3 Kids and Us

Your Guide To Camping Accessories for Your New RV

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Your first RV trip is bound to be exciting. But you mustn’t forget key items and accessories to be safe and have fun. Here some camping accessories you need.

If summer for you means camping and hitting that open road with nothing but a well-stocked and fully accessorized RV, then welcome aboard!

If camping is your jam, regardless if you prefer to take only what you can carry on your back, or a bit more security, you still need camping accessories.

These can cover many areas and a few items will be a personal choice but there are a few must-haves you should consider before heading out. If you are the weekend camper or if you like to go for weeks or even a few months, you should always be prepared.

Technology is always finding ways to make our lives easier and more compact, and camping accessories are no exception. Just because we are camping doesn’t mean we can’t have a few luxuries and items that make our lives a little more pleasant.

Camping Accessories for Safety

You need to cover all the corners when taking a trip and safety needs to be at the top of your list. Here are a few items you need.

1. First Aid Kit

This is an absolute must-have. Most RV’s will have one but just having it there is only half the battle. Keep it topped up, and rotate the items. If you use it while you are out, make a note to replace those items.

Some of the items in your first aid kit can expire so be vigilant about keeping your kit full and fresh. Make a note on your to-do list about checking it each time you go out camping.

2. Flares or Warning Triangles

A flat tire, running out of gas, even the smallest of mishaps can happen. But when bad things happen to good campers, you want to be prepared. You should add flashlights to this package, as well. You always need a flashlight, to fix something, to find something, to read something.

3. Tool Kit

There is nothing more frustrating than trying to fix something with a butter knife because you don’t have your screwdriver. You don’t need a lot but a few basics can really help you out in a pinch until you can get to a garage.

RV Accessories

Some camping accessories that are just a good idea to make the trip easier and more enjoyable.

1. Water

Having some water onboard is a great idea, especially while you are in motion and don’t have water in the tank. Keeping a fresh supply of water for long trips, in cases of emergency and for stops along the way, if you want to have a bit of lunch.

Having a portable and collapsible water container is a great camping accessory. Fold it up and keep it out of sight when not in use, perfect for holding water when you have no other access to it.

2. Side Mirrors

These are great for when you are towing something, like your boat or an off-road vehicle. They can provide so much extra visual even without towing and are perfect for the larger RV vehicles.

Campsmart caravan towing mirrors are perfect for towing or just for a better view and safety.

You can buy just one, for that extra security. It’s often very difficult to see behind the larger vehicles.

3. Sealant, Tape, and Filler

Leaks happen. You need to have something that will act as an adhesive for smaller mishaps. The window frame comes loose, you knock loose your exhaust pipe or puncture your gas tank.

A few very inexpensive but extremely useful substances can help you patch things up until you get to a repair shop.

Comfort Accessories

Camping doesn’t have to mean really roughing it, so we need a few comforts to make our vacation or trip as pleasant as we can.

1. Awning

A good awning is an invaluable piece of camping accessory. You can have the slide out types, manual or electric, and they come in a variety of materials. An awning is perfect for protection from the heat, the rain, or leaves or sap from trees above.

There are also free-standing types of awnings that can be folded up and tucked away. It is the perfect way to extend your RV space and add an entirely new room. Takes meals, read, relax, cook or even sleep.

2. Cookware

It’s always fun to cook something over an open fire on a stick, but you can’t do that with an egg. Versatile and hearty cookware is a great camping accessory and a luxury.

Find cookware that is made of good quality materials, like cast iron and something that can be used on the stove top and on the fire pit.

Whether you place it on a grill on right on the flames, ala John Wayne, you want something that can withstand the flames and not have paint or coating that will burn.

3. Power Source and Adapters

Finding a good alternative power source can be a real live saver. A small generator, solar-powered chargers and regular and rechargeable batteries will come in extremely handy.

From lighting and power to catch up on your favorite show on your laptop, you need a power source to back up your power source. If you are planning to do some work while you are away, you can’t have any excuses.

Plan to Succeed

Make a list of the things you need, like emergency supplies and things you can’t live without, like your coffee maker, and a list of luxury items you would like but can live without.

Get all the necessities in first and then decide if you still want or even have space for the other items. Many things should be obvious, but if you are new to camping, camping accessories or RVing, you may find yourself coming up short for certain items.

There are great camping accessories available that can make your trip so much more pleasant. If you are planning to be gone for a long time, perhaps you are fulfilling your retirement dream and taking off for several months, you will see soon enough what you need and what you can live without.

