasons not covered by trip cancellation restrictions. There are strict requirements for this such as, you must buy it no more than 21 days after paying for the trip or cancellation of trip must be no later than 48 hours before departure. These restrictions vary by company. You also will only get 50-75% of your trip cost back. If you check your trip cancellation policy and think that there may be a reason you might want to cancel for reasons other than it covers, say for instance you’re not positive you want to go because you booked far in advance, then this might be important to you.

These are the basic categories for travel insurance. Many companies offer supplementary insurance for things such as theft, extreme sports and pets. Once you determine if you need basic insurance, then you can investigate some extras you might need.

Factors to Consider:

Now that you know a bit about the different kinds of travel insurance it’s time to consider those factors we talked about in the beginning. You should apply all factors to each type of insurance to determine if you need it. Here is what you need to consider:

Trip Cost: If your trip involves significant prepaid expenses, whether it’s a road trip or you’re flying, then insurance may be worth it.

Distance from Home: The further you travel, the more valuable insurance becomes, especially for medical emergencies. If you’re only traveling a few hours away and any pre-paid tour isn’t very expensive or offers some reimbursement for cancellations, then you probably don’t need any travel insurance.

Personal Health: If you’re relatively fit and have medical insurance, then you may not need medical travel insurance. But if you have some health problems and are traveling internationally, then I would consider getting some extra coverage. Also consider if you have a family member that is ill, and you may need to take care of and have to cancel your trip.

Existing coverage: As discussed, your medical insurance may be enough to cover you on your trip, but what about other types of coverage. What does your homeowners/renter’s insurance cover? Is it enough for your personal belongings that you’ll be taking on your trip? Are you putting your plane tickets or tour tickets on a credit card? Lots of cards provide some travel coverage. Make sure you check your airline as they also have some travel coverage.

Type of trip: What I mean by this is what type of activity you will be doing and is this a tour booked through an agency or a trip you planned. If you booked a tour group trip, then they will cover some things like lost luggage, plane cancellation, etc. Check with your agent first to see what is covered. If you planned a family/friend trip through a travel agent, again some of the trip will probably have some type of coverage versus you planning your own trip where you may get coverage from an airline or credit card but that may not be as much coverage as you would like.

Personal Safety: Most importantly you need to ask yourself if any or all these types of travel insurance will help you feel safer. Will you be more at ease if you get the extra insurance. When you go on vacation, you want it to be as stress-free as possible and if extra insurance will help with that, then I think it’s worth it if it won’t break the bank for you.

Activities: You also need to think about the activities you will be doing on your trip. If you are going to do some sightseeing and see some shows, then your chances of having an accident are much less than if you are going rock climbing and scuba diving. You might want a little extra insurance if you are going to be doing some adventurous sports on your trip.

When you are planning a trip through a travel agent keep in mind that they will recommend that you get insurance because if they don’t tell you about insurance, they could be liable if any problems occur. They can give you information about insurance, but you need to talk directly to the insurance company you decide to go with and ask them about their policies and any concerns you may have.

Conclusion

 What it comes down to is what is it worth to you financially and for your well-being. Consider the likelihood of cancelling your trip or your trip getting disrupted. What is your personal risk tolerance. What I mean is can you afford to lose your luggage and not get total reimbursement, are you fine with losing the money for a prepaid show ticket, etc. Consider what your ability is to pay unexpected expenses if you are injured, or the tour company cancels the tour in the middle of the tour, and you need to pay for the way home. Travel insurance is a very personal decision and before you start looking at travel insurance companies, you need to decide if it is worth it for you.

By understanding the different types of coverage and evaluating your specific travel plans, you can determine if travel insurance is right for you. If you decide it’s worth it, research policies thoroughly and choose a reputable company to ensure you’re protected. Verify they are open 24 hours a day, as you can’t control when you may need them. Make a list of questions you have so when you do talk to the agent you will be prepared and get all of your answers.

We always want to help you plan your trip with information and tips we’ve learned along the way. We hope to encourage you to find your adventures, make memories, and have fun!

The post Is Travel Insurance Right for You? A Practical Guide to Protecting Your Trip appeared first on scenicroutetravelers.com.

Clearance Center Basics

If you aren’t familiar with Goodwill Clearance Centers, here is a quick overview of what they are. First, you should know most people refer to them as Goodwill bins. This is because most merchandise is either put in a big bin or piled on a long table that you have to sort through to find things on the bottom. Most items for sale at bins are charged by the pound and every bin has different prices. Some items such as books may be at a price such as 5 for $1. No bin store that we have been to is set up the same but all of them have the same idea of digging through a lot of stuff to try and find something you want. Before you go make sure you research what their prices are and the hours, they are open as these do vary. They all change out the bins at various intervals throughout the day.

Heidelberg, PA

This is the first clearance center we ever visited. It was close to where we used to live in Pennsylvania, so it was a no brainer to check it out. It is what I would call a medium sized store. Not only do they have bin (tables) with merchandise, but they have shelving on one wall with household fragile items, big dump bins with books and a small space for some furniture. They didn’t seem to have a regular schedule for changing bins, but they did do it quite a few times a day. It seems that within the first hour of opening, they change out most of the bins, so if you go early, you may only be finding things no one really wanted from the previous day. That doesn’t mean don’t look because you may find something that you really like. Make sure you stay for at least the first change out, if for no other reason, just to get a feel for what a new bin looks like. If interested in checking out this clearance center, the address is 1905 Washington St. Heidelberg, PA 15106.

