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Toy haulers are the latest innovation in recreational vehicle technology. Thousands can be saved by purchasing them in the fall when new model years are introduced. But where can you use them in the winter?

First of all a definition is in order for the term toy hauler. They’re traditional travel trailers with a cargo bay and cargo doors in the back. This is a very versatile cargo area which is sold in rather bare condition and can be tailored to numerous purposes.

For the traditional snow bird a long toy hauler can almost be like a house with an attached garage. The truck that hauls it may not fit inside but all of the things normally squeezing the car out of the garage will fit in.

So that’s the first place to take the toy hauler in winter: a warm climate! Arizona has nine Kampground of America (KOA) locations and all but one is open year around. But for a lot of snow birds, Florida is the winter destination. Come spring pull up stakes and move back north in order to avoid the extreme tropical heat.

When looking for a winter destination remember that the toy hauler is itself being hauled. Much of the nation’s more scenic destinations are not navigable with a trailer in tow. Some of the mountain roads of Northern California, Tennessee, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina are never suitable for travel trailers. Many roads in Colorado are closed completely in winter. Winter driving can be treacherous even in flat country. Keep a close eye on traffic and weather anywhere.

But toy haulers have a special attraction for those with a lot of athletic gear or animals to take along when traveling. Showing dogs? Plenty of area for cages, grooming tables or using for training during down time.

Gail Leino is known throughout the internet world as Mrs. Party. She has become the internet’s leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies with clever themes. Her simple party planning approach demostrates how to use proper manners while teaching etiquette with organizational skills. She shares lots of interesting fun facts. See travel vacations for more tips and holiday spot destinations.

Tags: camping, family, fun, hauler, ideas, models, new, recreational, rv, toy, travel, trip, vacation, vehicle, wintercamping, family, fun, hauler, ideas, models, new, recreational, rv, toy, travel, trip, vacation, vehicle, winter

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When you are traveling, one of the most important things to get right is the luggage. Wherever you are going you will need some good quality luggage. Many people, when they are going traveling, try to save money on their luggage. But if your bag breaks on an airline, then you will need to deal with the fact that you are about to get on the plane with nothing to put all of your possessions in. Of course this is not a very cheerful way to look at it, but it is worth thinking about when you are going traveling. Whether you are going on holiday or if you are going on a business trip, you need to make sure that you have good quality luggage. The type of luggage that you need depends on the type of travelling that you are doing.

If you are going on holiday then you will need a bag that is big enough to take all of your clothes, but do not forget that you will need to make some space for the things that you buy. Many people take luggage that is just big enough to take all of the things that they are taking with them and then when they get there, they do not have any space for anything more. Of course you do not know what you are going to buy when you are there, but it is a good idea to take luggage that has a bit more space than you need. That way you can buy what you want and you will not need to carry a lot of extra bags.

If you are going on a business trip then you might want to take a suit bag. This is a piece of luggage that you can put your suit in without folding it up. The bag then folds over so that it keeps you suit looking great for when you get to your business meeting. it is also important to carry a good business case as well, as this gives the right impression to the people that you are going to meet. If you just have one big bag then you might want to buy something that you can take on to the flight, it is not a very good idea to just take one bag that you are not able to take on to the plane. There are some really great small flight bags around and there are some that will fold up that you can put in your big luggage when you are not using them. Whatever type of travel you are doing, it is a really good idea to make sure that to you have the right kind of bags so that you can travel well.

For more luggage resources please visit ShoppingForLuggage.info where you will find a varity of useful information on luggage totes, luggage carts, luggage locks, luggage security and luggage wheels.

Tags: good quality luggage, luggage, save money on their luggage, suit bag, travel luggage, traveling, tripgood quality luggage, luggage, save money on their luggage, suit bag, travel luggage, traveling, trip

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It’s the beginning of spring break, and we’re heading south. That’s all we know.

Our family is greatly anticipating what may be our last road trip for a long, long time. There’s a lot of excitement in our house right now as we are shifting into a whole new phase for each of us.

