Just like any other city that you're visiting for the first time, making the most of a stay in Zanzibar requires considerable pre-planning. For us, we started with a planned 8-day safari on the mainland of Tanzania scheduled for August of 2020. Due to pandemic uncertainties, we postponed our travels for three consecutive years - giving us even more time to plan! The company with whom we arranged our safari offered supplemental add-on packages, however we opted to plan our stay in the Spice Islands on our own.After many hours of research, we created our "must-do" list which included the UNESCO World Heritage Site Stone Town, the Darajani Market, Prison Island, Jozani Forest and a sunset sail on a dhow boat. Although we usually prefer to explore DIY style, during the course of my research, something drew me to In Zanzibar by Aiysha, a highly recommended local Zanzibar tour guide. I reached out to Aiysha Mohammed, shared my ideas and asked for recommendations. Following our correspondence, we decided that we had the time to add some additional destinations including a visit to a spice farm with a cooking class plus some time either at a beach or on a snorkeling excursion in Menai Bay.In this article we start with a brief history of Zanzibar before revealing our top seven recommended sites to see for those with only four days in the archipelago. After helpful information on guided tours with In Zanzibar by Aiysha, we wrap up with more tips for planning a visit to the Spice Islands including how to get around Zanzibar and important money matters. You'll leave with plenty of ideas for what to do...
After two visits (plus a third stay at the property prior to a recent ownership change), it just makes sense to share our camping experiences on Galveston Island. From our home near Austin, we can drive to Galveston, Texas in under five hours - even when pulling our travel trailer. Once at Galveston Island KOA Holiday, it's a chance to enjoy resort style amenities before capping the day off with beautiful evening sunsets. With a swimming pool, hot tub and our favorite amenity, the Lazy River, it's the perfect place to fill your time with rest and relaxation. (Isn't that what RV resorts are meant for?) Plus, the sand and water of Galveston Beach is walking distance from the campground.If you've never been to Galveston, this article will provide you with a brief introduction to this coastal community located on the Gulf of Mexico. You'll find a little history followed by a taste of what draws visitors to the island - it's not just the beach!For those who are not regulars at KOA Campgrounds, we've also included an introduction to KOA Rewards, the loyalty program that we joined less than 2 1/2 years ago. (In that time, we have saved over $250.00 at KOA campgrounds.)This quick read will let you know all about the campground (campsites, amenities and our pick of the best sites). You'll leave knowing what you can expect during a stay at this KOA Holiday.
No matter where in the world you live, either you or others around you have heard of the Stonehenge monument located just outside of Salisbury, England. But, did you know that people also head to Ingram, Texas or Alliance, Nebraska to see man-made circles that have a likeness to Stonehenge? Similar to many other famous monuments, sculptures and statues, there are Stonehenge replicas in destinations all around the world. Throughout our years of traveling, we've visited five of the replicas (so far), with hopes to add more to our list (and to this article) in the years to come. We've seen some while camping in our RV, some on day trips and even one during a week at the beach.Some of the replicas have catchy names (Carhenge and Bamahenge) while the names of others are more similar to the original (Kentucky Stonehenge and Stonehenge II). There's a replica on the lawn of a former mayor's estate in Munfordville, Kentucky and one on a road leading to a marina in Elberta, Alabama. There's even one on the campus of Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, Missouri (UM-Rolla Stonehenge). There are plenty of differences between the replicas and the real deal, but one thing that is certain is that each of the replicas has a truly unique history and backstory.Whether or not you've traveled to the United Kingdom to see the real deal, the replicas are worth a visit. While I personally wouldn't plan a road trip for the sole purpose of exploring a Stonehenge replica, if one was not too far off of my planned route, I would definitely take a detour. Possibly a stop at one of these replicas will satisfy your wanderlust -...
...
Although we had a rather odd way of selecting Orange Beach, Alabama as one of our vacation destinations, we are so happy that we had a chance to explore the city and surrounding area. Located on the Gulf Coast, both Orange Beach and Gulf Shores are only an hours drive from Pensacola International Airport. Add a couple of stops to see the Dinosaurs in the Woods and Bamahenge at Barber Marina in Elberta and you can still do the drive in about 1 1/2 hours (excluding the time you spend out of the car).With the powdery white sand on the shores plus the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico, beach days in southern Alabama are very popular. If you are wondering what to do in Orange Beach if you don't want to spend all of your vacation hours at the beach, we did lots of research and packed in as much as we could in just five days. Saving some time for relaxation, we share our favorites in this article.History lovers won't want to miss exploring Fort Morgan and outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy spending time at Gulf State Park. Add in at least one breakfast at Cafe Beignet and an evening night out at The Wharf, and everyone will be smiling. Plus, you'll find that most of the people that you meet will be dripping with the southern hospitality for which this part of the country is known!
