RV Podcast - Stories From The Road

Tired of noisy Walmarts and crowded CrackerBarrels for your overnight stops? Now you can do Overnight RV Parking at churches where it's quiet, secluded, and safe. This week in the RV podcast interview of the week, we learn all about Faithful Parking, a website that helps RVers find overnight RV parking at churches. Often those spots come with electric hookups, too. Plus we have RV News of the week, tips about getting rid of mice in an RV, and an off the beaten path report from the Burketts. You can listen to this episode of the RV Podcast on your favorite app or right below in the audio player.  The interview about Faithful Parking and RV parking at churches is about 25.32 in: Show Notes for Episode #308 Aug 19, 2020 of The RV Podcast: WHAT MIKE AND JENNIFER ARE UP TO THIS WEEK Mike & Jennifer Wendland, hosts of the RV Podcast. In Episode 308 we talk about RV parking at churches and a website called Faithful Parking, plus the RV news of the week, getting rid of mice in an RV and an off the beaten path travel report We’re on the road, headed to Southwest Michigan to explore some out of the way campgrounds located on some great little inland lakes. We’re also planning a visit to Elkhart, IN – the RV Capital of the World – to work on a little project based on one of Jennifer’s ideas. And we’re planning an extended trip to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. We’ll be leaving after Labor Day and the crowds head back to school and work. Fall is our favorite time of the year up there and we plan to stay until first frost in October. CLICK HERE to read an article on 10 Spectacular Campgrounds in the UP This part of the RV Podcast is brought to you by Camping World – America’s #1 RV Dealer  Listeners of the Podcast can get 10% off all purchases over $99 with the code RVLIFESTYLE10 RV PODCAST NEWS OF THE WEEK Woman seriously injured by charging bison after getting too close to take a picture A woman was seriously injured by a bison last week after she got off her motorcycle, and approached a bison herd to photograph a mama and her calf. The woman was at Fort Custer State Park in South Dakota taking the picture when a different bison decided she was too close. The animal charged her, catching her belt on its horn, and flung her around before her pants fell off and she fell to the ground. After the animal retreated people rushed to help. The woman was flown to a hospital and had serious injuries. State park officials are reminding visitors to stay at least 100 feet away from bison. Custer State Park is one of our favorite parks to visit in the fall and the bison are part of the draw. To see our list, click here. Illegal boondockers near California's Big Sur leaving behind big mess With warm weather and totally booked campgrounds, officials near California's Big Sur have experienced problems with people illegally camping along Highway 1 over the past several weekends. More than 150 people illegally camped along Highway 1 in Monterey County last weekend, generally in turnouts. And they leave behind human waste, toilet paper, beer cans and coals from fires. Officials are closing several roads through Oct. 19 to stop the illegal boondocking. We are big fans of boondocking, but ALWAYS clean up after yourself, and check to see if boondocking is allowed before settling in for the night. For more boondocking tips click here or here. Colorado wild fire causing campground evacuations, road closures Wildfires in Colorado have burned part of the popular Chambers Lake campground. The fire was about 62 miles west of Fort Collins over the weekend and was burning primarily on Roosevelt National Forest Land. Several campgrounds in the upper Poudre Canyon have been evacuated, and some roads in the area are closed.  Federal land near some Utah national parks no longer available for lease for gas, oil exploration The Bureau of Land Management decided to take 86,000 acres in Utah off the table as potential oil and gas development sites. The move was praised by conservationists who argued the land was too close to some of Utah's national parks, such as Arches, Canyonlands, and Capital Reef. Some 27,000 acres of federal land in Utah is still available for possible oil and gas lease in September, which conservationists say they will now examine more closely as well.  In this summer of pandemic camping, remember to check ahead As always, we want to remind you that camping is far from normal this summer. Because of COVID-19 safety concerns, some places that opened their campgrounds, are now closing them again. Some roads, like the east entrance to Glacier National Park is closed, and the only thing that is definite is things are constantly changing. So as always, we recommend you check with Campendium, which is doing a good job of staying up to date. To see what things are like before you head out click here. Do you have a question you’d like us to answer or a comment on the things we’re discussing? If so, we invite you to leave us that question or comment on the special voicemail number we have for the podcast – it’s 586-372-6990.   This part of the podcast is brought to you by RadPower Bikes, America's #1 e-bike brand, offering direct to consumer pricing on powerful premium electric bikes. Now with free shipping   RV PODCAST QUESTION OF THE WEEK - Mice in an RV They may look cute but mice in an RV can do major damage Here’s a question posted on our RV Lifestyle Facebook Group this week from Frank who has mice in his RV QUESTION: I've seen discussions on this before but we have a mouse crawling around the ceiling in our trailer and getting into the cupboards. What is the best deterrent for getting rid of mice in an RV? Are the electronic devices any good? ANSWER: We received lots of responses to this question from our RV Lifestyle Facebook Group members. Here's how they say to get rid of mice in an RV Wes: Get a hungry cat Billy says to use: The old standard mousetrap baited with cheese, peanut butter or potato chips Kimberly says she has success with the covered traps Jeff says Dryer sheets have an odor that rodents can't stand and they’ll leave your RV Bob warns “Don't use poison cuz he could die in the ceiling and it'll smell forever, and wherever he is he must have access to water. To which someone else replied,  “My Mom did that!! Oh Lordy! Did it ever stink!!!” Rita says she swears by the Ultrasonic traps Christina also likes those ultrasonic repellant devices and says: “In our 5th wheel, we’d get 2-3 mice per night in 4 traps under the bathroom sink (the only place they seemed to come in)! Plugged in an ultrasonic device (Bell&Howell) into an extension cord and put under the sink. No mice for a week! Unplugged just to see, and back to 2-3 mice!! Back to the device and no mice! Now our class c, camp with them plugged into the inverter and no mice! The only mouse I did have, I forgot to plugin!! Always have traps set JUST IN CASE and it got that one mouse!! We keep our RV plugged in out by the garage when not in use, and plugin 4-5 devices throughout RV (along with backup traps) and no mice ever!! Truly believe in them!!!” CLICK HERE for an Amazon affiliate link to those Ultrasonic Pest Repellant devices Finally, Lissa says “steel wool stuffed into any openings around pipes, etc. is a good deterrent, BUT you have to be able to get at those places to put it there.” Thanks to all the members of our RV Lifestyle Facebook Group for the help thay offered on this question. That’s why our group niw has 41,000 members. It’s the go-to place for good, reliable, and helpful RV related questions. You can join by going to rvlifestyle.com/facebook And a big shoutout to our team of volunteer moderators who keep the spammers, the trolls and the nasty people off, making our RV Lifestyle Facebook Group a friendly, positive community, a true oasis of civility in the online world these days! This part of the RV Podcast is brought to you by Battle Born Batteries, maker of quality, safe and reliable lithium batteries that can be installed in just about every RV. Get in touch with Battle Born to find out what lithium batteries and an upgraded energy management system can add to your RV Lifestyle. Check them out at https://rvlifestyle.com/lithium RV PODCAST INTERVIEW OF THE WEEK - RV parking at churches We’re all familiar with places to overnight outside of expensive campgrounds. Big box stores like Walmart, Cabellas, and even Home Depots in some places allow RVers to spend the night. Restaurants like Cracker Barrell also welcome RV travelers. And there are membership sites like Harvest Hosts, OvernightRVCamping and Boondockers Welcome. But this week, we want to tell you about one you may not have heard about before. It’s a website called Faithful Parking and it allows RV parking at churches in quiet, often secluded church parking lots across the country. There’s no membership subscription needed, just a very small fee charged by the churches to offset costs Here’s a transcript of our interview: Mike Wendland:           To learn more about Faithful Parking, we're joined now by the founder and the chief guru, the tech genius behind it all, his name is Phil Pietrowski. Phil, welcome to the RV Podcast. Glad to have you on. Phil Pietrowski:             Great, thanks. It's a pleasure to be here. Mike Wendland:           So, let's talk a little bit about RV parking at churches. In this age, where everyone is finding campgrounds full, in need of reservations months, if not almost a year in advance in some areas, there is a great demand for places that people can overnight and find along their route. And I was really excited to see this. Makes so much sense. Explain what Faithful Parking is and then how RVers can take advantage of this. Phil Pietrowski:             Well, Faithful Parking is a network of faith-based organizations located throughout the U.S. and they've come on board with us, at no cost to them. And in doing so,

