RV Magazine 202102

Why You
Love RVing LET US

COUNT THE
WAYS
COOL GADGETS
AND GEAR TO SPICE
UP YOUR CAMPSITE.
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FEBRUARY 2021 | RV.COM

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Contents FEBRUARY 2021
Head Over Heels

After tying the knot, how about
taking a road trip for two in
your RV? It’s fun, affordable, and
allows you to create your own
dreamy adventure!
35 FEATURES
22 ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE . . .
AND AN RV!
Honeymooning in an RV is a great
Bet you can’t guess
the romantic retreat
where more than two
way to keep your passion for each thousand chickens can
other—and the outdoors—alive be found freely roaming
and well. the streets.
25 LOVE AT FIRST SITE

Can the spark of romance be found
at a campground? Discover these 35 SOAKING IN SPA CITY, USA
Come to relax in the soothing
East Coast RV resorts and destina- waters in Hot Springs, Arkansas,
tions with your sweetie to find out. and stay to explore the local shops
39 30 WILD FOR ALASKA

and rich history.
This couple spent their twentieth

wedding anniversary camping
and salmon fishing on the Kenai
39 SECRETS
UNCOVERING SEDONA’S
Pulse-pounding adventure and city

Peninsula for a thrilling once-in-a- convenience collide in this historic
lifetime adventure. Arizona town.
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RV MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2021 3

Contents FEBRUARY 2021
DEPARTMENTS 75
7 MESSAGE FROM MARCUS
Why Do You Love RVing?
Foodie
8 CAMP CUISINE
Chef Robert Irvine’s classic Surf + Turf
+ Chocolate Fondue Fruit Parfait =
the ultimate romantic meal for two.
10 LOCAL FLAVORS
Enjoy oysters by the Virginia seashore,
paired with a bright and bubbly Brüt.
11 #FLAGSHIP FEBRUARY:
A LOVE STORY
Raise a pint to celebrate the classic
craft beers that started it all.
14 EPICUREAN
A Swedish “recreational oven” and Enjoy the flexibility of folding trailers and
delicious lasagna recipe for your other compact RVs that are sure to bring a
kitchen on wheels. smile to your loved ones. Page 52
Camp Couture 50 BENTSEN PALM RV RESORT

This full-service campground in
15 GLAM SQUADS southern Texas is a nature lover’s
Two families personalize their RVs to paradise.
match their unique styles.
19 DREAMY BEDROOM ON A BUDGET

A weekend and less than a thousand
Rigs + Gear Life on the Road
51 ALL-ACCESS MOTORHOME
bucks are all that’s needed for this
Winnebago’s Inspire Class A features 69 PLAY PALS
amazing renovation.
wide aisles and a wheelchair lift. Your kids are sure to make friends at
the campground with these easy tips.
In the Know 52 COZY CAMPING
An assortment of the best trailers 75 PERFECT PLANNING FOR PETS’ SAKE!
44 THE KEY TO HAPPINESS and motorhomes designed for cou- The top ten reasons we love bringing
A busy wife and mom makes the ples and small families. four-legged family members along
most of her RVing family time. for the ride.
57 GREAT GEAR WE LOVE!
45 FOR THE LOVE OF THE OUTDOORS A dozen must-have products to 78 FUN + GAMES
Parks Project is working toward make you love your campsite experi- This month’s sweet crossword puzzle.
preserving our national parks for ence even more.
generations to come. 80 RVING COUPLES WHO SWEAT
62 LET’S GET HITCHED TOGETHER, STAY TOGETHER
Hooking up and towing a trailer is Simple hands-on advice that will keep
easier than you think. you in tune with your heart’s desire.
66 RV CAMPSITE SAFETY ESSENTIALS 82 SNAPSHOTS

Being prepared for most anything is Love, Mother Nature. Awe-inspiring
the smart way to go. views in Antelope Canyon, Arizona.
15 MORE ONLINE @ RV.COM

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servicing and care tips, reviews, and more.
4 RV MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2021

Progressive Casualty Ins. Co. & affiliates. Annual premium for a basic liability policy not available all states. Total Loss Replacement is available for new vehicles. *Available with comprehensive and collision coverage.
IT’S WILD OUT THERE.

When it gets too wild, we have
your RV covered. Basic plans
start at $125 a year with options
to add total loss replacement*.
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PUBLISHER, CEO, & CHAIRMAN
MARCUS LEMONIS
EDI T ORI A L
Editor-in-Chief Eileen Hubbard
Managing Editor Kristopher Bunker
Features Editor Donya Carlson
Art Director Rick Damien
Production Manager Kath Cunningham

Contributors
Stefany and James Adinaro, Rene Agredano,
Autumn Bailey, Kerri Cox, Ray Diehr, Ann Eichenmuller,
Emily and Mark Fagan, Chris Hemer, Robert Irvine,
Rachel Johnson, Micki Kahn, Lindsay and Derek Lane,
Jessica Lim, Alyssa Padgett, Erin Peters, Grant Puckett,
Bryanna and Craig Royal, Keith and Tia Sims,
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Scott Skaggs, E. Don Smith, Two Traveling Dogs,

Mandi and Mark Winland
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WELCOME
WHY DO YOU
LOVE RVING?
LET’S COUNT
THE WAYS
Have you always loved RVing? Or have you
recently rekindled the relationship? Perhaps you
just sparked it? Regardless of where you’re at, at
the end of the day RVing brings us freedom and
connection. Connection to family, to friends, to
ourselves and to Mother Nature. The freedom to
go anywhere at any time and take the comforts of
home with you. It keeps us centered, balanced, and
most importantly, safe.
As I write this, I feel full of hope in the months
ahead—stronger and healthier times for everyone.
Progress has been
made in these uncer-
tain times and we must
“This year is for close to my heart is Good Sam, whose motto is “Be Good.
Do Good.” Irrespective of if you’re a member or not (and
not lose sight of that. the campers, I think you should be), if we all live by this motto, we’ll
As I think about
what I’ve seen transpire
the travelers, make even more progress in the times ahead.
With that, let’s declare that this year is for our commu-
in our community of the families, nity. It’s for the explorers, ready for adventure. For the tail-
RVers it is astounding.
We’ve seen RV owners
the friends . . . gaters, excited to cheer on their teams again. For the work-
from-homers, needing an escape to the great outdoors. For
donate their RVs to the RVers.” the virtual learners, taking recess back outside . . .
frontline healthcare This year is for the campers, the travelers, the fami-
workers and people in quarantine to use so families can lies, the friends . . . the RVers.
stay safe. We’ve witnessed countless people in our com- To all of us—Be Good. Do Good. Stay safe.
munity donating time and money supporting causes that
support restaurants by providing meals for communities
in need. We’ve seen our community increase in sheer vol-
ume—26 percent of campers in 2020 were new to RVing
(source: gorving.com). Which means our community is Marcus Lemonis
growing and that is exciting! Publisher
One subset of the RV community that is especially @marcuslemonis

T
o me, there are few things that
scream romantic date more
than a night out at a cozy,
darkly lit steak house. You can bring
the steak house to your sweetheart
CHEF ROBERT IRVINE’S CAMP CUISINE this Valentine’s Day with this simple
surf-and-turf-for-two recipe. The key
SWEE T H EA R T
to elevating it from your usual grilling
is the melted garlic-and-herb butter,
which will deliver that authentic steak
house flavor. Pair with a bottle of your
SURF + TURF favorite wine; red or white, there’s
DINNER FOR 2
no wrong call here. Drink what you
like! Anyone who would tell you that
you did it wrong is way too stiff to be
eating dinner with. Finish it off with my
chocolate fondue and fruit parfaits and
you’ve got a meal that could outclass
any fancy restaurant. Why? Because
SERVES 2 PREP TIME 10–15 MINUTES COOK TIME 15 MINUTES you’re gonna make it with love—and
that always takes it further. Enjoy!
—ROBERT IRVINE

CHOCOLATE FONDUE
& FRUIT PARFAITS
SERVES 4 PREP TIME 10–15 MINUTES
COOK TIME 10 MINUTES
SEAL IT WITH A KISS
AND A GLASS OF You’ll Need
WINE WITH YOUR
• 16 large strawberries
SPECIAL SOMEONE
• 1 pint fresh blueberries
• 2 bananas, peeled and cut in half
• 2 cups Greek yogurt
• 2 cups watermelon, cut into large chunks
• (use any additional fruits desired, such as
pineapple, apples, pears)
• ¼ cup toasted sweetened coconut
• 2 cups granola
• 3 cups chocolate chips
• 1 cup milk
Make It!
1 Set up all the fruit and yogurt in small
You’ll Need bowls with spoons for self-serve.
• 1 stick butter • ½ lb large raw shrimp, 2 Set the grill to medium heat. In a sauce-
• 1 tsp onion powder cleaned pan, add the milk and bring to a simmer.
Turn off heat and add the chocolate chips.
• ½ tsp smoked paprika • 1 bunch fresh asparagus
Slowly mix with a whisk until it’s combined.
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh • 2 tbsp olive oil Move over the heat if the chocolate is
parsley • Salt and black pepper, melting slowly; be careful not to overheat
• 1 tbsp garlic, minced as needed the chocolate or the oils will separate.
• 1 large porterhouse • 4 bamboo skewers
steak (16 to 22 oz) 3 Once the fondue is ready, everyone can
make parfaits using the yogurt, granola,
and fruit and topping with the warm choc-
olate sauce. Finish with the coconut.
Make It!
1 Set the grill to medium-high 5 Season the skewered shrimp

heat. Presoak wood skewers and the fresh asparagus
in water so they don’t burn. with salt and pepper, and
drizzle the shrimp and as-
2 Skewer the shrimp and set paragus with oil. Grill both
aside. for 5 minutes until shrimp
are cooked through and
3 Place the butter, onion pow- asparagus are tender and
der, smoked paprika, chopped slightly charred.
parsley, and garlic together
in a small pot and place on 6 Brush the grilled shrimp
grill to melt together. and asparagus with the
remaining melted garlic-
4 Season the porterhouse with herb butter.
salt and pepper. Grill the
steak on both sides to the 7 Slice the rested grilled steak
desired internal tempera- and serve with the grilled
ture (130°F for medium-rare) shrimp and asparagus.
PHOTOS: RAY DIEHR
and set aside on a cutting

board. Brush generously
with the melted garlic-herb
butter and allow to rest.

FOODIE
On the Menu
Virginia Angels
on Horseback
LOCAL FLAVORS This simple, campfire-ready recipe
combines the creamy, salty taste
TIDEWATER,
of oysters with the bold flavors of
bacon and bleu cheese.
VIRGINIA by A N N E I C H E N M U L L E R
What better place to spend a romantic weekend than the Common-

wealth? With more than seven thousand miles of shoreline along
the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay, dozens of quaint waterfront
towns to explore, and campgrounds just steps from sandy beaches,
Virginia really is for lovers. And what better place to enjoy that legend-
ary aphrodisiac, the oyster? The tasty bivalve has become the focus of
the state’s aquaculture industry, resulting in sustainable, farm-raised
oysters that are available year-round. Follow the Virginia Oyster Trail,
where you’ll meet local watermen, take an eco-tour, and even try wine YOU’LL NEED
and oyster pairings at agri-artisan vineyards. Along the way, you can 
also view some amorous art to put you in the mood—there are more An oyster knife
Two-dozen oysters in the shell
than two hundred official LOVEworks across Virginia, from elaborately
7 oz package center-cut bleu cheese
painted giant letters to wall-sized street murals, perfect backdrops for 1 lb bacon
a doting couple’s selfie. Dim the lights, fire up your favorite playlist, and 2 tbs minced garlic
plan your trip at virginia.org.
MAKE IT

1) Wash and shuck oysters. Rinse
gently. Separate the oyster and
leave in cupped half shell.
2) Cut bacon strips in half. Cook

with minced garlic in cast-iron
frying pan until halfway done.
3) Place bacon slices on oysters.
In the mood for more delec- 4) Top with sliced 2-inch pieces
table local flavors? Check out of bleu cheese.
RV.com for additional perfect
pairings and delicious recipes. 5) Crumple a large piece of foil
to create pockets to hold the
A beautiful coastline, succulent oysters, and a bit of bubbly. Ah, love is in the air. oysters. Place on a cookie sheet
and cover loosely with foil.
6) Cook on grate above flames

TIME TO
POP THE
until bacon is done and cheese
CORK! is soft.
FINE PAIRINGS
PHOTO: COURTESY VIRGINIA TOURISM CORP.
HIGH
A dry Brüt is the perfect choice for oysters and If you want to make the evening truly special, our
romance. Our budget-minded bottle is Juvé y date-night drink is Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label
Camps Reserva de la Familia Gran Reserva Brut Champagne. With pear and citrus fruits on
Brut Nature Cava from Spain. Creamy, with a the nose, this French champagne blends tastes
hint of apple, this “zero dosage” sparkling wine of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier.
is made from three traditional varieties of cava Each sip finishes on a warm note, thanks to the
LOW grapes. $15 three-year-minimum aging process. $50

ON TAP THIS MONTH
#Flagship February:
A LOVE STORY
Rediscover the famous craft brews that
started it all.
by E R I N P E T E R S @ T H E B E E R G O D D E S S
I
t’s a little-known fact style that can be found in
that several fellow beer nearly every bar and brewery
writers and brewers in the across these great states. I
Los Angeles area (where I decided to travel back in time
started my blog) would call to create an IPA that you may
me the “OG” of beer writers have enjoyed in 2008, using
in Southern California. Three the hops and yeast strains Just because a beer is new or 
years ago, I marked my during that era that featured unusual, doesn’t mean it will CAN-DO ATTITUDE
In 2018, Anchor Brewing
ten-year anniversary as “The an IBU (international bittering be good. This is the time to introduced Anchor Steam
Beer Goddess” by celebrating unit) that wasn’t over the fall back in love with the tradi- in cans, available in
none other than my love for top. “BGOG” (Beer Goddess tional styles. 19.2-ounce singles and
craft beer. Original Gangsta) was born. We’ve seen a slow four-packs. Find this new
spin on a classic by visiting
I collaborated with six And the beer was a massive demise of the flagship beer. anchorbrewing.com
local craft breweries in hit, not just during the event, Another beer writer, Stephen
Ventura County to brew a but in breweries around town. Beaumont, decided to address
one-of-a-kind beer, solely for Even after COVID-19- this admittedly first-world
the event. At first, I thought related closings, there’s more problem, creating the #Flagship TO GO
it would be great to have a choice in craft beer now than February campaign. With beer, MONTHLY POUR
bright Belgian Saison or hazy there has been since 1873. a Flagship is the beer that
IPA. It was summertime, so Craft beer enthusiasts’ quest defines a brewery. According ANCHOR
I wanted to keep it on the for fancy, novelty beers and to the movement and its STEAM BEER
refreshing side. Then it came rare releases can also leave founders, their thinking is STYLE: CALIFORNIA
to me. We should celebrate classic beers in the dust. that flagship beers have COMMON / STEAM BEER
the tried-and-true, immensely Sometimes our adventurous much to teach new drinkers 4.9% ABV
HOPS: NORTHERN BREWER
popular, citrus-forward beer nature gets the best of us. and remind older drinkers,
MALT: BLEND OF 2-ROW
(continued on pg. 12) PALE + CARAMEL
Thirsty yet? Try this lineup of delicious award-

winning Stone beers at Stone Brewing World
Bistro & Gardens - Liberty Station in SoCal.
This San Francisco,

California, classic was
never meant to be your
typical beer. The brewery
developed a technique of
warm fermenting lager
PHOTOS: ANCHOR BREWING CO., STONE BREWING
in an open fermenter,
and gentle carbonation
in the cellars through an
all-natural process called
kräusening. Anchor
Steam Beer owes its
deep amber color and
rich flavor to this historic
brewing process.
anchorbrewing.com

FOODIE | on tap this month
and if they fall off the radar so far that they disappear
completely, we will all be that much poorer for it.
There’s a reason certain craft beer styles have been
around for a long time. They’re not just nostalgic,
they’re necessary.
This month, reach for a clean, simple, and well-
balanced beer—not just because they’re bloody delicious,
but because brewers bank on their steady sales for
ongoing revenue. And strong flagship sales open the door
PHOTO: JXL CREATIVE

for experimentation, which most of us love and admire. PIZZA + BEER
Whatever you choose, the best beer is the one The always winning combo is even better with a Brooklyn Happy Amber Lager.
you’re drinking with friends and loved ones.
Here are a few great examples from some

of the pioneers in the craft beer industry:
SIERRA NEVADA SAMUEL ADAMS ALLAGASH WHITE STONE IPA BELL’S TWO
PALE ALE BOSTON LAGER A traditional Belgian- This golden beauty HEARTED ALE
A classic pale ale, this Sam Adams has a style witbier that was a explodes with tropical, Named after the Two
forty-one-year-old special place in my favorite among Belgian citrus, piney hop fla- Hearted River in Mich-
brew is loaded with heart. This was the farmers centuries ago. vors and aromas with igan’s Upper Peninsu-
Cascade hops, named very first craft beer I Coming in at 5.1 per- a light malt balance. la, this American IPA is
after the mountain fell in love with after cent ABV, this Maine The smooth-tasting remarkably drinkable
range in the western imbibing Keystone classic has a bright, beer won silver in with notes of citrus
end of North America. Light during my spicy aroma with easy the West Coast IPA and pine. Enjoy it with
It’s safe to say this beer college years. Don’t drinking notes of clove, category at the your favorite barbecue
sparked the American laugh. We all have to citrus, and a bready 2020 U.S. Open Beer meats, brisket, or even
craft beer revolution. start somewhere. wheat flavor. Championship. a carrot cake dessert.
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HELLO, WORLD.
Meet the all-new Journey. With its sleek, aerodynamic exterior and a clean, sophisticated
interior that awaits your personal touch, it’s the perfect start to your next chapter.
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OR SEE YOUR NEARBY WINNEBAGO DEALER.
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FOODIE
For RVers who don’t have an oven, or sim-

ply want to whip up a delicious dish without
turning on a big appliance, the Omnia Stove
Top Oven from Sweden takes the cake when it
comes to convenience. Pretty much anything
you can cook in an oven can be made in the
Omnia—from casseroles to breads to des-
serts—and cooking time is about the same as
in a conventional oven.
Weighing just over one pound, the
two-quart Omnia is eight inches in diameter
and 2¾ inches high. The three-part circular
“recreational oven” has a hole in the middle
and heat is distributed from above and below.
It can be used on cooking surfaces powered
by propane, electric, or kerosene (not for use
on induction cooktops).
EPICUREAN
Although you don’t need specialized recipes
Fresh from
for this oven on the go, the Omnia website lists
a bunch of tips and yummy recipes like quiche,
calzone, chicken wings, scalloped potatoes with
the Oven goat cheese and fennel, and pumpkin pie.
Available at Camping World RV & Out-
The portable Omnia makes cooking doors (campingworld.com), the Omnia is
piping-hot dishes a cinch. $63.99, and the Omnia Exclusive Starter Kit
by D O N Y A C A R L S O N
is $139.99 and includes the stove-top oven,
a silicone mold (to make clean-up easier), a
Everything tastes better when you’re baking rack, a muffin ring, and a storage bag.
camping, whether you’re roasting hot dogs Go ahead and experiment with the Omnia!
over a campfire, dishing up a full-course Below you’ll find a recipe for a quick-and-easy
Heat is distributed dinner, or simply opening up a can of soup and luscious lasagna that will taste like you spent
evenly from above and warming it. We love to try them all and never all day preparing it. Enjoy your meal, or as they
below in this three-piece tire of experimenting and coming up with tips say in Sweden, Smaklig måltid!
“recreational oven.” and tricks for snack time and meals. omniasweden.com/us
Easy, Luscious Lasagna

The Omnia is perfect for this hearty dish. Serve with a tomato salad and fresh basil. Béchamel Sauce
YOU’LL NEED MAKE IT YOU’LL NEED
1 lb ground beef 1) Peel and chop the onion and garlic and sauté in 1 tbsp butter pinch of pepper
1 chopped yellow onion olive oil until translucent in a skillet. Blend in the 2 tbsp wheat flour a bit less than
olive oil ground beef and brown while stirring. Add crushed 1⁄2 cup of grated
11⁄4 cup milk
2 cloves garlic tomatoes, tomato purée, bouillon cubes, and basil. cheese (optional)
Simmer, covered, for about 15 minutes. Season to pinch of salt
13⁄4 cup crushed tomatoes
taste with salt and pepper.
2 tbsp tomato purée
2 beef bouillon cubes 2) Spread some of the béchamel sauce in the MAKE IT
1 tsp dried basil bottom of the pan. Create three layers, alternating 1) Melt the butter in a saucepan. Whisk in the flour.
10 lasagna noodles, the meat sauce with lasagna noodles (it’s easiest
uncooked to split the noodles into smaller pieces) and 2) Add the milk gradually while whisking. Cook
PHOTOS: COURTESY OMNIA
31⁄2 oz grated cheese béchamel sauce. Finish with the remaining sauce. over low heat for about 3 minutes, stirring occa-
11⁄4 cup béchamel sauce Top with grated cheese and cook on medium heat sionally. Season with salt and pepper, and add
(see recipe) for about 35 minutes. grated cheese if desired.