Since retiring, it seems that every year brings something unique when it comes to travel - for us, at least. Whether it is taking advantage of amazing deals on cruises or flights, traveling to destinations chosen by friends or family, pandemic restrictions, buying an RV or exploring our home country on extended RV vacations, there is always something unprecedented that impacts when and where we travel. This year, we threw our purchase of a vacation condo into the mix.We logged the fewest number of camping nights of any full calendar year since purchasing our RV 5 1/2 years ago. We only camped for a total of 28 nights during 2022, and the price of fuel impacted the distances that we towed "RV There Yet?". As the year wrapped up, it was only in our home state of Texas plus Florida and Louisiana where we camped overnight.After over two years of cancellations and significant travel restrictions due to the pandemic, we finally felt comfortable adding European travel back into our schedule. It felt really good to spend a week exploring Italy on our own followed by back-to-back cruises with port days in Cyprus, Israel, Greece, Spain and Portugal.Being able to travel further didn't put a stop on Caribbean travel for the two of us. Between cruise travel and staying at an all-inclusive resort, we enjoyed time on the islands of Puerto Rico, Antigua, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, St. Kitts, St. Lucia and the US Virgin Islands.We rounded out our 2022 travels with beach days in Alabama and Hawaii plus time with family in Missouri and Kansas. A little math tells us that,...
We are slowly making our way to each of the 88 Texas State Parks. Our most recent stay, at McKinney Falls State Park, was actually our third visit to the park that is located right inside our home city of Austin. Those who have visited the park are most likely to remark about the Upper Falls or Lower Falls (or both). Although the two waterfalls are not the most majestic, they are memorable because of the access to the two popular Central Texas Swimming Holes that they provide.The park is home to parts of both Onion Creek and Williamson Creek, but it's not just water activities that lure visitors. Learning some of the park's history and seeing nature in action help to make any visit unforgettable. Depending on the season, visitors to McKinney Falls can be found camping, hiking (on traditional trails or across limestone cliffs), biking, swimming, floating and fishing. Like most state park campgrounds, campsites are spacious and surrounded by trees. ...
The high summer temperatures surrounding our Austin area home were becoming unbearable. We were longing for a place to go where we could beat the summer heat. A quick Google search for "Central Texas RV Parks with Lazy Rivers" found Lost Lagoon RV Resort in the city of El Campo. Online it looked like the perfect resort for a camping (or more like a "glamping") getaway. Our week long stay inspired us to learn some of the property's history, but experiencing the amenities firsthand is something we already know we want to do again.With a swimming pool, lazy river, Wibit Sports Park, fishing, dining options and entertainment, there's no doubt that families will enjoy fun in the sun at the resort. But Lost Lagoon is not just a destination to add to a list of family friendly RV parks. Snowbirds looking for a winter retreat in the south will love the activities ... as well as the hot tub and fire pit. Even those without an RV are sure to find that one of the many vacation rentals will be perfect for a family gathering or trip with friends.
Since December of 2019, we've had the opportunity to spend anywhere from 6 to 11 nights at three different Bahia Principe Luxury resorts. We've visited on our own, met up with another couple and even traveled as part of a group of six adults. Our first stay, at Jamaica's Bahia Principe Luxury Runaway Bay, was "pre-Covid", and our last three stays were at different phases during the pandemic:...
After nearly four months without taking our travel trailer on the road, we made plans to meet friends for a two-day RV trip in our home state of Texas. Our friends had reserved a campsite at Guadalupe River State Park. Luckily, we were able to find a nearby site so that we could all conveniently visit during our camping getaway.Located in Spring Branch between Austin and San Antonio, the state park and campground is very popular because of its namesake, the Guadalupe River. Swimmers, rafters and river floaters in Central Texas flock to this area during the late spring and summer months. The miles of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails are an indication that there is more to the state park than just the river.Don't miss this quick read which will help you visualize some of what you can expect to see and do during a stay at Guadalupe River State Park. We also provide you with a brief introduction to the Texas State Parks Pass. You'll find a link to more information about being a pass holder - perfect for helping you decide whether purchasing a pass makes sense for you!
