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RV Magazine 202103
RV Magazine 202103
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28
FEATURES
14 ROAD SCHOOLING 101
Did you know you can end
With the world as your classroom, a day at the beach with a
the whole family will have fun zebra encounter?
learning from an RV.
20 SECRETS OF HAPPY
RVING COUPLES
34 AND
AN RV, THE OUTDOORS,
ME
True confessions of a first-time
Meet three couples who keep the motorhome owner.
spark alive while living in an RV.
38
This crown jewel of the Jersey way to enjoy the experience . . . and
Shore delights with picture-perfect to squirrel away a few bucks along
sunsets, Victorian-style architecture, the way.
and lip-smacking treats.
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DEPARTMENTS 50
7 MESSAGE FROM MARCUS
Loud and Clear.
8 THE BUZZ
Here’s what our readers are saying.
Foodie
9 CAMP CUISINE
Chef Robert Irvine’s savory Lemon
Chicken with Quinoa is on the menu
this month.
10 LOCAL FLAVORS
Easy twenty-minute Tex-Mex
Shrimp-Stuffed Grilled Avocados
from the Lone Star State.
available in all states or for all vehicles. Additional charge applies. Prices vary based on how you buy.
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EDI T OR I 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, Cate Battles,
Chickery’s Travels, Kenneth W. Dahse, Ray Diehr,
Ann and Eric Eichenmuller, Emily and Mark Fagan, Robert
Irvine, Erika Klein, Lindsay and Derek Lane, Jessica Lim, Scott
Linden, RJ McKeehan, Bruce Miller, Erin Peters, Abbey Rob-
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ADMINISTRATIVE
Chief Operating Officer Tamara Ward
President – GS Media & Events Vilma Fraguada
Vice President – Media Services Pete Fikis
Marketing Director Amber Kansou
Director of Operations Lori Guiang
Business Manager Katey Purgatorio
ADVERTISING
South Region Kim Whitaker
kim.whitaker@goodsam.com
West Region Scott Oakes
847-229-6758, scott.oakes@goodsam.com
Midwest/North-East Region Ryan Reinke
612-695-3219, ryan.reinke@goodsam.com
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WELCOME
LOUD
AND
CLEAR.
We’re now into the third issue of RV Magazine and
to give you a little behind-the-scenes publishing
perspective—the calendar says it’s January 25th
as I write this, which means that over the past few
weeks you’ve just received the first issues of the
magazine. It also means that we’ve received ex-
tremely valuable feedback, which shows how much
you care, and I want to thank you for that.
THE BUZZ
You’ll Need
• 4 boneless chicken thighs
• Juice and zest of 1 lemon
• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups chicken stock (or water
with bouillon cubes)
• ¼ cup fresh herbs, chopped
and mixed together (parsley,
oregano, mint, basil)
• Salt and pepper
• Grapeseed oil
Make It
1 In a pot, add the chicken
stock and bring to a boil.
Add the chicken thighs and
poach until cooked through.
Remove the chicken.
LEMON CHICKEN
stock in the pot, bring it
back to a boil, rinse the
quinoa with cold water and
add it to the chicken stock.
Reduce the heat on the pot
WITH QUINOA
to a low temperature (off to
the side of the campfire or
hanging above—or indirect
heat on the grill), place
a loose-fitting cover and
steep the quinoa for 15–20
minutes until all the stock
SERVES 4 PREP TIME 10 MINUTES COOK TIME 20–25 MINUTES is absorbed.
S
3 While the quinoa is steeping,
omewhere in the midst of one of our misguided health fads (I blame shred the chicken, and in a
it on the low-fat craze of the 1980s and ’90s) Americans became separate pan on high heat,
enamored with white-meat chicken and turned their noses up to add grapeseed oil and then
the shredded chicken to
the dark stuff, reserving it for guilty pleasures like batter-fried chicken and give it all nice carameliza-
buffalo wings. As both a chef and a fitness enthusiast, this has always been tion. Turn off the heat and
baffling to me. Not only is dark-meat chicken more tender, the fat adds add the lemon juice and
zest.
flavor—and key nutrients like vitamins B6 and B12—while not being so
fatty as to derail a diet. These chicken thighs, paired with quinoa cooked 4 Once the quinoa has ab-
in chicken stock, are healthy and sure to satisfy a crowd. Come to the dark sorbed all the stock, add in
PHOTO: RAY DIEHR
FOODIE
What to Cook
Tex-Mex Shrimp-Stuffed
Grilled Avocados
Looking for a twist on Saint Patrick’s Day
recipes? Go green with this delicious dish—a
flavorful springtime main course that can be
made in less than 20 minutes.
SAVOR
EACH
PERFECT
BITE!
LOCAL FLAVORS
MAKE IT
1) Sauté vegetables and beans in 1–2
FINE PAIRINGS tablespoons of olive oil in a cast-iron
skillet over low flame until just cooked.
The avocados with a Verdicchio dei Cas-
lime-cilantro-seasoned telli di Jesi Classico, a 2) Mix taco seasoning and 1 tablespoon
shrimp pair best with a medium-bodied white olive oil in a resealable plastic bag. Toss
crisp, citrusy white. In- with a clean finish and in shrimp and shake. Place shrimp on
stead of the usual go-to citrus and floral tones. medium grill or over low fire until pink.
Sauvignon Blanc, why $12.99 Add to skillet and keep warm over coals/
not try an affordable For a slightly low heat.
Verdicchio instead? The upscale Date Night
white-grape variety is Bottle, we recommend 3) Brush tops of avocados with olive oil.
grown in the Marche re- Verdicchio di Matelica Place face down on grill for 5–8 minutes.
gion of central Italy and Riserva DOCG Mirum.
PHOTO: ERIC EICHENMULLER
CRISP SPRING
BREWS
Celebrate new beginnings and fresh blooms
with tropical IPAs, fruit beers, and wild ales.
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
S
pring isn’t just the time Austin Street Brewery,
to welcome warmer Maine: Rally
months by exploring Coming in at just 3.8% ABV, this
the outdoors; it’s a time to Session IPA is approachable
welcome an influx of bright, and delicious. Crafted with all cans. This 7.3% ABV sour ale
Maine grain and generously with lactose, lime, vanilla, and WHAT A RALLY!
flavorful, and refreshing beers.
Scoring a 92 (out of 100)
And flavor is the number one hopped with Mosaic hops, cinnamon is modeled after the from BeerAdvocate, this
reason people buy craft. this outstanding beer will citrusy, velvety dessert, each easy-drinking beer pours a
Last year was a challeng- satisfy with tropical pineapple, sip mimicking a spoonful of key hazy gold, giving off clean
ing year for the craft beer passion fruit, and orange lime pie. This limited-time nitro floral and citrus notes.
industry. Despite the difficulties, notes. Grapefruit rind rounds beer will be available in May.
brewers are continuing to create it out with a crisp, dry finish.
innovative brews. While IPAs are The flavor complexity is quite Gunwhale Ales, California:
still the leading beer style and impressive for such a low ABV The Fun Zone
perfect on a crisp spring day, and sessionable beer. This artsy, award-winning
the softer, juicier, and less bitter brewery strikes a balance TO GO
IPAs continue to hold strong. Left Hand Brewing, Colorado: between the raw, wild spirit MONTHLY
Here’s just a handful of Key Lime Pie Nitro of farmhouse brewing and POUR
some of our favorite great craft The Longmont, Colorado, the pioneering hop-forward
beers to try this spring. brewery is no stranger to nitro styles of California. Simply put, MÁS
they’re mixing hops and yeast AGAVE
in new and interesting ways. CLÁSICA
The Fun Zone is a grisette, LIME
fermented in oak barrels for TYPE: GOSE
(continued on pg. 12) ABV: 10%
IBU: 20
Beginning in April,
Michigan’s Founders
Brewing Co. will launch
the Bottle Shop Series.
Inspired by the tart and
tangy margarita, they
took an imperial gose
brewed with agave,
PHOTOS: ROGUE ALES & SPIRITS, AUSTIN STREET BREWERY
HERE
GO
Jayco.com/BuiltForThis
#LetsJayco
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I
ON THE ROAD | EDUCATION
Road Scho o
with a burning desire to not simply read about these places but to actually
closed indefinitely). Lewis and Clark Expedition. Check out points of interest or important places
along your route that relate to what you’re learning and add those stops. There
are great websites dedicated to showing those markers and a simple internet
search will provide results, too. Once you get into an area you can check with
the local chamber of commerce, board of tourism, or just ask locals for sugges-
tions as well.
o oling 101
Everett and Audrey
appreciate the
magnitude of the
size of a Columbia
mammoth at Waco
Mammoth National
Monument in Texas.
PHOTOS: LINDSAY AND DEREK LANE
EDUCATION
Another option if
you already have a route
planned is to find learning
points of interest along
the way. Having a home on
wheels provides so much
freedom in that it gives
you the ability to be able to
go and stay anywhere. So,
no matter which way you
decide to plan there’s no
doubt you’ll be able to bring
learning alive for your kids. Never
Since our family hit
the road to RV, we have
underestimate
always planned our routes the power
and once we’ve decided of bringing
the direction we’re going, I learning alive
pull in educational lessons
for our family based on
in each area
that route. I then begin you visit.
researching why that
area may hold historical
or natural significance.
Sometimes it’s obvious,
like a national park, and sometimes I have to dig a little facts together about the
bit deeper. I look ahead at the planned route and note park. As we visited the
famous locations, like Early American history spots, or park and walked under
famous travel routes like the Oregon Trail or the Lewis those tall giants, my
& Clark National Historic Trail. I also make note of the children already knew
geography of the locations we’ll be visiting and research so many fascinating
books we can read aloud together that can bring those facts about the trees,
locations to life. For instance, if we’re visiting a coastal animals, and nature
community, I search for books on ocean life. If it’s a contained within the
mountain range, I search for books on mountainous park’s boundaries. As
areas. As we read the rich stories about the natural we went on to Yosemite
world or the society that once lived, or currently lives National Park, I added
there, we are enhancing the visit a hundredfold! more books on the area
Once we’ve found the resources that allow us to to our RV bookshelf.
dig into the location we begin incorporating those And, we all had the experience of not just Audrey, Owen, and
books or resources into our daily learning. Sometimes hiking the trails in the park but being able to Everett get a hands-on
lesson from a ranger
this takes place a week or two preceding the visit and identify the natural world around and know
at Yosemite National
sometimes it’s happening while we’re already at the the storied history of the park! Park in California.
location itself. Driving into Yosemite Valley we had
For instance, when planning a visit to Sequoia & the words of Richard Halliburton echoing
Kings Canyon National Parks I ordered several picture through our minds, remembering his visit
books about sequoia trees and we read interesting and his accounts of the first white men to
visit that area. Just two years before we
decided to travel the country in an RV we
PRACTICAL
MAGIC Imagine how amazing it is when your children can tell you all about the Native Americans
who once lived in the area of the historic site you’re visiting. Or the pride they will feel as they
walk along the tide pool and are able to identify the tiny hermit crab crawling over the sand or
the sea star attached to a rock.
