Let's Resurrect a Old Tradition

Whenever our family took vacations, it went without saying that some time would be spent on picking out postcards, deciding which is best for each recipient, addressing them to family and friends then buying postcard stamps, somewhat cheaper than letter stamps, and mailing them off in enough time for them to be received before our vacation ended. 

While postcards themselves still exist, their store display is usually dusty and the cards tend to be curved on the edges from advanced age.  My kids don't even know what a postcard is.  But the tradition was so much a part of travel that it's sad for me to see it fall into disuse.

But, thankfully, "THERE'S AN APPS FOR THAT."

There are some apps that carry the tradition to it's full original intent.  These take YOUR phone or tablet photos into purely personalized postcards that can be sent nationally or internationally for about $.99 to $2.00 each on professional glossy paper.  Real nice touch.

Alas, snail mail is NOT my passion.  Haven't sent an actual letter or postcard in as long as I can remember. But I love to communicate and keep up and remember my loved ones while I'm away on travels so this app, POSTCARD is perfect for me.  This handy application for travelers, helps you share the exciting moments of your travels with friends on the internet.  You create and personalize your postcard with weather and GPS locator details.  You can even include a QR (quick response ) code with more info about your location.

Here's a list of the features:

QR Code

- Lots of image filter
- add Sticker
- add Text Art
- add note/memo
- Customize stamp
- real QR code location
- Share to any social networking like facebook, instagram, WhatApps, Line , etc (yay!)
and more ....

Instructions:

This app is photo editor app that turn your photo to postcard and can share to any application install on your device base Intent share
Instruction
1. Take photo using camera or use photos from image gallery.
2. Adjust image filter by tab on horizontal list below image view
3. Add memo/note by should on " icon, here you can change font as you what.
4. Add sticker by tab on smiley icon and choose sticker
5. To transform you can tab on sticker drag, fling, rotate, zoom.
6. Add Text Art by tab on A icon modified text, theme ,color, font, size, angle as you want.
7. Switch to filter mode by tab on empty area on image view.
8. Change stamp and airmail location by tab on stamp

Android Google Play Download Link

I looked on itunes for a comparable  app download link and found several apps where you could have your designed postcard physically sent for a small fee.  Here's an ios download link for one of those, called Touchnote. But I liked this one because you could share it online, no postage required.

 If you find a comparable app on itunes, feel free to share the link in the comments.

Have fun with this DIY postcard app.

Teri Blaschke is the RV Park operator of family owned HiddenValley RV Park in San Antonio, TX and writer of the park blog “A Little Piece of Country in San Antonio.” Teri contributes to various other blogs with a focus on either travel or social media and how it relates to the outdoor hospitality industry but her passion is serving the RV travel community by providing a memorable RV camping experience and growing the Hidden Valley RV family.  Connect with us on Google+, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter@HiddenValleyRV

Real Men Use Maps

And evidently so do real women.  This new app, MAPLETS, boasts map downloads in the millions.  

Do you use Google Maps in your travels?  MAPLETS, compliments Google Maps with 10,000 offline maps in the US and worldwide including Yosemite, New York Subway, London Tube, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, State Parks, and more! 

 DESCRIPTION 

This is great for RVers because you can download maps when you have online access at your campsite so that when you are traveling and online access is not guaranteed, the maps can be at your fingertips.

There is an initial cost of $2.99 to download the app.  Then you can download and store maps of national parks, state parks, metro, subway, bike maps, ski resorts, college campuses, zoos, theme parks and more! Never a charge for any map downloads.

It was surprising to see that even campgrounds had their site maps in there.  One of the reviewers raved that they called to get a map they wanted into the app and within a week it was there.  (Think I'll call and submit Hidden Valley RV Parks site maps.) You can see a list of all available maps at http://www.mobilemaplets.com/places. Here are some examples: 

Download to Androids Here

Download to iOS Here

NATIONAL and STATE PARKS:

1000+ National and State Parks, including:
➔ Yosemite National Park
➔ Yellowstone National Park
➔ Grand Canyon National Park
... in fact, ALL the US National Parks, National Monuments, National Seashores are available
➔ State Parks in every state
➔ Local parks such as Central Park, Prospect Park, Griffith Park …

METRO and TRANSIT MAPS:

300+ Metro, Subway, Bus and Train system maps
➔ New York City Subway
➔ London Tube Map
➔ Paris Metro
➔ Washington Metro
➔ San Francisco Muni

➔ MARTA
➔ SEPTA
… and many more!

