April 6, 2026

Campground Etiquette: The Unwritten Rules Every RVer Needs to Know

Campground Etiquette: The Unwritten Rules Every RVer Needs to Know

Send us Fan Mail Campground Etiquette Is Sponsored by RV Roofing Solutions Not all campground rules are posted on a sign and some of the most important ones never will be. In this episode, Tasha and Jennifer get into the campground etiquette conversations other RV podcasts aren’t having: from the infamous campfire opener that may or may not get edited out, to what really happens when you cut through someone’s site at 5 a.m. or an e-bike rider doesn’t know how to brake. Whether you’re a weeken...

YouTube podcast player iconApple Podcasts podcast player iconSpotify podcast player iconPodchaser podcast player iconPodcast Addict podcast player iconDeezer podcast player iconPlayerFM podcast player icon
YouTube podcast player iconApple Podcasts podcast player iconSpotify podcast player iconPodchaser podcast player iconPodcast Addict podcast player iconDeezer podcast player iconPlayerFM podcast player icon
Season 2

Send us Fan Mail

Campground Etiquette Is Sponsored by RV Roofing Solutions

Not all campground rules are posted on a sign and some of the most important ones never will be. In this episode, Tasha and Jennifer get into the campground etiquette conversations other RV podcasts aren’t having: from the infamous campfire opener that may or may not get edited out, to what really happens when you cut through someone’s site at 5 a.m. or an e-bike rider doesn’t know how to brake.

Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a full-timer, there’s something in this one for you.

Learn How:

● To respect your neighbors’ space, even if the bathroom is just on the other side of their rig

● To handle noise, lighting, pets, and campfires in ways that keep the whole campground happy

● Pools, hot tubs, and laundry rooms all come with unspoken rules

● Posted speed limits make a bigger difference than you think

● To protect your kids — and your neighbors’ kids

Links & Resources:

🚐 RV Roofing Solutions: rvroofingsolutions.com

🏕️ RVing Etiquette: learntorv.com/rving-etiquette

🐕 Doggy Etiquette on the Road: learntorv.com/doggy-etiquette

⛽ Diesel Fill-Ups & Truck Stops: learntorv.com/diesel-fill-ups-truck-stops-are-a-great-bet

🔄 Thousand Trails Has Changed: learntorv.com/thousand-trails-has-changed

👥 Join Our Free Facebook Community: Learn to RV: The Community

📸 Follow Our Adventures: @LearnToRV

👉 More RV Life Resources: learntorv.com

📺 Watch on YouTube: Learn To RV Channel

🎙️ Podcast Website: learntorvthepodcast.com

💛 Support the Podcast:

Patreon (Join the Campfire Crew for bonus content, early access, + swag)

Buy Me a Coffee (drop us a tip ☕)

💬 Got a wild campground story of your own? Send it to connect@learntorv.com — if yours gets read on air, we’ll send you a sticker!

✨ If this episode resonated, subscribe, share learntorvthepodcast.com, and leave a review. Your support keeps the stories coming!

Support the show

Watch us on YouTube

Join Our Community on Facebook

Follow Us On Instagram

Visit our Website

Join us on Patreon

WEBVTT

00:00:05.200 --> 00:00:08.160
Welcome to Learn to RV the podcast.

00:00:08.320 --> 00:00:09.279
I am Tasha.

00:00:09.439 --> 00:00:13.439
This is Jennifer, and today we are talking campground etiquette.

00:00:13.599 --> 00:00:17.679
Jennifer, what do you think about campground etiquette as a general rule?

00:00:17.839 --> 00:00:21.199
Do you think that it's something that is like loosey goosey?

00:00:21.359 --> 00:00:22.160
Just do your best.

00:00:22.239 --> 00:00:27.600
Or do you think that this is something that like people really need to tune in and pay attention to?

00:00:27.839 --> 00:00:31.120
Well, I mean, I think people need to tune in and pay attention to it.

00:00:31.440 --> 00:00:34.399
But the thing is, like, I heard a new one today.

00:00:34.560 --> 00:00:36.960
Like one I've never heard before.

00:00:37.119 --> 00:00:38.640
So like I'm all ears.

00:00:39.200 --> 00:00:40.240
One I don't recommend.

00:00:40.479 --> 00:00:49.439
So it's a campground etiquette rule that is just a rule that you're like down with down with the etiquette.

00:00:49.679 --> 00:00:54.000
I feel like this one is one maybe we just say zero stars do not recommend.

00:00:54.159 --> 00:00:56.479
Like okay, so zero out of ten.

00:00:57.119 --> 00:01:05.359
This lady was walking across the campground today, and she walks up to two guys with a fire pit and she goes, What are you doing with your weenies out here?

00:01:05.519 --> 00:01:05.680
No.

00:01:06.560 --> 00:01:13.840
They had no dogs with them, like Dachshunds, and they were not roasting, you know, Oscar Meyer.

00:01:14.480 --> 00:01:29.680
So I'm not really sure where she was going with the conversation, but I think like thinking about your words, which, you know, to be really honest, I have been known to say something that maybe was totally out of context before, but this one was a new one for me.

00:01:29.760 --> 00:01:33.680
So, you know, be careful what you say around the campfire.

00:01:33.920 --> 00:01:37.280
So it was definitely one of those interesting moments in my life.

00:01:37.519 --> 00:01:41.439
I am really scratching my head here and trying to figure out what she might have meant.

00:01:41.599 --> 00:01:43.439
And I am I am out.

00:01:43.920 --> 00:01:48.719
I am out of I got hot dogs and I got doxins.

00:01:49.200 --> 00:01:50.879
And yeah, I'm tapped out.

00:01:51.040 --> 00:01:59.680
Those are the only acceptable, the only acceptable options for what weenies might mean around a campfire.

00:01:59.840 --> 00:02:05.760
And I hope that if you've got your doxins around the campfire, that you're being very careful with them.

00:02:05.920 --> 00:02:08.719
Please watch all animals around a campfire.

00:02:08.960 --> 00:02:11.120
Make sure they're on a leash or your lap.

00:02:11.360 --> 00:02:14.319
Yes, yes, hold them tight, keep them safe.

00:02:14.560 --> 00:02:15.840
Wow, yes.

00:02:16.080 --> 00:02:20.800
So language, I don't think I had language on my campground etiquette.

00:02:20.960 --> 00:02:23.680
I have a lot about noise, sound.

00:02:24.319 --> 00:02:28.479
I have been doing this for 13 years, and this one was new for me today.

00:02:28.639 --> 00:02:36.560
And I was just standing outside being an innocent bystander as this came across the campground because the campground we're at, we're in shoulder season.

00:02:36.639 --> 00:02:40.479
So there's like maybe 12 campground campers here in the campground.

00:02:40.639 --> 00:02:43.439
So, and there's like 35 or 40 sites on a circle.

00:02:43.599 --> 00:02:54.080
So your noise carries, and so it was a very interesting moment because the power was out this afternoon, and so it was very quiet in the campground, and there were more people outside than normal.

00:02:54.319 --> 00:02:59.280
And yeah, it was it was then what are you doing with your weenies?

00:02:59.439 --> 00:03:03.280
Not what are you weenies doing out here around the campfire?

00:03:03.520 --> 00:03:10.159
Because I mean, I could even see that, you know, like if you're like joshing someone, you're like, hey, you weenies, what are you doing out here?

00:03:10.319 --> 00:03:11.840
But this is like Yeah, I don't know.

00:03:12.319 --> 00:03:16.240
I'd like to I'd like not to speculate too much further on that one, but it was a new one.

00:03:17.039 --> 00:03:18.400
This might be a fun reel.

00:03:18.479 --> 00:03:19.840
This might get fully edited out.

00:03:19.919 --> 00:03:22.080
This might be only in the Patreon version.

00:03:22.319 --> 00:03:24.560
I'm I'm letting it because it's kind of a thing.

00:03:24.879 --> 00:03:27.599
This is this is in there, this is sticking in.

00:03:27.680 --> 00:03:30.719
I'm letting everybody this is how we're starting the episode.

00:03:30.960 --> 00:03:31.680
This is gold.

00:03:31.840 --> 00:03:33.599
This is this is podcast gold.

00:03:33.680 --> 00:03:38.560
Also, let's dropping the language since you've since we've already opened that can of worms.

00:03:38.800 --> 00:03:39.680
Let's go ahead.

00:03:39.919 --> 00:03:55.599
I, you know, I do have language that that is a very good one because I have heard some things fly at a campground, and that also kind of ties into volume, which I'd like to get to as well.

00:03:55.840 --> 00:04:03.520
But, you know, we have at a campground the ability to kind of let loose and just, you know, get comfortable.

00:04:03.759 --> 00:04:12.479
But I think we also need to be respectful of the people around us and remember that there are little kids hanging out at campgrounds.