Over the past 12+ years, we've spent multiple days docked at Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands. During our port days, we've experienced both do-it-yourself exploring and organized shore excursions. Our most recent two visits to the USVI were aboard the Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas and the Norwegian Dawn.Although we usually prefer DIY options, our 35+ cruises together have taught us to keep an open mind when searching for the best way to spend our day. If you are planning for an Eastern Caribbean cruise with a day in St. Thomas, this article will give you three options for optimizing your day in port:...
One of our retirement goals has been to purchase a beach condo with a great view of the ocean. We dreamt and talked about it for quite a while, and earlier this year we finally took the plunge! Located on the Gulf Coast, the Florida Panhandle is known for having a white sand beach that everyone (including us) falls in love with. After researching and visiting destinations along the stretch of beach known as the Emerald Coast, we settled on Panama City Beach.Since 2015, we have stayed in vacation rental properties all around the world. We've enjoyed meeting people and having a lodging experience that is different from a traditional hotel stay. In addition to sharing our vacation home with friends and family, we've also decided to offer it to families using VRBO to plan their next coastal getaway. Continue on to find out more about why we chose Laketown Wharf Resort as well as to read about (and see photos of) all that we did after closing on our condo purchase. After 2+ months spent on upgrades and remodeling, we are now proud to welcome visitors to Sky High Beach Vibes!
The Dominican Republic has long been a popular Caribbean destination for all-inclusive resort goers as well as cruise ship travelers. While Punta Cana and Santo Domingo are among the most popular for visitors flying into the country, Puerto Plata ranks as the country's busiest entry port for cruisers.Prior to docking for our single day in the city, we had no knowledge of what to expect and no plans for what to see or do. All we knew is that we would adventure out for the day on our own. The bad news about our lack of preparation is that we missed out on exploring some sites because we didn't even know that they existed. The good news for you is that we have since done the research that we should have done before our arrival. We'll share both our learnings coupled with our experience and recommendations in this article so that you can fully plan and prepare!We were quite impressed with Puerto Plata and are already hoping to return again. The city is full of choices for travelers with all interests. Whether you are hoping for relaxing day at a beach resort, shopping, exploring historical sites, strolling along the water's edge, bonding with monkeys or admiring panoramic views, read on to create your plans so that you can make the most of a port day in Puerto Plata.
If you watch the news, you've probably heard at least one story about cruises being cancelled, ports being closed or an "outbreak" among cruise ship passengers. But, did you get the whole story or a sensationalized "made for television ratings" version?Along with just over 6,000 passengers and crew members, we sailed on Symphony of the Seas from December 11 - 18, 2021. This Royal Caribbean ship departed from Miami, Florida and sailed to destinations in the Eastern Caribbean. In addition to three sea days and one Perfect Day at CocoCay (Bahamas), the ship docked for one day each at Philipsburg, St. Maarten and Charlotte-Amalie, USVI.If you aren't sure whether cruising during the current environment is right for you, this article will help answer your questions. Along with photos from our week on board the ship (dining, entertainment and more) plus our days on the three islands, we'll share the positives and negatives that any cruiser should be prepared for during these rather unusual...
Getting ready to cruise these days is quite different than in the days prior to the global pandemic. If you aren't sure whether cruising during the current environment is right for you, this two-part article will help answer your questions. Along with just over 6,000 passengers and crew, we sailed aboard Symphony of the Seas from December 11 - 18, 2021. This Royal Caribbean ship departed from Miami, Florida and sailed to destinations in the Eastern Caribbean. Part 1 of this series takes a look at who should (and should not) consider a cruise vacation during these rather uncertain times. We also explore changes to cruise cancellation policies as well as current health and safety standards including vaccination, testing and mask requirements of passengers. In addition to our experience with a cabin upgrade bid, we'll give you an overview of changes to both checking in for cruises as well as boarding cruise ships. Before wrapping up this first part of the series, we let you know what to expect before the ship actually sails away from the port.
