Rving with Pets – Essential Products – Safety

Rving with Pets – Essential Products – Safety

Not Your Average Explorer

If you are thinking about bringing your four legged friends with you on your RV trip, you need to take your pets safety under consideration.  Rving with pets is so much fun, but there are some pet safety tips you should be aware of and some dog RV accessories you need to purchase before your trip!

4 Safety Tips You Need To Know About

RVing with pets is a really fun way to travel.  We can have our beautiful furry friends with us at all times, both of our dogs love it.  We have met lots of people who have been RVing with their dogs for years, we have even met some who RV with three or more dogs!!

Before you start packing for your next RV trip, here are some RV pet safety tips you need to know!

  1. What Is The Best RV For Your Pets?  There is no way to tell what the best RV is for RVing with dogs!  What you can do is to consider your pets when you are buying your RV.  When you purchase a RV, can you pet get on the bed as it is raised storage space?  There may be room for you pet on the floor but your pet can not relax because he/she is jumpy trying to avoid getting stepped on.  So next time your looking at a new RV, take your pets needs into consideration.  We’re not saying that you need to buy the RV just for your pet, but if your going to be RVing with pets, you should keep them in mind when making your purchase.  So – – when you are getting ready to purchase an RV, make sure it fits everyone that will be traveling with you – pets included!
  2. Keep Their Information Up To Date We have been traveling for over ten years and honestly I don’t ever remember a time when we were asked for Mason or Missy’s information. We have also know many, many people RVing with dogs and have very seldom heard of parks checking paperwork, but just to be safe… I keep a folder of all her information such as her vaccination records, proof of ownership (you just never know).  I keep it in a handy storage space so if I never need it, it’s within easy access.
  3. Keeping Your Pets Safe While Driving I’ll be honest, Missy gets a little anxious on travel day.  I don’t think she loves travel days, but she does love the fact that she is with everyone in the truck.  She lays on the front console between our seats.  And Mason lays comfortably in the backseat on a bed of pillows. However, this can be a bad thing.  If we were to get into an accident both Mason & Missy would be thrown throughout our truck.  It became obvious to us we needed to find a pet harness that would keep them safe.  We found one that does not full restrict them but keeps them much safer.  BUT if your pet is already crate trained, we highly suggest keeping your pet in a crate while traveling. 
  4. Leaving Your Pets in an RV This is the most asked questions when people are considering RVing with dogs!  “Can you leave the dog in the RV?”.  The answer is YES, however there are certain things you need to consider! We try to take Mason & Missy with us as much as possible. But RVing with dogs has it’s own set of difficulties and there are times when we just can’t take them where we are going.  Most National Parks for instance don’t allow dogs along. Neither do beaches, and certain hikes we know are going to be too long or difficult for their little legs.  As full-time RVers, we’ve had times that having ‘normal’ jobs they’ve had to stay home. When we are away we set the thermostat in the RV so both Mason & Missy are comfortable.  However, if the electricity would be lost for any reason the RV may heat up or because extremely cold.  So we recommend a remote temperature sensor to ensure your pet stay safe.   When you decide to start RVing with pets, RV pet safety is essential.  Don’t leave pets in a RV without food, water or the proper temperature.  Make sure they are safe before you depart the RV.

Jamaica Beach & Our Favorite Restaurants

Not Your Average Explorer

Jamaica Beach TX is approximately 13 miles west of Galveston. There are no lifeguards on duty, so children should be supervised at all time. The City does not allow glass on the beach or fires. The beach has a public access beach, with free parking.  When we were visiting, off season, there were several people driving & parking on the beach. However when researching it, the city does have an ordinance prohibiting the operations during certain days and/or months. The information listed below is directly from the City of Jamaica Beach website.

The speed limit on the beach is 10mph. Beginning the 2nd Saturday of March, through the Tuesday after Labor Day, designated area sof the beach are closed to vehicular traffice – from 12:01am each Saturday until 6pm each Sunday. The public beach is the area of sand from the vegetation line to the water’s edge. They ask you respect areas north of the vegetation line because its private property.

Our No.1 Pick Dorado’s Dive Club, Surfside Beach TX

Our 1st pick for restaurants is Dorado’s Dive Club in Surfside Beach TX. Its about a 35 minute drive from Jamaica Beach but totally worth it. They have a outdoor dining space but it was closed due to weather. Oysters on half shell were very fresh. I had fish tacos. Very good and reasonable price. The atmosphere, service and food was awesome!