00:04:12.639 --> 00:04:20.079
And, you know, I I don't want to say, you know, I don't want to be the policeman of the campground, obviously.

00:04:20.160 --> 00:04:22.720
And and I don't want to be like, hey, you can't have a good time.

00:04:22.800 --> 00:04:28.399
But I think that there is something to be said about being careful about what you say around children.

00:04:28.560 --> 00:04:31.680
That's just good manners, you know?

00:04:31.920 --> 00:04:32.319
Absolutely.

00:04:32.720 --> 00:04:38.079
I am well, I am wearing my Dolly Parton shirt today because I do what would Dolly do?

00:04:38.240 --> 00:04:41.680
I think maybe is the question we should be asking ourselves.

00:04:41.920 --> 00:04:43.120
She's a camper.

00:04:43.279 --> 00:04:47.279
I th I don't know that Dolly would just be letting them slide all over the place.

00:04:47.439 --> 00:04:50.000
So I I think maybe that's a really good question.

00:04:50.240 --> 00:04:53.439
Well, I know I mean noise levels, noise levels are a thing, though.

00:04:53.519 --> 00:05:00.399
Like, you know, when my kids were little, you actually outside my camper could hear doom doom doom doom doom doom doom doom doom doom.

00:05:01.199 --> 00:05:01.519
Yes.

00:05:01.759 --> 00:05:10.399
And so that could be my kids running through the camper, that could be my dogs running through the camper, that could be the cat running through the camper.

00:05:10.560 --> 00:05:12.399
Not as likely, but it could happen.

00:05:12.560 --> 00:05:18.160
That could be Frank running through the camper, that just sounded a little more like doom, doom, doom, doom, you know.

00:05:18.319 --> 00:05:22.720
But you know, I mean, you hear everything when you're in a camper.

00:05:23.040 --> 00:05:25.199
And so some are more insulated than others.

00:05:25.439 --> 00:05:35.199
And so being mindful of that, but at the same time, you can't stop your kids from crying, you can't stop your kids from having the the rips, you know, you can't stop the Frenchie from running through the house.

00:05:35.360 --> 00:05:46.000
So But you know what you can do, you can not play your stereo on your outdoor speakers at the loudest volume that it can go.

00:05:46.160 --> 00:05:54.959
I mean, just because you really love Jimmy Buffett doesn't mean I want to hear Jimmy Buffett at 11:30 at night on a Thursday.

00:05:55.120 --> 00:06:07.680
I'm just saying, I mean, I do love me some Jimmy Buffett, but no, I don't need to hear him at 11:30 at night from the camper five spaces down, you know, late at night.

00:06:08.319 --> 00:06:16.319
If it helps my damn at our house, it you had to watch out for it's raining tacos in the chicken nuggets song late at night.

00:06:16.480 --> 00:06:16.800
What?

00:06:17.040 --> 00:06:18.079
Have you never heard those?

00:06:18.639 --> 00:06:19.680
It's raining men?

00:06:20.000 --> 00:06:22.000
I I know it's raining men.

00:06:22.319 --> 00:06:25.920
I don't know it's raining tacos in the chicken nuggets.

00:06:26.160 --> 00:06:28.560
I mean, it's kind of it's kind of yeah, the chicken nugget song.

00:06:28.639 --> 00:06:30.639
You've never heard the chicken nugget song?

00:06:31.040 --> 00:06:31.360
No.

00:06:32.639 --> 00:06:35.040
Too bad it's probably copyrighted, or we could share it.

00:06:35.360 --> 00:06:36.399
Yeah, let's let's not.

00:06:36.959 --> 00:06:44.160
But if you're if you're listening somewhere and you need to know it's raining tacos or the chicken nugget song, now is your or the chicken nuggets.

00:06:44.240 --> 00:06:48.720
So the tacos are not raining into the chicken nuggets, these are two separate songs.

00:06:48.959 --> 00:06:50.160
Two separate songs, yeah.

00:06:50.399 --> 00:06:50.720
Okay.

00:06:50.959 --> 00:06:56.560
Is it's raining tacos like actually sung to the tune of it's raining men?

00:06:56.720 --> 00:06:56.959
No.

00:06:57.199 --> 00:06:58.240
Well, that's a shame.

00:06:58.480 --> 00:07:01.920
I mean, that's that's just a missed opportunity.

00:07:02.160 --> 00:07:05.680
Well, I also don't recommend having it rain tacos at the campground, you know.

00:07:05.759 --> 00:07:07.680
I mean, that would probably be an etiquette issue.

00:07:07.759 --> 00:07:08.160
I don't know.

00:07:08.399 --> 00:07:09.439
Probably so, yeah.

00:07:09.519 --> 00:07:12.800
So etiquette, that is what we're talking about today.

00:07:13.040 --> 00:07:15.279
But there are, you know, there are other things.

00:07:15.439 --> 00:07:27.040
So, okay, one of the things that I think is kind of not really spoken about, but is good to know and and is a good thing in regards to campfires.

00:07:27.199 --> 00:07:31.199
You know, we've we've already mentioned like those things that you're saying at the campfire.

00:07:31.360 --> 00:07:48.240
But if somebody is having a campfire and they're set up, how do you, or or maybe if you have a campfire and you're set up, although you're probably the wrong person to ask this, how do you feel whenever someone walks up and they just kind of invite themselves to your campfire?

00:07:48.399 --> 00:07:54.480
Like you don't know them, they just come on over and they say hi and you're like, Hey, nice to meet you.

00:07:54.560 --> 00:08:06.160
And then instead of reading the room and kind of going, Oh, this is a private event, they're kind of spending some family time, they decide to just hang out until you're right.

00:08:06.319 --> 00:08:09.360
I am not the person to ask this of because I would go get them a chair.

00:08:09.680 --> 00:08:11.759
Because you'd be like, Let me get you a chair.

00:08:11.920 --> 00:08:13.279
Do you want a lemonade?

00:08:13.439 --> 00:08:14.639
I've got some tea.

00:08:14.879 --> 00:08:15.360
Yeah.

00:08:15.600 --> 00:08:21.920
So you're not the person, but I think there is something to be said for like being respectful of other people's spaces.

00:08:22.079 --> 00:08:31.120
That's kind of a campground etiquette thing, but also and being respectful of other people's spaces, don't walk through other people's yards, essentially.

00:08:31.279 --> 00:08:40.159
Like, I think it's good to remember, think of each person's camping space as kind of their front yard for the time that they're there.

00:08:40.480 --> 00:08:44.639
You wouldn't just go traip seeing through someone's yard in a neighborhood.

00:08:44.720 --> 00:08:51.679
So don't just go traipseing through someone's campground, even if the bathroom is just on the other side of their camper.

00:08:52.000 --> 00:08:52.720
Go around.

00:08:52.799 --> 00:08:57.919
Use sorry if you have a campground dedicated path in your front yard.

00:08:58.080 --> 00:09:00.879
You should expect people to come through your rear yard.

00:09:01.120 --> 00:09:08.639
But, you know, so for me, I have a reactive dog, and so we're super careful with Millie because she is reactive.

00:09:08.879 --> 00:09:15.600
She doesn't love people, and people love her because she looks mostly like a pug, which makes her look very approachable.

00:09:16.000 --> 00:09:18.000
But she's you know, and you exactly.

00:09:18.159 --> 00:09:22.639
Well, everybody says that until she like wants to eat your arm off.

00:09:22.879 --> 00:09:36.639
And so, you know, we have a little fence out front so that if the dogs run out ahead of us, and it can happen, that they are in that space, but reaching over and touching someone, so that goes back to if you're going through my front yard, please don't pet my dogs.

00:09:36.720 --> 00:09:42.879
You know, yesterday I actually had it, it may have been the same woman that spoke a little while ago.

00:09:43.120 --> 00:09:47.679
She went to, you know, go touch Millie, and we had to like pick her up and carry her in quickly.

00:09:47.759 --> 00:09:50.639
And I said she really needs to listen to this episode.

00:09:50.879 --> 00:09:53.600
You know, I well, and I use the words not friendly.

00:09:53.759 --> 00:09:58.799
And so while Millie may be okay with you, that there's a very good chance she won't be until she gets to know you.

00:09:58.960 --> 00:10:01.120
And so we don't want to take that chance ever.

00:10:01.279 --> 00:10:11.039
So, you know, having that situation where people are coming into my yard without being asked if they can come into my yard is a bigger problem for me these days.

00:10:11.279 --> 00:10:19.279
So absolutely, if we were having a campfire and Millie was on my lap, I would probably not invite somebody to sit down just to bring that full circle.

00:10:19.519 --> 00:10:19.840
Yeah.

00:10:20.399 --> 00:10:28.000
Because I would have a dog on my lap that would want to eat some that would see your face and go, mm, snack, and not the looking kind that aren't aren't kind.

