RV Today Issue 4 | July / Aug 2022

Mike

Mike started his journey in the digital community by doing reviews on holsters. When his following began to grow, so did his areas of expertise. Today, Mike is a well-known influencer in the outdoor community. He started his journey in overlanding and expanded to luxury off-road camping in a 2022 Jayco Terrain Class B Motorhome. Mike has been up-fitting and upgrading his newest rig to inspire his followers to do the same. His journey, tips and tricks can be found on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook.

ALWAYS MOVING FORWARD. ALWAYS MAKING YOUR EXPERIENCE BETTER.

Whether you’re on the road or on the water, Lippert supplies a broad array of premium RV, towing and marine products designed to enhance all of your recreational pursuits. Our team is always thinking about your next journey — pushing the possibilities of our products and services, all to better your time spent outdoors, whenever, wherever, for years to come.

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RV TODAY Magazine

Volume 1 I Issue 4 I July/August 2022

Publisher Demian Ross

Chief Editor Nikki Kirk

Managing Editor Jess Stiles

Editorial Assistant L. Merredith

Art Director Gayle Schadendorf

Operations Manager Jamie May

Copy Editor Kristin Skaggs

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RV TODAY 3916 N POTSDAM AVE #3194, SIOUX FALLS, SD 57104

Disclaimer: One of the great things about digital publications is the ability to link you directly to the products or services you want to hear more about. Some of the links in this issue are affiliate links where we earn commissions on goods or services you buy. These commissions help us to continue to publish the magazine. RV Today is also a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at info@rvtoday.com

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FROM THE Publisher

When RVers start planning their vacations or weekend getaways, it seems like the majority are drawn to locations with waterfront views or access. I’m no exception—if I had my choice, I would always boondock near the ocean, in a state park with lake views, or at a small pond on a farm. And when I stay at an RV park, I’m always curious to see if they have a pool.

There really is something magical about camping near water. I’ve been able to park the RV so close to the water that when you look out the window, that’s all you see. It almost feels like you’re on a boat! And falling asleep listening to the ocean waves truly can’t be beat—there’s no better sound for sleeping.

If I’m being honest, there have even been times when I’ve stayed at waterfront locations but didn’t step foot into the water the whole time I was there. And it’s not just due to extenuating circumstances like bad weather; sometimes I just want to be near the water for the calming effect or the views.

It’s great how being out in your RV will inspire you to get in the water even more, though. Before I owned an RV, I never thought about owning kayaks, but I bought some when I started RVing full time and it was a great choice. I can recall almost every time I took my kayaks out on the water, and I have some great memories from them—including accidentally falling in once or twice.

You might be thinking that if everyone wants to be by the water, then waterfront spots are probably the most crowded. That’s true to some extent, but I know there are still plenty of hidden gems with water views that you can find year-round. You might even be one of the only RVers there.

In this issue, we highlight some of those amazing water spots, plus lots of tips and tricks on how to get the most out of staying near water. And if you come across places we didn’t mention or have tips, tricks, or products you think other RVers should know about, please email us at collab@RVToday. com. The motto of RV Today is “for RVers, by RVers,” and we would love to hear from you.

demian@rvtoday.com

P.S. We would love to hear from you, including suggestions for stories or regular features, letters to our editor, or ideas for what you’d like to see. Let us know what would help you and other RV owners in the future.

GO LOSE YOURSELF IN A LONG WEEKEND.

Contributors

Peggy Dent

Karen Wilson

Erika Puvalowski

Dana Carpenter

Rhonda McDonald

Jerome Braga

Sarah Collins

Joseph Testa

Stephanie Lincoln

Karen Wilson

Meagan Hinson

Derek King

Jenn Jackson

Crystal Davis

Kyle Doughty

Lisa Warfle

Brandi Peterson

Jenn Jackson

Matt and Laurie DuShane

Amanda and David Boles

Tedy Pham

Cameron Geggatt

Kristin Halls

Contributor Spotlight

Alexis Nascimento @neversaysomeday

Water Safety for Kids

Alexis is a writer, digital marketing strategist, wife, and mom of two young boys. She and her family traded a traditional life for one on the road. She enjoys hiking, reading, good food, and everything about living tiny. You can find her family’s adventures and travel guides at neversaysomedayfamily.com.

Christina Stawiasz @thyme.and.timber

Cooking Your Catch of the Day

Christina is the creator of Thyme + Timber. She currently travels with her husband Bramdon in their 21-foot Coachmen Expedition. You can find her thriving in nature and catching all the local markets along the way to create meals for thymeandtimberlife.com.

Lynn and Danny Spain @rvamerica59

Whoops, Did I Do That?

Lynn and Danny retired in June of 2021. They call themselves “most-timers,” as they travel in their Forest River Forester with two cats and a dog eight to nine months of the year, documenting their adventures on YouTube at RVAmerica. They return to their home base near Nashville, Tennessee, often to catch up with children, grandchildren, and friends.

Adam and Kathryn Frazer @adventuresofaplusk

Channel Islands National Park

Contribute to RV Today

Do you have a story idea, product you love or campground to highlight? Reach out to us at collab@rvtoday.com

Adam, Kathryn, and Kona, an adventurous married couple (+ pup!) living on the road in their selfconverted sprinter van! Find them driving all over scoping out the best coffee shops, eating tacos and ice cream, and enjoying nature. For their detailed travel guides, check out adventuresofaplusk.com and YouTube channel, Adventures of A+K

Why Do You

@ouradventerousdays “Campfires!”

@kristininmotion

“The fresh air and quiet”

@journeying_jacksons

“Having an ever-changing backyard and spending so much time in nature”

@our.greight.escape “Living with less!”

@therollinboles

“Beautiful views right outside my house!”

TIPS FOR NAVIGATING THE PRIVATE MARKETPLACE

By Peggy Dent

The combination of increased demand for RVs and a constricted supply due to the pandemic is the perfect storm for RV buyers, creating a challenging marketplace for even the most savvy shoppers.

Limited Supply

Buyers are finding fewer new and used RVs at the dealerships, and dealers are having trouble obtaining enough inventory to fill their lots. The demand is so high that many RV buyers are making deposits on new RVs that won’t even be built for another 12 to 14 months, while used RVs on dealer’s lots vanish quickly.

These conditions are driving buyers to the private marketplace to meet their RV needs. Buyers are searching for used RVs through online databases, some of which claim to have up to 100,000 RVs for sale at any given time. While this may seem like a huge number, it really isn’t once you consider how many RVs are needed to meet the demand.

Since there are so many new buyers looking for their first RV, plus current owners who want to upgrade, the private marketplace is supercharged. Add this to the pressure of being in the middle of camping season, and you have all the conditions for a booming market. Much like home buyers in the real estate market, RV buyers need to act quickly and have their financing in place in order to secure the RV of their choice.

Even with 100,000 used RVs for sale, when you start to sort them by type, brand, age, floorplan, and price, you realize the selection narrows significantly to very few options. That creates the perfect environment for sellers. If you have an RV you’re no longer using, or you want to upgrade to a new RV, now is the perfect time to determine what your RV is worth and get it into the market.

Pros and Cons of the Private Market

Unfortunately, the private marketplace for RVs can be daunting, especially for people with no previous experience in buying or selling a used RV. Buyers and sellers will realize the best possible value in the peer-to-peer environment, but the monetary rewards do come with some risks. Simply stated, it’s just harder to buy or sell an RV privately than it is at a dealership. The dealerships are counting on this, and they cash in by paying less for the RVs they purchase and charging more for the RVs they sell.

As a seller, if you’re willing to invest some time into preparing your RV for sale and creating compelling ads for national publications, you can reach potential buyers in every corner of the country. However, it is harder to transact business remotely. If your buyer is far away, you’ll need to communicate more often and more clearly about the RV’s condition and about financing in order to overcome the negative impact of the distance. Additionally, you’ll need to work to complete the purchase via the safe transfer of money in exchange for the vehicle and the title. This can become complex if one or more lenders are involved in the transaction.

Hiring a professional to assist in your sale is another option if you’re looking to sell in the private marketplace. These professionals start by providing a free RV valuation based on today’s prices, then they create and place ads, assist with negotiations, arrange for a vehicle inspection if needed, and help buyers secure financing. National Vehicle is an example of a company that represents for-sale-byowner RV sellers, and they’ve helped thousands of people safely take advantage of the benefits of the private marketplace.

Summer camping season is already here, so now is the time if you’re looking to buy or sell! ■

About the Author

Peggy Dent is an author, writer, and full-time RVer who’s traveled more than 130,000 miles over the past 20 years. Contact her at apeninyourhand.com.

Everyone traveling with kids knows that once they’ve reached their limit for drive time, the day is over. The key to long road trips, then, is to keep them occupied and entertained long enough to avoid a meltdown and get to point B. We all rely on tablets and movies, and there’s no shame in that! But mixing in some fun games and activities can break up the screen time and make your day of driving go by in an instant!

Coloring Books

are a great way to keep kids occupied for a bit of time, and the best thing about them is you can find options for all age ranges. Avoid melted crayons by keeping a small set of colored pencils with the coloring books.

Activity Books include mazes, dot-to-dot drawings, word searches, and many other brain games. There are so many to choose from based on your child’s age and interests! From travel to zoo animals to science, there is a theme for every kid out there.

BOREDOM BUSTERS: Keeping Kids Entertained on Long Drive Days

Reading with Usborne

are popular books for beginner reading levels (elementary through middle school). If you haven’t heard of Usborne, you’re in for a treat! Usborne books have a silly story that keeps the kids engaged, while also helping them learn to read better. Usborne also makes picture-finding books and question and answer books about different topics, so there is a lot of variety to choose from. Once they realize how fun reading can be, your kids won’t want to stop!

Window Stickers may be for a slightly younger child, but they are a great way to keep kids entertained, especially if you have a few different sets to choose from. One set includes a farm scene, so the kids can imagine playing around the barn with different farm animals. There are lots of options, including sets with cars and ABC/123 sets.

Books are a useful road trip item because kids can complete the activities over and over again. They come with dry erase markers, and once an activity is done, your kiddo can wipe away their work and start over again! These are also available for different age ranges and are great for learning and playing games that help with problem solving and critical thinking.

Wipe-Clean

Road Trip Bingo is a fun game for the whole family. There are several different makers of Road Trip Bingo cards. Most sets include Bingo Boards that have little sliding windows that reveal images you may see while driving, like birds flying, trees, etc. When you see something, you cover the image, and the first to bingo wins!

Card Games

That use a traditional deck of cards are a good go-to, especially because different games can be played by different ages. Go fish is a classic card game for all ages, and can be played even if a few cards fall to the floor.

Tell Me a Story c ard games are fun for kids with wild imaginations. Each card in the deck has a character illustrated on it, and it’s up to your kids to tell the story based on what they see. It can go anywhere! Plus, you can reuse the deck over and over again, creating a new story each time!

Hopefully you’re able to use some of these ideas to entertain your kiddos on your next long drive day! Every road trip is worth it, you just have to get there first! ■

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When we see a problem, we don’t just find a solution; we help make changes in the industry you’ve been waiting on that make your journey easier every single day. The products our team uses are the most innovative products on the market and we take the time to learn them inside and out so you don’t have to. With over 35 years of industry expertise, our team can design, fabricate, and install the Solar and Lithium system that’s fits your rig perfectly to make your battery life bigger.

Lithium Batteries:

You may have heard some talk about lithium batteries, or know someone who installed them in their boat or RV. If you’re wondering if switching to lithium when it’s time to replace your current battery system will be the right decision for you, here are some pros and cons to consider.

By Peggy Dent

Pros: Advantages of Lithium Batteries

■ Lithium batteries are lighter, cleaner, safer, and need no maintenance.

■ Weigh about half as much as traditional batteries

■ Are completely sealed

■ Never have a corrosive build-up on the terminals

■ Don’t off-gas harmful fumes

The old phone lithium batteries that could catch on fire in your pocket are not the same technology as today’s RV lithium batteries. Consequently, they are not a fire hazard and they’re safer than lead-acid batteries, which can explode under certain conditions. Finally, lithium batteries require no maintenance, there are no fluids to replace or terminals to clean, and once they are installed with a battery management system, they require no additional care.