Caribbean ports are popular with cruisers from around the world. Today, there are a number of cruise line private islands - destinations visited exclusively by cruise ship passengers. While many cruise lines have their own private island, Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay is in a class by itself. The island chain of the Bahamas is renowned for its pink and white sandy beaches surrounded by clear water. In recent years, the island known as Little Stirrup Cay has been transformed by Royal Caribbean. The cruise line has designed a place abundant with amenities and many complimentary activities. Read on to see what's different about CocoCay and start planning YOUR Perfect Day at CocoCay!
As another year fades into the sunset, it's always fun to reflect back on the year that was. Airplane and cruise ship travel is still not as easy as it has been, and many popular tourist destinations have reduced opening schedules and increased safety protocols in place. Even so, we ended 2021, our sixth year as retirees, with quite an impressive number of days away from home during the time that we spent exploring parts of five countries!We continued to put our RV to good use - in fact, we logged the most miles towing in a single year since we purchased "RV There Yet?" in 2017! It has been wonderful to not have to worry about social distancing as our home on wheels gives us a place to eat, sleep and retreat to wherever we happen to be. We started and ended the year on RV vacations in Florida plus visited parts of 18 states (including our home state of Texas) with our RV in tow.With so much of our travel being within the domestic United States, we put much of our emphasis on exploring some of the country's national parks that we hadn't previously visited. In addition to flying to get to a few of California's national parks, we made it to others in Florida, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia while pulling our RV. Our road trips took us to so much more than national parks - we hiked, saw family, explored cities, historical sites, state parks, movie sites and other other National Park Service sites in Georgia, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma and Wisconsin.We...
The white sands and blue Caribbean waters for which the Riviera Maya is known make an ideal setting for a beach vacation. Qunitana Roo, the state in Mexico that is probably best known for tourism, is bounded by Cancun in the north and Tulum on the south. Bahia Principe Luxury Akumal is one of four resort destinations that, together, form an amazing complex within the state. This all inclusive resort on the Yucatan Peninsula can be a relaxing adults only escape or a fun filled family vacation with the...
The white sands and blue Caribbean waters for which the Riviera Maya is known make an ideal setting for a beach vacation. Qunitana Roo, the state in Mexico that is probably best known for tourism, is bounded by Cancun in the north and Tulum on the south. Bahia Principe Luxury Akumal is one of four resort destinations that, together, form an amazing complex within the state. This all inclusive resort on the Yucatan Peninsula can be a relaxing adults only escape or a fun filled family vacation with the...
The pandemic has prompted us to adjust our travel style. We had plans for an African safari in 2020 which was postponed until 2021. Earlier this year, we made the difficult decision to push our travel date out another year. We are now hoping to be able to safely visit Africa in 2022.This major change allowed us to plan yet another longer RV adventure in our home country. We loved last summer's camping journey to national parks within the United States, so we knew we would enjoy exploring more of America's natural beauty. What started as a tentative plan to spend up to 3 months away from home turned into a 4 month long road trip. From our home state of Texas, we started by traveling north through Oklahoma, Missouri and Illinois. Driving further east, we made our way into Kentucky, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland. From there, we began heading toward Minnesota, passing through Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Michigan on our way north. We rounded out our loop with stops in Wisconsin and Iowa before repeat states on our return to Texas. We actually camped in 11 of these 15 states for the first time!We spent an extended period of time exploring 2 of the nation's 3 newest national parks - Indiana Dunes and New River Gorge. Although much shorter, our day trips through Mammoth Cave and Shenandoah gave us a desire to return. We found our way to 2 of the more remote national parks in the lower 48 - Isle Royale and Voyageurs. We even made encore visits to both Gateway Arch and Great Smoky Mountains National...
Visiting so many of America's national parks gives a person increased appreciation for nature. A day at Badlands National Park in South Dakota is no exception. The park's headquarters are located in the city of Interior, however entrances to the park are within a 2 hour drive of other southwest South Dakota cities including Wall, Rapid City, Keystone and Sturgis. Whether your preference is camping or finding more traditional lodging, you'll want to plan a minimum of two nights in order to make the most of our recommended one-day itinerary.With over a dozen panoramic viewpoints, the park is probably best known for scenic drives along Badlands Loop Road and Sage Creek Rim Road, both in the North Unit. Many of the park's most popular hiking trails are found in the Cedar Pass Area. Although wildlife may be seen roaming in any of the park's 244,000 acres, time in the Badlands Wilderness Area almost always guarantees seeing at least the largest and smallest of the animals who call the park home. There's also the more remote Stronghold Unit and Palmer Creek Unit - neither of which have traditional roads or hiking trails!Whether your preference is adventure travel, accessible travel or something in between, the striking natural beauty of the park will have you craving more time. Fortunately, the park is not as crowded as some other parks within the national park system. From sunrise to sunset, and every minute in between, the Badlands is one of those destinations that will not disappoint!
