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Saturday, November 11, 2023
Issue 1130
Members edition
Featured news articles
Good news: Gas prices starting to feel low again
The national average for a gallon of gas dropped four cents since last week to $3.40. However, the steady, if slow, decline may gain speed after recent drops in the price of oil. Parked in the mid-$80s per barrel a week ago, oil is now hovering around the mid-$70s. Since it is the main ingredient in gasoline, less expensive oil usually leads to falling gas prices. Continue reading.
Federal judge denies injunction to stop BLM deforestation in Nevada
By Randall Brink
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM)’s contentious initiative to remove pinyon-juniper forests over an expanse of more than 380,000 acres in Nevada has ignited a conflict between federal management agency and environmental preservation interests. The extensive clearing adjacent to the Great Basin National Park has raised alarms due to its potential impact on the region’s biodiversity and RV boondocking. Learn more.
Camping World location gives way to a fire station
While we often speak of Camping World’s “march for domination,” the big dealer occasionally pulls the plug on one of its sites. Such was the case in Henderson, Nevada, some time back. What do you do with a defunct RV dealership? The answer: Camping World gives way to a fire station. Read more.
Locals riled – An RV park is coming to Navarre Beach, Florida
After years of fighting, it’s all over but the shouting. The fight has been between an RV park developer and a local residents’ association. After court battles, and battles of public opinion, the victory is handed to the developer. An RV park is coming to Navarre Beach, Florida. Continue reading.
BLM’s Wyoming “land grab” hits opposition in Congress
By Russ and Tiña De Maris
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has come under fire in Wyoming. The agency wants to list 1.8 million acres as “areas of critical environmental concern.” The idea didn’t sit well with Wyoming’s U.S. Representative Harriet Hageman, a Republican. She declared the BLM’s actions as “one of the largest land grabs we’ve ever seen,” and has taken action in the House to block it. Continue reading.
Veterans Day
Military veterans impact camping industry
If you compare the numbers, camping veterans make a significant impact in campgrounds today. That may also explain how a large number of campground owners are themselves military veterans. Continue reading.
National Park Service hosts Veterans Day specials on Saturday
The National Park Service (NPS) will host special events today. The specials include free entrance to everyone on Saturday, November 11, to commemorate Veterans Day. For a sampling of special events for Veterans Day, click here.
Veterans get free night of camping in Missouri State Parks
Veterans get a free night of camping in Missouri State Parks if they meet certain conditions. All veterans and active-duty military members who camp at a Missouri State Parks campground Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, will receive a voucher for a free night of camping. … Vets and active duty military folks can also take free tours of Missouri state historic sites Friday, November 10, through Sunday, November 12. Learn more.
Campground Crowding
RVer pays more than $90,000 (in 7 years) to stay at RV parks and resorts
RV sales have slowed and fewer people are buying RVs than has been the recent trend. Has that changed campground crowding? This week, Nanci Dixon shares your stories about having to pay for amenities not used; another RVer giving up RVing for “moteling,” which is cheaper fuel-wise; an insider’s tip about using Harvest Hosts; a great tip about the state park campgrounds in New Mexico; and an RVer who has spent more than $90,000 in 7 years of RVing but says, “My RV life is far less expensive than my sticks-and-brick life and I am enjoying this life more.”
RV Video Tour
Check out what’s new in the 2024 Casita Travel Trailers
By Cheri Sicard
Join Jonathan Willis from Casita Travel Trailers in the video below and check out the changes and innovations to the 2024 Casita Travel Trailers. Since the molds don’t change, it might not seem like anything changes from year to year in these popular lightweight fiberglass travel trailers. But that’s not so, although to be sure the changes might be more subtle than in other brands.
We are now reporting the news daily
Stay up to date with the news! Get the latest news about RVing every weekday afternoon straight to your inbox. We began the weekday emails on November 7. Sign up to receive these timely emails here. (You can easily unsubscribe if you wish.)
Don’t want to sign up? Don’t worry. This newsletter isn’t going anywhere. Continue reading this newsletter every Saturday for a recap of the latest news for RVers.
More RVing News
California State Parks has announced that D.L. Bliss State Park in the Lake Tahoe Basin will remain closed through the summer of 2024. Contract work to replace aging waterlines at the park is ongoing and expected to be completed next year.