Camp
Couture
RV Makeovers 16 | Dreamy Bedroom Renovation 19
INTERIOR DESIGN
PHOTOS: @THEASPHALTGYPSY, @MICKIANDMARTY
Glam Squads A little imagination and some good

Two couples pull out all the stops to personalize their RVs old-fashioned elbow grease helped
and make them stand out from the crowd. The results are transform a toy hauler’s garage.
as amazing as they are functional.
BY RENE AGREDANO

CAMP COUTURE | style + décor
Hard to believe
this space was
originally designed
for four-wheelers
and motorcycles. The
bunk beds and built-in
shelves are downright
residential in both
form and function.
I
IMAGINE
YOU’RE
SEEING a friend’s new
home for the first time. You step
inside to look around, and everything
feels oddly familiar. “Hey, you’ve got
the exact furniture that I do!” you
tell them. Stunned by the coinci-
dence, you look around and realize The Asphalt Gypsy chose the forty-two-foot-long rig
that everything from floor to ceiling Combines Functionality because it enables their family to be
is exactly what you have in your with Flair together while Rusty travels for work
home. You have just entered The RV “When designing our space, I as a rig welder.
Lookalike Zone. really wanted to leave it as blank The toy hauler has plenty of
When you buy a new RV, there’s canvas-ish as possible,” says Autumn room for the whole family, including
a strong probability that a thousand Bailey (@theasphaltgypsy). Her three young boys: Bear (five), Oak
other rigs made by the same manu- twelve-week RV makeover project (three), and Sunny (two). As an RV it
facturer will look exactly like yours. transformed their new Keystone works well for them, but six months
For decades, the RV community Fuzion 416 toy hauler from a after moving in, Autumn took note
didn’t seem to mind look-alikes, dark-palette weekend-warrior party of which aspects of the fifth-wheel
but a new generation of RVers is pad into a cozy, bright home on were working for the traveling family,
creating homes on wheels that wheels. She and her husband, Rusty, and which were not. Something had
celebrate individuality. If you’re to change.
looking to personalize your RV, check “In my opinion, most (if not all)
out how these owners added glam toy haulers/trailers are designed with
and style to theirs. the weekend in mind. By that I mean
that they are designed for entertain-
ing fun short trips, not for day-to-day
“I love being able to walk living,” she writes in her blog at
through the door and feel AsphaltGypsy.com. While Rusty was
away on assignment, she mulled over
instantly at home in our ways to incorporate full-timing func-
tiny space designed for us.” tionality and her family’s personality
to the RV’s interior. “It needed to be
versatile and easily changed as our
kids’ needs change every year as they
Experimenting with different get older.”
textures and paint treatments
is an easy way to add interest to
any space, even in the compact
bathroom area of an RV.

GLAM A Space All Their Own waterproof vinyl plank tongue-in-
DOESN’T Three months later, their new groove flooring with a cork base
HAVE TO BE
home was transformed. Most of that was relatively easy to install.
EXPENSIVE
the factory-installed furniture was She did most of the labor, with
$$$
tossed. Gone were the factory a little help from Rusty when he
beige walls, dark-wood veneer was in-between jobs.
cabinetry, carpet and vinyl flooring, Two years later, she and
If tackling a huge RV and gray plastic counters. Autumn her family still enjoy the
renovation project isn’t also brought the family’s love for redesign. “Living in a place that
on your to-do list, you can What a view! By
the outdoors inside by painting is completely 200 percent your lightening the interior,
still glam up your RV with the RV interior white, choosing own is wonderful, I love being raising the window
a few easy strategies. coverings, and
dark matte gray tones for the able to walk through the door and
cabinetry, and installing light-col- feel instantly at home in our tiny deploying the ramp,
Make a quick transforma- the toy hauler delivers
tion by adding cozy textures ored, builder-grade honey maple space designed for us,” writes a postcard-perfect
to your home. Throw countertops. She also laid down a Autumn. shoreline cabana.
pillows, blankets, vintage
rugs, and light and bright
curtains can change the feel
of your RV’s interior.
Decorate your RV with road

trip memorabilia that holds
special meaning for you.
Something as simple as
postcards can add
personal flair to an
otherwise generic interior.
Adding plants and flowers

can brighten up your RV
space for minimal cost.
Keep wall hangings and

decor in place with
industrial-strength hook-
and-loop fastener and
RV-specific hardware like
RV drawer closures.
Want to add a splash of

color? Talk to paint experts
about the surface you
want to paint. RV walls
Micki and Marty’s Big-City Glam in a Tiny Space
and cabinetry surfaces Everyone defines “tiny” differently, and nobody knows this
range from slick plastic to better than Micki Kahn and Marty Jutres (@Mickiand
laminate. Yours may require Marty) from Brooklyn, New York. The new RVers travel in
several types of paint for a completely renovated 1987 Toyota Odyssey motorhome
one specific job. Taking that’s a rolling re-creation of their tiny big-city apartment.
time to thoroughly prep the
Early on in their plans to travel for a year, they walked
surface with a deglosser
through dozens of new RVs to look for the perfect rig. But
and a primer tinted with
your preferred paint color it didn’t take long to decide that the layouts, color schemes,
will save you extra work wallpapers, and window treatments of modern RVs were not
later on down the road. for them. “We wanted something that was a little homier,

CAMP COUTURE | style + décor
where you can make a mess in here but

still enjoy yourself,” explains Marty. Then THE ODYSSEY
they stumbled into the vintage Class The finished interior
C and everything fell into place—or (right) is the result of
slight tweaks along
rather, fell apart.
the way. The original
“It was not the plan to completely vision (below, right)
rebuild from the ground up,” explains included a herringbone
Micki. “We definitely planned on backsplash that
was too busy; it was
renovating the inside. But as we started
replaced with a more
the demolition process there was a pleasing subway-style
lot more water damage than we an- pattern. The table and
ticipated. We didn’t want to be stuck countertop were also
refinished.
in Yellowstone with a big leak coming
through, so we decided to do all of the
work up front.”
Community Helped Create Their Dream

After saving cash to quit their jobs and travel, the couple
returned to Marty’s family home in western Massachusetts to
glam up the little twenty-one-foot rig. Access to a large garage,
tools, and the internet provided everything they needed. Along
the way, the couple met dozens of great people ready to help
make the dream happen. “Doing a project of this magnitude
kind of restored our faith in humanity, because you meet people
from all walks of life; everyone wants to come together to help
you out,” explains Marty.
From the octogenarian woodworker

down the road to internet friends
WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF OMNIA on YouTube, it felt like everyone was
cheering them on, even when setbacks
THE STOVE TOP OVEN – FRESH BREAD AND OVEN FOOD ON THE ROAD occurred. “There was a lot of back-end
thought that went into it, and a lot of
trial and error,” says Marty. For instance,
EXTEND
a herringbone-pattern backsplash that
YOUR
OMNIA seemed perfect felt too busy once it
was installed. So they ripped it out and
replaced it with a more uniform sub-
way-style tile pattern instead. Later,
they had to refinish the wood table and
countertop with a better clear coat, after
noticing several water stains seeping
through the varnish.
Marty and Micki are now living
their dream, proud of the sweat-equity
they put into their motorhome. They
nicknamed their RV “Martha,” and joke
OMNIA STOVE, CIRCLE 109 ON READER SERVICE CARD
that it isn’t much smaller than their old

apartment, but it’s exactly what they
want. From gorgeous 180-degree views
through large windows to a sweeping
tongue-and-groove cedar ceiling and live
edge counter and tabletop milled from
www.omniasweden.com a locally grown tree, the glammed-up
customerserviceUS@omniasweden.com motorhome feels as open, breezy, and
fun as their never-ending adventure.

AND IT
ALL COST
LESS THAN
$900!
RV REDESIGN
DREAMY
BEDROOM
ON A BUDGET
A full-time RVing couple with five kids
transforms their personal space into a
relaxing haven.
BY L I N D SAY L A N E
It’s no big secret that our surroundings can shape our

moods and productivity. With this in mind, my husband, Derek, and I
have made it a priority to transform our home on wheels into a rolling
retreat for our family of seven and a space that inspires harmony.
Making simple changes like we did can completely transform your
living space and bring in elements like comfort, peace, and personality.
Since our family has been living full-time on the road since December
2018, this is especially essential for us.
When we picked up our 2018 Keystone Cougar, I immediately
pictured how I could make it feel like our cozy home. Changing or
adding paint color, rugs, throw pillows, wall decor, and furniture
can convert an RV into a happy, healthy, and tranquil place you can
withdraw to.
The first project we tackled was our master
The Lanes replaced
the dresser in the bedroom. Keeping our limited budget in mind,
bedroom with a I started with a list of the changes I wanted to
handy fold-down, make, and then crossed off a couple in favor of
wall-mounted desk,
leaving them how they were. Our bedroom trans-
providing a private
work area for Derek’s formation was pretty simple and took us only a
full-time job. weekend to complete.
PHOTOS: LINDSAY AND DEREK LANE
Lanes Less Traveled We’re a family of seven who sold our ten acres in north Texas to hit the road
and travel America in our home on wheels! We’ve been enjoying the vast uniqueness of the US through RV
living since December 2018. As we travel, we’ve enjoyed catering our kids homeschool education to learn-
ing all about the places we explore. Since leaving our bubble of small-town Texas, we’ve come to realize
there’s so much beauty all over the US—not just in nature, but in the people, too!

CAMP COUTURE | budget makeover
“Making simple changes

can completely transform
your living space and
bring in elements like
comfort, peace, and
personality.”
World of Color
We started by removing the valance
hardware and dark window coverings
and replacing them with drapery rods
and sheer white curtains. What an
impact that made! Even though we
retained the brown blinds to keep
the room dark for when getting some
shut-eye, that simple alteration
added much-needed natural light and Do the Work!
brightened up the bedroom. Whenever possible, try to
Since the idea was to transform do the work yourself rather
than hiring a contractor. That
the bedroom into a calm and relaxing it tasteful and not overwhelming. way, you have a sense of ac-
haven, we pulled in rich, warm tones While I chose throw pillows as the decor complishment, and you learn
paired with neutrals for wall art, a anchor, the same could be done with other design skills that are helpful for the
rug, a comforter, and throw pillows in elements. Choosing one anchor piece simply makes future—not to mention sav-
ing money along the way.
white, burgundy, deep-blue, and gold the job of decorating easier.
tones as a decorating anchor around
which to style the room. I started with No Snazzy Dresser
throw pillows, and once I found some Our next project in the bedroom was to remove the dresser. Derek works a tradi-
that captured my interest, the rest of tional nine-to-five job, and as we prepared to hit the road back in 2018 we knew
the plan began to take shape. Choosing he would need a designated work space. Allowing him a work setup in the master
the comforter next, we replaced the bedroom gives him a quiet place to work, with a door that closes, and keeps him
stock one with a comforter in our color tucked away from the other six of us.
scheme. Because several of the throw After giving the dresser the boot, we replaced it with a white wall-mounted
pillows were patterned, we stuck with drop-down desk that can be set up for work hours and then folded down against
a solid-color comforter. Mixing a few the wall when the clock strikes five. This does two things: It opens up more walking
patterns can work, but trying to blend space at the foot of the bed and makes the room feel larger without the dark
too many bold patterns together in a dresser. My husband created the desk himself, but if you aren’t handy in the building
small space can make the room feel department, basic drop-down desks can be found at various places online.
chaotic. Find your balance by choosing a To make room for clothes that would usually be stowed in the dresser, we got
few things you want to pop out to keep creative. We purchased individual baskets that fit perfectly on the shelf above the
Lighter colors and softer textures

make the room much more
inviting. The new showstopping
custom headboard was made
using 12⁄ -inch plywood and pieces
of 1-by-2 slats. The Lanes created
< BEFORE AFTER > an outside border and pattern on
the plywood, then glued the slats
in place. They located the studs in
the wall and affixed the assembly
using an 18-gauge brad nailer.

hanging-clothes rod inside the closet. And many RVs have it can be changed to fit what can sometimes be awkward
underbed storage so that space can be utilized for bulky wall spaces and sizes. When we couldn’t find a wallpaper we
clothing as well. liked, we opted to paint the wall one of the deep colors from
a throw pillow. This bold color provided a big change in the
Fit + Trim space.
Since we had switched to a brighter and lighter tone, we We have found that adding a few wall elements has
replaced the dark-stained-wood trim around the bed in the contributed even more to the homey feel. When choosing
slideout with a white trim. This good bang-for-your-buck what will go on the wall, be sure to keep weight, and how far
modification can be done around the other slides in the RV it will stick out from the wall, in mind. We have a lightweight
as well. Removing the old trim is simple, and you can get bamboo-framed mirror on the accent wall that we just love.
cut-to-size boards at home-improvement stores if you don’t In our case, we don’t want to remove items from the wall
want to saw them yourself. We painted the boards and used with every move when we bring the slide in, so we kept
wood glue and a nail gun to attach them around the slide. that in mind during the design. And, of course, it’s securely
Instant gratification achieved! attached for travel.
On the Wall
The next decision was whether or
not to paint the shared bathroom
wall that I wanted to function as
the accent wall. I love the option of
peel-and-stick wallpaper because
EIGHT EASY STEPS

TO MAKE YOUR
RV’S BEDROOM
YOUR OWN
+ Choose a color palette
and design anchors like
throw pillows, wall art, a
comforter, and a rug.
+ Select all other design
elements for the room
around the design anchor
and color palette you’re
going with.
+ Decide whether or not
you’ll paint the cabinetry.
+ Replace the slide trim with Relax and stay a while. It took the Lanes only a weekend to create this master bedroom retreat.
Once the clock strikes 5:01 p.m., the desk folds up against the wall for a more versatile floorplan.
painted or stained wood.
This project has made the Lanes even more excited to transform the rest of the trailer’s interior.
+ Make the space work
for your needs! Don’t be
afraid to remove furniture. Tie It All Together across when checking out places and
+ Remove and replace the The last change we made was adding store sections you wouldn’t normally
original window coverings. a rug runner at the end of the bed, visit. And always get creative and think
+ If you want to create a bringing more color into the room. outside the box!
dramatic change, opt to Because almost every space element in We are so happy with our stunning
paint or apply peel-and- an RV is unique, finding the right-sized bedroom transformation and can’t wait
stick wallpaper on an runner wasn’t as easy as I thought it to tackle the rest of the trailer to make
accent wall. would be. I ended up finding a two-by- our house on wheels a home on wheels.
+ Enjoy your custom- five-foot runner in the kitchen section With a keen eye and a plan for your own
designed bedroom retreat at Target. It has worked out perfectly! personal tastes, the perfect RV living
in your home on wheels! You’ll be surprised what you’ll come space is well within your reach.

I N S P I R AT I O N | R V H O N E Y M O O N
ALL YOU
NEED . . . AND AN RV!
AFTER TYING THE KNOT, A
IS L VE
LEISURELY RV TRIP CAN BRING
YOU CLOSER TOGETHER AND
LEAD YOU TO QUIET ESCAPES
WITHOUT THE CROWDS—OR
RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE
B Y A LY S S A P A D G E T T ACTION.
S
hortly after getting engaged, I came to my
fiancé with a proposition of my own: Will you
visit all fifty states for our honeymoon with me?
He instantly agreed—if it meant we could
explore the country in an RV.
It was a crazy idea, but the more we thought about
it, the more we realized how perfect an RV could be.
Our honeymoon would be spontaneous. We could drive
anywhere we wanted. And it could be just the two of us
starting our marriage together.
Six years later, an RV honeymoon catapulted our
marriage together into a life of adventure. For many hon-
eymooners, buying or renting an RV is becoming a more
common way to celebrate their new marriage. Here’s why.
PHOTO: ALYSSA PADGETT

TWO FOR THE ROAD
THINK AN RV IS TOO
I T S AV E S
SMALL TO HOST ENJOY A S L OW-PACED H O NEYM OO N
A HONEYMOON?
THINK AGAIN.
After the stress and craziness that comes with
MO N E Y WITH UP TO FOUR
HUNDRED SQUARE
planning a wedding, an RV is the perfect vehicle
to take you off the beaten path. As we toured
Campgrounds and RV parks cost less than FEET OF SPACE, AN the country, we took two long weeks to drive up
RV RIVALS MANY
$50/night on average. Couples spend an UPSCALE HOTEL
the Pacific Coast Highway breathing in the fresh
average of $4,500 on a honeymoon (and ROOMS. THE DIF- ocean air.
way more on weddings), so opting for an RV FERENCE IS, YOU We drove one thousand miles along rocky
honeymoon can save money on big expenses CAN’T DRIVE YOUR coastline and stopped every hour at scenic vistas.
HOTEL ROOM TO A
like hotels and airfare. Plus, you always have SCENIC LOCATION,
The whales danced across the waves at Pismo
the option to cook your own meals in your RV COMPLETE WITH AN Beach, California. The wind whipped our hair at
kitchen to save money, too. With lower nightly ENDLESS SUPPLY OF Big Sur. Thor’s Well, a gaping sinkhole in Oregon,
costs, you can spend even more time enjoying OUTDOOR SPACE! soaked us in saltwater. Best of all, we traveled
your honeymoon and a little extra one-on-one without any reservations so we could follow
time with your new spouse. any road that looked inviting and take our time
exploring as much of the coast as we wanted.
IT’ S TH E PERFECT H O NEYM OO N AFT E R A N

EL OPEM ENT O R DESTINATIO N WEDDING
With so many big weddings canceled in 2020,
elopements and small destination weddings
continue to be on the rise. Companies like
Elope Telluride (elopetelluride.com) specialize in
helping couples find the perfect place to elope
or host a small wedding in the mountains of
Colorado—a dazzling place to spend a week or
two RV camping with your new spouse.
By opting for an elopement or destination
wedding, you can pick the spot to launch a week
of local adventures. Take renowned scenic
drives like the Million Dollar Highway between
Silverton and Ouray, Colorado, watch the leaves
YOU CA N SPE N D MO R E T I ME O U T D OO RS Let’s raise a glass to thechange in national forests, and soak in hot
The beauty of an RV is how many places it can newlyweds! A honeymoon springs while taking in panoramic views. Plus,
in an RV means endless
take you. Instead of a view of a hotel parking lot, possibilities, from where the local wedding coordinator or photographer
you can look out your windows each morning you’ll stay to what you’llyou’ve hired can give you tips on the best places
to see the most beautiful parts of the country. do and what you’ll eat. to eat, hike, and explore.
You can tour national parks, take an extended Tired of one location?
Just break camp and
road trip up the coast, or spend your days hiking, head down the road for CH OO S E FRO M L IM ITL ES S DESTI NAT IO NS
biking, or kayaking. When evening rolls around, exhilarating bike rides, Want to spend your honeymoon in a tiny
you can cozy up by the campfire with your leisurely walks on the mountain town that no one’s heard of? At
sweetie and roast marshmallows for s’mores. beach, or relaxing couples Disney World? Eating lobster on the coast of
massages—the choice is
But RVing isn’t the same as camping. You yours. Maine? Hiking in the desert? Driving to Alaska?
get to experience the outdoors with the added There are RV parks and campgrounds near every
benefit of a warm bed and hot showers. So destination across the country. You can even
you can enjoy the outdoors camp in New York City—which we did on our
and still get all the luxuries
of a typical honeymoon. You
can even find high-end RV
resorts across the country, like
5 With all the choices of where to honeymoon in your RV, it may be hard to
a campsite in the Florida Keys decide where to begin. Any one of these five romantic locations are sure to
with pools, hot tubs, a cafe, and keep the spark alive: Niagara Falls, New York; Las Vegas, Nevada; San
a private beach. Francisco, California; Key West, Florida; and Savannah, Georgia.