There are a lot of RV myths out there and one big one is that you can’t boondock in a big rig. This week, we dispel that bit of fake news by introducing you to two couples who not only boondock in big RVs, but both are thriving on it! Jason and Rae Miller are known as the Getaway Couple on their blog and YouTube community and they travel and boondock regularly in a huge Fifth Wheel. Mark and Julie Bennett, who publish the RV Love channel and blog and are authors of a very popular book on RVing, boondock in a huge Class A motorhome. We hear from both couples this week as they tell you about boondocking in a big rig, what are the challenges and more importantly just how they get those giant RVs down the road and off the grid. Both couples will teach you a lot! Plus, we have RV News of the week, your RV Lifestyle questions and a great off the beaten path report from the Burketts. You can listen to this episode of the Podcast on your favorite app or right below in the audio player. The interview about how to boondock in a big rig is about 20:37 in: Show Notes for Episode #302 July 8, 2020 of The RV Podcast: How to boondock in a Big Rig RV PODCAST NEWS OF THE WEEK Oregon now charging out-of-state residents more to camp at its campgrounds The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department now adds a surcharge to out-to-state residents wanting to use its campgrounds. The surcharge works out to about a 30 percent price hike, making a full-service campsite cost $42 for out-of-state residents (compared to the previous $33). Cost of a tent site will increase to $23 from $19 a night. The state hopes to raise $500,000 from the new fees to make up for lost revenue from when the campgrounds were closed earlier this year because of COVID-19. It also hopes to encourage people to stay closer to home. The surcharge will be applied to new reservations and first-come, first-served campers and will remain in place for the rest of this year. June RV and towable camper sales break the record Well, most of the numbers are in, and now it is official: More Americans than ever are giving the RV Lifestyle a try. The RV industry recorded the best sales month EVER last June, with a 16.5% increase over last year’s 41,699 total. And that doesn't even include numbers from the states of Arizona, Colorado, Maryland, Missouri, Oregon and Vermont. Americans are really buying RVs and towables. The numbers support what we have been hearing for months. More and more people are camping as a result of COVID-19. To see more of what we've reported about camping changes this year click here. Peak viewing of the Perseid meteor showers will be Tuesday and Wednesday- don't miss it! The annual Perseid meteor shower is expected to peak this week, and if you can get outside to watch, you don't want to miss it! Up to 100 shooting stars can be seen per hour during its peak. It should be visible all this week. A good strategy is to look up as late in the evening as possible, but before moon rises. The Perseid meteor show is visible every year when the earth drifts through a debris cloud left from a comet. To learn more click here or here.  To learn more about photographing the night sky, click here.  Vandals spray painting campers, campground signs with messages of "COVID-19" and "Go home" in British Columbia We saw reports last week out of British Columbia of people vandalizing camping trailers with the words "no camping" and "COVID-10". About two weeks ago a story was in the news from North Island Campground where someone spray painted "Go home" on a campground sign. In the latest report, the camping trailer targeted was not even being used. The border between Canada and America is closed for non-essential travel, like camping, and while it is possible to "sneak" in, we wanted to remind you again that not every community wants out-of-owners visitors.  In this summer of pandemic camping, remember to check ahead Because of a surge in COVID-19 cases, California State Parks temporarily closed Turlock Lake State Recreation Area’s campground last weekend. Hawaii has also closed campgrounds and parks until Sept. 4 because of rising COVID-19 numbers. But Big Bend National Park, which opened, then closed because of COVID cases in the residential park area, is now open again - for day use only.  As we've said before, keeping track of what is open and what is not requires a scorecard this camping season. And as always, we recommend you check with Campendium, which is doing a good job of staying up to date. To see what things are like before you head out click here. This part of the podcast is brought to you by RadPower Bikes, America's #1 e-bike brand, offering direct to consumer pricing on powerful premium electric bikes. Now with free shipping   RV PODCAST QUESTION OF THE WEEK This week’s question comes from our RV Lifestyle Facebook Group from a member named Jerry. He asks: QUESTION: When camping with full hook up, do you leave black & gray valve open or do you leave closed and drain as needed to help flush out drain hose? ANSWER Good question and one with pretty much universal agreement by experienced RVers. Everyone agrees that while you may have your dump hose hooked up the sewer drain on your campsite; the black tank valve should be closed. You do not want it free flowing. As far as the gray valve goes, the majority of people say to leave it closed, too. Though a few say leave it open if you are taking a lot of showers. Our advice is to leave it closed, too. The reason is when it’s time to go and you empty the black tank, you want a good strong flow of grey water to help flush out any solids that may be trapped in your drain hose. Here are some of the 50 or so comments our RV Lifestyle Group members made in response to Jerry’s question: From Becca: If you leave your black tank open the sewer smell with come into your camper From David: For the grey valve, ours stays open. I usually close it on travel day or the day before to let it fill a bit and then dump right before I leave. Gives it a good flush out. From Stewart: Black tank is always closed except when dumping. grey is open the whole time then closed when I predict showers and dishwashing will give me a nearly full tank to flush the hoses after I empty the black tank. From Jean: Keep them both closed until ready to dump. We learned the hard way (too much solid stiff from the black tank left in the hose) From Maria: We leave both closed until we are ready to leave. We then empty the black first, then we close the black valve, then we clean out the black w/ our San-T flush system, clean out the black AGAIN, then we empty the grey. By emptying the black first then the grey, it cleans out the hose. We then use another hose to hose out the sewage hose before we store it away. Can you tell we are super hyper vigilant about a clean sewage area and hose?? So there you go. Keep that black valve closed until just before you leave. Thanks to our Fellow Travelers on our RV Lifestyle Facebook Group members for offering their suggestions. If you are not yet a member, now's the time to join. We have over 40,000 members who are ready to help with all your RV questions. Just go to RVLifestyle.com/Facebook. This part of the RV Podcast is brought to you by Battle Born Batteries, maker of quality, safe and reliable lithium batteries that can be installed in just about every RV. Get in touch with Battle Born to find out what lithium batteries and an upgraded energy management system can add to your RV Lifestyle. Check them out at https://rvlifestyle.com/lithium RV PODCAST INTERVIEW OF THE WEEK RVers who own big towables, fifth wheel, and Class A RVs are often under the mistaken notion that they can't boondock, that off the grid dispersed camping in non-developed forests and public lands is off-limits to them because of their size. And while, yes, sometimes that low clearance and extra length makes navigating rough roads a little too hard, there are still a great many places where they can boondock. And in many clases, the extras that come with their size may even make it easier and more enjoyable to boondock with a big rig. To help us understand just how you can boondock in a big rig, we asked for some advice from two of our friends, other RV bloggers and YouTubers who we know do a lot of boondocking and who do it in big rigs. First up is a report I asked Mark and Julie Bennett of RV Love to give us about their thoughts on how to boondock in a big rig. Mark and Julie Bennett of RV Love fame regularly boondock in a big rig - a 40 foot Class A diesel pusher Hey Mike, this is Mark and Julie from RVLove putting in our two cents on what it's like to be boondocking with our large RV. One of the things we love about it is that it's got huge tanks for sure. You've got a hundred gallons of fresh water. And it's got solar and lithium and it is a 40 ft of a diesel pusher motorhome and perhaps our biggest limitation with boondocking is where we can go because it has a fairly low clearance in a really long wheel base. So we have to be very mindful of where we're going to go boondocking. But if we do our research in advance, we can find some really amazing places that are off the grid and stay there for extended periods of time, almost like we're plugged in because we have such a robust off grid system/ So when the pandemic broke out in March and walk through and place orders. We happen to be in Quartzsite Arizona, which is a boondocking Mecca. And if anybody wants to try boondocking for the first time, Quartzsite, Arizona is a fantastic place to do it because it's really set up for RVs. Our motorhome is very heavy, 32,000 pounds fully loaded. But Quartzsite has a rocky surface. So it doesn't pick up as much dust and it's like better for supporting a larger RV. Now, of course, the prime time to go down there is in the winter, January through March. Don't go there in the summer.