This store is about 20 minutes from Pittsburgh. Heidelberg and Bridgeville (the town next to Heidelberg) are small towns but have lots of restaurants and independent stores in town. Of course, if you are traveling, you’ll probably want to head into Pittsburgh where you can find an array of shopping, restaurants, museums and lots of entertainment.

Morgantown, WV

Another bin center close to us when we lived in Pennsylvania. This clearance center is a bigger store space wise, but they don’t normally have furniture here. They do have some shelving for the fragile items, such as dishes. The bins are rotated hourly, but they only do about 6 or 8 bins at a time. The tables, or bins as they are called, seem a little deeper here, so they hold more product. The atmosphere here is much calmer than other bins, even though there are a fair number of resellers here. This is probably the reason this was one of my favorite bins to go to. But we also seemed to find a lot here to resell. The address is: 6540 Mall Rd. Morgantown, WV 26501.

Morgantown is the home to West Virginia University, so obviously it is geared towards the college students but there is still plenty of restaurants, shopping and entertainment. There are a lot of selections for overnight stays since people come to town for the football and basketball games and they need somewhere to stay. The clearance store itself is on the outskirts of town, so if you are just traveling through the area, you can bypass the town itself and easily get back on the highway.

Clarksville, IN

This is another of our favorite bins. This also is a pretty big store and has a lot of bins. There are both table bins and the big boxes with product in them. They change out their bins every hour and seem to do almost all of them. What I like about this store is that bins are sorted by category. The shoes are all together, the electronics, household items and miscellaneous are together and clothes are together. Again, as at any bin outlet I believe there are plenty of resellers here and they know the routine and where bins are located so they do have a little advantage. The customers and employees here were all really nice and helpful. We stop here every time we are in Indiana. We never go home empty handed. The address is 1212 Applegate Lane Clarksville, IN 47129.

Clarksville is just across the river from Louisville, KY and is a normal mid-sized town across the US. It has lots of chain restaurants and a few locally owned and shopping. We don’t usually stay here when we are in the area because we are going casino hopping and enjoying the scenery in both Indiana and Kentucky. To learn about our casino adventures in Indiana, click here. If you are traveling to Louisville or anywhere nearby and love to thrift, then I highly suggest you stop here!

Oklahoma City, OK

We really liked this store, but unfortunately for us we didn’t have a lot of room in the car since we were traveling to buy very much. This store is laid out very differently than any other one we have ever been to. They have totes going around the perimeter on rollers and then have bin tables in the middle. It’s what I would call a medium size space, but they pack a lot in by using the totes. They also change out the bins hourly, but not every bin is done each hour. The totes are pushed around so that new ones come out a little more often than an hour. I don’t know if there is a schedule for that because anyone we asked didn’t seem to know. The address is 1320 W. Reno Avenue Oklahoma City, OK 73106.

Being the capital of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City has a wide variety of activities, entertainment, restaurants with many cuisine choices and lots of shopping. We love Oklahoma and have visited there quite often. To read about some of our adventures in Oklahoma click here.

Columbus, OH

This is another place we stop at whenever we are in the area. One of the things I like about it is that there is a regular Goodwill store right next to it so it’s a two in one stop. This store also has table bins, shelving for fragile household goods and some furniture. Like other clearance centers they do rotate their bins regularly and have their share of resellers. We usually end up here well after opening so I can’t say how crazy it is then, but when we were there, it was a really nice experience which is why we kept going back there. Even though the prices are a little high in the Goodwill store, as in most of them, they seemed to run some good sales so we could usually get some things at good prices. The address is: 2675 Brice Rd. Suite B Columbus, OH 43232.

Our main reason for visiting not only Columbus, but also the Dayton bins was to go to Eldorado Gaming at Scioto Downs to do some gambling at the casino. But Columbus is a pretty cool place with the Scioto River running on the outskirts there are many outdoor activities, lots of great restaurants and plenty of shopping. Since it is the capitol of Ohio, it doesn’t lack for much in terms of tourism.

Dayton, OH

This was one of the first bins we went to on one of our casino adventures and we were pleasantly surprised. It is a large store with a crazy number of bins. One thing we hadn’t seen before was they had their books in bins and were much easier to go through versus other bins where the books were in deep cardboard boxes and hard to dig in. There were quite a few resellers there that we met, and they were all really nice and gave us information on other bins in the area. The one drawback is that the more popular or expensive items, such as video games or jewelry, are at the register and priced the same as at a Goodwill Store. They also change out bins regularly, but I’m not sure what the schedule is since we were only there for a little while. Overall, we did pretty good here. I don’t think you would be disappointed if you went here. The address is 1750 Woodman Dr. Dayton, OH 45420.

Dayton is best known for all types of air flight. It’s biggest claim to fame is that it was the birthplace of Wilbur and Orville Wright. It is home to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. It is home to the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Like any other city there are plenty of restaurants, hotels and fun things to do.

Las Vegas, NV

So, this is now our home location for bins shopping, and I have to say it’s a decent bins store. It is medium sized and has a lot of bins. There are a lot of resellers here and tend to stand where they can get to the new bins quickly, so if you want a chance at the new bins watch the regulars and try to get near them. When they change out the bins, they change an entire row at a time so you have to wait until this is done before you can start looking. They do have a small selection of furniture and big box bins for books. There’s nothing unique at this store, but it’s definitely a good source for resellers in the Las Vegas area. The address is 7940 S. Valley View Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89139.

