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by Jessica Spaulding

Point Reyes National Seashore

February 17, 2010 in United States of America

When I tell people about my favorite US travel destination they usually haven’t heard of it. Point Reyes is only 30 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge, making it an easy day trip from San Francisco, but you’ll want to spend more than just a day there.

The peninsula is outdoorsy in a low-key way. Though it’s not your typical young backpacker hotspot (no pub crawls for miles) it’s the perfect place to relax and recharge with plenty of hiking (I recommend the trail to Abbotts Lagoon) and chances for wildlife viewing. If you’re a photographer you’ll be in heaven. Bring extra memory cards.

Point Reyes is well known for being overcast (The 1980 horror movie “The Fog” was largely filmed here) but the sunrises and sunsets are amazing. My favorite sunrise spot is the western side of Tomales Bay with a view of both the water and the mainland mountains. Speaking of which, Tomales Bay and Drake’s Estero (a tidal salt marsh on the other side of the peninsula) are the safest for kayaking and many of the B&Bs rent out gear. Point Reyes may be nearly surrounded by water, but it’s rough water. The western coast is a long stretch of sand that’s great place for a picnic, but it’s haunted by riptides and renegade waves.

A nature-lover’s paradise

The peninsula itself is made of rolling hills filled with grazing cows and elk.

The peninsula itself is made of rolling hills filled with grazing cows and elk. (The elk preserve in the northern part of the peninsula boasts the largest population of Tule Elk in California.) A picturesque lighthouse sits on the spit of land to the west of Drakes Bay and guards what’s considered the windiest and foggiest spot in the US. When it’s clear you can see blue and humpback whales feeding and gray whales passing by on their way between Alaska and Baja. Nearby cliffs overlook the local elephant seals’ favorite beaches.

Morning in Point Reyes National Seashore

Morning in Point Reyes National Seashore

When the weather turns dramatic the best spot to watch is the southern curve of land of Drake’s Bay. (This is where the Spanish Galleon the San Agustin ran aground in 1595.) Avoid the winds by taking shelter in the little cafe at Drake’s Beach and enjoy the locally grown specials at a table by the window.

Point Reyes Station

Away from the water is Point Reyes Station (actually just off the peninsula). This little town packs a lot into its few “major” streets. Its popularity among day and weekend trippers from the rest of affluent Marin County and San Francisco means art shops and gourmet grocers. KWMR is one of the finest local radio stations in the nation.

The Cowgirl Creamery Is a must. It’s always my first and last stop when visiting Point Reyes. They make some of the finest cheeses in the country (Mt. Tam, their signature double cream is spectacular). Leave extra time to sample their selection of cheeses from around the world and see if they’re giving tours. A perfect stop before a picnic on the beach.

For reasonably-priced accommodation, avoid the B&Bs and stay at the Hostelling International hostel, or at one of the many hike-in campgrounds in the park. Camping permits from the ranger station are required. Unfortunately, the closest bus stop is seven miles from the hostel and you’ll want a car (or super-strong biking legs) for exploring the peninsula.

abbotts lagoon, point reyes national seashore

Abbotts Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore

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by Jessica Spaulding

Three Los Angeles sights to go out of your way for

December 28, 2009 in United States of America

The three following suggestions for things to do in Los Angeles all come with their own set of catches, but are more than worth the time and effort needed to make them happen.

Magic Castle

It’s hard to describe a visit to the Magic Castle.  Nestled on a hill just north of Hollywood Blvd the Magic Castle was once a house, but has been expanded and turned into a private Magicians Club.  Inside you’ll find 3 theaters, 4 bars, a piano playing ghost (she takes requests), a restaurant, an eclectic collection of memorabilia from Houdini to Hello Dolly and the best magicians in the country.  Six magicians perform every night in the theaters, and there are also a number of informal spots in the castle where member magicians come to practice new tricks, or just show off for the visitors. With a new set of magicians in the theaters each week, every trip to the castle is different.  With all the nooks are crannies of the castle you’ll make new discoveries with each visit.  It’s probably my favorite place in Los Angeles.

The catches:
1) Ages 21 and up only for evening shows. (Weekend brunch shows are open to all ages.)

2) There’s a strict dress code.  Suit and ties for men, cocktail or evening wear women.  (Weekend brunch shows have a more relaxed dress code, check the website for details.)

3) It’s not cheap:  $8 valet (there’s no other option for parking), $20-25 door charge, Around $20-$30 for dinner (dinner is a required cost, unless you are a member). Drinks run around $8.