00:10:28.320 --> 00:10:34.320
Well, we when I was looking at this, I wanted to find or looking researching for this.

00:10:34.480 --> 00:10:45.360
I wanted to find what are some of the etiquette thoughts that people have that maybe are not just like the this is the printed off etiquette sheet that you get whenever you check into every campground.

00:10:45.519 --> 00:11:02.080
And I found a lot of the same rules that I think everybody's kind of used to, but I also found a lot of people like on Reddit with some of their these are the things that we've done when the etiquette has not been followed and we've just been at our wits' end.

00:11:02.240 --> 00:11:04.159
And I think I told you about this the other day.

00:11:04.320 --> 00:11:08.080
So I would say, stop me if you've heard this one, but the people at home have not heard this.

00:11:08.240 --> 00:11:25.039
So there was a couple and they were tent camping, and the path to the bathroom ran right by their tent, but people were not taking the path to the bathroom, they were cutting through right by their tent.

00:11:25.120 --> 00:11:28.240
So they were just literally cutting through their space.

00:11:28.480 --> 00:11:31.440
And they were like, you know, it had been a whole day of this.

00:11:31.600 --> 00:11:34.399
We had gone through one night in the middle of the night.

00:11:34.559 --> 00:11:36.960
We kept hearing people walk past our tent.

00:11:37.120 --> 00:11:39.039
You know, we weren't getting any sleep.

00:11:39.200 --> 00:11:42.080
So the next night they decided that's it.

00:11:42.320 --> 00:11:49.759
We are setting up one of these logs from the other side of the space, right here where people keep walking.

00:11:49.919 --> 00:11:51.039
And so they did.

00:11:51.120 --> 00:11:58.879
They moved one of those logs, and the people were walking through their space in the dark, and they tripped over the log in the dark.

00:11:59.200 --> 00:12:06.480
And it was five o'clock in the morning, and they said they just both woke up laughing their butts off because, you know, their trap had worked.

00:12:06.559 --> 00:12:12.080
But, you know, you people may get feisty if you keep walking in their space.

00:12:12.320 --> 00:12:23.440
I was also thinking about, you know, you were talking about being able to hear things outside of your camper, and you can't always do things about little kids or dogs running back and forth in your camper.

00:12:23.519 --> 00:12:24.240
Like you just can't.

00:12:24.480 --> 00:12:29.600
Kids are gonna kids and dogs are gonna dogs, and that's you know, that's just what they're gonna do.

00:12:29.840 --> 00:12:34.720
But also, you know, some spaces at campgrounds are getting really tight.

00:12:34.879 --> 00:12:39.120
There are going to be campgrounds where you're really spaced out, and that's wonderful.

00:12:39.200 --> 00:12:46.399
But there are also campgrounds where like you're parked rear to rear and you could reach out and touch each other if you wanted to.

00:12:46.559 --> 00:12:54.960
We've had instances where we've been parked and I can be in my camper and hear the kids in the next camper.

00:12:55.200 --> 00:13:05.200
We are parked in Arizona one year with another family and our windows matched up and we passed lunch to our kids through the windows.

00:13:05.440 --> 00:13:05.919
Oh my gosh.

00:13:06.080 --> 00:13:07.120
So that can happen.

00:13:07.360 --> 00:13:07.679
Yes.

00:13:07.919 --> 00:13:20.639
So being mindful, I mean, if that's just natural noise, if that's just the noise that happens from kids being kids, what about when Frank wants to watch like Star Wars with the subwoofer on like 45?

00:13:20.799 --> 00:13:21.519
Oh, the subwoofer.

00:13:21.679 --> 00:13:22.720
Is that not okay?

00:13:22.799 --> 00:13:25.360
Like I mean, I yeah, you know, pew, pew, pew.

00:13:25.759 --> 00:13:27.279
I mean, you can hear it three doors down.

00:13:28.320 --> 00:13:31.840
Listen, I would say to Mr.

00:13:32.000 --> 00:13:34.559
Frank, just bring that down a little bit, buddy.

00:13:34.720 --> 00:13:35.600
Just bring it down.

00:13:35.759 --> 00:13:37.200
I just be respectful.

00:13:37.440 --> 00:13:38.000
No that's what we're doing.

00:13:38.159 --> 00:13:40.000
Well then what about outside movies?

00:13:40.080 --> 00:13:42.399
I mean, like so I think outside movies are okay.

00:13:43.600 --> 00:13:51.519
We got some looks that one that one weekend we were watching Stranger Things outside, but we respected our quiet hours.

00:13:51.840 --> 00:13:57.679
We were inside of our tent, we used the the not a clam projector.

00:13:57.919 --> 00:13:59.440
Yes, not a clam.

00:14:00.080 --> 00:14:02.000
But it looks like a clam, it's just not a clam.

00:14:02.799 --> 00:14:03.759
It's not a clam.

00:14:03.919 --> 00:14:12.240
Uh we used the projector, we kept our sound inside, and we didn't bleed over into other people's lots, which is another thing that's really important.

00:14:12.399 --> 00:14:20.399
If you're setting up extra things outside, make sure that your stuff does not bleed over into your neighbor's lots or into the street, right?

00:14:20.559 --> 00:14:23.759
Because then that's making it really difficult for people to get down the road.

00:14:23.919 --> 00:14:30.879
It's making it difficult for people to back in, back out, and it's putting your belongings at risk of being damaged too.

00:14:31.120 --> 00:14:36.320
Well, and the other thing was that Frank did park the truck in a way that like you couldn't just see it from the street.

00:14:36.559 --> 00:14:45.519
So we were trying to be mindful of our space that way too, because it was stranger things and we didn't want necessarily anybody that was walking with little kids to get scared.

00:14:45.600 --> 00:14:46.960
We were trying to be mindful of that.

00:14:47.039 --> 00:15:03.759
But at the same time, you know, bringing everybody inside, it was a nice week, and we were just outside enjoying the fresh, clean air, and fitting, you know, people in the clam is way easier than fitting two families inside my rig, which we've done, but yes, we have does have its own set of challenges.

00:15:04.000 --> 00:15:08.320
It is tricky, and it usually requires rosewood sitting on my lap.

00:15:08.559 --> 00:15:10.000
And and several rows of the case.

00:15:10.159 --> 00:15:16.720
As much as I love my 21-year-old, I can only hold them for so long before I'm like before your leg falls asleep.

00:15:17.840 --> 00:15:20.879
I I need you to meet the floor now.

00:15:21.120 --> 00:15:28.399
How do you feel about people like coming up and knocking on the door for a cup of sugar or um you know?

00:15:28.720 --> 00:15:31.600
So again, I am not the right person to ask that question.

00:15:31.840 --> 00:15:34.480
I know because I will totally like engage them.

00:15:34.639 --> 00:15:36.879
So is this is kind of like trick-or-treating.

00:15:36.960 --> 00:15:41.200
Like, if you're gonna come trick-or-treat at my door, you can expect to have a conversation.

00:15:41.440 --> 00:15:45.120
And so at the same time, when you knock on that door.

00:15:45.679 --> 00:15:53.279
I also have a lot of friends that are more introverts, and so I also understand the other side of it of texting people before you come over and that sort of thing.

00:15:53.440 --> 00:15:55.759
And I think this has changed tons since 2020.

00:15:55.919 --> 00:16:06.720
I think that we're all in kind of our own little bubbles in some ways, and so, like, I don't know, it's so tricky, you know, because I think that the culture of camping is meeting new people.

00:16:06.960 --> 00:16:08.320
And so, how do you do that?

00:16:08.480 --> 00:16:11.039
Well, you don't necessarily have to knock on someone's door.

00:16:11.200 --> 00:16:15.759
So in Florida, there used to be a field, and it's still there, but it's run differently.

00:16:15.919 --> 00:16:18.879
It was called the B field, and it's at Thousand Trails Orlando.

00:16:18.960 --> 00:16:21.120
All the families wanted to park on that field.

00:16:21.279 --> 00:16:32.000
I wanted to park on that field, and I did it one time, and I never tried to do it again because at 622 in the morning, you got knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock.

00:16:32.080 --> 00:16:35.200
And it was some little kid asking if your kids could come out and play.

00:16:35.279 --> 00:16:37.360
And I was like, Do you know what time it is?

00:16:37.600 --> 00:16:40.480
And so, like, I think you have to be mindful of all of those things.

00:16:40.559 --> 00:16:49.679
But at the same time, if you're gonna step in and park where there's, you know, 30 families parked on the same field, there may be some expectation that that's what you want to be doing.

00:16:49.840 --> 00:16:50.000
Yeah.

00:16:50.159 --> 00:16:54.559
And so, you know, so I mean, I think that you have to know your surroundings.

00:16:54.799 --> 00:16:55.120
Yes.