RV HONEYMOON
honeymoon and we could see the Statue SPEND SOME TRUE ONE-ON-ONE TIME
of Liberty from our bedroom window! Between working full-time and planning
No matter where you’re planning to wedding festivities, a honeymoon is
go, you can likely drive your RV there. Yes, meant to be uninterrupted one-on-one
you can even rent camper vans in Hawaii! time with the love of your life.
In a cozy RV, you can isolate yourselves
G E T OF F T HE BE AT E N PAT H in remote destinations. Find a place with
In the Columbia River Gorge in northern no cell service and no Wi-Fi. Be just the
Oregon, we pulled our RV into a quiet two of you without any interruptions from
state park. After parking the RV, we friends or coworkers back home.
poured a couple of glasses of wine,
walked the short hike to the river, and C R EATE YO U R OWN ADVENTU RE
watched the sunset over the mountains. RVing on your honeymoon is different.
Not only is an RV great for the honeymoon,
We had the whole beach to ourselves. It’s a unique way to start a lifelong but it can be used to access out-of-the-way
In an RV, you can find peace in adventure with your partner. favorite places and secret hideaways. Plus,
quiet escapes. You can hike to hidden For my husband, Heath, and I, an RV preparing for the big day is easy with your own
private facilities.
waterfalls. Find the beach where the honeymoon allowed us to cross off our
locals go instead of the tourists. Indulge first bucket-list goal together. We visited the country, but it’s also designed to
in the best restaurants in small towns all fifty states, and as we grew closer bring people closer together emotionally.
with no reservations needed. All of we decided that we wanted a life of You’re living in a small space, working in
our most authentic travel experiences adventure. We fell so in love with RVing sync to navigate unknown roads, and
PHOTO: ELOPE TELLURIDE

come from getting off the interstate on our honeymoon that we’ve been RVing building on your relationship as you
and exploring the small towns and ever since, even traveling the country experience new adventures. It’s the two
unknown escapes that make our country now with our daughter. of you, the open road, and a future of
beautiful. RVing is one of the best ways to see endless possibilities.
NORTHWOOD MFG., CIRCLE 112 ON READER SERVICE CARD

INSPIRATION | TRAVEL
Love at
First Site PA C K U P T H E R V, TA K E YO U R S O U L M AT E B Y T H E H A N D, A N D H E A D T O
ONE OF T HE SE RV RE S OR T S A ND DE S T IN AT IONS WE A RE SMI T T EN WI T H.
F
BY KEITH + TIA SIMS or many people, February is the month when romance takes center stage.
@ S O U L F U L R V F A M I LY
With Valentine’s Day at the heart of it all, jewelry, flowers, and chocolates are on
a lot of people’s minds. But what about celebrating with that special someone by
setting out on a dreamy getaway with your RV? Whether you love the beach, the
mountains, or hiking in our country’s beautiful national parks, the key is to find what makes
you both happy and enjoy your time together. Here are some of our favorite East Coast RV
resorts and destinations (we look forward to exploring the West Coast later on). So, let’s get
this party of two started and head out for some R&R—romance and relaxation!
Atlantic Oaks in Cape Cod, Just minutes from the

Massachusetts campground, Arnold’s Lobster and Clam Bar
For those who live by the song, “If you like serves up great lobster rolls and gourmet ice
piña coladas . . . In the dunes on the cape,” cream. After having a bite to eat you can play
then Atlantic Oaks is the place to escape. It’s mini-golf on the premises.
With tranquil waters
lapping against the a quiet, relaxing wooded campground where
scenic shoreline you can do almost everything, or nothing
community, what could at all. The Cape Cod Rail Trail Bicycle Trail is Liberty Harbor RV Park in
be more romantic than
vacationing at Cape Cod?
accessible from the campground and takes Jersey City, New Jersey
you right to Cape Cod National Seashore. Some campgrounds woo you with their
Head over to the Cape Cod Bay and swim or wonderful scenery. Liberty Harbor RV Park
kayak in the warm bay waters or sail away on is all about location, location, location, being
a whale-watching voyage. The local restau- the closest place to camp near New York
rants are delightful, and we especially love the City. The campground can get a bit cozy but
fresh doughnuts at the Hole in One Bakery. is more than serviceable. There are two easy
atlanticoaks.com ways into the city, the PATH train, or the

ROMANTIC CAMPGROUNDS
LESSONS IN LOVE
We may not be experts in the art
of love (who is, really?), but we’re
sure your romantic getaway will
be a hit if you plan accordingly.
A spot near the location of

your honeymoon is a sure way
to rekindle the flames of your
wedding day. Remember when
everything on that momentous
day was all about you two?
RVing near or at a winery

makes it easy to check off
several boxes: scenic locations,
planned events, and delicious
food at the winery’s restaurant.
And, oh yeah, there’s plenty of
wine to sample!
An RV park at a casino? I
thought this was supposed to
be romantic. Many casinos
also have on-site spas, perfect
The bright lights, the big city, and you. The New for a couples massage. Plus,
York City skyline is within easy reach of your world-class entertainment
New Jersey getaway, plus your hearts will be all is but a few steps away from
a-flutter while you enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime your cozy campsite.
helicopter tour.
Staying near family allows
you to live the best of both
worlds. You can visit with kids
and grandkids by day, and
ferry, which can be caught right at the celebrate your life as a couple
campground dock. by night.
With NYC being the focal point in many
romantic movies, there’s no shortage of
places to take that special someone. Visit If the sky is not the limit,
the Empire State Building and make your book a helicopter tour of New York City.
way to the observatory on the 102nd floor. You’ll get an incredible view of the city’s
The views of the city are amazing! Music famous landmarks, seeing all five boroughs
lovers should head to Harlem, which has in less than thirty minutes. This is a priceless
undergone a cultural revolution in recent memory that you’ll cherish forever.
years. It’s a music mecca and is loaded
with famous nightclubs like Showmans
Jazz Club and Paris Blues, where you can Bluewater Key RV Resort in
enjoy some of the best jazz in NYC. This is Key West, Florida
a perfect place to enjoy a lovely musical. With year-round almost-perfect weather,
A time-tested NYC romantic adventure who wouldn’t love to spend some time
is taking a horse-drawn carriage ride in the Florida Keys? Bluewater Key, a
through Central Park. luxury RV resort, puts you right where
libertyharborrv.com the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico
meet. Simply find
Whether you love the beach, the your hammock and sit
mountains, or hiking in national back and relax or take
advantage of all that the
parks, the key is to find what Keys has to offer. This
makes you both happy and enjoy resort provides boating,
your time together. fishing, snorkeling,

Get into the laid-back spirit of Key MORE
TO
West with postcard-perfect views
seemingly around every corner and
on every shoreline.
LOVE
These Good Sam parks
are sure to help provide
the spark for a romantic
getaway for two.
Florida
Coconut RV Resort and Marina
coconutcay.com
Grassy Key RV Park & Resort
grassykeyrvpark.com
The Great Outdoors RV, Nature
& Golf Resort
tgoresort.com
diving, and many other water sports. Check
out Duval Street with its many famous Jolly Roger RV Resort
jrtp.com
restaurants and bars for a fun night out.
The Tides RV Resort
bluewaterkey.com what room you want to dine in, and you will thetidesrvresort.com
be provided with a seven-to-ten-course
Visit the southernmost point in meal served by your own butler and maid!
the continental US, an anchored concrete buoy, disneyworld.disney.go.com
for a photo op, located at the corner of South
Street and Whitehead Street. End the night right by
watching the Happily Ever After fireworks from
the beach at Fort Wilderness.
The Campsites at Disney’s Fort
Wilderness Resort, Orlando,
Florida Margaritaville at Lake Lanier, Georgia
At Fort Wilderness you can combine a Georgia CreekFire RV Resort
wonderful top-rated camping experience The Margaritaville RV Resort opened in the creekfirerv.com
with all the romantic magic that Disney has summer of 2019, and it’s a perfect place for
Maine
to offer. There is so much to enjoy at the a romantic getaway in the Atlanta, Georgia, Old Orchard Beach
750-acre campground set among pine and area. We celebrated our twelfth wedding Campground
cypress forest. How about a romantic horse- anniversary there recently. Lake Lanier is gocamping.com
drawn carriage ride around the American nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge
New Jersey
frontier-inspired resort? Need to relax those Mountains and there is no shortage of Triple Brook Camping Resort
tense muscles? Try a couple’s spa treatment triplebrook.com
at Senses Spa at Disney’s Grand Floridian Free Range
Resort and Disney’s Saratoga Springs About two thousand chickens North Carolina
strut their stuff around historic Mama Gertie’s Hideaway
Resort. There’s a whole menu of luxury ex- Old Town in Key West. The birds Campground
periences from massages to facials to body were originally imported to the mamagerties.com
wraps to wash that stress away. area for eggs and sport.
Fancy yourself as a foodie? Disney’s Tennessee
The Ridge Outdoor Resort
Signature Dining options are just for you! Two
theridgeoutdoorresort.com
exquisite venues are waterfront Narcoossee’s
with coastal cuisine and the California Grill with Virginia
a view of the Magic Kingdom. For an incom- North Landing Beach RV Resort
parable dining experience with your special & Cottages
northlandingbeach.com
someone, treat yourselves to Victoria & Albert’s
with its Victorian elegance. You’ll have a choice

ROMANTIC CAMPGROUNDS
things to do from boating to golf to hiking

to just relaxing with a campfire at your RV
site. Deluxe waterfront sites with more
direct views of the water are also available,
and there’s a water park, a bar and grill, and
specialty cruises. Each campsite features
a fire pit, a picnic table, and a grill, and
includes cable TV. The Wi-Fi worked well,
which was a bonus.
margaritavillervresorts.com/lakelanier
Book a golf-cart rental when

you make your site reservations. You will love The Great Smoky Mountains provide the lovely backdrop for many Tennessee adventures,
having a golf cart to explore the vast resort. from your stay in Cosby to your journeys to nearby Pigeon Forge and Sevierville.
Imagination Mountain in Cosby, Tennessee to the sounds of the mountain stream. Don’t forget to visit the
Great Smoky Mountain National Park tops the list as the most camp store and indulge in a scoop of homemade ice cream.
visited national park, and at the heart of it is family-owned From the campground, you can catch a trail to hike
and -run Imagination Mountain Campground Resort, a among the forest. Couples are sure to enjoy a scenic drive
special retreat. Sites back up to the mountain stream that along the Cades Cove Loop Road. Make time to check out the
flows throughout the campground. These sites will intoxicate view from atop Cades Cove, one of the most scenic spots
your senses with the relaxing sound of rushing water. The in the park. Nearby Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg offer tons
campground features plenty of activities for entertainment of things to do. Grab a drink and a bite to eat at any one of
and places to relax. Play a round of mini golf or a game of giant the great restaurants, and then enjoy amazing views two
chess. Or head over to the Hammock Hollow and swing away hundred feet up while riding the Great Smoky Mountain
Wheel at The Island in Pigeon Forge.
If all that hiking gets you sore, enjoy
some relaxation together at the spa at
RiverStone Resort by getting a couples
massage.
imaginationmountaincamping.com
Walk over the glass-floor

panels on Gatlinburg’s SkyBridge, the
longest pedestrian suspension bridge in
North America, which quite literally crosses
the sky, stretching 680 feet across a deep
valley.
Beverly Beach Camptown

RV Resort in Flagler Beach,
Florida
COVE HARBOR COACH RESORT, CIRCLE 104 ON READER SERVICE CARD
Beverly Beach is one of my all-time

favorite campgrounds. From the minute
you pull into your worth-splurging-for
beachfront site, every care in the world
seems to melt away in the hot Florida
sun. With the beach just steps away, you
have begun to unlock the possibilities for
your special getaway.
How about sipping that hot cup of
java and watching the sun rise over the
Atlantic? Want some adventure? Check
out nearby Fort Matanzas National

Monument, the fortified watchtower
from 1742, and the city of St. Augustine,
more commonly known as the “Nation’s
Oldest City.”
$ 399 Processing Fee
Waived
beverlybeachcamptown.com
It is so worth splurging
for the Premier Beach Front sites (forty-six
through sixty-two). when you apply to refinance by
February 28, 2021!1
Normandy Farms Family
Camping Resort in Foxboro, Now may be a great time to refinance your current RV loan to lower your monthly payments! You can
also finance a 2010 model year2 or newer RV when you purchase from a dealer or a private party seller.
Massachusetts
Normandy Farms has become our
must-stay base camp when visiting the
Boston area. There is so much to do at
this RV resort, including arts and crafts,
swimming, tennis, disc golf, fishing,
walking the nature trail, and much more.
If you’re bringing along your furry friends,
the resort’s one-and-a-half-acre dog
park will send them over the moon. Enjoy
nearby shopping and entertainment, as
well as a short hop into Boston.
normandyfarms.com
Recreational use APRs2 as low as
Check out Patriot Place,

built around Gillette Stadium, home of the
3.99% APR
on loan amounts
4.99% APR
on loan amounts of
7.89% APR
on loan amounts of
National Football League’s New England
of $50k+ $25k to $49,999 $15k to $24,999
APR is fixed for the life of the loan. Other rates with different loan terms are available. Rates are accurate as of December 21, 2020.
Patriots. Even if you are not a Pats fan, you See our website for current rates and terms, as well as financing for Full-Timers and loan amounts below $15,000.
are sure to find it interesting.
Shenandoah Crossing 1-800-444-1476

Resort RV Park in TTY: 1-800-659-5495 GoodSamRVLoans.com/509
Gordonsville, Virginia mention priority code 509
Shenandoah Crossing Resort RV Park is
a timeshare resort, and the Deluxe and
Elite sites will bring a smile to your face. 1
Processing fee of $399 waived for refinance applications received by February 28, 2021. Official
The sites have gas grills (grilling tools are fees such as state title, state registration, FL doc stamp fee and/or UCC filing fees will apply.
provided), chairs, and a picnic table. The 2
Estimated APR (Annual Percentage Rate) based on 5 year loan term; individual rate may vary by
site next to ours even had a hot tub! This loan amount, loan term, vehicle use, model year and type of RV. Subject to consumer loan program
requirements and credit approval. Certain fees, closing costs, and restrictions may apply. Rates and
resort offers true glamping, and there’s terms may vary with market conditions and are subject to change without notice. APR applied to the
a very nice lodge and a restaurant, so loan is the APR in effect on the date the application is received and is valid for 60 days. Full-Timers
do not qualify for this offer; see website for Full-Timer rates and terms. RV must be 2010 model year
everything you need for relaxing is or newer; for RV model year 2010 to 2011, add .25% to above rates. Maximum loan term is based on
right at your fingertips. You can even go loan amount. Maximum loan amount is calculated using an advance percentage determined by FICO
score. RV collateral value established using NADA guide wholesale value (without add-ons) including
horseback riding or take a ride in a horse- mileage adjustment (+/-); multiplied by 110%. Refinance example of a recreational use RV loan: A
drawn carriage. $65,000 loan for 5 years with a fixed interest rate of 3.99% would have an APR of 3.99% and 60
monthly payments of $1,196.78. This is only an example and the APR may differ for your specific
bluegreenvacations.com transaction. Loans with longer terms may have higher rates.
Good Sam Finance Center provided through Essex Credit, A division of Bank of the West © 2021 Bank
For a taste of Virginia of the West. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender Doing business in South Dakota as Bank of the
West California. NMLS ID # 19116.
barbecue, bring your appetite to the
GOOD SAM and the GOOD SAM ICON are registered trademarks of Good Sam Enterprises, LLC.
Barbeque Exchange where hickory-smoked Unauthorized use of any of GSE, LLC’s trademarks is expressly prohibited. All rights reserved.
and slow-roasted pork, chicken, and GRL59761 – 1120
spareribs sizzle on the grill.

INSPIRATION | TRIP OF A LIFETIME

An RVing couple celebrating their twentieth anniversary
is lured to the Kenai Peninsula by salmon fishing, grizzly
sightings, calving glaciers, and their love for adventure.
BY MANDI WINLAND
I
mmediately after spending our Park Municipal Campground. Scheduling our
relaxing honeymoon on an Alaskan arrival just before noon checkout time, we
cruise, we’d been planning to return to pulled in as a camper was leaving a beautiful
The Last Frontier in an RV someday. Cel- spot along the water. Though there aren’t
ebrating our twentieth wedding anniver- any hookups nor a dump station, the
sary, my husband, Mark, and I finally made campground boasts fire pits, easy beach
our dream come true. Towing an enclosed access and a paved 3.5-mile path to the end
trailer containing a Can-Am Maverick utility of Homer Spit. Bald eagles frequented the
vehicle (UTV), pedal kayaks, and a freezer, beach as sea lions and otters made daily
we set out on a three-month expedition passes close to shore.
with our Ford F-350 equipped with an Eagle Homer is the closest port to get to
Cap 1165 truck camper. Katmai National Park and Preserve, where
Our time on the Kenai Peninsula held hungry grizzlies stand openmouthed at
the most special moments and memories Brooks Falls to catch jumping salmon.
of our entire ten-thousand-mile trip. With Deciding we wanted a view from above,
oceanfront campgrounds and abundant we booked a six-hour tour on a floatplane
wildlife, the Kenai is famed for world-class with Steller Air. The small plane had space
fishing. Everything we dreamed of seeing and for five passengers and one pilot. After
doing in Alaska can be found on the Kenai: learning most companies provide morning
BEAR NECESSITY barn-door sized halibut, all five varieties of tours, we booked the afternoon tour to
Naturally, a must-do event when salmon, grizzlies, bald and golden eagles, avoid the crowds. Spending ninety minutes
visiting the Kenai is to locate glaciers, floatplane tours, sea life, national of flight time gawking out the window, the
PHOTOS: MARK AND MANDI WINLAND
hungry grizzly bears and snap a

parks. Our bucket list was ready to fulfill. pilot described glacial sights to us through
once-in-a-lifetime photo (from a
distance, of course). noise-cancelling headsets as we soared
Get Grizzly in Homer over Cook Inlet before our water landing at
We arrived in Homer on the Sterling Amalik Bay to dock on the beach.
Highway. Since I longed to camp right on After a thirty-minute mandatory bear
the ocean, our destination was Mariner safety class from rangers, we hurried

ALASKA’S KENAI PENINSULA
along on the mile-and-a-half walk to at the prime falls. Farther downriver

the bear-viewing platforms. The main were the moms and babies. One sow
platform right at Brooks Falls is so swam away from her cubs to fish. A
popular that the rangers implement cub tried to follow her into the water
time limits and wait-lists when there but quickly swam back to shore and
are more than forty people present. Our uttered little baby growls and cries that
priority was getting there first! On our were too cute to ever forget. Our time KENAI RIVER TACKLE BOX
way, an adolescent grizzly ambled down at Katmai was brief, but we loved every
Eight- or nine-foot spinning or bait
the path toward us. Exiting the trail as single minute of safely seeing the bears casting rod with high-quality drag
far as we could, barely twenty feet due in their natural habitat. It was well system with twenty-pound braided
to brush and trees, we talked constantly worth the price. line OR
to the bear (as the class had taught us). Along with millions of viewers, Nine- or ten-weight fly rod (8.5–10 feet
in length) with large arbor reel that
Luckily, he kept walking down the trail we’ve tuned in weekly to life on the
has a good adjustable drag system
with only a brief sniff in our direction. Kilcher homestead on the popular with eight- to nine-weight floating fly
Because of the strict food restrictions Discovery Channel TV show, “Alaska: or sink tip line
by the national park, grizzlies here do The Last Frontier.” With a phone res- Half-to-one-ounce piece of lead
not associate people with food. Our bear ervation the day before and small Brightly colored yarn
encounter, while thrilling for us, was donation, daily tours of the original Single unweighted hook
otherwise uneventful. homestead property are offered. Fish bat
Stringer
We arrived at the gate-protected The walking tour revealed a glimpse
Net
platform to find six other viewers into American history as land parcels
Chest waders and boots
where the biggest bears feed at Brooks in Alaska were given free to people
Fish-cleaning carpet
Falls. Their grizzled fur—scarred from committed to the homestead lifestyle Nine-to-ten-inch fillet knife
obvious altercations—covered bellies in the 1960s. While original home-
full of fish as they gorged themselves steaders Yule and Ruth Kilcher have KENAI RIVER SALMON RUN SCHEDULE
in preparation for winter hibernation. passed, their eight children and now King (chinook) early run mid-May through
To safely view these amazing creatures grandchildren have expanded the mid-June, late run July
from the platforms was spectacular property with their own homesteads Sockeye (red) mid-June through July
and the ultimate pinnacle of our entire as they live off the land and make im- Silver (coho) early August through October
three-month northern trek. We spent provements for necessity and comfort Pink (humpy) and dog (chum) are not
considered sport fish and are not
more than an hour watching the bears for future generations.
officially counted in online estimates
alternate between catching and missing After completing the informative
spawning salmon flying through the air tour, our guide invited everyone to take Source: adfg.alaska.gov. Information approximate
and subject to change. Alaska has strict fishing
as they attempted to swim up the falls. the mile-long, steep (30 percent grade) regulations. Be sure to obtain the proper license
At a lower platform, the smaller walk down to the beach where the and keep up to date with local regulations.
adult bears dove and snorkeled to make family harvests coal and makes cattle
their catches. They were not large drives. Not only did we enjoy seeing
enough to compete with the big bears more of this beautiful property, the
BIG 3 49ERS
Black, brown, Black bears can
and polar bears be found in all
can be found in states except
Alaska. Hawaii.
1,700 25 YEARS
That’s how The average
many pounds lifespan for
a grizzly can polar bears.
weigh!

extra time we spent worked hookups, there is a dump Northwestern Glacier Cruise is among several companies that offer
kayak tours in Kenai Fjords National Park for a unique perspective
in our favor. As we returned station available for a fee. of Northwestern Glacier. Mandi shows off her nine-pound sockeye
to the parking lot, the entire It quickly became clear that salmon caught in the Kenai River in Soldotna.
Kilcher family was gathering everyone in this campground
to celebrate a birthday. A was all about the fishing. With limits doubled from three etiquette, casting technique,
rare treat for tourists, we twenty-five sets of stairs fish per person to six during unique tackle, legal snagging
saw almost every cast and two boat launches giving our stay due to the high in the mouth (aka flossing),
member, including Grammy access to the Kenai River, there fish counts. Locals, veteran and the learned skill of
award-winning singer and was a line at the eight-person fishermen, and rookies like landing a fish in the net once
family member, Jewel. Though fish cleaning station from us lined up “combat style.” caught. After much trial and
reality TV stars, this family is morning until night. Standing ten to fifteen error, we finally managed
down to earth and genuine. As complete salmon feet apart, fishermen here to catch and successfully
Our educational excursion fishing rookies, our arrival on are obligated to embrace net our first fish, which was
provided a glimpse into a way July 24 was a stroke of luck as the Kenai Flip style of definitely a team effort.
of life much different from the next few days marked the casting. The turquoise silty Being experienced trout
ours in the lower forty-eight high season of the sockeye river rushed by as nearby and bass fishermen, it was
but common in Alaska. Even (red) salmon run. Daily fishing anglers educated us on river absolutely nothing like any
visitors who never heard
of the Kilchers enjoyed the
homestead tour. “Our time on the Kenai Peninsula held
Fishing Around in the most special moments and memories
Soldotna
It was hard to leave Homer of our entire trip to Alaska.”
after the experiences of
a lifetime, but there was
still more to explore on the
Kenai Peninsula. Without
reservations, we had no
trouble securing a site at the
Centennial Park Campground.
Though there aren’t any
Mandi, her husband, Mark, and

their cavapoo, Molly, travel
from Colorado in their Ford
F-350 and Eagle Cap 1165
truck camper. Their photo-
graphy and blog site can be
found at mandmadventures.com