4) The biggest difficulty in visiting the castle is getting an invitation for evening shows.  No invites (just reservations) are needed for weekend brunch shows, but evening shows are the way to go if you can get in.  If you don’t “know someone who knows someone”, your best bet is to check the website and see who’s performing when you want to go.  Pick one of the magicians, send them an incredibly polite email and most likely they’ll send you an invite.  Don’t give up if the first magician you try says no.  It is a private club and some magicians and members have been burned by people who they’ve given invites to.  Once you have your invitation be sure to also make reservations!

Taping of a TV Show

Hollywood has the glitzy name, but most of the actual business of show business happens in Studio City, Burbank or Culver City.  Taking a studio tour might give you a quick idea of how it works, but to truly get the behind the scenes it’s more than worth the time to go to a taping.  Many sitcoms, talk shows and game shows are filmed in front of a studio audience.  It’s a fascinating look at another world.  Be warned though. Some of the magic wears off after the 3rd or 4th take of the same joke.  You’ll realize that in show business, the “business” comes first.

A TV studio audience - Something to do in LA

The catches:
1) Be prepared for it to take longer than you think.  Filming a 30 minute sit-com (only 22 minutes without the commercials) can take about 4 hours and you’ll need to show up at least an hour ahead of time.  Don’t worry, they’ll have a comedian working the audience to keep you entertained even while they’re doing boring things like moving the cameras between shots. By the end of the evening you may start wishing they’d stop interrupting the comedian with the filming.

2) Being an audience member is free, but you need to get tickets ahead of time.  TVtix is a good site.  Careful, tickets for popular shows run out quickly, but you may be able to get last-minute tickets for new shows either on the website or by wandering around Hollywood Blvd as studios sometimes send people out to the touristy areas to gather audience members.

The Hollywood Bowl

The Hollywood Bowl is a fantastic concert hall build in 1922 in the hills of Hollywood.  Just visiting the Bowl is an event in itself, regardless of who’s preforming.  Prices for open-air bench seats are quite reasonable, but you can also spring for some very nice box seats.  To do the Bowl like a local, take public transportation and bring a picnic dinner and wine.

The Bowl has something for everyone.  The schedule is dominated by classical and jazz, but this year’s performers ranged from The Killers to Eric Clapton to Kylie Minogue. KCRW’s World Music series is always popular.

The Hollywood Bowl - Attractions on a LA vacation

Outdoor theatre, the Hollywood Bowl, is an LA favourite

The Catches:
1) The Hollywood Bowl is only open April – October.

3) Bench seating in an open air theatre can get cold.  Yes, even in Los Angeles.  Bring layers and something soft to sit on.

2) Parking is ridiculous.  Stacked parking and a huge audience means that you can end up being stuck in your parking spot an hour after the concert ends.  Luckily there’s easy public transportation to and from the Hollywood Bowl.  Check the website for more details.

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by Jessica Spaulding

Two very different hostels in Washington, DC.

October 26, 2009 in United States of America

The only way to stay in Washington DC affordably is at a hostel, and unfortunately there are not a whole lot of them. Here are two very different options:

Hilltop Hostel

300 Carrol St. NW
Regular hostellers will recognize this type of hostel. A large Victorian house with common areas downstairs (living room, dining room, kitchen and patio/backyard). The bedrooms on the second and third floors are crammed full of the standard hostel bunk beds. Decent mattresses, thin blankets, 8 beds to a room. Most of the action and the fellowship takes place downstairs. Very easy to meet people and strike up conversations. Internet is WiFi plus one incredibly, ridiculously, absurdly slow computer.

The hostel is a bit far north of the main part of town, but for $24 in DC it’s still a great deal. Fortunately, it’s right next to a Metro stop so it’s easy to get into town. Unfortunately, it’s right next to a Metro stop so you’ll hear trains all night along. Requesting a room in the back of the house may help.

There’s not much to do in the neighborhood, especially after dark. Late-night food options are CVS (a chain drug store) which is open until midnight and a 24-hour gas station.

Galley Inn Hotel

1850 Florida Ave, NW
(Disclaimer, I stayed in the second location down the street and wasn’t able to see the rooms in the main building where they had both hotel-style rooms and dorm rooms. This review is based on the second location.)

