Anyone use Harvest Hosts?

[ependydad]

I signed up for Harvest Hosts and plan on having my first overnight stay this weekend. The code of conduct says that it's proper to make a purchase to show appreciation. I'm good with that.

However, how much do you sort of strive to spend? I'm thinking up to about $15 but don't want to offend my hosts.

If you have stayed at a host, what have you spent on purchases?

[ependydad]

Good point, Chris. I didn't consider it free as there is an expectation of a purchase. It was the purchase amount that I was really curious about.

I stayed at a winery this past Saturday night- the "free" night ended up costing me $43. There was 2 wine tastings (and glasses) at $9 a piece (wife and I), then a $20 bottle of wine, and then $5 for a tip. We enjoyed the experience and found they were friendly to us having our kids with us (12 + 3). The lady pouring our flights of wines interacted with my son and made it fun for him. Afterwards, we walked the property a bit to get some exercise and the kids drove their R/C truck around. The cost was a bit steep for what I wanted to spend, but we're newbies to wine + tastings - I literally didn't know there was a cost associated with it.

I'd happily stay at a winery again... just not when the nighttime temps are going to be in the low 30s. Something's up with the camper as it pillaged my battery with running the heat.

[Chris_Bryant]

I really would not use Harvest Hosts simply as a free place to stay. It sounds like a wonderful program, but only if you enjoy wine/ fresh, organic food/ "agrarian lifestyle".
Just my opinion.

[ependydad]

That's the rub - we aren't wine drinkers. I had a flight of wines in Disney that I liked (think: sickeningly sweet), but I've never found others. So I am looking forward a bit to exploring that side of things.

We'll see - it seems there's no set limit and do what feels right. I have 2 lined up in the next couple of weeks- one a good ways off of the highway and the other pretty convenient. After that, it'll be a while until we an utilize them again.

[chris3403]

I love Harvest Hosts along with Boondockers. If I like HH's wines I buy 2-3 bottles. I love wine and I'm going to buy it somewhere, might as well be with them.
Earlier this summer we stayed for 4 nights on a HH farm up in Nova Scotia and only spent around $43 Canadian dollars in their farm market. Spectacular view.

[Hobo_X_2]

Been a member of Harvest Hosts since 2011. A great way to spend the night if your in between long term camping spots. We've stayed at wineries in Wisconsin, California, and New Mexico. A donkey rescue in Colorado, and an air museum in San Antonio. We always purchase something just to show gratitude for a quite night, away from Wal-Mart or Flying J's. At the winery in Wisconsin we were told that they leave at 5pm and don't open till 10am, and they we're not worried about us taking too many samples and driving. We were told to take a walk through their vineyards, pick some fruits and there is a place to get water if you need it. All the hosts have been super friendly. Look at it this way, when you stay at a campground/resort and leave you have a lighter wallet. Staying at a winery you can leave with extra bottles in the rig, depending on indulgence.;)

[CavemanCharlie]

Cool idea. None in may area though. Bummer.

Just about all the towns in my are with over 300 people in them will usually have a small RV park somewhere in town. It's another chance to stop, check out antique stores, small town restaurants, museums, even bars if you are so inclined, and other things like that.

Something else to think about if you like to camp in different types of places.

[FULLTIMEWANABE]

Harvest hosts is a wonderful concept and great for those that enjoy being more rustic. One thing to bear in mind though is that most are just for an overnight (occasionally they'll let you stay a couple of nights!), so unless the specific host is close to the route you are travelling to your ongoing destinations, it could work out rather expensive in time and fuel to deviate too far off. Just saying, as it's a comment others have made.

Another one that's worked out well for those that prefer to dry camp and particularly in areas where city ordinances don't allow one to ON in mall carparks, or in high demand/expensive locations, is Boondockers welcome. To that end anyone coming to Calgary area, we are 11 mins south on an acreage and we have plenty of room, no purchases necessary 🙂

[ependydad]

Trackrig wrote:
We've used Harvest Host and had a good enjoyable time. The last one was a very small vineyard in north central Washington.

They gave us a tour of their operation and our own private tasting. We enjoyed their wines and bought four bottles. I think $15 might be a little lite? It's more than staying in WalMart, but you aren't going to get as pleasant and private place to park your RV any place else.

Bill

Thanks, Bill. It felt light, but I wasn't sure. I also didn't want to spend a ton of money where I could just as well spend a bit more on an actual RV park.

[Trackrig]

We've used Harvest Host and had a good enjoyable time. The last one was a very small vineyard in north central Washington.

They gave us a tour of their operation and our own private tasting. We enjoyed their wines and bought four bottles. I think $15 might be a little lite? It's more than staying in WalMart, but you aren't going to get as pleasant and private place to park your RV any place else.

Bill

[ependydad]

Cool idea. We're looking at it as an alternative to Walmarts. We are scheduled on a cross country trip from San Diego to Florida and are striving to do it in 200-250 mile chunks - with that, it'd be way too early to stop at a Walmart.

I'm also hoping that the wineries/farms are going offer good roadschooling opportunities for the kids. There was a FAQ question about volunteering, and I thought the kids would get a kick out of it.

We'll see. 🙂

[TomHaycraft]

Don't have an answer to your question, but wanted to say "Thanks" for posting. I was unaware of the concept. As my wife and I consider our "post-retirement" years, a conundrum we have is access to the good fresh fruits and vegetables during extended periods on the road. While DW would enjoy the wineries, I know we would both appreciate the farms.

Thanks again, safe and happy New Year's!