I don’t think I need to say much about Las Vegas but if you’re headed there for the first time take a look at our article for tips on visiting.

Conclusion

If you love thrifting and traveling, then finding a Goodwill Clearance Store is always a bonus. As you can tell every Goodwill Clearance Store has their own ways of doing things, such as hours, type of bins, if they have furniture, etc. but they do all have discounted prices usually per pound. I think that a lot depends on when you go. If you’re not sure where you can find a bins store near you, find it here. I hope this has been helpful to you and helps with your reselling journey.

We like to tell people not only about our traveling adventures but also tips we’ve learned along the way to help them make decisions about their trips. We hope to inspire people

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How to Find the Best Vacation for You: A Personalized Guide to Your Perfect Getaway

Step 1: Consider Your Travel Style

Before you start browsing for vacation spots, it’s important to think about what kind of traveler you are. Everyone has a different travel style, and recognizing yours will help narrow down your options. By using these guidelines, it will help planning seem less overwhelming.

Adventure Lover: Do you crave outdoor activities like hiking, scuba diving, or zip-lining? If you love adrenaline-pumping experiences, look for destinations that offer natural beauty and plenty of outdoor adventures. Look for areas that have both activities and possibly National or State parks.

Relaxation Seeker: If your idea of a vacation involves lounging by the pool with a cocktail or spending hours at a spa, then a tropical resort or a quiet beach town might be your ideal getaway. You might even consider a cruise where you can lounge at the pool but also tour different ports.

Culture Enthusiast: Do you enjoy exploring museums, historic landmarks, or local markets? If you’re curious about history and culture, look for cities rich in culture, with lots of museums, art, and traditions to discover. Maybe choose an area and go to a few places there, for example Parks where you can hike in Utah and hit the mighty 5 which is Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and Zion. Or maybe go to the Boston area and learn about the Witch Trials. You get the idea.

Family Vacationer: If you’re traveling with family, especially kids, consider destinations that offer family-friendly activities like theme parks, wildlife experiences, or all-inclusive resorts with entertainment for all ages. There are quite a few states that you can find amusement parks that are relatively close, and you could make it an all amusement park adventure.

Step 2: Define Your Vacation Goals

What do you want out of this trip? Defining your vacation goals will help you focus your search on the perfect destination.

Relaxation: If your goal is to unwind and recharge, look for destinations known for wellness retreats, quiet beaches, or peaceful countryside escapes. Look for places that have spas but also have places to find quiet places to just unwind.

Adventure: If you’re seeking an adrenaline rush, opt for places that offer extreme sports, mountains to hike, or oceans to dive. Try to aim for a place that you know you will enjoy. Unless you enjoy trying new things and know you’ll have fun no matter what, I would choose places you know you will enjoy even if you end up not liking the activity. For example, if you love the beach then find somewhere that has not only diving but other water sports so that you’re sure to find one you enjoy.

Cultural Exploration: If learning about different cultures and traditions is your priority, choose destinations known for their rich heritage, vibrant cities, and unique culinary scenes. There are so many places with rich history so to narrow it down think about what really interests you. Do you want to learn about how wine is made? Go to California Wine country. Do you want to learn about Native American history then head to the southwest or Midwest where there is lots of history.

Nature and Wildlife: If you’re a nature lover, national parks, safaris, or eco-friendly destinations may suit you best. Any of the national parks would be a great place for you and some are close enough together that you can fit two or three into one trip. You can also pick a state and find both the national and state parks and visit a few of them. If you think a safari would be fun, but can’t go to Africa, check some of the zoos or wildlife parks. Some do offer safari tours.

Step 3: Set Your Budget

Your budget will play a significant role in determining where you go and what kind of experience you have. Here’s how to plan a vacation based on your financial expectations:

Luxury Getaways: If budget is not a concern, consider luxurious destinations like private islands, 5-star resorts, or European cities with high-end accommodations. You still need to make sure that the place you pick has the amenities you are looking for. You could choose a trip to an island, for example with an all-inclusive resort but that’s all there is on the island. Or you really want somewhere to get pampered with a spa and pool, etc. and the place you pick is geared towards great restaurants but no spa.

Mid-Range Trips: For travelers looking for a balance between comfort and affordability, there are plenty of mid-range destinations that offer great experiences without breaking the bank. Consider places with affordable hotels and free activities like national parks or historical cities. Check for offers from the hotel like free breakfast or coupons for attractions around the city.

Budget-Friendly Travel: If you’re traveling on a tight budget, look for destinations where your dollar stretches further. Backpacker-friendly countries, budget airlines, and hostels are excellent options to keep costs down while enjoying an amazing trip. If you enjoy camping, then a lot of state and national parks don’t charge extra for camping and by cooking your own food you can save a lot.

If money is a consideration for you, consider what you are going to do while on vacation. If you’re planning a trip to visit amusement parks say, take into consideration how much it will cost to get into each park. If you plan on eating out a lot while you’re on vacation, take that into consideration and maybe get a less expensive hotel. Just remember to consider what all your costs will be so you know what will fit your budget.

Step 4: Choose the Right Time to Travel

The timing of your vacation can have a huge impact on both your experience and your wallet. Research the best times to visit your chosen destination in terms of weather, crowds, and affordability.

High Season: Peak travel seasons (holidays, summer vacations) typically mean higher prices and larger crowds. However, you’ll also experience the best weather and full access to attractions.

