Issue 1178
The latest news for RVers
Financial analysis website Seeking Alpha released an article from a stock market watcher who questions just how much Marcus Lemonis trusts his own company. We reported that Lemonis recently dumped more than $8 million in Camping World Holding shares. Another “10 percent” shareholder, Abrams Capital, unloaded a whopping $47.8 million worth of shares last week. According to the Seeking Alpha post, Lemonis may be looking at “a rough road ahead” in the company’s financials. Is Camping World’s future in question?
As Hurricane Helene victims continue to struggle to try and rebuild their lives, an apparent “savior” appears on the scene. Elon Musk and his satellite-based internet service offered “free” internet access to those in need. Mainstream and local media quickly picked up on Musk’s generosity. But is Musk really offering free hurricane internet aid, or is this just a sharp business move? Locals suggest the richest man in the world may have mixed motives.
RV sales face unprecedented meltdown in latest stats. While RV manufacturers continue to put a positive spin on the future of the industry, RV dealers are in the real world. And the real world isn’t looking so good. An RV sales meltdown is the order of the day, as August retail registrations—the true indicator of new RV sales—show some of the worst numbers.
Scams and misinformation are spreading about FEMA hurricane efforts. The high volume of rumors and misinformation in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene has caused confusion and threatens important response and recovery efforts. It’s likely that more scams will appear after Hurricane Milton. Here’s what’s going on.
Hurricane Helene has left a tragic toll in its wake. Dozens of RV campgrounds have been severely damaged, some simply wiped out. But putting the flooding damage on a closer level is a video that comes from Virginia. Floodwaters from Helene dragged an RV right over a dam. Watch the video here.
If your heart goes out to all those suffering from the devastating effects of Hurricanes Helene and Milton and you wonder how you can possibly help, here are some suggestions.
The mystery gets deeper as Colorado officials investigate the killing of a cougar in a campground near Cañon City. Last week, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) said the agency is waiting on a necropsy to figure out whether the mountain lion death was self-defense, or something more.
A peaceful afternoon in the California Sierras was disrupted as members of a “motorcycle group” rolled in and assaulted campers. The local sheriff’s office is asking the public to help in what turned into a felony assault and battery investigation.
Campground crowding (and more!)
RVers feel “sadness” about the transformation of camping; “I miss it”
This week Nanci Dixon shares more of your concerns about the high cost of RVing and also the cost of living in general cutting into travel plans as well as retirement plans. A couple of RVers have pragmatic views on permanent RV park residents and increasing costs of RVing. And one RVer has high praise for a “man of his word” at one particular RV resort in Yuma, AZ. Those and more of your stories are here.
More RVing news
[Update: The portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia reopened on Friday. The portion in North Carolina remains closed as of Friday.] Probably one of America’s most scenic driving treasures, the Blue Ridge Parkway is still completely shut down as a result of Hurricane Helene. Tens of thousands of trees are blown down on the roadway, and in places, the roadway is simply gone. The Blue Ridge Parkway devastation is huge. Learn more.
A Zion National Park visitor has died in a tragic canyoneering accident. A report from Zion officials says the man perished in a fall near the exit of Heaps Canyon at Zion National Park on Saturday, October 5, 2024. He was canyoneering with three others when he fell between 150 and 200 feet. Continue reading.
The National Weather Service is changing the way it issues cold weather alerts. Starting this fall and winter, wind chill alerts and hard freeze warnings will be streamlined into broader cold weather advisories, watches and warnings. These updates aim to make it easier for people to understand weather alerts and take appropriate action. Here are the details.
Last July, a hydrothermal explosion blasted Black Diamond Pool, shaking the visitors at Yellowstone National Park. The blast demolished the boardwalks and scattered debris across a wide area. Some expressed fears that the Yellowstone explosion might somehow be related to the magma reservoir that lies beneath the park. Could it signal an awakening that could lead to a huge blast that could wipe out an entire region? Geologists issue a warning.
As we reported earlier this week, a Park Service ranger lost his life rescuing a family visiting Minnesota’s Voyageurs National Park. We weren’t able to include the ranger’s name, as it had yet to be publicly released. Now the Park Service has come forward with both his name, and more details of his life.
Walmart adds pet veterinary care centers. Walmart announced key expansions to its core pet care offerings — opening new Walmart Pet Services centers to widen access to in-person and virtual veterinary care, pet prescription delivery, grooming services, pet food and supplies. The newest locations will open within the next month in Georgia and Arizona. Learn more.