Our No.2 pick is Katie’s Seafood Restaurant in Galveston TX. They have a very nice outside deck to eat on however when we were there it was too cold for us. But, eating inside in the dining room was just as good experience. Ed and I shared oysters on the 1/2 shell for an appetizer. Ed’s first oyster was a huge hit and he had a kick butt burger & seasoned fries. Me, well I had fish tacos! Soooo delicious.

Minimalism OR Living Simply

Minimalism OR Living Simply

Not Your Average Explorer

Is living in an RV considered a MINIMALIST life or a similar lifestyle called SIMPLE LIVING?  We think so. 

Minimalism OR living simply, is a lifestyle in which you reduce your possessions. There is no official definition of either, and in fact they are actually whatever you say they are. Our understanding of minimalism is that each person pares down his/her life to the absolute minimum they think they need to live happily and comfortably with.  We know many RVers who have much less stuff than we do, and others who have much more. They carry things we don’t consider necessary, and we carry things they don’t consider necessary, but we are all minimalists, since we each have gotten down to what we think is our minimum amount of possessions. Believe me, it is an ongoing experience. On a regular basis we go through our RV and examine everything in it to decide if it really is necessary. Every item has to justify the space and energy it takes.  Ed and I have found the longer our wheels stay put – the more objects find their way into our home.  Once this happens, we must go through a purge to get rid of the CRAP.

You do not need a bunch of STUFF to make you happy.  We used to think that the more we have, the happier we will be.  When you convince yourself this, you surround yourself with useless CRAP and spending the money that you could be using for EXPERIENCES. So we say goodbye to a lot of things, many of which we had for years. And yet now we live each day a bit happier. Think about how much better your life would be if you could get rid of so much stuff you could move into a RV.  Ultimately, all we have is our time, it is the most precious thing in our lives, and we squander it away by buying and warehousing more-and-more stuff. 

Jamaica Beach RV Resort

Jamaica Beach RV Resort

Not Your Average Explorer

We really enjoyed our stay at Jamaica Beach RV Resort, Galveston TX. The staff is top-notch and friendly. Management listens to their customers. Owners are constantly upgrading the resort. A heated pool is currently under construction. There are two pools (one with a hot tub), an adult indoor hot tub, which is the size of a small pool, splash pad, and a lazy river. Miniature golf is also a ton of fun. Landscaping is awesome. Sites are roomy and well-maintained. There are several activities for adults and children. Walk to the beach on the gulf side or a concrete paved walkway to the water on the bay side.

Looking for ways to make money while traveling?

Looking for ways to make money while traveling?

Not Your Average Explorer

We’ve met many amazing people while RVing. Some are retired, but others are like us and also trying different things in order to make their traveling dreams a reality by making money while traveling on the road.

Everyone does something a little different to make money while traveling.

So, yes, it is possible to make money while traveling full-time! In fact, there are many ways for anyone to make money on the road.

This factor is something that holds many potential full-time travelers back, but it shouldn’t! Don’t let making money on the road hold you back from living your dream, because even though it may seem big, it’s something that can usually be worked around.

One of the first questions we are asked as a full-time RVers is what we do for money. Some assume we are retired, but most are blown away by the fact that working while traveling is such a possibility.

There are many ways & options to get paid while living in your RV. In todays post we talk about one ways we’ve found to make our income. The bulk of our income has been from Gate Guarding. As a Gate Guard, we are contracted by a oil company to log & monitor the traffic that comes and goes onto a site. These jobs can last from a couple of days to months. We enjoyed the flexibility and income that comes along with these jobs.

But, as remote working or unconventional jobs become more popular, there will be new developments and ways to earn money where- and whenever you want to. Never give up living on the road.

Live Show with Steve Turtle (Gate Guarding)

Live Show with Steve Turtle (Gate Guarding)

Not Your Average Explorer

Gate Guarding Adventures, It’s A Good Life With Dora & Ed.

In October, I had the honor and pleasure of being part of the Steve Turtle Live show, a feature of the popular YouTube channel A Workamper’ Story.

Host Steve Turtle started the YouTube channel to promote the RV Lifestyle. From Pennsylvania, Steve and his wife, Jill, have been full-time RVers since 2018. Like Ed and I, they have worked as Gate Guards in the oilfields in Texas and held workamping positions.