00:16:55.360 --> 00:17:06.559
So I think in terms of knocking on a neighbor's camper and asking to borrow something or at, you know, saying, hey, we just realized that we forgot this and we really need it.

00:17:06.720 --> 00:17:07.759
Can we use your lighter?

00:17:08.000 --> 00:17:08.880
Can we whatever?

00:17:09.039 --> 00:17:14.960
I think that that is totally acceptable in an instance where you're like, man, I just realized that we missed this.

00:17:15.119 --> 00:17:19.839
And, you know, maybe the person has already introduced themselves and they seem friendly and we're good.

00:17:20.000 --> 00:17:28.720
If the person has been like hold shouldering you, has not made eye contact, maybe find a different camper door to knock on.

00:17:28.880 --> 00:17:33.200
They might specifically be there that weekend because they're there to get away.

00:17:33.359 --> 00:17:41.039
They want some time alone, they want the privacy, they're there because they're looking for a solo camping thing.

00:17:41.200 --> 00:17:44.240
I would also say prepare yourself for your camping adventure.

00:17:44.400 --> 00:17:52.720
Don't knock on someone's door and go, hi, I was thinking of making a roast tonight, but the only thing that I have for the entire meal is onions.

00:17:53.839 --> 00:17:58.880
Like, don't go over and ask for the roast, the potatoes, the carrots, the beef broth.

00:17:59.039 --> 00:18:04.480
Like, come prepared for what you're you're expecting to use during your camping trip.

00:18:04.960 --> 00:18:05.759
Come on, Tasha.

00:18:06.000 --> 00:18:09.680
If they're not full-timers like us, they're probably just making wieners.

00:18:09.920 --> 00:18:12.799
But what God, that is the question.

00:18:13.119 --> 00:18:15.440
What exactly does wiener stand for?

00:18:15.599 --> 00:18:16.720
That is the question.

00:18:16.880 --> 00:18:30.000
So the other thing is in terms of we're gonna pivot, in terms of being prepared, that doesn't just stand for being prepared for what you need for food, right?

00:18:30.319 --> 00:18:31.839
You also need to be prepared.

00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:44.559
I think this is a really important part of campground etiquette, and at least maybe not etiquette, but campground preparedness is be prepared for what do you do if bad weather comes in?

00:18:44.720 --> 00:18:47.920
Um, what what are the rules with local wildlife?

00:18:48.160 --> 00:18:55.279
Okay, I I think the treatment of local wildlife at your campground is campground etiquette.

00:18:55.519 --> 00:19:11.039
If you are at a preserve find the campground etiquette, whenever it comes to tearing down bushes or removing branches or feeding the wildlife, do not feed the wildlife, don't feed the wildlife.

00:19:11.119 --> 00:19:12.640
I'll say it again for the people in the back.

00:19:12.880 --> 00:19:19.119
At Thousand Trails Orlando, our first year there, we were outside cooking on the grill, and this was 2013.

00:19:19.279 --> 00:19:22.640
So this goes back a couple days, and there's a lot of sand cranes there.

00:19:22.720 --> 00:19:33.039
Yes, and we were making chorizo and eggs for breakfast, and the sand cranes came for the chorizo and the potatoes, and we could not leave them, so we couldn't even eat outside without them coming up.

00:19:33.359 --> 00:19:38.720
So they were very much conditioned by someone else, not us, to eat from people's tables.

00:19:38.880 --> 00:19:42.720
I don't think that that is as big a problem today as it was back then.

00:19:42.880 --> 00:19:44.000
I think it's gotten better.

00:19:44.160 --> 00:19:46.480
I think we've all gotten a little more mindful of it.

00:19:46.640 --> 00:19:50.079
But that goes for like squirrels, that goes for all the animals.

00:19:50.319 --> 00:19:57.119
And even if you put out a bird feeder and you're traveling, when you leave, most people don't even realize the impact that can have.

00:19:57.200 --> 00:20:00.720
So if you're there all year round, it's very different.

00:20:00.799 --> 00:20:19.599
And I'm not saying you should feed the birds all year round either, but if you're going to feed the wildlife and you're stationary in one place, it's very different than if you're moving every two or three weeks because those birds get conditioned after like three or four days to come get food, and then they're flying in to someone else's campsite who no longer does that.

00:20:19.839 --> 00:20:21.920
And then they stop looking for their own food.

00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:25.200
There's a whole problematic situation there.

00:20:25.440 --> 00:20:28.000
Um, but being mindful of the wildlife too.

00:20:28.319 --> 00:20:35.119
Um in 2019, we went to Yellowstone and we were out cooking dinner and we had a whole herd of elk come through our campsite.

00:20:35.200 --> 00:20:39.920
We just had everybody climb on the table because there were moms walking through our campsite with babies.

00:20:40.079 --> 00:20:47.440
Elk can be very dangerous, so you need to know how to move away slowly and some regular preparedness stuff in those situations.

00:20:47.680 --> 00:20:49.759
So that comes to campground etiquette too.

00:20:50.000 --> 00:20:50.960
What about putting out your fire?

00:20:51.839 --> 00:20:59.920
Yes, that was the next thing that I was gonna talk about is like your your campfire, putting out your campfire, but also what you do with your trash.

00:21:00.079 --> 00:21:06.000
That's very, very important whenever it comes to wildlife because they're gonna come burrowing and looking for that kind of stuff.

00:21:06.160 --> 00:21:12.640
And if your fire is not put out, that's dangerous for the wildlife around you, that's dangerous just for the land.

00:21:12.880 --> 00:21:13.759
You really need.

00:21:14.319 --> 00:21:18.640
I was a Girl Scout troop leader for Rosewood whenever they were little.

00:21:18.799 --> 00:21:24.000
So, you know, I'm a very firm believer in like if there's smoke, it's not out.

00:21:24.160 --> 00:21:29.440
Like douse that puppy with some water if you have to, like, make sure it is done.

00:21:29.599 --> 00:21:31.759
I almost safety reasons for that.

00:21:33.039 --> 00:21:42.400
So years ago, we were out in quartzite and we thought the fire was completely out, and we left the chairs out by it, and then in the middle of the night, I smelled something funky burning.

00:21:42.640 --> 00:21:51.200
And so I woke up Frank and he goes running outside, and sure enough, the chairs had blown over, and the coals that were there, we were in quartzite, so there wasn't full hookups.

00:21:51.519 --> 00:21:59.680
We doused it as well as we thought we needed to, and it seemed like it was out, but in the middle of the night the wind had picked up, it was cold outside, so you know.

00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:01.680
You didn't think that it was still warm.

00:22:01.759 --> 00:22:03.359
And we got just a spark.

00:22:03.440 --> 00:22:05.759
And so we we almost burned two chairs to the ground.

00:22:05.920 --> 00:22:08.640
We did not, but we were fortunate that we woke up.

00:22:08.720 --> 00:22:14.960
But how many times do you think of people that don't put a fire out or don't pay attention to fire rules?

00:22:15.279 --> 00:22:18.720
You know, there's fire bands in places for a reason in the summertime.

00:22:18.960 --> 00:22:19.359
Yes.

00:22:19.599 --> 00:22:29.680
And that also in conjunction with the firebands, there are also rules around what wood or product you use at your fire pit.

00:22:30.000 --> 00:22:34.240
So if they say do not use coal, don't use coal.

00:22:34.400 --> 00:22:38.400
If they say propane fires only, only do propane.

00:22:38.559 --> 00:22:44.880
If they say you can use wood, do not bring wood in from outside of the area.

00:22:45.039 --> 00:23:01.359
And the reason for that is that when you are bringing wood in from outside of the area, you are potentially bringing in other creatures, other um plant diseases to the area that they've not been made privy to or exposed to.

00:23:01.519 --> 00:23:03.119
That's the word that I'm looking for.

00:23:03.279 --> 00:23:05.519
Not made privy to, exposed to.

00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:12.400
That's how bugs continue to roam through the country when they're not supposed to be roaming through the country.

00:23:12.480 --> 00:23:21.039
That's why we had a ladybug infestation in our camper in Kentucky, because bugs carry in plants and in wood.

00:23:21.200 --> 00:23:23.759
So you do not want to carry something there.

00:23:23.920 --> 00:23:28.160
You want to buy your firewood, you know, check with the campground first.

00:23:28.319 --> 00:23:31.039
Usually they have firewood there.

00:23:31.200 --> 00:23:45.200
And a lot of times, just to make sure that people will get the right firewood that will keep their campground safe, they will sell the campfirewood for pretty cheap, usually cheaper than you can find it elsewhere in town.

00:23:45.440 --> 00:23:55.359
But if you are going out into town to find it, make sure that the campfirewood that you're buying is from in the area and that it hasn't been shipped in from somewhere else.

00:23:55.599 --> 00:23:56.240
That's a good one.

00:23:56.400 --> 00:23:56.640
Cool.

00:23:56.799 --> 00:23:58.799
So should we jump into pets?