If you’re looking to be smack in the middle of all the fun it’s hard to find a better place than the Gallery Inn Hotel

At first I balked at the idea of spending $40 a night for a bed in a dorm room, but if you’re looking to be smack in the middle of all the fun it’s hard to find a better place in the DC area than the Gallery Inn Hotel. It’s just a few minutes walk from Dupont Circle, a major Metro stop, and a 5-10 minute walk to the Adams Morgan district where you’ll find plenty of nightlife to keep you out all night.

At some point though you’ll want to head back to your hostel and enjoy the super-nice rooms and beds. With the possible exception of Pateys Place in Kona, Hawaii, these were probably the nicest hostel beds I’ve ever seen. Plush thick blankets and comfy mattresses. Plus, as an added bonus, they come and make the beds for you every day. The Galley Inn Hotel is sort of like a hotel with shared rooms (there are also private rooms, priced at the going rate for the area, about $180-$220 a night). The dorm rooms are basically converted studio apartments. Each room has its own kitchen, bathroom, closet, and TV, and bunk beds.

In addition to your maid service, you get complimentary soaps and shampoo plus “breakfast” (toast or bagels) in the reception area.

The downsides are the price and a lack of the normal hostel community. You may see the other guests at breakfast, but aside from that you’ll likely only meet the people in your dorm.

At $40 a night (plus DC’s 14.5% hotel tax) it’s hard to call this budget accommodation even though it’s super-cheap for the area. If you’re trying to save money while staying in DC for a long time this isn’t the place for you.

The Hilltop Hostel is close to the Metro and it may take you a bit longer to get downtown, but it’s easy and you will save money while meeting more travelers. If you’re traveling with someone else (or like sight-seeing on your own) and only have a few days in DC then the Gallery Inn Hotel is an excellent compromise. A bit more money, but an excellent location; walking distance from great nightlife, but far enough away that it’s not too loud at night. I stayed here with someone who had never been to a hostel before and was a bit hesitant about the whole idea. This was an excellent (if perhaps misleading) first example.

There are a few other hostels in the DC area. If you’ve stayed at any of them please leave a comment. I’d love to hear about other options.

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by Jessica Spaulding

Staying warm, keeping cool

September 7, 2009 in Van dwelling

Traveling by car is a happy medium as far as exposure to the elements is concerned. When parked at a campground nature is a little closer than sleeping in a building, but unlike sleeping in a tent there’s a bit more control over how close it can get. Here are some tips on keeping the temperature comfortable.

In cold weather

  • Curtains help keep the heat in as well as out. Window glass is a great transmitter of heat, so having relatively thick curtains (try a heavy felt) will keep the car from losing heat. I spent a week one winter freezing my butt off in Albuquerque where the temperature was in the low 20s (Fahrenheit). The next winter I’d finally gotten around to putting in curtains. Driving through Idaho the night temperatures were 0-10 degrees, and while I wouldn’t say the van was toasty, at least I didn’t wake up shivering in the middle of the night.
  • Cooler temperatures just make the blankets cozier. Sometimes it’s too much trouble to try to keep the whole inside of the car warm, so get a nice fluffy blanket or sleeping bag and sleep in your sweats. (Don’t forget a hat. Most of your heat will be lost through your head.)
  • Never underestimate the power of the sun. It may be your enemy in the summer, but that greenhouse effect is a big help in the winter. Park so the windshield gets direct sun to take advantage of it. At night, park the car so the morning sun will hit it full on; this gives the car a bit of time to heat up before you crawl out from under your cozy covers.

    • sunrise-auckland-harbour-bridge

  • There are mugs and pots that plug into the cigarette lighter. Hang out at your campground enjoying the weather without having to get out to light up a propane campstove and cook your dinner. In cold weather I’ve found the mugs to be especially nice; I always have cup of tea going. Boil some water and heat up your bed with a hot water bottle.
  • If you’re planning on spending a lot of time in the car in cold weather, and your vehicle has the space for it, consider installing a “house battery.” This is a second battery that also charges off the engine but can be used to run a heater (or AC, for that matter) without draining the battery that starts the car.

In hot weather

  • Tinted windows and curtains will be your best friend in hot weather. The car becomes a greenhouse in the sun. Keep your curtains closed and get a sunshade for the windshield.
  • Shade, shade, shade. Same idea as the curtains. If the sunlight can’t get in, it can’t heat up the car. It’s amazing what a difference parking under a tree can make.
  • For keeping food cool consider a mini fridge that plugs into the cigarette lighter or a cooler with dry ice. Dry ice is available at many ice cream shops – if you use it, make sure to keep the car ventilated.
  • If you’re finding it too hot to sleep try draping a wet towel over your legs. It may take a bit of getting used to, but it works.