Outside
the Box
When learning on the
road, you’re never far
from the classroom
setting. The Lanes keep
things casual, but are Learning opportunities are
serious about education. not exclusively found at
Derek and the kids check national and state parks
out old mine equipment so make sure to think
and tools in the Queen outside of the box in each place
Mine Tour and Museum you visit. One of our favorite
in Bisbee, Arizona. memories of one of our first
weeks living the RV life was
visiting a mining ghost town in
southern Arizona. We searched
for fun things to do in the area
and allows us the and ran across an underground
freedom to explore mine tour. Little did we realize
this would be one of our most
them to this day.
memorable stops on that leg of
We always our trip! Our tour guide was one
utilize the ranger of the last living original miners
programs in our in that copper mine. He gave
us all a firsthand recount of his
national and state
experience of what it was like
parks, so make sure working underground day in and
to take advantage day out, and what life was like
during your visits. living in a mining town. Our kids
will never forget the significance
had read his account of that day in his The rangers in those parks are not only
of that job to that area of the
Book of Marvels. the experts on the area but, more im- country. They’ll remember his
Next, the words and passions of portantly, they are passionate about shaky words describing his life
John Muir came to life as we gazed the park itself. When our kids have the underground and the devastation
his city felt when they were shut
at Half Dome in Yosemite and our opportunity to sit in on ranger talks and
down. On that particular visit I
memory of reading about John Muir listen to their expertise and passion decided to buy a book on the life
and Theodore Roosevelt’s camping trip overflow in their presentations, that of a miner. (Always check the gift
together in the park came to mind. The shops for the best books covering
the place you’re visiting.)
Camping Trip That Changed America
JUST TRY The benefit of being in an
is the book, but the truth is, it was THIS IN A RV is that our entire life is right
literally the camping trip that changed REGULAR there! And because of that,
SCHOOL
America. That trip, with those two men SETTING! the next day after our visit we
not only were able to sit down
who loved the natural lands and places
and read the book I had just
found in this country, prompted the purchased but we also were able
protection of hundreds of thousands to read other books we already
of acres of lands over the next century had on our RV bookshelves.
We learned about the element
of copper and other types of
An up-close experience with the mines found in other areas of the
Peter Iredale shipwreck at Fort country.
Stevens State Park in Oregon. That one visit provided a
history, science, and geography
lesson for our family that we
never expected. So, never under-
estimate the power of bringing
learning alive in each area you
visit even if it appears there’s no
significance there.
EDUCATION
From the official trailhead,
Glacier National Park’s Grinnell
Glacier Trail is a twelve-mile
round-trip hike with breath-
helps pique our children’s atmosphere is changing, and
interests or it fuels an interest so many families now have the
they had already started to ability to work anywhere. The
develop. Ranger talks often RV life is no longer primarily
cover a variety of topics as retired couples but instead
diverse as the first peoples families are enjoying the
in the area to the plant and benefits of living in a home
animal life you’ll find in each on wheels. Taking advantage
section of the park. of this unprecedented time in
If you leave a park or an history, where so many are
area and your kids continue able to make a living remotely,
to show interest in learning we as parents have an
even more about that place do invaluable opportunity to bring
your best to encourage that learning to life for our kids and
enthusiasm. Continue adding literally create a lifestyle of
those learning resources for education for our families.
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I N S P I R AT I O N | F U L L-T I M I N G A D V I C E
PHOTOS: TREVOR AND KOURTNEY SMITHSON. ADDITIONAL COUPLES PHOTOS: ALEXI SHIELDS, CHICKERY'S TRAVELS, TREY SELMAN
Taking the
Plunge
TREVOR AND KOURTNEY
SMITHSON
For Trevor and Kourtney
PHOTOS: TREVOR AND KOURTNEY SMITHSON. ADDITIONAL COUPLES PHOTOS: ALEXI SHIELDS, CHICKERY'S TRAVELS, TREY SELMAN
(@wazimulife), their
lives have been an adventure, even
before they set out full-time in 2019.
They describe themselves as opposites
and minimalists with a mutual love of
the outdoors and exploration. Trevor
bought the military vehicle, tore off
everything except the cab, and then TREY AND SUSAN: “Occa- tude is the most important SEAN AND JULIE: Sean
spent months building their home from sionally each of us gets into a preparation. We eat a little chimed in with, “Have you
mood because of a stressful snack about an hour before heard the expression, ‘happy
scratch, complete with a shower area situation. It’s usually short- arriving to avoid the ‘hangry’ wife, happy life!’?” The couple
lived, and we have become mood. Patience and under- says the key to getting along
better at forgiving and standing with one another in each situation is to have
letting moods dissipate like and not pointing out mistakes a strong marriage and com-
MAINTAINING water off a duck’s back. We
prefer to see the humor and
helps. As in all marriages,
forgiveness is crucial; without
munication skills before you
start traveling for extended
HARMONY WHEN challenge in life, so we strive
to hold fast to that attitude.
it blame and bitterness will
destroy. Overlooking tempo-
periods of time. They learned
a long time ago how to talk
THINGS DON’T GO We make adjustments and
plan for typical stressors, like
rary moods and holding our
tongues are two of the best
through disagreements and
not let them fester. And when
FULL-TIMING ADVICE
“Trevor is one of the rare breeds who can get his brain moving in
WORKING just about any space. Kourtney is a little pickier and needs a clean
IN TANDEM workstation. She typically starts a workday by cleaning the house,
making sure there is plenty of natural light, essential oils in the
diffuser, headphones on, and coffee in hand before sitting down
at our fold-down table to work.” - Trevor and Kourtney
at helping people realize their full-time travel dreams. The The spark that ignites their like-minded interests is in
couple presents at various RV shows and rallies around the exploring unique things and traveling to all corners of the
country and considers themselves “blessed to be able to country and places in-between. They share a love of meeting
travel to so many fabulous places!” people, seeing how life is lived in various places, and ex-
Sean and Julie say that they don’t have established date periencing the local interpretation of unique locations and
nights, but, rather, they like to engage in different activities regional food. “This wonderful country has an almost never-
and experience the local restaurants together when visiting ending supply of fascinating places, people, and sights to
a new area. “A couple of years ago,” Julie said, “we were explore,” they say.
dining out when we received a text message wishing us Their play days consist of watching for good weather to
a happy anniversary. We just laughed because we had hit the trails for a hike, “explore in Yellowstone or take drives
forgotten it was our anniversary! We celebrate every day to see the clouds blanket the Great Smoky Mountains as
instead of one specific day of the year.” the sun rises.” They bond over watching meteor showers in
the middle of the night,
“observing creation,”
Living the Nomadic Life WHAT TYPE OF and watching interesting
TREY AND SUSAN SELMAN local events. They enjoy
Trey and Susan (rvsafety.com,
CAMPING DO watching baseball and
rvacademy.com) have been full-timers for YOU PREFER? golf together and have
ten TREVOR AND KOURTNEY: visited all the Major
years “For the most part, we both League Baseball parks
LOVE going off the grid as
and “love the nomadic and attended several golf
much as possible. But we’ve
RV lifestyle.” Susan, KEEPING THE really enjoyed the style of tournaments.
a retired elementary ROMANCE community living that this The Selmans enjoy
school teacher, and ALIVE lifestyle has surprisingly one another’s company in
given us. We have been
Trey, an ordained everything they do, and
TREY AND SUSAN: “We invited to park in more front
pastor, worked would exchange the word yards for days—sometimes their “shared beliefs and
together to serve romance for love. The daily weeks—at a time, than I values are what make us
teens and adults commitment to love each ever imagined. We love living function in unity.”
other keeps those romantic with different families we’ve
through ministries
feelings fresh. While valuing met and the give and take of
of their church in and appreciating each other’s doing life together for a time.
Austin, Texas. They unique perspective, our goal Overall, we both just love the
continue to work with from the first day of our mar- constant adventure of never 'ME' TIME
riage has been to help each quite knowing where we will
a nonprofit Christian SEAN AND JULIE: “We’ve
other grow stronger in our end up!”
education organization always done most every-
shared beliefs, which means
thing together, so we don’t
from the road while we think more and more as SEAN AND JULIE: “We
typically plan a route based really need much ‘me' time.
also working with the one in thought, purpose, and
on a particular destination However, Julie does like to do
intention. What thrills us is
RV Safety Education more sightseeing and hiking,
to share the joys and trials of in mind and then look for
Foundation (RVSEF), points of interest to stop at so she typically heads off on
each life experience and work
her own or with RV friends a
Trey as the executive through them together.” along the way. Last winter
we went to Texas and to couple of days a week.”
director, and Susan
TREVOR AND KOURTNEY: Key West. We picked a few
as an administra- TREY AND SUSAN: “We
“This lifestyle is pure romance. additional destinations along
tive coordinator. The the way, including the Florida occasionally run errands
Nights in front of a campfire,
alone or visit with friends
couple, who “have under the stars in the desert. Panhandle and Orlando, and
were so glad we did because separately. While wintering
been blessed to have Long hikes to hot springs
both ended up being two of in Texas, we are near lifelong
with mountains that touch
been able to work and friends and family, which
the clouds. New views, new our favorite stops all year.
grow together for over We really like a variety of provides some extended
friends, new places to explore
solitary time. We can also
twenty-seven years,” every few days. And we’re campgrounds; however, we’re
pretty spoiled and enjoy the escape alone into a book,
teach RV technical and both pretty romantic with
amenities of higher-end RV TV show, or movie while the
each other already so all of
lifestyle education other goes about their rou-
this just adds to the amazing resorts. In between RV re-
online for the RVSEF sorts, we like to stay at state tine. Even though we are to-
lifestyle. The funny answer
gether when we go on drives,
and at RV shows, would be that Trevor never parks (which typically have
a two-week-stay limit) or walks, or hikes, the time is
rallies, and training lets me (Kourt) pick up dog
boondock on public land. We refreshing and often takes
poo or empty the black tank
conferences. care of the needed personal
. . . and, in all seriousness, that prefer to stay in one place for
at least a month to have time solitude and reflection.”
keeps the romance going
for me!” to enjoy the area.”
