Fuel prices...

 
I had a private message about fuel prices along our route.  The least expensive fuel was in Texas and Oklahoma ($3.79-$3.99) for diesel.  The prices hung in around $3.99 until we reached the Black Hills in western South Dakota (where they are always higher)... then add in another 10¢ per gallon as you head west across Montana, Idaho, and Washington.  We paid $4.32 at our last fuel up in central WA.  A wide variety in unleaded prices, but we didn't pay that close attention, since it's not what we use when on the road.

We tend to frequent Flying Js because they have RV lanes; a loyalty card with them gives you a 3¢ per gallon discount off the cash price, even if you pay with a credit card.  Sometimes we have no choice but to use the big truck lanes, but almost always means two trips to the fuel desk and standing in lines to pay for the fuel.

RV parks along the way were pretty inexpensive; we try to stay at Passport America parks when convenient, which cuts the usual price ($25 - $40) in half.  The boat is an adequate "RV", but you really can't use all the water systems in the boat when on land.  That means trips to the campground showers... not our favorite, but it becomes a "rating game" along the way... "Yeah, those showers were really nice!"... which beats the heck out of, "Oh, that was nasty." ;-)  It usually isn't a matter of clean, but convenience: water saver shower heads that barely give enough flow or no hooks to hang your towel and clothes.  We'll be glad to be able to use the shower in the boat, or have the option of the marina showers.

Generally when cruising, we divide our overnights between anchoring out and staying in a marina.  This summer, the marina nights are going to far outnumber the nights on the hook.

After the long drive, we are just looking forward to settling in. :-)