ALASKA’S KENAI PENINSULA
Lush forest of ferns and devil’s club add to the

atmosphere on the hike from Miller’s Landing in
Seward to Caines Head State Recreation Area.
fishing we’ve ever done before. We had

outfitted ourselves in chest waders and
boots before we left home, but the rods and
tackle we brought were barely adequate. As
the saying goes, “we didn’t know what we
didn’t know.” These delicious game fish fight
hard enough to destroy fishing gear. One of
our fly reels was demolished because the
drag wasn’t robust enough. Trustworthy
Hardware & Fishing received business from The first morning was spent hiking two face of the glacier. Beautiful harbor seals
us every day as we developed a better idea miles to view Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords sunned themselves on floating sheets of
of what gear we needed and to replace what National Park. We learned about a new ice. Endangered Steller sea lions barked,
was broken and lost. edible berry here, the watermelon berry. fought for prime locations on precarious
Our inauthentic gear provided plenty Purple when ripe, the fruit is oblong and rocks, and made quite a ruckus, much to
of entertainment while fishing, filleting, does in fact taste like watermelon. Seward our pleasure. Bird lovers were in heaven
and vacuum sealing our catches to fill is also home to Mile 0 of the Iditarod watching and learning about puffins,
the freezer over the next five days. National Historic Trail. murres, and all varieties of seabirds flying
We brought home thirty fish, weighing Because checkout time was noon, and diving, some several hundred feet into
between six and nine pounds each. arriving an hour early secured us an the frigid depths to catch their prey. The
oceanfront campsite at Marathon naturalist endearingly referred to puffins
Hiking at Cooper Landing Campground. This city campground as flying footballs because their bodies
Another popular fishing spot with an doesn’t offer any hookups and does resemble footballs with wings in the air.
adjoining campground is the Russian River not accept reservations. From the Though only a segment of our Alaska
at Cooper Landing. Because the Russian campground, downtown was an easy trip, our time on the Kenai Peninsula was
filled with purely Alaskan experiences.
“We stopped at Northwestern Glacier to

Every day held the opportunity for new
adventures, spectacular sights to behold,
view the magnificent blue ice crack and wild creatures to discover, and precious
calve, plummeting into the water.”

unforgettable memories. It’s gonna be
tough to top our twentieth anniversary.
River Campground was completely half-mile walk, which was convenient FOR MORE INFORMATION
booked, we stayed only to do a day hike. considering parking was limited, even in Cooper Landing
The Russian River, in stark contrast to various pay lots. Russian River Campground, fs.usda.gov
the milky turquoise Kenai River, was clear Our crowning experience in Seward Homer
enough to look in and see the salmon was the Northwestern Fjord glacier Mariner Park Municipal Campground
swimming in various shades of coloring cruise we took with Kenai Fjords Tours. A cityofhomer-ak.gov
that depicted their stage of spawning. naturalist educated us on what we were
National Parks
The river is shallower and slower than seeing throughout the day in the national
Katmai National Park, nps.gov/katm
the mighty Kenai and seems to result park. The wildlife was amazing! Luckily, Kenai Fjords National Park, nps.gov/kefj
in smaller and less frequent fishing we were bundled up in multiple layers
successes. We hiked 2.4 miles one way to with hats, gloves, and coats since being Seward
see Russian River Falls and then continued on the near-freezing water surrounded by Caines Head Trail, dnr.alaska.gov/parks/aspunits/
kenai/cainesheadsra.htm
another 1.5 miles to the confluence of glaciers was quite chilly, especially when
Kenai Fjord Tours, alaskacollection.com/day-tours/
the Kenai and Russian rivers. Though we the boat was in motion. Surrounded in a kenai-fjords-tours
observed some fishermen using the Kenai valley of seven glaciers, our ship stopped Marathon Campground, cityofseward.us/
Flip technique, it was common to see a for thirty minutes at Northwestern departments/parks-recreation/campgrounds
more traditional fly or spin cast used. Glacier to allow plenty of time to view Miller’s Landing, millerslandingak.com
the magnificent blue ice crack and calve, Soldotna
Oceanfront in Seward plummeting into the water and causing Centennial Park Campground, soldotna.org
Our last stop on the Kenai Peninsula was massive waves that threatened anything Soldotna Trustworthy Hardware and Fishing
Seward, reached by the Seward Highway. not respecting a proper distance from the soldotnahardware.com

INSPIRATION | TRAVEL
SOAKING IN
SPA
CITY,
USA RESORT ROMANCE
THRIVES IN HOT SPRINGS,
ARKANSAS, WHERE LOVE-
STRUCK VISITORS ENJOY
GEOTHERMAL WATERS,
BATHHOUSES, COLORFUL
GARDENS, AND MORE.
BY KERRI COX
For centuries, people have been spend time together.

drawn to the steaming mineral waters and magical Over the years, Hot
springs flowing from the hillsides of the Ouachita Springs has beckoned to me
Mountains in central Arkansas. Long revered as sacred and my husband for our family
and later renowned as a place of healing, the landscape getaways, first traveling with
of Hot Springs has drawn visitors to the town and the our parents and then with our
celebrated waters of its namesake national park. own children. The ambiance
Located just fifty miles southwest of Arkansas’ capital has grand elements of natural
city, Little Rock, Hot Springs’ colorful past includes vacation- beauty and a lively history
ing mob figures and alongside traditional—and
traveling baseball sometimes tacky—tourist
teams. Present-day attractions. This quirkiness
visitors come to STORIED PAST keeps us on the lookout for
enjoy Spa City, a the unexpected. With our
Hot Springs’ history is not
place of relaxation only colorful, it is downright teenage sons old enough
owing to the hot notorious. In the 1920s and to barely remember their
springs at the center ’30s, gangsters like Lucky childhood trips to Hot Springs,
Luciano and Al Capone
of it all. Couples are it was time for a revisit. As
also sought refuge in the
enticed by the pic- Ouachita Mountains, where it has in the past, the town
ture-perfect setting local law enforcement revealed new charms and
and romantic ways to overlooked their gambling, delighted us with familiar
prostitution, and bootleg-
favorites. And it remains just
ging. More details about this
Situated in Arkansas’ Ouachita Mountains, Hot Springs also era can be learned at the as romantic as it was the first
offers museums, antiques, shopping, and a thriving nightlife. city’s Gangster Museum of time we visited.
America. tgmoa.com

HOT SPRINGS, ARKANSAS
decided to go down one way and back up the other.

The Grand Promenade is an iconic piece of Hot
Springs National Park, a paved half-mile trail that
runs parallel to Bathhouse Row and located high
on the hillside. No matter how hot and humid the
weather in Arkansas may be at the time of your
visit, it feels five to ten degrees cooler along this
tree-lined walkway.
Soaking in the City

After a sweet stroll along the Grand Promenade,
we moseyed down the hill to make our way up
Bathhouse Row,
in the heart of
downtown Hot
Springs. Each
bathhouse is an ar- BIRTHPLACE
chitectural wonder OF SPRING
with a personality TRAINING
all its own, from
the gleaming During the late 1800s, Major
white stucco of the League Baseball brought
visitors to town. In 1886,
Quapaw Baths and the Chicago White Stockings
Spa to the colorful used Hot Springs as a place
blue awnings of for spring training, and did so
the Buckstaff well that season they decided
Hot Stuff
to repeat the practice. Other
to the art deco teams soon followed, and by
Fordyce. While they 1910 the city was a hot spot
fell into disrepair for spring training. Facilities
While you might imagine Hot Springs as a landscape full of over the decades, were built as the tradition
grew. In 1918, as a member
steaming pools, you won’t actually see many in the town. As the the National Park of the Boston Red Sox, Babe
region developed, most of the forty-seven springs were covered by Service has worked Ruth played his first game
bathhouses and other structures, and Hot Springs Creek, which ran to restore them in as a non-pitcher here, hitting
down what is known as Bathhouse Row, was pushed underground recent years. a home run that landed a
reported 573 feet away in the
through a stone aquifer. Today, there are just a few places where We started our Arkansas Alligator Farm and
springs are visible. visit at the Fordyce, Petting Zoo.
We kicked off our recent visit with a stop at the Hot Water Cascade which is the park’s hotspringsbaseballtrail.com
where mist rises from a verdant hillside. Steamy 147°F water starts official visitor center.
near the top, cooling off as it tumbles through leafy ferns and over This building serves
algae-covered rocks. Basins built at the bottom provide nice spots to as a museum, featuring renovated rooms and
sit and soak. original artifacts. A trip through the Fordyce is like
Though my family thought I was kooky, I peeled off my socks and stepping back in time. It’s easy to imagine sturdy
shoes and slipped my feet into the steamy waters. After all, you can’t
come to Hot Springs without experiencing
its namesake hot springs! The heat was
almost too much to bear, as my fair skin
“Over the
turned the color of a boiled lobster. years, Hot
Once my socks and shoes were back on
my pink feet, we voted for what to do next.
Springs has
Should we stroll the Grand Promenade, or beckoned to
should we walk along Bathhouse Row? We
were at the starting point for both, so we
me and my
husband for
our family
getaways.”
WHERE TO
STAY + PLAY
RVers heading to Hot

Springs can take their
pick from several
exceptionally good
parks. Some are located
close to the action, right
in the city, while others
offer lakeside locations
outside of town.
PUBLIC PARKS
The National Park Service
operates Gulpha Gorge
Campground, which runs
along a scenic creek.
Though full hookups are
available, reservations
and showers are not. A
hiking trail connects to the
national park.
nps.gov/hosp
Two nearby state parks

offer campsites with
lake views. While Lake
Catherine State Park is a
popular choice, we decided
to stay farther out at Lake
young men working out in the gymnasium and Ouachita State Park. We tion of being the first located within a national
elegant Victorian ladies gossiping in the grand didn’t have a cell signal at park and is the only one to use thermal spring
changing rooms. My family liked checking out our site, but we did have waters in the beer-production process. We
the quirky vintage “health” equipment from full hookups and gorgeous met friends at the Superior Bathhouse and I
an era when electrified baths seemed like a sunset views. decided this was the best pub food I’ve ever
arkansasstateparks.com
good idea. had. The mushroom panini dripped with flavor.
And, of course, you have to take a dip! PRIVATE PARKS On the menu are a variety of burgers, including
The Buckhouse is the only one of the eight Located on Lake Hamilton, The Fun Guy, and beers with witty names like
remaining bathhouses to have operated con- Treasure Isle RV Park is Space Force, The Beez Kneez, and Foul Play.
tinuously for more than a century, while the a kid- and pet-friendly We rated the brews (which included root beer
Quapaw and the Hale were recently renovated campground with spacious for the kids) and meals as superior.
pull-through and back-in
and reopened as spas, offering soaks and Though there’s an eclectic mixture of
full-hookup sites. The
massages (a great way to spend Valentine’s swimming pool and toys, mementos, clothing, and home goods
Day). The most unique opportunity is found bathhouses were replaced for purchase, our favorite souvenir to take
below the Quapaw with its steam cave con- in 2016 and three pavilions home is simply water. You may bring your
structed before the bathhouse itself. Relaxing for use are located on the own jugs to fill at the many spigots located
on the wooden benches set against rock-lined water’s edge. around town. While some hot springs have a
treasureislerv.com
walls, the sauna experience is like no other,
with a 104°F temperature coming naturally The wide, extra-long RV
from the hot spring. full-hookup sites at Cloud Bathhouse Row highlights include Fordyce Bathhouse and
While some of the bathhouses are vacant, Nine RV Park include Quapaw Baths and Spa. Ozark Bathhouse closed in 1977,
PHOTOS: KERRI COX
free Wi-Fi and cable TV. but is now home to the Hot Springs National Park Cultural
others house an art gallery and alluring
On-site are an exercise Center. It’s not all about the hot springs. Visitors can play
shopping boutiques. The Superior Bathhouse the ponies at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort, or enjoy a
room, a pool table, and
is home to a brewery, which has the distinc- horseshoes, and you can scenic campsite at one of the many parks in the area.
catch a walking trail from
the campground.
cloudninerv.com

HOT SPRINGS, ARKANSAS
sulfur smell and taste, these do not. Though
we could easily get free water, we headed to

Mountain Valley Spring Water, which sells our
favorite H20, is sourced at a cold spring, and has
LOVE IS
IN THE AIR
a slightly sweet taste. They have traditional
flat bottled water and many carbonated flavors
DINNER BY
CANDLELIGHT
that you can taste for free. Our teenage sons Hot Springs has some lovely
thought it was funny that our vacation included fine-dining restaurants to
experience. You can eat
sampling water.
in Eden, the restaurant
at Hotel Hale that has a
Beyond Bathhouses living wall where you and
While Hot Springs National Park is not a tradi- your loved one will be
surrounded by a flourishing
tional national park, there are traditional expe-
garden. The Vault, in the old
riences to be found here, including twenty-six Citizens Bank built in 1909,
miles of hiking trails and scenic drives. Our has dim lighting, candles on
favorites are Hot Springs Mountain Drive the tables, ninety‑seven-
year-old chandeliers, a
and West Mountain Drive, which go through
gasolier over the bar, and
woodlands and have scenic overlooks. We came ceiling tiles from the early
home with lots of photos of our kids sitting on 1900s. To savor a special
the stone walls—with a panorama of the city dining experience, the old
bank vault behind the bar is
below, to compare to photos from earlier years.
available for private dining.
The best views are from Hot Springs For Italian classics, steaks,
Mountain Tower. The 216-foot-tall tower has and seafood, J&S Italian
an open-air observation deck located 1,256 Villa, located in a strip mall,
has an excellent ambiance
feet above sea level. From there, you can see
and service.
the full city, as well as the rollicking Ouachita
Mountains, which look like green waves SPLASH AROUND
undulating in the distance. WITH YOUR SWEETIE
Hill Wheatley Park, located
Outside of the national park, the best
at the northern tip of Lake

landscapes are found in Garvan Woodland Hamilton, is home to a
Gardens. Located on Lake Hamilton, a hot popular swim beach. There
spot for watersports, this 210-acre botanical are also grills and picnic
garden has ever-changing floral blooms, me- tables, so a day of fun in
the fun with your honey is
ticulously maintained by the University of less than eight miles from
Arkansas. One highlight is the Anthony Chapel, downtown Hot Springs.
which matches a style of architecture popular-
ized by E. Fay Jones, an Arkansas native who
apprenticed with Frank Lloyd Wright. Benches are scattered along the garden’s
trails so you can enjoy some quiet time sitting next to your beloved.

Family Fun

Hot Springs provides plenty of entertainment for kids. The Mid-America Science
Museum is an unexpected gem with its outdoor dinosaur exhibit and the Motion

Gallery, where almost everything moves. We appreciated that it was less crowded and

less overwhelming than science museums found in larger cities.
Tweens and teens are likely to appreciate the quirkier side. The Arkansas Alligator

BAUER PRODUCTS, CIRCLE 101 ON READER SERVICE CARD
Farm and Petting Zoo, a Hot Springs fixture since 1902, allows visitors to feed meat
. on a stick to baby alligators. The Josephine Tussaud Wax Museum (not affiliated

with the more well-known Madame Tussauds’ attractions) has a collection of wax
figures that primarily date to the 1970s. As you may imagine from the name, Maxwell
BAUER Blade’s Odditorium and Curiosities Museum will entice kids of all ages. Family fun
PRODUCTS and beautiful campgrounds can be found at the surrounding lakes, including Lake
Catherine and Lake Ouachita.
866-682-2837 While our stay in Hot Springs ended all too quickly, we are lucky enough to be able
bauerproducts.com/bluetooth to return again and again, as we surely will. Though we’ve visited more than a dozen
times over the years, we have yet to see all that Hot Springs has to offer.

ADVENTURE | DESTINATIONS
Sip, sup, shop, and cycle in

this seductive Arizona city.
Are you dreaming of slipping away with your true
love to celebrate Valentine’s Day in your RV? Would
a place filled with outdoor adventure, glorious
scenery, small-town charm, and a romantic flair
fit the bill? If so, Sedona, Arizona, is the place for
you! You can hike, bike, or take a 4WD vehicle on
thrilling trails through jaw-dropping red-rock vistas
and then steal a memorable kiss at a spectacular
overlook. Stroll hand-in-hand on the streets of an
artsy small town and celebrate your love over a
CATHEDRAL ROCK
This famous natural
glass of wine from a nearby vineyard or toast each
sandstone butte juts to an other with a locally brewed craft beer. A few days in
elevation of nearly 5,000 Sedona will be a few days of pure magic.
feet at its highest point.
BY EMILY FAGAN

SEDONA, ARIZONA
with a stunning state park just beyond the city

limits, it’s easy to get out and immerse yourself
in exotic red-rock splendor. From taking a
leisurely walk between towering pinnacles
to tackling treacherously difficult mountain-
biking passes stair-stepping up and down
sandstone ledges, there’s a trail for every taste
and skill level.
Our all-time favorite trail is Bell Rock
WHAT COULD Pathway with its magnificent views and close

proximity to the cute bistros and shops in the
BE MORE
Village of Oak Creek. The wide, smooth trail
wanders between and around some of the area’s
most famous red-rock formations, and it’s so
ROMANTIC
than spending a few hours strolling hand-in-hand under the
smooth underfoot that both the very young and
very old find it’s a breeze to traverse. The trail
runs parallel to the main drag, Highway 179,
ornate arches through the intimate courtyards of Tlaquepaque, which connects the Village of Oak Creek with the
an unusual shopping and dining venue that is reminiscent of a town of Sedona, and there are three trail head
traditional Mexican hacienda? Nicknamed the “Art and Soul of access points.
Sedona,” this wonderful indoor/outdoor property is a charming Do just a small section of the trail for a quick
maze of picturesque architecture, art galleries, boutique shops, blast of breathtaking beauty without breaking
and eateries. Tlaquepaque means the “best of everything” in a sweat, or you can hike or bike the whole 7.2
the ancient Aztec Nahuatl language, and the name says it all. miles out and back. Either way, sensational
From enjoying a spicy cup of hot chai high up on a balcony views of the Liberty Bell-shaped Bell Rock,
above a promenade to gazing in wonder at the blown-glass stately Courthouse Butte, and iconic Cathedral
artwork at the Kuivato Glass Gallery to getting in touch with
your inner child at Tlaquepaque Toy Town, a world of fun
window shopping awaits. In between the pretty shops, ornate
fountains bubble in every nook and cranny. Many a wedding or “What a place to pop
engagement photo shoot has taken place here, and even if you
don’t bump into a bride posing with her wedding party, other the question or fall in
tourists will be more than happy to take a Valentine’s photo of
you and your true love in a quaint spot. love all over again!”
When you want a change of pace from the shops and
plazas, you’ll find a grassy area under shade trees leading
down to babbling Oak Creek on the outer perimeter of Tlaque-
paque. This is a beautiful area to take a snooze in one of
several hammocks or sit on a park bench, close your eyes and
take a deep breath. We have visited Tlaquepaque on countless
occasions, and this spot was the gem we discovered on our
latest visit.
Red-Rock Views & Crackling Energy

Sedona is a shopper’s and diner’s paradise, but it’s also an
outdoor lover’s paradise. Surrounded by national forest land
TAKING IT ALL IN
Sedona is for adventurers, true, but it’s also a
great place for inspiration and contemplation,
with sweeping vistas and gorgeous scenery
around every turn of the trail.

