Tuesday, December 27, 2011

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Thursday, December 22, 2011

Conversion Van Camping Tips

!: Conversion Van Camping Tips

Conversion van camping doesn't give you the luxury of life in an RV, nor the discomfort of sleeping in a tent. It can be tough to safely heat a van at night, but it's cheap compared to an RV, and you can go places they cannot. We spent more than 25 nights sleeping in our conversion van last year.

Life In A Conversion Van

Make your van into something that's useable for you, especially if it's going to be your residence for days or weeks at a time. For my wife and I, this meant having space to move around. We took out the two middle seats which, I convinced Ana, would be good armchairs for the living room. Then we had enough space for dressing or cooking. The bench-seat in back folds out into a comfortable bed, so we were all set for camping.

When traveling, you need a system of organization to keep your space inside the van livable. After our first long trip, we noticed the many things we never used. We got more efficient after that. We're also able to keep the space open, despite carrying many things, by using plastic storage tubs you can buy almost anywhere. They stack well, and if you need more room at night, you can put them on the roof. They're rainproof with the lids snapped on.

Heating A Conversion Van

Camping in a van can be cold at times, as it was for us in the deserts of Arizona last winter. We started the van and cranked up the heater once in a while, but only for brief periods. The danger of carbon monoxide poisoning is just too great to leave the car running while you are sleeping.

We also cooked to heat up the van. Our propane camp stove burned very clean. Any time it was cold, it was time to cook dinner, breakfast, or tea. This heated up the van nicely. Again, because of carbon monoxide, I wouldn't recommend ever sleeping with a propane burner going. Still, sometimes a quick warm-up is all you need before you crawl under the blankets for the night.

The secret to heating a conversion van when camping is to give up. Enjoy meal time warm-ups, but unless you have electric power, I don't know of a safe way to heat a van all night. Instead, you can heat yourselves. Wear warm clothing. Bring more blankets than you think you'll need. Prepare a thermos bottle full of hot coffee each night, so it will be waitng for you in the morning. You get to warm the van when you make it, and warm up yourselves drinking it for breakfast.

Advantages Of Conversion Van Camping

Traveling and camping in a conversion van costs less than in an RV. The initial cost is a lot less if you buy used, as we did, and the cost of driving it is substantialy less. We averaged 18 miles per gallon on our last cross-country trip. Most recreational vehicles are lucky to get half of that, and they're very expensive to maintain.

Compared with tent camping, a van is much more comfortable. Even if you backpack, you are probably going to drive some kind of car to wherever you go. With a van, you can come inside if it starts to rain. If you're backpacking a long way from home, you can save on motels on the drive to and from the trailhead.

Camping can be more comfortable in an RV, but not in all ways. It's nice, for example, to park anywhere. We've taken naps in parking lots, and nobody was the wiser, thanks to tinted windows, curtains, and the inconspicuousness of a van. At a free campground in Florida we got the best spot, on a bank overlooking Lake Talquin, because our van was small enough to fit there, unlike most of the RVs.

It's great to be able to drive anywhere. In the conversion van, camping wherever we are when it gets dark is no problem. Finally, some larger RVs drag a car around because the big rig just isn't practical for daily driving. Our coversion van is a second home AND our primary vehicle for shopping or going to work. That's flexibilty.


Conversion Van Camping Tips

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Saturday, December 3, 2011

Hospitable Downtown Salem Oregon Hotels

!: Hospitable Downtown Salem Oregon Hotels

Salem promises a lot of wonderful memories, exciting adventures and learning treats to visitors. With thousands of tourists going to Salem every year, hotels have reached their peak. Aside from the large selection of events like the Bite of Sale, Oregon State Fair, World Beat Festival and Salem Art Fair, hotels in the region continue to surprise guests with their excellent Salem hospitality.

Here are some of the best downtown hotels in Salem, Oregon:

Phoenix Grand Hotel

This hotel is situated along the downtown Salem in Oregon. They are the new additions to Willamette Valleys. It is also considered as the headquarters for the recent Salem Conference Center. It is near major business districts, area attractions and medical centers. In close proximity to the hotel is the State Capital Building, Willamette University and the gateway to the gardens and wineries of Willamette Valley.

The hotel has a total of 193 spacious suites and guestrooms that have separate living and work areas. Each room is provided with either wireless or wired high speed Internet, wet bars, extended suites, desks, executive chairs, gas fireplaces, Jacuzzis and complimentary breakfast buffets. It also has an adjoining conference center having a total of 14 meeting rooms, AV equipments and Internet access.

When looking for a place to eat, do not miss out on their Bentley's Grill cocktail lounge and full-service restaurant. Apart from this, they have a heated indoor pool, 24hr business center, fitness center and Spa. Thus, check in time is at 3PM while check out time is at 11AM.

Howard Johnson Inn

This smoke-free hotel is located at 2250 Mission Street South East Salem, OR b97302. Aside from downtown Salem, it is near the Salem General Hospital, Willamette University, Bush House Museum as well as the State Fair Ground & Expo Center. This is along with the Electric Castles Wonderland, Lancaster Mall, Enchanted Forest and Pringle Park Plaza among others. Restaurants like Applebee's, Burger King, Olive Garden Italian Restaurant, Denny's, Dominos Pizza and Papa John's Pizza are all nearby.

Howard Johnson Inn guarantees comfortable, quiet and friendly services throughout your stay. They provide complimentary Continental Deluxe breakfasts, a heated outdoor pool, fitness center and elegant guestrooms that are equipped with iron with boards, hairdryers, coffee makers as well as in-room safe deposit boxes.

Best Western Mill Creek Inn

This full-service, pet-friendly, 3-star hotel is located at 3125 Ryan Drive South East Salem, OR 97301. It is situated along the Willamette Valley. It is near Silver Falls State Park, Oregon State Capitol and Oregon Gardens.

As you step in the hotel's lobby, you will be greeted by their friendly staff. Whether you are going to Salem for pleasure or for business purposes, the hotel can cater to all your needs. Guests are provided with a lot of room options. This includes their well appointed standard rooms up to their elegant King Suites. Each room is equipped with microwaves, Cable/Satellite TVs having 66 channels, refrigerators, pay-per-view movies, high speed Internet and even free breakfast at nearby Denny's Restaurant.

The hotel also has an indoor pool. Steam room, Spa, exercise facility, a 24hr business center and meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 160 persons. You can also accommodate with the staff regarding wine tours to Willamette Vineyards and Bethel Heights Vineyard.

For tours, you are in close proximity to the A.C. Gilbert's Discovery Village, the Enchanted Forest and Oregon State Fairgrounds as well as Historic Deepwood Estate and Willamette University. Check in time at Best Western Millcreek Inn is at 2PM while check out time is 12NN.


Hospitable Downtown Salem Oregon Hotels

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