Off-Season: Traveling during off-peak times can save you money and allow you to enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere. Just be sure to check the weather conditions and any limitations on activities during these periods.

Shoulder Season: The shoulder season, just before or after the high season, often strikes a balance between good weather and fewer crowds, with slightly lower prices.

There are quite a few places that going off season can be more enjoyable than during summer. There are a lot of parts of the southwest that stay comfortably warm (not below 40 degrees) in winter, which makes it a great time to enjoy the outdoors. Winter in Florida is the reason they have snowbirds. If you can go in the off season for your vacation, you will probably be able to get better prices on everything and enjoy having less people around. If you can hit that shoulder season just right, that might be the best choice for you.

Step 5: Consider Travel Logistics

How much time do you have, and how far are you willing to travel? These factors can help you choose between destinations closer to home or more distant locations. It may also help you decide if you want to fly somewhere or take a road trip.

Short Vacations: If you only have a few days, consider destinations within a few hours by plane or even a road trip to avoid spending too much time in transit. If you can find a short flight to somewhere closer to you, then flying may be a better option. But if your destination is only a few hours away by plane but you can’t get a direct flight, then maybe you should consider driving to a closer destination.

Longer Vacations: If you have more time to spare, you can venture farther and perhaps visit more than one destination in a single trip, like traveling through multiple cities in Europe or exploring different islands in the Caribbean. Maybe a road trip is more your style. If you have a longer period of time, you can do side trips to the little towns on your way to your destination. We’ve found some really great places doing this.

Step 6: Get Inspiration from Online Tools and Resources

There are tons of tools available to help you find your perfect vacation based on your preferences.

Travel Websites: Use travel comparison websites like Expedia, Kayak, or Google Flights to compare prices on flights, hotels, and vacation packages.

Travel Blogs: Explore travel blogs to read first-hand experiences of different destinations. You’ll find tips and insights you won’t get from a travel brochure.

Social Media: Platforms like Instagram and Pinterest are great for finding inspiration. Use hashtags to discover beautiful travel destinations that match your style and goals.

Step 7: Book Your Dream Vacation

Once you’ve narrowed down your destination options and done your research, it’s time to make your plans official. Start by booking your accommodations and transportation, and then create an itinerary that includes all the activities and experiences that excite you. Look into a travel planner that has a place for packing lists, a place to list places and things you want to do, etc.

Conclusion

Finding the best vacation for you is all about personalizing your trip to fit your unique travel style, goals, and budget. By taking the time to reflect on what you truly want from your vacation, you can ensure a memorable, enjoyable, and stress-free experience. Whether you’re looking for adventure, relaxation, or cultural exploration, there’s a perfect destination out there just waiting for you to discover.  We hope to help you find your adventure and have fun! Don’t be afraid to try something new, just make sure it is something that interests you so that you enjoy your vacation. Check out some of our adventures here.

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Free to all

1. One of the most visited and one of my favorites is the Conservatory and Flower Show at Bellagio. Not only are the displays always beautiful and intriguing but the glass roof just brings so much sunshine that you feel like you are outside in a garden. Each time they change, it always amazes me how stunning they are. They change the themes 4 times a year for each season and in January for Lunar New Year, so if you’re visiting more than once be sure to go back.

2. Also at the Bellagio are the fountains out front on Las Vegas Boulevard. They do water shows daily and the shows at night are with lights. This to me is a must see. The shows during the day are pretty captivating, but the night shows are just downright beautiful with the lights and music. I still wonder at how high the water shoots up. The schedule as of this writing is Monday – Friday 3-6:30 every half hour and 7-midnight every 15 minutes. The weekend schedule starts at noon and runs until 6:30 every half hour and 7-midnight every 15 minutes.

3. The Flamingo Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo is also one of my favorites. Not only do they have flamingos in this 4-acre space, but they also have other birds, koi fish, ducks, and some turtles. My favorite is the pelican when it’s not hiding. Just the walk alone through this area is relaxing and it will bring you to the flamingo fountain where there is seating to enjoy the outside awhile. Not only is this one of my favorite things to do, but we love staying at the Flamingo because of the location, right about center of the strip and it’s a little less expensive than some of the other hotels. If interested, click on the ad at the end of this blog.

All the rest

4. The Linq promenade offers two unique experiences on the strip, the first being the High Roller. This is basically a Ferris wheel but with round cabins that soar 550 feet above the strip and takes 30 minutes for one revolution. There are many packages available starting at $29 for adults and $10 for children ages 4-12. There are also packages that include alcoholic beverages served from a bar in the cabin for 21 & older. See link below for more information. I have yet to do this, but I have to think that it would be really pretty at night with all the lights of Las Vegas.

5. Fly Linq is the other attraction on the promenade. This zipline starts on a 12-story tower at the front of the promenade and soars 1,121 feet to the finish at the High Roller. Tickets start at $49. There are some requirements to be able to do this which include you must be at least 60lbs. and not over 300lbs., height restrictions are 3’4″ to 6’8. For riders under 12, they must be accompanied by a 13+year old and any rider under 18 must have waiver signed by parent or guardian. Click here for Linq Promenade information. We haven’t done this, but it looks like a lot of fun.

6. We’ll continue on this end of the strip with the gondola rides at The Venetian. You can take a ride on the canals that run through the Grand Canal Shops on the inside or take a ride on the outside and enjoy the Las Vegas Strip. I have heard some people say that this is a tourist trap, but I totally enjoyed it. I don’t expect to ever get to Venice, so it was the next best thing for me. The gondolier sings for you as you make the trip through the canals. We did the inside and it was pretty cool, but I would still like to do the outside one time. As I said, I love being a tourist and doing the touristy things. We didn’t go so far as to get the photo packages, but they are available if this is something that interests you. They are great mementos. Tickets start at $39.

