Archive for the ‘RV Travel’ Category

This is the time of year when RVers start planning for the upcoming RV travel season. With that in mind, RVBasics Yahoo group member Dick offers these tips:

• Take the Inter Island Ferry to get to Prince of Wales Island, AK. You ride free, your motorhome is charged $7 per foot and any passengers are charged a small fee. About a 3 hour ferry trip.
• A must book is the The Milepost 2009: Alaska Travel Planner available from Amazon.com. Gives you mile by mile locations of campgrounds, rest stops, fuel, attractions, you name it of all major and some minor roads of Canada and Alaska. When on last years 81 day 12,806 mile summer trip through the US, Canada and Alaska it was used every day as a guide of where to go and what to do.
• I assume you will have Passports. For the pets you will need current Health Certificates and current rabbis documentation. Also make sure you have a current list of any medications for anyone including the pets. Besides a current drivers license, you will also need proof of insurance in Canada which is a card you can get from your current stateside insurance company at no charge.
• Most all credit card companies are now charging a 3% foreign transaction fee for any charges made outside the US or its territories. So any charges you make in Canada may be subject to that fee when you go to pay your monthly credit card bill. You will not see that charge at the point of sale. Only when you get your statement will you see the charge. Call your credit card company and ask.
• Cell phone calls originating from Canada can also bring further fees. Check with your wireless provider to see what their policies are. There are also some limited food restrictions as to what you can or can not bring into Canada or into Alaska or back into the south 48. And of course California also has some strict food regulations and inspects most every MH entering California.

Thanks Dick… we appreciate your contribution to the site.

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“Our Existence on this planet depends upon the existence of all life around us, and that includes snakes.” — Okefenokee Joe

Snakes FEED on insects, rats, mice and other rodents and reptiles, and snakes are FOOD for raptors, coyotes, bobcats, foxes and other wild animals. The United States is home to four poisonous types of snake families… Coral Snakes (3 species), Copperhead Snakes (at least 5 species), Cottonmouth, (Water Moccasin, 3 known species) and, of course, Rattlesnakes (31 species).

That sounds like a lot of bad snakes, but MOST snakes are not dangerous. In fact snakes are afraid of humans and given space when startled by a human will slither off.

When boondocking with your RV be aware of the area around you. Avoid parking and setting up camp by piles of shrubs, dead branches and refuse or other places snakes might find shelter or food. On cool days snakes like to warm their bodies in sunshine. On hot days they seek to cool themselves in shady spots. Be alert to these.

When hiking in desert lands or other habitat appealing to snakes one should definitely stay alert. If a snake is sited, stop and do not approach it. Make no sudden movements. Don’t try to catch it, kill it or tease it, and if you recognize it as a venomous one give it space.

Most snakebites occur below the knee. Wear appropriate clothing when in snake territory. Get a field guide book so you can identify poisonous from non-poisonous snakes and their habits and habitats.

What to do about a snakebite:

• Make positive identification of the snake, if possible.
• If you are certain it is not a venomous snake, get away from the snake, clean the area and the bite and watch for signs of infection.
• Venomous snakebites can be very serious. Get away from the snake to avoid a second bite. Immediate medical aid is needed for a poisonous snakebite.
• Remain still and as calm as possible.
• Identify the type of snake if you can and call 911.
• Remove constricting items (clothing, jewelry) from the affected limb or area as it will quickly begin swelling.
• Wash the bite area with soap and water. To reduce danger of the venom flowing to the heart, keep the limb or bite area below heart level.
• If 911 is not reachable, get to a medical facility as soon as possible.
• DO NOT eat or drink anything, including medication or alcoholic beverages. DO NOT put ice on the bite area. DO NOT apply a tourniquet or cut over the bite area and DO NOT ever, under any circumstances, try to suck the venom out by mouth.

While most snakes are NOT dangerous most humans fearful that they ARE. Coexistence is possible. Try to develop a respect for them and their contribution to nature’s balance.

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