A lot of RVers are asking these days: How to find a campsite despite the crowds? The national news media has been filled with stories in recent weeks claiming that campgrounds are bursting at the seams across the country as people are taking up camping and RVing because they are afraid to take traditional vacations or stay in hotels, fly airplanes or deal with crowds in amusement parks and resorts. Believe it! This week in Episode 306 of the RV Podcast, we hear from real campers who tell us whether those gloom and doom stories are true. Yes, it’s summer, and campgrounds are always a bit crowded, especially on weekends and holidays. But this year, it’s way worse. That’s coming up in this week’s episode of the Podcast, as well as your RV questions and comments, RV News of the week, and a great off the beaten path report from the Burketts. Show Notes for Episode #306 August 5, 2020 of The RV Podcast: RV PODCAST NEWS OF THE WEEK Fewer Walmart stores permitting RVers to overnight in parking lot If you have been a RV fellow traveler for long, chances are you spent the night at a Walmart parking lot at least once. But finding a Walmart that allows RVers to sleep in their parking lot is getting harder.. Currently only 58 percent of the nation's Walmart stores allow campers to stay compared to 78 percent in 2010. Spending the night in a parking lot has been super popular with many RVers over the years. They get a free, easy place to overnight when they are on a road trip and do not need a full campground experience. Typically overnighters buy something from the Walmart and are gone first thing in the morning, so the store benefits, too. But the problem is more and more campers are not practicing basic etiquette. They are staying for more than one night, they are leaving their trash even sometimes human waste or dirty water behind. Homeless people are also using lots. The result is more and more Walmarts are banning the practice, often forced to do so by new zoning rules enacted by local governments. It’s another example on how a bad apple can spoil the whole bunch. Rangers at Zion National Park ask for help finding vandals who painted rocks blue Speaking of bad apples. I have a story about a really rotten apple. This is the type of story that makes my blood boil. Vandals at Zion National Park painted a large section of the sandstones in the northeast section of the park blue. Rangers are now asking the public's help in finding who did this. Bold blue squares and miscellaneous shapes - some three feet by three feet in size - are on the rock formations south of Wildcat Trailhead in the Kolob Terrace area. The area is believed to have painted around July 8. Officials say they are not sure they can remove the paint, and doing so will be costly. Family decides to move in an RV and homeschool from the road because of COVID-19 We've been reporting for years about road schooling (click here or  here), and for months about the rise in RV newbies and some challenges out there because of COVID-19 (click here). So, when we saw this story of a family that combines both, we had to share. The Tennessee family apparently decided to cope with the in-person schooling challenges COVID-19 caused by buying a large RV bus built on a Greyhound chassis, selling their possessions, and hitting the road. The family of seven plans to homeschool their five children while traveling the country, all while self-containing as best as possible and working remotely from the road. Man shoots himself in the leg at Rocky Mountain National Park after gun in his backpack accidentally fires A man visiting Rocky Mountain National Park accidentally shot himself in the leg with his own gun. The man had put a loaded gun into his backpack. When he took off his backpack and put it on a rock at Emerald Lake, the gun accidentally fired a round with the bullet lodging in his leg. Other visitors helped, providing first aid, and a rescue crew then took the man by ambulance to the Glacier Basin Campground, and a helicopter then flew the man to an area hospital. It is legal to bring a gun into a national park - but it is illegal to shoot it. Rangers recommend bear spray as a much safer and more effective deterrent to wildlife. In this summer of pandemic camping, remember to check ahead Two campgrounds on the Blue Ridge Highway, Linville Falls and the Julian Price campgrounds, opened for the first time this summer last weekend. While most campgrounds across the country are open, some remain closed because of concerns about the spread of COVID-19. Some examples: New Mexico state park campgrounds are closed, as is the Devils Garden campground at Arches National Park, Lost Creek campground at Crater Lake National Park and Mount Rainier National Park campground to name a few. In this unusual year of camping, where things open, then close, and things are fluid, as always, check ahead before heading out by clicking here. This part of the podcast is brought to you by RadPower Bikes, America's #1 e-bike brand, offering direct to consumer pricing on powerful premium electric bikes. Now with free shipping   RV PODCAST QUESTION OF THE WEEK This question comes to us from a Fellow Traveler named William who saw our YouTube video tour of our new Leisure Travel Vans Wonder RV in which we mentioned the importance of having a surge protector on your RV: QUESTION: I heard you mention a surge protector but I am unfamiliar with such a device on an RV. What does it do, why do I need one and how do you know if something is wrong? ANSWER If you have been following us for a while you know we are huge believers in surge protectors. We have heard so many tales from RVers over the years about having their appliances like the refrigerator, the microwave, and even the TV fried because of bad campground power. A surge protector safeguards your RV from shore power problems at the pedestal and shuts down if the incoming campground power supply is dangerously low or high or the plug is wired wrong or shorted out. In our book, every RVer needs to have one. Think of them as insurance against bad power. And bad power at campgrounds is much more common than you might think. The sad truth of the matter is a lot of RV parks are old and the infrastructure has deteriorated over time. Defective pedestals cause the voltage to be too high or too low and when that happens, the appliance in the RV and whatever is plugged into a receptacle like a computer or a cellphone charger can be damaged. But even if the park is new and the pedestal is in excellent condition, we still recommend a surge protector. Lightning strikes nearby can travel right through the pedestal wiring. And power brownouts can limit the voltage getting into the coach to the extent that appliances are damaged. There are a lot of different surge protectors on the market. Good ones aren’t cheap. But the money they can save you from being spared the effects of one bad power incident makes them a necessary expense. We like the Southwire Surge Protectors. If you have a 30 amp system your RV, this is the one we suggest. If you have a 50-amp system, this is the one to get. We own the Southwire 30 amp but no longer need it on our new Leisure Travel Vans Wonder RV because a surge protector is built in to the unit Several of you have also asked us where it is located on our Wonder and how it works. It’s found under the seat cushion on the driver’s side seat in the front lounge area. If I remove the cushion, there is a small cut out with an LCD display underneath the webbing that supports the cushion. This is where you’ll see any error codes from the surge protector as to why it would have cut the power (for example E4 would denote low voltage). The surge protector will cut power for many reasons, most commonly: high voltage, low voltage, reverse polarity, or open ground. Most of the time, there’s no need to see it. It just does its job, making sure I have clean power. But it sure is nice to know it’s there. So if your RV doesn’t come with one built-in, invest the money. Protect your appliances and get one. Do you have a question you’d like us to answer or a comment on the things we’re discussing? If so, we invite you to leave us that question or comment on the special voicemail number we have for the podcast – it’s 586-372-6990.  If you are driving and can’t write it down right now, just go to the RV Lifestyle travel blog at rvlifestyle.com and scroll down the page. You’ll see that number prominently posted on the blog. This part of the RV Podcast is brought to you by Battle Born Batteries, maker of quality, safe and reliable lithium batteries that can be installed in just about every RV. Get in touch with Battle Born to find out what lithium batteries and an upgraded energy management system can add to your RV Lifestyle. Check them out at https://rvlifestyle.com/lithium RV PODCAST INTERVIEW OF THE WEEK: How to find a campsite despite the crowds The national news media has been filled with stories in recent weeks claiming that campgrounds are bursting at the seams across the country as people are taking up camping and RVing because they are afraid to take traditional vacations or stay in hotels, fly airplanes or deal with crowds in amusement parks and resorts. Here are some of the headlines I’ve seen: Seeking COVID-19 escape, Oregon's outdoors crowded at unprecedented level, brings problems Having a hard time finding a campsite in Colorado this summer? You’re not alone. Trouble on the Trails: Forest Service Grapples with Crowds, Trash and Human Waste 'People everywhere': Physical distancing takes a holiday at camping and recreation spots It’s enough to scare off even the most intrepid camper or RVer. But is it true? Well, sadly, in some places… yes.  But as always, those headlines are far from typical of what is really going on.

This week in the RV Podcast, we hear what RV travel during COVID is like. RVers from across North America candidly share their experiences, what was open, what was closed, how welcome they were, and what it’s like trying to do the RV Lifestyle in these challenging times.  This week in our interview of the week segment we turned to our RV Lifestyle social media followers for their insight into RV travel during COVID as they encountered restrictions and shutdowns in various locations. There is lots of RV-related news to report. RV PODCAST NEWS OF THE WEEK Congress passes Great American Outdoor Act which is expected to send much-needed money for national park maintenance Congress passed the Great American Outdoor Act last week, sending it to President Donald Trump's desk where he is expected to sign it. The bill will provide $900 million a year to the Land and Water Conservation Fund. It will also provide up to $6.5 billion over five years to help pay for the many maintenance needs of the nation's national parks. Look for more details out this week, when it is expected to be signed into law.  Campfire-caused wildfires on the rise in several places throughout country In several parts of the country, officials are reporting more campfire-caused wildfires than normal. In Maine, there has been a 170 percent increase in campfire-related wildfires this year compared to 2019. A campfire is also suspected as the cause of a wildfire near Clayton Beach in Washington's Larrabee State Park last week. And some places, like the Tahoe National Forest, are seeing an increase in illegal campfires causing officials to say they are responding to the second highest number of campfire-caused fires ever recorded. Too many people risking injury by jumping into posted Yellowstone waters, officials warn Yellowstone National Park urged visitors last week to stay out of the water. Apparently more people than normal are ignoring posted signs at Yellowstone and swimming in water where swimming is clearly prohibited. Park officials are reminding visitors the signs are there for a reason. Some Yellowstone water is boiling - in 2016 a man is believed to have literally dissolved after trying to soak in a prohibited thermal area. And in other places the water is extremely frigid - a literal snow melt. Other times people are told not to go in because the water is infested with organisms that will make them sick. As always, if the sign says stay out - we advise you to stay out.  