00:23:59.039 --> 00:24:02.319
I mean, I think pets are at the top of the list for me.

00:24:02.559 --> 00:24:11.119
So our second year on the road, we actually had a situation where there was cats peeing in the fire rings in Florida.

00:24:11.279 --> 00:24:18.240
And so, like, I personally think if you're out walking your pet, all pets should be leashed or contained.

00:24:18.480 --> 00:24:24.960
And so, like, that could be a backpack if you're carrying them, but I think that they should be on some kind of leash or something.

00:24:25.200 --> 00:24:26.799
Because not everybody can be around pets.

00:24:26.880 --> 00:24:31.839
I've had friends that are actually deathly allergic to pets that they're like, oh, it's no big deal.

00:24:32.000 --> 00:24:34.799
It may not be to you, but it could be to them.

00:24:34.960 --> 00:24:39.119
Having a reactive dog, you know, we have a sign on her leash that says, do not pet.

00:24:39.200 --> 00:24:39.920
It's bright red.

00:24:40.079 --> 00:24:42.079
Don't approach dogs that are reactive.

00:24:42.160 --> 00:24:43.680
You know, all dogs love me.

00:24:43.839 --> 00:24:44.480
That's nice.

00:24:44.640 --> 00:24:45.519
Please don't.

00:24:45.839 --> 00:25:03.039
Pretty much every campground I've been to has said, but as a good rule of thumb, even if they don't, keep your leash lead to about six feet long at the max, so that if something happens, if that dog starts to run and there's a car coming through or whatever, you can pull them back and get them back.

00:25:03.279 --> 00:25:14.960
But that also means, hey, drivers, follow the posted speed limit signs, specifically because there are children playing, there are people hiking, there are people in a lot of those parts.

00:25:15.200 --> 00:25:16.160
There's wildlife.

00:25:16.319 --> 00:25:22.640
You know, we talk about TTO a lot, Thousand Trails Orlando a lot for people who are not familiar with the acronym.

00:25:22.720 --> 00:25:23.279
I'm sorry.

00:25:23.440 --> 00:25:28.000
We talk about Thousand Trails Orlando a lot because we've spent a lot of time there.

00:25:28.319 --> 00:25:32.400
Jen, way more than I have, but I still feel like I've been there a lot.

00:25:32.559 --> 00:25:35.839
They have tortoises that are on the property.

00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:37.279
They've been run over and run over.

00:25:37.680 --> 00:25:40.640
And they get run over all the time.

00:25:40.880 --> 00:25:42.240
And it's devastating.

00:25:42.319 --> 00:25:55.119
And it breaks my heart every time I see a post in the Facebook group that says, Well, hey, who knows the person that's driving this vehicle because they just ran right over the tortoise and I'm gonna hunt them down.

00:25:55.359 --> 00:25:56.799
Well, especially at a campground.

00:25:56.880 --> 00:25:57.839
I think it's so preventable.

00:25:58.240 --> 00:26:00.319
Just drive slow and stop for animals.

00:26:00.640 --> 00:26:01.680
It's so preventable.

00:26:01.839 --> 00:26:07.119
You know, I mean, I know we stopped for a tortoise leaving the park one time this year with the camper in tow.

00:26:07.279 --> 00:26:13.119
And like all these cars went around us, like as if we weren't actually stopping for a reason.

00:26:13.359 --> 00:26:15.359
And so that's the whole thing.

00:26:15.440 --> 00:26:19.759
You know, it's one of those things where, you know, what if that had been a child or an older lady?

00:26:19.920 --> 00:26:23.920
Our first year on the road, I feel like I saw all the wildest things the first year.

00:26:24.000 --> 00:26:25.759
Maybe it just hit me harder that first year.

00:26:25.839 --> 00:26:26.400
I'm not sure.

00:26:26.880 --> 00:26:31.519
But there was this sweet little lady at Peace River, and there was a great big motorhome approaching her.

00:26:31.599 --> 00:26:38.400
And she had her dog and she starts running across the road really fast, and she gets to the other side and she almost collapses.

00:26:38.480 --> 00:26:43.119
And so I go over and I check on her and she says, That motorhome didn't see me.

00:26:43.519 --> 00:26:47.359
And so, you know, he was taking the he was coming down the road really fast.

00:26:47.519 --> 00:26:54.160
He was taking the turn really fast, he wasn't watching, he maybe wasn't paying as good of attention as he should have been.

00:26:54.400 --> 00:26:55.759
He never even saw her.

00:26:55.920 --> 00:27:00.400
And so it's not just the pets, it's all the things that you have to be mindful of.

00:27:00.559 --> 00:27:08.720
You're driving a giant motorhome or a giant fifth wheel or even a travel trailer with a big truck, you're in a bigger vehicle than anybody else out there.

00:27:08.799 --> 00:27:13.839
So whether it's a pet, a child, they don't stand a chance if you're not going to take the time to do that.

00:27:14.079 --> 00:27:14.319
No.

00:27:14.480 --> 00:27:19.839
So and those vehicles, because of the weight, they take longer to stop.

00:27:20.000 --> 00:27:20.400
Absolutely.

00:27:20.640 --> 00:27:22.319
So you need to be going slower.

00:27:22.480 --> 00:27:26.160
Well, and let's talk about e-bikes, because I don't know if you've got this on your list.

00:27:26.720 --> 00:27:28.880
I do you go for it, sister.

00:27:29.119 --> 00:27:35.039
So uh a couple years back when we were in Palm Springs together, um, I was almost actually hit by an e-bike.

00:27:35.119 --> 00:27:40.240
And the response of the e-bike rider was, I can't slow down, get out of my way.

00:27:42.160 --> 00:27:43.920
So I jumped out of the way.

00:27:44.160 --> 00:27:49.759
But bike riders, e-bike riders, it's up to you know how to work your brakes.

00:27:50.000 --> 00:27:51.680
Oh gosh I'm here for you.

00:27:52.000 --> 00:27:52.799
Oh gosh.

00:27:53.039 --> 00:27:55.279
Well, and here's here's another thing.

00:27:55.440 --> 00:28:09.599
So we recently were at a an event together and golf carts were transporting people around, and one of the ladies transporting us, she pointed out to me that golf carts do not have speedometers in them.

00:28:09.839 --> 00:28:20.799
So, yeah, there are speed limit signs posted everywhere, but she was like, we don't know how fast we're going because there's nothing in the golf carts that indicates how fast that we're going.

00:28:20.880 --> 00:28:31.279
So if you are in a golf cart and you don't have something telling you how fast you're going, pay attention to how quickly the cars are going through the park.

00:28:31.519 --> 00:28:36.160
Watch for, I mean, listen, you've driven a car before.

00:28:36.319 --> 00:28:39.359
You know what five miles per hour feels like.

00:28:39.680 --> 00:28:49.920
You know, if you're flying through on a golf cart, if you catch some air going over a speed mount, you're probably going faster than five miles per hour.

00:28:50.079 --> 00:28:51.920
Just be respectful of those things.

00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:59.599
Those speed limits can sometimes feel obnoxious whenever you're like, oh my gosh, I just want to get to the other side of the park already.

00:28:59.759 --> 00:29:00.400
But they're there.

00:29:06.319 --> 00:29:09.920
I know at least three people that have lost their dogs.

00:29:10.079 --> 00:29:13.920
Now I'm not talking about the people that have trained their dogs to ride in the golf cart.

00:29:14.079 --> 00:29:19.359
I'm talking about, hey, I'm taking my dog for a walk, they're gonna walk, I'm gonna drive the golf cart.

00:29:19.440 --> 00:29:19.759
Yes.

00:29:19.920 --> 00:29:22.240
By the time you stop, it's usually too late.

00:29:22.480 --> 00:29:24.400
And so be mindful of that.

00:29:24.559 --> 00:29:29.680
It's not great when that happens, and it it causes quite the scene for everybody watching.

00:29:30.079 --> 00:29:34.079
So, you know, and it oftentimes doesn't turn out well.

00:29:34.240 --> 00:29:37.440
So golf cart etiquette, I think there's a lot to be said for that.

00:29:37.599 --> 00:29:41.599
The other side of golf cart etiquette is kids driving in a campground.

00:29:41.759 --> 00:29:48.319
Now, a lot of campgrounds have rules about it, but most places you actually have to be a licensed driver to drive a golf cart.

00:29:48.480 --> 00:29:50.079
The question is, is it enforced?

00:29:50.559 --> 00:30:01.279
Not seen it enforced as much as I would like for it to be enforced in park grounds that have rules posted saying that you must be a licensed driver to drive.

00:30:01.440 --> 00:30:10.559
And that I think where it concerns me the greatest is whenever I've seen children that I'm like, that child has clearly not left elementary school.

00:30:10.799 --> 00:30:15.920
I do not know why they're being allowed to drive this park in that golf cart right now.