Lithium batteries have a superior power storage capability, and deliver more power to your RV. Traditional lead-acid batteries are constantly losing power, even when they’re disconnected from the RV’s electrical system, unless the batteries are being recharged via shore power or solar panels. Most RVers have experienced the frustration of getting their RV out of storage just to discover that the house batteries and perhaps even the chassis battery are dead. Additionally, lead-acid batteries can only deliver about half of their maximum stored capacity. Once the power level in lead-acid batteries approaches the 50% threshold, these

batteries stop delivering power to the RV. Lithium batteries, on the other hand, store power more densely (meaning there is more power in the battery) and deliver a larger percentage of their total power capacity—approximately 85%. As power drains out of a lead-acid battery, the quality of the power flowing to the various electrical components in the RV degrades, and some electrical features stop functioning with this degraded power. With lithium batteries, the quality (intensity, voltage, amps) of the power is the same through the entire power range. The bottom line is that lithium batteries store more power and send more electricity to your RV for a much longer period of time than a traditional RV battery system.

Lithium batteries last longer than lead-acid batteries. In fact, they might even last longer than your RV. Some lithium battery systems are rated for up to 10 years of reliable service. Since they don’t lose their charge like lead-acid batteries, the annoyance of taking your RV out of storage just to discover the batteries are dead will not be a problem.

Lithium batteries could save you money over time. The extended lifetime of lithium batteries compared with that of traditional batteries means that lithium batteries cost less over time. They are a pricey replacement for lead-acid batteries, but they could outlast multiple sets of traditional batteries. Therefore, if you calculate the total cost of the batteries and maintenance over the life span of these technologically superior replacement batteries, it could result in a net gain and not an additional expense.

Cons: Negatives of Installing Lithium Batteries

■ Lithium batteries are much more expensive. They can be as much as $1,000 per battery.

■ It’s not a direct replacement. You can’t just remove your old lead-acid batteries and drop lithium batteries into the battery compartment in your RV. You’ll need to buy and install a battery management system, which is essential because it balances power storage during the recharging cycle and provides valuable information about the life cycle and charge level.

■ You may need professional help with the install. The power system in any RV is a complicated, interconnected network of electrical components, supplying power to many different parts of the RV. The batteries need to receive power from either shore power, solar panels, or a generator. With lithium batteries, it’s essential that the inflow of power into the battery bank is evenly distributed into all the cells within the entire battery system.

Should you Make the Switch?

So, is upgrading to lithium batteries worth it for part-time RVers? I think it’s a worthwhile upgrade if you can afford the upfront costs—including the batteries, power management system, and installation. Once this system is installed, it’s a maintenance-free power source for your RV.

For trouble-free battery performance, there’s no better solution than a lithium battery system, especially for seasonal campers or weekend warriors. Lithium batteries are lighter, cleaner, safer, maintenance-free, long-lasting, and they retain their charge longer. They store more power in each battery and deliver more power for a longer period of time. And if you amortize the extra upfront costs over the life span of the batteries, they are even more affordable than traditional batteries ■

Follow Peggy at apeninyourhand.com.

Caravan THE

By Karen Wilson

I found Flo, a 1978 Millard Pop Top Caravan, on Facebook Marketplace. She looked modern and I thought she would only need a few projects before she was ready to hit the road—but I was so wrong. Once we had her in front of us, my husband and I started to take a closer look and realized that while the structure and condition were great, the work done inside was not. For instance, the underside of the ceiling was rotten, so it was only a matter of time before it would have fallen in. The previous owners had covered this up and said there were no leaks. Ultimately, we decided we would need to do a full renovation inside.

For six months we chased a mystery leak that would come, go, and reappear again. We eventually solved this through trial and error when we found two loose screws in the pop top scissor arms that were causing the problem. After solving this issue, it was full steam ahead to challenge ourselves and learn new things.

There are so many fantastic and helpful Instagram caravan accounts; we used them to learn and to see like-minded people all doing caravan renovations too. Now people find my Instagram account helpful and inspiring, which is amazing! It’s so exciting to be able to help others who are starting the same caravan renovation journey like I did. I’ve made lovely friendships and hope one day we get to catch up and have a laugh in person.

Flo has had many themes, including her luxe boho look, dreamy palm trees, and flamingo elements. She also has a signature pink color, seen on her gas bottle, caravan lock, first aid kit, and totem tennis set! Next up is a pink logo and pink pinstripes on her fresh white exterior. Her natural timber and black-and-white color base are a blank canvas, so her decor can be regularly changed to suit the occasion.

Flo features new 240V wiring, Wi-Fi kitchen lights, a Google Home connection, and a TV with Telstra TV channels. Flo’s layout maximizes the use of such a small space—she has loads of storage under beds with easy-access gas-lift struts. Flo has full-sized double and single beds and a couch that folds out to a single bed with flip-lid storage underneath. She also has a kitchen, including a fridge and ample cupboard space. I’m always looking for perfect storage solutions to fit perfectly in the van, which led me to create a triple seagrass storage pocket for her. I now have a side hustle making and selling these on Etsy because they are a must-have item for caravan wall or door storage.

I love DIYs. I’ve made cushions out of placemats and a no-wiring pendant light. I enjoy tinkering, too, and do as much as I can in and around our busy day-to-day lives. It’s taken a while, but I’m in no rush. I’ve done most of the reno myself, but always have my husband to help when I need it. That said, painting the inside was definitely a family affair. I hope to continue these highlights by using Flo for relaxing weekend getaways with the family.

The van has opened me up to a whole new world I never knew existed. We will be weekend travelers and are excited for our maiden voyage. We’ve used Flo in our backyard so much already—with two teenage girls, it’s become a great sleepover retreat. It’s like Flo has her own free caravan park and facilities at home! ■

YOU DON’T HAVE TO LEAVE YOUR CAT BEHIND

By Erika Puvalowski

Do you miss your cats when you go away for a long weekend or a road trip? Whether you have a hard time finding a cat sitter or just would love to take them with you, we have some tips for training your cat to travel and keeping it safe while RVing.

First off, know that not all cats will want to travel, and every cat acts differently. It’s easiest to train kittens to travel in your vehicle, walk on a leash and harness, and go camping. But don’t give up on your mature cats— they, too, can be trained to go camping with you. You’ll want to spend a couple of months training your cat before taking it on its first trip.

Start by getting your cat used to going in your vehicle without it moving. Let it sniff and explore. Most cats only ride in a vehicle when they go to the vet, so they

associate it with a bad experience.

After your cat has been in the stationary vehicle a few times, start taking the cat for a short ride around the block. Then go for longer rides before its first camping trip.

You also want to start easing your cat into exploring your RV. First, bring your cat inside and let it sniff around for a little bit, then increase the amount of time your cat is in the RV. Make sure you bring the cat’s bed, toys, food, and litter box from inside your house so the RV has familiar smells and your cat feels like it’s an extension of home

When we started training our older cats to wear a harness, they laid on their side and acted like they couldn’t walk, so if this happens to you, don’t worry! After a few weeks of harness training for 30 minutes a day, all my cats learned how to walk wearing a harness. If your cats are afraid of their cage because they usually only go in it when visiting the vet, start by making it a cozy place for them to explore. Leave the door open, put some treats in the cage, and start getting your cat used to walking inside. Once the cat isn’t petrified of the cage, start shutting the door, getting it used to being locked inside for a minute, and then slowly begin increasing the time. The same applies if you are going to get a backpack to carry your cat around. Pro tip—if you’re having trouble getting your cat into a cage, turn it around to load it butt first. This way, it can’t put all four paws out to stop you.

Expect your cats to meow a lot for the first hour of your trip; this is normal. My husband and I have found it’s best if we travel mid-day when our cats normally nap. When we take breaks, we always let the cats out of their cage so they can use the litter box if needed and get a bite to eat. Only one of our four cats will eat or drink while traveling in the truck. None of the cats like to use the travel litter box, but they will if they need to. We always pack cat food, water, a litter scoop, and litter bags inside our truck on travel day.

● Always have your cats secured in a cage before moving the RV’s slides in or out, so they don’t get hurt hiding behind the slide.

● If you’re afraid your cat will run out the door, you can install a roll-up baby/pet gate on the inside of your RV’s door

● Never let your cat walk down the RV steps by itself— always carry it. This will teach the cat that it isn’t allowed to exit the RV without you.

● Make lost cat flyers before you go camping so you can look for your cat if it gets loose instead of making up posters when you’re in a state of panic. Add your cat’s photo, name, color, markings, and your phone number, and get the flyers laminated so they won’t fall apart in the rain. Also, save the flyer as a photo to your phone so you can easily share it.

My husband, Steve, and I have been traveling with our four cats full time in a fifth wheel since July 2020. You can find more in-depth information on how I trained my four cats to go RVing, the products I use, and more tips, by checking out the playlist titled, “RV Travel with Cats” on our YouTube channel, Radar Road Warriors. ■

Follow Erika Puvalowski on Instagram @radarroadwarriors

ATravel pps

TIPS FOR LIFE ON THE ROAD

By Dana Carpenter

Whether your life on the open road finds you looking for traditional campsites, dispersed camping options, dump stations and potable water, or cell coverage availability, a handful of essential apps can make the journey easier. Taking a break from modern technology can be a perk of RV life, but that same technology is a huge help when it comes to successfully arriving at your destination. These are the top five apps and sites we’ve found along the way that we can’t live without.

HARVEST HOSTS Small businesses across the country welcome all classes of RVs for a unique overnight experience on their properties. With an annual Harvest Hosts membership, you can park at a variety of venues, including vineyards, farms, distilleries, and breweries, and an upgraded membership includes access to golf courses as well. RVs must be self contained and guests are expected, but not required, to spend some money at the business in exchange for their stay. We have stayed at a bison farm in southern Idaho, a beautiful wedding venue in northwest Montana, and a gorgeous golf course in Mesa, Arizona. All of our hosts have been hospitable, and we liked each location so much that we would definitely visit again.

OUTLY This free app is the best resource we’ve found for exploring dispersed camping choices. Their maps feature layers with tons of information. For instance, they’re color coded to indicate what type of public land you’re looking at—national forests are green, state land is blue, and Bureau of Land Management properties, which are usually best for boondocking, are yellow. You can also search the maps for campgrounds, swimming holes, hiking trails, and wildlife.

THE DYRT You can search for a campground and read honest reviews from local campers using The Dyrt app, which has more than a million members and 500,000-plus campsites. Under the camping section, you’ll find a breakdown of costs, photos, and amenities, plus the opinions of previous guests. You get access to all campsite listings, including national parks, state parks, county parks, private parks, and KOA and Good Sam campgrounds, and you can also book your site directly from the app. There’s a free version, and dispersed camping options are included, but you get much more detail if you spring for the paid membership. The review feature is accurate and easy to use, and has saved us endless last-minute searching.

SANIDUMP Keeping those gray and black tanks from reaching capacity has to be one of the most unglamorous and frustrating parts of RV life. Sanidump is the most thorough and accurate site out there for finding a full-service disposal option. They don’t currently have an app, but I recommend bookmarking the website as it definitely comes in handy. A word to the wise—gas station facilities can often be out of order, so a phone call prior to pulling in can save you some time.

OPEN SIGNAL In today’s world, an active cell signal is a must-have for most everyone. Whether you are working from the road, want to stream a movie, or need to download a large document, this free app will help test the real-time speed of your mobile or Wi-Fi connection. When searching for a campsite, another helpful feature is the ability to view signal maps to determine the coverage availability for all the major carriers in that particular area. ■

Follow Dana on Instagram @themobileemptynest

A PEACEFUL RETREAT FOR GLAMPERS AND FOODIES

On the Tennessee side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you’ll find Townsend. It may seem to be just a gateway town to America’s most visited national park, but if you stay a couple of days, you’ll see it has so much more to offer. In Townsend, you’ll encounter a unique glamping, dining, and craft beverage experience, alongside a heaping helping of Southern hospitality.