7. The newest addition to the strip is the Sphere. Just seeing it change from outside is really pretty cool and great photo ops, but you can also go inside and enjoy the Sphere Experience. This is an immersive two-part experience with interactive Atrium exhibits and a larger than life showing of Postcard from Earth movie. There is also a large selection of restaurants and bars here. Just be aware that this is rather pricey. We haven’t done this yet, so I can’t say whether I think it’s worth it or not. I’m sure for someone who enjoys this type of experience, it would be worth it. They also hold concerts here, which would be a good way to see if you think you might want to do the experience. Although, I’m sure the concert tickets are pricey too!

8. Our next stop is the Eiffel Tower viewing deck at the Paris Las Vegas. It is about half the size of the original Eiffel Tower. What better way to get a view of the Las Vegas Strip and a great view of the Bellagio Fountains than on top of the Eiffel Tower. Going during daylight hours offers views of the strip and the mountains surrounding Las Vegas. But if you want the magic of the strip at night, you can’t beat this view. Hours are 5 PM to 1 AM daily. Entrance fees start at $25 for adults and $19 for children. Military and Nevada residents can get a 20% discount with valid ID. You can also get discounts with your Caesar’s player card most times. We did this and I recommend doing it at night. Don’t know that I would do it more than once, but it’s worth doing it just for the great views.

9. If you’re looking for a thrill ride, head to New York, New York and take a ride on the Big Apple coaster. This coaster goes over 67mph and features a 180-degree twist and 203 ft. drop. You must reserve a seat in advance and have to be at least 54″ tall. Check ahead for hours of operation as they vary due to weather. Normal hours are 11 AM to midnight daily. Price starts at $25. Coasters aren’t nice to my back anymore, but this one looks really fun. Who knows maybe I’ll do it one day just to say I did!

10. Next is Tournament of Kings dinner and show at Excalibur. This show is adapted from the tale of King Aurthur. Knights fight on live horses to prove their chivalry. The only drawback is that they are closed Tuesday & Wednesday. Hours for other days are 6pm or 8:30 PM show. Tickets are $41.86 plus tax & fees. We haven’t made it to this yet, but I do want to go at least once.

11. Next stop is the last casino on the south end of the strip, Mandalay Bay. Here you can go to the Shark Reef Aquarium. It has more than 200 animals with a walkway through the aquarium to better see them all. Prices start at $29. You can dive with the sharks or feed some of the animals for an additional fee. Hours of operation are 10 AM to 8 PM daily with last admission at 7 PM. It’s a little expensive to me, but if you really love aquariums you may want to check it out.

12. On the far north end of the Strip is The Strat. Please let me emphasize that you really shouldn’t try to walk here from anywhere on the strip. Not only is it quite a jaunt, but there are also some areas without casinos and may not be the safest. Once you get to The Strat, it’s fine. Not only is The Strat the tallest building in Las Vegas, but at 1149 ft. tall it is the tallest freestanding observation tower in the United States and has phenomenal views of the city. The fee for going up to the observation deck is $30. There are other options such as thrill rides and a sky jump available for additional fees. The observation deck is open 10 AM to 12:30 AM daily. I recommend going up while it is still light out so you can see all the views like the mountains, etc. and staying until dark to see the beautiful city at night.

Shopping

I have to add the many shopping experiences available on the strip, because who doesn’t love to shop? And if you can restrain from buying anything it is totally free! If you are at Mandalay Bay, I recommend walking from there to Excalibur on the indoor walkway. There are many shops and restaurants along the way, plus you get to see more of the casinos. The Shops at Crystals in the Aria has 50 luxury shops plus a few restaurants and galleries. The Miracle Mile shops in Planet Hollywood offer some unique and popular shops and restaurants. If you want to stroll through some sculptures plus shop, I suggest the Forum Shops in Caesar’s Palace. Next up is Linq Promenade with a small variety of shopping. My favorite is the Grand Canal Shops at The Venetian. Not only do you get to walk along the canal, but they will lead you to the Palazzo where you can find more shops and restaurants. Of course, there has to be a shopping mall on the Las Vegas Strip, so if you’re looking for an indoor mall to shop, check out Fashion Show Mall.

Conclusion

As you can see there is a wide variety of things to do in Las Vegas besides gamble. These are some of the popular ones and some of my favorites. As you plan your trip to Las Vegas, make sure to check if any of these you may want to do need advance tickets. I recommend going through the casino website versus one of the ticket sites, they seem to offer some better deals. Also, make sure to check your player’s card at any of these if you have one because some of them offer discounts. We try to inspire people to find their adventure whether it be coming to Las Vegas or taking a day trip close to home. Finding something new is a great way to share time with loved ones and make great memories! Make sure to take lots of pictures and pick up anything that will bring back great memories even just a matchbook! For more of our adventures check our videos here.