The Importance of Family Road Trips

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When it comes to vacations, it’s not always about the destination; it’s also about the time you spend with the people you love.

Taking your kids on vacation will give you the time to help teach your children essential life skills and more. In fact, there is a far better chance for them to remember the lessons and activities you did together rather than the destination itself.

Aside from that, there are a lot of reasons to go on a much-needed vacation with the family. Here are a few of them:

New Experiences

There are experiences that reading can’t give you. Allow your children to experience life first hand. They will absorb the lesson better, and it will make them eager to learn more about nature, culture, and more.

As part of encouraging experience, push them to try different activities and to face their fears within reason. For example, if one of your kids is afraid of horses, show them that there’s nothing be afraid of and try to get them to pet the horse, and eventually ride one.

When you take it one step at a time, it allows them to adjust and see that not everything is out to get them. After all the adventures and experiences, you can see your kids having more confidence in trying things out for themselves.

Promote Family Relationships

One great thing about road trips with your family  is that everyone is free from the usual distractions. There are no board meetings to attend, no school, and no television; it will be just you, your kids, and the open road.

Use this time to reconnect with each other through games and stories. Ask them about what they are looking forward to on the trip, school, or any other future activities. Communication is key to developing well-adjusted individuals in the family.

Recharge

Meeting work deadlines, ensuring that everyone has their packed lunch before they leave the house in the morning, and you still need to arrive at the office on time is a lot of work. Over time, you can feel yourself getting burnt out from everyday life. Recharge and relax on your road trip with your family.

Go camping and share outdoor skills with your kids. Put up a tent, start a fire, and roast marshmallows. At night, tell each other ghost stories and funny tales from work or school to remind yourself that there’s more to life than deadlines and chores.

Ditch Digital

An advantage of going on a road trip and choosing a destination with little to no cell signal is that everyone will be forced to put down their devices and spend time with each other.

Now is the perfect time to let your child’s creativity shine and allow them to try their hand at entertaining themselves without the use of digital means. Let them play in the dirt, swim in rivers, and let them have fun in a different way.

When you make road trips a regular part of your family’s yearly plans, you help create a bond with each other. Not only that, but you also create a family tradition wherein everyone can pitch in their ideas and support in their unique way.

Letting your children help in the planning and packing for the trip gives them a sense of responsibility and gives them the confidence to take the lead in school and other activities. So, plan your next family road trip, find and rent a compact car, and have fun with the essential people in your life.

5 Ways to Enjoy a Weekend Away from the Kids

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When you’re a parent, your life revolves around your children. You spend a huge amount of your time caring for them, worrying about them, and doing things for them, that it can be easy to forget about yourself. However, it’s important that you maintain your social life –– if for no other reason than to keep your sanity! That’s why you should plan for the occasional weekend away from the kids. And to that end, here are the five best ways to get the most enjoyment out of a big weekend on your own:

Arrange a Trustworthy Babysitter

If you’re a parent looking to reduce your stress, the last thing you want to do on your weekend excursion is fret about your kids. So before you do anything else, make sure to line up a sound babysitter to look after your kids. Friends or family are preferred in this instance, but if you have to use a stranger make sure to vet their credentials beforehand. Otherwise you’ll constantly be checking in on the situation back at your house, and not living it up.

Diversify

A truly delightful weekend is a combination of high and low-energy activities. Don’t make the mistake of staying out all night, only to plan a rock-climbing excursion the next morning. Plus, adding a wide array of different events will help to keep all of your friends engaged.

Find the Right Spot

If possible, spending the weekend out of town can be a great way to blow of steam for a few days. The key here is to identify a destination that is close enough to reach quickly, but far enough away to offer you a chance for new experiences. When in doubt though, don’t travel too much. Since you only have a few days available, make sure to dedicate them to relaxation –– not travel.

Hit an Old Haunt

Sometimes rather than experiencing a new city, the best way to have a blast on your free weekend is to rediscover an old restaurant or bar. Going back to an old haunt can help you keep in touch with friends or well-wishers you may not have seen in years.

Party Down

Ultimately, your weekend away form the kids is all about you. Go out there and party, relax, and enjoy yourself while it lasts. Also, if you coordinate your plans with a group you should consider a party bus rental to provide a safe ride and fun atmosphere for everyone involved. At the end of the day you should return to “normal” life on Monday and be all the more refreshed for your exploits.