Hurricane Milton raises gas prices… again. The national average for a gallon of gas increased two cents to $3.21 since last week as large areas of the country dealt with severe back-to-back storm damage. Like Hurricane Helene, Milton will not severely impact national gasoline supplies but will affect demand in areas with destroyed infrastructure, flooded roads, and power outages. More info here.
The National Park Service continues to assess conditions and address damage following the impacts from Hurricane Helene in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The park experienced substantial damage, particularly in North Carolina, including Balsam Mountain, Big Creek and Cataloochee Valley. Learn more about the closures here.
At the Mountain River Family Campground in western North Carolina, the tranquil North Toe River usually steals the show. Lately, it’s been the campground’s guests who are in the spotlight. A week ago, Hurricane Helene completely destroyed this wonderful RV campground. Since then, RVers from across the country who have enjoyed the campground in the past are stepping up. They’re helping in a unique and compassionate way.
Yellowstone visits are slightly behind their record year of 2021. Yellowstone National Park hosted 852,435 recreation visits in September 2024. This is a 2% increase from September 2023 (838,458 recreational visits). This September’s visitation showed a 3% decrease from September 2021 (882,078 recreation visits). Find the rest of the numbers here.
Saturday giveaway
How would you like to win this cow-print heated blanket?
We love heated blankets, but we especially love this cow-print one. It’s not something you see every day!
How to win
We’ll select a winner at random out of all entries we receive today by 7 p.m. Pacific time. You can only enter once and after we notify you by email that you won, you have 24 hours to respond.
Reader poll
Do you return to the same campground/RV park each year?
Latest fuel prices
The latest U.S. average prices per gallon of gasoline and diesel fuel as of October 7, 2024:
Regular unleaded gasoline: $3.14
Change from week before: Down 4 cents; Change from year before: Down 55 cents.
Diesel: $3.58
Change from week before: Up 4 cents; Change from year before: Down 91 cents.
For fuel prices for specific regions, states, and cities, go to U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Brain teaser
I’m a ball, but I can’t be kicked, thrown or tossed. What kind of ball am I?
(Answer in tomorrow’s Sunday RV Travel newsletter.)
Recipes of the day
5 recipes straight from the pumpkin patch
Bring the pumpkin patch straight to your kitchen. These recipes, both sweet and savory, are all made with pumpkin. Some even say they’ll convert the non-pumpkin-lover, so we say give it a try. They sound gooooooood. Here they are.
Trivia
According to the Farmers’ Almanac, early American farmers used corncobs as toilet paper. They write, “Dried corncobs were plentiful and quite efficient at cleaning. They were also softer on tender areas than you might think. Even after toilet paper became available, some people in Western states still preferred corncobs when using the outhouse.”
The perfect scam
Part two: Scam targets local darting community
In Part 2 of this 2022 episode, Darlene Asher, as the head of her local dart league, has been leading the charge to help Jeremiah Jon Smith, who club members believe is dying from cancer. But when Jeremiah’s wife leaves him, she shares her doubts with Darlene about his illness. A police investigation reveals the devastating truth: Jeremiah has been faking his cancer and exploiting his friends’ generosity in order to line his pockets.
Laugh of the week
Today in history
Today’s weather forecast across the nation
Visit Current National Radar Weather Map
Headed on an unfamiliar highway? Learn if it has low bridges you might not fit under.
RVtravel.com All Star Team
Click here for information about our staff and how to contact us.
Seems like a lot of people put down Elon Musk. We should be proud that an American has developed so many business and succeed. He gets heat for the Teslas recalls, but you don’t hear Ford getting heat for so many recalls and problems with their vehicles. I’m not a elect vehicle lover, but I see more Teslas on the road than any other electric vehicle.
And he wants to make America GREAT once again!
America has been GREAT for years. Way before the orange man came along !
“has been” correct.
MAGA.
You don’t realize how screwed up our federal government is until you try using one of the federal agencies for help. Or go to your congressman for help. Like I have. I know there’s probably a few good congressman, but not mine. As a Veteran, I can’t even get the Veterans lifetime National Park Pass, from a National Park in Pa, or off the USGS online store. Finally got the senior lifetime pass from Delaware Water Gap National Park, but no lifetime veteran passes. They have bankers hours.