INSPIRATION | TRAVEL
KINGDOM B Y T H E S E A
STROLL ALONG THE SANDY BEACHES OF THE ATLANTIC, SAMPLE DELICIOUS FOOD,
AND TAKE IN THE MAJESTIC VIEWS AND HISTORY OF CAPE MAY, NEW JERSEY.
Spring is just around the corner beautiful and expansive beaches, as well
so what better time to start making your as its funky shops, restaurants, walkways,
travel plans? By April the northeast is thawing wildlife sanctuaries, a zoo, and whale- and
out and RV parks and campgrounds in Cape dolphin-watching tours. This wonderful com-
May, New Jersey, are preparing to open bination of things to do, along with the variety
for business. Not familiar with Cape May? of RV campgrounds that are near the action,
Hesitant to visit the illustrious Jersey shore? makes Cape May a great destination to enjoy
Trust us, it’s not that one. In fact, get ready to New Jersey’s own Kingdom by the Sea.
become acquainted with the next must-visit
East Coast gem for the upcoming travel Something for Everyone
season. Cape May has the nation’s oldest seashore
The pinnacle of the Garden State’s natural resorts, and the town itself has much to offer.
attractions is its 130 miles of shoreline that Condé Nast Traveler magazine named Cape
meanders from the tip of Sandy Hook State May one of the top twenty food cities in the
Park in the north to the southernmost part of nation, so if you’ve had your fill of campsite
the Cape May peninsula where the Delaware cooking, there are many choices. From the
Bay joins the Atlantic Ocean. Due to its con- elegant Washington Inn set in a Victorian
centration of Victorian architecture, the entire plantation-style home to The Lobster House
city of Cape May is designated a National with harbor views and a casual ambiance
Historic Landmark. Besides its impressive to the plebeian hole-in-the-wall HotDog
architecture, Cape May is well known for its Tommy’s, Cape May has something to satisfy
BY KENNETH W. DAHSE
STAY HERE!
Two of the area’s most
popular campgrounds are
Seashore Campsites & RV
Resort (sunrvresorts.com)
and The Depot Travel Park
(thedepottravelpark.com). Both
are well-run, but we prefer
Seashore for its greater
site diversity, as well as the
swimming pool and lake.
C A P E M AY, N E W J E R S E Y
Get Wild!
The eighty-seven-acre Cape May County Park & Zoo is located
in Cape May Court House. The free zoo is home to more than 550
animals and offers guided and independent tours to view a diver-
sity of wildlife, including black bear, zebra, African lion, red panda,
and American bison. With a gift shop and café, as well as a tree-
to-tree adventure park (not free) to challenge your coordination, it
makes for an exciting day. capemaycountynj.gov/1008/Park-Zoo
from Memorial Day through August, and
on Saturdays in September, for a flag
ceremony honoring our nation’s veterans.
As Far as the Eye Can See Swimming is not allowed but walking and Visible from the beach is the
Cape May Point State Park’s 157-foot- sunbathing are. Heading toward Sunset shipwreck of the S.S. Atlantus, a concrete
high Cape May Lighthouse is another Beach leads to a World War II observa- ship built in 1918 as a trans-Atlantic
must-see. Built in 1857, it’s still in use tion tower that was built in 1942. steamer. Swimming is not allowed but
guiding navigation. Climbing the 199 steps Beyond the tower is Sunset fishing from the beach is. Also popular
leads to an outside viewing platform that Beach, one of the few locations on the is searching for Cape May “diamonds,”
wraps around the lighthouse just below northeast coast where you can observe which are actually small pieces of quartz
its beacon. A sweeping panorama of the a sunset over the ocean. Sunsets here crystal that resemble diamonds when
Cape May Peninsula unfolds before your are impressive, painting the sky a vibrant cut and polished.
eyes like a colorful quilt. red before flowing into a deep purple as New Jersey may be small in size,
The park has several pavilions with the sun’s rays sparkle and dance on the but it’s large in topographic diversity.
picnic tables, bathrooms, and easy, flat water that shines like diamonds. Nothing shows that more than the New
trails that include observation platforms. This beautiful time is used daily Jersey Cape with its expansive and
beautiful beaches, inlets, forests, bays,
and ocean. A kingdom by the sea, Cape
“Sunsets here are impressive, painting the sky a May is a must-visit gem.
vibrant red before flowing into a deep purple as
the sun’s rays sparkle and dance on the water that FOR MORE INFORMATION
shines like diamonds.” Cape May Welcome Center, capemaychamber.com
100 YEARS OF
POWER
GENERATION
You drove all this way to enjoy the great outdoors. Your
campground neighbors did too. So power up your RV with
the new Onan QG 2800i generator. It’s quieter and vibrates
less than other models, meaning you can camp comfortably
under the stars.
I N S P I R AT I O N | F U N A C T I V I T I E S
Ready
That last reason should be
plenty if you’ve been sitting in a
vehicle all day; moving is what we
Action
humans do best. It’s good for the
heart, circulation, and musculo-
skeletal systems. End of lecture.
for
But how about a little exercise
for your head at the same time?
Seize the moment, hit the reset
button, recalibrate your senses,
and start living life again. Here are
some fun, easy suggestions.
S LOW DOWN
Participating in active pursuits
helps shake off the road dust and
gets your body working again.
But first, a quick reminder of an
BY SCOTT LINDEN
To achieve ultimate essential reason we travel. Sit.
Breathe. Reflect. Smell the pines
campsite enjoyment, or salt air. Then actively engage
your mind and think about why you
step away from the RV. came to this place and what you’ll
be doing. In sports, it’s called vi-
Y
sualization; there’s no reason you
ou’re paid, parked, leveled, can’t apply it to RV travel.
and settled into your
campsite. Now what? Sure,
you could turn on the TV, but
that’s not why you’re here, is it?
How about doing something to
unleash your soul and stretch your
legs. There’s a big, wild world just
steps away from your RV, and it’s
waiting to dazzle you, engage your
mind, and get your blood flowing.
FUN ACTIVITIES
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FUN ACTIVITIES
TH E P O IN T
OK, they’re not exactly high adventure,
and these activities may not even
be soul-stirring. But the mere act of
moving away from the campsite is a
subtle, yet transforming, one. You’ve
settled, literally and figuratively, into
the place you’ll call home for at least a
night or two. You shook off the road. You
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LIFESTYLE | OWNING AN RV
AN RV, THE
OUTDOORS,
AND ME
C O N F E S S I O N S O F A F I R S T - T I M E MOTORHOME OWNER.
BY ERIKA KLEIN
Too big.
Extravagant.
Unnecessary.
Those are just some of the
words I used to describe the
tent my fiancé, RJ, bought
several years ago for camping.
You can imagine, then, my
feelings about motorhomes (or
anything larger than a small
tent). Yet just a few months
ago, we became the new
owners of a twenty-six-foot
2003 Jayco Greyhawk—and
we couldn’t be happier.
OWNING AN RV
We’re looking forward to many more 2. Have a plan for where to park your
outings in our motorhome and to new motorhome. Many cities don’t
learning even more on each trip. If allow street parking, and some even
you’re thinking about getting into have rules about parking an RV in your
RVing, you may be wondering about driveway. Paid storage options are
the basics. Here are some of the main often available if you need them.
things we’ve discovered, from driving
and parking a large vehicle to overall 3. Make sure your insurance covers
costs: your RV, and that it includes motor-
home-specific roadside assistance
and towing, if applicable. Hopefully,
you’ll never need to use it—but you’ll
have peace of mind on your trips.
START
WITH
LOOK HERE!
THIS! If you’re considering
4. You’re finally on the road! Know
purchasing a used motor-
that driving your new motorhome
home, hire a specialized RV
inspector to verify that ev- can take practice, especially in windy
erything is in good shape. conditions and when passing trucks
Often, they can even or other large vehicles.
come to you!
GO FLY A KITE!
Unleash your inner child and indulge in some favorite childhood pastimes—riding your
bike, exploring your surroundings, flying a kite. We all need some unstructured “play” time.
have free dump station 12. If you notice your RV’s black-water
privileges at Camping World tank is still reading as partially full after 17. A household essentials set is great to
dumping, don’t worry—the gauges aren’t keep in your RV. That way, you don’t have
always accurate. For a potential fix, you to pack as much each trip, and you won’t
can try pouring ice into your toilet to clean risk forgetting a basic item like a pot (yep,
the sensor while you drive. been there) or paper towels. Even if you
do forget something, you might be able to
MILES TO GO
13. Be sure to have a freshwater hose and make do with what you already have.
Motorhome gas mileage water filter to have the cleanest water
generally isn’t great, typically
possible. It’s recommended that you clean 18. You might make mistakes, forget key
falling between six and twelve
the tank periodically, and only fill with items, or face frustration as you navigate
miles per gallon. If you can, try
water from trusted sources. You should a new way of traveling. Approaching these
opting for longer rather than
also have a water-pressure regulator to challenges with flexibility and humor can
more frequent trips to make
the most of your time protect your RV’s plumbing system when be a helpful way to overcome issues and
and fuel. hooking up at campground water spigots. have a great trip. Happy RVing!
MONEY
to travel. But did you know it can also be a
fantastic way to take an inexpensive family trip?
Don’t believe us? Read on as we share our own
WHILE
tips on how to save money when you head out
camping this spring. These are all tried-and-true
methods that have worked for us over the years.
YOU RV
Saving money each time you go RVing means
you can go RVing more often, so a little bit of
preparation is well worth it.
B Y B R YA N N A R O YA L @ C R A Z Y F A M I LY A D V E N T U R E
Open Spaces
The Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) offers
developed campgrounds
and dispersed camping,
also called boondocking,
which means no hookups
are available. Most of
the BLM public lands
are open to dispersed
camping unless otherwise
posted.
Boondocking
Our top tip is to find free places to camp.
Yes, they do exist—and yes, they are
legal! Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
Some of the most beautiful settings are within
campsites can be found throughout the
Outdoor reach when you camp without hookups. The
country, and they’re mostly free of charge.
