There is nothing quite like the roar of engines echoing off the Alabama hills. For racing fans, a trip to Talladega Superspeedway is a pilgrimage. But how you experience that weekend depends entirely on where you stay.

Winter is knocking on the door here in North and Central Alabama. As the temperatures drop and the frost settles in, many of us start dreaming of salty air, milder breezes, and the Florida sunshine. You don't have to be from the frozen North to appreciate the "Snowbird" lifestyle; sometimes you just want to trade your winter coat for a light jacket and a view of the Gulf.

There is a certain romance to the idea of taking an RV off the beaten path. This is the allure of dry-camping, often called boondocking.

It is an incredible experience, but it is not for camping novices.

Here is what you need to know about the fun—and the limitations—of going off-grid.