2014 Seattle RV Show in Seahawks Territory

On Saturday I made a run over to Seattle to the annual Seattle RV Show. Just days after an estimated 700 thousand Seahawks fans converged on the city for the Super Bowl victory ceremony, Centurylink Field was hosting the 2014 Seattle RV Show. 

I could still feel the Seahawks fever in the air. Some dealers were even offering Super Bowl specials. Here are some highlights from my RV show adventure:

After sleeping in, I took the ferry from Bainbridge Island over to Seattle. It was below freezing outside but a beautiful day. I couldn't resist spending the 30 minute ride outside taking pictures and shooting some video while the rest of the passengers remained inside staying warm.

A look ahead at Seattle and the Cascade Mountains

Looking back at Bainbridge Island and the Olympic Mountains

When I arrived at Centurylink field, I payed my $12 for a ticket and started my journey through the many, many, many RVs, trailers, campers, and RV stuff. There were so many RVs this year in multiple rooms, that I found it very difficult to get my bearings at first. I tossed the show map I was given at the door because I didn't think I'd need it. Turns out I needed it several times. After a while I figured out the lay of the land and started touring rigs...one section at a time.  Check out my video for a recap.

I also picked a couple seminars to attend. My favorite was the show director himself sharing tips on boondocking. I learned a few things that got me excited to come home and plan a boondocking adventure of my own. I'll have to put some of those tips together in a future post. Keep an eye out for that.

The show organizers promised a "Bigger and Better" show this year and they certainly delivered. I couldn't even see everything. After about five hours I was exhausted. It was time to head back to the ferry before darkness set in.

If you are in the market to buy, I recommend attending an RV show near you. You will be able to comparison shop and tour many RVs under one roof. As a bonus, most dealers offer RV show discount pricing. So save yourself the headache, time and gas driving all over the place to find the right RV for you. Go to an RV show first. You'll enjoy it.

Have you attended an RV show this year? What was your favorite RV?

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2014 RV Show - Coming to a City Near You

February is the month most RV shows come to town. Whether you are in the market for a shiny new RV or just want to see what products are hot in 2014, an RV show is the best place to see it all under one roof. Many shows also host seminars with industry experts on a variety of hot RV topics including my favorites...solar power and boondocking.

The RV industry has taken a big beating in sales in the last four years. If you've attended an RV show lately, you may have noticed the abundance of used travel trailers and RVs and the absence of high-end rigs. I noted this in my last RV Show video.

A look back at a past Seattle RV Show

Lately, the word on the street is that the RV industry is starting to bounce back and I'm sure that will be reflected in RV shows this year. The Seattle RV Show promises to be "Bigger and Better Than Ever." 

Click here to find an RV show near you

Eight cities, including Seattle, are hosting RV shows this weekend. The rest will host events throughout February and March. So why not drag the family out and check out the latest motorhomes, travel trailers and RV products.

UPDATE!

I'm back. The Seattle RV Show was huge and packed full of cool stuff! Read more about my visit and check out the video.

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What one day RVing on solar is like

Have you ever wondered what life would be like if you ventured away from the comfort and ammenities of the RV park for a day or two and relied solely on your batteries and solar for power? RVers often refer to this as boondocking. Think about it. What would you have to give up? Jason and Nikki Wynn from GoneWithTheWynns have put together this cool video showing us how they do it and still enjoy the comforts of home. Click here to check out their video.

The Wynns are young full timers who decided one day to say goodbye to the city life. What started out as a one year adventure to explore the country is now going on three years. They have spent the last few years traveling the country while living and working on the road. Along the way, Jason and Nikki blog, make videos and manage to earn an income while living a life many of us simply dream of in retirement.

To minimize expenses, Jason and Nikki can pull in up to 600 watts of solar power during the day. They also search for locations where they can camp overnight for free and get close to nature.

To learn more about Jason and Nikki visit their website.

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Modern men are BORING and less adventurous than their fathers

According to a new study conducted at the University of St Andrews, young men have lost the spark needed to get involved in exciting activities. In other words, they are not as adventurous as their fathers were and are unlikely to take on extreme challenges, participate in sports or travel to remote places.

Say it isn't so! Hmmm...maybe it is. 