I've never even heard of many of these but it seems there is NO map unavailable.  

BIKE TRAILS MAPS:

500+ maps for bike routes, rail trails, ATV, OHV or snowmobiling, including:
➔ San Francisco Bike Map
➔ Portland Bike Maps
➔ St Louis Bike Map
➔ Washington DC Bike Map
➔ Many rail trail maps
… and much more!

And then there are SKI RESORTS, UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES, ZOOS, THEME PARKS … There are just too many maps to list!

F E A T U R E S

✔ Every map download is free, with a continually updated source of maps.
✔ Fast Display – Much faster than viewing the equivalent PDFs
✔ Once maps are downloaded, they are stored on the device for quick access even if you have slow or no internet connection at the location.
✔ GPS location for supported maps (see website for complete list)
✔ The app remembers the last map you used and what you were looking at
✔ Notification of new map updates
✔ Hotlinks to get up-to-date information such as weather, snow report. Requires live internet connection.

Download to Androids Here

Download to iOS Here

Check out the app description pages available at the download links above to view the many reviews, mostly 4 or 5 stars.  I was impressed.  

Any travel apps that you can't live without?  Please share them in the comments.

Teri Blaschke is the RV Park operator of family owned HiddenValley RV Park in San Antonio, TX and writer of the park blog “A Little Piece of Country in San Antonio.” Teri contributes to various other blogs with a focus on either travel or social media and how it relates to the outdoor hospitality industry but her passion is serving the RV travel community by providing a memorable RV camping experience and growing the Hidden Valley RV family.  Connect with us on Google+, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter@HiddenValleyRV

     

Do You Have Discerning Tastes in RV Sites?

I know you do.  Whether you plan your RV destinations way ahead of time or like to travel and choose your RV parking space on the spur of the moment, this app is on the top of my list for ease and convenience.  Just so happens that the NY Times reviewed this app as "For those with more discerning tastes in campsites & RV spots."  (GooglePlay site) That would be all of us, right? (TeeHee.)

The Benefits 

 

The Camp and RV app is available on both the iOS and Android platforms for a one time fee of $9.99.  Don't always have internet on the road?  "Camp and RV" is available both with or without internet so, no worries.

"Camp and RV" shows tent sites, RV Parks, parking lots, fuel and rest areas and repairs.  Especially helpful are the reviews.  Got an over-sized rig?  Search your route for low bridges and inclines.  A built in GPS can even check the weather where you're going.  The app will also filter your available choices by the amenities you prefer.

Currently, the apps boast almost 25,000 campgrounds including private, state and county parks, city parks, military parks and more. They plan even more additions that will update like any other app on your mobile device. 

Get Them Here

Both of these are easily downloaded by an app search on your mobile phone or you can download it from these two links

For Android (GooglePlay)

For iPhones and iPads (iTunes preview-click on view on iTunes)

While you check out these links note the exemplary reviews for this app. Both full timers and Weekend Warriors gave it a thumbs up.  There are lots of directory apps for less and even free but this one goes the extra mile in providing the info we need when we're on the road or preparing for a road trip.  Just in case you're wondering, Hidden Valley RV is on there, just waiting for your visit.

What about you? 

Are there any travel apps that you can't live without?  Let us know in the comments below.

Teri Blaschke is the RV Park operator of family owned HiddenValley RV Park in San Antonio, TX and writer of the park blog “A Little Piece of Country in San Antonio.” Teri contributes to various other blogs with a focus on either travel or social media and how it relates to the outdoor hospitality industry but her passion is serving the RV travel community by providing a memorable RV camping experience and growing the Hidden Valley RV family.  Connect with us on Google+, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter@HiddenValleyRV