Zion National Park announces seasonal changes. Every year, the National Park Service (NPS) adjusts shuttle schedules and campground availability to reflect the seasons. Here is what you need to know to plan a visit when the winter season gets underway.
A tractor trailer carrying beehives rolled over on CA-190 in Death Valley National Park on November 6. The driver and several emergency responders were stung by bees. Learn more.
If you visited Yellowstone National Park recently, you may have felt overwhelmed by crowds. Even during the “shoulder season,” folks are coming hot and heavy. Yes, Yellowstone visits continue their upward pattern, as October’s numbers bear out.
A hiker’s mishap on a fake trail in British Columbia calls into question internet-provided map data. Past experience has shown you don’t need to be a hiker to get into trouble with a GPS, or internet-provided map data. RVers take note.
It’s bounced between county commissioners and the courts. A detractor says it’s not an RV park—it’s single-family housing. It’s a little RV park that draws plenty of opposition, but it’s still moving ahead in Bonner County, Idaho.
The impact of this week’s elections has reached the Lone Star state. With an overwhelming set of numbers, Texas voters support their state parks.
Planning a visit to a major recreation attraction in Arizona and Nevada? Come January 1, the new rule is this: Don’t bring cash to Lake Mead.
Speaking of Lake Mead… Several areas at Lake Mead have been closed due to water contamination. The NPS says they have temporarily shut down those areas showing high levels of fecal bacteria out of concern for public safety.
If you’ve never driven it, it’s worth putting on your routing plans. But don’t think about doing it until at least next spring. Oregon’s Old McKenzie Pass Highway is probably already closed for winter. Here are the details.
New York State officials are in the middle of a week-long campaign to cut down on bridge strikes from tall vehicles. Governor Kathy Hochul said the situation is “creating public safety hazards, traffic delays and damage to bridges across the state.”
The Napa County Board of Supervisors has initiated exclusive negotiations for the transformation of the Steele Canyon resort area near Lake Berryessa in Northern California into a Camp Margaritaville Resort, which will include RV accommodations. Read more.
While Arizona is a huge drawing card for snowbirds, not every inch of the state has a warm winter. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is open for business year-round. But like a lot of other places around the country, winter at Glen Canyon means fewer services.
Lazydays has acquired RVzz, an RV dealership located in St. George, Utah. The store has been renamed “Lazydays RV of St. George” and marks the 23rd location in the company’s nationwide network and growing presence in the Southwest. Learn more.
Saturday Giveaway!
How would you like to win the brand-new 2024 National Geographic Road Atlas: Adventure Edition?
How to win
We’ll select a winner at random out of all entries we receive today (November 11, 2023) by 7 p.m. Pacific time. Remember, you can only enter once and after we notify you by email via RVcontests@gmail.com that you won, you have 24 hours to respond or we’ll give the prize to someone else.
Click here to enter or see last week’s winner!
Reader poll
Are you an “RVer” if you live in a park model RV that stays in one place?
Latest fuel prices
Here are the latest U.S. average prices per gallon of gasoline and diesel fuel as of November 6, 2023:
Regular unleaded gasoline: $3.40
Change from week before: Down 8 cents; Change from year before: Down 40 cents.
Diesel: $4.37
Change from week before: Down 9 cents; Change from year before: Down 97 cents.
For fuel prices for specific regions, states, and cities, go to U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Recent Recalls
- Forest River recall: Adrenaline, Work and Play towables recalled for low visibility
- Chinook recalls Bayside motorhomes for backup camera fault
- Forest River recalls some towables for a melting wire issue
Brain Teaser
What is yours to own, yet others use it more?
(Answer in tomorrow’s Sunday RV Travel newsletter. And please don’t spoil it for other readers by posting the answer in the comments.)
Upcoming RV shows
Click here for a directory of upcoming shows.
Recipe of the Day
Jean’s Nacho Casserole
by Jean Fisher from O’Fallon, IL
Yum! This nacho casserole is easy and super tasty. Set out your favorite nacho toppings and let the family customize their plate. This is one easy dinner recipe.
