Using a Van for Photo Expeditions

[Anjin San]

and there's much more to non-meat foods than grass

probably nothing you would want to eat...

Nothing wrong with either way of eating…we eat less meat at dinner than 30 years ago ourselves and more fish as well…but we eat less overall anyway at 70 than 30 years ago. Back then we had a 12 ounce steak each but today we split it and have enough left for a couple sandwiches the next day. Eating out we split a couple of appetizers or one a p d a couple cups of soup more often than ordering entrees.

 

[Anjin San]

I have a Airstream Interstate which is based on a Sprinter 3500. It is just about perfect in every way for the type of trips you describe. Full bath, kitchen (including refrigerator and freezer and microwave) and comfortable sleeping accommodations along with ease of driving and camp set up/breakdown make it really enjoyable to be on the road. Plus, it has a workstation behind the drivers seat that I use for downloading and processing my photos in the field. Power (when not hooked up to shore power) is supplied by two 100 amp hour lithium batteries with 300 watts of solar on the roof for recharging and keeping the batteries topped off. Also have an onboard generator to supply power on those rainy days when there is not enough sun for the solar panels). Have never had an issue with not enough power. The rate limiting factor is the size of black tanks and fresh water tanks; eventually you have to dump the tanks and fill up with fresh water.View attachment 103345

Nice rig…for a single it would be fine and even would be fine for Connie and I for up to about 3 weeks at a time I guess…and one only needs to hook up the utilities at the campground every 3 or 4 days probably…which minimizes the getting going in the AM and settling down in the evening timeline.

 

[Doug Herr]

Cost, hotel/AirB&B vs. RV camping: I favor camping because there are no hotels, Air B&B etc. in the wilds

Flying to airport near the destination vs. driving: for myself the journey is as important as the destination. I've had some great experiences & photo ops during the journey that I'd have missed entirely if I had flown & rented an RV. YMMV.

 

[Anjin San]

I guess it's a good thing I don't eat meat, not something I ever have to worry about!

There is that.

But the ice cream and corn and frozen berries and whatnot would still need paring down if we left FL for extended periods in the summer. That would be doable…but there would be a lot more grabbing sale things when available and a whole lot more extended meal planning for at least a couple more months before leaving. We have a neighbor in our development that is a snowbird from Indiana and we go in and run their water every month 9r so during the summer…took a look in their freezer once and it was practically empty so planning is possible just not our cup of tea. We actually stayed at an inn over in St. Croix a couple summers back but didn’t find out until checking that the daily breakfast was vegan…and while it wasn’t bad, it was t real bacon and pastries with butter in them.

 

[Calson]

Cost, hotel/AirB&B vs. RV camping: I favor camping because there are no hotels, Air B&B etc. in the wilds

Flying to airport near the destination vs. driving: for myself the journey is as important as the destination. I've had some great experiences & photo ops during the journey that I'd have missed entirely if I had flown & rented an RV. YMMV.

I can think of many states where driving down the interstate highways there is not a lot to see and a reason why no one lives in these areas. On a 14-day trip I want to spend as few hours sitting behind the wheel as possible. I understand the need to rationalize driving to Alaska from Florida but it is still a stretch in more ways than one.

There are a few wildlife refuges that would be worth stopping at in the spring but having driven across Texas and Ohio and Kansas I would rather fly to Calgary or Anchorage and start my trip from there. The only places I prefer to drive are places like Yellowstone in the winter where a 4WD rental is not an option.

 

[Doug Herr]

I can think of many states where driving down the interstate highways there is not a lot to see and a reason why no one lives in these areas. On a 14-day trip I want to spend as few hours sitting behind the wheel as possible. I understand the need to rationalize driving to Alaska from Florida but it is still a stretch in more ways than one.

The more you look, the more you'll see. I've seen very few regions with little of interest.

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With a little research numerous interesting locations can be found along the way. One trick is to get off the interstate highways. Another is to keep your vision open to possibilities beyond the focus of your trip. Having visited a majority of the US states and several Canadian provinces I'd not consider any of the areas I've visited to be flyover territory.

 

[Viathelens]

The more you look, the more you'll see. I've seen very few regions with little of interest. Along the road in interior BC while driving to Alaska:

View attachment 103888
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At an Antelope Island campground while driving from Ohio to California:

View attachment 103889

View attachment 103890
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In California's Sierra Valley on the same OH -> CA road trip:

View attachment 103891
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With a little research numerous interesting locations can be found along the way. One trick is to get off the interstate highways. Another is to keep your vision open to possibilities beyond the focus of your trip. Having visited a majority of the US states and several Canadian provinces I'd not consider any of the areas I've visited to be flyover territory.

Doug, thanks for your response on this comment but I don't think it is the appropriate thread to place your photos in, although I know you meant well. Generally, it is better to ask the original thread poster if they want others to post photos. Again, thanks for the response.

Connie (original thread poster)

 

[Doug Herr]

Doug, thanks for your response on this comment but I don't think it is the appropriate thread to place your photos in, although I know you meant well. Generally, it is better to ask the original thread poster if they want others to post photos. Again, thanks for the response.

Connie (original thread poster)

OK I’ve removed the photos. I had no idea this was an issue, they were just examples of opportunities on a road trip vs. flying. There are many more examples.

Back on topic, the only reason I’d fly instead of driving is if the trip is over an ocean or I had a tight schedule