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The Burros

Since the burros are what Oatman is most known for now, let’s start with them then we’ll get into more of the town. The burros are decedents from the burros used by the miners back when Oatman was a huge gold mining town. When they shut the mines down and the miners left, they released their burros into the desert. They closed the mine in 1941 and the burros you see today have thrived since then. The answers to my questions above are yes, they are very friendly, and you can get close to them and pet them. You can buy food to feed them at a couple of the stores in town, but BLM has been encouraging people not to do this because the burros need to continue to survive in the wild instead of relying on people to feed them. However, some of the store owners do have food and salt blocks out for them. If you do decide to feed them, please only feed them the food you buy from the stores. This is specifically made for the burros that meet their nutritional needs. As you are driving up to or leaving Oatman, please be very careful because the burros tend to walk on the road.

A Little History

Oatman is an old mining town in Northwestern Arizona. It is in the Black Mountains of Mohave County on Route 66. The town is named after Olive Oatman, a little girl from town that was captured by a local Indian tribe who used her as a slave for 5 years and then sold or traded her to the Mohave tribe who took care of her from then on. There are a few speculations as to which tribe originally abducted her, but no one knows for sure.

Oatman was one of the biggest gold producers before the government shut the mines down in order to found other ores needed for the war. The mines were shut down in 1941.

Other activities

When you get to Oatman, a ghost town may come to mind as the buildings look like the old west with its wooden sidewalks and stores with great funky names. The stores are run by townspeople. Some stores carry items handmade by the owner. Other sell items made from local Arizonians including Native American pottery and jewelry. There is also a great candy shop here where they have some great candy and other sweets. If you like Prickly Pear Cactus jelly or candy, which I love, you’ll find it here.

The most historic place in Oatman is the Oatman hotel. When you enter the hotel, the bottom floor is a restaurant and saloon. The saloon has a really fun tradition of people putting a dollar bill on the walls or ceiling. This has been going on for decades. On the second floor is a museum of Oatman and has the original honeymoon suite where Clark Gable and Carole Lombard spent their honeymoon after getting married in Kingman. There have been quite a few movies filmed in Oatman including” How the West was Won” and” Edge of Eternity“. The hotel is the oldest two-story adobe building in Mohave County. Lots of history here.

Oatman holds many activities during the year, like The Great Oatman bed race, so be sure to check and see if there is anything going on when you are planning to visit. The most popular activity is the annual Burro Biscuit Toss, where residents and visitors alike compete to see who can throw a dried-out, gold-painted burro dropping the farthest. They love their burros in Oatman. They do have the Oatman Ghost Rider Gunfighters doing two performances daily starting at noon. Be sure to check them out.

More to explore

With the Black Mountains rising all around it, Oatman is surrounded by sharp-toothed ridges and forbidding rock formations. If you take Route 66 in either direction from town, you’ll be greeted by a lot of otherworldly view. Watch for Thimble Mountain to the west and Elephant’s Tooth to the east. If you have time to venture even farther afield, continue south on Route 66 for another 25 miles or so. The drive will take you through Joshua tree-dotted ridges and needle-topped peaks before arriving at the marshy banks of the Colorado River.

Conclusion

Although Oatman is not off of a main highway, it is on Route 66 which makes it a historic place to visit just because of that. But it is so much more, with lots of history, great stores, a museum and of course the burros. Who doesn’t love a burro. Although there isn’t anywhere to stay in Oatman, there are plenty of towns within an hour that has accommodations. If you head toward Laughlin, you’ll find the Avi Resort and Casino which not only has a casino, but many amenities including a pool and golf course. You will also find a wide variety of hotels in Laughlin, NV, Kingman, AZ or Bullhead City, AZ. I hope this helps answer questions you may have had about Oatman or has helped you find a new place to explore. We love to travel and tell people about our adventures to inspire you to find your own adventure. It doesn’t matter if you take a long vacation or a day trip near your home, there is always something new to explore. Please see more of adventures on this website. If you would like to see some of video adventures, click here. https://youtu.be/L-CRHuYfyrs

My favorite picture, baby burro came right to car window:

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Shopping

As I mentioned if you like to shop, there is a wide assortment of stores in Santa Fe. I love shopping around the plaza in Old Town, but Santa Fe has lots of shopping all over the city. If Native American jewelry is something you are interested in, then you must stroll through the vendors who set up on the Plaza in front of the Palace of the Governors. Just looking at all their wares is amazing, and you know you are getting authentic products. For a different kind of shopping experience check out Meow Wolf. Make sure you also check out La Fonda Hotel. Not only is it one of the oldest hotels in the city, but it has great shopping and restaurants.

Art Galleries and Museums

There are many art galleries here, including Georgia O’Keeffe’s gallery. There is also a shop devoted to the works of RC Gorman. If you love art, you should really take a walk-up Canyon Road, where there are many art galleries for you to explore. Just the sculptures alone are worth the walk.

If you like museums, make sure you check out the New Mexico History Museum and Govenor’s Palace. If you head up to Museum Hill there are 4 museums there that include, Museum of Indian Arts & Culture, this is my favorite with so much history and beautiful arts and crafts. The other museums are Wheelwright Museum of American Indian, Museum of Spanish Colonial Art and the International Folk Art Museum.

Common Tourist Spots

There are so many things to do in Santa Fe, from shopping to outdoor adventures, I’ll list a few that are most common for tourists. The Loretta Chapel, San Miguel Chapel (this is oldest chapel in US history) and The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi are three things you shouldn’t miss. So much history and beauty.  A couple of tourist attractions that aren’t so well known here are Burro Alley where there is a replica of a burro carrying wood. Back in the day when it was a small town and no roads, the burros were used to bring firewood from the mountains to Santa Fe. The other place you might want to check out is 109 E. Palace St., this is where the Manhattan Project headquarters was. If history is your love, you can take a guided tour of the city. Also, check into other tours to visit nearby pueblos and historical sites. The Railyard is another area that has been revitalized with shops and restaurants. Worth checking out.