Actually, Musk was born in South Africa, immigrated to Canada and moved to the USA. He retains citizenship in all three countries. (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elon_Musk)
However, the USA does not recognize him as a citizen of anywhere but the USA. It is a condition of acquiring Citizenship, even if S. Africa recognizes it, the USA does not.
Not true. The US recognizes both (or all three in this case).
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/travel-legal-considerations/Relinquishing-US-Nationality/Dual-Nationality.html
At least Musk is a legal American citizen.
Cheers to you Bob. And come on Chuck enough of the Elon bashing. Leave it at he helped. If you had millions I’d hope you would help too.
Elon Musk was born in South Africa.
Who cares where he was born…he’s an American citizen now!
The number of multi-millionaires in America has supposedly skyrocketed, yet only two have stepped forth with major donations for the recently devastated portion of the United States. It makes me sad, while most help appears to come from people that can only offer up ten or twenty dollars of their near empty pockets.
Technically we are a millionaire (not multi). But a millionaire isn’t what it used to be. We used to get pensions, now we have to fund our own retirements. The money is tax-deferred, which means you are taxed when we withdraw from the savings. And if we draw big chunks, you are in a higher tax bracket – plus those savings have to last the rest of our lives. We own our house, but its value is a big part of why we are a millionaire. And if we liquidated this asset, we would have to spend most or maybe all of it obtaining other shelter. So, yes we do charitable donations, but not in the thousands of dollars.
Exactly. If one can give, then give what one can. Sometimes time, sometimes treasure, sometimes nothing. It is a very personal thing and we will all be judged by more than each other.
It is clear from the comments that the readership of rvtravel are right-wing nuts. If this readership is representative of the people I will encounter while RVing, then RVing isn’t for me. I don’t want to lose my life while trying to enjoy nature. And I’m canceling my subscription.
Lose your life?
Another leftest with bad case of TDS.
Those are on both sides of the fence.
Bye, Felicia.
Savage.
Bye!
Good bye Darla, I will miss you.
Best regards,
Another Right Wing Nut
Political season. It will subside. Unfortunately, this season in particular, the extremes from either side can’t find it in themselves to give our leaders, government or fellow citizens the benefit of the doubt or even consider they may be trying in their own way to make the world a better place. Instead, they seize on every phase as a personal affront or sinister plot.
I don’t choose my leaders or friends by what team they play on, but by their ability to show good will, give each other the benefit of rhe doubt, reach across the aisle and work to find common ground and compromise in crafting solutions. Personal attacks and bad tempers are a disqualifers. Choose uniters, not dividers
Well JP, unfortunately that counts out both of the current candidates for high office. So now how do you decide? What is your metric now that both have been excluded because on this we agree, the personal attacks must end and both are guilty.
For me, I’ll go with the one that has a proven track record of results over the one with a track record of failure. This year, our choice is between 2 candidates that both have measurable track records and because at the end of the day we all must choose, i will base it on track record.
I respect your choice JP, no matter what it is, I’m just curious about how you will choose now that you have disqualified both?
HAPPY TRAILS.
One must assess the record based on past performance (albeit individuals have different metrics on what constitutes success, and what is just blowing smoke), ones values, and ones priorities. We probably disagree on as much as we agree on that point, as our priorities differ, but that’s OK. I would offer that one candidate was POTUS with an actual track record and the other VP aka bucket of spit in terms of power, so I’m not sure I buy the track record argument as it applies to the US executive branch, but point taken. I do wish there was more candor acknowledging what has worked, what has not, and why the delay in course correction where needed. But, neither seems able to admit mistakes.
Full agreement with one exception. When asked earlier this week on live TV what she would have done differently than her boss, she replied and I quote ‘not one thing comes to mind…. and I was part of all the major policy decisions’. That kind of scares me but again, I respect your path to making a decision and your decision.
That made me cringe, Cancel. Although she needs to be loyal to the President she serves, I thought it was not only disingenuous, but a complete missed opportunity to define herself and her priorities. You can’t run on change if you refuse to,untether yourself from shortcomings and misjudgements. Worst of all, it showed a lack of integrity and honesty.
My answer would have been: “We made misjudgements and unfortunately, we were unwilling to acknowledge them and make the necessary course corrections as the situation evolved. Now, it would have been great if congress was less bent on obstruction than problem solving, but there are actions we should have taken sooner. “
Exactly. How can you run as “the candidate of change” if your not bold enough to say what you would have changed? Yell it out loud at the top of yiur lungs what your bosses mistakes were and be an agent of change. Pure weakness on display. Boldness in voicing one’s own convictions must be priority one if you want to be President, not blind loyalty. It was a startling answer and a missed opportunity to define actual differences. It showed 100%, IMO, no difference should be expected from her.