We have relatives and friends that have stayed in almost total isolation during the pandemic - but that's not us. We have other friends and relatives who have been acting like there is zero risk for contracting COVID - that's not us either. Following the "stay home, stay safe, shelter in place order" issued by our local government between March 25 and April 30, 2020, we realized that we needed to get on with life - but safely! After all, we retired nearly six years ago so that we could see the world.We tried to support local businesses as they began to open in the spring of 2020 - always trying to be careful. We wore our face masks inside stores, restaurants, etc. as requested. Beginning in late spring, we started traveling again in our RV. We began with a week long stay at a resort in Galveston which we extended by an additional four days in Rockport, Texas. In early July, we departed on an RV journey which ended up being two months long taking us to, among other places, South Dakota and Colorado. After a short stay at home, we spent five weeks in the southwest US which wrapped up just before Halloween of 2020. Finally, in late-November, we embarked on a road trip through the southeastern states that kept us away from home until mid-February 2021. Throughout all of this traveling, we were able to enjoy the great outdoors (mostly socially distant from others and therefore mask-free). We ate an occasional meal out at a restaurant, but more frequently shopped for groceries and cooked our own meals. Our Caribbean escape involved so many firsts for the two of us:...
When we purchased our RV a few years back, we planned to travel all around the country in our effort to see "everywhere" in the United States. We have loved seeing the many wonderful natural sites around our home country. We actually thought that we would boondock more than we have. We've ended up gravitating to state parks, Corp of Engineer parks and, more recently, RV parks and resorts. After over four years and countless hours inside our RV, we've learned a thing or two about leveling. The most surprising thing that we've learned is that most sites are not very level! You would think that, especially in RV parks, the sites would be level. Well, we've been through lots of places in the midwest, southwest and southeast. Some sites are definitely better than others, but you can't rely on arriving to a level site.We've taken the lazy route on many occasions and decided not to level the RV, but we've also learned (the hard way), what the consequences can be. (Can you say water pouring inside?). In this article, I'll share everything that I've learned about leveling a travel trailer - including why it should be level. Hopefully, you'll find some information that will help you to level your RV hassle-free so that you can enjoy your RVing experience even more.
From KOA to Good Sam and Harvest Hosts to Passport America, there are so many choices when it comes to discount camping clubs. With all of the options advertised to save money on camping fees, each with different "rules", it can be hard to decide which (and how many) memberships to purchase based on your RVing or camping style. If you have thought about becoming a Good Sam member, this article will help to answer your questions about whether or not it will be a good investment.After a summary of the cost and benefits, we provide an overview of how to use Good Sam to take advantage of camping discounts and more in the United States and Canada. We even include an actual cost vs. benefit analysis from our experience after just one year as Good Sam members. You'll be able to see which campgrounds, RV parks and RV resorts we stayed at with our membership as well as how much money we saved. Before we wrap up with our "Is Good Sam worth it?" verdict, we also reveal the positives and negatives of being a member - plus what we missed out on during our years without a membership!
There's so much to see and do in the Badlands Region of South Dakota, yet most travelers have limited vacation days. When it comes to campgrounds and RV parks, finding the perfect spot helps to make the best use of the precious time that you do have away from home. Sleepy Hollow Campground and RV Park was our choice, and a great one it was. If you have a Good Sam membership, taking advantage of it will even save you a few bucks!Located in the city of Wall, just steps away from the renowned Wall Drug, Sleepy Hollow provides easy access to the sites you'll want to see. The Pinnacles Entrance Station at Badlands National Park is less than 10 miles away. Plus, all three of the sites which make up the Minuteman Missile NHS are within a 20 minute drive. Although Ichabod Crane disappeared without the girl in the "Legend of Sleepy Hollow", you are sure to leave Sleepy Hollow Campground with memories that will last a life time!