West Virginia police arrest two men connected to international RV theft ring West Virginia police arrested two men involved in an international RV theft ring last week. The men were arrested for stealing two stolen camping trailers. Police also found two other stolen camping trailers abandoned by their drivers. The thieves are part of an international crime ring that steals RVs and campers in southeastern states then ships them to Mexico and other foreign countries. In this summer of pandemic camping, remember to check ahead We have an update on what is open and what is closed. As of today, July 29, 2020, 91 percent of the campsites listed by Campendium are now open, with New Mexico remaining the only state park campground system closed. But according to Campendium, which is doing an excellent job keeping track of things, many other popular spots throughout the country remain closed because of COVID-19. Theodore Roosevelt National Park campgrounds are closed, for instance, as are Point Reyes National Seashore campsites, Mount Rainer National Park campgrounds, Navajo Nation Tribal Parks and many other spots. As always this year, things are fluid. We recommend checking before heading out and be sure to listen to our interview of the week coming up in which you will hear from numerous RVers exactly what RV travel during COVID is like. This part of the podcast is brought to you by RadPower Bikes, America's #1 e-bike brand, offering direct to consumer pricing on powerful premium electric bikes. Now with free shipping   RV PODCAST QUESTION OF THE WEEK  This question comes from Heather and was posted on our RV Lifestyle Facebook Group: QUESTION: What is the app called that will scan for campsites that open up? ANSWER: The website is called Yes You Camp and is at https://www.yesyoucamp.com/ The site claims that 92% of their users are able to get reservations at sold-out campgrounds. I’m a bit skeptical of that. Just spot testing some of the more popular campgrounds we like didn’t even bring them up in the notification box to check for availability. Basically you are supposed to enter the details of where and when you want to camp, and the service, which claims to be constantly scanning camp space availability, says it will send you a text when there is a cancellation or a site opens up. It is then up to you to swoop in and make a reservation. Like we said when we recently tried to get into two of the Michigan Upper Peninsula campgrounds we like – the Munising Tourist Park on Lake Superior and the Straits State Park in St. Ignace – the site showed them in the initial listings but had no way to sign up for an alert or even discover availability. I tried the same thing with the Kentucky Horse Park Campground in Lexington, KY and it didn’t even display in the listings. These are all extremely popular campgrounds. If this Yes You Camp service was really helpful, you’d expect it to work as advertised. Heather’s question on our Facebook RV Lifestyle Group brought several answers from our members. Melanie wrote: “Point is I will verify availability with the source instead of 3rd party programs/companies that may be outdated, behind, Mark, though, said he has used Yes We Camp and “ it has helped us get sites on several occasions.”’ Bottom line… try it if you want. But based on our experience, don’t count on it being 100% accurate.  Again, it’s https://www.yesyoucamp.com/ This part of the RV Podcast is brought to you by Battle Born Batteries, maker of quality, safe and reliable lithium batteries that can be installed in just about every RV. Get in touch with Battle Born to find out what lithium batteries and an upgraded energy management system can add to your RV Lifestyle.  RV PODCAST INTERVIEW OF THE WEEK - RV travel during COVID This week in the RV Podcast, we hear from real RVers who have traveled all over the U.S. and Canada over the past five months. They tell us what RV travel during COVID  is really like. They’ll candidly share their experiences, what was open, what was closed, how welcome they were, and what it’s like trying to do the RV Lifestyle in these challenging times. We asked our social media followers to update us on real conditions and what follows is a compilation of their reports of what they encountered as they have crisscrossed North America. Here's the transcript: What RV Travel during COVID is like in Michigan Hi Mike. Hi, Jen and Bo, this is PJ. I am from mid-Michigan. I have been traveling mostly around Michigan in the last couple of months. I would say I really started the bulk of my travels in late April. I‘ve been taking day trips to Cadillac Alpena Traverse City Frankfurt, St. Joseph and on, and so forth. I've been to Mackinac Island twice. Everything is pretty much open right now.  Businesses are encouraging social distancing. Everyone is requiring you to wear a mask. Now I have had no issues traveling nor have I had any health concerns and I am just you know, continuing to enjoy Michigan. I think it is perfectly safe to get out and travel right now as long as you take precautions. So, I would definitely encourage your audience, as long as they're being safe. The road is wide open again. I can only speak for Michigan. But the road is wide open. What RV Travel during COVID is like around Rocky Mountain National Park Hi. This is Alan and Nancy from Eastern Nebraska. We just spent four days at the Stillwater campground near Rocky Mountain National Park. It's a US Forest Service Campground with very spacious, nice sites with a great view of the lake down below and easy access to Rocky Mountain National Park. We made the reservation in February before the pandemic and so we decided to go ahead and use it. The campground was fine. The restrooms were open, but there were no showers. We spent about two days touring Rocky Mountain National Park in the afternoon and evening. I n order to enter the park you need a reservation. The campgrounds inside the park were closed. But even if you wanted to drive on Trail Ridge Road, you still need a reservation. Those reservations had to be made online. If you don't have a reservation, you can't get in. What was great about the experience is that we saw fewer vehicles in the park. At times we felt we had the entire park to ourselves. The only crowds we saw were when there was an animal like a moose or an elk on the side of the road and there was like a group of cars and people with their cameras and binoculars trying to see it.  It was just a good experience and the nearby town of Grand Lake was pretty busy. We didn't really do any shopping we just stayed at the campground and visited the park. Overall, it was good experience. Hope this helps. What RV Travel during COVID is like in Florida Mike, this is Richard and Deborah from Spring Hill, Florida. We stayed at a couple of state parks since COVID had started. The parks are very good about leaving the material outside, social distancing, and wearing masks. So we've had a very positive experience. Hope this helps, bye-bye. What RV Travel during COVID is like in Montana, Wyoming and South Dakota Hello Mike and Jien. My name is Harold. I'm from Colorado. We just got back from a trip up towards Glacier National Park. We experienced a lot of rest stops that were closed. We were rebuffed at Glacier when we were there, but waited in line and were turned around saying the park was full. We had to come back later,

Rising COVID fears and RV Travel uncertainty are causing RVers to stay closer to home and be much more cautious in their plans for the rest of the summer and into fall. As the nation once again finds COVID rates dramatically rising, RVers are wondering what to do with summer travel plans. "Should we stay or should we go?"  is a question we've been asked a lot this past week. So in this 304th episode of the RV Podcast, we're going to talk about that. We’ll share our feelings and hear from a bunch of you who responded to our request to call and share your opinion. Plus, we have lots of RV questions this week, plenty of RV News, and a great off the beaten path RV report from the Burketts. RV LIFESTYLE NEWS OF THE WEEK Officials say no reported COVID-19 cases at Yosemite, but then they discover it in human sewage In this time of pandemic camping, there was an intriguing story this week out of California that caught our attention. Yosemite National Park is open to visitors, regular testing of employees and residents shows no one has tested positive for COVID-19, and no visitors have reported back as positive. Seems a safe place to go, right? Well, apparently a company that is checking human raw sewage for the virus found COVID-19 in the waste. The company estimated between June 30 and July 6, about 170 infected people were at the El Portal stop, while just a few were at Wawona. The science is still developing, and being outside and away from crowds is still considered a relatively safe activity, but this adds to our belief that using the facilities in your RV is still the safest thing to do. Black bear bites woman, child, in Yellowstone backcountry then eats their food A black bear bit a woman and a child at Yellowstone National Park last week after entering a campsite shared by five backpackers in search of food. The woman and child were outside their tents and the bear walked right up to them, bit them, then went to their food which was under a storage pole but not yet hung up. When rangers arrived, the bear was still eating the campers' food, so the bear was killed. The bear bit the woman in her arm and head and bit the child's hand. Both received bruises and minor cuts. Rangers, again, urged visitors to carry bear spray. Here is an article we did on how to camp safely in bear country - we've shared it before, but believe it is worth sharing again. Woman chased by a bison at Yellowstone trips, falls, plays dead and survives encounter without injury Speaking of Yellowstone, did you see the video of the woman who was being charged by a bison, tripped and fell, played dead, and survived the encounter without a scratch? Apparently, the woman and another person got too close to the wild creature so it charged. The woman tripped and fell when running and once down, she played dead. The charging bison came to an abrupt stop spent a few seconds sniffing the woman – who lay there motionless -  and then ambled away. The woman then got up, apparently unharmed. It was all caught on cellphone video and as is clear, too many people were too close to the bison.  Click here to see. Man transforms jet engine into camping trailer We've all seen pictures, and may even have, a do-it-yourself van transformed into a camper. But have you ever heard of anyone transforming a jet engine into a camping traile? A British man did just that. He bought a decommissioned VC10 jet engine from a scrap yard and started tinkering. The engine is 13 feet long. He flattened the bottom so it could attach to a chassis, then meticulously went about taking things apart and building them back up while installing a sink, twin burners, cabinets, and a lounge-dining area that coverts to beds. The story and pictures can be seen here. Because of corona virus, the man and his family have not gone camping in it yet but hope to soon.   In this summer of pandemic camping, remember to check ahead New Mexico state parks campgrounds are the only ones nationwide to remain closed to campers from other states, according to Campendium.  But, when looking throughout the U.S., about 9.1 percent of the campgrounds Campendium surveys are closed because of COVID-19. What remains closed are a number of national park campgrounds - like Acadia in Maine, the Badlands in South Dakota, Big Cypress in Florida, and quite a few others. Also, with COVID-19 numbers rising significantly out West, officials there are starting to question whether campgrounds should again be closed. And out East, some state parks now open were closed over the weekend because they reached capacity. As always, things are fluid. We recommend checking before heading out by clicking here. This part of the podcast is brought to you by RadPower Bikes, America's #1 e-bike brand, offering direct to consumer pricing on powerful premium electric bikes. Now with free shipping   RV QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK                                                        First, a question that came in on our RV Lifestyle Voicemail (586-372-6990) number this week: QUESTION: This is John from Marietta, Georgia. Thank you for the great review on your new Leisure Travel van Wonder I was wondering if you thought about a Rad Power Bike mini fold up bikes would fit in the garage. Let me know what you think. We love to bike and it would be super nice if both of them would fold up and fit into the Wonder garage Thank you again. Happy RV Trails! ANSWER: Absolutely they would. In the video review John references from our RV Lifestyle YouTube Channel, we showed the giant pass through storage space at the back of our RV that we call the “garage.” We said it would take two regular bikes but we though our large ebikes might not fit. Since then we have heard from another ebike owner who has a Wonder RV model like ours and he said he is able to get two eBikes in the back. We’ll have to try. But certainty, two of those foldup Rad mini’s that John writes about would definitely fit! Next, we have some questions that were posted this week on our RV Lifestyle Facebook Group: This question on our RV Lifestyle Facebook Group comes from Savina: QUESTION: Is it normal for the AC to drip water over the side of the RV? ANSWER: Absolutely. In fact, if your conditioner control is on and there’s no water runoff outside, then the air conditioner is not working! In fact, during the summer, when it's humid, it's normal for your AC to drain anywhere from 5-20 gallons of water per day. Other members of our RV Lifestyle Facebook Group weighed in on Savina’s question with their own answers: Ronnie - I put a bucket under mine and use the water to water my