We have been living in our RV for more than
Activities benefits far outweigh the cost, which is little more
There are so many free than keeping an eye on power consumption and
six years and have spent many a night on activities to do in cities holding-tank capacities.
BLM land. all over the US. The first
The catch is that there aren’t any thing is to look and see most likely won’t want to listen to a roaring
if there is a national or
hookups, so you do need to bring your state park near your generator all day and night.
own water and power source, and closely campsite. If so, head The other power option is solar. We have
monitor your RV’s holding tank capacities over to it for the day to done it super cheap and thrown it together
(they fill up faster than you think when you go hiking or sightseeing with a suitcase solar panel and were able
or check out the visitor
don’t have anywhere to dump the tanks). center or on-site muse- to do a lot of boondocking like that—so
Even with all that, boondocking for free is um. There may even be long as we watched our power consump-
well worth it! free ranger programs or tion. Camping World RV & Outdoors has
When it comes to a power source, your ranger-led hikes. There some options available. You can opt for
are usually several days’
rig may come with a generator. If that’s the worth of activities to a full-blown solar setup with hundreds
case, you should be good to go, since the do within easy range of of watts of solar panels on the roof and
generator can provide enough power to national and state parks. an upgraded battery bank. We recently
your RV to use most appliances (even the Make sure to check the had a solar-power system installed by
admission price, and if
air conditioner in most cases) as well as you plan to come back Future Solutions in Indiana and they did an
be able to recharge the batteries. Just be multiple days, there may amazing job.
conscious if you have neighbors, since they be a yearly or weekly fee For freshwater and holding tanks, you
that makes more sense just need to be careful. If you’re heading
than a daily one.
out for a weekend, the black-tank capacity
should be fine, as will the gray if you use
BOONDOCKING IS QUITE paper products for meals or fill up a tub and
POSSIBLE WITH MOST RV do your dishes outside (just like camping).
SETUPS AND IS A GREAT All in all, boondocking is quite possible
WAY TO SAVE MONEY with most RV setups and is a great way to
PHOTOS: BRYANNA ROYAL
AND VISIT SOME PRETTY save money and visit some pretty amazing
AMAZING PLACES. places. A few of our favorites include
RVING ON A BUDGET
Food is a major part
of every experience,
Big-City Activities
RVing or otherwise. We’ve been pleasantly surprised by how many
Make your little free activities are offered by cities across the
ones part of the country. If you’re traveling near a city, take a
meal-prep process,
or set up some
look online to see what free activities are going
fun crafts projects on that week/weekend. We’ve gone to multiple
outside so you can farmer’s markets around the country, and a lot of
supervise while the time they offer free samples and music. We
perfecting the art of
campsite grilling.
do encourage you to support the event with at
least a small purchase. We’ve also enjoyed free
lawn concerts put on by cities, and free movie
RV Park nights where you can watch on a big screen
Pick an RV park that has a lot of amenities included in while sitting in a local park.
your stay. Is there a pool, lake, or hot tub that you can Splash pads in public areas are normally free,
use while staying there? Maybe a mini-golf course or and the kids love them! Plus, mom and dad get a
a big checkers game, tennis and pickleball courts, or
break to sit down and watch their little ones run
other games you can play?
This means you don’t have to venture out and pay through the water.
for admission somewhere, but instead you have all of
these fun things to do on-site. There may be fees for
some things, but usually those fees are very reason-
Make it a Staycation
Camping is a vacation within itself. For that
able. If your goal is to stay at the RV park and not leave,
we recommend doing research to see what type of reason, you don’t need to plan a lot of extra
amenities and fees they have. things. Instead, pack your family’s favorite board
the Fun Z
Prepare to Enter
G
BY RENE
AGREDANO
etting out of your routine
and into the wild doesn’t
AMPLIFY THE
have to be a suffer-fest. AMBIANCE
Two well-known RV Mother Nature does a fine job creating
glamping experts are beauty in the natural world, but
here to demonstrate that you can still sometimes she can use a little help. It’s
enjoy life’s little luxuries wherever you easy to boost your campsite ambiance
set up camp. Their easy campsite tips with a few inexpensive goodies that
for any location can create a comfy, may be hiding in your garage. First, dig
crafty campsite for children of all ages— around for that small stash of outdoor
including the kid within you, too. lighting you keep for holidays and special
n Zone!
Janine Pettit brings the inside out with functional flair
to create a warm atmosphere at the campsite.
occasions. Those simple string lights campsites for some extra flair, but intended purpose. “An old Coleman
can decorate trees, or you can pick even a standard RV patio mat is cooler makes a great footrest, bench
up a set of RV awning lights for less better than nothing. “It keeps dirt seat, or storage box, as well as a
than twenty bucks at retailers like down and also creates a ‘room’ in place to keep drinks outdoors so
Camping World. Lights don’t take up front of your shelter,” she explains. If you don’t have to keep opening and
much storage space and the benefits the weather misbehaves, she moves closing the RV fridge.”
are enormous. Whether you love the party “indoors” by setting up a
twinkly little lanterns guiding you large, walled pop-up canopy that KICK UP
back to camp, or tacky pink flamingos
to light up the party, that soft glow
gets placed over the ground cover
and picnic table. KID-FRIENDLY
of portable camp lights helps you see Janine explains that campsite FUN
better at night, gives your outdoor flair should be functional, too. For Whether you travel with little ones
home a distinct flair, and creates a example, she embraces her love or are just big kids yourselves, keep
warm glow once the sun goes down. for all things vintage by packing your RV stocked with goodies, music,
Meet the
Glampers
Stacy Bressler and
her family keep
camp journals to
document their
travels and to help
learn more about the
local area.
Janine Pettit, the Doing so might sound scary, but if you pack
Camper-in-Chief at favorite tunes and activities that don’t rely
Girl Camper, believes on internet connectivity, you can keep the indoors with crafts, activities, and creative
there’s no wrong way fun flowing for campers of any age. toys. Some of our best camping memories
to “Camp Like A Girl” Stacy Bressler, aka The Crazy Outdoor are of rainy days spent together doing crafts
from vintage trailers to Mama (thecrazyoutdoormama.com), knows and reading books in our camper.”
top-of-the-line Class not to rely on the internet to entertain her The family’s must-have playtime gear
A’s. There’s a place for three young children on camping trips. Her includes building blocks and an art box filled
all around the camp-
family camps year-round in all types of with paint, paper, crayons, glue, pipe cleaners,
fire! She encourages
settings, weather, and locations. Wherever and children’s modeling clay. A large roll of
women to “Go Places
and Do Things” on her the Bressler family roams, Stacy aims for craft paper is also on standby, whether the
website girlcamper family camping trips that are educational kids are stuck inside or the adults are busy
.com. Girl Camp- and fun. “We have a couple of traditions we doing camp chores. “Buy a roll of paper and
er Chapter Guides do for each camp trip,” she says. “We learn just tape a new piece over your camper table
throughout the US about the area through any Junior Ranger for each craft session! It’s easy clean-up and
mentor newbies, host programs or other similar activities, do at has more room than just a sheet of paper.”
events and make ev- least one scavenger hunt, and, at the end, fill
eryone feel welcome. out our camp journals together. We all have
our own journals. The kids need some help
ALL AGES NEED
with theirs, but it is so fun to write down our APPLY
favorite memories. Every trip we flip back Traveling without kids? A campout is the
and remember our past trips!” best time to get busy with leisure activities
that always sit on the back burner. Embrace
MAKE THE BEST OF your inner child and de-stress with activities
you enjoy or have always wanted to try.
THE UNEXPECTED Anything from a simple game of dominoes
Bad weather on your adventure doesn’t have played while sipping your favorite beverage
to spell disaster. Stacy says that on a recent to an all-day nature hike identifying local
Stacy Bressler is a
married mother of fall camping trip in southern Utah, her family plants and wildlife can nourish your spirit
three crazy camping was caught off-guard by a sudden cold and restore your energy for the road ahead.
kiddos from Jackson, snap. The chilly days kept everyone indoors,
Wyoming. After many but that didn’t take away from the fun. She In our busy, overbooked, and overworked
wonderful camping was ready for anything, with a drawer full lives, camping trips are a great way to
trips with the family, of toys, stove-top popcorn, and a stash of reconnect with ourselves and each other.
she started thecrazy old Looney Tunes cartoons to keep the kids You don’t need to venture far from home,
outdoormama.com laughing. “We are always prepared for a day buy all new gear, or cram an entire sport-
and filled it with print- ing-goods store into your RV to make
able activities and tips the most of a trip into the outdoors. A
to inspire other families “Some of our best few simple creature comforts can boost
to enjoy the simplicity
and joy of being in camping memories are of your campsite’s fun factor wherever the
nature. She’s also the rainy days spent together adventure takes you.
publisher of outdoor
journals such as her RV
doing crafts and reading
Camping Journal. books in our camper.”
44 RV MAGAZINE | MARCH 2021
45 HOPKINS_BRAKEBUDDY_vueSMART.indd 1/28/21 10:26 AM - 45 - (Cyan)
(Magenta)
(Yellow)
(BlacK)
RVM2103 - Brad Miller.indd 1/28/21 9:37 AM - 46 - (Cyan)
(Magenta)
(Yellow)
(BlacK)
Know
In the
Parks Project 47 | Perfect Parks 48
AIRSTREAM RUNS IN
photography shoot?
Probably my all-time favorite
gig with Airstream was
G
like having a couple sitting on a
rowing up the son of famous photographer, Ardean Miller II, Brad Miller palm tree, playing with a beach
has continued the family tradition of capturing the timeless tale of ball, or swinging in a hammock.
American travel trailers. His experience joining his family on Airstream My goal was to re-create that
Founder Wally Byam’s iconic 1956 European Caravan for National Geographic sense of nostalgia that draws
helped spark his lifelong passion for travel photography. the viewer in.
RVM: How has your childhood was needed on the shoots, to get us When you aren’t busy taking
experience of caravanning with kids “out of their hair,” Wally bought amazing pictures, what other
your family influenced your own us all bicycles. This gave us a chance activities and hobbies do you
relationship with Airstream? to explore without the adults enjoy?