Slide Rock State Park’s eighty-foot-long slippery view, and if you sit quietly for a while you
water chute is a natural creation of worn sand- may feel spiritual connections. Whether
stone. Cathedral Rock can be viewed throughout
the area, including Oak Creek Canyon. Oak Creek is
the moment is transcendent for you
spring-fed, stretches about fifty miles, and is one or not, the views are out of this world.
of the last free-running streams in Arizona. Our spirits soared as we gazed at the
wonderland before us. What a place to
pop the question or fall in love all over
Rock greet you at every turn. For again!
mountain bikers, whether you’re experi- A few miles north of town, the West
enced or a novice, the Bell Rock Pathway Fork Trail goes deep into the woods. A
is almost effortless and makes you feel half-mile into the hike you come across
like you’re riding through the pages of a the ruins of the old Mayhew Lodge. First
glossy travel brochure. built by Bear Howard as a small cabin, the
Hundreds of miles of other trails property was eventually expanded and
weave through the national forest around then purchased by the Mayhew family in
Sedona and the Village of Oak Creek. 1936. Operated as a guest house catering
Baldwin, Brins Mesa, Cathedral Rock, to A-list celebrities until 1968, the guest
Doe Mountain, Hog Heaven, Cow Pies, list included such illustrious names
and Templeton trails are all delightful. as President Herbert Hoover, Jimmy
If you hit any trail near dawn, there’s a Stewart, and Clark Gable. Sadly, after the
good chance you’ll be alone with your US Forest Service acquired the property
loved one amid the marvelous red rocks in 1968, it burned to the ground in
listening to birds singing their greetings 1980. All that remains today is the brick
to the new day.
Psychics say
they can feel
mysterious powers
in certain vortexes SEDUCTIVE SEDONA
located around
Sedona, and Airport 1902 Secret 7 We Care
Mesa is one of T.C. Schnebly, who For can’t-miss hikes Visitors are asked
these. A climb up established the and other hidden to commit to
Sedona post office jewels in and keeping the area
the trail rewards
on June 26 of that around Sedona, be pristine. Go to
you with an awe-in- year, named the sure to check out sedonacares.com
spiring panoramic city after his wife. sedonasecret7.com. to learn more.
PHOTOS: EMILY AND MARK FAGAN

SEDONA, ARIZONA
ADVENTURE
LOVERS
TAKE NOTE!
With opportunities for
hiking, trail riding, and
four-wheeling,
Sedona delivers.
fireplace and spartan hints of Sedona offers a stunning backdrop for outdoor adventure. Hike, bike, and break
the high life lived by the rich and out your off-road vehicle to explore. If you don’t have an ORV, enjoy a thrilling
expedition on an Arizona Safari Jeep Tour for a first-rate two- or three-hour tour
famous while on holiday many (don’t worry, the vehicles are much sturdier than Gilligan’s SS Minnow).
decades ago.
The West Fork Trail is 3.2
miles long, but our favorite that has been named one of the American Grill offers mouth-
spot is just another half-mile most scenic drives in America by watering steaks and seafood
farther in where Oak Creek Rand McNally, while the Outlaw along with locally brewed
tumbles over boulders and Trail tour cruises through the beer and wine from Arizona
pools under striking sandstone vast vistas of West Sedona. Stronghold Vineyard, and they
cave walls. The glassy water You can share these adventures celebrate Valentine’s Day with a
is like a mirror and the reflec- with other tourists, or you can special menu. For more refined
tions of the curved stone walls book a private tour for just you elegance and artistic cuisine,
and towering trees make for and your loved one. Toy-hauler a pricier dinner at Dahl and Di
gorgeous images. The beauty of owners will love taking their Luca Ristorante Italiano is a
this trail is that it goes out and ORVs, UTVs, or ATVs on wild memorable experience.
back, so you can turn around at rides up and down mostly dirt Our favorite little go-to
any time, making it as rigorous Schnebly Hill Road as well as spot for a late-afternoon cold
or relaxed as you wish. driving past the sensational one is Oak Creek Brewing Co.
views of Chicken Point punctu- in West Sedona where you can
Just the Ticket ating the Broken Arrow Trail. share a pitcher of delicious Nut
If huffing and puffing alongside And what better way Brown Ale while seated next
your true love in hiking boots to recover from all these to tall stainless-steel tanks
or on a bike isn’t your style, adrenaline rushes in nature fermenting the next batches of
you can still have a thrilling than to relax over a tasty beer. They don’t serve food, but
adventure together on an meal?! The Golden Goose you can grab a snack to take
Arizona Safari Jeep Tour. The in with you from a block away
Jeep drivers are informative at Bashas’ supermarket. If you
and more than happy to stop GOOD SAM RV want to sample their beers
When visiting
anywhere for a photo op. From PARKS IN THE AREA with a full menu, Oak Creek Sedona, we recom-
teaching you about the Native Brewing operates an excellent mend having your
American uses of local nuts to restaurant at Tlaquepaque camera at the ready
Distant Drums RV Resort
at all times. Sheer
showing you unsung historic ddrvresort.com with windows overlooking the
red rocks, glassy
spots deep in the canyons Rancho Sedona RV Park action. water pools, and
around Sedona, you will gain ranchosedona.com For us, the allure of Sedona even showstopping
unique insights into the area on Verde Ranch RV Resort keeps drawing us back. It’s sunrises and sunsets
crrlifestyle.com/rv-resorts/ are the norm each
your tour. captivating at every time of
verde-ranch-rv-resort and every day.
The Call of the Canyon Tour year, but on Valentine’s Day it’s
Verde River RV Resort
goes through stunning scenery & Cottages one of our favorite places to
in Oak Creek Canyon, a canyon verderiverrvresort.com celebrate our love.
Zane Grey RV Village
zanegreyrv.com

ADVENTURES
WE LOVE
For a special Valentine’s treat, book a train ride
on Verde Canyon Railroad’s “A Sweet State of
Mind Chocolate Lovers’ Special.” During this
romance on the rails, you’ll sample sumptuous
chocolate treats with your loved one in comfy
accommodations while enjoying sensational
views from the train’s windows.
verdecanyonrr.com/events/chocolatelovers
Looking to get above it all? See the majestic

red rocks from the air by helicopter. Join
others on a group ride or book a private tour
with Guidance Air (guidanceair.com). Or float
quietly over the landscape in a balloon on an
“aerial nature walk” with Red Rock Balloon
Adventures. redrockballoons.com
Discover Sedona’s vortex enchantment with

your soulmate under the guidance of a pro-
fessional yogi by going on a unique yoga hike.
vortexyogahikinginsedona.com
Stare into the depths of the heavens on an

evening stargazing tour! Sedona has dark
night skies, and on these tours a professional
astronomer teaches you to recognize the
most visible constellations and then helps you
experience the night sky on your own through
powerful telescopes. eveningskytours.com
FOR MORE INFO

Arizona Safari Jeep Tours
safarijeeptours.com
Bell Rock Pathway
fs.usda.gov
“The glassy water is like a Dahl and Di Luca Ristorante Italiano
dahlanddiluca.com
mirror and the reflections The Golden Goose American Grill
make for gorgeous images.” goldengoosegrill.com
Oak Creek Brewing Co.
oakcreekbrew.com
Sedona, Arizona
visitsedona.com
Slide Rock State Park
azstateparks.com
Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village

tlaq.com

Know
In the
Parks Project 45 | Perfect Parks 50
When last year’s spring RV

vacation got canceled due to
COVID-19, her nine-year-old
daughter, especially, was disap-
pointed. Between homeschooling
and working from home, the
family of five had been together
constantly inside the house. “I
told my daughter, ‘the girls are
going camping,’ and parked our
trailer in the yard and set up
everything just like we do at a
campsite.” The mother-daughter
team spent a weekend in their RV
THE KEY TO HAPPINESS enjoying bonding time. This also

gave the entire family a break
from each other and was so
Beth Roeder believes in the power of resilience, persistence, successful that the girls’ campout
RVing, and helping others. has become a regular getaway.
B
BY D O N YA C A R L S O N
What are your favorite ways to
eth Roeder, VP of Consumer Data Governance for the entire Good Sam enjoy time at a campsite?
and Camping World RV & Outdoors enterprise, is a woman on the move “A lot of the time, my parents
with a mission. Beth has been with the company for twenty-five years and sister join us with their RVs,
and oversees the marketing database—the central hub for all information and my brother. We send out a
about a customer—and makes sure that it is functioning accurately. She’s a message to our camping friends
wife and mom of three and volunteers at her church, her daughter’s school, that we’re booking this site at
and her son’s basketball team. With such a demanding schedule, RVing is this place, and they book it, too.
her way of relaxing, and the family frequently heads out in their CrossRoads So sometimes we’ve got ten
Sunset Trail travel trailer to enjoy the Kentucky camping season. families.” Friends break out their
guitars, harmonicas, and banjos,
RVM: What are you thankful for? parents since “there was never and sing around the campfire,
Beth: “Sixteen years ago when I a bad time to go camping, no while the kids get creative with
was diagnosed with cancer, I was matter what time of year or new s’mores recipes.
told that I could not have more the temperature!” She views
children.” [She had a son at the campgrounds as the “friendliest What inspires you?
time.] She is now cancer-free and places on earth, and where you “I’m inspired by different people
has since had two more healthy make friends for life.” Once, when and their unique qualities, how
children. “Every day I’m thankful the family was celebrating her people come together, and par-
for another day of life and I go parents’ wedding anniversary, ticularly by the preacher at my
to sleep every night thankful for “in walked a couple my parents church and the encouragement
the ability to say goodnight to had met at a campground the he gives to others during this
my children. I have a new love weekend before. They drove two time.” Beth lives by the principle
and compassion for people and hours to join the celebration!” of “having the mindset that
want to figure out what positive you’re never going to give up and
impact I can have on them.” How has RVing impacted you? always pursuing regardless of
“If I had a slogan, it would be what life throws at you. To me,
PHOTO: SCOTT SKAGGS
How did you get into RVing? that camping keeps me sane. it’s persistence, consistency,
Beth attributes her love of the It’s a wonderful escape from a and always looking for your
outdoors and camping to her demanding lifestyle.” blessings.”

a rk s
PProject
FOR THE LOVE OF
THE OUTDOORS
Parks Project is working to preserve our national parks
and secure America’s heritage for future generations.
BY D O N YA Spending time outdoors and enjoying tion Association, clearly a sign that we love to
CARLSON
nature feels just plain wonderful! In addition to be outdoors exploring our heritage. In July 2020,
the obvious health benefits of physical activity Congress passed the Great American Outdoors
and boosting your vitamin D level by soaking Act that dedicates up to $1.9 billion per year for
up the sun, communing with nature can lessen five years to deferred maintenance projects in our
stress, help you sleep better, and improve National Park Service. Good news, indeed, but our
cognitive functioning. Simply put, nature has the parklands need more help since there’s a nearly
power to heal and makes us happy. $12 billion backlog of needed repair work. Our
The US is fortunate to have more than four parklands are priceless national treasures and
hundred national parks where we can camp, hike, the heart of America.
bike, sit by a roaring river, explore historic and
cultural sites, and view glaciers, spouting geysers,
remarkable wildlife and plant species, sixty-foot
presidents’ faces carved into a mountainside,  RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS
The Parks Project crew (co-founder Sevag
spectacular nighttime light shows, and—well, Kazanci is on the far right) taking a break
the list goes on. from trail maintenance at the 2018
More than 327 million people visited our Yosemite Facelift event in California’s
national parks in 2019 and there has been a 14 Yosemite National Park. With a backdrop
like this, you’re sure to be inspired to pick
percent increase of visitors over the last five up a shovel and pitch in!
years, according to the National Park Conserva-
PHOTOS: PARKS PROJECT, JESSICA LIM, GRANT PUCKETT

IN THE KNOW | parks project
Investing in
National Parks
With so much at stake, not just now,
came together.
Said Keith, “I had
some pivotal moments and un-
but for future generations, we, the derstanding my relationship with
people, need to step up to heal our the outdoors and got to connect
parklands. After all, our parklands heal with many conservancies. We
us. Parks Project (parksproject.us), started it just in California. And we
launched in 2014, is one such group thought, what if we make some
that, as of this writing, has given Joshua Tree product? And we
back more than $1.2 million to our introduced ourselves to the Joshua
parklands through its merchandise, Tree National Park Association.
as well as investing in thousands of What if we make some Muir Woods
hours of manpower. The co-founders, products and sell [them] in the [San
Keith Eshelman and Sevag Kazanci, Francisco] Bay area? And we met
met while working at TOMS, a popular the Golden Gate Conservancy. All
shoe, eyewear, and apparel company that paved a way to bigger relation-
known for its giving-back policy. ships and bigger retailers and bigger
Sevag was on the products side, while impact and bigger reach.
Keith was on the sales and marketing “One of the voids in the market-
side, and they were inspired by TOMS place,” continued Keith “is not as much
charity-driven business philosophy a product but connecting the next
of making a positive impact. The two generation to parklands and conserva-
were volunteering in SoCal’s Santa tion, so that spurred the idea of getting
Monica Mountains, helping with trail volunteer groups out and sharing
restoration. They saw how much what we were doing. And through
work had to be done, talked about those collective experiences, we saw
how to get more people involved, a couple other voids in the market-
and what they could do to help out place, one of which is the product. We
the parklands. thought that somebody can make
But these two didn’t just talk
the talk, they walked the walk—
GOOD DEEDS4
literally—spending hours on trails Parks Project members remove debris at
to give back and organizing small a beach cleanup event in Olympic National
groups to do boots-on-the-ground Park, Washington, where the team spent
three days camping and volunteering.
work. And then a light bulb went off
Co-founder Sevag Kazanci helps with
and they started formulating a plan, documenting Joshua trees in the California
and with a sequence of events it national park for climate change research.
“IT GAVE ME A WHOLE DIFFERENT

PERSPECTIVE OF WHAT IT TOOK FOR
THE UPKEEP OF A PARK . . . HOW
MUCH EFFORT AND PASSION GOES
INTO PROTECTING THESE PLACES.”

1.2+ Mil.
GIVING BACK
Close to the Heart

We asked the Parks Project
co-founders to pick a program
better products to
represent some of
the best brands in the
$
near and dear to them. outdoors, and we kind Given back to parklands as of December 14, 2020.
of jumped in there
SEVAG: being first-movers 1,658 140 314
JOSHUA TREE Square feet of Bear-proof Volunteer
NATIONAL PARK, with e-commerce
and distributing park invasive spe- canisters pro- Brigades
CALIFORNIA cies removed vided at Alas- funded at
It’s the first park that I got to see apparel outside the from Channel ka’s Denali Wyoming’s
a project in person and see the park.” Islands, National Park Grand Teton
nursery and what they were doing California. and Preserve. National Park.
every single day to keep that park
afloat and keep those trees prop- Leave It Better than
agating. Just seeing the work and You Found It
effort the conservation association With the motto “leave
group was doing was remarkable. it better than you
It gave me a whole different per-
found it,” the two put their hearts and we do this tone, and just really dialing
spective of what it took for the
upkeep of a park and just how own funds into the products, designing in our products. It’s something that’s
much effort and passion goes into T-shirts and other clothing themselves, really near and dear to our hearts.
protecting these places. and then as the business grew, artists Keith on the creative and product
I think sometimes people have helped with the designing for certain and marketing side and me on the
this concept that the government
just takes care of them [parklands]
collaborations. The Parks Project production and supply chain side. It’s
and it’s like, ‘Oh, there’s no big deal. crew has “a passion for the outdoors something that’s really important to
They’re always just going to be and believe it’s our responsibility to both of us. We’ve collaborated on that
there.’ But when you start peeling promote, protect, and preserve public since day one. And luckily, we have a
back those layers, you see there lands,” and with this in mind, every item team now that’s able to do it and scale
are really dedicated and passionate
people who are there doing the they create is made with purpose and it and give us other opportunities.”
work, and to be able to support helps fund a project in a park.
them and work with them, for us, is Sevag said, “Keith and I were super Creating Partnerships
just an absolute honor. hands-on from day one, designing In 2018 Parks Project partnered with
our first products. I can think back to REI and National Geographic, and dis-
KEITH: KIDS
IN PARKS being in a coffee shop and having fabric tribution keeps growing, with Parks
PROGRAMS swatches with Keith and being like, is Project gear available at park stores,
The youth programs this the right color for a hat? And should Nordstrom, and Free People. The mer-
are fantastic and it shows. We are
doing some funding and tactical HELPING HANDS
things in real time. But through a Whether it’s on a greenbelt in your hometown, a public beach,
next generation getting engaged in or at a national park, Parks Project encourages you and your
parks and being healthier because friends to give back to these special places.
of it, the understanding and
impact are so powerful. That’ll help
change policy and it’ll help change
humanity. Those youth programs
mean a lot to me and I think it can
really influence the first perception
of how you treat the outdoors and
how we treat the planet.
I’ve been on some of the
Every Kid in a Park trips and you
just see lights turn on. For some
people, coming from urban envi-
ronments that may not have been
to a national park, it broadens your
world, and you’re thinking outside
of those blocks where you live. And,
wow, look at what Mother Nature
can do and these kind of temples of
the earth. Those fourth-graders are
at pivotal moments in their lives,
and you can kind of pick a path, and
exposing them to the outdoors is
such a cool story.

IN THE KNOW | parks project YOU’RE NEVER
TOO YOUNG OR
TOO OLD TO
chandise is “available to all, just like our A father-and-son team volunteer at the Bal- LEND A HAND.
national parks are,” say Sevag and Keith. lona Wetlands State Ecological Reserve in Los
Angeles removing invasive plant species. Parks
The merchandise is “out there represent- Project aims to inspire the next generation.
ing the parks, and we’ve had such fun ap-
preciation and a passion to these places,”
says Keith. Conservation Program or the Sierra Club.
Regarding every product purchased Additionally, the brand and volunteer events
through the Parks Project outdoor-life- also bring a sense of community with the
style brand that includes everything from goal being to activate the next generation of
home goods to accessories, Sevag says, national park conservationists.
“We focus really heavily on our quality At the core of Parks Project is the
and being close to our supply chain. Volunteer Alliance program, which came ration, to youth programs, to education
We try to keep the customer with fresh into play based upon Sevag and Keith and research programs, to trail construc-
new products that are maybe bringing taking the initiative in the Santa Monica tion and maintenance. By building these
in different industries.” Certainly, a lot of Mountains. With the help of stipends partnerships, Parks Project is able to fund
thought and quality goes into each and from Parks Project, crew leaders across projects across the country that are most
every item. the country organize volunteer events important for the future of America’s
Both of the entrepreneurs have children and activate their areas to “get out and public lands. Sevag said, “I’m still learning
and the focus is to ensure that national do something cool and special for our more about the outdoors and everyone
parks and the wildlife and plant life they parklands,” said Abbey Robertson, brand from the spectrum of people who are just
protect are around for future generations. manager for Parks Project. getting into it and just experiencing it, to
Every product that Parks Project makes is For every conservancy or organization people who’ve been hiking and camping
backed with a certain conservancy, a trail they’ve partnered with, there’s always a their whole lives. And hopefully we’re
program, or people within the National Park goal—from habitat and wildlife resto- giving them education and informing
them about the work being done in a
way to support these places and what’s
important, and how their votes and their
actions and everything they do is part of
engaging with these parks. It’s really cool.”
For the National Park Foundation,
for instance, they’re partnered with the
Every Kid in a Park program, which has
the goal of taking fourth-graders across
the country to parks and giving them the
opportunity to enjoy them. Said Abbey,
“State parks, local green spaces, metro
parks are areas that deserve love and care
as well. Our trail crew leaders are out there
beautifying those places and doing work
that has been identified by municipalities
and the state, and are partnering there to
do cleanups or trail work or whatever the
work might be.”
Parks Project is all about making
HENSLEY MANUFACTURING INC., CIRCLE 106 ON READER SERVICE CARD
sure everyone has access to space, that

the outdoors are open for all, and getting
people, particularly young people, involved
in conservation, whether it’s actual
hands-on labor or learning what it takes to
further protect our parklands for the future.
Folk music singer John Denver got it
right with his song about the wondrous
Rocky Mountains with spot-on and
heartfelt lyrics like “the shadow from
the starlight is softer than a lullaby . . .
he climbed cathedral mountains, he saw

$ 321 or
silver clouds below . . . the serenity of a
clear blue mountain lake,” and “I know he’d
685 S’MORES!
be a poorer man if he never saw an eagle
fly.” Parks Project is going the extra mile—
many extra miles actually—to ensure
that future generations will indeed see
the incomparable splendor of waterfalls
cascading over rocky ledges, witnessing
spectacular nighttime light shows, gazing
up at giant sequoia trees, walking where
the wild things are, basking in the breath-
taking beauty and healing nature of our
national parks . . . and watching eagles fly.
Ongoing Work
Parks Project is a vehicle for a lot of
nonprofits; here are a few continuing efforts.
Acadia National Park

Through Friends of Acadia, Parks Project
supports habitat restoration by making a
donation for each item sold to support the
Wild Gardens Initiative where they plant, study,
and track more than four hundred native
species to protect the park’s native habitat.
THAT’S HOW MANY YOU COULD BUY WITH
Great Smoky Mountains THE MONEY YOU SAVE WHEN SWITCHING TO
Partnering with Friends of the Smokies,
wildlife conservation is supported by keeping THE GOOD SAM INSURANCE AGENCY
fields and grasslands open for wildlife.
Rocky Mountains Call today for your free quote and $10 merchandise
Partnership with the Rocky Mountain Con- certificate to Camping World | Gander Outdoors
servancy volunteer program funds college
students interested in natural resource con-
servation to provide a learning experience. 1-833-503-0442
Yellowstone National Park
mention savings code TD-2F
Through the Trails Fund Initiative by Yellow-
stone Forever, the heavily used network of GOODSAMRVINSURANCE.COM/CODE/2F
trails are restored.
Yosemite National Park

Working with the Yosemite Conservancy,
eighty-seven miles (as of this writing) of trails
have been restored.
Youth Outdoor Education

Connecting kids with nature is high on the
list for Parks Project. Some of the programs
they fund include working in conjunction with
the National Park Foundation for the Open
We represent the nation’s top RV specialty carriers!
Outdoors for Kids program. Additionally, Parks
Project funds the Rangers in the Classroom
program at Sequoia National Park that teaches Certificate will be mailed 4-6 weeks after quote is requested. Certificate not available in GA and NM. Availability, eligibility, coverages,
kids about wildlife and ecology by bringing features and benefits may vary by state and carrier. The content herein is for descriptive purposes only. The exact protection provided
is subject to the terms, conditions, and expectations of the policy contract issued. The Good Sam Vehicle Insurance Plan (VIP) is provid-
park rangers into the classroom, as well as the ed by a member company of the National General Insurance Group. Savings data is based on new policyholder surveys taken between
Junior Ranger program through Zion National 2018 and 2019. © 2020 Good Sam Insurance Agency. GOOD SAM and the GOOD SAM ICON are registered trademarks of Good Sam Enterpris-
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Park Forever Project that inspires the next
generation of scientists and park stewards.