00:30:16.240 --> 00:30:22.640
It's it's alarming, but I think, you know, I think it goes to probably one of mine.

00:30:22.720 --> 00:30:30.640
And I know that everybody has got different visions, if you will, of what this etiquette kind of comes down to.

00:30:30.720 --> 00:30:35.359
But I think parents need to be responsible for their children at the campground.

00:30:35.519 --> 00:30:38.160
And every parent has to decide what that looks like.

00:30:38.400 --> 00:30:41.359
Everybody needs to be responsible for their kids.

00:30:41.599 --> 00:30:48.480
And if that means that you've got a walkie-talkie watch and you're checking in every now and then, hey, where are you at?

00:30:48.640 --> 00:30:50.319
You know, are you guys staying out of trouble?

00:30:50.480 --> 00:30:51.440
Are you still at the park?

00:30:51.519 --> 00:30:52.240
What are you doing?

00:30:52.480 --> 00:31:04.000
Or if it's going with them to the park because you feel like, hey, they are still too young to be by themselves, and the park rules say that kids under 14 have to be with someone over the age of 18, whatever that is.

00:31:04.240 --> 00:31:08.000
Um so I think that depends on where you're the campground rules.

00:31:08.319 --> 00:31:18.559
Like I think that that's if there's a hard and fast rule at the campground that says 14 and under can't be left unaccompanied, then I think that you should abide by it.

00:31:18.720 --> 00:31:22.240
Because what it does is when you don't, it just hurts everybody else.

00:31:22.400 --> 00:31:32.720
So there's actually a park in Florida that went so far one year as to say anybody 18 and under can't be outside of their camper without an adult.

00:31:32.880 --> 00:31:43.599
And so because the children were wandering and they weren't doing anything bad, but because they were allowed to wander and they were free rowing, the park made a hard and fast rule.

00:31:43.759 --> 00:31:47.440
And as parents, like we had to sit outside with those kids in that park.

00:31:47.680 --> 00:31:50.799
And so now they don't do that the same way anymore.

00:31:50.960 --> 00:31:53.359
The problem the year they had that went away.

00:31:53.599 --> 00:31:59.680
But the reality is, is they wouldn't have had to make that rule if people had followed the rule.

00:32:00.079 --> 00:32:10.079
I always tell people, I think it was so much easier when my kids were little to make friends on the road because I was the mom going to the park with my kids until they just wouldn't let me come with them anymore.

00:32:10.240 --> 00:32:13.359
So if my kids go to the clubhouse now and they say, Hey, mom, will you come?

00:32:13.440 --> 00:32:13.839
I'll go.

00:32:14.000 --> 00:32:18.000
But at the same time, I think it's harder with moms with teens than moms with littles.

00:32:18.240 --> 00:32:21.519
I think that it's easy to say, hey, let's meet up at the playground or the pool.

00:32:21.680 --> 00:32:25.359
And, you know, I can't get my kids to let me take them to either one of those places anymore.

00:32:25.440 --> 00:32:25.599
Right.

00:32:25.839 --> 00:32:27.200
So now I have to try harder.

00:32:27.359 --> 00:32:39.039
But at the same time, I think that if you're gonna be out there with your kids, it's also not up to a sibling to watch their siblings, you know, because they're not gonna listen to their sister or their brother the same way they are if there's a parent sitting there.

00:32:39.279 --> 00:32:39.839
Absolutely.

00:32:40.000 --> 00:32:47.119
And I think that also with that, if you do have children, I don't know how to say this without just saying this.

00:32:47.359 --> 00:32:48.160
So two things.

00:32:48.400 --> 00:32:54.240
One is not every person at the campground has the same intent for your children that you do.

00:32:54.480 --> 00:32:59.279
And you do not know that every person at the campground is safe.

00:32:59.599 --> 00:33:09.200
We would love to imagine that every campground is a safe place filled with like-minded people, but unfortunately that is not the case.

00:33:09.440 --> 00:33:14.480
Know where your children are, know who they are with, and just be aware of who's around you.

00:33:14.720 --> 00:33:27.039
The other thing is when your kids are out, if they're riding their bikes or whatever, I've seen some really little kids riding their bikes in the middle of streets, very far from their campers, unattended.

00:33:27.200 --> 00:33:32.160
And sometimes they're not tall enough to see over the front of a hood of a truck.

00:33:32.319 --> 00:33:39.839
So, you know, just be aware that people are not always watching the way that they should be when they're pulling in with their big campers.

00:33:40.000 --> 00:33:41.279
We've talked about this already.

00:33:41.519 --> 00:33:54.160
People are pulling in and they're they're maybe going too fast, or they might be looking behind them, trying to make sure that their camper is clearing the big tree that is oddly placed by the gate instead of looking forward.

00:33:54.319 --> 00:34:07.920
You know, there's so much to be worried about whenever you are pulling a camper in through a campground that a small child on a bike or a scooter or a skateboard or skates in the middle of a road can get missed.

00:34:08.000 --> 00:34:17.039
So just really watch your children because we do not want to see little kids get hurt doing something that should be just a really happy retreat for families.

00:34:17.280 --> 00:34:19.039
Well, and that's true of the pool too.

00:34:19.199 --> 00:34:22.719
I mean, like the pool's another place that everybody goes.

00:34:22.880 --> 00:34:27.360
You need to be available to hop in the water at any time, especially if you're traveling with small children.

00:34:27.679 --> 00:34:38.480
We've seen kids get in trouble in the water, meaning that they didn't somebody jumped in after them where the kid could swim, but maybe panicked or something like that.

00:34:38.639 --> 00:34:44.800
But at the same time, I think that there's something to be said for pool etiquette, and this is campground etiquette.

00:34:44.960 --> 00:34:57.599
You know, if you're going to be in the pool, I fully believe, and this is not a popular opinion, that if you're in the pool, that kids are in the pool, they can swim and get you wet because you're in the pool together.

00:34:57.840 --> 00:35:06.239
And so I don't think it's fair to say now, I'm not talking a big old splash war unless you're the you're just the families in the pool and you're doing that together.

00:35:06.480 --> 00:35:15.199
But you know, I think that you know, being mindful of the people you're swimming around, maybe you've got one end of the pool and there's a quieter side of the pool, you leave the quieter side by itself.

00:35:15.360 --> 00:35:17.679
But at the same time, I think that you're already wet.

00:35:17.760 --> 00:35:20.159
So it's okay to get wet in the pool.

00:35:20.239 --> 00:35:25.440
And that's why we're there, being mean and hurtful about it and saying, don't splash or don't swim.

00:35:25.599 --> 00:35:27.039
We're there to have a good time.

00:35:27.280 --> 00:35:32.400
And on that same token, there are parents that let their children into a hot tub to warm up.

00:35:32.559 --> 00:35:37.920
I don't think you should use that as a pool because no hot tub should be used as a pool.

00:35:38.320 --> 00:35:45.280
But at the same time, I think it's okay as long as parents are being mindful, watching their children, that those kids should be able to get in the pool.

00:35:45.440 --> 00:35:49.039
That also being said, I think that nobody should swim in the hot tub.

00:35:49.199 --> 00:35:50.800
Like, don't put your head under the water.

00:35:50.960 --> 00:36:00.480
Just don't so guidelines for the pool, don't be precious about splashing, but also don't swim a mile in the hot tub.

00:36:00.639 --> 00:36:03.199
These are very important, very important guidelines.

00:36:03.280 --> 00:36:03.920
Now we all have to be.

00:36:25.760 --> 00:36:32.239
And so you have to be mindful of that, kind of read the room, if you will, and see if, you know, that's a good fit for you.

00:36:32.480 --> 00:36:36.239
Some parks have like a quiet pool and a splash pool.

00:36:36.400 --> 00:36:40.880
You know, if you're there with your children, you know, the splash pool might be the better choice for you.

00:36:41.039 --> 00:36:45.920
But if you're going by yourself, you know, and you just want to swim laps, it's really nice to have a quiet pool.

00:36:46.239 --> 00:36:48.800
So depends on how you look at it.

00:36:49.039 --> 00:36:49.360
Yeah.

00:36:49.519 --> 00:36:54.480
So we've talked about like, I don't need my neighbor to be my DJ.

00:36:54.639 --> 00:36:56.079
I can work my own music.

00:36:56.320 --> 00:36:57.760
Or your movie studio.

00:36:58.000 --> 00:36:58.480
Right.

00:36:58.800 --> 00:37:04.000
But also, I don't need my neighbors to light the night sky for me.

00:37:04.159 --> 00:37:07.119
I really like to be able to see stars.

00:37:07.440 --> 00:37:09.440
I really enjoy camping.

00:37:09.599 --> 00:37:11.920
So that's we talking like fireworks?