While participating in the live show it was a bit unnerving at first, Steve quickly put me at ease through his shared passion for helping others understand and embrace this lifestyle. Please enjoy this video where I share my personal experiences and tips for those contemplating a gate guard position.

Do check out Steve’s channel, while visiting us on YouTube.

How To Make Money While Living On The Road – (Gate Guarding)

How To Make Money While Living On The Road – (Gate Guarding)

Not Your Average Explorer

What is a Gate Guard and How do we get started?

A Gate Guard guards or is stationed at a entrance of a oilfield location, warehouse, or other property to control traffic to and from the grounds. Depending on each job site requirement, you may sign & sign out approved employees using paper logs or a iPad, possibly taking payload pictures and/or truck pictures during the sign in process, take temperatures with a device provided, directing traffic and insure people entering the property have proper PPE’s. OR other duties as assigned. The reason I say that is many of the sites are on private property and owners have their own requirements.

Many RVers have found that working as a gate guard at oil field sites is another way to earn extra money. If you are placed on site, companies provide generator, water and sewer on a mobile trailer. It sure helps save money on living costs. If you are working out of a guard office, you may be required to stay in a campground and pay for your site. Each location/job will be different based on the oil company or company mans requirements. When being contacted about a particular gate, ask several questions so you know what your getting into. 1. RV on site or in a campground 2.Who pays for the campground fees 3. What are the job duties 4. What attire is required 5.How far is it to a large town or city for groceries etc. 6.Who is your contact person within the guard company AND the job site. 7. Gate location on dirt, gravel or paved road. What we are saying is be informed and you will not have any unwanted surprises.

How do you get licensed?

In the State of Texas you need to get certified to be an “noncommissioned security guard”, to work as a unarmed security guard (Gate Guard). All security professionals must be at least 18 years old.  And CANNOT have a felony on a your record.

To start, you need to go online to the Texas Online Private Security Page, TOPS, and start your individual application. Once you enter your personal information it will ask you for business information. This is where IF you are affiliated with a gate guard company you would include their information. If you are NOT affiliated with company, you leave it blank.

Next you will be asked a series of questions regarding your background. This is NOT a background check. They will do one at a later date including a set of fingerprints. Make sure to double check your entries before submitting your application. You will be asked for payment for license. What’s next? IF you are working with a gate guard company, you will need to contact them that you have submitted the initial application. Check your email in case additional information is needed. You can check your status of your individual application after submitting by logging into TOPS.

Applicants must have fingerprint-based FBI background checks.  All security professionals must be at least 18 years old.  A fingerprint fee is to be submitted with the application. The fingerprints themselves are submitted electronically, using Fingerprint Applicant Services of Texas (FAST) and a approved provider. If fingerprints are made prior to application, the you will include a copy of his or her FAST receipt.

Training must be completed through an approved school or instructor. You will need to score satisfactorily on a test. The licensing agency will need a copy of applicable training certificates.

Now, with all that said, IF you are working directly with a Gate Guard Company, they will help you through all the steps because you are also required to have a ‘sponsor’ on your license. (Gate Guard Company)

10 Cheap Hacks for the RVer

10 Cheap Hacks for the RVer

Not Your Average Explorer

Organize your RV and safely travel with these must-know ideas for using dollar store items.