Final thoughts

When the weather gets too bad, leave.

Don’t let bad weather ruin a trip – plan activities around it. Take advantage of the snow and go skiing. If it’s too hot, lather up with sunscreen and float down a river in an inner tube. Spend time checking out museums or dawdle at the lunch counter chatting up the locals.

When the weather gets too bad, leave. One of the best things about traveling by car is the mobility. Follow the snowbirds and travel south for the winter then head back north for the summers. (Opposite for those south of the equator, of course!)

In fact, you may not even have to drive far to find comfort. A small change in elevation can make a huge difference. If the desert is too hot check out the mountains nearby.

Now get out there and have a fabulous road trip no matter what the weather is doing!

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by Jessica Spaulding

US travel: car or backpack?

July 29, 2009 in United States of America, Van dwelling

Short answer: It depends.

There is never one “best way” to travel. It all depends on where you want to go, how long you have and on your personal preferences. Here are some things to consider while you’re planning long-term travel in the US and trying to decide how to get around.

Note: For the purposes of this article I consider “travel by car” to involve sleeping in your vehicle for the majority of the trip. There’s a lot of resources about it on the web, (my website is A Year in a Car.) Try searching for vandwelling, car living, or urban camping. More information can also be found in previous ITP articles.

Logistics

If you’re interested in a trip that hops from one city to another, public transportation between the cities is going to be easy and driving between them is going to be long and boring. (Though there’s nothing like driving all day to put the map into perspective.) Yes, even Los Angeles, the birthplace of car culture, has good public transportation. Driving around an unknown city and getting lost or stuck in rush hour will definitely cut down on the fun of the trip. Traveling between cities is much more fun if you don’t have to do the driving.

If you dont feel like hiking in, the best way to reach Olympic National Park is by car.

Nearby Seattle has excellent public transportation, but If you don't feel like hiking in, the easiest way to reach Olympic National Park is by car.

While public transportation in and between cities is easy in the US, most of the country isn’t urban. Travel by car will be the easier option if you’re visiting Carlbad Caverns in New Mexico, Point Reyes in California, Zion or Bryce National Parks in Utah, or any of the other approximately fifty million other cool spots in the US. If you have two or more people to share the driving that’s even better. You can split the cost of gas and pay for your own tickets.

Traveling by car also means you don’t need to plan ahead so much. You have no timetables to keep track of. If your car is your hotel there are no reservations to make. You can stay easily stay longer in a place if you like it or leave earlier if find you don’t.

Money

Assuming you use your car as your accommodation, travel by car is significantly cheaper. The cost of gas may be more than the cost of public transportation but cutting the cost of hostels and hotels out of the equation more than makes up for it. Traveling by car also makes it easier to adjust your spending to fit your budget. Your main fixed costs become gas and food, both of which can be easily cut by staying put exploring an area more deeply. Get a campstove and buy more food at grocery stores than at restaurants.

The social scene

For ease of meeting people, backpacking and hostels has got vandwelling beat, hands down. Not that it’s not easy to meet people while living in a vehicle, but while staying in hostels it’s practically forced upon you. If you’re a shy person hostels are a great way to break out of your shell. If you prefer being able to easily have alone-time then a car is great. For more tips on meeting people outside of hostels while traveling check out this previous ITP Article.

Safety and comfort

After two years of living on the road I’ll fully defend the idea that living in a car is just as safe (if not more so) than backpacking, for both your own personal safety and your property.

Personally, I prefer sleeping in my own bed each night. I like not being bothered by someone snoring or stumbling into the room at 3am. The car can sometimes feel like tight quarters, but they’re my quarters and I don’t have to share with anyone.

There is something very elegant about living out of a backpack.

There is something very elegant about living out of a backpack. It’s a nod to simplicity to know that everything you need you can carry in your best backpack. But if you want to be lazy about the planning, if you want to carry enough food and water so that you can randomly boondock in the woods for a week, or if you’re a voracious reader, photographer, obsessive crafter it’s nice to have the extra space for luxury items.

What works best for you is going to depend on your situation and the kind of trip you want to take. If you live in Los Angeles and want to spend one month in Boston driving there is not a good idea. But if you live in Los Angeles and have a month to travel around northern California then taking a car is your best bet.