Brad: Airstream was our life. As around. We went all over Europe, I’m a huge nature-lover and
soon as school was over, Mom from the canals of Venice, to the avid bird watcher. In Florida,
would have the trailer packed fjords of Norway, to camping in the living full-time in my Airstream
and ready to go, and we would be Bois de Boulogne in Paris. Probably Sport [travel trailer] gives me
gone all summer long. Being able my favorite place was Bavaria, the chance to see a wide array
to explore different countries and especially Garmisch-Partenkirchen, of birds and wildlife around my
meeting all different kinds of people, which is known for castles like home. You’ll often find me with
especially the older generation, Neuschwanstein. my binoculars studying the birds
gave me a greater appreciation of in the area.
the world and certainly instilled the Why do you prefer RVing over
travel bug in me. other means of travel? 4Find more of Brad’s work at
Unlike hopping on a plane, bradmiller.com
What’s one of your favorite
memories from the famous
Traveling with an RV allows you
PHOTO: BRUCE MILLER
a rk s
PProject
HEALTHY PARKS,
HAPPY PEOPLE
Leave No Trace: Learn how to nurture
and share the outdoors during your
next park or beach visit.
BY ABBEY
ROBERTSON
Due to the impact of COVID-19, people are
getting outside now more than ever. To further fight
cabin fever, Americans are hitting the trails more
frequently. According to a recent poll, 30 percent Some of the principles MISSION POSSIBLE
of people are planning to hike more than they did seem simple—the organi- Parks Project’s
mission is to leave
last year. With that increased traffic, many visitors zation encourages people
PHOTOS: JESSICA LIM
IN THE KNOW
PERFECT PARKS
LAKEWOOD
CAMPING
RESORT
Celebrate the onset of picture-
perfect weather in style. With an
amazing number of available campsites—more than Wristband system allows you to leave your wallet
one thousand!—Lakewood Camping Resort in Myrtle and ID safely in your RV so you can enjoy the festiv-
Beach, South Carolina, is an ideal spot to relax on the ities via a cashless experience. Money can be loaded
sun-soaked beach along the refreshing waters of the onto each wristband during check-in, on a smart
Atlantic. The resort is overflowing with fun for the device or at kiosks located throughout the property.
entire family. Some of the options include a water All RV sites feature full hookups, with free
park, swimming pools, available watercraft, sports Wi-Fi and cable services as well. But we can’t
courts, and stocked lakes for fishing. Or you can stroll imagine why you’d stay in your RV when there
or bike the resort’s nearly three hundred acres, watch is so much fun to be had. Especially when you
live shows at an oceanfront amphitheater, drop off consider Lakewood is pet friendly (breed restric-
the little ones at the Kids Club—this all-inclusive tions apply), hosts a score of fun activities, and
RV resort delivers on every front. Plus, a Pay & Play even serves food at the on-site Trading Post and
piping-hot java at The Coffee House. There are also
RV park model and vacation rentals, plus leasing
Lakewood Camping Resort is an all-inclusive campground that offers more
than enough paths to a good time, and that’s not even counting the beach ownership sites are available.
access and ocean activities. lakewoodcampground.com
3
9.5/9.5*/9.5 FLOAT YOUR BOAT WET A LINE
Reasons You’ll Lakewood Camping Why should the ocean Lakewood spans a full
PHOTOS: LAKEWOOD CAMPING RESORT
Rigs + Gear
1
W
PREVIEW What better symbol of the season panoramic front window arrangement,
than Bambi, the famous fawn? Like the and the U-shape dinette converts to a bed,
storied precocious baby deer, the Airstream upping the 22FB’s sleeping accommoda-
Bambi travel trailer may be diminutive, but tions to four happy campers. The spacious,
there’s so much more to it than its size. fully equipped bathroom runs the entire
And considering the 1,100 pounds of cargo width of the rear of the trailer, with a roomy
capacity, this Bambi is just like the other: standalone shower occupying one corner,
larger than life. In fact, the 22FB floorplan and a generous countertop and sink in the
boasts a lot of “bests” for the Bambi lineup, other. And remember this is an Airstream,
including a GVWR of 5,000 pounds, the after all. It’s outfitted with a top-notch
largest footprint on a single axle in its lineup, kitchen including a double sink, microwave,
AIRSTREAM
and the most storage space of any Bambi refrigerator, and even dish storage. Other
BAMBI 22FB
floorplan. The latter is achieved via several highlights include LED lighting, solid-surface
BASE MSRP overhead storage compartments, underbed counters, and upgraded entertainment
$60,700
access, and a surprisingly spacious options and furniture. Iconic, sophisticated,
DIMENSIONS wardrobe. Continuing the bigger-is-better and still in vogue to this day, just like the
Exterior Length: 21’8” theme, a large 54-by-80-inch pillow-top animated classic.
Exterior Width: 8’ memory-foam mattress sits near a large airstream.com
Exterior Height: 9’3”
CAPACITIES
Lighter Load With a base weight of less than 4,000 pounds, the Bambi is easy to tow with
Freshwater: 23 gal
most daily-driver trucks and SUVs, saving money on buying a specialized tow vehicle.
Black-Water: 17 gal
Gray-Water: 30 gal Entertainment-Ready JVC AM/FM stereo features Bluetooth and a CD player. There’s also
Propane: 10 gal a 22-inch LED TV with DVD, and strategically placed USB ports keep electronics charged.
WEIGHT
Base Weight: 3,900 lbs (1) Panoramic windows at the front of the trailer allow for a wide view of the surrounding area and
Hitch Weight: 500 lbs let in plenty of ambient light. (2) Large U-shape dinette comfortably seats four during the day and
CCC: 1,100 lbs offers sleeping for two at night. (3) Fully equipped galley features a double sink, microwave, and
CIRCLE 150 ON READER SERVICE CARD electric refrigerator.
RIGS + GEAR
SITE SETUP
tion, we’ll show up as soon always goes to the back of
as the office opens in the the campsite and makes
morning and see if we can sure I can see her in the
CHECKLIST
get a site from someone side mirror. She uses hand
leaving later that day or signals to direct me in. For
grab a cancellation site. nighttime arrivals or for an
extra boost in communica-
2) Choosing a campsite tion, we use a pair of inex-
Following these steps will have you Look for one that will pro- pensive two-way radios.
and your loved ones kicking back and vide afternoon shade. We
enjoying your RV in no time at all. try to select a site that will 4) Watch for dead tree limbs
provide as much afternoon Don’t park your RV or set
by M I K E W E N D L A N D R V L I F E S T Y L E . C O M shade on the area outside up your campsite under a
our RV’s entry door as pos- tree with dead limbs. Even
sible. If you have satellite a small branch can poten-
My wife, Jennifer, and I travel in our Class C motor- TV, make sure the site has tially do a lot of damage to
home most of the year, heading back to our brick-and-mor- a clear view of the southern you or your RV.
tar house every couple of months to get our grandkid fixes. horizon.
Like everything else, the RV lifestyle has lots of little routines Pick a site that’s not too 6) Level the RV
that make things go more smoothly; it starts with planning close to your neighbor’s Our motorhome has an au-
and setting up a trip before you even depart. We’ve found fire pit. If you plan to burn tomatic four-point leveling
that developing a system as a team and following it each time a campfire, check out the system. Other RVs have
goes a long way toward making the experience stress-free. wind situation so that the manual jacks, and you can
While these steps work for us, we can’t stress enough the
importance of setting up your own personalized routine.
1) Selecting a campground
It’s no secret that camp-
always get a great site. We’ve
found that the best day to
IT REALLY WORKS!
grounds are becoming more usually snag an unreserved
By following these guidelines just a few times, they will
crowded, so reservations are campsite is Sunday, just
soon become second nature. That will allow you to
often required to get the site after noon, since that’s when
relax, unwind, and truly enjoy your time at the camp-
you want. At least that’s what many of the weekenders site, wherever that may be. And, isn’t that the point?
they tell us. Let me let you in have departed. Mondays
on a secret: We seldom make aren’t too bad, either.
reservations and we almost Since we’re usually flex-
RIGS + GEAR
HOW-TO
PERFECT
★ BUILDING THE ★
C A M P F I R E
The warmth of A campfire is an essential part of the outdoor experience even
if you’re traveling in an RV equipped with all the modern conveniences.
gathering around a Whether you cook your meals on it or gather around it with family and
roaring campfire is part friends, the light and warmth of a blazing fire add a certain something that a
microwave and a big-screen TV simply can’t. But there’s more to a campfire
of the RVing adventure, than torching a big pile of wood and pulling up a chair. There’s a right way—
and sparks spooky and more importantly, a safe way—to light up your campout.
stories, ooey-gooey
s’mores, and good times 1. Where to Build and fuel tanks well away from the fire
with family and friends. Before you do anything, make sure and move your RV if it’s close enough
the campground allows fires. Some to be damaged by heat or filled with
by J E R R Y S M I T H require permits, while others prohibit smoke. Check with other campers to
fires in certain conditions such as see if the wind shifts during the day
high winds and dry weather. Devel- or night, and make sure that your fire
oped campgrounds will probably pit smoke doesn’t smoke out their
have a fire pit at each site, often a ring sites or RVs.
of rocks on the ground. Clear the area
around the pit of leaves, grass, and 2. Different Types of Fuel
anything else that can burn—a ten- A good fire requires three kinds of
foot perimeter is the minimum—and fuel: tinder, kindling, and wood. All
make sure there are no low-hanging of your tinder and kindling should be
branches close enough to be ignited dry. If it snaps and breaks, it’s dry; but
by sparks or heat. Keep all propane if it bends, it’s damp, and will produce
CAMPFIRE SAFETY
Never leave a campfire unattended if you can still see flames.
Stop feeding the fire about thirty minutes before you intend
to turn in for the night. When the fire is down to embers, pour
water on it, stir the ashes with a shovel, then add more water.
The ashes should be cool to the touch before you leave the
area. Don’t throw dirt or sand on the fire without using water.