Restaurants

I don’t know about you, but food is always on my list of things to check out when I’m on vacation and Santa Fe doesn’t disappoint! The plaza alone has so many great restaurants whether you’re looking for great New Mexican cuisine or a quick bite there are many options. One of our favorite places is Plaza Café Downtown. If you love Native food, try their blue corn enchilada with red sauce. Sooo good! When eating in a New Mexican restaurant here, don’t be surprised if they ask if you want red, green or Christmas chili sauce. Christmas is a mix of both. Just a little head’s up! If you aren’t looking for New Mexican cuisine, there is not only a great assortment of cuisines around the plaza, but many other choices around town. Another thing Santa Fe is known for is the Margarita Trail. If you love margarita’s, you should check this out. It’s a lot of fun and you’ll be introduced to some great restaurants. I don’t think you’ll have a problem finding some great food while you’re visiting here.

Conclusion

I haven’t even begun to talk about all the things to do in Santa Fe, but these are just some of the highlights for a quick trip to this great city. Just a few other noteworthy things, if you’re looking to relax check out the many spas in Santa Fe. There are plenty of places to hike in the area and not far from town. And so much more within a few hours’ drive in any direction. If you’re thinking of taking a trip to the southwestern US, I recommend putting Santa Fe on your list. I hope this has given you a few tips on things to do here. We hope to inspire you with our blogs and videos to find your own adventures and experiences! If you’re interested in seeing more of Santa Fe, click for our video here

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History of Ponca City

Ponca City was named after the Ponca tribe that was given this land during the resettlement of tribes. The land was picked for close proximity to the Arkansas River. E.W. Marland moved to Oklahoma and started the Marland Oil Company. This company once controlled 10% of the world’s oil reserves. In 1929 Marland Oil merged with Conoco oil company, which later merged with Phillips Petroleum. In 2012 the company split and ConocoPhillips has the upstream portion of the company and Phillips 66 has the refining and transportation portions of company. Phillips 66 still operates the largest refinery in OK.

There are many places of interest here especially if you love history. Make sure you take your camera, because if you’re like me you’ll be taking lots of pictures. If you love to keep memories from your trip, make sure you get the free pamphlets from the museums to keep for your memories.

Standing Bear Park and Museum

This park and museum were built to help educate people about the history and cultural importance of the Native American culture and tribes in the area. Six tribes are represented: Ponca, Kaw, Osage, Pawnee, Otoe-Missouria and Tonkawa. In the middle of the park is a 22-foot statue of Standing Bear a Ponca chief. He was chosen for his fight with the government for Native American rights. He went to Washington and won his case that the judged ruled that all Natives have the same legal rights as all US citizens. There are many things to see in both the museum and park that help understand Native American history.

Marland Mansion Estate and Grand Home

E.W. Marland had two houses when he was in Ponca City. After moving to his second home, Marland Mansion, his first home became a museum. It showcases technology that had not been seen before such as a central vacuuming system and automatic dishwasher. It has the first indoor swimming pool built in Oklahoma. E. W. Marland later went on to be the 10th governor of Oklahoma and then turned his mansion into a museum that highlights his history and the history of oil in Oklahoma. These are a must see for history buffs!

More places to explore.

Pioneer Woman Museum– this is a museum that celebrates the history of all the women who helped shape the new frontier in the US. There is a great statue depicting the women and a very informative museum.

Conoco Museum– When Conoco merged with Marland Oil in 1929 it helped shape the history of the oil industry. They built this museum so that people could learn about the history of the oil industry.

Town of Ponca City– Riding through town you will find many historic buildings along with government offices and Sharp’s Indian Store that sells many native items and was established in 1989. I love finding older towns like this and learning about the history. This was a great place to stop.

Another place to check out is Kaw Lake. It is 8 miles east of Ponca City. You can enjoy camping, swimming, and boating here. We didn’t go here, but locals do recommend it.

Casinos

Osage-Ponca City: not only is there a casino here, but also a hotel with a pool and hot tub, fitness center, and business center. Hotel rooms come with coffee makers, mini-refrigerator, and other amenities. There are over 400 slot machines here. If you get hungry, there are two restaurants here. We stayed here and if you plan on staying in the area, I recommend it. The rooms are really nice, the food is good and of course we got to gamble!

Blue Star Gaming and Casino: This is a small casino in Ponca City. There are 100 slot machines here and a bingo hall. There is also a restaurant here that has some really good deals sometimes, so check it out while you are there. This is a great place for locals and tourists alike. If you like checking out all types of casinos, I would recommend coming here.

7 Clans Casino: 7 Clans has two casinos near Ponca City. The first is in Newkirk which is 15 miles from Ponca City. The second is in Red Rock, approximately 18 miles away. We went to the one in Newkirk. It has over 450 slot machines. 7 clans operate 3 casinos, 2 gasinos and First Council Casino and Resort. We still get offers from 7 clans for slot play and entertainment. Check one of them out if you have time.

Native Lights Casino: This casino is owned by the Tonkawa tribe. There are over 400 slot machines and electronic table games. If you’re hungry you can stop at the Buffalo Grill & Lounge. There is also a smoke shop on the property. We really enjoyed this casino because of the great people here.