This article will help you plan a weekend at Little Arrow Outdoor Resort in Townsend, and includes an itinerary packed full of details, including what to do, where to eat and drink, and attractions to visit.

Glamp It Up

If you enjoy glamping, plan your stay at Little Arrow Outdoor Resort. Either bring your rig, or leave it at home and book one of their glamping tents, Airstreams, cabins, tiny homes, or vacation home accommodations.

At Little Arrow, everything for a luxury glamping experience is right at your fingertips. Staying here also puts you within close proximity of the best farm-to-table dining experiences, craft beverages, sights, and activities that the area has to offer.

Main Attractions

From relaxing to exploring and everything in between, there’s a lot to do here, both at Little Arrow and in the surrounding areas. If you’re hoping for some rest and relaxation, grab a cup of coffee from Little Arrow’s 24/7 coffee lounge, or head to the cabanas for a poolside massage. At night, take a soak in the hot tub, enjoy s’mores around the fire, and gaze up at the stars. Looking for more adventure? If you want to head out for the day, plan to spend a couple of hours touring one of the most visited areas in America—Cades Cove in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It’s known for being a prime area to see black bears in the wild. It was also a place where people

Sample Itinerary

FRIDAY

■ 1 p.m. Check in to your RV site at Little Arrow and get set up

■ 5 p.m. Dinner at Peaceful Side Social Brewery + Craft Kitchen for a farm-to-table experience

■ 7 p.m. Hot tub soak followed by fire pit s’mores under the stars

SATURDAY

■ 8 a.m. Sip locally-roasted coffee at The Dancing Bean

■ 9 a.m. Tour Cades Cove

■ Noon Grab a quick bite at Burger Master

■ 2 p.m. Hike Little Arrow’s trails

■ 4 p.m. Poolside massage

■ 7 p.m. Dinner at awardwinning Dancing Bear

Appalachian Bistro

SUNDAY

■ 9 a.m. Breakfast at Apple Valley cafe

■ 11 a.m. RV checkout time

and communities thrived before the national park was established. You can learn more about the history as you drive the scenic loop through Cades Cove.

If you’d rather stay at Little Arrow, try hiking the on-site trails! You might be able to catch one of their classes (like hiking or mountain view yoga) or events happening during the day. We were lucky to be taken on a foraging hike through the woods, where we found edible berries that were incorporated into post-hike craft cocktails from Company Distilling.

If you want to extend your stay, here are some other things to add to your itinerary.

■ Scenic drive along Foothills Parkway

■ Vee Hollow biking

■ Tubing the Little River

■ Waterfall hikes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Where To Eat and Drink

If you’re new to Southern Appalachian cuisine, you’re in for a treat in Townsend. Here you’ll find a culinary and craft beverage experience that has been turned into an art. Blue cheese ice cream anyone? Trust me, it’s delish! For the foodies among us, there are a few places you won’t want to miss. And if you’re a bourbon fan, you’ll be happy to know about a brand new tasting room and restaurant in the area.

Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro Jeff Carter is the executive chef at Dancing Bear and returns to the Bistro and Lodge, bringing with him a refined touch on Southern Appalachian cuisine. While foodies are just discovering this branch of Southern cooking, Dancing Bear describes the cuisine as “older than the hills.” In the farm-to-table dishes at Dancing Bear, you’ll find a delicate balance of flavors that are both complex and comforting.

The Dancing Bean Coffee House Down the hill from Dancing Bear is Dancing Bean—a perfect place to grab your

morning coffee and a quick bite to eat, or to stay and lounge for a while, either fireside or on the outdoor deck. Dancing Bean proudly roasts their coffees in-house.

Apple Valley Cafe In Apple Valley Mountain Village, just minutes from Little Arrow, you’ll find Apple Valley Cafe—a great place to grab a classic breakfast, Southern comfort food, or a sandwich to take with you for the day.

Peaceful Side Social Brewery + Craft Kitchen At Peaceful Side Social Brewery + Craft Kitchen, you can hang out on the open air patio, or indoors if you’d prefer. Here you’ll find farmto-counter fare, or what they refer to as “purposeful brews.” With each purchase, you can round up your total, and PSS matches and donates the proceeds to helping preserve this area of the Smokies. Their menu includes craft beer from the area and more, and you can dine on salads, sandwiches, hearty main dishes, or gourmet “roundbreads.”

Company Distilling Newly opened in May 2022, Company Distilling is Master Distiller Jeff Arnett’s new venture after leaving his dream job at Jack Daniels. He’s the only distiller who has ever left that job and started his own brand. You can be among the first to experience Company Distilling’s new tasting room and restaurant, right around the corner from Little Arrow. This is straight bourbon whiskey finished with maple wood.

If you’re looking for a place that welcomes you, comforts you, feeds you well, and sends you well wishes on your way home, then you’ll want to put Little Arrow Outdoor Resort in Townsend, Tennessee, right next to Great Smoky Mountains National Park on your RVing bucket list. ■

Massages Available at Little Arrow

WHICH MASSAGE WILL YOU PICK?

■ Fresh Off the Trails: 20-minute massage, perfect after a day of adventure

■ Good Vibes: 30-minute scalp massage

■ We’ve Got Your Back: 20-minute seated massage, takes the weight of the world off your shoulders

■ Helping Hand: 30-minute therapeutic hand massage

■ Happy Feet: 30-minute foot massage for increased circulation

■ Extremity Ease Duo: 30-minute stress relief massage

■ Ultimate Happy Camper: 50-minute hand, foot, and scalp massage

A special thank you to Big Slate Media, Oldham Hospitality Group, Little Arrow Outdoor Resort and Valerie Polk

er Approved

Planning a cross-country road trip or staying local? No matter where your RV travels take you, RV Today readers are sharing some of their favorite campgrounds from around the country.

$ Up to $30 / night

$$ $31-$60 / night

$$$ $61+ / night

FAST FACTS

Full Hookups

Big Rig Friendly Playground

Dog Park

Pool Wi-Fi

Cava Robles RV Resort

Joshua Tree Lake RV and Campground

Anthony Chabot Campground

Verde Ranch RV Resort

Rollin’ Home RV Park

Montana Basecamp RV Park

Campgrounds

Sunset Point RV Park

MacNider Campground

Mustang Island State Park

Myakka River State Park

Meaher State Park Pensacola Beach RV Resort

Anthony Chabot Campground

9999 Redwood Road, Castro Valley, CA 94546

The campground at Anthony Chabot Regional Park in the East Bay’s Castro Valley outside of Oakland is a true gem. There are 12 full-hookup sites and about 60 non-hookup/tent/group sites. The drive in is curvy, steep, and narrow, and backing into some of the full-hookup sites is challenging, but we were surrounded by green grass, towering eucalyptus trees, and a group of wild turkeys—a veritable oasis outside the city. Some of the non-hookup sites have nice views of Lake Chabot and seem to be easier to get into than the sites in the full-hookup area. I do think weekends can be quite busy, but we stayed Sunday to Thursday and there were not many other campers during that time, which made for a peaceful and quiet stay. The bathrooms with showers are decent, and firewood is available for purchase. The rangers are incredibly helpful, offering tips on hikes. There are phones located throughout the campground that will connect you directly to a park ranger when 911 is dialed, though cell signal is also good.

The park has some nice hiking, biking, and horse riding trails throughout, with some trails leaving right from the campground. I highly recommend the hike up Brandon Trail to get a view of the bay, downtown Oakland, downtown San Francisco, the Bay Bridge, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the San Mateo Bridge. It’s about an hour drive into downtown San Francisco and 25–30 minutes to downtown Oakland.

Cava Robles RV Resort

3800 Golden Hill Road, Paso Robles, CA 93446

We love how well maintained Cava Robles RV Resort is—it’s clean and quiet, and there’s a place to do your laundry on-site! There are a variety of activities, and you truly feel removed from the outside world and on vacation. There are two separate pools—a family-friendly pool with a splash pad and a lap pool for adults. There’s also a community area with cornhole, a life-size chess/ checkers game, and a large picnic area with BBQ pits. There’s a spa for the adults and a playground for the kids. We have been to this campground once and already have two reservations this upcoming year. We saw a range of vehicles, from teardrop campers to large Class A campers, so there are sites for all to enjoy.

Paso Robles Wine Country, Ravine Waterpark, Hearst Castle, and Firestone Walker Brewery are all nearby.

Joshua Tree Lake RV and Campground

2601 Sunfair Road, Joshua Tree, CA 92252

We love campgrounds that are spacious with beautiful views, but also offer amenities to make camping life easier. Joshua Tree Lake RV and Campground was a perfect match. We loved the feeling of being in the middle of the desert with the convenience of having full hookups. It’s a quiet desert campground with beautiful scenery, and it is located within 15–20 minutes of the main Joshua Tree Visitor Center and entrance as well as the Joshua Tree Oasis Visitor Center. There were spectacular night skies, perfect for star-gazing as we sat around a campfire with friends. Each spacious site had a fire pit, with firewood sold at the office. There is also a fishing pond on-site. We would definitely like to stay longer next time! Be sure to look at their website for directions or call the office, because they may advise a different route than your GPS. (GPS may send you down smaller dirt roads.)

Other attractions are Pioneertown and the famous Pappy and Harriet’s, which are a short and scenic 30-minute drive away. The beautiful Transmission art sculpture, located at the private Mojave Moon Ranch, can also be seen from the road just down from the park.

Contributed by Emily and James Jacinto

Contributed by Melissa Crosby Coker

Rollin’ Home RV Park

2888 South Four Mile Road

Nephi, UT 84648

Rollin’ Home RV Park in Nephi, Utah, comes with beautiful mountain views, super-fast Wi-Fi, trash pickup, a long, peaceful dog path, and full hookups. The sites are spacious and grassy, and the owner was super sweet and helpful. The park is right off the main interstate going through central Utah, so it’s a perfect place to stop, whether for a night or a month.

Activities nearby include three hot springs— Redhills, Fifth Water, and Crystal. Other options nearby include Donut Falls, Little Sahara Sand Dunes, Homestead Crater, and Young Living Lavender Farm.

Montana Basecamp RV Park

1000 Basecamp Drive, Kalispell, MT 59901

Montana Basecamp RV Park has basic amenities, but is well kept and in a perfect location for exploring Glacier National Park, along with other nearby areas in beautiful Montana. The park is big rig friendly and includes free firewood for your fire pit and free laundry. The views from the spacious sites are very nice, and there’s a huge field next to the park with biking trails. This is also a great area for dogs to walk! This RV park is conveniently located about 35 miles south of Glacier National Park and Whitefish, while also being close to Kalispell for shopping.

Contributed by Molly Henard

Contributed by Amanda Boles

Verde Ranch RV Resort

1105 North Dreamcatcher Drive

Camp Verde, AZ 86322

Verde Ranch RV Resort is nestled in Arizona’s Verde Valley. The resort is just north of Phoenix and just south of Sedona, so it’s a quick drive from either city, but far enough out of the way to feel like you’re not in the hustle and bustle. Verde Ranch has Wi-Fi that actually works, two hot tubs, two dog parks, cabins, tiny houses, an RV wash service, coinless laundry, and—my personal favorite—food trucks that come and park multiple times a week. While we were staying at Verde Ranch, we were already deciding when we could come back again—it’s that good.

We stayed at Verde Ranch RV Resort for one week and had activities to do and see every day. Our favorite places were the Grand Canyon (two hours away) and Sedona (35 minutes away). I highly recommend the Devil’s Bridge Hike (50 minutes away), Lake Watson (45 minutes away), and Montezuma Castle National Monument (five minutes away). Verde Valley itself is a fun town to explore, too.