There's more to the Badlands Region of South Dakota than just the unique landscape found in the national park. The city of Wall, home of the famous Wall Drug, is an excellent home base for exploring the area. Those who plan on camping can reserve a spot at Sleepy Hollow Campground. If you prefer more traditional lodging, the city has options as well.The three destinations which make up the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site are all interesting and educational experiences. Although a short commute is required between the three sites, each is in close proximity to a national park entrance. Delta-09 is nearest to the city of Wall and the northwest entrance to the park. Delta-01 and the Visitor Center are both a short distance from the park's northeast entrance.The North Unit of Badlands National Park is home to the most popular and most accessible areas within the park. Sage Creek Rim Road and Badlands Loop Road are two distinctly different but very enjoyable scenic drives. Both the Badlands Wilderness Area and Cedar Pass Area have scenic overlooks, wandering wildlife and a variety of hiking opportunities.After a brief introduction to the city of Wall, we'll provide some hints on what to see and do at Wall Drug and the Minuteman Missile sites. Before sharing a sample two-day itinerary which includes the best of the region's attractions, we share the high points of any visit to Badlands National Park.
Especially during the summer months, visitors from all around the world head for the hills. In addition to camping and hiking, the most adventurous of travelers participate in active or extreme sports. Whether it's the Northern or Southern Hills, even those less adventurous will love their time in the Black Hills!Our search for campgrounds near Sturgis found Sacora Station RV Park and Campground. Located just 15 miles from downtown Sturgis, the city of Piedmont, South Dakota is a good place for lodging when exploring the Northern Black Hills. Depending on the dates of your visit, if you are a Passport America member, you may even qualify for a discount.Before making a reservation, be sure to read about our three night experience at Sacora Station. In this article you'll find an overview of the campground and amenities. We also share details on the park's pluses and minuses from our perspective. If you do decide to reserve a spot, you'll also find our favorite campsites at Sacora Station as well as why we liked them. If they are available, you may be able to make a request!
The Black Hills of South Dakota are a bucket list item for many US residents as well as international tourists. If "The Hills" are on your radar, don't miss our sample itinerary for ideas to help with planning your visit to the Northern Black Hills. After several fun filled days, you'll probably leave with a yearning to return once again just as we did.Whether your stay is part of a camping or road trip, or a vacation destination in itself, Sturgis and the nearby area is a central location to find lodging. You can easily wander around the city, home to the famous rally that officially celebrated 80 years in 2020. Day trips will have you discovering the indoor entertainment, outdoor activities, history and scenery of your surroundings. From Belle Fourche, the geographic center of the USA in the north, to Rapid City, about 60 miles south, the "Northern Hills" have something for everyone. Get a glimpse into the "Wild West" in the town of Deadwood or at Fort Hays Old West Town where a Chuckwagon Dinner Show will have you singing along well into the evening. Explore the result of millions of years of history in the Petrified Forest and the more recent history of Fort Meade. Do something totally different by paying a visit to the Termesphere Gallery for a peek at art like you've never seen before. Find yourself surrounded by the walls of a canyon as you drive beside a flowing river, stop for waterfall hikes and take in the amazing scenery along the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway. No Black Hills adventure is complete without driving further west into the neighboring state of Wyoming where you can hike around...
Are you completely happy with how well your RV black tank empties when dumping? Have you had success with really inspecting your black tank? In my experience, the tank doesn't empty as well as I would like. At times, I've looked into the toilet hole and have noticed that there is still water in the tank, even after dumping. On other occasions, I've grabbed a flashlight to look into the toilet and have clearly seen toilet paper and other solids remaining. I label these issues "black tank trouble"!Off the shelf camping or RVing products like the Valterra Master Blaster Tank Wand and the Camco Rhino Blaster are great tools to have in an RV. Since I wanted something more, I brainstormed solutions for how to see inside an RV black tank and how to completely empty an RV black tank. I finally came up with a hack - building a "Can Cam" or a camera for the can (aka toilet). Creating the Can Cam was pretty easy, and it's been the perfect way for me to see what's going on in my blank tank. Better yet, when I see something that I don't like, I can blast it outta there (all while watching it leave)!If you've had similar issues with your black tank, be sure to check out this article. I start with the steps that I took before creating my Can Cam. Then, I share a little about how I came up with the idea, the supplies that I used and how I built my Can Cam. Finally, I share how I first used the Can Cam, what it does, and how I've continued to use it. Any RVer who enjoys hacks or DIY projects will surely want a Can Cam for their RV!