00:37:12.079 --> 00:37:17.519
Are we talking like we're talking about, hey, I put floodlights all the way around.

00:37:17.760 --> 00:37:37.280
And uh good luck finding those stars because, you know, not only are we lit up like Griswold's Christmas vacation house, but you're not sleeping tonight because even though it's 1 a.m., it actually looks like it's 9 30 in the morning outside because it's so bright.

00:37:37.440 --> 00:37:39.840
So you have blackout shades.

00:37:40.079 --> 00:37:43.039
We do, and those are amazing.

00:37:43.440 --> 00:37:51.280
We slept the first night in our new RV, and Matt was like, It's so dark in here, but it's so dark in here.

00:37:51.599 --> 00:37:53.280
Like it was amazing.

00:37:53.440 --> 00:38:02.400
And I will say, for people who don't know, because like the pets episode just dropped, and everybody was like, Oh my gosh, but the pets episode just dropped.

00:38:02.559 --> 00:38:17.199
We did just lose um our our cat Edward, he did just pass, and the next day after Rosewood was like just really needed some extra sleep, was just really down.

00:38:17.360 --> 00:38:20.800
And I was like, Why don't you go lay down in my room?

00:38:21.199 --> 00:38:22.559
Like, close the door.

00:38:22.719 --> 00:38:28.079
I'm telling you, it'll it'll be dark in there, you can get some more sleep.

00:38:28.239 --> 00:38:34.159
And they went in and and I was like, See, I told you it was dark, and they were like, but it was so dark.

00:38:34.320 --> 00:38:36.639
Like it's just it's amazing in there.

00:38:36.800 --> 00:38:40.159
But no, it's still be respectful of your neighbors.

00:38:40.480 --> 00:38:46.000
People don't want light shined in their eyes when they're, you know, outside in the dark.

00:38:46.320 --> 00:38:54.159
Kind of turn those headlamps down a little bit, point your flashlights at the ground, not in people's faces when you're walking.

00:38:54.320 --> 00:39:02.880
Um but also there are certain campgrounds that are known specifically for having zero light pollution.

00:39:03.039 --> 00:39:13.519
Like when we were in Cali and when we were over on the West Coast, there were different national parks that have specifically no light pollution camp out nights.

00:39:13.679 --> 00:39:15.280
And, you know, I missed it.

00:39:15.360 --> 00:39:20.079
I got to see all of the merch in the store after the fact, which really bummed me out.

00:39:20.239 --> 00:39:24.400
But, you know, just be mindful of people, not everybody is a full timer.

00:39:24.559 --> 00:39:26.800
Not everybody listening to this is a full timer.

00:39:26.960 --> 00:39:44.880
And some people are there specifically because they do live in the middle of the city and they've come out and they want to enjoy the night sky and our 9,000 floodlights or our very bright front cap V-shaped lights kind of distort, you know, how much you can see.

00:39:45.039 --> 00:39:56.000
So that I think is a good etiquette tip is they don't need you to be their their light engineers and they don't need you to be their DJs or their movie guys.

00:39:56.159 --> 00:39:57.599
They'll find their own popcorn.

00:39:57.840 --> 00:40:02.239
And the other side of don't light up the night sky would be fireworks in a campground.

00:40:02.400 --> 00:40:04.960
Most campgrounds have rules, most states have rules.

00:40:05.119 --> 00:40:05.280
Yeah.

00:40:05.599 --> 00:40:06.639
Be mindful of that.

00:40:06.880 --> 00:40:12.800
The things that you're gonna do to the poor pets in everyone's camper as they eat their blinds, you know, because they're scared.

00:40:13.039 --> 00:40:23.760
Fourth of July is plenty for my dogs, adding to that in campground environments where it's totally not okay in some places to set those off, you know, and fire hazards and all that stuff.

00:40:24.000 --> 00:40:26.079
It's just one of those things you should be mindful of.

00:40:26.239 --> 00:40:28.320
So that's another way you could light up the night sky.

00:40:28.559 --> 00:40:28.800
Yes.

00:40:29.039 --> 00:40:32.159
And with that, you know, fireworks are really loud.

00:40:32.320 --> 00:40:37.280
So it's not just the the light, it's also the sound and kind of going back to sound.

00:40:37.440 --> 00:40:56.559
If you have a generator and you're camping somewhere and you have the ability to choose where you're camping, maybe choose to camp somewhere by other campers that have generators so that you're kind of keeping that noise in one area, like if you're in a a spot that has boondockers or you know, whatever that is.

00:40:56.800 --> 00:41:06.000
The other thing is if the campground that you're staying at does not have posted quiet time hours already designated, because I know that there are some out there that are like that.

00:41:06.239 --> 00:41:12.639
A good rule of thumb is sun down to sun up is kind of the makeshift quiet time hours for that.

00:41:12.800 --> 00:41:17.679
And I am doing a companion blog post on something like this, but it's a little different.

00:41:17.840 --> 00:41:23.760
So my companion blog post that's gonna come out with this is cracker barrel truck stops, that sort of thing, the etiquette there.

00:41:23.920 --> 00:41:29.920
And so I think that's a that could be a whole nother podcast, but it's gonna be a blog that goes out the same day this podcast does.

00:41:30.079 --> 00:41:39.599
So if you have some rules for cracker barrel or cabela's or any of the places that you might park overnight, you know, slides in, slides out, what does that look like for you?

00:41:39.760 --> 00:41:47.599
That blog post is gonna be a great place to get started if you don't know what to do, or you're thinking, hey, can I run my generator all night long?

00:41:47.760 --> 00:42:04.159
The reality is if you have to run your generator all night long, chances are you should be looking for a campground because you know, you have to keep in mind that other people are gonna be trying to sleep and the business is still in some cases trying to run, like Walmart, the ones that are 24 hours, you just don't want to keep it running all night long.

00:42:04.320 --> 00:42:05.519
No, no, you don't.

00:42:05.760 --> 00:42:09.280
We talked about respecting the campground rules.

00:42:09.360 --> 00:42:13.199
You know, we've kind of touched on that off and on, like with the speed limit and the quiet hours.

00:42:13.440 --> 00:42:17.199
Have you ever have you ever had to sign the rules like when you go into a campground?

00:42:17.360 --> 00:42:18.480
Yes, we have.

00:42:18.559 --> 00:42:19.920
There doesn't happen everywhere.

00:42:20.880 --> 00:42:23.679
It doesn't, it really doesn't, but there have been a few.

00:42:23.920 --> 00:42:32.079
My I always laugh whenever it's like, here's the handbook that has the map in it, and it's got all the rules in it.

00:42:32.320 --> 00:42:40.719
But also, we typed all the rules out again on these eight sheets of printer paper, and we'd like for you to read them all.

00:42:41.199 --> 00:42:50.079
And in case you don't remember them, there are signs posted all over the park so that you remember these are the campground rules.

00:42:50.159 --> 00:42:54.480
And you're like, oh, you poor people, they're really not reading these rules, are they?

00:42:54.719 --> 00:42:59.760
You know, there are some campgrounds out there that say no drinking outside.

00:43:00.000 --> 00:43:02.480
And when I say drinking, I'm talking about alcohol.

00:43:02.639 --> 00:43:04.079
Please listen to what I'm saying.

00:43:04.239 --> 00:43:11.920
No drinking alcohol outside of your camper, no smoking, or they might have designated smoking areas.

00:43:12.079 --> 00:43:15.119
The rules, again, we talked about with like burn bands.

00:43:15.360 --> 00:43:22.960
You may be camping at a time when fire pits are not allowed at all, you know, especially with the dry times, the drought areas.

00:43:23.119 --> 00:43:33.119
We've camped at a lot of places where we haven't been able to do fire pits, or and I've mentioned this before, where we've had a type of fire pit that we haven't been allowed to use.

00:43:33.280 --> 00:43:41.840
So those are really important things to pay attention to because it might not make sense to you in the moment, but they have reasons for those rules.

00:43:41.920 --> 00:43:59.519
And some of it might be tied to county laws, and some of it might be tied to, you know, like with the the campfire, um, the type of fire pit that we had, there was a specific reason for it, and it had to do with the brush that was on the ground and how it could get tucked into it and how that could.

00:44:00.239 --> 00:44:01.199
start a wildfire.

00:44:01.280 --> 00:44:03.679
So there's just different things like that.

00:44:03.760 --> 00:44:09.039
But also if the rule is don't wash your rig, don't wash your rig.

00:44:09.360 --> 00:44:09.599
Okay.

00:44:10.000 --> 00:44:10.639
Just wait.

00:44:10.800 --> 00:44:13.440
Go to the next campground and see if you can wash your rig there.

00:44:13.519 --> 00:44:15.679
Because or get a wash wax all kit.

00:44:15.840 --> 00:44:17.119
And then you don't have to wash your rig.

00:44:18.639 --> 00:44:18.880
Yes.