Contributed by Reagan Ray

MacNider Campground

901 Birch Drive, Mason City, IA 50401

MacNider Campground is a city-run campground in a park-like setting in Mason City, Iowa. The campground is in the middle of a neighborhood, but it’s still easily accessible by big rigs, and features 20 full-hookup sites, 55 electric and water sites, and 20 tent sites. The sites are well-spaced and shaded by big trees, and each one has a fire ring and a picnic table. The bathhouse is large and clean and features a laundry area.

Although the campground is neat, welcoming, and convenient, the best activities are just outside its borders. MacNider is nestled in the huge East Park, a city park filled with bike trails, gardens, a creek, a river, numerous playgrounds and picnic areas, and even a small wildlife area. The Mason City Family Aquatic Center, with a big outdoor pool, waterslides, and a wading pool, is on the same block as the campground entrance.

The campground does not take reservations and is first come, first served, but we had no problem getting a spot during the week.

$ $

Mustang Island State Park

9394 State Highway 361 , Corpus Christi, TX 78418

Mustang Island State Park is a no-frills park that is a great place to relax and unwind. We loved that it was only a five-minute walk to the white sand beaches of the Gulf coast. This campground is perfect for those who are looking to relax, fish, or beachcomb. Port Aransas is only 20 minutes away—here, you can rent a golf cart and explore the little Texas island.

Contributed by Taylor Fortunato

Contributed by Lacey Reichwald

Meaher State Park

5200 Battleship Parkway, Spanish Fort, AL 36527

W HEN WE WERE traveling through Alabama for a week, we chose Meaher State Park because it was right off the highway. When we showed up, we were immediately greeted by the camp hosts, who shared the best places to visit in the area, the best local food, and the best place to catch the most incredible sunsets. Meaher State park blew us away—we will probably go out of our way to return in the future, and that’s saying something for a state park! The Wi-Fi was the best we’ve ever had—we worked our day jobs and streamed video using the park’s Wi-Fi. There is no dog park, which is typically a dealbreaker for us, but there are many trails and there’s room at each site to tie your dog on a lead if needed. If you have family and friends who don’t have rigs, that’s no problem, as there are quaint cabins on-site as well.

The sunsets right off the pier in Meaher State Park are breathtaking, and downtown Mobile is a short drive away. About 30 minutes outside of Meaher State Park is the most charming Hallmark-replica town, called Fair Hope, which we also strongly recommend visiting.

Contributed by Reagan Ray

Myakka River State Park

13208 State Road 72 Sarasota, FL 34241

H ead to Myakka River State Park for peace and quiet, plus a lot of wildlife! You can see deer, gators, turkeys, boars, raccoons, roseate spoonbills, white pelicans, and loads of other species. There are also 39 miles of trails and 37,000 acres to explore! One of the three loops has full hookups with spacious buffered sites; the other two have electric and water. A 74-foot observation tower provides views for miles, and you can also kayak, canoe, rent bikes, and take a boat tour, which runs along Upper Myakka Lake. We return over and over because of the tranquility and abundance of wildlife. There are hundreds of geocaches in this park too, which the kids really enjoy. It’s missing some amenities of a private resort (there’s no pool, and there’s only Wi-Fi at the Outpost) but there are a couple of playgrounds in common areas and excellent staff and rangers. The park could be explored for days without seeing all of it, and you can’t beat the price of Florida state parks, either!

Myakka River State Park is less than 20 miles from central Sarasota and within reach of the Gulf beaches, as well as Calusa and Big Top breweries.

Pensacola Beach RV Resort

17 Via De Luna Drive, Pensacola Beach, FL 32561

This tropical RV Resort is located on Santa Rosa Island in Pensacola Beach, Florida. If you’re lucky enough to get one of their beachside spots, you’ll have spectacular views of the Gulf of Mexico. But don’t worry if you don’t snag the beachside sites—all the spots are great and just a few steps from the ocean.

THIS IS A small resort with only 72 full-hookup spots, and they fill up fast. It is pristine, and the spots are paved and beautifully landscaped—most with a palm tree. You can swim any time of year in their heated pool. The resort has RVs and cabins you can rent, which comes in handy if you don’t have a camper or have friends visiting. They offer a few discounts, such as Good Sam and military, and if you stay monthly, the rates are cheaper. Even if you don’t like the beach, this is a great campground, and we highly recommend checking it out.

The beach is in an inlet and the waters are calm, making it great for kayaking and paddleboarding. The beach also has chairs and umbrellas, beach games, a fishing dock, and a tiki bar. There are also many other public beaches with beautiful white-powder sand. The boardwalk is within walking distance from the resort and has a ton of shops and restaurants. Speaking of restaurants, there are lots of great choices for seafood, since they are right on the ocean. Every restaurant on this island is located on the water with beautiful ocean views. In my opinion, this is the best place to watch a sunset.

At one end of the island, you can visit the Gulf Islands National Seashore, where you can camp, hike, bike, fish, and even visit the historic Fort Pickens. If you don’t camp at the park, be sure to take a drive through, because it has some of the most beautiful white sand you will ever see.

Contributed by Patty Gill

Contributed by Darrel Hayner

$$

Sunset Point RV Park

37 Sunset Road, Lubec, ME 04652

We loved our stay at this campground because of the beautiful views, really nice people, and nearby activities. These campground sites are perched on a tidal bay, which provides great water access, amazing sunsets, and wildlife viewing right from your campsite. Our site was a back-in, but we decided to pull in so we had a water view from our windshield. Sites have electric and water, but no cable or sewer. There is a dump station, pump-out service, and a portable tank for campers to use. Amenities are limited to a bathhouse (which was clean), laundry, and a small gift shop. At the store, you can buy a big bundle of wood for $3, which is a bargain. The campground also has lobster pots, burners, and propane tanks you can borrow if you want to go to the local lobster pound and have a lobster boil at your campsite. The deck outside the office has free coffee and local information in the morning. There is a ramp to launch canoes and kayaks, and the bay is a beautiful place to paddle.

While Lubec may seem like a “nothing to do here” town, we discovered lots to do! For hiking, we liked the state park at the West Quoddy Head Light, which is known as the easternmost point in the contiguous United States, and Cutler Public Reserved Land, which offered dramatic views of the “Bold Coast.”

The Cobscook Shores network of nature preserves are wonderful and offer hiking, paddling, and picnic opportunities. Downtown Lubec has great waterfront restaurants, shops, a lively brewery, and beautiful harbor views. From downtown Lubec, you can also take a ferry over to Eastport, another beautiful Maine coastal town. A stroll across a short bridge takes you into Canada and the Roosevelt Campobello International Park, where you’ll find great hiking trails and the summer home of Franklin D. Roosevelt, which we highly recommend touring. If you’re interested in water activities, check out the whale watching and fishing charter companies downtown, along with canoe and kayak rental companies. Be sure to visit Monica’s Chocolates just across the street from the campground, because it has many handmade chocolates, as well as the most delicious hot chocolate you will ever have. ■

Contributed by Nancy Walters

A NEW JOURNEY BEGINS

Just like every great road trip, sometimes life takes you in a new direction. At Heartland, we’ve launched a new journey to make our RVs better than ever. We’ve doubled down on seeking out the highest quality materials, creating fresh and inviting interiors and giving every unit the kinds of finishing touches you’d find in a new home.

Every unit goes through a top-to-tails inspection with a quality assurance expert—in fact, we have an 89,000-square-foot facility dedicated to walking each RV through a series of checklists to ensure it works exactly as it should. And with updated floor plans incorporating features our customers love best—spacious bathrooms, designer kitchens, furniture meant for cuddling up together—we’re confident every trip in a Heartland will be a happy one.

After all, that’s what RVing is all about: hitting the road with people you love, having adventures, making memories. So when you buy a Heartland, just focus on taking the journey of a lifetime. We’ll take care of the rest.

Experience the all-new Heartland online and check out 360-degree model tours, detailed floor plans, all-new features, galleries of updated decor and more.

Just visit HeartlandRVs.com.

“Fishing poles”

@kyledoughty84

Waterfront camping provides some of the best opportunities for playing in the water, so taking full advantage is a must! We’ve asked our readers to share their must-have water gear to make for an epic trip.

“Swimsuit!”

@wannaberetirees

“Our kayak!”

@journeying_jacksons

“Paddleboard, snorkel, and a couple of furry friends!”

@happyaperatures

“We decided to buy two items that significantly changed our travel experiences, and after three and a half years of full-time travel, I would definitely still buy them again!

1. Wetsuits for our kids

2. Inflatable kayaks

We also have friends who have invested in paddleboards, and they love them too.”

@hinson.co

“We carry our spearfishing gear so we can catch dinner!”

@drifter.journey

“Our inflatable paddleboard" @the_renegade_ramblers

EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR YOUR SUMMER CAMPING TRIP

Camping on the Gulf in Miramar Beach, Florida

There’s nothing quite like a summer road trip to an epic waterfront campsite—waking up to mid-July heat and jumping into a refreshingly cool body of water is something we can all appreciate. That’s not to mention the endless activities that waterfront camping provides, like beach games, swimming, fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and more.

This summer, we’re sharing all the tips you need to make your summer camping trip one to remember— from amazing waterfront campgrounds to safety precautions to take when you’re camping with your kids by the water, and everything in between.

Camping on the Gulf in Miramar Beach, Florida

– Marty and Jennifer Vickery Smith @ dollyrv

There isn’t a spot we get more excited to take DollyRV than to Camping on the Gulf in Florida’s panhandle. It’s one of a handful of campgrounds where you can pull your RV right up on sugar-white sand and face the gulf. Among beautiful beachfront homes and condos in Destin, this campground has 215 campsites, 20 cabins, and several glamping tents. There are two swimming pools and a playground, and the bathhouses have recently been renovated.

Only 15 spots face the gulf, so be sure to book way in advance! We typically reserve our spot for the following year during our stay to increase our chances for a gulf-front campsite. There are great restaurants for fresh seafood just a walk or bike ride away, which is important for us since we don’t tow a car. We recommend waking up early to catch the brilliant sunrises and planning your activities during the day so you don’t miss the stunning sunsets each night. A fire in our Solo Stove, a glass of wine, and good company make this the ultimate relaxation spot!

Camp Margaritaville RV Resort in Buford, Georgia

– Allison Kuslikis @escaping_expectations

Nestled in the beautiful Lake Lanier Islands of Georgia is a gorgeous RV resort called Camp Margaritaville. We were prepared for a relaxing stay, but our time here blew us away. This spot wasn’t just about good camping—it had a whole relaxing getaway vibe. Acres of pine trees, a sprawling golf course, and the intense green-colored lake swept us off our feet. If you stay here, I highly recommend staying in the wooded section.

Our kids loved swimming in the lake right in front of our campsite and making forts in the woods. We enjoyed waking up to a stunning view of the lake and the mobile happy hour golf cart every night. This campground is also known for its winter wonderland activities. We visited too early in the season to fully enjoy it, but they apparently have the largest man-made sledding hill in North America. Our kids squealed with delight every time they saw more snow added to the hill.

Camp Margaritaville is an hour outside of Atlanta, but because Atlanta has so many attractions in one area, we comfortably did several things in our one-day trip. We enjoyed visiting the Atlantic aquarium, grabbing nitro ice cream, and walking through the Centennial Olympic park.

Camping on the Gulf in Miramar Beach, Florida

Camp Margaritaville RV Resort in Buford, Georgia

Swan Bay Resort in Alexandria Bay, New York

–

Nancy Walters

This campground is a destination in itself! There are many wonderful attributes, with the greatest being all the amenities and activities. The hub of the campground has two pools and a tiki bar, which are conveniently located next to the marina and rental cottages. Between the pools is a community fire pit with nice Adirondack chairs. The resort offers plenty of rentals, including boats, kayaks, and golf carts. Check-in was quick and easy—you get a gate card and coupons to use at the tiki bar, which has great daily specials

While there is a lot to do in the campground, it’s worth venturing out to see local attractions as well. I highly recommend a boat tour to one of the castles (either Bolt or Singer), because this is a magnificent way to experience the 1000 Islands. The picturesque town of Clayton is a short drive away and has an interesting Antique Boat Museum, the Wood Boat Brewery (great food and beer), the 1000 Islands River Rat Cheese store (buy the original Thousand Island salad dressing and delicious cheese), and Thousand Islands Winery (free tastings and various events throughout the year).