Doing so can insulate hot coals and keep them smoldering for
hours, risking having the fire come to life again.
a lot of smoke but not much heat. The repeats the shape of kindling pile. The
KNOW YOUR
CAMPFIRES
wood can be slightly damp—the heat of log cabin consists of a pair of logs laid on
the fire will dry it out—but not wet. The either side of the fire with another pair
grass and twigs you cleared from around atop them at a right angle. The pyramid is There are many different ways to
the fire ring make good tinder, and so like the log cabin but uses larger logs on build a fire, but each one results
does dryer lint or crumpled-up paper— the bottom and smaller on top. The cone in a warm campsite and delicious
anything small and easily set alight can be works best as a “comfort” fire while the s’mores. How many of the methods
the base for your fire. Kindling consists log cabin and pyramid are good founda- below can you correctly identify?
of small branches and twigs, usually less tions for a cooking grill.
than an inch in diameter. Don’t strip
A B
kindling from the bushes and trees in a 4. Lighting the Fire
developed campground—cut thin strips This can be trickier than it sounds. Once
off your firewood instead. You might be your fire is laid, the kindling at its heart
tempted to bring firewood with you, but might be hard to reach. Long fireplace
save it for your fireplace at home. Buy matches extend deep into the pile, as do
wood from the campground or a local fireplace lighters. Once the tinder is going
store. Wood brought from far away can well, you might need to blow on it to keep
carry nonlocal pests. The problem is so it lit long enough to heat the firewood to C D
bad in some places that certain camp- burning temperatures. You can’t control
grounds prohibit outside wood. the wind, the humidity, or the quality of
the firewood, so don’t be discouraged if it
3. Laying the Fire takes a few tries to get the fire going. Resist
Start with a pile of tinder in the middle the urge to pour some sort of flammable
of the fire ring, with the lightest and fluid on the fire and toss in a match unless
smallest pieces at the bottom of the pile. you want to star in a YouTube video called E F
Use enough so the flame will last long “Campfire Fails.” Wait until the fire is going
enough to get the kindling burning. Next, nicely to add more wood; add too much too
top the tinder with kindling arranged soon and the fire can smother and die.
in a cone shape, with the point at the
top. Packed too tightly or too loosely it Long before the dawn of history, people
won’t burn well. The idea is to leave gaps gathered around campfires to cook, stay
through which air can flow and feed the warm, share stories, and bond with their G H
flames, heating the kindling. Now pile families and friends. With the right fuel
smaller logs around the kindling. There and a match or two you can do the same,
are several ways to configure the wood—a except instead of spending the rest of the
cone (tepee), a log cabin (council), and a night in a damp cave you can bed down
pyramid are the most common. The cone in your comfy RV.
Fire Type Your Answer
T E P E E ..............................._____
R E F L E C T O R ................_____
P O L Y N E S I A N ............._____
S T A R .................................._____
C O U N C I L ......................_____
C R I S S C R O S S .............._____
C R O S S D I T C H ..........._____
L O N G L O G ..................._____
Answers
E) Cross Ditch, F) Tepee, G) Long Log, H) Reflector
A) Council, B) Crisscross, C) Star, D) Polynesian,
RIGS + GEAR
I NEED THAT!
CAMPSITE
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bed weighs a little more than add a few puffs of air for extra
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Shelter Me
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(no door) and have color-coated fiberglass
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Warm & Comfy
Staff Pick
Weighing less than half a pound, the collapsible and
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ness modes with ten-, fifty-, and one-hundred lumen set-
tings. The orange base is made of a sturdy, high-impact
ABS plastic, and the silicone material glows in the dark
and collapses for packing. Hang it from a tree or inside a
tent with the integrated hook. The Spright uses three AA
batteries (not included) and can last up to five days on the
nightlight setting. $14.99
WHAT’S COOL FIRST IMPRESSION
The easily portable Spright with a For a lantern that fits in the palm of
hanging hook can be taken anywhere our hand, we were surprised by how
for a handy light source. much light it emits.
A B C
Bright Ideas
D E
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RIGS + GEAR
Power Hungry
No matter the energy source, a large RV re-
FRIDGE TIPS frigerator requires a lot of power to keep food
cold. For instance, our small eight-cubic-foot
COOL
refrigerator requires ten gallons of propane per
month to operate (without electrical hookups).
We like our beer and other beverages cold, so
OPERATIONS
we keep our fridge on the coldest setting. The
propane tank in your RV might provide more
days of refrigeration than ours if you keep your
fridge on a warmer setting. Size also matters, and
a larger propane refrigerator with twice as much
storage capacity as ours may require twice as
much propane for the same period of time.
Here’s how to keep your RV refrigerator Likewise, operating a refrigerator on either
120-volt AC or 12-volt DC electricity requires a
running smoothly for the entire travel lot of power. If that power comes from elec-
season and beyond. trical hookups, the drain is not noticeable, but
if it comes from the house battery bank while
by E M I L Y F A G A N camping off-grid, both a large battery bank and a
large-capacity charging source (whether a gener-
ator or a solar-power array) will be necessary to
keep the batteries topped off.
One of the best things three-way refrigerators, can
about traveling in an RV is also be operated on 12-volt DC Organization is Key
the ability to bring along your power from the RV’s battery Propane-based RV refrigerators are built with
favorite fixings for the ultimate bank. Based on our hands-on travel in mind, and the shelving, drawers, and in-
campsite feast. This not only experience, following are some
saves money, but also allows you of our observations and most
to eat healthier by hand-selecting effective strategies for using an
the ingredients for your favorite RV refrigerator.
recipes rather than leaving camp
to eat out. Naturally, you need a
place to store your perishables, We have found that keeping our RV
and the refrigerator in your RV refrigerator organized improves our
is perfect for the task. The only life on wheels. Propane RV fridges
hiccup is that RV refrigerators frost over quickly, and the longer you
keep the door open while searching
can be quirky, and in thirteen
for things, the more warm air flows
years of living in our trailer full- into the fridge, prompting the devel-
time—predominantly without opment of frost. We also discovered
hookups—we’ve learned a few we can condense ungainly plastic
tricks to keep our fridge running bags of veggies into a single small
smoothly. container, freeing up valuable space
for other items.
Most new RVs are built with
a two- or three-way (non-resi-
dential-style) refrigerator. These
purpose-built fridges can operate
on propane when electrical
hookups aren’t available, can
be operated on 120-volt AC
shorepower, or, in the case of
PRO TIP: Simplify defrosting by putting items that must remain ice-cold in a cooler bag.
door storage—as well as the door latches—are all designed to protect the food
and containers from being bounced around. Usually, the front of each shelf
flips up to form a restraint, and the fridge and freezer doors latch securely.
Conventional residential refrigerators are more energy efficient and cost a
lot less than RV propane refrigerators, but they are not built for travel. Some
kind of latching mechanism must be installed to keep the outer doors shut
while in transit, and the shelves don’t have built-in restraints to keep things
from sliding around. Many RVers place plastic tubs on the shelves to contain
everything while driving. This is also a great way to categorize the contents
of the fridge; for instance, keeping condiments in one container, individually
packaged drinks in another, and containers of leftovers in another.
1 2 3
Beginning in the freezer, hold a hair Waving the hair dryer slowly back Moving between freezer and fridge,
blow dryer on the low setting about and forth so no part of the freezer gently wipe away the ice as it melts
four to five inches from the caked ice or refrigerator gets a blast of hot air, and wipe down the fins and walls with
on the walls and keep the dryer in slowly increase the distance as the ice a towel. A tray below the freezer also
continuous motion. begins to melt. collects ice.
areas and even a plastic scraper the storage container on shopping day, bags or stalks, leaves, and skins, and in
risks damaging the fins or the remove the peels and stalks as neces- my experience, the air-tight container
thin walls of the freezer. Use your sary, and discard the plastic bags. The keeps veggies fresher longer.
fingers and a towel to remove the
ice sheets and keep the dryer in
constant motion so no part of the
fridge gets a prolonged blast of
hot air.
drip a dribble of water down the side of refrigerator wall is facing the sun in the Everybody talks about how certain
our trailer. heat of the afternoon, we clamp a large gadgets or appliances are the “unsung
Going back and forth between work- piece of UV-resistant cloth (90 percent heroes” of RVing. Your RV refrigerator is
ing on the freezer and the fridge, the ice rating) to the roof gutters above the definitely worthy of that title and makes
is all melted and wiped away after about fridge vent and hold it down on the your RV a true home on wheels with
fifteen minutes. At that point we reload ground with some rocks. This makeshift luxuries like ice cubes and ice cream.
the items from the cooler back into their shade does wonders for reducing the With some planning, maintenance, and
places on the shelves and set the fridge heat on the wall and helps the fridge stay a little TLC, your RV’s refrigerator will
to its coldest setting until it cools down cool. It isn’t elegant or permanent, but it continue to provide the perfect haven for
again. That’s it! works! your perishable items.
Keeping it Cool
Most RV refrigerators are located on an
outside wall of the RV. Upon installation, .COM
a large rectangular portion of the insu- THE MOST VERSATILE
lated outer wall is removed for venting
FREAK.
at redarcelectronics.com
RIGS + GEAR
TOP TOWABLES
TRAVEL TRAILERS
Venture Sonic
If you’ve seen as many trailer interiors as
we have, you know that they can all begin
to look the same after a while. Enter
Venture RV’s Sonic trailers, with appoint-
ments and designs that are a breath of
fresh air. Campsite cooks will appreciate
the kitchen with its large farmhouse-style
sink, glass-topped flush-mount stovetop,
and especially the designer backsplash.
The living areas all feature plush furni-
Keystone Springdale ture and panoramic front windows, and
Options are good. Not only when it comes to trailer add-ons, but in overall selection. the heirloom maple flooring is a real
Springdale travel trailers are available in forty-four floorplans, with weights ranging crowd-pleaser. Clever storage solutions
from less than four thousand pounds up to a shade more than nine thousand and a hidden charging station with a USB
pounds and sleeping capacities of up to ten campers in some models. Inside, the port and standard outlets is further proof
vaulted ceiling opens up the interior, and buyers can opt for an electric fireplace, that Venture values form and function,
solid-surface countertops, upgraded electronics, and a residential refrigerator. Cool inside and out, which makes everybody a
for adventurers is the Rugged Terrain Package, with upgraded axles, all-terrain tires, winner. MSRP starts at $24,495.
and diamond-plated skirting to go along with solar-power prep for off-grid freedom. venture-rv.com
The choice is yours. MSRP starts at $14,465.
keystonerv.com
THE LIGHT LIFE
With dry weights ranging from 2,600–5,875
Winnebago Hike
Now when somebody tells you to take a hike, you’ll gladly take their advice. The new Winnebago
Hike travel trailer is built for off-grid excursions, with off-road tires, offset wheels, and rugged
fenders to make back-road navigation easy. There’s also a diamond-plated gear box up front and
an “Exoskeleton” rack system designed for hauling bikes, kayaks, and your other adventure tools.
