San Rafael Valley, AZ ~~ Photo by Bill Haas

Thursday, July 21, 2011

HARVEST HOSTS

A little over a year ago, friend and fellow Lazy Dazer, Joan Taylor, introduced our RVing "cult" to a novel camping approach conceived by Don and Kim Greene, based on their RV travels throughout Europe:  cost-free overnighting at small wineries, ranches, orchards, working farms, etc.  
The Greenes' endeavor, Harvest Hosts, charges a nominal annual membership fee to RVers; the fee entitles RVing members to detailed regional listings from Alaska to Baja, California to Maine, of their Host Members -- those mostly-agricultural operations willing to allow (host) RVers to spend the night on their property free of charge.  However, like Walmarting, it's not actually "free" if travelers show their appreciation by purchasing the Host's offerings of wine, lavender, fruit and the like!!

Kelley Orchards in Weiser, Idaho recently hosted two of us in their lovely fruit orchards -- ever so much more quiet, green and peaceful than "pavement parking" when one is aiming for a distant destination down the road.  

For a unique going-down-the-road experience, Harvest Hosts is a highly recommended resource.  In addtion to the Greenes' website, there is a nice write up at "Rv.Net," and "Trailer Life Magazine" gave them a "shout-out" in their July issue.  (The article's superimposed [lame layout] photo of the Lazy Dazes was taken by yours truly while visiting Purple Haze Lavender Farm in Sequim, WA last year.)