plants. Elizabeth -Yes we have the plastic “gutter router” so it doesn’t leave a streak. Pretty impressive that they are so easy to install and just stay in place down the road! Tina - That water has to go somewhere. Better than inside the trailer. You could possibly add a plastic drain tube to direct it better. Next question comes from Michael, who asks: QUESTION: “On a 40 foot class A, should we level first and then put out the slides or put the slides out and then level? ANSWER: For us, when we owned a Leisure Travel Vans Unity model with a slide, we were told to always level first, and then put out the slide. The rationale being that if the RV is uneven, putting the slide out that way could cause unnecessary wear and tear on the slide mechanism. But that was the advice of our manufacturer. But there are some manufacturers who recommend the opposite and this question on our Facebook Group as brought over 42 comments. The vast majority said to level first and then put out the slide but not all. Here are some of the replies: Rick says “Depends on the manufacturer. Newmar says slides out, then level” Chad notes that "Different manufacturers have different procedures: It depends on what the manual says...certainly don't listen to everyone who thinks it's all the same across the board--- my Winnebago said to level 1st, but now my Beaver says to run slides before jacks (even says so next to the switches for the jacks)” Kimberly Ann says “Our manual says to slide then level. First year, we did that. We were constantly in the shop with “slide” issues. Finally we decided to level first. No issues since then. It’s been 7 years! I say level first. We have 37ft class A.” So…summing up: Check your manual but in doubt or you can’t find specific instructions in the manual, level your rig first. We’ve been sharing some of the questions and answers posted on these topics on our RV Lifestyle Facebook Group. We We're closing in now on 40,000 members and whenever you have an RV Lifestyle question, it is the place to go for quick and immediate response from your Fellow Travelers. To join, just go the https://rvlifestyle.com/facebook. Do you have a question you’d like us to answer or a comment on the things we’re discussing. If so, we invite you to leave us that question or comment on the special voicemail number we have for the podcast – it’s 586-372-6990.  If you are driving and can’t write it down right now, just go to the RV Lifestyle travel blog at rvlifestyle.com and scroll down the page. You’ll see that number prominently posted on the blog. This part of the RV Podcast is brought to you by Battle Born Batteries, maker of quality, safe and reliable lithium batteries that can be installed in just about every RV. Get in touch with Battle Born to find out what lithium batteries and an upgraded energy management system can add to your RV Lifestyle. Check them out at https://rvlifestyle.com/lithium THE RV PODCAST INTERVIEW OF THE WEEK As we said earlier, the theme for this week’s episode is “Should we stay or should we go? As the nation shuts down again because of spiraling COVID-19 infections, many RVers are wondering what to do with their travel plans for the rest of the summer. Just when it appeared that RV road trips would once again be okay,

With travel restrictions looming again, here's our best take on what RV travel looks like for the rest of the year. As COVID-19 raises its ugly head again with more infections and hospitalizations, things that once were opening are closing again. This week on the RV Podcast Episode 303, we offer straight talk about what the rest of the year may look like for RVers. Plus we have an interview about an interesting place where RVers can go to get their RVs renovated called RV Renovation Camp. We also have lots of RV News, tips, an off the beaten path report from the Burketts, and much more all coming up in Episode 303 of the RV Podcast. Show Notes for Episode #303 July 15, 2020 of The RV Podcast: WHAT MIKE AND JENNIFER ARE UP TO THIS WEEK We’re still in Michigan and will likely stay here through fall. And while we think there will be lots of opportunities for short trips in and around the Great Lakes Region, long-distance, cross-country travel for us has been put on hold as the nation tries to figure out what to do as COVID-19 infection rates have shot upwards again.  What had been an encouraging downwards trend in early summer, has now been reversed to where we are now seeing record infection rates in many places, more hospitalizations, and rising deaths. In other words, just when you thought it was okay to start traveling again, we’re seeing the virus rapidly spreading and many states contemplating shutdowns again. So let's talk about what RV travel looks like for the rest of the year: In our opinion, it’s not good. Just today, Elkhart Open House, the mega event put on every fall by the RV manufacturers to jumpstart business for dealers and suppliers, was canceled for this year. That event has probably become the most important venue for the RV industry and canceling it shows just how serious the industry sees the new spike in invections. We don’t have a crystal ball. We’re not privy to any inside information. But since the end of February, the newsman in me has kept careful track of what is happening with this horrible illness and I think there are several things happening that will adversely affect the RV Lifestyle. Hopefully, what’s unfolding and developing now will not result in total nationwide shutdowns like most of us experienced in March and April. But I don’t think there is any doubt that it's getting worse rather than better. Will you still be able to travel in your RV? Yes, I think so, certainly more than you were able to this past spring but, sadly, I fear, not as much as you perhaps would like to. Here are seven things that I think will  shape what RV travel looks like for the rest of the year There will be more campgrounds, state parks, and national parks either closing to out of state campers, shutting down entirely, or limiting the number of visitors. We have some examples of that happening even now coming up in the News of the week segment but expect more quarantines and in some places, like California, parts of Texas and other states, to be more severely impacted by COVID and actively tell visitors that they are not welcome the rest of the summer and ell into the fall. What campgrounds that remain open will be more crowded. That’s a given. With all the new RVers out there, camping space is already at a premium in many places. If campgrounds now open start closing again, those that are still open will be putting out the “no vacancy” signs a lot sooner than normal. RV manufacturers will once again have to wrestle with the decision to shut down their assembly lines to stop the spread of the virus. Same with RV parts manufacturers. If shutdowns happen the ripple effect will immediately be felt through all segments of the industry. It may be booming now because so many people bought new RVs for much-needed vacations once the economy started to reopen in May and June. But if the COVID rates keep rising – as most health experts predict – the industry is going to be hit with a double whammy. If you have a new RV on order, don’t be surprised by more delays. The US/Canadian border will remain closed to nonessential travel. That’s what RV travel is – nonessential. Technically the closure is scheduled to end July 21. But officials on both sides have conferred and are expected to extend that at least another month, until at least Aug. 21, There have been some reports that Canada, alarmed by the huge spike of new cases in the US, may even push to extend it to the end of the year. This will really put the huge hit on the travel plans of an estimated 4 million Canadian snowbirds who come to winter in the US (about 3.5 million to Florida, which is currently the number one hard-hit COVID state.) All RV shows have or will be canceled until 2021. The big ones, the Hershey RV show, Elkhart Open House and the California RV show have already canceled. So have virtually all local and regional RV shows, missing - for the first time ever - the annual new model introductions normally made in the fall each year. Service and repairs may be harder to get for your RV. Dealerships will likely have trouble getting parts if those manufacturer shutdowns happen. Fewer parts mean fewer repairs and that means more broken RVs. Anger and bitterness will increase. Just look at the strong feelings and bitterness over wearing masks. The so-called “Stay Home and Stay Safe Movement” will grow. Resentment and even open hostility of traveling RVers is a distinct possibility given the rancor and divisiveness. Okay. That’s my thoughts on what RV travel looks like for the rest of the year. As I said early on, we will still be able to travel. But I think it best to urge you to consider staying close to home. And when you do, it goes without saying, wear masks when in close proximity to others whether indoors or outdoors, practice social distancing use the facilities in your own RV as much as possible, avoiding public restrooms on the road and even in campgrounds. Be safe, stay informed about local conditions, and be patient. These are unprecedented times. If we are going to get through this, we need to get along. Does that make sense? RV PODCAST NEWS OF THE WEEK Long lines causing new challenges as all Glacier National Park visitors must use one entrance If you're planning to head this summer to Glacier National Park, be ready for long lines to enter the park's lone open entrance which may soon begin a timed entry system. The park's east entrance is part of the Blackfeet Nation but the Blackfeet closed the entrance last month in an attempt to limit the tribe's exposure to COVID-19. About one-third of all COVID deaths in Montana were to Native Americans, who make up just 7 percent of the population. This means all visitors must come through a single western entrance, causing long backups. Glacier is one of our favorite national parks and we certainly understand the desire to see it (see previous articles here). We also understand the Blackfeet Nation's desire to protect its members. If you do decide to head out, we urge you to thoroughly investigate entrances and polices first. Man who was boondocking shoots and kills bear that was chasing his dog before turning on him A man who was boondocking near Nederland in Colorado told officials he shot and killed a bear after the bear was chasing after his dog, then turned and came after him. The man said he heard his dog barking, looked, and saw the bear chasing it. He said he shot the bear when it came toward him. The bear did not survive. It is illegal in Colorado to shoot bears when they attack your pets. But, because the bear then turned on the man, he was also in danger, and shooting a bear in self-defense is allowed. Park officials urged the public to make sure they carry bear spray in the backwoods. Bear spray is also what we recommend. To learn about camping in bear country, click here. Animals nesting in engine while RV in storage blamed for fire An Oregon husband and wife who hadn't used their 30-foot Winnebago Sightseer for a while brought it in for an oil change when, shortly after parking, it burst into flames. Investigators said the fire was likely caused by animals nesting in the engine compartment during the years it had been in storage. A lot of dry, organic material was discovered during the investigation and officials believe this material caught fire from the heat of the engine and quickly spread. No one was hurt in the blaze. Siberian Husky pup dies after swimming in Zion National Park river containing toxic algae A five-month-old dog who died shortly after swimming in a river at Zion National Park, died from a toxins in the water, officials announced. The dog, a Siberian Husky, had been playing in the Virgin River, snapping at algae on the rocks. But, within an hour of swimming the dog was in pain, could not walk, had seizures, and died. Park officials said the cause of death was from the toxic algae. Warnings have now been issued telling people not to swim in the river and not allow their pets to swim or drink the water.  In this summer of pandemic camping, remember to check ahead If you want to enter a New Mexico state park, you will have to prove you are a resident with a state driver's license or plate, under a new rule that bars out of state residents from state parks. National parks in New Mexico can still be visited but only after out-of-towners quarantine for 14 days. Most state-operated campgrounds are now open, and many (but not all) national park campgrounds are open, too. In general, many campgrounds on Native American reservations are closed. And some states that opened are now discussing closing various activities as COVID-19 numbers rise. Each state is setting its own rules and procedures. As always, before heading out, check ahead by clicking here. This part of the podcast is brought to you by RadPower Bikes, America's #1 e-bike brand, offering direct to consumer pricing on powerful premium electric bikes.

