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32 | LIFE IN SOLERA | SEPTEMBER 2023 | RV GROUP TRAVELING NOTEBOOK: For years, my wife and I have put our traveling itineraries in a notebook. Over the years they have evolved into the pictures that are posted on this page. The concept is simple, plan a traveling RV itinerary and place it into a notebook. The notebook serves as a planning repository for our RV trips. First we start with where we want to travel to. Dates, campground information and mileages to and from home are included. When planning our itinerary, we research our destinations and include any activities we would like to participate in. Each campground gets its own clear protection sheet. If a campground has a particular activity that we want to attend (such as a dinner cruise) we put that information into a clear protection sheet as well. This format works well for additional local maps. The process starts all over again with the next campground. Campground information is once again placed in an clear protective sheet, followed by local area information, maps, etc. When done, we have clean clear printouts and maps in protective sheets to refer to on our journey. We also research local hospitals, urgent care facilities, and veterinarians. Just as something can go medically wrong with us humanoids, the same can be said about our pets that travel with us. Some will say just Google the info when you need it. For us, if it's in the notebook, it's one less thing we have to worry about. As the primary driver, I'm always looking at local destination maps. Technology is amazing these days but I still use my trusted National Geographic Road Atlas. I do use MapQuest and Google on occasion and print local maps and other information from their apps. Once again, in the notebook it goes. Extra brochures, maps, and notes find their way to the back pockets of the notebook. We also buy the local newspaper and sometimes cut out articles of interest to us and place them in the notebook. The Blue Book is the traveling companion to the notebook. Basically the Blue Book is a Mead personal planner. Inside is our daily campers log which doubles as our trip diary and expenditure list. We use Blue Books side pockets to store gasoline and fuel rewards cards. Campground membership cards and other store reward cards have their own pockets as well. This is a great way to organize without going through a wallet or purse looking for a particular card. Organizing an RV trip notebook (or any other type of trip) serves as a guide and helps keep our trips organized. It also gives us something to look back on long after a trip is over, kind of like a memory book. Our next meeting is Fri., Sept. 9 at 3 pm in the Arts & Crafts Room. Some of our notebooks will be on display. Stop by and say hello to some of the friendliest people who inhabit Soleraland. ~ Ron Monroe, (909) 732-6139

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