Episode 134: What you Need to Know About Blacktop Boondocking

In Episode 134 of the RV Podcast, we talk about Blacktop Boondocking, free or very low cost self-contained overnight camping on blacktop, specifically parking lots at businesses and places that welcome RVer, like casinos, Walmarts, Cracker Barrel restaurants and many others. Unlike traditional boondocking in wild places that allow dispersed camping like national and state forests or Bureau of Land Management holdings out West, Blacktop Boondocking has its own distinctive rules. This week, we talk to an expert who sets us right on the benefits and etiquette of Blacktop Boondocking. Plus, as always, your tips, suggestions questions, as well as RV news, the RV calendar and a great off-the-beaten path report. Click the player below to Listen Now or scroll down through the show note details. When you see a time code hyperlink, you can click it to jump directly to that segment of the podcast. [spp-player] Show Notes for Episode #134 April 5, 2017 of The RV Podcast: JENNIFER'S TIP OF THE WEEK Jennifer Well, it’s April and for most RVers who live in the Midwest, mountain and northern states, that means it’s time to de-winterize their rigs, draining out all that sticky, sweet-smelling pink antifreeze, sanitizing and filling their fresh water tanks for a new RV season. For a lot of folks, one of the hardest things about dewinterizing is to make that water taste clean, without that bleach odor or aftertaste that seems to linger from the sanitizing process. A listener of the RV Podcast named Bob from the state of Arkansas has sent in a great tip about how to get rid of that chlorine or bleach taste. Bob suggests using one cup of white vinegar for every 15 gallons of fresh water. You can her him at [spp-timestamp time="6:37"] into the interview. We love to get your tips and suggestions for the RV lifestyle. You can use the “Leave Voicemail” link at Roadtreking.com. Just click it and then use the built-in microphone on your computer or mobile devise to record a message to me. You can do it over as many times as you want, until you are satisfied. And then you just click a button and it comes right to my email inbox. Jennifer's tip of the week is brought to you by RadPower Bikes (www.RadPowerBikes.com_… an electric bike manufacturer offering direct to consumer pricing on powerful premium electric bikes. Now with free shipping! LISTENER QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK: Yvonne is a new RVer and she hates laundromats but asks what we do about washing clothes on the road. [spp-timestamp time="10:31"] Trish asks what was the follow up to the break in we had a couple of years ago, as discussed in the RV Podcast Episode 36 [spp-timestamp time="13:57"] And a new RVer named Sharon is headed to Yellowstone National park with her husband on what will be their first big camping adventure. She asks for our recommendations. [spp-timestamp time="22:35"] Sponsoring this part of the podcast is Van City RV in St. Louis, and their Partner Dealerships Creston RV in Kalispell, Montana, and Wagon Trail RV in Las Vegas. Bringing You the largest Inventory of class B’s from three locations. PET TIP OF THE WEEK If you are a regular listener, you’ve heard us talk a lot about our dog Bo and how much energy he has. Bo is 16 months old this week which, in dog years, makes him a very active teenager. We’ve shared before about finding places to exercise Bo as we travel. We love to find various off leash dog parks and have found it’s also a great way to get to know the towns and places we’re traveling through. [spp-timestamp time="29:20"] Bo and his K9 pals Sushi and Princess playing at an off-leash dog park in Fort Walton Beach, FL But this week, we want to stress just how important it is for your pets to get exercise. We know it’s important for people. But with dogs, it is even more important. According to Vetstreet.com, exercise a necessity for maintaining optimal physical and mental well-being in your dog. As with people, obesity is a major health problem in today's dogs. Between 20 and 40 percent of all dogs seen by veterinarians in the United States are considered overweight, and many are clinically obese. If the health threats associated with obesity aren't enough, consider the behavioral aspects of a lack of exercise. Dogs are active by nature. Their ancestors, wolves, covered many miles every day in search of food. Many domestic dogs were selectively bred to be even more active, with a focus on hunting or herding or patrolling. Preventing them from their genetically programmed activity level can build frustration, which may exhibit itself in the form of hyperactivity, barking, digging, tail chasing, and home destruction. Boredom has also been associated with behavioral problems in some dogs. How much exercise depends on your dogs age and health but generally, dogs should be exercised twice a day. If it’s just walks that consist of his exercise, make them brisk and give him two to three walks a day. Shoot for at least 20 minute