Conclusion

Ponca City and the surrounding area is full of history and well worth the trip. If you love to learn about the history, enjoy the scenery, or love going to new casinos, this is a great place to explore. I know every state has some great places to explore, some well-known and others not so much and I encourage everyone to see what there is to explore near you and take a weekend, grab your camera and have fun. If you’re planning a vacation, investigate areas that aren’t so well known for tourists. You never know what you might find. Take some time and find your adventure! If you would like to see some of our travel videos click her: https://youtu.be/OpJ4jTrsxJs

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I did a blog about my bucket list places I want to visit in Nevada but here are some more places that you should consider visiting, especially if you like to hike, bike or camp in the wilderness.

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Gold Butte National Monument

Gold Butte National Monument is 9 miles from Mesquite, NV which is about an hour and a half from Las Vegas. Mesquite is a small town that has 3 casino/resorts. Gold Butte is on BLM land and covers 300,000 acres. This park is very primitive with limited cell service, no facilities, and minimal marked trail heads. The road is rough and is recommended that you have a high clearance 4-wheel drive vehicle. Hiking and horseback riding is permitted to see the beautiful red rock peaks and canyons in this area. There is some rock art in some of the canyons so keep your eyes out when on your hike. Some areas of interest here are Whitney Pocket, Little Finland and if you’re up for it climb 8000 ft. to Virgin Peak. There is also Devil’s Throat sinkhole, but again it’s tough to get to without 4-wheel. You can also take a backcountry byway to a mining ghost town. We are not big hikers, so we probably won’t be going here, but it does sound like a great adventure.

Black Rock Desert

Black Rock Desert is a wilderness area in Humboldt & Pershing counties in Nevada. This too is on BLM land and is about 9.5 hours from Las Vegas. This area is known for the remains of prehistoric Lake Lahontan, where you can see it’s remains of the shoreline. There are lava rocks and alkali flats here and beautiful peaks. Hiking, camping and hunting are allowed in this area, but check the website for restrictions especially for the hunting. The area covers over 314,000 acres. This is not to be confused with Black Rock Playa, this is a true wilderness area with no facilities. There aren’t any specific trail heads here. No motorized vehicles are permitted on the land. If you’re lucky while your hiking, you may see some wild horses and burros.

Ruby Mountains/Lamoille Canyon

The Ruby Mountains and Lamoille Canyon are located in Humbolt-Toiyabe National Forest. The U.S. Forest Service oversees this area. This glacier carved mountain and canyon is 5.5 hours from Las Vegas, in Lamoille, NV. There is a 12-mile scenic byway where you can stop and get pictures or start your hiking adventure at one of the trailheads. One of the popular places in the park, is Rubycrest National Recreation Area. You can fish in the streams and lakes that have endangered Lahontan Cutthroat Trout, so make sure you check on rules and fishing permits are required. Big Game hunting is also allowed in this area, but again you must obtain a license beforehand. You will find the largest mule deer herd here, plus many other animals. Camping is also allowed and available May-November in either tents, yurts or the Ruby 360 Lodge. In the winter, you can enjoy the snow by either snowshoeing or snowboarding.

Cathedral Gorge State Park

Cathedral Gorge State Park is in Panaca, NV. This is about 2.5 hours from Las Vegas. Best known for its amazing pink cathedral like spirals and cave-like formations to explore, this park offers hiking, camping and has many picnic areas around. Because it is a state park, there is a fee of $5 for residents of Nevada and $10 for non-residents. There is a 4-mile loop hiking trail along with other trails around the park. You can also drive through the park and stop at the pull-offs. There are 22 campsites with flush restrooms and showers along with firepits. I think I missed this on my bucket list, so I’ll have to put it on. If you love camping and hiking, I think this probably should be on your bucket list too!

Kershaw-Ryan State Park

Kershaw-Ryan State Park is located about 3 miles from Callente, NV. This is about 2.5 hours from Las Vegas. This is an unusual canyon because it is a long valley nestled between 700-foot-high mountains. Its natural springs provide water not only for the animals, but help wild grapevines, white oak tree and willow trees to grow making it a beautiful, serene area to hike. Since this is a state park, there is a fee for entering $5 for residents, $10 for non-residents. There are 14 miles of trails which include Barne and Rainbow canyons. There are wild horses and other native animals in the canyon, so keep your eyes open and if you’re lucky you will see them. Many times you can see them at the springs getting a drink. Mountain biking is also permitted here, along with camping. Be sure to check this park out.

Ward Charcoal Ovens State Park

Ward Charcoal Ovens State Park is known for exactly what it’s name implies. There are 6 beehive ovens that were used in the 1800’s to process rich silver ore. The park is located in the Egan Mountain Range, 20 miles South of Ely, NV. It has lots of great forested scenery and the unique charcoal ovens. The park is always open, and you can enjoy camping, hiking, picnicking and fishing here. There are two-day use picnic areas that have covered tables, restrooms and grills. Willow Creek runs through the park where rainbow trout is stocked. There is a trail system for hiking in warmer months and cross-country skiing in winter. Since this is a state park, there is an entrance fee of $5 for residents and $10 for non-residents. This park is about 4 hours north of Las Vegas. While you’re here, take a ride up to Ely to learn more history about copper mining in Nevada.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are so many places to explore in Nevada. I’m excited to get to know this state a little better and to explore states around us. Every state has hidden gems, so go out, explore, and have a great adventure!! Please remember anytime you visit the outdoors to leave it as you found it. If you want to see some videos of our adventures, go to: https://youtu.be/x_UIrvC1lWo

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