We spent one day exploring the nearby Wellesley Island State Park. The park takes up about one-third of Wellesley Island and covers about 2,600 acres. Start your visit at the Minna Anthony Common Nature Center—it’s dedicated to environmental education and conservation, so it has interesting and interactive exhibits about the area’s natural and geological history. Then head outside to explore the many trails that take you through the tranquil woods and wind along the water for great views.

Mid Bay Shores RV Park in Niceville, Florida

–

Patty Gill @gills_on_wheels

This military campground is located right on the beach on the Choctawhatchee Bay across the bridge from Destin, Florida. There are only 30 full-hookup spots, but they all face the beach. There are 24 beautiful cabins and six trailers you can rent that are also on the beach. The campground doesn’t offer a lot of amenities, but it does have a large laundry room, bathhouse, playground, and cable TV. But who needs all the amenities when you have the ocean at your front door?

Mid Bay Shores RV Park in Niceville, Florida

With this being a small military campground, the sites go fast, so be sure to call in advance. There are several stairs to get down to the sandy beach, and there are a couple of fishing piers and a boat launch at the back of the campground. During the summer months, they rent kayaks, paddle boards, and bikes. The only negative about this campground is that it’s located right by the Mid-Bay Bridge, so it can get a little noisy at times. Other than that, this is a great option for those who are eligible to stay at military campgrounds

Nearby Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park has a campground, trails, kayaking, and Native American artifacts scattered throughout the park. Niceville also has a few parks, fishing charters, and breweries. If you want the large beach scene, you can visit Destin or Ft. Walton Beach, which are just a short drive over the Mid-Bay Bridge. These beaches have beautiful white sand, with tons of shops and restaurants. Destin has a marine park, fishing charters, and even dolphin sightseeing tours. It was difficult to find public beaches in the Destin area—you really needed to be staying at a hotel to get on the pretty beaches.

McKinney Campground in Acworth, Georgia

– Michelle Seeba @followourfithy

Among the green rolling hills in Georgia and on the shore of Allatoona Lake, McKinney Campground is definitely in our top 10 favorite stops. Nearly all RV sites are either on the water or have a water view, and the lakeside sites have wooden decks for a great view of the water! Allatoona Lake is in Acworth, Georgia, and while it’s only 30 minutes from Atlanta, the campground is extremely quiet. There’s a dump station on the way out, and the sites have water and electric hookups. The campground is full of trees, and the sites feel very private. We look forward to returning anytime we’re in the Atlanta area!

McKinney Campground in Acworth, Georgia

– Alexis Nascimento @neversaysomeday

There’s nothing better than camping near a beautiful body of water, whether it’s a lake, a river, or the ocean. But when you’re doing so with children, it’s important to prioritize safety to prevent an accident.

In the United States, someone dies from drowning every 10 minutes. One out of every five drowning victims is a child—it’s the second leading cause of death for children ages 5 to 14. Just like we teach our kids to look both ways before they cross the street, it’s important to teach them how to be safe around water.

Here are a few quick and easy tips to consider before the next time your family camps near water. Be prepared. Put your child in swim lessons well before introducing them to camping near water. Participation in swim lessons can significantly reduce the risk of drowning, especially for children ages 1 to 4. Never swim alone. This is a key rule for our family, as we tend to camp along water any chance we can possibly get. Our boys know that if they want to play in the water, they need to ask an adult first and ensure they have someone nearby who is actively watching the area. Plan ahead! Bring life jackets for little ones, especially if they aren’t strong swimmers. If you’re renting a flotation device from a marina, be sure to ask for lifejackets for anyone who plans to use it. If your child is using the device solo, lay out all the rules and show them the designated areas they can explore.

Never leave a child unattended near water—it’s imperative to always have at least one adult keeping an eye on them. It can be tempting to just relax and do your thing, but remain vigilant and put your phone away. If you’re with friends, plan to rotate supervision duties so everyone has a chance to enjoy the afternoon!

Talk to your kids about water safety. Express to them the dangers of irresponsible play, like holding their breath, playing roughly, and fake drowning. Your children should know that these are serious matters with consequences.

– Rhonda McDonald northernswancreations.com

Thousands of RVers make the trek to Alaska every summer in order to stare in wonder at the land of the midnight sun. But the unique landscape and weather of Alaska also makes it one of the buggiest places on earth. The summers in Alaska are fast and furious, and we like to get outside as much as we can. Over the years, we’ve tried many different products to deter mosquitos.

Swimming

■ Don’t swim alone.

■ Don’t get in the water unless you know how to swim.

■ Learn how to perform CPR and other water rescue techniques.

■ Don’t drink alcohol before swimming.

■ Know your limits—the ocean is very different from pools and can be dangerous if you don’t know how to handle strong currents.

■ If you get pulled into a current, stay calm. Allow the current to carry you until you can swim free of it and call for help.

Boating, Kayaking, or Canoeing

■ Wear a life jacket! The majority of boating deaths are due to drowning, and most victims neglect to wear a life vest.

■ Take a boating safety course.

■ Stay ashore in bad weather. Turn back to camp if you see storm clouds or notice strong winds or a sudden drop in temperature.

■ Avoid drinking alcohol.

■ Bring safety items such as a first aid kit, water, and snacks.

Based on our experience, if we could only take three items with us, we would choose Cutter Skinsations bug spray, Thermacell units, and mosquito head nets. All can be found in most stores that sell camping equipment

The best bug spray we’ve found is Cutter Skinsations. This spray has a pleasant smell, doesn’t leave a sticky “bug spray” feel to the skin, and the 7% DEET is enough to deter pests without the headaches 100% DEET can cause for some people. We keep a bottle in the RV, and we each have a bottle in our day pack.

Around the campsite, we swear by our Thermacell units. The older units (Thermacell MR300) use pads and butane cartridges. The newer units (Thermacell Radius) use a liquid cartridge; the base heats up and disperses the deterrent. We set up our three very old MR300s in a triangle around us. As they age and wear out, they will be replaced by Radius units, which we currently use at home.

Twice, we have found ourselves in need of mosquito nets that are worn over the head. Both times, we were at very high elevations surrounded by wet tundra. The bugs we encountered were not mosquitoes, but we still didn’t like inhaling them! Around the campsite, you can always retreat into the screen tent or RV, but when you find yourself out on the trail in a bug storm, you’ll be grateful to have these in your day pack.

The options for avoiding mosquitos are limitless, but storage in the RV isn’t. These three items have proven to be vital to us while we explore our great state, where people joke that the state bird is the mosquito.

– Christina Stawiasz @thyme.and.timber

The tackle box is stocked, the fishing poles are packed, the RV is hitched up, and it’s time to hit the road and settle into some of our favorite waterside campsites. My husband, Bram, and I sometimes spend hours fishing on the lake, river, or ocean. The excitement builds when you realize that little nibble is a catch, and then when you finally reel one in, you’re left with the decision—catch and release, or dinner?

Prepping a Whole Fish

Whole fish used to freak me out—I was intimidated because I wasn’t quite sure how to prepare them. Eventually, I taught myself how to descale and gut fish, and I discovered how simple, quick, and delicious it could be. I tend to keep the fins on for presentation, but you can snip them off with kitchen shears if you choose to.

You will need to descale the fish using either a fancy descaling tool, a spoon, or the spine of your knife. Simply hold the fish by the tail and work against the grain of the scales. Next, make an incision along the entirety of the belly and scoop out the insides, then give it a good rinse and thoroughly dry it. Depending on the size of the fish, score three diagonal slices or X marks on each side, about an inch and a half apart. This helps create an even cook and allows your seasoning to thoroughly flavor the fish. Generously season it with coarse salt and pepper inside and out. There are many flavor options when it comes to stuffing fish—herbs, citrus, and garlic are my go-tos. I love using fresh herbs such as thyme, rosemary, cilantro, tarragon, parsley, or basil, and I never skip fresh crushed garlic. You can get creative with the flavor combinations. For example, lemon is a common citrus, but you can also use orange, blood orange, or even lime. (Hint—cilantro and lime are a classic pair.) Just have fun with it!

2 whole fish of your choice, descaled and cleaned

Handful of fresh herbs of your choice

1 lemon, sliced (about 4–6 slices)

4–6 cloves of garlic, crushed

¼ cup breadcrumbs, plain or flavored

¼ cup flour

Coarse ground sea salt

Pepper

Grapeseed oil or canola oil (or any other oil with a high smoke point)

Cooking spray

Prepare a campfire for cooking or preheat the grill to medium high heat, about 350–400 degrees.

Pat dry fish inside and out with a paper towel. Using a knife, score the flesh of the fish on both sides, creating three diagonal slices or X marks about 1 ½ inches apart, depending on the size of the fish.

Generously season with coarse sea salt and pepper, including the cavity, then stuff the inside with lemon slices, crushed garlic, and choice of fresh herbs. Combine breadcrumbs and flour, stir well to combine. Sprinkle over the fish to thoroughly but lightly coat. Gently shake off extra and spray fish with cooking spray.

There are two methods of cooking—directly on a grill grate or in a cast iron. Oil grill grates before adding the fish to prevent sticking. If using a cast iron, heat the skillet and add a thin layer of oil. Once the oil is near smoking hot, add the fish. Depending on the size of the fish, cook on each side for 7–12 minutes. The fish will stick if you flip too soon. If fish begins to blacken, reduce heat or transfer to indirect heat. The fish is done when the skin is crispy and the meat is opaque and can easily flake, or when the internal temperature registers 145 degrees. ■

By Jerome Braga

in the Midwest

LAKEFRONT AND WAT E R P A R K R E SORTS TO ENJOY

The Midwest is often overlooked by RVers for one reason or another, and this was definitely true for our family—after more than seven years of RV travel, the region had eluded us. Once we made it there, we were upset we waited so long to experience it!

We only had time to visit a few states, and we’re excited to go back. Usually, we select a specific location to visit and explore the fringe area with more adventures, but since we underestimated what our trip would be like, we’ll need to plan for a slower pace next time.

After several days of heavy driving, Illinois was our first stop for a much-needed week of rest and work. O’Connell’s Yogi Bear Park in Amboy was our home for the week and provided the perfect opportunity to release some energy and refocus.

The girls took full advantage of the inflatable lake attractions and dual water slides right near our RV. Anytime water slides are included in our accommodations, we can almost guarantee it will be a stay they enjoy. One evening’s entertainment was an ’80s hair band performing for the campground,

and Yogi Bear came out to dance with everyone.

One notable feature of Midwest travel is the vast amount of farmland! We are initially from Connecticut, where vast plots of land like this do not exist.

From our short stay in Illinois, we drove to western Wisconsin to see what this region had to offer. Our target location was a campground with just under 300 RV sites in West Salem—Neshonoc Lakeside Camping Resort. This cute multi-level park sits directly across the street from a farm that looks like a rendered logo for some sort of butter product or frozen vegetable package. Neshonoc Camping Resort is situated on the gorgeous lakeshore and continues up a hill to a plateau of scenic RV sites. We enjoyed the tranquility here and used this park to slow down a bit.

We visited the downtown area of LaCrosse, where we saw authentic steamboats providing sunset cruises on the river. Sunsets over the lake are a huge draw for all the RV park guests—we were always in for a treat, whether from the back of our RVs or gathered at the boat ramp to view nature’s light show.

O’Connell’s Yogi Bear Park

Neshonoc Lakeside

O’Connell’s Yogi Bear Park

Neshonoc Lakeside Camping Resort

O’Connell’s Yogi Bear Park

Recharged and ready for some adventuring, we headed to the other coast of Wisconsin to begin checking off some of the Great Lake experiences.

As we drove up the Sturgeon Bay peninsula, we said, “Wow, this is a lot like Cape Cod, Massachusetts.”