In this jampacked 302nd Episode of the RV Podcast: We’ll learn about a handy RV toll road pass. We’ll also share the most important questions you should ask when taking possession of a new RV and we’ll report the RV News of the week during these very challenging times. Here’s a player to the audio version of this RV Podcast episode. You can also listen to the RV Podcast on your favorite podcast app.  A full article with links, transcripts, photos, and other resources follows: Show Notes for Episode #302 July 8, 2020 of The RV Podcast WHAT MIKE AND JENNIFER ARE UP TO THIS WEEK   Mike and Jennifer Hi Fellow Travelers and welcome to Episode 302 of the RV Podcast. And we have a lot of ground to cover this week. So I want to remind you that you can follow a text version of this podcast, with all the links and resources we share, on our shownotes page on our RV Lifestyle Travel Blog at rvlifestyle.com/302.. just go there.rvlifestyle.com/302 and you’ll find a full outline and transcript. First off, let me welcome back my lifelong traveling companion, the bride of my youth and my cohost.. .Jennifer. We share the latest… Jen is on the mend, though still has to watch talking too much so she doesn’t cough We were tested and we do not have COVID-19. We learned that doctors are seeing a spike in blood pressure problems they blame on the COVID disruptions – the Three S’s of too much Salt, too much Stress and not enough Sleep. We are taking time setting up the new RV Travel plans are still up in the air as renewed shutdowns, cancellations and hints of travel restrictions are once again bringing disruption to everyone’s RV Lifestyle On a positive note, we are very excited to report that we finally have our RV Lifestyle OFFICIAL Pinterest account up and running! For those of you who LOVE Pinterest - please Follow us and Share our posts about the RV Lifestyle. You can find us at https://www.pinterest.com/rvlifestylemike/ AND we are starting to create Pinterest-ready images over on our blog so when you Pin from our site the images are BIG and beautiful. Thank you for supporting a fun way for people to find us and what we have to offer RV PODCAST NEWS OF THE WEEK Woman gored by Yellowstone bison after getting too close for a picture A woman was gored by a bison at Yellowstone National Park last week after she got too close to the massive animal while taking its picture. The woman, from California, was tossed 10-15 feet in the air, and when she stood, was attacked again. She was taking the picture near her Bridge Bay Campground campsite, and ended up being flown to a hospital for treatment. The woman was reportedly within 10 feet of the animal, causing it to feel threatened. When a wild bison feels threatened it will snort, paw the ground, bob its head, lift its tail. Rangers recommend visitors stay at least 25 feet away. California RV Show the latest big show to cancel because of COVID-19 The California RV Show is the latest casualty of COVID-19 cancelations, with organizers announcing several days ago that the show, which typically runs in early October, is off. The California RV Show is one of our favorites, attracting about 45,000 visitors. Click here to see our review of last year's show and why it is so important to the industry and consumers.. Woman taking pictures at Grand Canyon slips, falls to her death An Arizona woman fell to her death at the Grand Canyon last weekend. The woman, 59, was off trail, when she slipped and fell 100 feet while taking pictures. The woman was near Mather Point.  Three people hospitalized with severe injuries after their campfire exploded Three people were hospitalized with severe burns, including a 7-year-old, after their campfire exploded last Saturday night in Ontario, Canada. Apparently a propane cylinder was buried in their campfire pit, and it exploded when a campfire was set, causing severe injuries to those around it. The three were camping near the town of Perth. Most campgrounds throughout country now open, but restrictions remain Only New Mexico and New Hampshire state park campgrounds have either restricted access to campsites or kept the facilities closed to out of state residents, according to Campendium. But, that does not mean things are normal. Several states, such as Maine or New Mexico (click here) require those from out of state to quarantine for 14 days when crossing the border. Also in New Mexico, it is the law that everyone must wear a mask outside in a public space and it is a law that apparently is being enforced in state parks. Also in the news, Big Bend National Park is closed again because of the virus, and more changes happen daily. Again, we can't stress it enough, camping is not normal this year. While studies have shown being outside camping is one of the safest things you can do, each state is setting its own rules and procedures. As always, before heading out,  check ahead by clicking here. This part of the RV Podcast is brought to you by RadPower Bikes, America's #1 e-bike brand, offering direct to consumer pricing on powerful premium electric bikes. Now with free shipping    RV PODCAST QUESTION OF THE WEEK This came in from a reader who wanted some suggestions about what to do when he picks up his new RV soon: QUESTION: Hi Mike and Jennifer: do you have a list of questions or a checklist when one goes to take delivery of a new RV? We will be picking up our new one in a couple of weeks. Thanks. ANSWER: That’s a great question and one that has never come up like that in the form of a list. We have offered some suggestions about what to do during the walk-though – that’s what dealers call it when they take you through the RV just before you drive off – but never in detail So let’s cover what we think are the key items to ask about and get demonstrated on the lot. So our first suggestion is for you. The night before the inspection, go to the manufacturer’s website or the dealer’s inventory post on your unit and read everything you can. Jot down anything you are not clear of. Next, it’s important to know just who is giving you the walk-through. Is it the salesperson who sold it to you, or just whoever was free on the lot that day. Often, we’re sorry to say, once they get your signature on the bottom line the salesperson moves on and some dealers have “walk-though guys,” who are at best generalists who know a little about all RVs or worse, somebody who may nothing about your RV model but was drafted for the job because they didn’t have anything to do when you showed up. You want to know are they RVers themselves? How familiar are they with your particular model? Don’t let them tell you they all work alike. They don’t. Yours is unique. If you are not comfortable with the person you get, stop the walk-through and say you will complete the purchase when you get someone who has more expertise on your model. Dealers will hate me for saying this. You, though, will thank me in the long run. That’s what counts. The third of advice we have is, assuming you half a knowledgeable “walk-through” guy, get out your cell phone and video record it. Have them show you, not just tell you. After they do it, you do it. Get it all on video. Take notes, too. Don’t worry about it taking a long time. Make sure you know. The video will come in very handy down the line as you get to know your new RV. Lastly, here are the key areas we think you need to have explained and demonstrated. There may be more. But these will give you the basic background to get out there and use that RV. Many of these questions will be detailed in the thick manuals and instructions that come with the RV. Review them when you can and frequently go back to anything that is confusing. But go over these questions, too,  at the walk-through. Ready? Here they are: Hot water heater – How does it turn on? What controls does it have? How should they be set? How long does it take hot water to come out? Where do you fill the fresh water tank? Where and how do you drain the fresh water tank? Where and how do you attach city water? Is there a water filter in the RV? How often should it be changed? How do you winterize the plumbing system? How do you dewinterize the plumbing system? How do you drain the black water tanks? Get the hose out and make sure you undertsnad How do you drain the gray water tanks? Can you fill the fresh water tank from a jug? How so? How do you sanitize the water – black and grey – tanks? What should you use in the toilet to control odors? How do you plug into shore power? When on shore power, how should the battery switches and inverter be set? How do you start the generator? Is there an auto start feature when the house batteries get low? How does it work? How often do you have to “exercise” the generator? How do you check oil level in the generator and what maintenance does it require? Do you have a slide? How does it work…does the emergency brake have to be set, does it have to be level? What if the slide sticks open? Is there a lock to keep the slide from opening while driving? How do you maintain the slide? What kind of refrigerator do you have and what powers it – shore power, LP, generator, engine fuel? Does it automatically switch to whatever power is there> How does it work? How level does it have to be? How does your air conditioner work? If you have a microwave/convection oven, how is the convection oven different than the microwave? If you have automatic levelers, what do you do if one of them refuses to retract? Do you have surge protection for your RV’s electrical system to protect it from bad shore power at the pedestal? How does the bed work – Is it a sofa that makes into a bed, or a Murphy bed? If so have it demonstrated? Where are the fuses located? The breakers? How does the heater work? How do the rooftop fans work? How does the awning work?