I highly recommend trying out both on short trips (or better yet, try both on long trips). There is no “right” way to travel and the only wrong way to travel is not to do it.

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by Jessica Spaulding

Self-powered travel in the US

May 13, 2009 in United States of America

Many may say the US is made for the road trip, but for those who want to get out of the car and see the country at less than 65 miles an hour there’s a number of resources to help you plan a long-distance trip.

By foot:

The US has three major cross-country hiking trails, which are collectively called the Triple Crown. They are the Pacific Crest Trail, the Continental Divide Trail and the Appalachian Trail. The Appalacian Trail is generally thought of as the easiest one to plan for as there are more resources and a larger support system along the trail.

Though these are the most well-known of the major trails there are many others to consider. There are seven other National Scenic Trails as well as many, many other long-distance trails. A good overview of the national recreation trails can be found on AmericanTrails.org.

Biking in Colorado

Biking in Colorado

By bike:

For those who prefer to travel at more than three miles an hour there are many resources for cycling across the country. Cyclists can create their own routes just by looking at road maps, but not all roads are made for cycling. There are a lot of internet resources out there, but the best one-stop source for maps and information on long-distance cycling in the US is the Adventure Cycling Association website. You’ll find everything you need: road maps, how-to guides, guided tours, and a yellow pages section to help you find other people looking for companions to cycle with.

They also run a number of guided tours throughout the year and throughout the country. These are an excellent alternative to taking your own trip, if you’re not comfortable with doing all the planning or prefer to travel with an expert, or (in the case of some trips) a van that carries all your gear. I took their Introduction to Cycling Touring course last year and had an excellent time learning the basics while on a 5 day trip through the Rocky Mountains.

Adventure Cycling currently has their own “Route Network” with routes that cross the county and detailed directions for each. However, they are also working with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials to develop additional routes that will criss-cross the country in an even more complete “US Bicycle Route System.”

Another good resource for cycle touring is Randonneurs.

For finding both hiking and cycling trails try the Rails-to-Trails Conservatory, an organization that works to convert abandoned railroad tracks to a network of trails. Trails lengths range from less than a mile to hundreds of miles long.

Kayaking or canoeing

If floating down a river in a kayak is more your style, there are plenty of possibilities there as well. Minnesota, known as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” has tens of thousands of possible single or multi-day trips. Maine and Oregon are also known for their waterways, but there are many others.

Three more resources for kayaking and canoeing.

While you’re on the road, record your adventures in a diary or travel blog, and get inspiration by reading about other peoples’ trips. Whether you’re hiking, cycling or kayaking it’s amazing how much more you can see when you slow down. As added bonuses, food will taste better, people will be nicer, and you’ll have more than just a tan to show off when your vacation is done. Mix it up on your next trip and use those muscles.

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by Jessica Spaulding

The best real estate deal in the US

April 8, 2009 in United States of America

You’ll never find a deal as good as this one. 84 million acres of some of the most stunning geography in America. 17,000 miles of trails to explore, 43,000 miles of shoreline and more than 68,000 archeological sites. And nearly 20,000 employees to help take care of it. Yours for only $80 a year.

The National Parks pass is one of the best deals out there for exploring America. Officially titled the rather clunky “America the Beautiful — National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Pass,” it gives you unlimited admission for a year into all federal fee areas. This includes all 58 National Parks, the 73 National Monuments, and the 28 National Memorials in addition to many other federally managed areas.

If you’re only visiting one or two parks a year it makes more financial sense to pay the normal entrance fee, but on a road trip (especially out west) the fees quickly rack up if you don’t have a pass . The “crown jewels” of the park system – the Grand Canyon, Bryce, Zion, Yellowstone and Yosemite, for example – have steeper entrance fees of $20 a week (per car). At $80 for the year a National Parks Pass can save you a whole lot of money.

It’s a good idea to bring cash, as some smaller locations don’t take credit cards or checks

The Pass can be purchased ahead of time online or by mail, but it’s easiest to wait until you get to the first park you want to visit. It’s a good idea to bring cash, as some smaller locations don’t take credit cards or checks. When you buy a pass, one person will be the passholder, and that person will need to show their ID whenever they use the pass. You can also get a joint pass with a spouse, so either person can show their ID at the entrance. Entrance fees are by car, so the pass will also let in whoever else is in the car with you. (There are separate rules for bicyclists and hikers entering the parks.)