Say So Long Fare Well to the Norm – Go on a Solo Holiday

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Trying to find someone who will enjoy the sort of holiday you do is not always easy. It can be a huge let down when you expect to go on an exhilarating holiday with someone, only for them to pull out last minute. A solo holiday can combat this; it’s an opportunity to take on your desired adventures without any restrictions.

Whether you like action packed holidays filled with activities that leave you buzzing and bouncing, or if you prefer more of a relaxed holiday where you can sink your toes into golden sand and drink cocktails in the sun; whatever type of holiday you like, you can choose to embark on it, and mingle with like-minded people that will make the journey even more of an exciting and worthwhile experience. Here are just a few of the many benefits of being a solo traveller. Go abroad on a solo holiday and experience these delights.

It’s in Your Favour

You don’t have to compromise your desires, you don’t have to cash out on a holiday that you’re half-hearted about because someone else is going, and you just want to get away too. This is the one time that you can be selfish, and pick a holiday that suits you completely. A solo holiday is one that you can truly appreciate because it takes you to the places you want to be. Whatever Landmarks you want to be lured by, activities you want to act upon, luxuries you want to fall in love with, you can holiday to your hearts content.

Don’t let the mundane activities of life keep you suffocated. A solo holiday offers freedom and gives you the opportunity to find you. Life can leave you rapidly going in circles; missing out on who you really are and what you really do, but with this type of trip you can find yourself, and become aware of all that you would like to accomplish in life. Relax, unwind and fill your days with ‘me time.’

It Cuts Cost

Bringing family and friends along can be a costly choice because there are restraining decisions and dear dates that can leave a bit of a hole in the pocket. Taking a solo holiday can eliminate these issues because you can decide on where you want to eat and what you want to do in order to stick within your budget. You can also choose what you want to use your money on, so that you invest in the things that you really enjoy. There are also other considerations like single accommodation, travel and food that will be a lot cheaper if it’s just you.

Learn the Lingo

Experiencing different cultures will help you to develop your language skills. Journeying alone to different countries takes you out of the comfort zone of only conversing in your native tongue. Embrace the various colourful countries on a solo holiday of your choice and embrace various qualities that will not only be good on your resume but in how you interact on a whole.

Fun Times In Florida – Things You Need To Catch On Your Trip

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Road trips can be some of the most fun you will ever have in a summer, fall or spring. Winter road trips can be great but they’re usually reserved more for the summertime – roof down, cold drinks on the go and the tape deck blasting out the best tunes of your teenage years. So if this sounds like the trip to end all trips, where should you go? What spot has a great amount of things to see and do while having it all accessible by great stretches of road for miles and miles? Check out these great stops to make in one of the best states for road trips – Florida!

The Parks

One of the main reasons many people come to this part of the United States is mainly to see the numerous amazing amusement parks on offer. You can head to Disney World Florida for cheaper by booking tickets online and in advance or you can check out other great parks like Universal Studios, where your favourite films come to life in amusement park rides and fun houses. Check out Sea World – one of the world’s biggest and best parks for spotting your favourite marine life, but if you want to spend the day in the water yourself you can visit one of the numerous great water parks like Buccaneer Bay or Typhoon Lagoon!

Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Centre

A seriously great day out for anyone in your party that likes astronomy and space travel, the Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Centre really lets your imagination fly. Visit the Cape and plan your trip to coincide with a rocket launch if possible and then head to the Space Centre to explore the history of mankind’s space exploration including some of the old pieces of Saturn V rockets that were used to shuttle the astronauts to the moon and back. Explore the whole story in the museum which is dedicated to bringing space exploration to life for the everyday person. Be sure not to miss the real moon suit worn on the moon’s surface!

The Keys

Probably the best for sun, sea and sand seekers, this part of the state is awash with gorgeous islands that sometimes feature secluded beaches where you won’t see another soul for hours! Not only that but this is a great option for those looking for a road trip with a difference. By taking the Overseas Highway, you can literally drive to all the islands and back to the mainland again which means this is probably one of the best ways to see some truly gorgeous islands without needing to fly anywhere! So which stops will you make on this great island hopping adventure?

There we have a couple of great suggestions on things to see in Florida on your next amazing road trip! So what are you waiting for? Grab a friend, some awesome snacks, great tunes and hit the open road for a trip through Florida you won’t soon forget!

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We left our home in Sydney, Australia many moons ago in May 2012 and, other than a brief stint back in Perth for Christmas and a wedding in early 2014, we have been travelling the world nomadically ever since, running a business from our laptops and we’re here to show you how to do it!