The vibe of the road driving in, its lack of commercial buildings, the ample beach cottages, and the general feeling you get knowing there is water on all sides of you brought us back to our early years of RVing in the Cape. Then, just as we’d said it out loud, we saw a sign that described the area as the “Cape Cod of the Midwest.”

When we arrived, we immediately knew our scheduled five days at Tranquil Timbers Camping Resort would not be sufficient, and realized we might have underestimated how much we would enjoy this trip. It’s safe to say that we missed out on significantly more than we took in during our time here, but we will be back.

We feel lucky that we happened upon Cave Point County Park, which blew us away with gorgeous clear waters rivaling the Florida Keys and wave-worn limestone ledges. We also got to see the iconic Sturgeon Bay Lighthouse and the nostalgic Main Street of the downtown area, complete with the cutest candy shop

From here, we were in trouble with our aggressive schedule since we only allotted about six weeks through

this whole region. But as many seasoned RVers will attest, this happens often, and flexibility is crucial. So, as we said goodbye to Door County and Sturgeon Bay, we planned to be much more deliberate with the second part of our time.

Upon entering Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, we found a tiny campground, Silent Nights Campsites. It has four full-hookup sites and sits in the center of a town called Christmas, Michigan, which is just four miles from Munising. From this park, we explored Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. We love adding to our Junior Ranger badge collection and list of national parks we’ve visited, so this experience was high on our list.

Cave Point Country Park

Sturgeon Bay Lighthouse

We enjoyed the tranquility here and used this park to slow down a bit.”

There are two ways to experience this park—a tourist-centric ferry ride, or hiking to the water’s edge and strolling along the lakeshore. The ferry brings you out along the shore, viewing the rocks from a distance, whereas your view is vastly different when hiking. As avid family hikers, we would absolutely recommend going into the park on foot, but as photographers, we’ll admit the view from the ferry can’t be beat!

As we exited the Upper Peninsula, we hugged the coast of Michigan because there was one more national treasure we needed to visit. Did you know there are only three national lakeshores in the United States? Unfortunately, we knew we didn’t book enough time to venture to The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Wisconsin, so we had to settle for only seeing two of the three.

Our second lakeshore was Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. We booked a gem of an RV resort in Traverse City called Timber Ridge Resort. The park itself is a destination for hikers, mountain bikers, and cross-country skiers, as it sits adjacent to the VASA trail system and trailhead. We enjoyed a little mountain biking, but our goal was to hike the challenging 3.5-mile Sleeping Bear Dunes.

We underestimated the dune hike as well—are you noticing a theme on this trip? We thought to ourselves, “I don’t know why this 3.5-mile hike is labeled as difficult.” Let’s just say there is a reason that if you get stranded out there, the rescue fee is $3,500. Hiking that far in soft sand, high winds, and high heat is a massive challenge. We saw many hikers with no water, improper shoes, and visible fatigue.

We have a few major takeaways from our first visit to the Midwest—first, it requires an entire summer or mid-summer through early fall. The water of the Great Lakes is surreal. It is so clear, pure, and beautiful. The waves will surprise you, and they are more dangerous than they look. The small town charm of New England lives just the same in the lakeside port towns scattered throughout these coasts.You can follow their journey at @our1chance and our1chance.com. ■

About the Author Jerome Braga is a full-time RVer in his seventh year of adventuring with his family. They chase warm weather and work remotely, creating professional visual content for the RV industry.

Pictured Rocks Boat Tour

Sleeping Bear Dunes

By Lynn Spain

Whoops,

Did I Do That?

Funny Mishaps Along the Way

It has come to our attention that because we have a YouTube channel and travel, some people think we know everything about RV life and never make mistakes. Let me be the first to tell you that this could not be further from the truth. We are very much ordinary people and we’ve had to learn a lot from the school of hard knocks. We’ve also found that lessons learned the hard way are the ones you remember most.

Setting Up After Dark

Everyone knows how exciting the first camping trip of the season can be. The RV has been in storage all winter and all you want to do is get it out and go. This is how my husband, Danny, and I felt this past spring. We were so excited that we forgot several of our own rules—the main one being to do everything in our power to avoid setting up after dark. The time change had not happened yet, so it got dark rather early. After getting to the campground, Danny got busy setting up. The power connected with no trouble. The problem came when he went to hook up the fresh water. He hooked up the hose and went about doing other things, and I yelled out at him to let me know when the water was ready. He went to the back of the RV and checked the connections to be sure everything was good, then he checked to be sure the water was turned on. He didn’t see any problems, but it wasn’t working. After going around in the dark and not being able to find the problem, he finally decided to just put a little in the freshwater tank and figure it out when it was light out. The next morning, I went to flush the toilet and discovered that the water was up to the rim! He had hooked the hose to the black tank flush instead of the freshwater connection. We literally came within inches of a huge mess. He hooked up the sewer and emptied the tank—disaster averted.

Hitching and Drinking

Many, many years ago, I had a fifth wheel camper and decided to take it out for a weekend camping trip with a few of my girlfriends. We loaded into the truck and headed out to the storage lot to get the camper. I had never in my life hooked the camper to the truck before, but how hard could it really be? I had instructions! The camper was stored in a lot very close to the campground, and there was also a small gas station on the property. I backed up to the camper and proceeded to hook it up. All went well, and before long, I had it ready to go, but I just felt like I had missed something. I stood there staring at it, but nothing came to mind. My friends were no help as they were not campers, but the gas station looked busy, so I decided to go and see if anyone would be willing to come check my work.

I went up to the register and explained my situation to the clerk, and he looked at a guy standing to the side and asked if he could help. The guy didn’t look too steady on his feet, and he had a beer in his hand, but off we went. He walked from one side of the RV to the other looking at everything, then he said that it looked good to him. He told me to raise the jacks, which I did. Then he said to get in the truck and pull forward just a bit. I got in the truck and inched forward, then I heard the crack and felt the truck jump. I knew immediately what had happened—the camper was now laying on the sides of the truck bed. The dually was crushed in on both sides. The guy looked at me and said, “Man, that don’t look good. Can I help you with anything else?” I looked at him and said, “No, I think you’ve done enough.” He wobbled away. This was the last time I took advice from a drunk man.

I stood there in tears, wondering what I was supposed to do now. Luckily, a friend of mine came

by a few minutes later on his way to pick up his own camper. He took one look and had mercy on me—he helped me put the jacks down so the camper was off the sides of the truck, then he helped me hook it up correctly. I learned that the trick is to leave the jacks down while inching forward just enough to be sure it stays connected. Apparently, everyone knew this except me, but I know now!

My crew of ladies loaded back into the truck and we headed to the campground. We found the perfect site, but after the events of the day, I wasn’t confident enough to back the RV in. I sat there for just a minute, then I told the girls I would be right back. I headed down the road until I found the largest fifth wheel with the biggest truck, and knocked on the door. When the man came to the door, I said, “Hello. Is this your camper?” He said it was. I asked, “Is that your truck?” He said, “Yes.” I said, “Do you pull this camper with that truck?” I needed to make sure I didn’t end up with another person who had no clue what he was doing. He said, “Yes,” wondering what I was up to, and I put my hands together, pleading, “Will you please come park my camper for me?” He smiled and said, “Let me get my shoes.” You have to love RVers. The rest of the weekend was perfect.

So, as you can see, everyone makes mistakes— what counts is that you learn from them and don’t stop because of them. I may have done major damage to the truck, but I am still camping. ■

Follow Lynn on Instagram @rvamerica59

Do you have an RV misadventure that you want to share? Send us an email at info@rvtoday.com with your story!

By Sarah Collins

Starved Rock State Park is located on the Illinois River in northern Illinois. It’s a short drive from Chicago and a great stopping point going east or west on Route 80. Starved Rock State Park is home to many different canyons – 18 to be exact. These sandstone canyons have dramatic vertical walls that were carved by glacial water and now sport beautiful waterfalls.

The park gets its name from one specific butte, which towers 125 feet above the Illinois River and is the highest point there. The name comes from a legend about a group from the Illinois tribe who were on top of the butte – now known as Starved Rock – and were surrounded by another group from the Ottawa and Potawatomi tribes. The Illinois and Ottawa tribes were feuding over an Ottawa chief who had been killed. The surrounding group remained until the Illinois group died from starvation.

This state park was not on my radar initially as we hadn’t done much traveling in the Midwest, but we heard about it from my husband’s longtime mentor and fellow RVer who said it was a must-see. Though it was a little out of the way for us, we’re glad we detoured because it’s so beautiful and unique.

How to Get There

Starved Rock State Park is in Oglesby, Illinois – a small town located close to the junction of State Route 80 and State Route 39. It’s slightly less than two hours southwest of Chicago, and two-and-a-half hours southwest of Milwaukee. While the park is located in Illinois, it is close to Wisconsin and Iowa – In fact, it’s only two hours from Madison, Wisconsin and under three hours from Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Where to Camp

There’s a campground within the park with 129 reservable sites that are a short drive to all the activities. Reservations are recommended, but you can walkin if there’s availability. All sites have a fire pit, picnic table, and electricity in 30-amp or 50-amp hookups. They also accommodate a range of different trailer lengths up to 45 feet. There are a variety of site options, including fields with full sun or wooded areas with full shade. There are no water or sewer hookups, but the campground has fresh water, shower houses, and a dump station.

We stayed in the state park campground in the middle of October and reserved one night online one week out from the reservation with no problems. We decided to arrive a day early and were able to grab the same site we had reserved, so we didn’t have to move. I was able to check availability of the site online, but I couldn’t reserve the same day. It worked out smoothly with the walk-in and reserved spot though, and the campground host was very friendly and helpful.

There are additional campgrounds near Starved Rock State Park – full hookups at LaSalle/Peru KOA Journey and primitive at Red’s City Limits/Clarks Run Campground and at Matthiessen State Park.

Best Activities

We love exploring outdoors, and Starved Rock State Park didn’t disappoint. There are 13 miles of trails through the canyons – many featuring waterfalls, as well as trails along the Illinois River. It rained while we were there, and while we normally wouldn’t consider that lucky, in this case the rain provided waterfalls in all the canyons we hiked (whereas the falls sometimes dry up from the summer months).

I don’t think we could pick a favorite canyon as they were all unique and beautiful with the waterfalls as a reward for hiking to the end. Most of the hikes through the canyons to the waterfalls are short, and you may be able to do several in one day – depending on your group’s age and skill level. Our five-year-old had no problem hiking to all the canyons we chose.

Hike to Starved Rock and French Canyon

This is an easy to moderate hike with a length of one-point-four miles roundtrip. The park estimates 45 minutes for this hike, but it took us much longer. It wasn’t difficult, but French Canyon is beautiful and you can

French Rock Waterfall

Kaskaskia Canyon

easily absorb the beauty and stay and play for a long time. The canyon is 45 -feet tall, and when the water is flowing it cascades down the canyon wall in what-lookslike little waterfall steps. While we were there, there was a spot in the stream on the rocks that was singing –which means the water flowing over the rocks makes an air pocket that releases every so often to “sing.”

The French Canyon hike can easily be paired with the trail along the Illinois River, which is exactly what we did. We hiked along the river to Lover’s Leap Overlook and Eagle Cliff Overlook. You get beautiful views of Starved Rock from Lover’s Leap and the dam at Eagle Cliff.

Hike

to Ottawa Canyon, Kaskaskia Canyon, and Illinois Canyon

The hike to Ottawa and Kaskaskia Canyon is out-andback for a total of zero-point-nine miles, and the hike to Illinois Canyon is also out-and-back for a total of zeropoint-nine miles. These hikes go through tall sandstone canyons with waterfalls at the end. Ottawa Canyon is 45 feet tall with the biggest waterfall of the three. This one overhangs, so we could walk behind the waterfall and were able to play at the pool underneath. Be sure to allow plenty of time for the kids to make boats out of sticks and play to their hearts’ content.