Get a little more for your money

Officially, the pass is good for one year from the date you get it, but the Park Service only keeps track of the month. For instance, whether you get your pass on July 1st or July 25th, it will be good until July 31st of the following year. Getting your pass at the beginning of the month and will give you a bit of extra time on it.

Additionally, if you’re 62 or older (and a US citizen), you can get a lifetime pass for a one-time processing fee of $10. Disabled individuals can get a pass for free. In addition to admission, these passes are good for other discounts at the national parks including camping fees.

What’s NOT included:

Campgrounds

yellowstone-for-indie3Most developed campgrounds will cost extra. In national parks, usually $5-$20 per night. You can, however do dispersed camping on many other federal lands for free.

Some guided tours

Many of the ranger-led talks at the national parks are free once you’ve paid for admission, however some of the longer ones have an additional cost. At Gettysburg National Military Park, for instance, guided tours around the battlefield (at least a full-day experience), will cost extra. The cost for some tours is per group, and not per person so hooking up with other travelers can save you money.

Backcountry and Special Use Permits

The national parks are full of multi-day backpacking trails, but some charge for their backcountry permits. Rangers who catch you without a permit will require that you leave immediately. Even if you’re backpacking in an area that doesn’t charge, check in with the rangers and let them know when you expect to be back so they can send out a search party if something goes wrong.

State parks

State parks generally don’t receive federal funding and are separate from the National Parks System. Unfortunately their campgrounds are often more expensive as well. However many states (such as California, which has over 120 state parks and beaches), have their own annual pass program. Checking out the state parks (especially in Utah and Arizona which have stunning scenery) are a great way to discover little-known gems.

If you’re only in the US for a few weeks and are planning on staying in the cities the National Parks pass won’t do you much good. But if you’re planning on taking a road trip (especially in the west, where most of the National Parks are) then the “America the Beautiful Pass” can save you a great deal of money.

The federal government runs an amazing array of spectacular parks and historical monuments. Personally, my favorites are Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming and Dinosaur National Monument in Colorado. What are yours?

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by Jessica Spaulding

Cheap Places to Stay in Hawaii

February 25, 2009 in United States of America

Hawaii is expensive. It’s a honeymoon destination full of people happy to take your money. Just getting there is going to be expensive no matter where you’re coming from and once you get there it’s around $70 to get from one island to another.

That being said, there are definitely ways to visit long-term and relatively cheaply. Once you’ve followed Chris Guillebeau’s advice to get your plane ticket there for free here are some ways to save money on accommodation.

Hostels

A no-brainer, of course, for savvy Indie Travelers such as yourself. You’ll find hostels in all the major towns of Hawaii, but plan early and don’t assume you can just show up in the evening and get a dorm bed for the night. No need to book your whole trip ahead of time, but it’s a good idea to secure your accommodation for the first week before you get there.

Salt Flats Beach is a campground on Kauai.

Salt Flats Beach is a campground on Kauai.


Camping

Bringing a tent can save you a lot of money, but it can also be a frustrating experience in dealing with bureaucracy. The easiest campgrounds to find information about are the state and county campgrounds. They’re all an excellent deal, most costing $5 or less, but you must get your permits ahead of time and they are only available at the various state and county offices, though the state office does let you order permits by mail.

If you prefer traveling without planning far ahead of time or can’t easily get to the offices during business hours this can be frustrating. One other thing to think about: ask around about the specific campgrounds you’re considering, especially the county campgrounds on Oahu, as some have a reputation for not being very safe.

Don’t let these points discourage you from camping in Hawaii. The campgrounds are gorgeous, and very popular among backpackers. Just be aware of what can complicate the experience.

Couchsurfing

A great way to meet the locals and learn how to use Hawaiian slang without sounding like a tourist. Couchsurfing.com also has some great little tours that you don’t even need to be couchsurfing to go on (I got invited on a tour while waiting for the bus), as well as other great tips for traveling on a budget. Be sure to treat your host to dinner!

Sleep in your rental car

If you have some experience with sleeping in a car while traveling this is a great way to have the convenience of a rental without spending extra. In fact, if you get a week-long rental the daily price will probably be less than a hostel.

The morning view from the balcony of our timeshare.

The morning view from the balcony of our timeshare.

