Camping in a recreational vehicle (RV) at parks and campgrounds is a good way to reduce the stress of everyday living. Escaping to a peaceful setting has become very popular with families that are looking for some downtime. RV camping is perfect for experiencing nature while retaining the conveniences of home.

There are more than 16,000 RV parks and campgrounds on both public and private land. You can find just about any setting you want, from total seclusion to a party atmosphere. You are in control and can easily move from one RV park to another by just packing up and driving away.

It’s a good idea to have a written plan before taking off on your trip. You need to know where fuel and grocery stops are located and how long it will take to reach each location. If possible, select alternate RV parks so you have a fallback plan if your primary site is not to your liking. It can happen. There might be too much noise and activity at your chosen spot. Maybe it’s too quite. Either way, you can move to the next park if you have a good plan. You might lose a little money by doing this, but that’s better than a ruined vacation.

Your basic RV packing includes the following items:

• A good quality first aid kit
• Spare key hidden on the outside of the RV
• Bucket and shovel to put out a campfire
• Fire extinguisher
• Sunscreen and mosquito repellent
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Weather radio
• Emergency credit card
• Auto club card (if you have one)
• Emergency phone numbers
• Chargers for cell phones and other chargeable items
• Medical insurance cards and information
• Prescription drugs
• Over-the-counter items such as aspirin, acetaminophen, etc.
• Spare eye glasses or contacts
• Contact solution (if needed)
• Sun glasses
• Food, water, beverages
• Paper towels
• Toilet paper
• Soap and shampoo
• Maps and/or GPS. Paper maps act as a backup in case the GPS fails
• Life jackets (if going to a water resort)
• Board and electronic games
• Shaving and dental items

Everything you pack should be unbreakable and stowed securely. After you stop, remember that items stored in cabinets and overhead storage bins could have moved around and are waiting to fall on you.

There are a few safety precautions to take when arriving at the RV park. Watch out for small kids – they have a bad habit of running out in front of vehicles. Same thing goes for animals. When backing into your space, have someone standing outside the RV to guide you. This person must be able to watch both sides behind the vehicle. Be careful with electrical connections, making sure you are not standing on anything wet and are wearing dry shoes.

Once everything is hooked up, kick back and have fun!

Boat rentals are a great way to test different boat types and models before making a purchase. You can find most any combination of model and power output as long as you have the time and patience to look around. Even if you can’t locate an exact match, there should be a close enough fit to yield a good test run.

Boat rentals can be hourly and daily as well as weeks long. Hourly and daily rentals are offered at marinas in hundreds of lakes and waterways across the country. Typical models are outboard fishing boats, ski boats, stern-drive runabouts, pontoon boats, deck boats, and houseboats. Most are simple to operate. Some states may require licensing and certification. A dock attendant will provide instructions on operating and safety procedures.

Houseboat rentals are popular on large lakes and reservoirs. You can rent models that are suitable for up to 12 or more people. Houseboats are usually equipped with full kitchens, barbeque grills, air conditioning, and other amenities. You can spend your time cruising and partying as well as enjoying activities such as jet skiing and sun bathing.

Renting a sailboat requires certain skills. Sailing can be difficult and it takes time and practice to become competent. Lessons are usually a must. You will likely be required to demonstrate competency before being allowed to rent a sailboat. Be sure to keep your skills current and be ready to show that you know what you are doing.

You can find boat rentals that are complete with captain and crew. These are called charters and are a great way to go if you prefer to skip the work that goes with operating a boat. This is of course an expensive proposition. But it’s also a lot of fun because you are basically going on a private cruise. The sky’s the limit as long as you have the funds to cover it.

Something to consider when renting a boat is who will be responsible for damages or injuries. Ask about insurance and what is covered. You will probably be offered insurance as part of the rental agreement. Be sure to accept this because a lot of insurance policies cover the business operator only. Also inspect the boat for any type of damage prior to using it. Point out anything that looks like a problem and get a waiver in-writing that releases you from responsibility for existing damage.