Texas Boondock? Go One Better

It's not always easy finding just the right boondocking locale in Texas--a lot of the land is tied up in private holdings. There is a (not so?) secret way you can take advantage of that warm winter Texas climate and still have access to some of the "purty-est" places in all of the Lone Star State: Be a campground host.

Texas State Parks dot the entire state, and the system needs camp hosts. Hosts typically volunteer 25 hours a week to caring for the needs of campground visitors in exchange for a camp site, most all with full utility hookups. Other folks find their niche doing office work or interpretive duties. All in all, it's a rewarding way to see this big state. Visit this site for more information.

Couple Finds Peace & Quiet In Wildlife Refuge Host Job

Well--it's almost RV boondocking: They do have a sewer hookup, but out in the "boonies" of Alabama's Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, it's about as different as "city RVing" as you can get. "They" are Lee and Judy Bransford, your typical fulltimers from Anywhere, USA.

The Bransfords are like many folks who exchange a few hours of work--in their case a 24-hour week--for a free RV site with great views. When these leaves come off these trees, it's going to be beautiful," Judy Bransford said. The Bransfords are volunteering a 3-month stint at the refuge, and from there, they'll be back on the road again.

Ever wondered what it would be like to take a "host assignment"? Check out the comments of these hosting first-timers in the story in the Decatur Daily News.