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Old 11-19-2013, 06:51 PM   #1
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Alternative camping

I was turned on to this site by a fellow RVer and think its a great way to meet new folks. It's called " Harvest Hosts"and it allows you to camp at farms, wineries, wildlife rescue areas, and lots of cool places that you cannot normally stay. It's something different and gives you the chance to maybe pick your own breakfast!
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Old 11-19-2013, 07:07 PM   #2
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Thanks for bringing that to our attention. It looks like a great idea. Kinda like a B&B, but you bring your own B&B with you.

Free Camping with Harvest Hosts at Wineries, Farms and Orchards
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Old 11-19-2013, 07:28 PM   #3
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What a great idea!
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Old 11-19-2013, 07:36 PM   #4
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Choose carefully. The hosts expect you to buy from them so at some wineries, for example, your "free" night could get expensive.
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Old 11-19-2013, 07:40 PM   #5
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Rosemary, as I was walking toward my computer I was just wondering why people would want strangers to camp on their land. It's a little different when you have a forum like Escape and people contact each other about camping while they travel. This would be total strangers.
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Old 11-19-2013, 07:43 PM   #6
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I just read the list of rules and regulations and while they are perfectly reasonable I think they could make me a little uptight.
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Old 11-19-2013, 07:45 PM   #7
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These strangers are no different than customers, they are in a business and want you to purchase something from them.
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Old 11-19-2013, 07:52 PM   #8
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It is what it is, and one can decide for themselves whether or not it is for them.

I kinda like the idea, as I have no need for hook-ups anyway. Maybe I could fine a nice bottle of wine, pick up some fresh foods, and relax in a setting not wall to wall RVs while stopping overnight. If I buy two bottles of wine instead of spending the money on a campsite, by my calculations I am way ahead.

Of course, you likely won't have much for public facilities to use, but these places are intended for one night stays.

Besides, it sure beats the camping in a Walmart parking lot, no?
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Old 11-19-2013, 08:01 PM   #9
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Everyone has a good point to make and yes they would appreciate if you patronized them in some way. It's a great form of exposure and sometimes I would rather camp in a more rural area with less vehicles and stimulate the economy a little differently!
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Old 11-19-2013, 08:05 PM   #10
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It is certainly something to consider. And yes, Jim, it beats Walmart.
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Old 11-19-2013, 08:35 PM   #11
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Well I am relieved you just have to buy wine - I thought we would have to spend an afternoon laboring in the vineyard.
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Old 11-19-2013, 08:39 PM   #12
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We'll probably join. Agreed that it's better than Walmart and better than a lot of campgrounds we stay in when crossing the country. And buying wine or fresh produce from a farm wouldn't be so bad.
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Old 11-19-2013, 08:41 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by SpokanEscape View Post
Well I am relieved you just have to buy wine - I thought we would have to spend an afternoon laboring in the vineyard.
Worse yet, they may ask you to help squeeze the grapes.
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Old 11-19-2013, 08:44 PM   #14
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Shades of Lucy and Ethel!
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Old 11-19-2013, 08:59 PM   #15
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Here is an updated version
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Old 11-19-2013, 08:59 PM   #16
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Shades of Lucy and Ethel!
That and the Chocolate Factory were two of my favourites.
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Old 11-19-2013, 09:02 PM   #17
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Some will allow you to do volunteer chores if you want to stay over for a few days.
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Old 11-20-2013, 05:34 PM   #18
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It is certainly something to consider. And yes, Jim, it beats Walmart.
LOL, even with buying wine, it could be cheaper than staying at Walmart where the shopping beckons.
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Old 11-20-2013, 07:25 PM   #19
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The poem by Frost was profound and needed at the right time!
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Old 11-24-2013, 07:07 PM   #20
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I'm surprised no one has mentioned Boondockers Welcome : Boondockers Welcome | Be My Guest RV Parking

You can stay with fellow RVers for free, provided you make arrangements with them in advance. There are way more people participating in Boondockers Welcome vs. the Harvest Host program, I'm sure.

There is a fee to join, but it's modest, if you are willing to provide other members with a place to boondock at your own home: $20/yr or $15/yr if you sign up for 3 years.

Also, check out the owner's series of very helpful eBooks on places to stay for free or very little when traveling in the US Southwest. The series is called "The Frugal Shunpiker's Guide to xxxxx". I've used her recommendations several times on my recent camping trips to Utah and Arizona.

The author and her husband make months' long excursions from Ontario to the US every year and usually pay an insanely low amount for camping fees, as they scout out their own free campsites. Granted, they are traveling in a conversion van and not hauling a TT, but a Roadtrek is not what you would call an off-road vehicle.
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