Check out the timeshares

You can get some incredible deals by taking advantage of the economic downturn and splitting a timeshare with a couple of people. You may not be able to work the price-per-person down to less than a hostel, but you can get close and you’re definitely getting more for your money. If you’re camping for most of your trip treat yourself to week at a timeshare. Planning early is always good, but keep checking Craigslist.com or Sellmytimesharenow.com. You can find some fantastic last-minute deals as people realize their place is going to sit empty next week and what you’re offering is better than nothing. Negotiating can work wonders.

Work for a hostel or farm

Planning on staying for a while? Trade your time for your accommodation. Like hostels everywhere, those in Hawaii are looking for people to work in them. This is another case where planning ahead will improve your chances. There aren’t many hostels in Hawaii and lots of young travelers are looking for jobs. Call hostels a few months ahead to ask about their policies.

If you’d rather work outside, check out WWOOF.

If you’d rather work outside, check out WWOOF (Willing Workers on Organic Farms). Two organizations connect Hawaiian farm owners with workers: WWOOF Hawaii and WWOOF USA. Both organizations charge a fee to access to their listings. After that, it’s up to you to apply and work out something with the farm owner. WWOOFing experiences will vary greatly with the farm, so do your research. Ask the owners to be very clear about what your responsibilities will be and what you’ll receive in return. Most WWOOF trades are 20-30 hours a week for room and board.

You don’t need to join a WWOOF organization to find opportunities. It’s just a nice way to find all the information in one place and know that the farms are legit. Try checking Craigslist.com, do some Google searches or call up hostels and ask them what local farms are hiring.

Despite the expense of getting to Hawaii, you don’t need to spend all your money on accommodation to enjoy your time there. Have you saved money on accommodation in Hawaii? Please leave tips in the comments.

Search for cheap accommodation here.

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Avatar of Jessica Spaulding

by Jessica Spaulding

Picture Perfect

February 11, 2009 in Travel Photography

You had a great time backpacking around Europe for the summer. You went to all the famous sites, hung out with awesome people, and ate fantastic food.

And what do you have to show for it? A 4-inch model of the Eiffel Tower and three 4-gigabyte memory cards full of photos?

Now what? Perhaps you glue the model of the Eiffel Tower to the dash board of your car and throw the memory cards in a desk drawer. You want to go through and put pictures up on the web, since showing off your pictures is a great way to share your travels, but it’s hard to find time for it. And how do you make them interesting to other people?

Use folders to keep from being overwhelmed

First, get those photos off the memory card and onto your computer. Then, sort them into folders by location. Instead of one folder with 2000 photos, you might have 40 folders with 50 photos each. It’s the same amount of photos, but suddenly it’s manageable — you can organize one folder at a time and get that warm feeling of progress. I know I’m more likely to sit down to sort through 50 pictures than 2000. And if I can get myself started, I get into it and sort through a lot more than I thought I had time for.

Send copies to the people in your pictures

Maybe you’ve only posted three of the pictures from the night out on the town, but you’ve got another dozen on your computer. Email those to the people you went with. Your friends at home may not care to see the others, but the people who were there will be interested. If you’ve put them up on the web somewhere they can download them, send an email with the link. It’s a great way to stay in contact with people you met.

The chipmunks outside Rocky Mountain National Park were so tame I took about 300 pictures. Aren't you glad I'm only showing you one?

The chipmunks outside Rocky Mountain National Park were so friendly I took about 300 pictures of them. Aren't you glad I'm only showing you one?

Be selective

Amateur photographers get one good shot out of every ten they take. Professional photographers get one good shot out of 100. Only show your best. Digital is great because it’s easy to take lots of pictures, but be brutal when deciding what to share.

The one really fantastic shot of the view from the hiking trail loses its impact when surrounded by nine sort-of-okay shots. Ask yourself “If I hadn’t taken this, would I still think it was interesting?” After the 40th picture of “This is me at the bar with some people I met at the hostel” your viewers will be bored. Always leave them wanting more.

Don’t feel you must have everything done before you start sharing

Start sharing straight away, even if there’s more to sort, or some photos you want to touch up in Photoshop. Get the ones that are ready up on your website (or blog, or Facebook account or other photo-sharing site). Create a manageable goal: one picture a day, or five a week. Getting comments from friends and family will inspire you to keep posting until you’re done.

Wading through the glacier melt. It was the only way to get home.

Write captions about what happened

Sure, the picture of the river is okay, but isn’t it more interesting to know the river is from a melting glacier; it was 7:30am when we crossed and my legs went numb as soon as I stepped in. One person was so short the water came up to her waist and I thought she was going to be washed away. Someone else declared it was so cold she’d rather go through the pain of childbirth again than go back across, but Kat, the girl in the middle, crossed seven times to help the rest of us make it.

