I recently presented my Boondocking 101 seminar at the Seattle RV Show.
One topic that came up a couple of times was staying connected in the boondocks which is something I never thought to include in the seminar. It seems that many of us in the over fifty crowd are interested in the current and emerging communication technologies, but reluctant to take the next step. 

Obviously cell phones are an invaluable asset to an active RVer and carried by all, but as we become more dependent on the internet the question arises on the best way to get online while living the nomadic lifestyle called boondocking. My wife and I recently added email capability to our cell phones for a modest fee, but choose not to include full internet access due to the monthly cost. Currently, prior to departing on an extended boondocking trip, my wife records the locations of all the known public hot spots along our route. McDonalds, libraries, and community colleges are just a few of the places where a free wireless internet signal can be secured. Since we move frequently from one boondocking spot to another, we typically can secure an internet signal every 4 to 7 days allowing us to pay bills, send files, etc. When we are boondocking and need information that we would normally access via the internet, say like the weather prior to exploring a slot canyon, I email my daughter who looks up the information online and sends it to me as an email. However, as our dependency on the internet grows even more, I can foresee the need for ready internet access while boondocking. My thought here is to find a cell phone provider that offers internet service that can be turned on when we are on the road and turned off when we are home. In addition, I think I would like a cell phone that provides a mobile hot spot allowing my wife and I to access the internet via our laptops saving us from squinting at the tiny cell phone screen. When we make the upgrade, I will share the information. All in all, I can’t think of a better time in the history of RVing to be boondocking. Staying in the sticks and staying connected one the best adventures in RVing!