I know we can disagree on a lot but at least neither of us have an uninformed “blind loyalty”.
Miss you already.
Darla – you are spot on about the right-wing nuts here – soooo many! I’m only here for information on closed parks, roads, weather etc.
I’m here because I enjoy all the good information and comments from us nuts. Thank God our forefathers gave us freedom of speech. And thank our Veterans and Soldiers for ensuring we still have it.
One Darla to another!! So sad y feel that way. This is wonderful news lett fill with many diverse and informative opinions. So sad that you pick one sentence to Base your opinion on. Unfortunately you will miss them news letter more than it will miss you and what better way to change the world than to be exposed to ALL opinions. Instead you will take your toy and leave your n a hug when there is something you don’t agree with. Sad
I grew up in Iowa and, as a kid, my father lived in farmhouse with an outhouse (no indoor plumbing). They used corn cobs in the outhouse. Some corn varieties have red cobs and some have white cobs. He used to tell me that they used a red cob, then a white cob to see if they needed another red cob. He was was so darn funny.
I hope no one confuses conservatives DarlaV with this wing nut!!!!
Attention Walmart shoppers, we are offering a big discount on bags of corn cobs in the camping section!
🤣😂👍
Clearly Russ and Tina have a huge problem with Elon Musk. A prejudiced article slamming the guy for giving away a month of free Starlink service. How petty and childish.
The free month of service is nice but $450-$500 for the equipment is the catch, unless you already have the equipment. Reading the fine print helps
Oh no you don’t get to go there. Remember when Elon donated to Ukraine? Well, those Starlinks came with big strong handcuffs, plus the govt had to pay for them, benefiting Elon and his companies. Nuthin’ is free from that guy.
Your just wrong. Even CNN reported 8 monhs after the satelites were repositioned, and Elon started asking who was going to reimburse Starlink for the costs and was told no one. Even CNN reported the truth that Elon’s reply was “OK, I guess we will continue to cover the costs”.
Respectfully Barbara, your just wrong.
I am sure he is getting compensated by now but it has been almost 3 years of war and he us a private business owner. He is not the Secretary of Defense and his company is not owned by the Gov’t. Are you implying he should cover this cost in war forever?
Further Barbara, Are you implying he was obligated somehow to supply Ukraine with free satelite wifi setups? What about the regular members of the Industrial War Economies? How about Boeing, free jets? Raytheon, free guided missles. Colt for free M-16’s.
What is it really about Elon Musk…. it sure seems like pure ENVY to me or is it simply his awareness of the importance of Constitutional Purity now that he has been abandoned by the left for buying X and preserving the 1st.
My sincere compliments to RVTRAVEL, Chuck and Emily and all of the contributing writers this week, along with Diane.
Knowing full well that a couple of this weeks reports would elicit much conversation, uncomfortable or not, you did a great job in allowing civil discord in real time among your readers. Keep up the great work on allowing thinkers to think and commenter’s to comment. We are all grown ups.
As an Alaskan–and with friends in Hawaii–I’d like to suggest that you label the very useful weather map you publish “Today’s weather forecast across the contiguous 48 states.” In Alaska we often refer to “the lower 48,” but contiguous is both less perjorative and more literate.
Thank you, Emily and Diane! By the time I was out of diapers, our outhouse was no longer in use (rarely used?). We had indoor plumbing added to the house by then. Don’t know what my parents used in the outhouse. Thanks again, have a great weekend, and safe travels!
Sears Catalog pages.
Thanks, Bob M! Have a great week and safe travels!
Pertaining to the starlink free service. I am in S/W Florida and suffered losses in both Helene & Milton. We don’t have electric or internet and cell coverage is sketchy. The offer for free Starlink comes with a caveat. If you subscribe, there is an obligation to continue the service AND you must purchase the equipment via credit card over the internet. TWO issues:
1. No internet and they do not take orders over phone.
2. Having to purchase equipment for FREE service. No thanks, I’ll find a hot spot. Free is not free.
Also, we have not had fuel deliveries in a 50 mile radius since Tuesday morning, the day before Milton. You know the storm is bad when Jim Cantore is 1/4 mile from your door.
lol. Good observation.