New experiences make me nervous, and I assume that holds true for most of us. Towing our fifth wheel through a major tunnel for the first time was such an experience. To top it off, this tunnel was one of the biggest I know of: the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, or simply the Bridge-Tunnel, when speaking with locals.
The Bridge-Tunnel is quite a site to behold for those of us who appreciate enormous engineering projects. It is a 20-mile-long bridge on US highway 13, linking the Delmarva Peninsula to the Virginia mainland over Chesapeake Bay. Of the 20 miles, two one-mile segments submerge to the bay floor, allowing large ships to pass above.
For new RVers like us, the tunnels hold a few challenges:
Despite these issues, we added the Bridge-Tunnel to our itinerary in order to avoid winter weather in the mountains along the western coast of the bay.
We left the RV park near Ocean City, Maryland, early in the morning to outrun the approaching thunderstorm. With only a half hour to go before reaching the Bridge-Tunnel, it was looking like we managed to stay well ahead of the storm. Until, that is, a driver decided to knock over a power line and halted all lanes of traffic for an hour.
Just as traffic started moving again, the wind began to blow fiercely. By the time we reached the Bridge-Tunnel toll booths, heavy winds and rain were buffeting the truck and trailer. Our hopes of crossing the bay before the storm vanished.
A few days before our trip, we contacted the CBBT Commission to make sure they allow propane through the tunnels. They informed us that as long as the propane is shut off at the bottle, we were free to cross. As we approached the toll booths, we were looking for the rest area they told us about so we may pull over and turn off the propane. Due to the cold weather, we wanted to run the furnace as long as possible to prevent the pipes from freezing. A few hundred feet from the gates a sign pointed left into the rest area, but to us it appeared as if it was pointing down a dirt road. At that time we did not notice that the parking lot was a bit further, just before the gates.
Thinking that I missed it, and having heard stories of stiff fines if caught with the propane running, I decided to pull over on the right shoulder just before the toll booths. It only took a few seconds for me to jump out and turn off the propane bottles, but that was enough for the truckers to make unkind comments over the [an error occurred while processing this directive] about my inappropriate parking. Looking back at the situation, I can't imagine a problem with me pulling up to the booth and explaining to the attendant that I missed the turn and still needed to turn off the propane.
As expected, the attendant asked us to take the U-turn lane into the parking lot (the one we missed earlier) until the high winds subsided. We pulled into the parking lot and joined a few RV's that have already been diverted. In a short time the parking lot was full of RV's and trucks without loads.
We had a quick lunch and decided to take a nap. Both of us had mild cold symptoms and the break from driving was welcome. It was difficult to sleep in the rocking trailer and with the noise of heavy rain, but it felt refreshing nevertheless. Four hours after stopping in the parking lot, the winds calmed. Officials with flashing lights and sirens came through the parking lot to let us know we may cross. Talk about a traffic jam! Hundreds of RV's and trucks headed for the single exit from all directions. Despite the number of vehicles, the parking lot cleared surprisingly fast with the aid of a couple of officers directing traffic.
Choppy gray waves stirred by moderate winds made the crossing eerie. Gusts of wind could still be felt as they hit the side of the fifth wheel, making us thankful for not having to cross at the height of the storm. Five hours behind, we finally arrived on the Virginia mainland.
I'm not sure what it is about Norfolk, but despite the fact that I have driven through it several times in the past, I always manage to take a wrong turn; this time was no exception.
At our disposal we had printed directions, trucker's map, and a GPS, yet we still managed to take a turn that took us into the north part of town. As we worked our way deeper into town against our best efforts, our agitation rose.
No offense to the good people of Virginia, but something about Norfolk caused us both to lose our map reading abilities and we were making our situation worse at each turn.
It was time to take a break. We pulled into a store parking lot and took some deep breaths to regain our calm. Patiently we reviewed the maps again and planned our egress from this trap. At last we were leaving Norfolk behind, resigned to the fact that we have lost half a day of travel. As we headed into the setting sun, a fiery red sunset melted away our remaining worries.
Charles Kerekes is a fulltime RVer traveling the US with his family and maintains the ChanginGears.com web RV site.
Tips on Maintaining an RV
So you just bought a new RV. Or maybe it?s not the fact that it?s new; it?s more that it?s you that?s new to it. The RV itself is a mammoth of machinery you never in your life ever owned. Some people might even call it a house. And even to those who do not, they at least know one thing and one thing only: an RV is very big. So, how does one go about maintaining, let alone driving, an RV?
Traveling By RV: Tips For Winter Travel
When we think of traveling by RV, one of the first thoughts that come to mind is summer. Although summer is known as one of the most popular times to travel by motor home, it is important to remember that you do not have to limit yourself. In fact, many RV owners travel by motor homes all year round, including in the winter.