My husband is launching a new business. I am writing a book. Our 17-year-old daughter is preparing for college in Nova Scotia in September. Our 16-year-old daughter is heading to Brazil for a year-long Rotary Exchange in July. Our 14-year-old daughter is playing a sport for the first time in her life. Our 13-year-old daughter is considering transferring to an arts magnet school in order to immerse herself in her passiondance.

This is the end of an era. In a few months, we will never have all four of them living at home again. The next year will bring all kinds of changes, and we feel we need to grab this chance to hit the road together in our trusty, dusty minivan.

It’s time for our favorite kind of vacationthe make-it-up-as-you-go meander through undiscovered (to us, anyway) territory. We’ll get up really early, jump in the van, and just go. No reservations. No schedule. No destination in mind.

We love this no-goal travel. We learned years ago that the happiest times we spend together are those in which we are free to experience each moment as it comes without planning the next.

Back in 1998, we decided in one day to pack up the kids and take off to India and Nepal for three months. It’s not as though we simply quit our jobs and left. That would have been far easier.

We had plenty of responsibilitieswe owned two small retail businesses, an import/export company, an old commercial building with a leaky roof, and a house we had just finished remodeling.

We felt restless and ready for adventure, and making the choice to go was instantaneous and unanimous.

We sold one business, liquidated another, put the third in a coma. We found someone to take care of the leaky roof, and another to stay in our house. We yanked the kids out of school and within six weeks of making our decision boarded a planesix excited travelers carrying six small backpacks.

The girls were 7, 8, 10 and 11. People thought we were insane.

The first two months we spent in India visiting the former host families my husband had lived with during his own Rotary Exchange when he was 16. The third month we had reserved for Nepal. We planned to fly into Kathmandu and spend four weeks on our own. We had no agenda, no reservations, no contacts. We weren’t the least bit concerned about it.

From the very first day, it was clear this was going to be a really special experience for our family. We found a clean, friendly hotel, the Red Planet, with a room big enough for six of us. It was $15 a night. Our window faced the rear of a nightclub, and we giggled ourselves to sleep as Pink Floyd and Michael Jackson were blasted from the speakers outside. One of our daughters became quite adept at unclogging the toilet and bathtub drain.

We wandered the curving streets, marveling at the sights and sounds. Each meal was an adventure as we made it a point to invite single diners to join us. We met fascinating people of all ages from around the world.

Highlights include dashing into a tiny Italian restaurant during our first two hours in Kathmandu as we were caught in a torrential downpourour first rain since leaving Oregon. A hilarious but fairly sleepless night sharing a tea house room with rats. Children, especially young boys, trailing us everywhere we trekked. Breakfast on our roof with a breathtaking view of the Annapurnas. Ducking to avoid spider webs dripping with dew while riding elephants in the early morning. Exploring richly scented temples. Spontaneous dancing in the streets.

We have never, ever laughed more than we did on that trip. I had to use an asthma inhalernot for any allergies, but because I laughed so hard that I started wheezing! Every single day was full of absolute joy and discovery. It didn’t matter in the slightest what we were doing. We were together, we were exploring, and we were having the time of our lives.

Granted, a road trip to southern Oregon isn’t nearly as exotic. Still, what we learned in Nepal is the magic of being in the moment. Our kids discovered the power of being present and open to whatever the day may bring.

It’s a priceless lesson we feel fortunate to have learned early. That trip was a gift that keeps on giving. It provided a shining example of true mindfulness for our growing daughters.

We’re heading south. Our intention? To be together. To explore. And to laugh our heads off.

I’ll bring my inhaler.

Maya Talisman Frost is a mind masseuse in Portland, Oregon. Through her company, Real-World Mindfulness Training, she teaches fun and effective eyes-wide-open alternatives to meditation. To subscribe to her free weekly ezine, the Friday Mind Massage, please visit http://www.MassageYourMind.com

Tags: adventure, family, fun, mindfulness, recreation, relaxation, road trip, travel, trip, vacationadventure, family, fun, mindfulness, recreation, relaxation, road trip, travel, trip, vacation

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