00:44:19.119 --> 00:44:20.960
Waterless wash is a great way to do it.

00:44:21.199 --> 00:44:21.920
Exactly.

00:44:22.159 --> 00:44:24.480
What about picking up after your dog?

00:44:24.639 --> 00:44:32.320
Like I mean I know we didn't talk about it in the pets portion, but the reality is there's a lot of people that don't pick up after their animals.

00:44:32.400 --> 00:44:34.960
They'll just walk by and let them do whatever, wherever.

00:44:35.199 --> 00:44:38.559
Don't let your dog pee on someone's tire or their grill.

00:44:38.800 --> 00:44:41.519
But also I own a bunch of Facebook groups.

00:44:41.679 --> 00:44:46.079
Don't shame someone by taking pictures of them doing all the bad things.

00:44:46.480 --> 00:44:50.639
So make sure you're picking up yeah make sure you're picking up after animals.

00:44:50.719 --> 00:44:56.639
But keep in mind that if you're in an area that has maybe coyotes, it might not be a dog pooping in your campsite.

00:44:56.880 --> 00:44:57.840
It might be a coyote.

00:44:57.920 --> 00:44:59.199
It looks real similar.

00:44:59.440 --> 00:45:06.719
You're camping chances are there's something that's going to poop in your site that maybe isn't attached to a person or a camper.

00:45:06.880 --> 00:45:11.119
So it can happen and you know be kind to the people around you.

00:45:11.280 --> 00:45:13.760
Maybe somebody couldn't bend over and pick it up.

00:45:14.079 --> 00:45:18.079
I'm not saying it's okay and that they shouldn't do it, you know, in their own space.

00:45:18.400 --> 00:45:21.920
But if it's going to be like that, just try to be kind maybe they missed it.

00:45:22.000 --> 00:45:26.079
You know, well hey I noticed your dog pooped in my yard did you did you mean to leave it there?

00:45:26.320 --> 00:45:28.159
You can ask people those questions.

00:45:28.320 --> 00:45:32.400
It may not be comfortable but it also might make them respect the space differently next time.

00:45:32.639 --> 00:45:32.880
Yeah.

00:45:33.199 --> 00:45:40.719
And you are going to come to campgrounds where there are full-time people that stay there all the time.

00:45:40.960 --> 00:45:46.320
And those people may have signs up that say please don't let your animal use the bathroom here.

00:45:46.639 --> 00:45:47.760
Be respectful of that.

00:45:47.840 --> 00:45:50.719
I mean that's their yard year round.

00:45:50.960 --> 00:45:55.840
They just don't want your dog or cat or pet iguana pooping there.

00:45:55.920 --> 00:46:18.719
Like just move along so Jennifer how does it make you feel when you walk in to use the shower and they're all taken and you walk back they're all still taken and you walk back and they're all still taken and then you finally get one to open up and the water is ice cold because all of the hot water has been taken.

00:46:18.960 --> 00:46:20.320
Do you like cold showers?

00:46:20.480 --> 00:46:31.920
Not particularly not particularly what about when you want to go to the hot tub and it is completely taken by the same people the whole time that the hot tub is open.

00:46:32.159 --> 00:46:33.119
I mean that's tricky.

00:46:33.199 --> 00:46:40.639
I mean you weren't the first ones there you know you can ask if you can come in and you know I mean they can't stop you from coming in.

00:46:40.800 --> 00:46:42.719
I think the biggest thing here is be kind.

00:46:42.880 --> 00:46:48.480
You know you can a lot of times make more friends than you think you can in situations like that.

00:46:48.559 --> 00:46:57.199
But if it's like a crowd that's partying and they're drinking I don't know that that belongs at the hot sub necessarily you know it I don't know it's such a fine line.

00:46:57.360 --> 00:47:00.000
And I think it depends on the campground in so many places.

00:47:00.159 --> 00:47:05.199
So I think the probably the rule of thumb is don't hog the amenities.

00:47:05.280 --> 00:47:24.159
Be mindful you know be mindful it's like washing machines you know pulling your laundry out before like setting a time if you're not going to stay with your laundry set a timer and be back when it's done because I mean I've waited over an hour for a wash or a dryer being mindful of that you know everybody has time.

00:47:24.320 --> 00:47:28.639
And also I have a big family but I still don't walk in and take all the washers.

00:47:28.800 --> 00:47:29.039
Yes.

00:47:29.199 --> 00:47:29.440
Yes.

00:47:29.599 --> 00:47:31.519
It's not their fault that I have a big family.

00:47:31.599 --> 00:47:36.000
I always try to take no more than two unless it's a great big laundry room.

00:47:36.159 --> 00:47:40.159
And then a lot of times when I take more than two it's going to be at a laundromat.

00:47:40.320 --> 00:47:45.840
And so if I have more than I need to wash I'll go to a laundromat in town where I can't take as many as I need.

00:47:46.079 --> 00:47:54.239
The next one on my list is how do you feel about doing your kitchen dishes in the public bathroom sink.

00:47:54.480 --> 00:48:04.079
So as somebody that's worked in housekeeping I this is a huge no just because campgrounds are not set up to do your dishes in their bathrooms that way.

00:48:04.239 --> 00:48:08.960
In fact a lot of them are on septic systems or something like that where it's a limited amount of space.

00:48:09.199 --> 00:48:14.000
Some of them will have an outside like area for you to wash your dishes in the tent camping section.

00:48:14.159 --> 00:48:15.679
Please just do that there.

00:48:16.000 --> 00:48:23.840
And the other thing is don't throw your like greasy oil in your fire pit because chances are you're going to have animals in it in the middle of the night.

00:48:24.239 --> 00:48:31.840
Or that was a two on that same same path don't put like your tin cans in your fire pit.

00:48:32.159 --> 00:48:42.000
Those things are not melting away so you are literally just leaving trash in your fire pit for someone else to clean up leave your spot better than you found it.

00:48:42.159 --> 00:48:46.960
It's just a good I feel the same way about cigarette butts too but that's just I'm with you.

00:48:47.199 --> 00:48:52.639
This one is a really big one for me because I am the one who parks our rig.

00:48:52.960 --> 00:49:04.079
And so I genuinely get the hey little lady do you need help with that a lot or the oh my gosh are you the one who's going to do that.

00:49:04.239 --> 00:49:06.800
And a lot of times it's while I'm parking.

00:49:07.039 --> 00:49:10.639
And so I I feel very strongly about this one.

00:49:10.800 --> 00:49:20.480
And it is let people get parked and settled and set up before you come over and try and start a full conversation with them.

00:49:21.280 --> 00:49:24.000
Not a lot of or tell them that they're doing it wrong.

00:49:24.239 --> 00:49:28.960
Yes a nice you know wave or whatever that's okay.

00:49:29.199 --> 00:49:36.559
But coming over while they're like talking to each other trying to navigate the space is just so stressful.

00:49:36.719 --> 00:49:48.559
The other thing is that if they have like a standard operating order of how they set up or tear down interrupting that may make them miss something.

00:49:48.719 --> 00:50:02.559
And so if they're getting ready to leave for example and you interrupt them while they're in the process of tearing everything down to get ready to leave, they may miss a step accidentally that then causes problems for them down the road.

00:50:02.719 --> 00:50:10.800
So just give them the time to do what they need to do and to focus on those important things and then have the conversations with them afterwards.

00:50:11.440 --> 00:50:14.000
And I think that just comes down to being a good neighbor.

00:50:14.159 --> 00:50:16.000
Those are my big etiquette things.

00:50:16.079 --> 00:50:22.079
Is there anything that you can think of that I have missed before we let all of our wonderful listeners go.

00:50:22.239 --> 00:50:24.719
I mean I think we hit quite a few of them.

00:50:24.960 --> 00:50:25.679
We hit a lot.

00:50:25.920 --> 00:50:28.079
Yeah so I mean I think we were pretty thorough.

00:50:28.239 --> 00:50:35.840
But at the same time if there's something that we missed that you think is an etiquette item please put it in the comments or on our Facebook group.

00:50:36.000 --> 00:50:37.760
You know there's always ways to connect.

00:50:37.920 --> 00:50:47.199
Also if you have a wild and crazy campground story we'd love to be able to share those on air so we'll have a whole episode in if yours gets read on air we'll send you a sticker.

00:50:47.440 --> 00:51:07.760
There's lots of them across the country as you travel and when you do send those stories in send them to connect C O N N E C T at learn to R V dot com let us know if we can share your name or if you would like your story to be anonymous and we will read those stories on the air.

00:51:07.920 --> 00:51:10.880
We are getting really excited for that episode.

00:51:11.119 --> 00:51:28.719
So um yeah that's it and then like share subscribe always yeah subscribe that helps us and gets the word out on the show and kind of moves up moves us up in the list so thank you guys so much for joining us today and we will see you next time at the campfire.