Studies conducted in the 1970s show that men were 48 percent more likely than women to show interest in "thrill and adventure seeking" activities. In 2013, that number has dropped to 28 percent.

Why? Scientists conclude that young men these days are less motivated lazier and in worse shape than their fathers were.

They examined 72 previous sets of data collected between 1978 and 2012 on "sensation seeking" traits including seeking thrills or lower-risk new experiences, enjoying "disinhibited" situations like public speaking, and susceptibility to boredom.

In fact, while young men become more boring, thrill seeking and adventurous tendencies seem to be on the rise for women. 

For goodness sake fellas, get out and make your mark on the world and not just a divot in the sofa.

Still with me?
Here's another write-up I published some time ago regarding another troubling trend in young men today. Have you ever heard the term techno-sexual? Read my post about the extinction of men with DIY skills. 

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Kellogg Family of 14 lives and travels full-time in their RV

It's been said that traveling or living in an RV with your family often brings you closer together. Ever since our two kids were toddlers, we have vacationed and traveled together. So I can confirm that there is some truth to this. But what if we had 12 children? Would this still be true? 

Meet the Kelloggs. Mom (Susie), Dad (Dan) and their 12 children live, learn, and travel in their 36 foot class A motor home.

How do they do it?

We live every day to it’s fullest. Perhaps this sounds impossible to the majority of families out there, but you have to clear your mind, you have to forget what society has taught you, get out of the mindset you are undoubtedly in and get down and naked. Bear you souls. Ask yourself in a perfect world what would make you happy. And then get it. Just go get it.

I've been following the Kelloggs since I first heard their story last year. They are truly an amazing loving family who love to spend time outdoors, kayak and share exciting experiences together.

Susie has even shared her experiences and parenting philosophy in her book Raising a Badass Family  that you can get on Amazon.

On the road with the Kelloggs

We are not superhuman, we simply have found the key to keeping our lives stress free and completely exciting

Bedtime

Common Questions

Do the parents work?
Raising 12 children is work in itself. Other than that, Dan is a software engineer and works from the road.

Do the kids go to school?
Susie says "...we are what is called a Road Schooling family, we do all our school on the road and quite honestly the kids are learning more than they ever did while in school or while at home..." In addition to books "we are intentionally using nature and this beautiful country of ours as our classroom..." Read more from Susie about road schooling 12 children.

I'm Truly Inspired

Parenting has often been a challenge with my two children. I can't even imagine what raising 12 children would be like. When we become parents we all have to start at the beginning. As our children grow and develop, so do we. Our success as a family depends on our ability to communicate, adapt, compromise, learn from each other, pick our battles, and above all love and treat each other with respect. We can learn a lot from the Kellogg family.

Dan and Susie, you are truly inspirational parents with a BADASS Family!

Read Susie's book "Raising a BadAss Family"
Follow their story @ TheKellogShow.com

Photos: From TheKellogShow.com

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Photo Friday: Stop, Drop and Camp VW Conversion

Having owned a VW camper van I'm partial to these VW conversions. This has to be one of the coolest VW conversions ever. I want one.

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Cool RV Infographic

Statistics can be kind of boring to look at. Call me lazy, but I really like pictures and a good infographic. Here's an interesting infographic illustrating some interesting RV statistics.

View the full infographic here to see:

How has RV ownership changed in over the last 20 years?
Who owns RVs?
What national parks do RVers prefer?
What are the top causes of RV accidents?

Finally, does your RV have a name? Did you say NO? Well make it to the bottom of the RV infographic and you'll be rewarded with the RV Name Generator. I'm going with "Super Drifter" because I just can't pass up a name that starts with "Super". I'm already working on my SD logo for my rig. Enjoy! 

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Good Sam Club Launches a Cool New Map Search

Plan your next RV trip using Good Sam's cool new map search tool. The Good Sam directory is now easier to navigate. Of course, it also includes park details and those Good Sam ratings on all Good Sam parks. Parks that don't sport the Good Sam seal of approval...well those are listed also. You just don't get the ratings and other info.

Check in out here. You don't need to be a Good Sam member to use it so give it a try. I'll definitely be using this to plan my next trip. You should too.

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