And though this trailer is designed to get dirty on the outside, the interior is surprisingly refined,
with contemporary styling, clean lines, and high-quality furnishings. All five Hike floorplans weigh
in at less than 4,500 pounds. Take a Hike? Don’t mind if I do. MSRP starts at $27,978.
winnebago.com
FIFTH-WHEELS
Jayco Eagle HT
The Jayco Eagle is consistently one of the highest-rated fifth-wheels
among full-timers, and with good reason. The 4-Star Handling
Package makes it easy to tow with a half-ton pickup, Jayco’s Climate
Shield offers four-season comfort, and the JAYCOMMAND Smart RV modern appliances. Solar prep, exterior LED lighting, a fully enclosed
System allows owners to take command of electronics, climate-con- universal docking center, and an electric patio awning with integrated
trol systems, monitoring, and lighting from the palm of their hand. lighting, plus observation camera-system prep, all help these trailers
It doesn’t hurt that the interior is chock-full of residential comfort, soar above others at the campground. MSRP starts at $39,000.
including plush furniture, rich cabinetry, stainless-steel sinks, and jayco.com
you see its extensive list of nice- look reveals things you didn’t know you needed, like USB ports in the master bedroom, heated seats
ties including stainless-steel appli- with massage settings, a safety bumper with a sewer hose carrier, and mirrored wardrobe doors. A cool
ances, larger oven and refrigerator, six-pack of floorplans is available, including an island galley, bunkhouse, and an exterior kitchen. You’ll
observation camera prep, and almost forget there is so much more to explore away from the campsite. MSRP starts at $31,366.
power awning with integrated LED starcraftrv.com
lighting and speakers, we won’t
have to. MSRP starts at $30,445.
highlandridgerv.com
RIGS + GEAR
Legend Has It
After a lot of research, we found that many
homemade and commercial remedies simply
RV MAINTENANCE aren’t effective at repelling rodents. For exam-
ple, one thing we’ve always heard is to put dryer
KEEPING
sheets in each cabinet or drawer of your RV’s
living area and that smell will prevent mice from
entering those areas. If nothing else, it makes the
PESTS AT BAY
closed-up areas smell great and is super cheap,
so we still do it even though it’s not a proven
method to repel mice. Others claim pepper-
mint-oil-soaked cotton balls or even Irish Spring
bar soap are deterrents against mice inside of
drawers and cabinets, but there’s little evidence
to support this claim. Mothballs have such a
Rodent and insect prevention helps your bad odor that we wouldn’t use them even if they
did help.
RV’s interior stay clean and ready to roll.
Sealing Home
by E . D O N S M I T H For mice and other small rodents, the best
protection we can offer is to find and seal every
entry point possible and seal it with something
If you live the RV lifestyle long enough you will eventually host that mice won’t eat. It will take some work to
some unwelcome visitors in your motorhome or trailer. No, we aren’t locate and seal all of your RV’s entry points—
talking about your in-laws; the unwanted guests RV owners should from the outside to the inside of the basement
fear the most are insects and rodents. Camping doesn’t always involve and from the basement to the RV—but if you’re
wilderness areas, but many of us camp in the forest. Places like state or willing to invest the time you can at least make
national parks and even posh RV resorts can include wooded areas that it a lot more difficult for the rodents. Generally,
serve as home for many creatures that we don’t want in our RV. any area where something like a hose or pipe
Sometimes these visitors amount to a single harmless mouse that passes from the outside to the inside is an area
your pet notices before you do. Other times, small insects can find their with an entry hole. For example, areas in the
way in and set up shop before you realize they’re even there. These tiny
critters may seem harmless and pose little more than a nuisance to
your life on the road, but other times it can be a major event that causes “We found that many
severe damage. Typically, the largest visitor is a rat—or even a snake—
that takes refuge in your RV’s basement, but on occasion your visitor
homemade and commercial
might be much larger and potentially more destructive, like a raccoon remedies aren’t effective at
(see “Rowdy Raccoon” sidebar), possum, or other unwanted guest. repelling rodents.”
ROWDY
1 2
RACCOON
Last summer we saw and
photographed a motorhome that
had been invaded by a raccoon.
After talking in detail with the
owners and the repair shops (it
took three), they came to the
determination that the raccoon
must have entered through a
basement door that was left
open a few hours while unloading
the coach. After unpacking their
3 4 motorhome, the owners closed
up the basement doors and the
RV was stored for a month. The
wet-bay—where drain 1–3) Inspect your RV inside and out and look for openings problem was only discovered
lines exit the RV and the that would allow rodents to travel from the wet-bay into weeks later while making their
the basement, or between the outside into the basement, monthly check, which includ-
water lines enter—are
and seal those up. Here we used wire mesh and cut it very ed starting the generator and
spots that you should in- closely and then used adhesive caulk to attach it to the
spect and then seal. One engine. As soon as they opened
frame rails and seal the opening up. If a rodent tries to the basement door to turn the
commonly used product crawl around the wire, the sharp edges will discourage it. power back on, the owner was
is spray-foam insulation, Seal up the smaller holes shown in the same way. 4) This hit with an odor that prompted a
but that’s not in itself is a hole where the HDMI cable passes through the chassis more thorough inspection in and
frame rails to the back bedroom. We sealed it using the under the RV.
effective for preventing
same wire mesh cut to cover the hole. After opening all the base-
mice because they can
ment doors, they discovered the
eat through the foam. A
wiring in the basement had been
better method is to fill the driver’s seat. There ductwork passes through destroyed, as had the insulation,
the gaps with something are holes in the firewall those areas. Also, you’ll LED light strips, interior carpet—
like steel wool or brass that allow wires to pass need to check under each basically, everything inside the
scrubber pads first, through, as well as the sink, as those cabinets basement that was edible (to a
then use the spray foam steering linkage, etc. Pull have holes in them for raccoon, that is). They also found
the decomposed raccoon; we’ll
around and on top of the open the generator slide the drain lines to exit and
spare you the details.
metal material. Once the and look closely to find for water lines to enter. The cost was many thousands
mice encounter the steel all those areas and seal Another advantage to of dollars to repair the carpet,
wool, they generally stop them up as described sealing all these areas is wiring, etc. Even the main living
chewing and move on. previously. Then do the that your coach will now area of the RV required complete
Another area, at same in the bedroom be more airtight and less replacement of the carpet, and
all soft linens and bedspreads,
least in a motorhome, is underneath the bed; prone to etc., needed to be cleaned due to
the front of the coach at oftentimes, wires or engine or the odor. Even after repairing, re-
placing, and cleaning everything,
Simple
measures like
these make a huge
difference in pest
prevention.
5 6 7
5) Look carefully around the some steel wool into the hole, brake odors and dust passing into the motorhome while on
inside of the basement and then filled it up with spray foam. the road.
the front of the coach behind In addition to the rodent preven- If your RV’s basement is empty and you really want to
the generator (shown in a tion, we can also tell a noticeable
get serious with your efforts, we suggest you also seal up the
diesel-pusher motorhome) and difference in the cabinet tem-
look for gaps and cracks. Each perature when camping in winter. storage part of your basement from the wet-bay (usually
one has to be sealed up to block 7) Insect bait traps are highly toward the back of the coach) and the storage area of your
points of entry for rodents. If effective at controlling various basement. If you look inside an empty basement you can
you can keep them out of the pests. Just make sure you get the see that there’s a huge bundle of wires and air lines that
basement, the chances of them product targeted for the bugs pass through from the engine compartment, overhead in
getting inside the coach are you are likely to encounter. You the basement, and then finally all the way up to the front
reduced, but, of course, not may find you need to get two
completely eliminated. 6) Under different types if you have ants
of the motorhome to the generator and front axle of the
each sink there’s likely one or and roaches, for example. And chassis. That large harness of wires has to pass through the
more holes for the drain and be sure they are not accessible basement, and it offers several points of entry for a critter
water-supply hoses. We pushed to children or pets. to climb up through the wet-bay and then into the main
basement of the motorhome, and from
there into the living area.
The chassis itself usually has large
cutouts in the braces or frame rails and
often there is a lot of space around there
that needs to be sealed up. A mouse can
squeeze through tiny openings as small
as a nickel or even a dime, so keep that
in mind as you are searching for ways to
seal your RV.
Food Fights
Even with your best efforts, it’s virtual-
ly impossible to seal up everything as
well as a sealed plastic container, so in
addition to this method of preventing
rodents, we suggest you employ a second
layer of defense inside the basement and
the living quarters to provide additional
BRAZEL’S RV PERFORMANCE, CIRCLE 104 ON READER SERVICE CARD
Trap Defense
If you’re headed to an area where you
suspect mice are thriving, or if you
already have them, it may be a good
time to employ snap traps, glue traps,
or box traps until the exposure is gone.
Of course, you have to service them and
reload them with food and dispose of
the mice after catching them, so there is
some work to this method. We don’t sug-
gest using rat/mouse poison because it’s
too easy for animals or children to access
and it often leads to a dead mouse in an
$ 399 processing
area that you can’t find but that you can
smell. If you’re a cat owner, you already
know they are experts at keeping your
fee waived!
when you apply to refinance by March 31, 2021!1
RV free of mice in the living area.
Bug Off! Now may be a great time to refinance your current RV loan to lower
Although insects don’t typically cause your monthly payments! You can also finance a 2010 model year2 or
the physical damage of rodents, nobody newer RV when you purchase from a dealer or a private party seller.
wants to eat dinner with a cockroach
at their feet. Another appetite killer Recreational use APRs2 as low as
is preparing a meal on the counter as
you watch a line of ants march by. One
of the best ways to reduce insects is to
3.99
on loan amounts
4.99
on loan amounts of
7.89
on loan amounts of
spray around the RV and, in particular, of $50k+ $25k to $49,999 $15k to $24,999
around the tires and the various water APR is fixed for the life of the loan. Other rates with different loan terms are available.
hoses, drain hoses, and other cables that Rates are accurate as of January 4, 2021. See our website for current rates and terms, as
well as financing for Full-Timers and loan amounts below $15,000
touch the ground as you camp. Usually,
a good perimeter spray when you arrive, Call 1.800.444.1476 | TTY: 1.800.659.5495
and a touch-up spray every week or so, mention priority code 510
helps to greatly reduce bugs around your
RV. Also, inside we suggest using some GoodSamRVLoans.com/510
of the indoor ant/bug bait stations. Place
them in areas your pets and kids can’t 1
Processing fee of $399 waived for refinance applications received by March 31, 2021. Official fees
such as state title, state registration, FL doc stamp fee and/or UCC filing fees will apply.
reach and change them as directed. These 2
Estimated APR (Annual Percentage Rate) based on 5 year loan term; individual rate may vary
bait stations do a great job. by 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 terms may vary with market conditions and are subject to change without notice. APR
applied to the loan is the APR in effect on the date the application is received and is valid for 60
No matter how hard you try to prevent days. Full-Timers do not qualify for this offer; see website for Full-Timer rates and terms. RV must be
these intruders, you will likely never be 2010 model year or newer; for RV model year 2010 to 2011, add .25% to above rates. Maximum loan
term is based on loan amount. Maximum loan amount is calculated using an advance percentage
completely rid of them. But if you employ determined by FICO score. RV collateral value established using NADA guide wholesale value
(without add-ons) including mileage adjustment (+/-); multiplied by 110%. Refinance example of a
the outlined steps, you can limit their recreational use RV loan: A $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
access inside of your RV. Then, for those differ for your specific transaction. Loans with longer terms may have higher rates.
pests that do get in, make it as hard as Good Sam Finance Center provided through Essex Credit, A division of Bank of the West © 2021
Bank of the West. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender Doing business in South Dakota as
possible for them to find food. Finally, by Bank of the West California. NMLS ID # 19116.
placing bait stations around the RV for GOOD SAM and the GOOD SAM ICON are registered trademarks of Good Sam Enterprises, LLC.