Kaskaskia and Illinois Canyons are smaller waterfalls but each is unique and beautiful. We were here in the fall so the leaves were starting to change color, and when the sun finally came out the area was pictureperfect with the green moss popping out from the sandstone canyon walls. We only got to see five of the 18 canyons, so there is much more to explore here. There are taller canyons in the park than the ones we saw but we ran out of time. Wildcat Canyon is the tallest in the park at 125 feet tall.

Nearby Attractions

Matthiessen State Park is also nearby and has additional hiking and exploring opportunities.

If you’re not into hiking, you can also explore the Starved Rock Dam at the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center. We stopped here when we left and got to see people using the locks to move barges up the river.

Depending on the time of year you visit, there are many other activities – including fishing, boating, kayaking, hunting, and ice climbing. There’s also a great visitor center that goes over the history of the land and different Native American tribes in the area.

We only had one full day and two half days while we were here, and we easily could have spent more time exploring. We definitely have a reason to come back! ■

About the Author

Sarah Collins, her husband David, and their sons started traveling in 2018 for Sarah’s health and fell in love with changing backyards, time with family, RV community, and endless nature. Follow along on Instagram @embracing_curiosity and embracingcuriosity.com.

Starved Rock from Lover’s Leap

By Joseph Testa

As an RV veteran of 15 years, I’ve spent a lot of time online mentoring new RVers. I run an RV inspection business and wrote a book called “RVing For NewbiesThe Manual.”

Preventive maintenance goes a long way when it comes to extending the lifespan of your RV and its components. Here are two steps you can take to make sure your RV is performing efficiently and safely. These both apply to a 120 -Volt Alternating Current (AC) System.

INSPECT YOUR SHORE CORD

Look at the prongs on your shore cord. 30-amp RV cords have three, and 50-amp RV cords have four. Do they appear new and shiny or dull and pitted?

There are multiple causes of wear and tear, but the most common is when you plug your shore cord into a campground receptacle (or even at home) without first turning off the breaker. Have you ever seen that small spark when plugging something in? That is the arcing and burning off of some of the copper on the prongs. How do you keep your shore cord from looking old, rusty, and like a fire hazard? A product like DeoxIT D5 will help—just a small squirt can keep your prongs from wearing down.

PREVENT HOT SKIN CONDITION

What exactly is a “Hot Skin Condition?” Simply put, it’s when the RV metal parts become electrified, which puts you, your family, or anyone else touching a metal part of your RV at risk of getting shocked, or even killed. In order to check this, plug your RV into a campground or household receptacle. If you’re using a surge protector, electrical management system (EMS), or Hughes Autoformer, then wait until the analysis has been done and it is passing electricity to the RV. You will need a non-contact voltage tester (NCVT). There are two units I prefer—a generic one that can

detect 100 volts of AC voltage, and one from Klein Tools that I use when trying to detect wire in the walls of the RV. It also does really well when detecting electricity through the thin walls of an RV. I literally can run this against the wall to see where the wiring is.

After turning on the device, it should beep, and a light will turn on. Go to a known working electrical socket, like the one outside (assuming the GFCI has not popped), hold the NCVT in one hand like you would hold a screwdriver, then place the plastic into the straight slot on the left, assuming the ground is at the bottom of the outlet. If it beeps, you know the NCVT is working correctly. If it doesn’t beep, try the other slot. If it still doesn’t beep, the GFCI could be tripped. You have a few other options; try it in a known working outlet either at home or at the campground.

Once you’ve established that your NCVT works, touch metal pieces of the RV, like door handles, the bumper, etc., and the NCVT should NOT beep. If it does, make sure you’re not slamming the end of it onto metal pieces, just lightly touching, since slamming it into the metal can cause it to beep erroneously. If the device does not beep, that is good news and you can rest assured that electrical current is not making its way through that piece of metal. If you find beeping, you will want to contact an RV technician who specializes in electrical issues. ■

About the Author

Joe Testa owns a 2018 Thor Chateau Motorhome and is traveling around the United States with his better half and their dog. Find more helpful tips at rvmentor.com or @rvmentor on Instagram.

60 Hours in Olympic National Forest

By Stephanie Lincoln

My husband, Brad, and I have been traveling full time in our Class A Motorcoach since June 2019. I’m an Army veteran and an online fitness and nutrition coach, and I wrote a book, “Born to Be Brave,” about my experience being lost alone while hiking in Olympic National Forest.

My husband and I were in Forks, Washington, a tiny town in the Olympic peninsula. We were leaving the next day, and, eager to get one last hike in, I kissed my husband goodbye and headed out in the truck to the trailhead. As always, I sent him a screenshot of the trail name and an estimated time to expect me back.

As I drove out to the trailhead, it was obvious why Olympic National Forest is considered a rainforest— it’s so dense and thick that it felt like twilight even though it was mid-morning. I had no cell signal, but had downloaded the trail map and had lots of experience navigating via map and compass. The hiking app said the trail was unmarked, so I was looking for an obvious sign of a trail leading up onto the ridge. I found a trail, pulled out my compass, confirmed that the trail led in the correct direction, and started my hike.

After about 30 minutes, I realized I was having a hard time staying on the trail. It seemed to branch off into several directions, and because of how overgrown everything was, I was having trouble differentiating my trail from the others, so I was constantly checking my compass to make sure I was still headed in the right direction. About 45 minutes into my hike, I decided to turn around and head back.

As I began my descent, I checked my compass and mileage and made a mental note to walk the equal distance back at the 180-degree angle of where I had come from. At the point where I should have come to the bottom of the ridge area where the parking lot was located, I stopped with alarm. I kept thinking maybe I overshot the parking lot somehow, or perhaps my line drifted. My anxiety was climbing, but I wasn’t panicked yet.

I completed concentric circles, trying to see if I had overshot, undershot, or drifted on my hike back. When that effort failed, I chose a higher elevation and climbed up, hoping I would be able to see the trail, parking lot, or any sort of road from above. I even tried to grab a cell phone signal at the highest point I could climb to—no luck.

I had about five minutes of panic before my experience and training kicked in. Panic would not help me out of this situation, so I made a mental shift to survival mode.

The first rule of being lost is to not move, so I established my base from the point where I realized I was lost. I hung my emergency whistle around my neck and set an alarm on my phone to remind me to call for help every 30 minutes. After that, I took an inventory of my hiking supplies. I knew hypothermia would be the biggest risk, and I had to make sure I stayed dry and warm. I carry much more than the average day hiker, even on a short hike, so I had survival supplies at my disposal.

I knew if I could get to a water source, I could survive for a few weeks if needed. I carry pre-soaked kindling and an emergency fire starter kit, so even with the damp rainforest wood, I was able to get a fire going, dry out my clothing, and keep myself semi-warm throughout the night. I stayed awake all night, often pacing to generate body heat and to keep myself alert and awake. I continued to call for help in hopes that people would be out in the area looking for me.

The next morning, I decided that if I didn’t see or hear any signs of rescue by noon, I would have to assume I would be stranded for several days, in which case I would need to get to a water source. I could hear running water from my location.

Unfortunately, I needed to climb down a very steep ridge, which put me at risk of getting injured. Noon came and went, so I knew it was a risk I had to take. It took me about four hours to slowly climb down the ridge to the river, but I made it safely. When I reached the river, I took some time to remove my clothes and dry out, since I was soaked through with sweat and mud. I sterilized water, refilled my water containers, and charged my devices with my solar charger. I had my phone on emergency mode so that if I somehow got any signal, it would automatically send my GPS location to my emergency contacts.

As I walked east along the riverbed, I found an area where a branch in the river around a small island created a large opening in the trees, and I decided to hunker down there as I would be more easily seen from overhead. I had an endless supply of water, so as long as I stayed uninjured, dry, and warm, I knew I could survive for quite a while. I just had to be found.

I spent the days wandering up and down the riverbed, looking for any signs of people, roads, or bridges, and the nights alternating between huddling by my meager fire and pacing back and forth to stay awake and warm. As day three came to an end, with the sun setting behind towering trees on the ridge line above me, I began preparing for another night in the forest. As I did the previous two nights, I wrapped myself up in all my clothes and my

emergency blanket, and took my backpack off its frame to act as extra insulation around my waist, keeping my core body heat in.

As I crouched on the ground, preparing my fire pit for the evening, I heard the helicopter. I had planned for this, and I was ready. I jumped up from my fire area, pulling my emergency mirror out of my fanny pack. I grabbed my bright red backpack and climbed up to the top of the tallest boulder in the middle of the island. As the helicopter broke over the tree line, I began to whistle as loudly as I could while flashing my emergency mirror/LED light in one hand and frantically waving my backpack in the other. As they passed over the side of the clearing and started to fly behind me, I was certain they hadn’t seen me. But then the helicopter stopped, hovered, reversed back to the center of the clearing, and stopped directly over me.

That is the exact moment when three days of no sleep, terror, and exhaustion all hit me like a ton of bricks. I had not felt any of my scrapes, cuts, bruises, soreness, exhaustion, or mental injury until that moment. My legs buckled and I crumpled into a ball on that boulder, crying for the first time in three days.

About the Author

Read about Stephanie’s full experience in her upcoming book called “Born to Be Brave” and follow her journey at @fireteamwhiskeymilitaryfitness and fireteamwhiskey.com.

FOR A DAY HIKE

NAVIGATION: You may wonder why I recommend a traditional paper map and compass. The safest assumption for all electronics is that they will fail or be lost, so it’s always best to have a backup.

■ A paper map of the hiking area you are in

■ A compass

■ Personal locator beacon (PLB) or satellite messenger/GPS with emergency beacon capabilities

■ Headlamp plus extra batteries or ability to solar charge it

FIRE AND SAFETY EQUIPMENT: Even if it’s 100 degrees when you plan to hike, it’s always best to be prepared to start a fire. Even if you never need the warmth, you can use it to signal for help. You’ll want a first aid kit that’s robust and actually useful.

■ Waterproof matches

■ A lighter

■ An emergency fire starter kit (flint and steel or an emergency magnesium fire starter kit) with tinder

■ Knife

■ First aid kit: Think of the most common injuries that occur on a hike and make sure you have items to handle basic first aid for them: Rolls of bandages for splinting breaks and sprains, gauze and quikclot pads for large cuts or bleeds, foot care items for blisters and broken toes, an emergency blanket, hydration tablets or packets, medical gloves, sterilization pads, a mouth guard for CPR, and Benadryl or an EpiPen if you or someone who hikes with you has severe allergies. I even carry a small wilderness first aid book I can reference for specific medical situations, such as snake bites. If you’re on any essential medications, bring a few days’ worth with you.

■ A lightweight emergency bivvy: If you get caught overnight in weather that is less than friendly, an emergency shelter can save your life.

SUN PROTECTION: Always wear a breathable long-sleeved shirt and pants when hiking. This provides sun protection and helps wick away moisture to help regulate body temperature.

■ Sunglasses

■ Sun-protective hat and/or neck gaiter

■ Sunscreen lotion or spray

OTHER ITEMS YOU MAY NEED:

■ Extra food: Pack non-perishable, nutrientdense foods like trail mix, jerky, and protein bars.

■ Water: I recommend carrying a full threeliter hydration bladder and a separate water bottle for consuming electrolyte powder in water, plus a water filtration system and emergency water purification tablets as a backup. Starvation won’t kill you first if you are lost, dehydration will.

■ An extra set of clothes: An additional shirt, a pair of pants, a fleece, a beanie, a raincoat or poncho, and a pair of socks are very helpful to have in your pack. Did you know you can get hypothermia in 80-degree weather?

■ Bug and other animal repellents

■ Gear repair and handy stuff to have: A roll of duct tape, a couple of trash bags, rope, wet wipes, quick ties, a small field shovel, and a few large Ziploc bags

■ ID and safety items: I take my driver’s license and an emergency contact card with me and tuck them into the front pocket of my fanny pack. If you have any medical conditions, wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace.