IN THE KNOW
PERFECT PARKS
BENTSEN
PALM VILLAGE
RV RESORT
 LOVE ALL THE SPACE! Nature lovers take
Bentsen’s unique note! Bentsen Palm
hub-and-spoke design
allows plenty of room to Village RV Resort is one of the nation’s top are full-hookup with 30- and 50-amp power
maneuver your RV resorts for butterfly enthusiasts, birders, and and cable. Pull-throughs are available, as are
around the visually everyone who enjoys the tranquility of the “Super Sites,” which house their own ten-by-
stunning campground. outdoors. Located in South Mission, Texas, twelve-foot storage building.
at the entrance to the Bentsen-Rio Grande Sure, the world-class clubhouse, pool, spa,
Valley State Park and adjacent to the World and fitness center are easy to love, but there’s
Birding Center Headquarters, Bentsen Palm also a dog agility course, wood shop and crafts
Village RV Resort is a unique slice of paradise room, plus ten miles of hiking and biking trails.
where people and nature coexist. And did we mention guests get to use bicycles,
It all begins with the landscaping. The canoes, and kayaks at no extra cost? If you’re
resort’s trees, shrubs, and flowers were care- still not smitten, try the horseshoe pits, pickle-
fully selected to attract birds and butterflies. ball courts, billiard table under a palapa, or the
No harmful chemicals are used for upkeep, private skeet shooting range. All this and more
and the intensity of night lighting is regulated is just a stone’s throw from the banks of the
to protect night-feeding birds. As for the famed Rio Grande. What’s not to love?
approximately two hundred campsites, all bentsenpalm.com
PHOTOS: COURTESY BENTSEN PALM VILLAGE RV RESORT
3
9/8.5*/8.5 FRONT AND CENTER HOSPITALITY +
Reasons You’ll The Good Sam Guide Series The center of each “hub” Be sure to visit Guest
Want to Stay! gives Bentsen Palm high

ratings for completeness
of facilities, cleanliness and
at Bentsen Palm Village
includes a targeted ac-
tivity space. The sites are
Services for additional
perks like free passes to
the state park, a weekly
The nature trails may be the main
attraction, but there’s much more characteristics of the rest- designed to offer a sense pontoon tour, those free
to love about Bentsen Palm Village. rooms, and visual appeal. of community without equipment rentals, and
We know you will, too. sacrificing privacy. even weekly golf tours.

Rigs + Gear
1
All-Access Motorhome
W
PREVIEW We love that the upscale Winnebago
Inspire is a rare mid-entry diesel-pusher
motorhome. But what we love even more
is the 34AE floorplan’s accessibility en-
hancements, including a Braun wheelchair
lift, roll-in shower with assist bar, wider
aisles, luxury vinyl flooring, and a reclining
headrest on the comfy queen mattress
in the rear private bedroom. Buyers can
even opt for a wall-mounted bench seat
WINNEBAGO in the shower. The Inspire is built on the
INSPIRE 34AE Freightliner XCS chassis, which brings along an exterior entertainment center. The
BASE MSRP features like front and rear air suspension, premium electronics throughout and Firefly
$299,000 a digital instrument dash cluster, and a multiplex control mean you can spend less
DIMENSIONS telescoping steering column. Residential time actually setting up date night, and
Exterior length: 35’9” touches include a washer/dryer, two-door more time snuggling with your sweetheart.
Exterior width: 8’½” refrigerator with icemaker, pantry, and winnebago.com
Exterior height: 11’11”
CAPACITIES
Freshwater: 84 gal Need a Lift? BraunAbility Century-2 Wheelchair Lift and air-assisted power door with
Black-Water: 48 gal remote controls allow for easy loading and unloading of a wheelchair.
Gray-Water: 54 gal Water World Heated holding tanks make for an all-weather motorhome, especially with
Propane: 5½ gal the integrated winterization package. Water filter and tankless water heater are standard.
WEIGHT
GCWR: 30,000 lbs
GVWR: 26,000 lbs (1) Well-designed dinette allows for access. An all-new extendable tabletop surface (not shown)
GAWR, F/R: 10,410 lbs/ makes mealtime easy and uncluttered. (2) Rest Easy sofa features footrest and seat belts for two.
17,500 lbs (3) Aisle space is increased throughout the floorplan to accommodate a wheelchair or mobility
CIRCLE 150 ON READER SERVICE CARD assistance device. All flooring is luxury plank vinyl for easy clean up and navigation.

RIGS + GEAR
COZY
CAMPING and enjoy them to their fullest at every stage
of our lives.
That’s what this is all about. Perhaps
you’ve been thinking about moving up
from those sleeping bags and trusty tent
RVS FOR COUPLES to something a little more convenient and
Sleeping under the stars or in a small comfortable, but you’re not sure where to
tent is a wonderful way to experience the start, or what might be best for your needs
Compact and great outdoors firsthand—the sky above, and lifestyle. Indeed, there are a wide range
convenient RVs the twigs and leaves beneath, the soft wind of RVs available, from tiny trailers to massive
make getting stirring mighty boughs. Ah yes, it’s difficult motorhomes, each designed to elevate your
away from it all to describe how amazing camping is to camping and travel experiences in new and
easier—and more someone who’s never experienced it—how exciting ways. So to keep things simple,
fun—than ever. soul-stirring, wondrous, and satisfying it can we’re going to focus on the types of RVs we
be to get away from the hustle and bustle, think are ideal choices for couples and small
by C H R I S H E M E R and just enjoy Mother Nature’s greatest families—models that are easy to use, don’t
gifts—or simply reunite with old friends require a lot of special equipment, and can
around a roaring fire. We’re getting nostalgic be stored at home. Let’s get started, shall we?
just thinking about it. And lucky for us, there
are so many ways to get to our favorite places

Pop-Up Practicality
With a canvas-sided pop-up trailer you can
have a 360-degree view of nature, while a
hard-sided one offers a bit more shelter.
The outdoors are calling! With so many pop-up choices available, you
can’t go wrong with either a canvas-sided or a hard-sided trailer.
Folding Trailers a roof that collapses over the lower

A folding trailer is a great entry-level half during travel or storage.
RV for a few good reasons. First and Folding trailers offer several key FLAGSTAFF HARD-SIDE TRAILER
foremost, they’re not a big jump from advantages over other trailer types. If you’d like a trailer you can store in your
tent camping, as the most common Smaller models are very lightweight, garage (space permitting, of course) but
would like the added security of hard walls,
choices have fabric side walls and which makes them easy to tow with
look no further than the Flagstaff Hard Side
plastic windows that zip down, so a small SUV or even a passenger car. pop-up trailer line from Forest River. Avail-
you can enjoy the breeze. Integrated The low travel height means better able in seven floorplans, each less than
screens (also similar to a tent) keep aerodynamics when towing, and you three thousand pounds, these Flagstaff
the bugs out. Most have a large bed at can load active lifestyle gear like bikes Hard Side trailers can be towed by nearly
either end that pulls out like a drawer, or kayaks on the roof. They’re easy to any small SUV or truck and can be set up in
just minutes. MSRPs start at $15,362.
so there’s usually more than enough store, too. If you’ve got a space in your
room for two adults and two kids. Set garage or in your driveway, a folding
up and takedown can usually be per- trailer will usually fit right in (no FLAGSTAFF SPORTS
formed in just a few minutes—and if storage fees!). ENTHUSIAST PACKAGE
you’re used to setting up a tent in the A folding trailer is also an af- Camping off the beaten path offers all
dark, it’ll be a snap for you. Folding fordable alternative, with most new kinds of opportunities, like that perfect
trailers come in a wide range of sizes, models costing less than a small car, secluded riverfront. The Flagstaff Sports
Enthusiast line was made for the back-
some of which have complete kitchens and many used models available for
country, with its distinctive fender flairs,
and even a small toilet area—but as $10,000 or less. chunky fifteen-inch Mud Rover radial tires,
the list of amenities increases, so does and a ProRac Systems cargo rack to secure
the price. Lower initial cost, light- stuff like mountain bikes, a canoe, or
If you want a little more protection weight, aerodynamic, easier to store. stand-up paddleboards. Six floorplans are
from the elements, you may choose available, most weighing less than three
thousand pounds. Prices start at $14,672.
a hard-sided folding trailer with May not have a bath-
interlocking exterior panels and actual room or fully equipped kitchen, set-up/
PHOTOS: COURTESY THE MANUFACTURERS
windows, or a “clamshell” design with takedown time.
FLEXIBLE FUN
With a pop-up trailer you are free to go just about anywhere your sense of
adventure takes you. Because they’re so maneuverable, you can explore secret
locations away from the crowds. And in some campgrounds and national parks
where campsites can be small, a pop-up will most likely fit; they even fit into most
tent sites.

RIGS + GEAR | cozy camping
COMFY
Travel Trailers Infinite Choices LOUNGING
This is the RV segment offering the Where to start? Once you enter the travel-trailer market, the possibili- The bright rear-living
most choices by far. Travel trailers ties are endless, from tiny cozy homes to primo mansions on wheels. Jay Flight 28RLS has
push-back reclining
are available in sizes small enough chairs and spacious
to fit in your driveway or side yard, sofa seating.
and the vast majority of them
have a fully equipped kitchen and
bathroom, which make travel con-
venient. Bathroom visits and snack
breaks are as close as the nearest
off-ramp or rest area!
There are a wide range of mod-
els that can be towed by a small
SUV, but if you’ve got a full-size
SUV or pickup, there are even more
trailers to choose from—and more
features, too. Slideout rooms, which
store inside the trailer during tran-
sit but “slide out” of the living space
JAYCO JAY FLIGHT
like large drawers when set up, pro- The Jay Flight is a great example of a popular travel trailer line—in fact, it’s been America’s best-sell-
vide roomier living/bedroom spac- ing RV for more than fifteen years now. There’s good reason for this—the Jay Flight is available in thir-
es. So-called “bunkhouse” models teen different floorplans to suit a wide variety of needs and budget. It also hits the “sweet spot” for
equipped with a dedicated bunk full-size SUVs and trucks, with weights that range from 5,560 pounds to 8,330 pounds, and lengths
area are a great option if you have, from twenty-eight feet to forty-plus feet. MSRPs range from $32,633–$56,790.
or plan to have, children who will
camp with you. And many trailers STARCRAFT AUTUMN RIDGE
are equipped with outdoor kitchens Autumn Ridge is another example of why travel trailers are so
popular: choice. The 172FB ($18,728) is a fully self-contained travel
and entertainment systems that let
trailer with a bathroom, kitchen, and bed, yet weighs a little more
you take full advantage of sunny than three thousand pounds and can sleep up to four. At the
days and warm nights. other end of the spectrum is the 32BHS ($36,158), which weighs
All travel trailers have furnaces 7,400 pounds and can sleep up to ten.
to keep you warm at night, but
most models are also available with
OUTDOORS RV BLACKSTONE
air conditioning to keep things Specifically designed for four-season camping in the chilly Pacific
comfortable during the summer Northwest, ORV trailers feature thermal-pane windows, additional
months. Island kitchens, Blue- insulation, and enclosed/heated holding tanks to prevent freezing.
tooth-equipped indoor/outdoor They’re offered in a range of floorplans and “classes” designed
audio systems, king-sized beds, and for the way you camp. The Blackstone trim is available in both the
Mountain and Titanium models, and prices start around $59,372.
even fireplaces are all on offer in to-
day’s travel trailers. As such, prices
range from small-car to luxury-car WINNEBAGO MINNIE
territory, so it’s a good idea to Most of us think of motorhomes when we hear
decide on what you really want and the name “Winnebago,” but the company offers
need before you go shopping. a ton of travel trailers, from the small but ad-
venturous Hike (from $27,978) to the Micro Min-
nie ($22,172) , midsize Minnie ($32,232), and the
Practically limitless new Voyage ($37,801)—a full-size, full-featured
models to choose from, plus a wide RV designed to be towed by half-ton pickups.
range of standard and available
options.
Included in the Minnie’s lineup are the
two-entry, four-sleeper 2327TB and the
They can get expen-
2529RG (interior photo) with a choice of a
sive, and larger models may require a king or twin beds.
full-size SUV or truck to tow.

ROADMASTER, INC., CIRCLE 116 ON READER SERVICE CARD
RIGS + GEAR | cozy camping
Van Conversions
Also known as Class B motorhomes, MULTIPURPOSE
these are full-size vans that have Class B’s will go the distance, and
not just for camping. The Winnebago
been upfitted with most (if not all) Revel 44E comes in handy for the
of the comforts of home, albeit in a family on the go with four seat-belt-
smaller space. Class B motorhomes ed positions, an exterior table, and a
fridge accessible from the outside.
are typically a larger initial investment
than trailers, with new, well-equipped
models stretching into the six-figure each spot along your journey. conditioning, and a built-in generator.
range. However, because they are The brand or model of van the If you feel comfortable driving a van,
based on a full-size van, they are small upfitter chooses is one of the major then you’ll get used to a Class B motor-
enough to be used as a second family factors that influences cost. A smaller, home quickly. They’re easy to drive and
vehicle, so you can potentially get gasoline-powered motorhome based maneuver, and they can be parked just
more uses out of them than a trailer. on the RAM ProMaster van, for ex- about anywhere you could park a car.
For example, many RVers use Class ample, can cost tens of thousands less That means no special parking consid-
B motorhomes for weekend trips to than a larger, diesel-powered motor- erations when pulling off the highway to
the beach, hikes, or mountain-bike home that uses the Mercedes-Benz get fuel, shop or go sightseeing.
trails—just pack what you need, hop Sprinter as its platform. In any case,
in, and go. Imagine taking the kids to you’ll likely be amazed at what engi- Easy to drive and park, can
their little league or soccer games in a neers are able to fit into these models. be used as a second family vehicle, lots
Class B motorhome so they’ll always Where early designs had little more of options.
have a place to take a break, have a than a couch bed and a refrigerator,
snack, and use the restroom. Class B today’s Class B’s are available fully Smaller living space,
vans are also a good choice if you love self-contained, with a kitchen, small not as much storage as other RVs, can be
touring and only plan short stays at bathroom, sleeping area, furnace/air expensive.
Vans that Can FLEETWOOD IROK

The IROK (around $119,950) has the sleek appearance and luxury
Go from sitting to sleeping in minutes. features you’d expect from a reputable brand like Fleetwood, in a
Others offer powerlift beds or pop-ups for smaller footprint and at a lower price. Standard features include
extra headroom and sleeping space. a generous twenty-eight-gallon freshwater tank, generator, and
rooftop solar panels. Inside, you’ll find a full-featured kitchen, full
bath, and conveniences like an LED TV and Wi-Fi prep.
THOR MOTOR COACH TELLARO

Blending retro features like a pop-up “Sky Bunk” (á la VW vans
from the 1970s) with name brands like Thule and modern conve-
niences like a standard generator, air conditioner, and Euro-style
cabinetry, the Tellaro is available in three twenty-foot floorplans,
each of which comes in under $100K.
AIRSTREAM TOURING COACH
Yep, the same people who make those
iconic silver-skinned trailers also offer an
extensive line of high-end Class B motor- WINNEBAGO REVEL
homes (from $165,143), all based on the Feeling adventurous? Perhaps even a little rebellious?
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van platform. Five Consider the Revel (from $185,838). It’s based on the popular
different models sleep two and can seat Mercedes-Benz Sprinter platform, with diesel power and four-
up to nine for those times when you get wheel drive so you can take it nearly anywhere. A rear powerlift
selected for the van pool. bed transforms the sleeping space into cargo space when needed
for added versatility.
Which RV to choose is a very personal decision based on what you need or want, where
and how you plan to travel, and what you’d like to do when you get there. But no matter
what you choose, you’ll find that an RV will enrich your outdoor experiences, provid-
ing greater comfort and convenience than just about any other form of travel. And if
you ever feel nostalgic, you can always break out the tent and sleeping bags again!

GOTTA HAVE THAT
GREAT
GEAR
A dozen items to up the
fun and romance factor
and add some spice to
Portable Little Red Campfire
your life and RV site.
Camco’s Little Red Campfire (item 34763) is a 65,000-Btu portable fire pit that
by D O N Y A C A R L S O N weighs less than sixteen pounds and is covered with a handsome fire-engine-
red dome lid with security latches, making transport easy. No need to forage
for firewood or bring it along; just pop off Little Red’s lid, hook up the eight-
foot propane hose and a propane cylinder, and ambiance and heat will be
You’ve arrived. To your right at your feet. Realistic log pieces are set in a 9½-inch-diameter ring and
the heat-resistant tray keeps the base cool. With the fire blazing, you’ll feel
campsite, that is. The planning, like breaking out the guitar and singing campfire songs. The Portable Little
packing, driving, and setting Red Campfire is great for campgrounds and parks with fire restrictions, and
up phases are behind you and the compact 9-by-12½-inch size makes it convenient to store. It’s designed for
now it’s time to take in a deep outdoor-use only and not for cooking food.
$222.49
breath, pour a glass of your
favorite beverage, pull up a
comfy seat, and enjoy this spe-
cial place. You are officially on Prest-O-Fit Trailhead RV Step
holiday! Whether kicking back
Rugs for MORryde
StepAbove Steps
by yourself, with your special
someone, or with your loud and You don’t need to tread lightly on the rugged
crazy family, this is precious all-weather Prest-O-Fit RV Step Rugs (two-
pack: item 670199, three-pack: item 670197,
time where you can take a break four-pack: item 670198) specifically designed
from the hustle and bustle and to fit MORryde StepAbove entry steps. The
just relax. In the spirit of Feb- heavy-duty UV-protected and mold- and
ruary, the month of love, we’ve mildew-resistant material has strong bristle
fibers to remove dirt and debris so you
put together a list of some of aren’t tracking schmutz inside your RV. The
our favorite campsite gear that two-, three-, and four-pack sets have easy
we think you’ll adore, too. Just step-by-step instructions for the hook-and-loop fastening strips, and you can
PHOTOS: MANUFACTURERS AND CAMPING WORLD
have your RV’s threshold looking brand-new in no time at all. Available in black
add an extra touch of romance or brown, the outdoor turf can be hosed off and air dried for no-fuss care. So
with a dozen roses (one for now you’ll have more time to fuss over—and pamper—your beloved.
each product) and you’ll be sure $33.99–$77.99
to wow that certain someone.
Plus, your RV site will be the hit ALL PRODUCTS ARE AVAILABLE AT CAMPING WORLD. PRICES
of the campground. LISTED ARE FROM THE MANUFACTURER AND ARE SUBJECT TO
CHANGE. DISCOUNTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR GOOD SAM MEMBERS.

RIGS + GEAR | we love it
A zero-gravity
chair can be good
for your health!
When reclined
with legs elevated,
there’ s less stress
on your heart for
improved circula- Zig Zag Oversized Zero Gravity Home Is Where You Park It Zero
tion and reduced Recliner Gravity Recliner
swelling in the
ankles and feet. We’re campside and in relaxing mode, so here’s a Home is indeed where you park it and this name-
zero-gravity recliner you’ll want to pull up and sit sake zero-gravity chair is just the place for parking
in for a spell. The Zig Zag Oversized Zero Gravity Re- your tush while at the campsite. This comfy recliner
cliner (item 121902) weighs twenty pounds and fully keeps your body suspended while lying back, taking
reclined is sixty-nine inches long. With a seat width pressure off your back, neck, and legs. Available in
of 24¼ inches, the blue Zig Zag recliner has more navy (item 118337) or gray (item 118336), the Home Is
derriere room than the Home Is Where You Park It Where You Park It Zero Gravity Recliner has a retro
chair to the right, plus its heavy-duty powder-coat- RV graphic centered in the removable and adjust-
ed steel frame has a higher weight capacity at able pillow. The recliner’s bungee attachment sys-
three hundred pounds. The padded outdoor-grade tem is on a durable steel frame, it has a 250-pound
300-denier polyester fabric is UV-protected and a weight capacity, and when fully reclined is almost
removable foam-padded pillow slips over the top sixty-four inches long. The padded all-weather
of the chair for extra cushioning wherever you place recliner is covered in a fade-resistant Oxford fabric
it. The twenty-pound recliner has a fingertip locking and folds down to 25½-by-37-by-6 inches for travel.
system and a mini side table with cup holder so Ergonomic poly armrests help with easy in and out
you’ll be inclined to lie back, relax, and sip cocktails and pushing back to recline, and you can lock your
with your sweetie. position into place before drifting off.
$111.99 $89.99
MAKE MEALTIME EASY
Staff Pick
We’ve whipped up many a feast on the Blackstone Gas
Tailgater (item 275948), from baked potatoes to grilled
chicken to roasted veggies to a breakfast egg scramble that
included sautéed mushrooms and chicken sausage from
the previous evening’s dinner. Yummy! The Tailgater is so
versatile that you just may want to use it for every meal,
saving the hassle of having to clean up splatters on the
indoor kitchen’s stovetop. The Tailgater Combo has inde-
pendently adjustable legs for uneven terrain, a total cooking
WHAT’S COOL
Easy clean up: Scrape food
surface of 477 square inches, and includes a stand with
particles into grease trays two 35,000-Btu burners, a griddle plate, and a grill box.
and wipe down when cool. With direct burner access you can cook up anything you
FIRST IMPRESSION can imagine in a skillet or stock pot, while steaks sizzle
After making a simple stir-
fry on the Blackstone’s
adjacently on the grill. Or bring home the bacon, tiptoe
griddle the first time out, out of bed early, and make a surprise breakfast to
we were hooked! serve your loved one in bed. $249.99

Fold-N-Half Table with Heat-Resistant Top and Storage Bins
Now for the frill to go with the grill: After you’ve prepped a tasty meal on the barbie,
you can set up what you need for a table for two or more on the heat-resistant alu-
minum-top Fold-N-Half Table (item 91431) with zippered storage bins below and side
pockets to hold cutlery and condiments. The table adjusts to four different heights,
ranging from 21¼–31¾ inches. Folded, the twenty-pound table packs down to 24-by-
23⅝-by-3 inches and has a built-in handle, and then expands for spreading out your
spread. Throw on a red tablecloth to add some zing to your meal.
$111.99
Camco CAM-750 Portable

Refrigerator
GREAT FOR
Chilling Out
Your RV is probably set up with a fridge,
but it’s convenient to have a backup at the
ready for snacks and drinks you want by your
side while lounging under the awning, or
if you’ve scored big-time while fishing. The
fifty-four-pound, seventy-five-liter CAM-750
(item 124743) refrigerator on wheels has an
Zippered pass-through extendable aluminum handle, two inter-
allows for plentiful light-
weight storage, in addition
nal compartments with wire baskets, and
to the side pockets. The flaps dual-zone cooling so food can be kept cool
can be rolled up out of the and frozen at the same time. Temperatures
way and secured in place can be adjusted between -4°F and 68°F. The
with hook-and-loop straps.
electrically powered portable refrigerator
plugs into standard 120-volt AC outlets and
12-volt DC vehicle outlets for use in a tow
vehicle during travel.
The cooler is smartphone compatible,
providing remote access via the mobile
app. With an interior height of more than
fourteen inches, your favorite bottle of
wine can be chilled upright. How conve-
nient to be seated outside, watching the
sunset, and simply reaching over to pull
out a perfectly chilled bottle of wine and an
already-prepared platter of hors d’oeu-
vres to serve the one you love! And don’t
THAT’S forget the box of chocolates—chilled at the
AMORE perfect temperature, of course.
For a festive Valen- Polar Bear Enduro Cooler $899.99
tine’s Day drink to
sip with the one you The Polar Bear Enduro soft cooler is available in
love while relaxing multiple sizes, including a 24-Pack (item 91754) and a The CAM-750’s settings are
in your campsite, 48-Pack (item 91775), each sporting a double-coated, easy to adjust with the LED
here’s a twist on puncture-resistant nylon liner and one-inch-thick digital control panel or
the classic mimosa. insulation. Claimed to keep ice frozen for twenty- mobile app.
Blend together
fresh-squeezed four hours even in 100°F temperatures, the Polar
orange juice and Bear Enduros are guaranteed to be leakproof and
strawberries. sweatproof. The Polar Bear’s patented design has an
Pour your favor- easy-access zippered top, a side pocket, and an ad-
ite champagne (or justable padded shoulder strap. Polar Bear coolers
sparkling water for have a skid-resistant bottom and are easy to clean.
nonalcoholic) into a The 18-by-10-by-12-inch 24-Pack Polar Bear Enduro
glass and add de-
sired amount of the is just the right size to hold all the fixings for a picnic
orange-strawberry lunch for you and your main squeeze.
mixture. Then top $99.95–$139.99
with orange slices
and strawberries.