The goal is to make the viewer jealous. Either jealous of what a great time you had or jealous of what a great story you got from the adventure. It’s not really important which.

Add some music and make a video

Ok, I admit this is something that I haven’t actually done, but once I find some easy software (any suggestions for a mac?) then I’ll do this. I’ve already got the music and photos picked out. It’s a great way to view lots of pictures quickly.

There’s more ways to share pictures than just the web

Get some prints, glue them to index cards and mail them off as post cards. Make a collage or a scrapbook. Put framed copies up on the wall. Use them as inspiration to plan your next trip.

If you do more with your pictures than throw the memory cards in a drawer you’ll appreciate them a lot more than a 4-inch Eiffel Tower.

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Avatar of Jessica Spaulding

by Jessica Spaulding

Home Sweet Home, the next steps

December 24, 2008 in Van dwelling

My article last month covered basic things you can do to a vehicle to make it comfortable for living in. These things focused on privacy, which is important if you plan on urban, or stealth, camping. In this month’s article I’ll go through some things to make your vehicle more comfortable to live in. There’s a whole range of things you can do, it all depends on how much time and effort you want to put in.

Food

For some people, a camp stove and a cooler is enough, but if you don’t feel like messing around with propane canisters or worrying about stocking up on ice or dry ice then check out some of the appliances you can plug into the cigarette lighter – truck stops are a good place to find them.

Many vandwellers swear by their SmartMug, a mug that plugs into the cigarette lighter. I found it to be good for tea, but slow and not hot enough to do any real cooking. I’ve been very happy with my RoadPro water heater. It’s not as fast as a camp stove, but I can cook ramen noodles or canned soup and don’t need to find a place outside to set up the stove or buy new propane canisters. RoadPro makes a lot of 12-volt appliances, I’m considering their frying pan.

Electricity

Speaking of things you can plug into your cigarette lighter, an inverter creates a regular plug to charge your electronics as you drive. If you’re especially heavy on the electronics (for example, if you have a TV or use your computer for hours every day) then consider adding a “house battery”. This is a second car battery that recharges while you drive, but is hooked up to the cab of your car. This way you don’t need to worry about draining the battery that starts the engine.

If you plan on staying put for long periods of time and don’t want to run your engine to recharge your batteries think about installing solar panels. There are plenty of kits and information for RVers and if your vehicle has a decent-sized roof you can make something work for you.

Showering/bathing

Portable solar showers, spray bottles, baby wipes, and of course, rivers and lakes are all ways of keeping clean on the road.

Do some searching on the internet and you’ll find that there’s just as many opinions on showering as there are vandwellers. Many, like me, are happy to pay for a gym membership for regular bathing, and figure out other solutions as necessary. However, browse any camping (or vandwelling) website and you’ll find many other ideas. Portable solar showers, spray bottles, baby wipes, and of course, rivers and lakes are all ways of keeping clean on the road. It’s up to you to determine what works best for you. I’ve written a post on my website about where I find showers while traveling.

Heating and cooling

Having curtains in the back is surprisingly helpful for both heating and cooling. I found that while I was freezing while sleeping at 24°F, a few months later (after I’d installed curtains on the back windows) I felt warmer in 10°F weather — it was still chilly, but not too bad.

Having no schedule, I find it easiest to travel like a snowbird, heading north for the summer and south for the winter. If you don’t want to be ruled by the seasons you can put in vents and fans for the summer and a heating system for the winter. Again, there are as many different ideas as there are inventive vandwellers and a lot of what’s possible will depend on what type of vehicle you have.

One final note

I recommend living in your vehicle for at least a week or two before investing much time or money beyond the basics covered in last month’s article. This gives you a chance to see what is important to you, and what will be worth the time and money you have to invest in upgrading your vehicle.

Also, think about where you prefer to travel, and how long you’ll stay in one place. This will help you determine whether a purchase is really necessary. For instance, I kept a cooler for a few months before I decided I didn’t really need to bother. My desire for food that needs to be kept cold isn’t strong enough to justify the space it takes up in my Prius, and I’m usually close enough to a store that I can buy what I want, when I want it.

If you’ve lived in a vehicle and have ideas I’ve left out, or are thinking about trying it and have a question, please leave a comment. I’d love to hear what you’re thinking about.

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