■ Tie an emergency whistle to your backpack strap. This can help you call for help if you are immobilized. ■

TRAVEL SMART

THE ONLY 100% AUTOMATIC SHUT-OFF SAFETY DEVICE FOR YOUR PROPANE SYSTEM.

Santa Cruz Island

at CHANNEL

ISLANDS

NATIONAL PARK

By Kathryn Frazer

We have visited 43 of the 63 United States national parks, and so far Channel Islands National Park is the most unique experience we’ve had. With a scenic boat ride, coastal views, wildlife, camping, and many opportunities to escape the crowds, Channel Islands offers a remote, untouched, and peaceful national park adventure. We were fortunate to spend three days backpacking on Santa Cruz Island, and we’re so excited to share all we learned about visiting the Channel Islands, including the logistics and how we would recommend spending one to three days there

ABOUT CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK

The Channel Islands are eight islands off the coast of Ventura in Southern California, and Channel Islands National Park consists of five of these islands – Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara.

For thousands of years, these islands were inhabited by native Chumash communities. In the nineteenth century, the islands became home to many sheep and cattle ranches before they were designated a national park on March 5, 1980. It is the least visited of California’s nine national parks, but it is more than worth the trek.

The islands have been referred to as the Galapagos of North America due to their biodiversity. Each island offers a different experience with endless coastal scenery and many wildlife, including 23 endemic animals.

HOW TO GET THERE

Unless you have your own boat or plane, the only way to get to Channel Islands National Park is with Island Packers Cruises. Island Packers offers trips from Ventura to all the islands, depending on the time of year and conditions. You may get the

DID YOU KNOW?

● The park is the least visited of California’s nine national parks.

● The national park consists of five of the eight Channel Islands.

● It is home to 23 endemic animals, including the island fox.

Island Packers Cruises

chance to see some wildlife along the way – We saw dolphins and gray whales!

WHEN TO VISIT

Channel Islands National Park has mild temperatures and is a great place to visit any month of the year, but your experience will vary slightly with the seasons.

In the winter and spring, the islands are more green with tons of wildflowers. This is a great time to visit if you want to hike and see the island’s terrain at its most colorful. We visited in early March and it was perfect!

The summer and fall are the best times to snorkel, kayak, or dive, as the water is warmer and the visibility is deeper. However, the island is a bit more dry and much less colorful.

Regardless of when you visit, you’ll have plenty of wildlife opportunities with different whales migrating in the area, tons of birds, seals and sea lions, and the always-present island foxes.

WHERE TO STAY

If you’re planning a day trip, the coastal city of Ventura – which is ninety minutes northwest of Los Angeles – will be your best option.

For those camping on the islands, each island

offers at least one campground with Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa having multiple options. Each campground costs $15 per night and you must reserve campgrounds in advance before visiting.

During our visit to Santa Cruz Island, we camped at both the Del Norte Campground, which has four campsites and is accessed via a three and a half hike, as well as the Scorpion Canyon Campground, which has 25 sites, plus group sites, and is a short walk from the boat dock.

Del Norte Campground

Prisoners Harbor

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING

● Entrance fee There is no entrance fee to visit Channel Islands National Park. The only fee you’ll pay to visit the islands is to ride the boat.

● Boat Reservations Be sure to reserve your spot on the boat in advance! The schedule is limited and they fill up.

● Dogs are not allowed Dogs are not allowed on the Channel Islands. During our visit, we boarded our pup in Santa Barbara for a few days.

● Water Some areas of the islands – including the Prisoners Harbor area of Santa Cruz Island – do not have access to potable water, so you will need to pack enough water with you.

● Foxes Six of the Channel Islands (including Santa Cruz Island) are home to island foxes, which are descendents of gray foxes but one-third the size. They are absolutely adorable and harmless, and they will come up to your camp or your gear to try to get food. Please always store your food in the provided fox boxes at campsites and around the island.

Scorpion Cove

Scorpion Ranch

Potato Harbor

HOW TO SPEND ONE TO THREE DAYS ON SANTA CRUZ ISLAND

Santa Cruz Island is the largest of the eight, and with daily cruises to and from the island, a variety of hiking and activity options and multiple camping experiences, we think it’s the perfect island to choose for your first visit.

The island has two different harbors to start your adventure. Scorpion Cove – which is the most popular and offers the most to do – or Prisoners Harbor – which is great for those who want to get off the beaten path or backpack.

We visited both areas of the island during our three days there and had the best time! We were both sad as we pulled away from the dock to head back to the mainland.

Here are ideas on how you can spend your time on Santa Cruz Island depending on how long you plan to stay.

ONE DAY

Take the Island Packers boat from Ventura to Scorpion Cove, which will likely get you to the island by 10:00 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. Once on the island, you’ll have about five hours before heading back to the mainland, and there are a variety of ways you can fill this time.

Go Kayaking with Channel Islands Adventure Company

This kayaking outfitter is located right at Scorpion Cove and will take you out to explore sea caves and, during the summer months, to snorkel as well. These tours range from one to five hours, with most leaving time to explore the island.

Hike Around the Island Scorpion Cove has a variety of trails to hike, including:

● Potato Harbor (five miles): This hike takes you to one of the best views on the island! Potato Harbor is a gorgeous cove with rocks jutting out of the ocean and clear, bright blue water. You can’t go down to the cove, but the view from above is incredible.

● Cavern Point Loop (two miles): This short hike will take you above Scorpion Cove, giving you amazing views of where you got off the boat before arriving at Cavern Point. You can admire the different cliffs along the shoreline here!

Note: This hike shares most of the trail with Potato Harbor

● Smugglers Cove (eight miles): This trail provides great views of Anacapa Island and takes you to a large, private beach. Since this hike is so long, it would need to be your only hike for the day to ensure you make it back to the boat in time.

See the History at Scorpion Ranch After stepping off the boat, you will likely notice old ranching equipment and buildings. These are the remains of

Scorpion Ranch, which operated in the late 1800s. There are a handful of informative signs that are worth reading to provide insight into the history and buildings!

TWO DAYS

Day One Take the Island Packers boat from Ventura to Scorpion Cove and drop off your camping gear at one of the lockers near the dock as it will likely be too early to check into your campsite. Spend the afternoon going for one of the hikes listed above before heading back to the campsite and relaxing for the rest of the night.

Day Two For your second day on the island, you’ll only have until mid to late-afternoon to explore before heading out. You could either go for more hikes or go for a kayaking tour!

THREE DAYS (our Itinerary)

Day One Take the Island Packers boat from Ventura to Prisoners Harbor. Once on the island, enjoy a picnic lunch at one of the picnic tables near the beach.

Hike three and a half miles to the Del Norte Campground. For the best views, try to reserve site Number One! Spend the rest of the day at the campsite, which has nice ocean views.

Day Two Get up early to hike across the island to the Scorpion Canyon campground, which is about 10 miles and takes the majority of the day. While difficult and long, this hike gives you great views of the island and we saw zero people the entire day on the trail.

Day Three For your final day, you could kayak or complete one or two of the hikes listed above. We ended up hiking to Potato Harbor and Cavern Point.

Regardless of how much time you spend on Santa Cruz Island, you’ll experience the island’s beauty and have a memorable national park experience that is unlike any other in the United States! ■

Follow Adam and Kathryn Frazer on Instagram @adventuresofaplusk

Scorpion Canyon Camp

Products Approved 10RVer

So you’ve found that perfect waterfront spot that you never want to leave? These products will help you keep the festivities going and having fun in the sun for as long as you’d like.

Jackery Explorer

Stay powered up, even when you’re lounging lakeside all day. This small power station is lightweight at just over six pounds and is solar compatible.

Waterproof Smartphone Pouch

Keep your phone protected, dry, and still usable with this protective case. It floats on water and has a connective strap. It’s also a great way to snap some photos on the water without risking ruining your phone.

Bogg Bag

This durable and waterproof bag is perfect for a day at the beach! It doesn’t tip, and the material allows you to easily wash dirt, mud, or sand away. Also works well as a shower caddy if you’re heading to the campground bathhouse.

Magical Flames

Keep the festivities going around the fire all summer long with Magical Flames Fire Color Packets. Throw them in just for fun, or to help keep the kiddos entertained.

Inflatable Kayak

Love to kayak, but have no way of hauling one around? Problem solved with the Intex Explorer inflatable kayak. This kayak holds up to 400 pounds. It’s perfect for smaller bodies of water like lakes and rivers.

Sport-Brella SPF 50+

Just clamp this on to your chair and you’ve got it made in the shade. The material is SPF 50+ to keep your skin protected from the sun. Folded up, it is compact and easy to carry so can go with you anywhere.

Babymoov Aquani Tent & Pool

A day on the water should be enjoyed by all, even the littles in your life. This 3-in-1 product keeps your baby shaded, protected, and cool. Take out the removable pad and fill with water to keep your little guy or gal happy in the heat and having fun.

Water Shoes

Protect those tootsies from hot sand or keep them safe in the water too with these flexible and breathable water shoes from WateLves. Available for both men and women.

Floating cooler

Stay hydrated and stay out on the water for as long as you like with this floating, towable cooler. Tie it to your kayak, canoe, SUP, or raft and take the party with you as you float.

Earth Pak Dry Bag

Heading out to the water means finding creative ways to make sure your stuff stays dry. That’s where the Earth Pak dry bag comes in. Take it with you whether you’re kayaking, SUPing, fishing, boating, or camping. ■

Events

Upcoming RV Events and Rallies

Stay connected with fellow RVers at these 2022-2023 events

AUGUST

Rock the South

August 5–6

Cullman, AL

Rootless Living Magazine Digital Nomad Meetup

August 5–7

Elkhart, IN

Great Rocky Mountain Exploration

August 15–September 21

Colorado Springs, CO

SEPTEMBER

Tin Can Tourists Random Acts of Camping

September 22–25

Nappanee, IN

RV and Motorcycle Rally

September 22–25

Bandera, TX

Trailerfest! Saturday Night Trailer Fever 2022

September 22–25

Plymouth, CA

OCTOBER

RVing Women Solo Travelers

Chapter Virtual Campfire Event

October 4

Virtual

Georgia State Coachmen Rally

October 19–23

Americus, GA

Go Winter! Expo 2022

October 22–23

Fairbanks, AK

NOVEMBER

South Carolina Good Sam Fall

RV Rally

November 3–6

Myrtle Beach, SC

Freightliner Chassis Owners Club

Fall Rally

November 14–18

Sevierville, TN

Sand and Water Expo

November 18–19

Lake Havasu State Park, AZ

DECEMBER

Tin Can Tourists Mingle and Jingle 2022

December 1–4

Webster, FL

TinyFest Southwest

December 3–4

Phoenix, AZ

Florida Airstream Club’s Ring It in Silver in 2023 New Year’s Rally

December 29–January 2

Saint Augustine, FL

JANUARY

Minnesota Sportsmen’s Show

January 12–15

St. Paul, MN

Quartzsite Arizona Annual RV and Tent Show 2023 Rally

January 19–29

Quartzsite, AZ

Hamilton RV Expo

January 27–29

Mount Hope, ON, Canada

Events listed are a courtesy to our readers, with dates and details subject to change. For more information, contact the event organizers directly. If you want your next event listed here, please email info@rvtoday.com.

RV Yesterday

This travel trailer was made by Piggott Brothers of London around 1922. Though not the first, it was one of the earliest caravans made for towing behind an automobile.

Interestingly, Piggott Brothers’ main business was making canvas tents and marquees. Therefore, this trailer’s side walls used canvas from rope stitching around the frame. Piggot Brothers continued making caravans until about 1925, when they returned to their core product.

Caravans from this period often used axles from surplus World War One aircrafts—there were many surplus or damaged planes left over after the war, and this was one creative use for them. The axles were not strong enough to withstand the shocks of towing, so purpose-built axles for trailers were developed in the mid-1920s.

Recreational Vehicles

Photo courtesy RV/MH Hall of Fame

Andrew Woodmansey, author of “Recreational Vehicles: A World History 1872–1939”

GO ON A VACATION THAT MOVES YOU.