This week on the RV Podcast, we give you inside tips on how to sell your RV. Don't get low balled from a dealer that offers to buy it or take it in as a trade-in. Sell it yourself! We did and the process couldn't have gone more smoothly. And in the process, we learned a lot that literally saved us tens of thousands of dollars when it came time to sell our RV so we could buy a new one. This week in Episode 301 of the RV Podcast, we share our personal experience in selling our RV (we did so just last week), introduce you to the couple who bought it, hear from a dealer and learn from an expert at RV Trader how to sell your RV and get the most for your used RVs. Here's a player to the audio version of this RV Podcast episode on how to sell your RV. You can also listen to the RV Podcast on your favorite podcast app.  A full article with links, transcripts, photos, and other resources follows: BEFORE WE TALK ABOUT HOW TO SELL YOUR RV...TWO PROGRAMMING NOTES First a couple of RV Podcast programming notes. I (MIKE) am doing this episode solo this week as Jennifer, my lifelong traveling and the bride of my youth, is feeling a bit under the weather this week and thus, won’t be able to handle her normal co-hosting duties. We’re hoping she’s back next week feeling much better. Secondly, from popular demand, we’re rearranging the order of the various segments of the RV Podcast. We’ll move our Interview of the Week segment up towards the top of each episode, to more quickly get to the key theme of each podcast. The other regular sections will follow the interview. RV PODCAST INTERVIEW OF THE WEEK - How to sell your RV And this week, that theme is how to sell your RV... yourself, instead if trading it in or selling it outright to an RV dealer. As regular listeners know, Jennifer and I bought a brand-new RV last week - a 2021 Wonder Rear Twin Model from Leisure Travel Vans. In the weeks ahead, we’ll be talking a lot about why we changed RVs, why we chose the Ford Transit vs the Mercedes Sprinter chassis and showing videos and photos and doing a full review and walkthrough on the RVLifestyle.com travel blog. We have so much content about that new Wonder to show you that it will take lots of articles and videos. But this week on the RV Podcast and in this article on the RVLifestyle.com travel blog, we talk about how to sell your RV yourself, which we just did with the 2019 Leisure Travel Vans Unity FXa that we have owned for the past year and a half. We change RVs a lot. I want to know as much as possible how the different models handle. Their strengths and weaknesses, so I can speak from experience in our videos and blog articles. There were lots of reasons why we chose the Wonder on the Ford Transit chassis and I have a whole article coming out on that in a could of days. Beware of being low-balled! But obviously, to buy a new one, we had to sell our old one. We thought of simply trading it in at a dealer or selling it to them outright. Many advertise that they are desperate for used RVs and are paying "premium rates" or "top dollar for your trade." When I checked with a couple of dealers who advertise that, it didn’t take long to realize that top dollar to a dealer was not reflective of what our  RV is really worth. The dealers quite simply low balled us. They offered wholesale prices. In our case, almost $30,000 LESS than what we actually sold it for ourselves. Dealers make big money on trade-ins. By low, sell high. You can’t blame them. But you also can blame us in saying no way. Tip #1 on how to sell your RV - Do your research There is no Kelly Blue Book prices for RVs. But there is something called the NADA RV Guide which stands for the National Automotive Dealers Association. But the NADA Guides – which cover automobiles, motorcycles, boats, classic cars, manufactured homes and RVs – is actually owned by JD Power. They just bought the use of the NADA logo and name for marketing purposes because NADA is well known. JD Power runs the sites. The NADA guides give you low, high and average valuations on RVs. In our case, when we entered the data for our Unity, we found that, on average, units like ours were selling for about $34,000 more than what we were offered by those low-balling RV dealers. And with all the extra gadgets and gizmos we added to that Unity FX, we were sure we could get even a bit more. We also checked RVTrader.com, a well-respected online classified website that 160,000 new and pre-owned units for sale by dealers and private sellers across the country. I did a search on RVTrader.com for a model similar to ours to see what they were selling for. The information coincided pretty much spot on with what we found in the NADA Guide. So we set our asking price….which was $38,000 above the low ball wholesale offers from the RV dealers we checked with. Tip #2 on how to sell your RV privately - Listing it We were going to spend $34.95 and send in some photos and list our Unity FX on the RV Trader website. I’ve heard great things about the results private sellers get there, But I didn’t have to. I didn’t because I have a bit of an advantage: I have a large online audience that listens to our RV Podcast show and watches our RV Lifestyle Channel Videos on YouTube. In a YouTube discussion at the end of May, I mentioned that we had decided to get a new RV and would be selling our old one. Literally as soon as our YouTube Livestream that night ended, my e-mail dinged from Bipi and Frank, a recently retired couple from Missouri. They were interested in buying our Unity. We sent several emails back and forth. I gave my asking price, they countered, and we agreed to a price about $3,000 less than what I was asking… but still $35K more than the best offer I had from dealers. Bipi and Frank felt they knew our RV after watching so many of our videos and after a few more questions, the deal was set. By the way, I heard from at least five other people who expressed an interest in buying our old rig. How to sell your RV: Our new buyers, Frank and Bipi next to the Unity RV we sold them On the day we handed Bipi and Frank the keys, I asked them to explain how it all came about. Here’s what they had to say: “We were actually coming home from Florida and we pulled into a tiny little campground because we were tired,” said Bipi.  “And we turned on your YouTube, Ask Us Anything show on Sunday night and you mentioned that you're going to be selling it. So, I just typed out a quick little email and you responded. Frank, the next morning said, ‘You do realize that you have written about buying their entity’ and I said, ‘Yes and I slept on it. And I think we're going to buy it’. He said, ‘Okay.’ Frank retired back in January from a long career in medicine as a general surgeon. He says he and Bipi were so busy working that they just didn’t have time for much else. “We've always wanted to see the United States,” he told us.  “And so we got started watching y'all.” Bipi says the videos did the trick. “It's because of y'all,” she told us “He always thought he wanted one, but I never really saw us going through it until we started watching your videos. And we couldn't resist.” We loved meeting them. As we waved goodbye, they headed out to Michigan’s Upper peninsula for a nice road trip vacation to get used to their new RV. Now, most of you don’t have a huge Internet audience as we do so you need to find some other ways to sell. Here’s some more tips. Tip #3 on how to sell your RV - Guard Against Fraud My first recommendation is RV Trader. You may also want to place a sign on the RV and park it in a prominent spot. Print up flyers and drop by RV parks and ask to put it up on their bulletin boards Also try Facebook Marketplace, Craigs List and even e-Bay I interviewed Paige Bouma of RV Trader for some advice about selling your RV yourself and she was very helpful, especially in telling us how not to get ripped off. Here’s a transcript of our extended interview with Paige that goes over several more steps on how to sell your RV: Paige Bouma of RV Trader talks about how to sell your RV on the RV Podcast Mike Wendland:     The first question I get from so many of our listeners and viewers on our YouTube channel about how to sell your RV is how do I not get ripped off? They advertise like on Facebook Marketplace or Craig's List or eBay and they get all these weird responses. Give us some advice there if you will. Paige Bourma:        Okay. The biggest thing in how to sell your RV is making sure you're listed in the right spot and that you are using common sense. If somebody is texting you and they're saying hey, can you send me a PIN or can I just give you money in another way, can I put it online, can you send me the unit ahead of time, like, use common sense. If something doesn't feel right it's probably not. Mike Wendland:     People get really overwhelmed by this. There seems to be almost more fraud on some of the online marketplace type sites than there is in the real world of face-to-face, so people are leery of selling it themselves and many of them say well, I 'll just go to a dealer. Talk to our audience, if you will, about why that may not be a good idea on how to sell your RV. You may be shortchanging yourself if you turn it in as a trade-in or if you take a buyout, have an outright buy from a dealer. Paige Bourma:        I think it all goes down to research, right? Know what you're trying to get out of the unit, know what makes the most sense, again if you're going to be trading in or not trading in, if you're trading up. You just have to go through and do the research to figure out where is the best place for you to sell this unit and what's your best price. You may also have to determine like how much... If you owe on it still, how much do you still owe on it. A lot of that information in how to sell your RV just goes into the research before you put it up.

