Stopping Along the Way

How do you decide where to stop along the way and find fun things to see and do?  For our style of traveling, it's just as much about the journey as it is the destination.  We are 'ramblers' just like the name of our blog.  Rambling has us constantly searching out interesting stops.  Often the best ideas come from talking to 'locals,' but we also rely on some smart phone travel apps.

I've listed eleven of them here and although there's a bit of overlap between some of them, I can honestly say there are enough differences in what they do that I use them all!

Take a look and see if your favorite apps are listed, if not be sure to add them in the comments below!  I'll follow up with another post about apps we use to find campgrounds and overnight parking.  These are more about finding things to see and do; and finding services like gas, restaurants, pet stores, etc.

Google Maps (free) -- is our go-to app for finding stops along the way.  The trick is to put 'near me' in the search box.  So 'pizza near me,' 'gas stations near me' 'rv repair near me,' 'dog parks near me' 'grocery stores near me.'  You get the idea!



Trip Advisor --  (free)  This is a great app to use for planning trips vs. using on the road.  It features the just the most popular things to see and do, restaurants, and lodging which you can filter for campgrounds,  but it's not going to list all of the state or provincial parks--just private ones. Definitely us this for planning, but keep reading if you're looking for some off the beaten path stops.

Roadside America -- ($) There's a fee for this app, but it is TOTALLY worth it if you're into quirky, fun stops! After visiting southern Maine for decades, we didn't discover this "Big Easy Chair" in Kittery Maine until we started using Roadside America--it never disappoints!

 Around Me (free) and iExit (free) -- are both free apps that work well for finding services along the way.  Around Me is super for finding restaurants, banks,  movie theaters, pubs, pharmacies, and more in your general area.

iExit is THE app for Interstate travel.  It identifies gas stations, restaurants, attractions, and more.  iExit finds the Interstate nearest your location.  Simply add the direction you're traveling (for example, North) and iExit lists what's available at the next few exits.  There's some overlap between these two apps, but you really want both!

Google Field Trip (free)  has been around for a few years but I feel it's a best kept secret!  Again we use this one all the time to find interesting stops along the way (maybe some overlap with Roadside America), but Field Trip is super for historical, architectural, and unusual stops.  I don't think Google has updated it recently, but it's still worth a download. Roadtripping Tip:  Go into "select your interests" and delete  the European and Asian sources so it will work faster.

BringFido (free) -- is a MUST for anyone who travels with a furry friend.  Even though the main purpose of this app may seem to be finding pet friendly hotels, we use it all the time to find pet friendly restaurants (usually outdoor seating), activities like dog parks, dog beaches, dog friendly parks and trails.  The app also identifies local dog services like kennels, vets, and pet stores.

AllTrails (free or subscription with ability to download maps) -- We use the free version of this app and love it for identifying hikes to take.  With filters like difficulty level, distance, elevation gain, suitability (dogs friendly, stroller, wheelchair accessible, paved, kid friendly, etc.), it is super simple to find a hike that will work for you.  AllTrails also includes comments and photos from other hikers. 

Roadtrippers (free) -- can be used for both planning and spontaneous stops.  Since Google Maps is our go-to app for planning,  the 'nearby' option is the only feature I've used.  A search of Montpelier Vermont retrieves several restaurants, museums, state forests, theaters, parks, and more.

GasBuddy (free) -- This crowd-sourced app is our go-to app for finding the cheapest gas in a location.  You can filter by type of gas (regular, premium, diesel, E85, etc.).  The app plots the gas stations on a map and lists the most recent price reported.  The map icons also identify the brand of gas, so if you have a Shall credit card, you can easily find that station.

Yelp (free) -- If you're having a yen for Thai food Yelp will help!  It's a great app to identify restaurants that might be a little further off the beaten path than just the fast food restaurants at the exit.  I like that you can filter by cuisine type (Mexican, Chinese, Vegetarian, etc), open hours, outdoor seating, full bar, even good for kids.  There's usually a menu linked or photograph.