Unauthorized use of any of GSE, LLC’s trademarks is expressly prohibited. All rights reserved.
bugs and setting traps for mice you will GRL057977 – 0121
be as prepared as you can be.
Life
on the
Road
Family Travel 72 | Traveling With Pets 75 | Health + Fitness 78
FAMILY TRAVEL
Scheduled stops make for great
Family Fun to Go
photo ops. Your child and your
pets will appreciate breaking
up the trip.
How many of us
remember those family road
trips we took as children?
When I was ten years old, our
family of seven packed into the
family car and headed to the
Walt Disney World Resort. Our
vehicle of choice was the kind
of station wagon with the back
seat that faced backward, and
I fought to get one of those
coveted rear-facing seats. We
drove straight through from The journey can be more thrilling than the
New Jersey to Orlando, Florida, destination. Long road trips are downright
enjoyable when everybody has a good time.
and it felt like kid torture at
its finest (or worst). As I look
back on that long family road But it’s easy to look back at Listen to a good family audiobook
trip many years later, what I family vacations through the or kid-focused podcast
remember most is the fun we rose-colored tinge of nostalgia. In Listening to audiobooks while on
had along the way: the games reality, entertaining kids on the road a road trip is an awesome way to
can be challenging. What parent pass the time. We always update our
we played, the music we
doesn’t dread hearing the words “Are audiobook accounts with something
listened to, and the wonderful we there yet?” Depending on what new to listen to before we hit the
time we all spent together. you travel in, a motorhome or in a road. We try to include a mix of cur-
truck towing a trailer, some options rent-event, fiction, historical, or even
may work better than others. science- or tech-related books. On a
Here are some great tips and recent trip, we finished a fascinating
Invite your children to be a part of the trip
tools to get your kids to forget that book by Neil deGrasse Tyson, Astro-
planning, mapping out pit stops, restaurant
visits, and points of interest. Looking for long road trip and enjoy the journey, physics for People in a Hurry. We all
these checkpoints helps keep them engaged. not just the destination. enjoyed learning about the universe
because we had just wrapped up
our study of the solar system and
beyond in homeschooling science. In
fact, taking advantage of the travel
time by listening to audiobooks for
homeschooling can turn a road trip
into a road-schooling trip, which is
the pinnacle of multitasking. The
next audiobook in our queue is Ann
Cameron’s The Kidnapped Prince.
We love catching up on our list On a recent road trip, KJ, our eleven-
of favorite RV-focused podcasts year-old, was sitting in the co-pilot’s
while traveling. Our boys really enjoy seat when he heard “Karma Chameleon”
podcasts such as Wow in the World, from Culture Club. He smiled big and
Story Pirates, and Smash Boom Best. said, “Dad, remember when I first heard
They will listen to them for hours. this song? We were driving through
Don’t forget to set up a few podcasts Kansas City and I asked you to play it
for the adults to enjoy when the over and over and over again. I think we
kids are busy doing something else. repeated that song twenty times in a
Balance keeps everyone happy as row!” That one song will forever bring
you head down the road. back the time he spent with his dad
driving through Kansas City. Music is a
Listen to music together very powerful memory marker.
I don’t know about your family, but DINO-MITE!
Learning about the subjects (such as
when I was growing up, my parents dinosaurs) before arriving makes the Talk about your destination
always controlled music that was trip even more special. This is one of our kids’ favorite things
playing in the car . . . period. Whether to do while we travel. They love to hear
you keep up with current music or up listening to can be a treasure for about where we’re headed and what
not, this is your opportunity to teach your kids. We find ourselves teaching we’re going to see and do. I’ll let them
your kids about the music that you our kids who those artists are by pull up our travel route created using
love. I’m a huge fan of the rhythm playing their songs and sharing some of rvtripwizard.com. This usually prompts
and blues genre, and my parents our memories. It’s amazing how many them to ask questions. Our kids love
often played great R&B groups strong memories flow back when you science museums, so they will always
from the 1960s and ’70s, like The hear a familiar song. ask if there is one we can visit.
Spinners, The Temptations, Luther
Vandross, The Commodores, or any
of the other great artists of that era.
Today when I hear those songs, so “As I look back on that long family road trip many
many great memories come back to
me. We want to do the same with our
years later, what I remember most is the fun we
kids. Sharing the music that you grew had along the way.”
PHOTOS: KEITH SIMS
Pet-Friendly Campground
are happy to welcome you and your
pet with open arms—and paws!
Even if a campground claims to be
On the RVing trail with your area, but your home base as well. pet friendly, it may contain areas in
pets, let us point the way to Pet-friendly campgrounds can which pets are not allowed. We have
your best bets. mean different things to different visited state parks that limit pets
travelers. Just like us humans, our pets to certain areas in the campground.
BY @ 2 T R AV E L I N G D O G S have unique personalities, likes, and When we arrived, we were surprised
dislikes. Doing research in advance that some streets in the campground
Traveling with our pets adds unique on campgrounds that claim to be pet even prohibited dogs. This was a
experiences and memories to any trip. friendly can be fun. That’s why we lesson for us to check specifics on
Our pets continually remind us to live always check out what activities and campgrounds that claim to be pet
in the moment. However, having our amenities our pets will enjoy ahead of friendly.
family members with fur along for the
ride can also bring challenges. So, when
you arrive at your destination after a
long travel day, having already ensured FOREVER Many pets enjoy new sights, smells,
and meeting new people and pets
that the campground is pet friendly is
key to enjoying not only the surrounding
YOUNG when traveling. Travel keeps our dogs
young, and as long as they want to
camp, keep endeavoring to find new
favorite pet-friendly campgrounds!
PHOTOS: @2TRAVELINGDOGS
A Social Affair
favorite part of our visit was the shark teeth and enjoy the sunrises
weekend ice cream social, when and sunsets here with your pet. The
the owners delivered homemade full experience of this campground
We have visited many pet-friendly doggy ice cream with a smile to and park will have you and your pet
campgrounds during our full-time every campsite. It’s hard to top feeling relaxed and appreciative of
travels. And at the top of our list is this campground for dogs and their what camping was meant to be. We
Four Paws Kingdom Campground people. know our pets give it four paws up.
(4pawskingdom.com) in Ruther-
fordton, North Carolina. If you are Where’s the Beach? Falls for Fido
new to camping with your dog, If your pet loves the beach as much If your dog prefers mountains,
this campground is the perfect as our dog Peanut Butter Brickle creeks, rivers, and waterfalls like
place to get your paws wet. This does, Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park our dog Digby Pancake, consider
campground is a destination by (coj.net ) near Jacksonville, Florida, making a reservation at Amicalola
itself and its owners will welcome should be on your pet-friendly Falls State Park (amicalolafallslodge.
you with a friendly greeting while campground list. Hanna Park not com) near Dawsonville, Georgia. This
offering suggestions for activities only has a white-sand, dog-friendly pet-friendly park is named after its
within the park. This campground beach, but your pet is also welcome most beautiful feature, Amicalola
is solely dedicated to dogs and on the many trails in the woods and Falls. This 729-foot waterfall is the
their owners, who have to be 18 around the lake. The campground in third-highest waterfall east of the
or older. If you don’t have an RV, this city-owned park has a campsite Mississippi River. When you stay
you can rent one of theirs, or even for everyone. Private, roomy at the pet-friendly campground,
a cabin or a yurt. There is a puppy campsites with full hookups or tent you can walk to the top of the falls
salon, numerous off-leash dog sites are available, as are rental from your campsite. With numerous
parks, a private pond, and a fun gift cabins. Each morning and evening, pet-friendly trails, many accessing
shop with all the dog treats and we enjoyed the routine of walking the famed Appalachian Trail, you
toys your dog can dream of. Our with our dogs to the beach, hitting will experience fresh, mountain air
with your dog like no other place.
HEALTH + FITNESS
W
hen you’ve got an inter- tough winter—and let’s just say it, a long,
Did you know?
The benefits of bicycling are est or passion in something, tough 2020—hitting a festival can be
almost as plentiful as the scenic “geeking out” over it with oth- an opportunity to finally bust out the RV
lanes you could be pedaling down.
er like-minded souls is the best. For James and spend time outside doing something
SLOWS AGING and me, our main “thing” is bicycling. Sure, enjoyable. We’ve scouted out some of the
Studies show bicycling can have ma- we can ride our bikes alone, but when we best RV-friendly bicycling festivals hap-
jor anti-aging benefits down to the get a chance to do that with others, it be- pening this spring across the US. The fes-
at a beautiful farm with a swimming Toss” event (which is just that, see how for three days of idyllic Georgia road
lake. Pack a beach bag and the support far you can toss an old Huffy) are just a riding. While there are no hookups for
few highlights. I asked RVs, the event offers spacious RV dry
the event coordinator camping for festival goers at no extra
Robert Panzara what cost. The daily bike rides follow set
READY TO ROCK
When your feet stop pedaling for the day,
they can start tapping! Music is a running
theme at bicycling festivals, and a great way
to relax after a day of riding.
FUN + GAMES
MORE
CAMPING
MORE
ADVENTURE
MORE
MEMORIES
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that nature has to offer. Whether you are looking to
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gear or service your ride before your next adventure, it
all starts at America’s #1 RV Dealer*. No matter where
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