RIGS + GEAR | we love it
MUST-HAVE GADGETS
Color-Changing Edison Mini Light Set

Set the mood on your patio with Color-Changing Edison Mini Lights (item
118616). Each eight-and-a-half-foot-long strand has plugs on both ends for Add some pizzazz to
stringing multiple strands together and weighs less than a pound, making your patio by stringing
these color-changing
setting them up and attaching them a breeze. Each strand features ten retro lights along your RV’s
Edison-style bulbs approved for outdoor and indoor use. Each light measures awning. Each of the
1⅞ inches in diameter and is 3¼ inches long, and there is two feet of wire from vintage-style Edison
the 120-volt AC plug to the first light. bulbs changes into
various warm tones.
$18.99
DISH Playmaker Portable Satellite Antenna

Tired of catching yesterday’s news? To watch real-time TV wherever your travels take you, the
DISH Playmaker Portable Satellite Antenna (item 110056) brings you live DISH HD programming.
Powered by a receiver, no separate cable is necessary, and the thirteen-by-sixteen-inch Playmaker
is compatible with DISH pay-as-you-go programming. It’s for stationary-use only and one TV, so
you’ll just have to cozy up with your sweetie for movie night. The portable antenna sets up in a few
simple steps: Place the Playmaker in a spot with a clear view of the Southern sky, connect the DISH
HD solo receiver to the main port, select the state you are in, and hit “scan.” Now you’re ready to
channel surf and enjoy the show! The unit weighs less than thirteen pounds and a handy Winegard
tripod mount (item 47715, $109.99) is available for better satellite visibility.
$289.99
PLEASURE WAY, CIRCLE 114 ON READER SERVICE CARD
COMMITTED TO Check out our new blog!

QUALITY SINCE 1986. WWW.PLEASUREWAY.COM/COMPANY/PW-BLOG

Nature Power 120-Watt Briefcase Solar Panels
GREAT FOR
Off-Grid Flexibility
Let’s add some solar power to keep things charged with the Nature Power 120-Watt
aluminum-frame solar panels (item 90096) that fit into the size of a briefcase. Designed
for 12-volt DC charging systems, the 45.1-by-33.6-by-3-inch (open) monocrystalline solar
panels have a maximum power of 2-by-60 watts. Weighing thirty-three pounds, the pan-
els’ tilt mount allows for set up at the optimal angle
for collecting the sun’s rays. The kit includes necessary
adapters to utilize the factory-installed solar port on
most RVs, a charge controller attached to the panels,
and battery clamps.
$439.99
LED Illuminated Patio Mat with Wave Design

Your beloved already lights up your life, so why not light up your campsite as well with the
LED Illuminated Patio Mat with Wave Design? Plug the mat into an RV’s exterior electrical
outlet to illuminate the mat. Five-volt LEDs outline the edges, adding a welcoming glow
to your RV site, while the mat keeps dirt from getting tracked inside your RV. The nine-
by-twelve-foot fade- and weather-resistant UV-coated polypropylene mat is available in
black (item 121944) or brown (item 121943) and is constructed of a tight-weave, heavyweight
material so you can take your partner by the hand and dance the night away on it. The
illuminated mat weighs less than seventeen pounds and has reinforced corners and stake
loops (stakes sold separately).
$89.99
RVIBRAKE BY DANKO MANUFACTURING, CIRCLE 105 ON READER SERVICE CARD

RIGS + GEAR
TOWING A TRAILER
LET’S GET
HITCHED
Once you know the basics, connecting,
After you enter a few measurements into the system, the Ford Pro Trailer
driving, and backing a tow vehicle and Backup Assist makes backing your trailer as simple as turning a knob.
trailer will be a walk in the park.
by C H R I S H E M E R SUVs are, but you can find out by looking at the rear of the vehicle,
beneath the bumper for a square hole called a hitch receiver. Hitch
receivers are all rated to carry a certain amount of weight, and that
figure is usually stamped or printed on the receiver somewhere. Next,
Camping is a relaxing time to reconnect you’ll want to know the tow rating of your truck or SUV, as this will
with friends, family, and nature. Yet, choosing the tell you how much weight your vehicle is designed to safely tow. If
right equipment for your tow vehicle and trailer can you’re not sure, our RV.com website offers a tow ratings finder, or
sometimes be confusing, and the process of hitching your local RV dealership should be able to help.
up and towing can be stressful for some people. Once you’ve chosen the trailer, the dealership will also help you
It doesn’t have to be that way! Like any new select the right hitch for your setup and show you how to use it. This
activity, it’s simply a matter of understanding the is important, because the right equipment will help prevent trailer
differences between products, getting the gear that sway and bounce, providing a more comfortable and enjoyable tow-
works best for your needs, and then practicing until ing experience.
you are a seasoned pro. The best part is, hitching up
and towing can actually be a lot of fun and give you
a great sense of accomplishment.
The first step is to make sure that your vehicle is
designed to tow in the first place. Most trucks and

“Hitching up and towing Looking Back
Once hitched up, another thing
can be a lot of fun and that makes some RVers ner-
give you a great sense of vous is backing the trailer into
accomplishment.” a campsite or driveway. This is

because it is hard to know which
way to turn the steering wheel in
Heads Up order to make the trailer go the
Towing really isn’t a lot different from regular driv- direction you want it to. Want to
ing, except that it will take longer for your vehicle
to accelerate and stop and, of course, there’s a trailer
know a little-known trick that
professionals use? Watch your
HITCHING 1-2-3
back there. So, it’s important to take all this into side-view mirrors as you back
consideration when driving. For example, make sure up, then turn the bottom of the You can do it! Although the
hitching process may seem
to leave extra space between your vehicle and the one steering wheel the direction you
daunting at first, with the
in front of you. want the trailer to go. It sounds correct maintenance practic-
When turning corners, remember that your side- crazy, but it works! Here again, es and equipment, a smooth
view mirrors are your best friends. Towing a trailer try it out in a large parking lot, towing experience is as easy
will require you to swing wider when going into a maybe even set up some cones as 1-2-3.
turn (how wide depends on how long the trailer is) to represent your imaginary
and watching your side-view mirrors will help you campsite. RV retailers also offer Hitch Ball
keep the trailer in your lane—or off the curb. Take it a variety of multi-view camera Make sure to apply a thin
slow your first few times and remember that practice systems that will help you see the coat of grease on the
makes perfect. You might consider driving around a sides and back of the trailer if hitch ball. It will help the
ball easily slide into the
large, empty parking lot to get the feel for your new rig you need extra help.
hitch coupler, and also
and see the difference in the turning radius. If you have not yet purchased lessen wear and tear on
a tow vehicle, keep in mind that the components.
The Moment of Truth new vehicles, especially pickups,
At some point, you’ll need to hitch up the trailer to the offer a wide range of backing sys- WD HITCHES
tow vehicle. Don’t worry! The most important thing is tems that include several cameras A weight-distributing
to relax and take your time. Many newer vehicles have that will help you see the sides (WD) hitch makes towing
back-up cameras that make it easy to see the trailer, and rear of the trailer when back- easier by transferring the
while some systems even provide guidelines that can ing and when changing lanes. trailer’s hitch weight to
help you align the trailer with the hitch. If your truck or Super helpful! GM, Ford, and both the tow vehicle’s
front axle and the trailer
SUV does not have a backup camera, RV retailers like RAM all have their own versions,
axle, resulting in less of
Camping World offer a variety of rear-vision cameras so make sure to ask a dealer the dreaded sway that
that can help you hitch up by yourself—simply enter about them when shopping. can occur while on the
“backup camera” in the search bar. Of course, you can With a little practice and road. There are many
always enlist a friend or your spouse to help you back the right equipment, you can WD hitch types, and your
the tow vehicle up to the trailer as well. Two-way radios confidently join the thousands dealer can advise you on
are a tremendous help and save you from the sore throat of other RVers who enjoy trailer the proper setup. Some
you get from screaming directions back and forth. camping. even offer additional
integrated sway control.
Talk to Me! TRAILER-BRAKE CONTROL

Most trailers have elec-
Make it easy to back your trailer like tronic braking systems
PHOTOS: COURTESY LANCE CAMPER AND THE MANUFACTURERS
a pro with Midland X-Talker XT two- that work independently

way radios. Thirty-six channels and of the tow vehicle’s brak-
121 private codes ensure a secure ing, and a trailer-brake
connection, and the batteries are control smooths out the
process. Many newer
rechargeable. Includes Weather
tow vehicles are already
Alert with Weather Scan. $69.99 equipped with one, but if
campingworld.com yours isn’t, aftermarket
options are available.

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RIGS + GEAR
PRO TECH TIPS
RV CAMPSITE
SAFETY ESSENTIALS
The do’s and don’ts to help make the most of your vacation experience.
by E . D O N S M I T H
Camping in your RV is one of the most Propane

enjoyable things you and your family will For many of us, camping
ever do. Plus, RVing is the safest and best involves propane. Some RVs
way to travel because you can avoid, or at have built-in propane tanks, When on vacation,
least minimize, your exposure to public while others use small portable the last thing on your
spaces like busy airports, crowded cruise tanks. Before using a propane mind is safety. But
RVs are often situ-
ships, noisy hotels and restaurants, and stove, the lines and connec- ated close together,
unhygienic restrooms. It’s easy to see why tions need to be checked for so things like a fire
RV travel has become more popular than leaks using soapy water and a could rapidly move
ever. Before you head out, we’ve got some spray bottle. If you’re storing to other campsites.
Luckily, with the right
essential RV safety tips to help you avoid any propane, make sure it doesn’t equipment, it’s easy
problems that could arise, whether you’re a get exposed to temperatures to prevent a spread.
newbie or an experienced camper. Here are 
some of the most common areas of risk and
ways to help you protect you and your family
from potential dangers.

above 120°F. When cooking or using
propane outdoors (the same cautions Be sure to pack a fully stocked first-aid kit; it’s
apply for campfires), check the sur- mandatory when traveling and camping outdoors.
rounding area for combustible items and SAFETY Don’t leave home without a fire extinguisher for
clear them before lighting the device; MUST- your vehicle and RV—and train everyone to use it.
Keep a weather radio on board to help you stay
also make sure you use the device in a
well-ventilated area. When lighting a
HAVES informed of impending storms or snow.
propane appliance, use a proper lighter Consider installing a hidden safe for your valuables.
that keeps your hands and fingers away
from the flame, and if the device doesn’t
light after the first few attempts, turn the
valve off and allow time for the accumu-
lated propane to evacuate the area before
trying again.
Never use a larger tank in an attempt
to refill a smaller “one-time use” porta-
ble propane cylinder. This is very dan-
gerous. Also, dispose of used propane
cylinders properly when they’re empty.
Last, when you’re ready to leave, make First Aid & Medical
sure all propane hoses are disconnected Every RV should be equipped with
on portable devices and shut off all tanks an extensive first-aid kit. When
and store them properly. you’re outside in the wilderness Carbon Monoxide
things are going to happen and & Smoke Detectors
you need to be prepared for most One of the most common issues
Electronics, Radios, anything. Your first-aid kit should with camping in cold weather
& Batteries include normal items such as comes from using unapproved
Even though many bandages, gauze, antiseptics, super heating sources inside of an RV
of us use camping glue, hand sanitizer, disposable for heat. If you have a Class A
as an escape from gloves, and ideally more extensive motorhome or large travel trailer
the digital world, things such as a spider-bite kit, with heat pumps and/or built-in
sometimes that isn’t benadryl, hydrocortisone cream, gas-powered heaters this usually
possible, and a tablet, blood coagulants, and enough of isn’t a problem, but for smaller
smartphone, etc., are any prescription medications that campers, heating can be a chal-
simply part of the you are currently taking for the lenge. You should never use
trip. If you’re travel- length of time you will be travel- the stove for heating, nor other
ing, and especially if ing—plus a few days extra, just in gas-powered devices unless they
you’re outside areas case. If you already have a good are designed specifically for that
that have cell-phone first-aid kit, make sure the medica- purpose. Each year there are many
coverage, make sure tions haven’t expired. cases of carbon monoxide poison-
you have a weather radio. Being able ing from gas-burning appliances
to receive weather updates being used as heaters inside of a
may be critical in the event small non-ventilated space. It’s far
of bad storms or snow. Also,
“Every situation is better to rely on electric heaters,
two-way radios are another unique, so make if possible, and always make sure
great tool to allow commu- your own lists of your RV is equipped with an up-to-
nication over short distances things to check date smoke and carbon monoxide
while camping. Make sure and bring with detector. These detectors don’t
you keep spare batteries or
a battery-powered charger
you, and always last forever, so check the dates on
yours. Typically, a smoke detector
including one for your tablet have a good is good for eight to ten years and a
or smartphone and your plan in case of carbon monoxide detector is good
flashlights. an emergency.” for five to seven years.

RIGS + GEAR | safety essentials
lems such as high and low voltage, high

Fire Extinguishers
ground wire current, missing ground,
& Fire Exits and other wiring issues. When you get
Another part of to your campsite and start to plug in, it’s
good RV safety is best to turn everything off inside of your
having one or more RV and also switch the breaker off at the
fire extinguishers. power pedestal. Then, plug in the power
Ideally you should cord or surge protector and flip the
have one inside breaker for the power. You can then start
each vehicle (RV turning on devices inside the RV.
and automobile),
and if you’re cook-
ing or enjoying
a campfire, you
should have a fire extinguisher outside
as well. Check them often and make sure
everyone knows how to use them, in the
event you’re involved in an accident and
need someone else to operate it on your
behalf.
Most RVs have one or more doors
SIMPLE PARKING for entry and exit and there might also Security
be special windows that can be opened Keeping you, your family, your pets, and
FOR BOATS & RV’S or even removed in the event of a fire your RV safe and secure while traveling
that blocks use of the exit doors. Train is usually not a major issue. I’ve been
Move up to 10,000 lbs with the
everyone in the RV where those special camping since the 1970s and have never
most versatile electric trailer
windows are located and how to use encountered a theft issue, but it does
dolly on the market today!
them. Usually, they’re marked with a red happen. Since we don’t know when or
Switch between High and EXIT decal on the window or frame and where it might happen it’s best to be
Low-Speed anytime for fast they may have a red handle to operate ready. This starts with locking up your
them as well. These decals tend to fall off RV and vehicles as much as possible
or more precise parking on a
on older RVs, so look around and make and also locking up things around your
wide variety of terrains.
sure you find the fire exits and relabel RV such as bicycles, electric scooters, or
Packed with essential features them if necessary. anything else that can be easily removed
to make parking easier, like from your campsite. If you travel with
the 12V U1 Battery, Built-In valuables, you may want to invest in a
Charger and Smart Brake Plug
hidden safe for the inside of your RV.
Some RVs come equipped with them
for controlling your trailer’s
from the factory, but if yours doesn’t,
electric or surge brakes.
one can be added.
For larger Fifth Wheel or
Gooseneck trailers up to Although we’ve covered several topics to
15,000 lbs, check out the
help you stay safe around the campsite,
every situation is unique and your needs
Transformer ISC™ models.
Electrical Safety may be different. The most important
Connecting to shorepower may seem as thing is to be mindful of safety while
simple is plugging in a lamp at home, traveling. Make your own lists of things
PARK IT 360, CIRCLE 113 ON READER SERVICE CARD
but it really isn’t. Ideally you should have to check and bring with you, and always
an RV surge protector; if your RV isn’t have a plan in case of an emergency.
equipped with one, you can find portable Hopefully you won’t need your first-aid
units at Camping World that connect be- kit or fire extinguisher, but just like a
tween the campground’s power pedestal spare tire, it’s better to have it and not
1-866-451-8997 X 1 and your RV. These units check for prob- need it than not to have it at all.
SALES@PARKIT360.COM

Life
Road
on the
Family Travel 70 | Pets 75 | Health + Fitness 80
FAMILY TRAVEL
Play Pals
PHOTOS: BRYANNA AND CRAIG ROYAL
Helping your kids make new friends at the Meeting new friends at the
campground is just what the
campground is easy with these simple tips. doctor ordered!
BY B RYA N N A R OYA L

LIFE ON THE ROAD | family travel
O
ONE OF THE THINGS WE LOVE
most about campgrounds is that they’re like
old-school neighborhoods—kids running around The previous week we, along 
The more, the
all over the place, riding bikes, playing tag, sliding with Zula Life, had connected with merrier. Making
down the slide. Life is great. The Mom Trotter crew (themom friends at the RV
We recently spent a week with our friends @ trotter.com) at an awesome park or camp-
boondocking spot at a Carbella ground helps
ZulaLife (instagram.com/zulalife) and their two make memories
Recreation Site in Montana. The
kids at Henrys Lake State Park campground in that can last a
kids spent hours playing at the lifetime.
Idaho. The kids had a blast riding their hover-
beach, searching for snakes, and
boards around, going for walks, having a picnic, Aiden (The Mom Trotter’s son)
playing catch, and even sitting around in the made everyone breakfast outside
morning on our outdoor rug chatting! their RV one morning!
The parents also had a great
time sitting around the campfire at
night, talking business during the
day, and fly fishing. Plus, the moms
went on an adventurous tubing/
paddleboard float down the scenic
Yellowstone River.
“Having friends along for

the ride while camping just
makes the experience that
much better!”