Enjoy (and be sure to share you're favorites below)!  And if you haven't already guessed, BringFido is Rosie's favorite app!  Next post--camping apps.

Is Your Phone Ready To Go Camping?

Is your phone ready to go camping?  Most of us clean the cobwebs out of our RVs, top off the propane, and check the tire pressure, but our phones can use a little TLC too—software updates, adding some new apps, and freeing up space for more photos.  I still use an iPhone 6S, but these tips work for Android and newer iPhones too.

My phone is just as important as my trusty Swiss Army knife on camping trips!  Even out of cell service range, there's still so much I can do. It’s my flashlight, my camera, my map, and tour guide.  But it's also my music, cookbook, library and audio books, and of course games and TV shows to binge watch on rainy days.  So here are a few tips to get your phone road trip ready and stay tuned for a post about some favorite road worthy apps!

Tip 1:  Keep it Charged
It's probably silly to even mention, but when you're driving down the road your phone should absolutely be plugged in and charging.  Period. Don't ask me how I know!

Tip 2: Know Your Data Plan
How much data do you have? Do you know how to find out how much you have left for the month?  Do you know when your plan's turnover date is?  Before I upgraded to an unlimited plan, keeping track of these issues was a major pain.  One of my favorite apps--Google Photos can automatically upload photos to the cloud and free up storage space for more photos, but without an unlimited plan, you have to wait for WiFi access to upload.   Set your app and software updates to manual and wait for prime updating conditions when you're on the road -- strong cell signal on an unlimited plan or strong, secure wifi.  On a limited plan? Be sure to turn off individual apps so they aren't pinging towers and depleting your battery. And set your location dependent apps to 'use location information only when using’—your battery will thank you.

Tip 3: Update Software
You wouldn't hit the road without a first aid kit, so before you leave on an extended trip, give your phone a little first aid and keep it safe with the most current software (iOS or Android) to guard against viruses and hacks.

Tip 4:  Storage Space
I like to leave an empty storage bin in our RV for some souvenirs and it's the same with my phone--I make sure there's storage space on my phone for lots of travel photos. Check your settings for storage space. Are you almost maxed out? Delete those blurry photos, accidental videos, old emails, and apps you don't use.  If you haven't already, consider switching to Google Photos with unlimited free cloud storage--it will free up tons of storage on your phone. Check out my post here about Google photos.

Tip 5:  Organization

How do you organize your phone? Alphabetical order? Similar apps on each screen? Or folders like me? The trick is to organize your phone so it works for you! I'm a folder fangirl and a news junkie.  When I'm checking the news I want all my news apps in one place:  CNN,  New York Times, Huffington Post, Google News, and our local Vermont news apps.

What about websites that don't have apps? There are some websites I check everyday.  Bookmarking them works, but they're a little clunky on small screens.  I love creating  website shortcuts that look just like apps. In my News folder, the icon that says Times Argus, our local newspaper, is just a shortcut since they don't have an app.  Here's a how-to link.

 Does every app need to be in a folder?  No. Pin your frequently used apps to the tray on the bottom of your home screen and just leave other important apps 'folderless.'

Tip 6:  Find My Friends (and Phone)
Here's another safety/security option.  On iPhones 'Find My Friends' allows you to share your location with a friend or family member.  I have this set up with a family member who can always see where we are.  Here's a link to similar apps for Android. 'Find iPhone' is another important app for travelers to help retrieve a lost device. Here's the Android equivalent.

Tip 7:  Phone Accessories 

                                                     Phone Grip
There are a bunch of different styles of phone grips, but a grip is useful if you take a lot of photos.  (Selfie sticks are handy too.)

Phone Case
Definitely a personal choice--if you're a kayaker, you want a waterproof one!  Lately I've been using this one by Vofolen. I can stash a gas credit card and my ID right in my phone case.

Travel Phone Chargers 
Travel phone chargers also come in handy on long hikes or off grid situations.  This one by Jackery charges two phones at the same time!

Hope this was useful and please share your phone tips in the comments below.

Stay tuned for some favorite travel and camping apps including Rosie's favorite—BringFido!