Trivia
Ever wonder why there’s no apostrophe in Veterans Day? It seems like there should be, right? Nope, it’s not “Veteran’s Day” or “Veterans’ Day” because it does not belong (apostrophe indicates possession) to veterans—it honors and celebrates all veterans. No apostrophe needed!
Laugh of the Week
Today in History
RVtravel.com All Star Team
Publisher: Chuck Woodbury. Editor: Emily Woodbury. Associate editor: Diane McGovern. Senior editors: Russ and Tiña De Maris. Senior writers: Nanci Dixon, Gail Marsh, Dave Solberg and Cheri Sicard. Contributors: Roger Marble, Dave Helgeson, Janet Groene, J.R. Montigel, Randall Brink, Dustin Simpson, Dale Wade, Jan Steele and Tony Barthel. Financial affairs director: Gail Meyring. IT wrangler: Kim Christiansen. Artificial Intelligence (AI) contributors: Johnny Robot and Milly MacWilly. Canine mascots: Archie and Astor “the Disaster”
Everything in this newsletter is true to the best of our knowledge. But we occasionally get something wrong. We’re just human! So don’t go spending $10,000 on something we said was good simply because we said so, or fixing something according to what we suggested (check with your own technician first). Maybe we made a mistake. Tips and/or comments in this newsletter are those of the authors and may not reflect the views of RVtravel.com or this newsletter.
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This morning I will raise my flag to it’s full height and glory to honor all those , both living and those who have passed, who have served this country so well !
This evening as I slowly lower my flag, I’ll say a few silent words for our POW / MIA’s , hoping and praying that someday they may all be returned home.
May God bless them all…..
As a veteran myself, I salute all “Veterans” and thank them for their service.
I have quite a line of vets in my family.
I am a Vietnam Veteran who came to the USA for the sole purp[ose of serving in Vietnam. Today in Canada is Remembrance Day. Today I will stay home and mourn my men who were KIA and one MIA, along with my Grandfather, WWII my Father WWII Mother WWII and many great Uncles WWII, who have long passed.
I also served in the Canadian Army Cold War.
Thank You for your service!
Foregoing the fun flag today, putting up the American flag.
I never served but I am in debt of those who have.
The picture of the old man with the shadow of a young soldier is so powerful! Thank you for sharing it.
Thank you to all the men and women who have served or are serving our country!
Not physically able to serve. But our son did and has the scars (physical and mental) and the bits of cloth and metal as hard earned souvenirs. What was in it for him? He will show you his 3 children and their rights to pursue their dreams and gladly point you toward a ballot box.
As immigrants to the ‘New World’ seeking a better life, our extended family service goes at least back to the Michigan Mounted Calvary during the civil war through the post-Vietnam area of our oldest son serving in the AIr Force. Each generation has done their part in service to this country.
Having served overseas and traveled in many countries, I personally believe in the American Dream and the requirement to serve our country.
Thank you, and God Bless you all!
to all veterans. Thank you and God bless
Happy Veterans day to all Veterans and thank you for your service. Please buy a wreath from Wreaths Across America for our deceased veterans in cemeteries across the USA in December.
Thank you, Emily and Diane!
And thank you Diane for your family’s service…
And everyone else at RV Travel who have served or whose family members have also served. Thank You!!
Thank you, Bill. Pretty proud of my son, Sean, who was in the second tank into Iraq (the first one hit a bomb). There was a CNN reporter embedded with my son’s unit, so I’d have the TV on whenever I was home. I saw my son in the background one time. I’m pretty sure he was the only person in the whole country who was 6’8″ tall. (The Marines made an exception for him being that tall.) I haven’t watched TV since he (safely) got out of Iraq. Have a good afternoon. 😀 –Diane
The greatest honor is reserved for those who gave their lives for the benefit of future generations, whose words of thanks they will never hear.
“All gave some…some gave all.” – USAA
A Full size Juniper will remove 30 gallons of water a day from surrounding area’s where it grows. Preventing other vegetation from growing. Large groves of Juniper will dry up ground water and stop natural springs from flowing, denying native animal’s fresh water sources. We see this process in Texas all the time, ranch livestock drinking water springs dry up when Juniper over grows the hill country.
So when there is no rain for 5 mo , then what ? I kind of wonder where you get this info , I see them growing on a rock face wall , no water anywhere ??