MEET
CRAZY FAMILY
ADVENTURE
Bryanna, along with

her husband, Craig, and their
Once the kids feel comfortable with one another, you’ll be surprised at how well they get along. four kids, sold everything,
It’s a wonderful experience with socialization and can help kids build confidence for years to come. bought an RV, and have
been traveling full-time
Having friends along for the ride be seen! Even if it’s just in front of around North America since
while camping just makes the whole your campsite or walking around the 2014. If they aren’t out
experience that much better! “block.” You’d be surprised how many climbing mountains, hiking
to a waterfall or playing
If you’re new to the campground super-friendly kids there are who will
at the beach, they’re most
and your kids don’t know anyone, all this just come up and say hi and ask your likely at the local doughnut
chaos and fun may be overwhelming. kids to play. shop trying to find the best
Here are a few tips to help them get out doughnuts in the US! They
and make new friends (and you, too!). Participate in Activities write about RVing, road trips,
Sign up for activities that are being things to do with kids at
Get Outside held at the campground. Usually, if the destinations they visit,
full-time family travel, and
This may sound simple, but it’s an there are kids’ activities, there will be
working from the road at
important thing to remember: If your lots of kids there. It’s something for the crazyfamilyadventure.com.
kids are looking to make friends, kids to do and an “easy” way to meet They also have a podcast
they need to get outside to see and other kids. where they talk about their
life of full-time family travel
and a YouTube channel where
you can see what their life is
all about and the cool places
they visit. Bryanna also
started virtualpowerhouse
.com where her and her team
do Pinterest and social media
for small businesses. You can
also find them on Facebook,
Instagram, and Twitter.
blog
crazyfamilyadventure.com
facebook.com
/crazyfamilyadventure
instagram.com
/crazyfamilyadventure
pinterest.com
/crazyfamilyadve
Need an effective icebreaker? Just add a ball. Who can
GAME ON! resist an impromptu football game or session of catch?
youtube.com
/c/crazyfamilyadventure

LIFE ON THE ROAD | family travel
Visit the Playground cue from them and head off

Another easy way to meet to do my own thing.
other kids is to just go to the
playground—they’re usually Eat Meals Outside
filled with other kids playing. When it’s time to eat, either
make your meals outside or
Check out the Pool prepare them inside but bring
Same things goes for the pool. them outside to eat. The more BEHOLD,
Head to the pool and you’re accessible you make yourself THE POWER
OF A POOL
bound to find kids. to people seeing you and PARTY!
saying hi, the easier it will be
Parental Interaction to make friends.
If your children are slow to
warm up to others or feel un- Memberships
comfortable in groups, then If you’re part of an RV
you’ll have to take a more membership group, put your
active role. There have been sticker on the outside of your
plenty of times when I had RV so people can see it. It’s a
to walk over to a group of great conversation starter!
parents and kids and start the
conversation. Once I break the Host a Bonfire
ice, the kids will slowly join in If you’re the kind of people
with the others. I may need to who like to host, then
stay and hang out for a while, you could put together a
but as the children get more bonfire and walk around the
comfortable, I simply take my campground inviting other
5
families to come. The campground
It may seem pool is sure to be
awkward at first, a hotbed of kid
activity. Hosting
but chances are if a movie night
you’re seeking kids is an easy and
Earn up to $60 in rewards today for your children to effective way to
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When you open and use a Good Sam Visa Rewards credit card! play with, the other
little ones to oth-
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Have a Movie Night
What better way to get people to come
talk to you then to put a big screen up
outside your rig and start projecting
5x Points Apply today at a Camping World or a a fun movie. The movie RV with Robin
at our family of brands2 Gander RV & Outdoors retail location or online Williams is always a winner!
at CampingWorld.com/GoodSamCreditCard
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Application and approval must occur same day to receive the offer. Valid one time only. Offer is exclusive to
Pick the Right Campgrounds
Good Sam Rewards Visa® Credit Card holders enrolled in the Good Sam Rewards program. This rewards This needs to be said: If one of the goals
program is provided by Comenity Capital Bank and its terms may change at any time. For full Rewards Terms
and Conditions, please see comenity.net/goodsamrewardsvisa. of your trip is to meet other kids and
2
5 Points per $1 spent. Offer is exclusive to Good Sam Rewards Visa® Credit Card holders enrolled in the Good families then you’ll want to be mindful of
Sam Rewards program.
3
Offer is exclusive to Good Sam Rewards Visa® Credit Card holders enrolled in the Good Sam Rewards program. which campgrounds you pick. Naturally,
4
2 points/$1 everywhere else Visa is accepted. Offer is exclusive to Good Sam Rewards Visa® Credit Card it should be family-friendly.
holders enrolled in the Good Sam Rewards program. Maximum of 2,000 Rewards points.
Credit card offers are subject to credit approval. Normally, if a campground has a
Good Sam Rewards Visa® Credit Card Accounts are issued by Comenity Capital Bank pursuant to a license
from Visa U.S.A. Inc. Visa is a registered trademark of Visa International Service Association and used under playground or pool and planned kid
license. activities, they’re going to be family-

friendly and there is a high FREE INFORMATION
Mail the attached postage-paid card to find
probability that other kids will
out more about these products and services.
be there, too.
READER SERVICE
Your Campsite
Same goes for picking your ADVERTISERS’ INDEX
campsite at the campground. If
RS # ADVERTISER PAGE #
you want to meet a lot of kids
and families, then pick a site
101 Bauer Products ................................... 38
that’s close to the playground or
pool. Chances are there will be a 102 Blue Ox ............................................... 84
lot of kids and families walking
right by your site all day long. 103 Brazel’s RV Performance ....................... 6
Overall, it’s all about getting
yourself and your kids out and about friendly! Why else would you pick to stay Camping World ................................... 79
so you can see and be seen, and then at a place where your neighbor can be
104 Cove Harbor Coach Resort .................. 28
making the effort to start a conversation just a mere ten feet away from you?
with other people at the campground. Get outside, smile, be social, and 107 Entegra Coach ....................................... 2
Campgrounds just naturally have before you know it, you and your kids
that neighborhood feel, and we have will have made a ton of new friends on Good Sam Insurance Agency .............. 49
found that most people are super your camping trip!
Good Sam Media and Events ........ 64-65
KID-FRIENDLY
Good Sam Rewards Credit Card .......... 72
Good Sam RV Loans ........................... 29
CAMPGROUNDS
Most campgrounds are kid-friendly by nature, but these top-rated retreats add play
106 Hensley Manufacturing Inc. ................ 48
110 Lippert Components ............................ 83
grounds, arcades, sports courts, resort-style swimming pools, and more to the mix. 111 MOR/ryde ........................................... 12
Campland on the Bay StonyBrook RV Resort Cross Creek Camping 112 Northwood Mfg. ................................. 24
San Diego, CA Lehighton, PA Resort Delaware, OH
Mission Bay is well-known This region in Pennsyl- So, where to begin in 109 Omnia Stove ....................................... 18
for being a beachfront vania is one of the most this kid haven located in
playground, and Campland scenic in the country. central Ohio? How about 113 Park It 360 .......................................... 68
takes full advantage, What better backdrop a jump pad, sports courts,
offering watercraft for the kiddos, while pool volleyball, cornhole, 114 Pleasure Way ...................................... 60
rentals, a skate park, and they make friends on the or the community fire
building sandcastles on playground, sports court, ring? Maybe it’s the 115 Progressive Insurance ........................... 5
the beach. Kids have it stocked fishing pond, weekend train rides,
all, with everything from or during some of the scavenger hunts, hiking 116 Roadmaster, Inc. ................................. 55
a skate park, to sports planned activities? And, trails, mining for gems, or
courts, to an arcade, to the nearby Lehighton the pancake breakfasts? 105 RViBrake by Danko Manufacturing ..... 61
two pools and hot tubs. Valley Zoo, Pocono Even if it’s the boat
There’s even a supervised Raceway, and Kalahari rentals at the marina, 117 Sea Eagle .............................................. 6
kids’ activity program to Resort mean down time is we’re sure your little
take full advantage of all nonexistent, unless that’s ones will appreciate the 108 Venture RV by KZ ................................ 74
the resort has to offer. just what you need. nonstop excitement.
campland.com stonybrookrvresort.com alumcreek.com 118 Winnebago Industries ......................... 13
EDITORIAL PRODUCT INDEX

RS # ADVERTISER PAGE #
150 Winnebago Inspire 34AE .................... 51
While every effort is made to maintain accuracy and completeness,

last-minute changes may occasionally result in omissions or errors.

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VENTURE RV BY KZ, CIRCLE 108 ON READER SERVICE CARD
Perfect LOVING OUR PETS
Planning
It was a long drive to reach California’s Yosemite National
Park with our two rescue dogs, Peanut Butter Brickle, a
catahoula mix, and Digby Pancake, a foxhound, one chilly
for Pets’
day in 2012. We knew there were restrictions on some of the
trails where we could take our dogs, but we could not resist
bringing them with us. Other options included leaving them
Sake! at home and hiring someone to look after them, or taking

them to a kennel. So we prepared ourselves to not be able to
go on as many trails as we would have liked and hit the road
Traveling with four- with our excited dogs. This way, we could enjoy our time
legged family members together with a leisurely drive, feeling the fresh air, and
enjoying a picnic together.
takes some foresight, Arriving at Yosemite National Park, we realized that
but nothing beats them our dogs were truly enjoying the scenery. They gazed up
tagging along for the at snowcapped mountain peaks, they took a deep breath,
adventure. and I will always remember the look on their faces. I knew
from that moment on that our way of traveling in an RV as a
BY @2 T R AV E L I N G D O G S family would be different. Our dogs would always be with us
and they would experience the adventuresome feelings that
captivated us.
Inspiration, energy, excitement, and learning were just
the start of our new way of life with our dogs. But if travel-
ing with pets requires more planning and adjustments on
our part, why do we love it so much? And why are we con-
tinuing to travel with our dogs more than nine years later?
Because we wouldn’t have it any other way!
It’s hard to top having

your best furry pal by
your side, whether
out on the trail or by a
roaring campfire.

LIFE ON THE ROAD | traveling with pets
REASONS interrupted. There are plenty

of pet-friendly RV parks and
TEN WE LOVE campgrounds where four-legged

companions are welcome.
TRAVELING Our pets help us to savor
WITH PETS the moment.

Maybe we are worrying about
work, a school assignment, or
We enjoy each other’s everyday responsibilities that
company. never seem to end. When we
Our pets truly live each day to make sure our pets are enjoying
the fullest and teach us to do the themselves, it takes the focus—
same. Our dogs want to be with and stress—away from us. We
us despite our imperfections and start to see aspects of their per-
love us even if we sometimes sonalities that we may have been
may not love ourselves. unaware of. We have learned
Spending time with our pals who what makes each of our dogs 
appreciate us gives us more feel fulfilled, calm, and happy. THREE FOR THE ROAD
PHOTO: RACHAEL JOHNSON

confidence to try new things and This, is turn, makes travel easier From Monument Rocks in Kansas to
the beaches on both coasts, nothing
travel to new places. because we know what activities beats traveling with the whole family,
they enjoy. Digby loves the including those beloved members with
We don’t have to rush woods and creeks, so we make four legs and wagging tails.
home. sure to schedule visits to those
Looking at your watch or phone places. Brickle’s favorite desti- the rush? Enjoy every roadside
constantly is no fun for anyone! nation is the beach, so getting stop. Instead of fuel stations, try
Worrying if our pets are safe and his paws to the sand makes us roadside attractions or rest areas
happy in our absence is avoided happy as well. Having pets as with a grassy place to relax in or
when they are with us. We can travel companions will require have a picnic.
plan snacks and meals so that that you take more breaks when
even normal dinnertime is not driving long distances. But why We value our pets.
There is no better way to make
a difference for animals than by
setting a good example. Talk to
Trail your pets and give them lots of
scratches behind their ears! Show
Manners the care you have for your pets
to others by carrying water and
Dogs are wonderful hiking companions.
Sometimes it’s hard to know who’s picking up after your furry family
having more fun—you or your dog! Just members. Treat your pets like
be sure to practice proper trail etiquette valued travel companions, because
like keeping your fur ball leashed,
picking up after him or her, and giving that’s exactly what they are.
right-of-way to other hikers.
Pets are great
conversation starters.
We have met some of our best
friends on the road because
of our dogs. Travel has a way
of bringing people of different
ages and cultures together, and
opening up a dialogue is easy

“Treat your pets like valued travel
companions, because that’s exactly
what they are.” PETS MAKE
EVERY PICTURE
with pets around. You may have
a short friendly conversation,
pets an opportunity to be their
best selves.
BETTER.
or it could lead to a long-lasting
friendship, or maybe you’ll learn You’ll always be planning
about new-to-you destinations that next trip together.
to explore. Once you go on one trip with your
pet, you will be planning the next
Pets don’t complain about one with your pet’s interests
your driving or getting lost. and likes in mind. You may see
Traveling can definitely feel like aspects of your pet’s personality
a chore when you’re stuck in you never knew about. You will
traffic and everything doesn’t find joy in the true excitement
go perfectly. And, yes, we have they have that comes with new The photo galleries on our
taken the wrong turn more than places, smells, and faces. cellphones are packed with
once. But having our pets with pictures of our dogs. That’s
us helps us to not take ourselves You and your pet will find because there are never-end-
too seriously. Our pets enjoy the new hobbies. ing opportunities for taking
ride wherever we are, even if we Travel has always been a favorite snapshots of Brickle and
don’t know where that is! hobby of ours and now it’s a Digby, who love being spot-
favorite of our dogs, too! At every lighted. They will tell us where
Traveling has given our destination, our dogs help us to they want their pictures taken
by picking a spot and standing
pets purpose. learn more about ourselves. I used
still since they know that is
Without a purpose and direction to wonder what was so interest-
part of what travel is to us.
in our own lives, we may feel lost. ing to them about a certain tree or
Make taking pictures of them
Our pets are no different. You’ll even a leaf. On a recent trip to the
fun! Carry treats and reward
see the difference that travel can Georgia mountains, I picked up the
them for standing still, if only
make in your pet’s behavior and hobby of foraging. Now, when my for a moment.
health. Watch their reaction after dogs stop to take in the smells, I
a hike when you tell them that look in the woods for mushrooms
they did a great job. Give your and berries. Often, my dogs look
FEELING RUFF? GET A DOG!

According to a report by
the American Heart Asso-
ciation, owning a dog may
lengthen your life. Dog
owners get more exercise
walking their dogs, have
lower blood pressure, and
are less socially isolated.
So rather than letting your
health go to the dogs, go
to an animal shelter and
get a dog!

LIFE ON THE ROAD | traveling with pets
A Friend
Indeed at me as if wondering what I find
so interesting!
PET-FRIENDLY PLACES
Four ideas for trips your furry friends will enjoy.
A wise person said, “A true friend That first short trip to
leaves paw prints on your heart.”
Dogs are selfless, love uncondi-
Yosemite National Park with our 4A drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway: Plenty
tionally, and are devoted to their dogs has turned into almost a of roadside picnic areas, dog-friendly attrac-
humans. Whether you’ve had the decade of traveling with our dogs. tions like Mabry Mill, and pet-friendly hiking
best day ever or a not-so-good one, opportunities.
your pup is always there to remind
We truly had a moment that day
you how much you are loved. So unlike any I have ever felt. Seeing 4A day trip to Rock City, a pet-friendly attrac-
praise your canine companion! my dogs as individuals gave tion near Chattanooga, Tennessee. This is one
us a new sense of purpose to of Brickle’s favorite places! Take a walk on the
make their lives with us as long enchanted trail and eat a meal together at the
outdoor terrace.
and as enjoyable as possible. It
also gives us the responsibility 4Boondock in your RV at a public land area
of planning ahead with them outside of Capitol Reef National Park in Utah.
in mind and to make compro- Public campgrounds are awesome, but some-
mises when we cannot travel times it is nice to gaze up at the stars without
to a particular destination that the interruption of city lights. You can feel
closer to your pet when appreciating nature
is not pet friendly. But we know
together.
that our journeys now are much
better with Peanut Butter Brickle 4Hanna Park near Jacksonville, Florida, has
and Digby Pancake, as they have one of the most dog-friendly beaches around.
opened up our world to endless Leashed dogs can not only walk the beach with
their owners, but wooded trails are also acces-
destinations and experiences.
sible so you experience the best of both worlds.
After a day of fun, you can have a campfire in
For more canine adventures, check the three-hundred-site shaded campground
out 2travelingdogs.com with private sites and full hookups.
FUN + GAMES
ACROSS
Whole Lotta Love 2 Promises not meant to
You know what else we love? be broken
Crossword puzzles! And since 3 A popular Valentine’s
1 February is all about amore, we’re Day gift
sure your heart will have a soft 7 Not just for trucks and
2 trailers
spot for this month’s brain bender.
3 4
8 Symbol of love in
Roman mythology
5 11 It may skip a beat
12 Flowers that can be red
13 Use these to set the
6 (5-down) while dining
7 8
DOWN
10
1 The City of Brotherly Love
9
2 Flowers that are blue, so
11 they say
12
4 They’re a girl’s best friend
5 There’s a ring for that
13 6 It keeps the heart’s flame
alive
8 A motorhome built for
two
9 Pucker up for one
10 Love’s international
Down 1: Philadelphia, 2: Violets, 4: Diamonds, 5: Mood, 6: Romance, 8: Class B, 9: Kiss, 10: French
Across 2: Vows, 3: Candy, 7: Connection, 8: Cupid, 11: Heart, 12: Roses, 13: Candles
language

AMERICA
MORE MORE MORE

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LIFE ON THE ROAD
M
y husband, whole scheme to purchase a
James, and I bought used RV was hatched. It wasn’t
our first RV on a about the RV at all. We just
whim. We didn’t know anything wanted our own bathroom.
about RVs before that—they Fast-forward ten years
weren’t even a blip on our later and here we are just
radar. At the time, we enjoyed starting out in our third RV. We
spending our weekends par- still attend bicycling events,
ticipating in bicycling events. but we immediately learned
If you’ve ever done any sort of RVing is so much more than a
endurance event, like a 5K or rolling bathroom. Having an RV
a Gran Fondo (long-distance opened up unique possibilities
bicycle race), you know how of things we could go do
they go. You get up ridiculously together, beyond just bicycling.
early in the morning, grab a Hiking in mountains across
to-go coffee at the first drive- the country. Paddling in lakes
through you pass, and then where we can camp right on
head to the event start, which the shore. Or even just working
HEALTH + FITNESS
is never located nearby. out together surrounded by
By the time you arrive, the most beautiful scenery we
your coffee has kicked in and ever imagined. Our adventures
RVing Couples
you make a beeline for the since we started RVing have
porta potties, only to find the not only changed our lives, but
long lines of others whose also our marriage. We’re more
Who Sweat coffee also just kicked in. It was

while standing in one of these
synced as a couple. We’ve
grown tighter, and just down-
Together,
soul-crushing porta-potty lines right happier.
one frigid morning when the Don’t get me wrong, I don’t
PHOTOS: STEFANY ADINARO

Stay Together LET’S CONNECT ON INSTAGRAM! Follow the hashtags #fitrvers or #fitrving
to see other like-minded RVers staying fit on the road and to share your own
BY STEFANY ADINARO pictures of your active RVing adventures.
“Each sweaty, wonderful, physically

challenging activity we tackle
together acts like marital glue.”

credit the RV itself for strength- me up on this.
ening our bond. Sure, it’s been a Studies have
catalyst, but the credit goes to the shown that couples
adventures we’ve had on our RV who try new expe-
trips, the things we’ve done outside riences and go on
the RV. Each sweaty, wonderful, adventures togeth-
physically challenging activity we er—particularly
tackle together acts like marital active ones—have
glue. Our shared experiences happier relation-
create bonds. And that’s certainly ships. It’s that
not unique just to James and me. “active” bit James
Shared experiences, especially and I are especially good at. While flourish. You CHECK US OUT
physically challenging ones, create bicycling is our main pursuit, we’ll find things For more RV-friendly
bonds for anyone. Research backs take anything outdoorsy and active, you love to do workouts and healthy
RVing inspiration,
even good old-fashioned workouts alone and find search “The Fit RV”
together right at the campground. things you love YouTube channel.
Did you know?
Not all couples share an interest to do together.

Being physically active with your
sweetheart is not only healthy in the same physical activities, So, in honor of both Valentine’s
for your body, it’s also healthy and that’s okay, too. It’s not a Day and American Heart Month,
for your relationship. requirement for a good relationship. my hope is that you’ll share in some
Relationships don’t only grow from sweaty outdoor pursuits with your

STRENGTHEN YOUR the things we do together, they also loved one on your next RV trips, even
EMOTIONAL BOND grow from the ways we are sepa- if it’s not your RVing normal. You’ll get
Doing physically challenging rate. That’s something I’ve learned outside your bubble, do something
activities together creates non-
from my marriage. Sometimes we healthy for your body, and even build
verbal mimicry and leads couples
to feeling more emotionally need the time apart so we can give up a little of that marital glue for
attuned with one another. attention to our own interests and yourselves, too. And who knows?
honor our own individuality. It’s a Perhaps getting active with your

balance thing. That balance is one sweetie will be just what the (love)
MOTIVATION TO MOVE
Having your partner’s presence of the keys to making a relationship doctor ordered.
puts some accountability
pressure on you and makes you
more likely to both do the activity DATE-NIGHT EXERCISES FOR COUPLES
and succeed at it.
 THESE SIMPLE TWO-PERSON ACTIVITIES ARE A GREAT WAY TO

MORE QUALITY TIME TOGETHER
Spending time engaging in active
KICK OFF AN ACTIVE, HEALTHY EVENING.
pursuits opens communication
and allows you to give attention
to each other in a setting that is
outside of your typical day-to-day
interactions.

REACHING GOALS IS THAT
MUCH SWEETER
When you finish up a physically
challenging adventure with your
sweetie, you can celebrate (and
commiserate) together on a job
well done!

BUILD INCREDIBLE MEMORIES
Shared and meaningful
memories fortify relationships.
Undertaking physical challenges Ball Diagonal Resistance-Band Resistance-Band
together creates lifelong Passes Lower Lifts Kickbacks
memories that strengthen
feelings of togetherness.

LIFE ON THE ROAD | snapshots
Love, Mother Nature

Located near the Arizona-Utah border you’ll find Antelope
Canyon—undeniably one of the most treasured sights in the
American Southwest. People come from all over the world to
take in the slot canyon’s stunning, ever-changing shafts of
light and breathtaking natural beauty. You’ll need to book a
Navajo guide to visit, and reservations fill quickly, so plan well in
advance. Visit midday to capture the best light.
navajonationparks.org/tribal-parks/lake-powell

WHENEVER, WHEREVER, WE MAKE
YOUR EXPERIENCE BETTER.
At Lippert, our goal is to make products that help you discover the ultimate sense
of freedom. With thousands of team members globally, innovation is at our core
and we will never wait to see what can be done better. Our products are inventive
and inspired. We promise you the best Customer Service, period. Why?
Because your adventure is on the line, and it’s our job to make every
future journey even better than those of the past.
For more information about any of

our other products, visit our website:
lippertcomponents.com
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SwayPro™ TrackPro™
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Distributes Prevents sway Prevents sway No noise Distributes Prevents sway Caster with
trailer tongue by bad roads, even in rain created trailer tongue by bad roads, additional points
weight evenly. wind or weather. or snow. by friction. weight evenly. wind or weather. of friction.
Hitch Accessories
Trailer Coupler Lock Receiver Lock Receiver Lock

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Motorhome Mount Tow Bars • Baseplates Brakes • WD Hitches • Towing Accessories
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SURF + TURF favorite wine; red or white, there’s

8 RV MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2021

1 Set the grill to medium-high 5 Season the skewered shrimp

and set aside on a cutting

RV MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2021 9

What better place to spend a romantic weekend than the Common-

2) Cut bacon strips in half. Cook

3) Place bacon slices on oysters.

6) Cook on grate above ﬂames

10 RV MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2021

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RV MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2021 11

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RV MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2021 17

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Community Helped Create Their Dream

From the octogenarian woodworker

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18 RV MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2021

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