dish dry bag and fruit & vegetable bag storage
HACK 1: MESS BAGS So, you did the environmentally-responsible thing and brought your own plates and cookware. Great! But, what happens when you need to wash and dry these items? Toss them in a mesh bag hung from a tree branch, and, voila, dry dishes. OR you can use the bag to hang your fruit & veggies to keep them off your countertop.
pool noodles for knife blade covers and slide covers
HACK 2: POOL NOODLES Cover up hazardous knife blades with a foam pool noodle. OR cut a long slit into one and install it on your slide bottoms so you don’t require stitches on the top of your head from hitting it.
glow bracelets for awning stake for night time safety
HACK 3: GLOW BRACELETS Add glow bracelets to your tent or awning stake for night time safety. Tripping over them isn’t. Pick up some cheap glow-in-the-dark bracelets and string them along the stakes to prevent faceplants when the sun sets.
dry erase board for messages
HACK 4: DRY ERASE BOARD What are we doing today? What’s our campsite number? Who is going fishing? Grocery list? Answer all of these questions and more by using a small dry-erase board as a campsite message board. This comes in handy, particularly with large groups.
shower cap food cover
HACK 5: SHOWER CAP = FOOD COVER Pesky bugs can ruin a camping vibe if you let them. So, don’t let them! Keep the good vibes going by using a shower cap to protect food from flies.
soap or hand sanitizer holder
HACK 6: LANYARD = SOAP OR SANITIZER HOLDER Whether your campsite has an enclosed shower or not, chances are shelf-space will be limited (or non-existent). Be prepared with this hands-free hack of hanging travel-size soap bottles on a lanyard. And in todays world, using this hack for hand sanitizer is a no brainer.
Petroleum jelly with a cotton ball will make a great fire starter.
HACK 7: COTTON BALL + PETROLEUM JELLY = FIRE STARTER When you need a fire fast, this petroleum jelly hack will do the trick. Simply coat a cotton ball in the jelly and light it under a pile of brush. 🔥
pill container used for spice holder
HACK 8: PILL CONTAINER = SPICE HOLDER Can’t decide which spices to bring? Bring them all! Just pour your seven favorite spices into a daily pill organizer and leave those awkward bottles at home. When you’re camping, saving space is everything.
tubs to keep your drawers organized
HACK 9: PLASTIC TUBS Keep your drawers organized and your items handy when using small tubs. You can use them in the kitchen, bathroom & bedroom.
canned food organizer
HACK 10: CANNED GOOD PYRAMID DISPENSER. Utilize the space in your pantry cupboards and keep them organized.

Hindsight is 2020

Hindsight is 2020

Not Your Average Explorer

Who could have ever imagined that at the beginning of 2020, we would be rethinking the phrase “hindsight is 2020”? Seriously, this past year has been some of the scariest and strangest times of our lives, that I’m beginning to believe our hindsight may need a new pair of glasses.

Although the world has seen it’s fair share of tragedy, anxiety, and utter strangeness, it has also produced some great memories. As we were laid off from a job we so enjoyed, it made us appreciate what we had. To take the time to go see & visit the things we had planned on down the road. Nothing was holding us back. This is also when we decided to share our journey with others and start our channel.

In retrospect, 2020 was a great year because of its challenges. Challenges give us the opportunity to adapt; to become stronger; to learn and grow as individuals and as a country. 2020 challenged us as a couple but we emerged from challenges stronger than ever before. I’m so excited for what we’ll do together in 2021.

How Do You Get Your Mail on the Road?

How Do You Get Your Mail on the Road?

Not Your Average Explorer

One of the many challenges that face full time travelers and RVers is figuring out how to get mail on the road. We’ve had our fair share of issues with receiving mail and packages on the road but in this post we share a list of ways to receive mail and packages.

General Delivery through the U.S. Postal Service; they offer general delivery for those who need a temporary mailing address to receive mail. You will need to check the location by visiting the USPS website or calling the location in the area you need to have mail sent. Not all Post Offices accept general delivery.

Are you or will you be visiting a friend or relative on the road? Ask for permission to send your mail to their address. Use C/O in the address to avoid delays or issues with your mail.

Sign up with a Mail Service. There are several available and we’ve seen good & bad reviews about many of them. What we can tell you is the company we use and our experiences. We have been using Traveling Mailbox for several months now. One of the reasons we choose Traveling Mailbox is that we didn’t have to change our domicile address. We can have our mail forwarded to their facility. Then you have complete control over your mail. They scan every envelope, and you tell them what to do! You can have them trash it if you know based on the front envelope that it is junk mail. Open & scan the mail OR have it forwarded to your current location.

Send mail to your Campground, RV parks, and even hotels may receive mail on your behalf. Be sure to ask for and use the correct address for this type of mail. Some business have a different mailing address for guest mail OR will not accept it for you.

Did you know packages sent FedEx or UPS can be redirected to a store location for pickup? Visit their website for more information on package redirect options.

Use a Amazon locker. It is a easy and convenient way to pick up your Amazon order. When placing an order online, see if that item is available through Amazon. This will give you the option to pick up at an Amazon locker, avoiding the hassle of trying to figure out an address for the delivery.

Choose In-Store Pickup. Easy pickup and returns. Large chain stores such as Walmart are located throughout the United States making it a convenient option for ordering items online for in-store pickup.