No Need To Buy An Rv When Hiring One Is Possible
Say you want to tour the country, see the highways and byways and small towns and rural roads of America. A great way to do it is in an RV, or motorhome. But buying a recreational vehicle is a huge commitment, and they don't come cheap. So don't buy an RV: hire one instead.
RV Financing Made Easy
RV financing can be complicated if you are not used to this kind of transactions. Though RV financing is similar to car financing and other vehicle loans, there are some things that you should know that are specific to this kind of vehicle and that might save you hassles and thousands of dollars over the whole life of your RV financing.
RV Snowbirds Head South on Shoestring Budgets
Every fall, hundreds of thousands of northern RV enthusiasts drive south to Florida, Texas, Arizona and Southern California to spend the season in the sun. For many "snowbirds" the cost of such a trip is an obstacle. The editor of FreeCampgrounds.com explains how these RVers can save money along their route and at their destination.
My Rented Vacation - The RV Saga
My wife and I have a tradition of vacationing the month of January at a quaint little area in Florida. It is not on the beach where the high priced restaurants are located and where the crowds gather. We enjoy this quiet little RV park that is on the banks of a fishing lake located in central Florida. Several couples caravan south in our RVs to escape the harsh winter weather which seams to get worse the older we get. It is a time that we can relax after the busy holiday season and we can renew our close relationships with our friends.
Choosing The Right RV Parts And Accessories
If you are an RV owner or have been an RV owner, then you can attest to the fact that maintaining an RV is like maintaining a home and a vehicle all in one. Whether you do the maintenance work yourself or have an authorized RV dealer work on your vehicle, it is very important to use quality RV replacement parts. Labor is a huge factor in maintaining any RV. Labor is very expensive whether you are purchasing it, or whether it is your own. So why waste valuable labor on parts that will not give you maximum performance?
RV Vacations Are Least Expensive, Study Shows
Despite record-breaking fuel prices, typical RV trips remain the least expensive type of vacation, according to a new study comparing vacation costs. PKF Consulting, an international consulting firm with expertise in travel and tourism, found that "typical RV family vacations are on average 27 to 61 percent less expensive than other types of vacations studied."
All The Comforts Of Home: Outfitting Your RV
When many people think of trailers and RV's, they think of something out of a bad '50's movie: a sardine-like tin can, flimsy construction, a bumpy ride - you know what I am talking about. But today's RV's are nothing like that. Today, you can bring along all the comforts of home. So, just how can you outfit your RV?
RV Education 101 Releases Two DVD's to Clear the Consumer Confusion on RV Towing Options
RV Education 101 instructional DVD's educate the RV Consumer on how to safely tow a trailer or dinghy. There is much to be learned about this topic , but what seemed to be intimidating at one time, is now just a matter of educating yourself and doing things safely and properly.
Four Rhode Island Girls' Myspace Popularity Lands Them US touring Deal and International Recognizance
Whoever said progress is a slow progress was not talking about these four Rhode Island chicks. Discovered by an internet fashion pioneer, Natasha Luigui, Jessica Pineda, Stephanie Goncalves, and Taylor Hope Mims are going international with their image. Traveling the United States this summer, they are soon to be featured on some of Europe's most famous sneaker and street wear world wide web sites.
The Nations Number One Producer of RV Instructional Videos Releases New RV Campground DVD--An Enticing Lure to the Great Outdoors
With an RV, where to go and what to do once there can be confusing until travelers have a few RV trips under their belt. Should RVers make reservations before leaving on a trip? How do they register when they arrive at the campground? What kind of campsite should they request? What's the right camping club for different RVers? What does campground etiquette mean? There is a lot to learn about public and private campgrounds, and the more travelers know, the better the camping experience will be.
Anything RV Inc Announces the Launch of its Anything Trucker Equipment Auction Available at its Anything Trucker Online Marketplace
Anything RV, Inc. (TM) has expanded its "Anything-Brand" resulting in a much broader market-reach for the sale of its goods and services. In the case of the Anything Trucker site, the addition of our Anything Trucker Equipment Auction coupled with our previously announced Anything Trucker Freight Bid Network, customers not only have many great product options but also services that result in more efficient business operations.
RV Camping at Casinos
There's nothing that will quicken the interest of RVers like the prospect of free overnight parking. Places such as Wal-Mart parking lots, and truck stops, are well known freebies, and if you are on the move in your RV, expanding the list of possible free overnight camping locations will broaden your options.
Gittalong Little Doggie Announces Increase In Sales For Dog Poop Bag Dispensers For Hotels, RV Parks, Apartments & Condo Complexes
Today at the first Pet Product Conference, Gittalong Little Doggie announced Production and Sales Tripling over the past 6 months for Commercial Grade Poop Bag Dispensers for Hotels, RV Parks and Apartment & Condo Complexes.