This week on the RV Podcast, we share our Top 10 RV Rules for Couples who want to get along in a motorhome! In honor of this being the 300th episode of the RV Podcast, we will share our Top 10 Rules for RV Couples who want to get along in the confined space of an RV. The advice is timeless, especially with so many newcomers coming to the RV world. We also have lots of important RV news this week, plus your RV questions, RV tips, and a fun off the beaten path report from the Burketts. Show Notes for Episode #300 June 24, 2020 of The RV Podcast: WHAT MIKE AND JENNIFER WENDLAND ARE UP TO THIS WEEK We are back in Michigan! We got back late Friday, just in time for Father’s Day weekend. After six months on the road, I confess it’s nice to be back in our official state of domicile for a few days! On Wednesday, we are scheduled to pick up our brand new RV - a 2021 Leisure Trave Vans Wonder. We'll be videoing and blogging about the big day and our first camping trips. No matter how many times we get a new RV, we can hardly sleep we get so excited. So say tuned. We can't wait to get the keys!  This part of the podcast is brought to you by RadPower Bikes, America's #1 e-bike brand, offering direct to consumer pricing on powerful premium electric bikes. Now with free shipping   RV NEWS OF THE WEEK Senate passes bill that will send billions to national parks for much-needed maintenance, improvements Last week the U.S. Senate passed the "Great American Outdoors Act," a bill described as the most far-reaching conservation law in 40 years, that is expected to send millions of dollars from offshore oil drilling to pay for campgrounds, city parks, trails and more in all 50 states. The bill would provide $9.5 billion over five years to repair roads, restrooms, trails and campgrounds at the national parks. And it would guarantee $900 million a year to the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The bill now heads to the House, where quick passage is expected, President Donald Trump has said he will sign it into law. We will be following this as it looks like great news for America's national parks. Borders between U.S., Canada and Mexico to remain closed for another month to nonessential travel - at least Campers hoping to head to Canada or Mexico anytime soon learned last week that they will have to wait another month after the U.S. Department of Homeland Security extended the border closure to July 21 because of COVID-19. Borders are closed to nonessential travel, which is what camping is considered, and have been so for months. The order was supposed to lift in June but was extended last week as each nation seeks to limit the spread of the virus. We wrote about how seriously Canadians are taking this last week (click here) and urge you to follow the law, knowing that one day borders will open again. Just yesterday Fellow Traveler Rick Eles sent us a link to a big story on the Canadian Television network explaining how angry Canadians, spotting license pastes from the US at Canadian national parks like Banff, were calling in the Mounties!  And they’ve been writing tickets – at least seven last week – that carry a $1,200 fine. Two women face jail time, fines and ban from Yellowstone for going off-trail and damaging thermal zone Two women who went off trail and damaged the delicate thermal zone at Yellowstone National Park were sentenced last week to jail time, ordered to pay fines, and banned from re-entering the park for two years. The women, from Philadelphia, damaged orange bacteria mats at Opal Pool in the Midway Geyser Basin when they illegally decided to walk off-trail. These mats are made of heat-loving bacteria that give the thermal beds their color and are a primary attraction to the area. To see some pictures of the beauty of Yellowstone, check out this oldie but goodie post we did here. Nine states still report closed or restricted campgrounds, the rest are now open State campgrounds opened in Michigan Monday (June 22) and New Jersey now permits camping at 12 of its state parks or forests as well. But as we've been telling you, check what the rules are in your destination before leaving. Some places permit tents, some do not. Some allow camping only for state residents, some are open to all. Some require reservations, some prohibit camping with friends and limit the number of people at a site and require those people all be in the same household. It all is very confusing.   Campendium reported as we prepared this report that at last count only 9 state campground systems are closed or open to state residents only. And slowly, that number that continues to drop. If you are heading out, check ahead by clicking here. Camping remains a low-risk activity,  just like going to a beach, As more of us are camping, and deciding whether to swim at a beach, hike a trail, or dine at a restaurant amid COVID-19, we thought it might be a good time to share a story that came out last weekend in the Washington Post that quoted a number of experts about outdoor activities. The story, as others we have seen, pointed out that camping remains a VERY low-risk activity as the virus does not survive for long outside, and when camping in your RV, you are living in your own “little house on wheels" with your own family. The story also reviewed the risk of swimming in a lake or ocean (very low), using a public restroom (some risk), eating at a restaurant (even more risk), and more.  LISTENER RV QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK QUESTION: From Anne and Mark - We've followed you for a few years now and really enjoy the information and forum you provide. Wanted to say that we hope your presentations at Lakeside Chautauqua happen as we've reserved a site there so we can attend and hope to meet you. We're currently at Yellowstone (Anne's first time!) and have enjoyed using your seven-day adventure guide. We've had an amazing time. Planning to hike your favorite hike tomorrow! Anne and Mark ANSWER: No big live entertainment events at Hoover auditorium this summer. Most of the lectures will be online. There are other restrictions. The pool is by reservations only and for 2-hour limits.  I’d say the situation is fluid as the staff tries to evaluate. We’re doubtful we will be there the week of Aug. 3-6, as scheduled, and doing a Zoom meeting is just not the same as interacting live, in person. So unless something dramatically changes soon, I don’t see us going there this summer. We’ll let you know if that changes. QUESTION: From Tim - We went looking at class C RVs , we’re like two years out, looking at 25-30’ , I asked the salesman about boondocking, he said most people with class C camp at campsites not boondock, so is it possible or do any of you boondock with a class C ? We watch a lot of YouTube of people camping in BLM and such, I’m just wondering if that’s too big?? – From Tim ANSWER – Not at all, especially with a 25 footer. The 30 footer may present more of a challenge in really remote spots but lots and lots of Class C RVers boondock. Tim asked this question on our RV Lifestyle Facebook Group and got lots of suggestions. Donna noted “Most Boondocking places give you a good description of how the roads are getting to their spot. Read them and use common sense” Jim was very blunt, saying “Sales person is an idiot .... guessing he has never been in a camper.” Any noted “The 30-33’ class c’s are a little scary off road because their back end is big and long and hits the ground if your rear axle rolls into a low spot.” And Ron very accurately suggests “take a look at RV Lifestyle, hosted by Mike Wendland and his wife. They have a C, Leisure a Time Travel, and boondock with regularity.” Indeed we do. Do you have a question you’d like us to answer or a comment on the things we’re discussing? If so, we invite you to leave us that question or comment on the special voicemail number we have for the podcast – it’s 586-372-6990.  If you are driving and can’t write it down right now, just go to the RV Lifestyle travel blog at rvlifestyle.com and scroll down the page. You’ll see that number prominently posted on the blog. This part of the RV Podcast is brought to you by Battle Born Batteries, maker of quality, safe, and reliable lithium batteries that can be installed in just about every RV. Get in touch with Battle Born to find out what lithium batteries and an upgraded energy management system can add to your RV Lifestyle. Check them out at https://rvlifestyle.com/lithium RV INTERVIEW OF THE WEEK The Top 10 RV Rules for Couples who want to get along Mike Wendland:            On a recent trip, Jennifer and I were doing some stuff and well, I forgot we were in a motor home until she said. Jennifer:                       I need a little bit of space with you not in it. Mike Wendland:            I withdrew immediately. But the incident got me thinking, see there's really not a whole lot of room in there so to survive and enjoy the adventure, we've come up with our top 10 rules for getting along in a motor home. Jennifer:                       Rule number one, if you have problems getting along at home, don't expect it to be easier in a motor home. Two people can share the same space, but the most important rule is mutual respect and don't try to do two different things in the same space. Mike Wendland:            Rule number two, don't over pack. You really don't need to have any more than say a three day supply of food or clothes. You can do laundry on the road and you can buy food locally, where it's the freshest. Jennifer:                       Rule number three, everything has a place and a place for everything. Agree beforehand where you're going to store things. When done using, return them to that place and nowhere else. Mike Wendland:            Rule number four, if you travel with pets, assign them a space too. Dogs and cats love to know where they're supposed to be. Assign them their spot in the motor home and train them to sleep there.

By Tom & Patti Burkett RV Podcast Off the Beaten Path Reporters This spring our rhubarb plant went out of control.  It sprouted three huge flowering stalks which bent from their own weight and then grew sideways and then up again reminding us of nothing so much as Audrey 2 from the Little Shop of Horrors.  “Feed me!” we imagined her saying as we passed close by.   So Patti got out the clippers and lopped off her offending parts, then most of the leaves (from which she mad rhubarb pudding cake, one of my favorites) and now the plant looks tame indeed. There really are, though, as I’m sure you know, meat-eating plants out there off the beaten path!  The Burketts audio version of this article can be heard on Episode 299 of the RV Podcast. Click the player below and fast forward to about 48:27 to hear them:  Most of the carnivorous plants subsist on insects, but they do score an occasional worm, small frog, or even an unwary lizard.  You go, plants!  These carnivorous plants are specialized for growing in low nitrogen soil.  Inasmuch as nitrogen is a primary plant nutrient, what the soil lacks is gathered from the surrounding area by attractive nectar and aromas.  You can find pitcher plants in any bog around North America, tucked among the sphagnum moss and lady’s slippers. Off the Beaten Path to the world of flesh-eating plants The Burketts take us off the beaten path in this RV Podcast report about man-eating plants But if you want to get a good look at the stars of the meat-eating plant world, you’ll have to head off the beaten path to the Carolinas on the east coast or California and Oregon in the west.   The Cape Fear area of North Carolina is in the heart of flytrap country, and it was here that Stanley Rehder grew up, first helping his grandmother sell flowers from her yard to visitors on their way to a nearby cemetery and, later, at his father’s wholesale and retail florist business.  He earned a degree in horticulture from NC State University. Stanley fell in love with carnivorous plants and spent his career studying and promoting them.  He appeared on “Good Morning, America”, and "That’s Incredible,” and was interviewed by Barbara Walters on the “Today” show, always with plant in hand to explain its unique features.   He found a boggy off the beaten path area behind a local elementary school and began to transplant and culture his favorite specimens.   When Rehder passed away in 2012, the area was designated as a preserve in his name. When you’re driving US 17 (one of our favorite off the beaten path broads) along the East coast, turn off on Independence Boulevard in Wilmington, North Carolina and drive a few blocks south to the Piney Ridge Nature Preserve.   A paved path and boardwalk will take you back into the garden, where a surprising variety of plants grow in the bog, and some are cultivated in planters right on the boardwalk so visitors can have an up-close and personal look.   Carolina Beach State Park, a few miles south, also has a flytrap trail that winds through a bog with many pitcher plants and bladderworts.  Off the beaten path carnivorous plants out west There's another off the beaten path spot to observe more meat-eating plants just north of Florence, Oregon. Look for the Darlingtonia wayside stop, where a paved trail will take you into a bog where you can see the cobra plant, which looks just like its namesake, waving above the peat.   Stanley, the flytrap man we talked about above, may be gone, but thanks to his effort and foresight, we can all have a look at some rare and beautiful (if just a touch scary) plants, out here.... off the beaten path. Subscribe to the RV Podcast on your favorite app downloaded from the app store. New episodes come out every week! Get more off the beaten path RV travel ideas, tips, news, and perks! Each Monday we publish our RV Lifestyle Newsletter, where we share weekly articles about RV travel that inspire and inform. As soon as you sign up, we'll send you for free the RV travel checklist that Jennifer and I use. You can save it to your computer and print it out for every trip like we do. No more forgetting things!  Plus, besides the insider's newsletter each Monday, you'll get lots of special perks and RV discounts.  Enter your info below and you are in! [mc4wp_form id="49345"]